Drug interactions
Lithium + Thalidomide
Severity: Moderate
Lithium and Thalidomide: 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
Thalidomide can cause bradycardia, and lithium may cause sinus node dysfunction, particularly at higher serum levels. Combined use may lead to additive bradycardia or conduction disturbance.
What this interaction means in plain words
Lithium and Thalidomide 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; Thalidomide belongs to Miscellaneous.
Why it happens
Additive pharmacodynamic effects on cardiac conduction and heart rate.
What to do
Monitor heart rate and ECG, and check serum lithium levels to keep them in the therapeutic range. Reassess the combination if symptomatic bradycardia or syncope occurs.
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 Thalidomide
Other interactions of Lithium
- Lithium + Thioridazine Contraindicated
- Lithium + Vandetanib Contraindicated
- Aceclofenac + Lithium Major
- Acemetacin + Lithium Major
- Amisulpride + Lithium Major
- Amlodipine-benazepril + Lithium Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Lithium with Thalidomide?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Lithium and Thalidomide 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. Thalidomide can cause bradycardia, and lithium may cause sinus node dysfunction, particularly at higher serum levels. Combined use may lead to additive bradycardia or conduction disturbance.
How serious is the interaction between Lithium and Thalidomide?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor heart rate and ECG, and check serum lithium levels to keep them in the therapeutic range. Reassess the combination if symptomatic bradycardia or syncope occurs.
What other medicines interact with Thalidomide?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Thalidomide with, for example, Bortezomib, Carbamazepine, Griseofulvin. The full list is on the Thalidomide page.
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