Drug Interaction Report

Abiraterone and Crizotinib: Interaction Details

A pharmacist-reviewed analysis of the Abiraterone and Crizotinib interaction: the documented clinical effects, severity rating, onset, mechanism, and management considerations, with cited references throughout.

AI-assisted, pharmacist-reviewed · Source data updated Aug 8, 2026 · Sources: FDA labeling, DDInter 2.0, cited literature

Crizotinib

Xalkori
+

Abiraterone

Abirtega Yonsa Zytiga Zytiga®
Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Medically reviewed by
Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Updated Aug 8, 2026
Editorial policy · Data sources
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Interaction severity
Moderate
Can be significant — usually manageable with monitoring.
How we grade severity & evidence

Severity levels

  • Contraindicated: These should generally not be used together.
  • Major: Potentially serious — often needs a change or close monitoring.
  • Moderate: Can be significant — usually manageable with monitoring.
  • Minor: Usually limited clinical impact.

Evidence grades

  • Established: Well documented — supported by controlled studies or strong clinical data.
  • Probable: Good supporting evidence, though not definitively proven.
  • Suspected: Some evidence suggests this interaction, but it is not well established.
  • Possible: Limited or conflicting evidence; the interaction may occur.
  • Theoretical: Predicted from the drugs' pharmacology; not yet confirmed in people.

Ratings come from the documented interaction literature and are reviewed by a pharmacist. They describe the documented risk of the combination, not what will necessarily happen to you — your dose, timing, and health picture all matter.

Of 164 documented Abiraterone interactions, 14 are rated moderate — including this one.
Onset
unspecified
Evidence
theoretical
Severity
Moderate

What happens

Increased crizotinib exposure

Interaction Deep Dive

Abiraterone acetate is a moderate CYP3A4 inhibitor1 and crizotinib is a CYP3A4 substrate. Although this specific interaction has not been studied, systemic exposure of crizotinib rose significantly when coadministered with ketoconazole, a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor. Patients treated with ketoconazole 200 mg twice daily administered a single dose of crizotinib 150 mg experienced approximately 3.2-fold and 1.4-fold increases in crizotinib AUC and Cmax, respectively, compared with exposure during crizotinib monotherapy. Use caution with coadministration of abiraterone acetate with crizotinib, as significant increases in crizotinib plasma concentrations may occur 2.

Why it happens (mechanism)

Inhibition of CYP3A4-mediated crizotinib metabolism by abiraterone acetate

Literature reports

1 report — tap to read

a) Crizotinib systemic exposure rose significantly when coadministered with ketoconazole, a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor. Patients treated with ketoconazole 200 mg twice daily administered a single dose of crizotinib 150 mg experienced approximately 3.2-fold and 1.4-fold increases in crizotinib AUC and Cmax, respectively, compared with AUC and Cmax values following crizotinib monotherapy. However, the impact of CYP3A4 inducers on steady-state crizotinib exposure is unknown 2.

Common questions

Can I take Abiraterone and Crizotinib together?

Increased crizotinib exposure Always confirm with your pharmacist or prescriber before making any change.

How serious is the Abiraterone and Crizotinib interaction?

It is rated moderate. Can be significant — usually manageable with monitoring.

How quickly could this interaction happen?

The documented onset is "unspecified". The timing of this interaction is not well characterized.

How strong is the evidence for this interaction?

The evidence is graded "theoretical". Predicted from the drugs' pharmacology; not yet confirmed in people.

From our Q&A

Real reader questions about these medications, each personally answered by our pharmacist:

Questions for your pharmacist

  • Does my dose of Abiraterone or Crizotinib need adjusting while I take them together?
  • What symptoms should prompt me to call you or my prescriber right away?
  • Does the timing of my doses matter for this combination?
  • Is there anything you'd monitor while I'm on both?

References (2)

  1. Product Information: ZYTIGA(R) oral tablets, abiraterone acetate oral tablets. Janssen Biotech, Inc. (per FDA), Horsham, PA, 2013. DailyMed
  2. Product Information: XALKORI(R) oral pellets, oral capsules, crizotinib oral pellets, oral capsules. Pfizer Labs (per FDA), New York, NY, 2023. DailyMed
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Crizotinib

Keep reading about Crizotinib

All Crizotinib interactions (138)
Also serious with: Ketoconazole Topical Docetaxel Gatifloxacin Ophthalmic Amitriptyline
Abiraterone

Keep reading about Abiraterone

All Abiraterone interactions (164) Abiraterone drug information
Also serious with: Ensitrelvir Abametapir Acarbose Albiglutide
Beyond drug–drug

These medications also interact with supplements

Prescription drugs aren't the whole picture — herbal and dietary supplements can interact with them too. From the evidence-graded Natural Medicines database:

Crizotinib + Activated Charcoal American Hellebore Arsenic Cesium Ephedra Grapefruit Sida Cordifolia St. John's Wort + 149 more
Abiraterone + Activated Charcoal Beer Grapefruit Siberian Cocklebur St. John's Wort Wine Acacia Rigidula Adrafinil + 173 more

major · moderate · minor — check everything you take with our drug–supplement interaction checker.

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This information is for education, not a substitute for professional medical advice. Do not start, stop, or change any medication without talking to your pharmacist or prescriber.