Drug interactions
Lapatinib + Rufinamide
Severity: Minor
Lapatinib and Rufinamide: minor 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
Rufinamide is a weak CYP3A4 inducer and may modestly lower lapatinib exposure. The clinical significance is probably small but could reduce efficacy.
What this interaction means in plain words
Lapatinib and Rufinamide have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised.
Lapatinib belongs to Oncology; Rufinamide belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Weak induction of CYP3A4 by rufinamide increases lapatinib metabolism.
What to do
No routine dose change; monitor for reduced tumor response if rufinamide is started or its dose increased.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Is there anything I should notice while taking both?
- Do I need to tell my doctor at the next visit?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Lapatinib and Rufinamide, 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 14 days on the web. No card needed.
Other interactions of Lapatinib
- Dofetilide + Lapatinib Contraindicated
- Ibutilide + Lapatinib Contraindicated
- Lapatinib + Pimozide Contraindicated
- Lapatinib + Saquinavir Contraindicated
- Lapatinib + Thioridazine Contraindicated
- Adagrasib + Lapatinib Major
Other interactions of Rufinamide
- Carbamazepine + Rufinamide Moderate
- Desogestrel-ethinyl estradiol + Rufinamide Moderate
- Dronedarone + Rufinamide Moderate
- Esketamine + Rufinamide Moderate
- Ethinyl estradiol-drospirenone + Rufinamide Moderate
- Ethinyl estradiol-levonorgestrel + Rufinamide Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Lapatinib with Rufinamide?
MediHelp rates the interaction as minor. Lapatinib and Rufinamide have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised. Rufinamide is a weak CYP3A4 inducer and may modestly lower lapatinib exposure. The clinical significance is probably small but could reduce efficacy.
How serious is the interaction between Lapatinib and Rufinamide?
MediHelp rates it minor, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: No routine dose change; monitor for reduced tumor response if rufinamide is started or its dose increased.
What other medicines interact with Lapatinib?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Lapatinib with, for example, Dofetilide, Ibutilide, Pimozide. The full list is on the Lapatinib 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.
