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Drug interactions

Imatinib + Lumacaftor / ivacaftor

Severity: Moderate

Imatinib and Lumacaftor / ivacaftor: moderate interaction.

Last updated

For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.

Summary

Lumacaftor is a strong CYP3A inducer and can lower imatinib concentrations, risking reduced efficacy. Imatinib may raise ivacaftor exposure, but the net effect at steady state is not expected to exceed standard ivacaftor exposure.

What this interaction means in plain words

Imatinib and Lumacaftor / ivacaftor can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.

Evidence level: Moderate

Why it happens

Lumacaftor induces CYP3A4, increasing imatinib clearance, while imatinib inhibits CYP3A4 metabolism of ivacaftor.

What to do

Monitor imatinib response, consider imatinib dose increase or therapeutic drug monitoring, and no ivacaftor dose adjustment is generally needed.

What to ask your pharmacist

  • Should I take them at different times of day?
  • Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
  • Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?

Bring a full list of your medicines, including over-the-counter products, supplements and herbal remedies, to every pharmacy visit.

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Frequently asked questions

Can I take Imatinib with Lumacaftor / ivacaftor?

MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Imatinib and Lumacaftor / ivacaftor can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Lumacaftor is a strong CYP3A inducer and can lower imatinib concentrations, risking reduced efficacy. Imatinib may raise ivacaftor exposure, but the net effect at steady state is not expected to exceed standard ivacaftor exposure.

How serious is the interaction between Imatinib and Lumacaftor / ivacaftor?

MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor imatinib response, consider imatinib dose increase or therapeutic drug monitoring, and no ivacaftor dose adjustment is generally needed.

What other medicines interact with Imatinib?

MediHelp also lists interactions of Imatinib with, for example, Lomitapide, Lonafarnib, Amobarbital. The full list is on the Imatinib page.

Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app

Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.

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