Drug interactions
Selumetinib + Verapamil
Severity: Major
Selumetinib and Verapamil: 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
Selumetinib is metabolized mainly by CYP3A4, and verapamil is a moderate CYP3A4 inhibitor. Exposure to selumetinib may rise, increasing the risk of toxicities such as gastrointestinal effects, rash, and decreased ejection fraction.
What this interaction means in plain words
Selumetinib and Verapamil 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.
Selumetinib belongs to Oncology; Verapamil belongs to Cardiovascular.
Why it happens
Verapamil inhibits CYP3A4 and reduces selumetinib clearance.
What to do
Avoid the combination if possible. If it cannot be avoided, reduce the selumetinib dose per labeling and monitor for adverse effects, resuming the prior dose after stopping verapamil for about three half-lives.
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 Verapamil
- Dofetilide + Verapamil Contraindicated
- Flibanserin + Verapamil Contraindicated
- Lomitapide + Verapamil Contraindicated
- Lonafarnib + Verapamil Contraindicated
- Pimozide + Verapamil Contraindicated
- Acebutolol + Verapamil Major
Other interactions of Selumetinib
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Selumetinib with Verapamil?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Selumetinib and Verapamil 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. Selumetinib is metabolized mainly by CYP3A4, and verapamil is a moderate CYP3A4 inhibitor. Exposure to selumetinib may rise, increasing the risk of toxicities such as gastrointestinal effects, rash, and decreased ejection fraction.
How serious is the interaction between Selumetinib and Verapamil?
MediHelp rates it major, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid the combination if possible. If it cannot be avoided, reduce the selumetinib dose per labeling and monitor for adverse effects, resuming the prior dose after stopping verapamil for about three half-lives.
What other medicines interact with Verapamil?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Verapamil with, for example, Dofetilide, Flibanserin, Lomitapide. The full list is on the Verapamil page.
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