Drug interactions
Lithium + Sunitinib
Severity: Moderate
Lithium and Sunitinib: 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
Both drugs can prolong the QT interval, so combined use may raise the risk of torsades de pointes, particularly with electrolyte disturbance or heart disease. Lithium can also cause sinus node dysfunction and T-wave changes.
What this interaction means in plain words
Lithium and Sunitinib 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.
Lithium belongs to Central Nervous System; Sunitinib belongs to Oncology.
Why it happens
Additive effects on cardiac repolarization (QT prolongation).
What to do
Obtain a baseline ECG and repeat it after starting or changing doses; keep potassium and magnesium within normal range. Avoid other QT-prolonging drugs where possible.
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?
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Other interactions of Lithium
- Lithium + Thioridazine Contraindicated
- Lithium + Vandetanib Contraindicated
- Aceclofenac + Lithium Major
- Acemetacin + Lithium Major
- Amisulpride + Lithium Major
- Amlodipine-benazepril + Lithium Major
Other interactions of Sunitinib
- Adagrasib + Sunitinib Major
- Amiodarone + Sunitinib Major
- Amisulpride + Sunitinib Major
- Anagrelide + Sunitinib Major
- Apalutamide + Sunitinib Major
- Arsenic trioxide + Sunitinib Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Lithium with Sunitinib?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Lithium and Sunitinib 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. Both drugs can prolong the QT interval, so combined use may raise the risk of torsades de pointes, particularly with electrolyte disturbance or heart disease. Lithium can also cause sinus node dysfunction and T-wave changes.
How serious is the interaction between Lithium and Sunitinib?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Obtain a baseline ECG and repeat it after starting or changing doses; keep potassium and magnesium within normal range. Avoid other QT-prolonging drugs where possible.
What other medicines interact with Lithium?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Lithium with, for example, Thioridazine, Vandetanib, Aceclofenac. The full list is on the Lithium page.
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