Drug interactions
Methadone + Vandetanib
Severity: Contraindicated
Methadone and Vandetanib: contraindicated interaction.
Last updated Sources: EMA SmPC
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
Vandetanib carries a boxed warning for QT prolongation, torsades de pointes and sudden death. Adding methadone, another QT-prolonging drug, further increases that risk.
What this interaction means in plain words
Methadone and Vandetanib are not normally used together. Taking them at the same time is expected to cause harm or make one of them unsafe, so a different medicine is usually chosen for one of the two.
Methadone belongs to Musculoskeletal; Vandetanib belongs to Oncology.
Why it happens
Additive QT prolongation via inhibition of cardiac repolarizing potassium currents.
What to do
Avoid the combination; use a non-QT-prolonging alternative for pain or opioid maintenance where possible. If it cannot be avoided, monitor ECG and electrolytes frequently.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Is there an alternative to one of these two medicines for me?
- If both are essential, who is monitoring me and how often?
- Which symptoms mean I should stop and seek help straight away?
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References
Other interactions of Methadone
- Alvimopan + Methadone Contraindicated
- Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates + Methadone Contraindicated
- Droperidol + Methadone Contraindicated
- Ibutilide + Methadone Contraindicated
- Isocarboxazid + Methadone Contraindicated
- Lefamulin + Methadone Contraindicated
Other interactions of Vandetanib
- Amiodarone + Vandetanib Contraindicated
- Amisulpride + Vandetanib Contraindicated
- Amitriptyline + Vandetanib Contraindicated
- Anagrelide + Vandetanib Contraindicated
- Asenapine + Vandetanib Contraindicated
- Chloroquine + Vandetanib Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Methadone with Vandetanib?
MediHelp rates the interaction as contraindicated. Methadone and Vandetanib are not normally used together. Taking them at the same time is expected to cause harm or make one of them unsafe, so a different medicine is usually chosen for one of the two. Vandetanib carries a boxed warning for QT prolongation, torsades de pointes and sudden death. Adding methadone, another QT-prolonging drug, further increases that risk.
How serious is the interaction between Methadone and Vandetanib?
MediHelp rates it contraindicated, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid the combination; use a non-QT-prolonging alternative for pain or opioid maintenance where possible. If it cannot be avoided, monitor ECG and electrolytes frequently.
What other medicines interact with Methadone?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Methadone with, for example, Alvimopan, Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates, Droperidol. The full list is on the Methadone page.
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