Selected Antineoplastic Systemic Enzyme Inhibitors/St. John's Wort
This information is generalized and not intended as specific medical advice. Consult your healthcare professional before taking or discontinuing any drug or commencing any course of treatment.
Medical warning:
Severe. These medicines may interact and cause very harmful effects and are usually not taken together. Contact your healthcare professional (e.g. doctor or pharmacist) for more information.
How the interaction occurs:
St. John's wort may speed up how quickly your liver processes your cancer medicine.
What might happen:
The amount of your cancer medicine in your blood may decrease and it may not work as well.
What you should do about this interaction:
Let your healthcare professionals (e.g. doctor or pharmacist) know right away that you are taking these medicines together. Your doctor may want to adjust the dose of your cancer medicine. Your doctor may want you to stop taking St. John's wort. Let your healthcare professionals know right away if you stop taking St. John's wort. The dose of your cancer medicine may need to be adjusted.Your healthcare professionals may already be aware of this interaction and may be monitoring you for it. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first.
References:
1.Cometriq (cabozantinib) US prescribing information. Exelixix, Inc. November 29, 2012.
2.Tasigna (nilotinib) US prescribing information. Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation December, 2012.
3.Sutent (sunitinib malate) US prescribing information. Pfizer Inc. November, 2012.
