Drug interactions
Nilotinib + Saquinavir
Severity: Contraindicated
Nilotinib and Saquinavir: contraindicated 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
Saquinavir is a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor and raises nilotinib concentrations, and both drugs prolong the QT interval. The combination markedly raises the risk of torsades de pointes, and saquinavir labeling warns against use with nilotinib.
What this interaction means in plain words
Nilotinib and Saquinavir 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.
Why it happens
CYP3A4 inhibition increases nilotinib exposure, with additive QT prolongation.
What to do
Do not coadminister; select an antiretroviral without strong CYP3A4 inhibition or QT effects.
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?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Nilotinib and Saquinavir, 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 Nilotinib
- Amiodarone + Nilotinib Contraindicated
- Arsenic trioxide + Nilotinib Contraindicated
- Disopyramide + Nilotinib Contraindicated
- Dofetilide + Nilotinib Contraindicated
- Dronedarone + Nilotinib Contraindicated
- Droperidol + Nilotinib Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Nilotinib with Saquinavir?
MediHelp rates the interaction as contraindicated. Nilotinib and Saquinavir 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. Saquinavir is a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor and raises nilotinib concentrations, and both drugs prolong the QT interval. The combination markedly raises the risk of torsades de pointes, and saquinavir labeling warns against use with nilotinib.
How serious is the interaction between Nilotinib and Saquinavir?
MediHelp rates it contraindicated, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Do not coadminister; select an antiretroviral without strong CYP3A4 inhibition or QT effects.
What other medicines interact with Nilotinib?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Nilotinib with, for example, Amiodarone, Arsenic trioxide, Disopyramide. The full list is on the Nilotinib 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.
