Drug interactions
Irinotecan + Nevirapine
Severity: Moderate
Irinotecan and Nevirapine: 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
Nevirapine induces CYP3A4 and may lower exposure to irinotecan and its active metabolite SN-38, potentially reducing antitumor efficacy. Induction can also change the balance between parent drug and active metabolite, so the net effect on toxicity is unpredictable.
What this interaction means in plain words
Irinotecan and Nevirapine 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.
Irinotecan belongs to Oncology; Nevirapine belongs to Anti Virals.
Why it happens
Nevirapine induces CYP3A4, increasing metabolism of irinotecan to inactive oxidized metabolites.
What to do
Where possible, choose an antiretroviral without enzyme-inducing activity during irinotecan therapy. If the combination is unavoidable, monitor for reduced response and for neutropenia and diarrhea.
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?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Irinotecan and Nevirapine, the additional notes, the evidence detail and the whole-prescription interaction checker.
- Full clinical management advice
- Additional notes
- Evidence detail
- Interaction checker for a whole prescription
Try Pro+ free for 7 days on the web. No card needed.
Other interactions of Nevirapine
- Elbasvir / grazoprevir + Nevirapine Contraindicated
- Nevirapine + Ranolazine Contraindicated
- Nevirapine + St john's wort Contraindicated
- Abemaciclib + Nevirapine Major
- Acalabrutinib + Nevirapine Major
- Amobarbital + Nevirapine Major
Other interactions of Irinotecan
- Clozapine + Irinotecan Contraindicated
- Irinotecan + Sacituzumab govitecan Contraindicated
- Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live + Irinotecan Major
- Apalutamide + Irinotecan Major
- Atazanavir + Irinotecan Major
- Carbamazepine + Irinotecan Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Irinotecan with Nevirapine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Irinotecan and Nevirapine 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. Nevirapine induces CYP3A4 and may lower exposure to irinotecan and its active metabolite SN-38, potentially reducing antitumor efficacy. Induction can also change the balance between parent drug and active metabolite, so the net effect on toxicity is unpredictable.
How serious is the interaction between Irinotecan and Nevirapine?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Where possible, choose an antiretroviral without enzyme-inducing activity during irinotecan therapy. If the combination is unavoidable, monitor for reduced response and for neutropenia and diarrhea.
What other medicines interact with Nevirapine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Nevirapine with, for example, Elbasvir / grazoprevir, Ranolazine, St john's wort. The full list is on the Nevirapine 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.
