Drug interactions
Irinotecan + Schisandra
Severity: Moderate
Irinotecan and Schisandra: 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
Schisandra constituents inhibit CYP3A4 and P-gp in vitro and may modestly raise irinotecan exposure, though some data suggest induction with longer use. Effects are unpredictable.
What this interaction means in plain words
Irinotecan and Schisandra 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.
Why it happens
Herbal lignans modulate CYP3A4 and P-gp activity; direction and magnitude are uncertain.
What to do
Advise patients to avoid schisandra during irinotecan therapy and monitor for diarrhea and neutropenia.
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 Schisandra, 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 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 Schisandra?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Irinotecan and Schisandra 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. Schisandra constituents inhibit CYP3A4 and P-gp in vitro and may modestly raise irinotecan exposure, though some data suggest induction with longer use. Effects are unpredictable.
How serious is the interaction between Irinotecan and Schisandra?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Advise patients to avoid schisandra during irinotecan therapy and monitor for diarrhea and neutropenia.
What other medicines interact with Irinotecan?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Irinotecan with, for example, Clozapine, Sacituzumab govitecan, Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live. The full list is on the Irinotecan 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.
