Drug interactions
Liposomal doxorubicin + Trastuzumab
Severity: Major
Liposomal doxorubicin and Trastuzumab: major 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
Trastuzumab can cause cardiomyopathy and left ventricular dysfunction, and the risk is markedly higher when it follows or is combined with anthracyclines. Liposomal doxorubicin is less cardiotoxic than conventional doxorubicin, but additive cardiac injury remains a concern.
What this interaction means in plain words
Liposomal doxorubicin and Trastuzumab can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for.
Liposomal doxorubicin belongs to Oncology; Trastuzumab belongs to Oncology.
Why it happens
Additive cardiotoxicity: anthracycline myocyte injury combined with HER2 pathway inhibition impairing cardiomyocyte repair.
What to do
Assess LVEF before and periodically during therapy, and avoid concurrent use outside carefully monitored settings. Hold trastuzumab or stop the anthracycline if LVEF falls significantly or heart failure symptoms appear.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Does the benefit of taking both outweigh the risk in my case?
- Do I need any blood test, ECG or other check while on both?
- What early warning signs should I watch for, and what should I do if they appear?
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Other interactions of Liposomal doxorubicin
- Dengue vaccine + Liposomal doxorubicin Contraindicated
- Belatacept + Liposomal doxorubicin Major
- Cyclosporine + Liposomal doxorubicin Major
- Dronedarone + Liposomal doxorubicin Major
- Elvitegravir / cobicistat / emtricitabine / tenofovir df + Liposomal doxorubicin Major
- Fingolimod + Liposomal doxorubicin Major
Other interactions of Trastuzumab
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Liposomal doxorubicin with Trastuzumab?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Liposomal doxorubicin and Trastuzumab can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for. Trastuzumab can cause cardiomyopathy and left ventricular dysfunction, and the risk is markedly higher when it follows or is combined with anthracyclines. Liposomal doxorubicin is less cardiotoxic than conventional doxorubicin, but additive cardiac injury remains a concern.
How serious is the interaction between Liposomal doxorubicin and Trastuzumab?
MediHelp rates it major, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Assess LVEF before and periodically during therapy, and avoid concurrent use outside carefully monitored settings. Hold trastuzumab or stop the anthracycline if LVEF falls significantly or heart failure symptoms appear.
What other medicines interact with Liposomal doxorubicin?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Liposomal doxorubicin with, for example, Dengue vaccine, Belatacept, Cyclosporine. The full list is on the Liposomal doxorubicin page.
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