Buprenorphine and Mobocertinib: Interaction Details
AI-assisted, pharmacist-reviewed · AI content regenerated Jul 11, 2026 · Source data updated Jul 2, 2026 · Sources: FDA labeling, DDInter 2.0, cited literature
Buprenorphine
Mobocertinib
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.
Both buprenorphine (a pain and opioid-dependence medicine) and mobocertinib (a cancer medicine) can affect the timing of your heartbeat. Doctors call this QT prolongation. When two medicines that do this are taken together, the effect can add up and, in rare cases, lead to a dangerous heart rhythm.
This warning is based mostly on how these drugs work rather than lots of real-world reports, so try not to panic. If you have been prescribed both, please don't stop either one on your own. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may check your heart rhythm with an EKG and can adjust your plan to keep you safe.
Effect: Additive risk of QTc interval prolongation, potentially including torsades de pointes.
Mechanism: Both agents independently prolong the QTc interval; combined use produces additive pharmacodynamic effect (not a metabolic/PK interaction).
- Direction: Increased QTc effect (additive)
- Onset: Unspecified
- Evidence: Theoretical
- Severity: Major
Management: Avoid concomitant use where possible. If unavoidable, obtain baseline and more frequent follow-up ECGs, monitor and correct electrolytes (K+, Mg2+), and review other QT-prolonging drugs. Dosing may be individualized by the care team.
What happens
An increased risk of QT interval prolongation
Interaction Deep Dive
When mobocertinib is given together with agents recognized for prolonging the corrected QT (QTc) interval, the likelihood of QTc prolongation may rise, including torsades de pointes, which has the potential to be fatal. Do not use other medications known to prolong the QTc interval alongside mobocertinib. When such combined use cannot be avoided, increase the frequency of QTc interval monitoring using ECGs1.
Why it happens (mechanism)
Additive QT interval prolongation
How to manage this interaction
The main concern is that both drugs can lengthen the QT interval, so the effect may stack. Here is what typically happens and what you can do:
- Keep taking both as prescribed unless your care team tells you otherwise.
- Your team may avoid this combination if a safer option exists, or monitor you more closely with EKGs if you need both.
- They may check your potassium and magnesium and adjust doses to fit your situation.
- Tell your pharmacist about all your other medicines, since some also affect QT.
Report fainting, dizziness, or a fluttering/racing heartbeat promptly.
Management is individual — confirm any change with your pharmacist or prescriber.
Common questions
Can I take Buprenorphine and Mobocertinib together?
Buprenorphine and mobocertinib can both prolong the QT interval, so combining them raises the risk of a dangerous heart rhythm. Don't stop either drug on your own; ask your care team about EKG monitoring or safer alternatives. Always confirm with your pharmacist or prescriber before making any change.
How serious is the Buprenorphine and Mobocertinib interaction?
It is rated major. Potentially serious — often needs a change or close monitoring.
How quickly could this interaction happen?
The documented onset is "unspecified". The timing of this interaction is not well characterized.
How is the Buprenorphine and Mobocertinib interaction managed?
The main concern is that both drugs can lengthen the QT interval, so the effect may stack. Here is what typically happens and what you can do: Keep taking both as prescribed unless your care team tells you otherwise. Your team may avoid this combination if a safer option exists, or monitor you more closely with EKGs if you need both. They may check your potassium and magnesium and adjust doses to… Management is individual — always follow your own care team's guidance.
How strong is the evidence for this interaction?
The evidence is graded "theoretical". Predicted from the drugs' pharmacology; not yet confirmed in people.
Questions for your pharmacist
- Does my dose of Buprenorphine or Mobocertinib 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 a safer alternative to one of these medications for me?
References (1)
- Product Information: EXKIVITY(TM) oral capsules, mobocertinib oral capsules. Takeda Pharmaceuticals America Inc (per FDA), Lexington, MA, 2021.
Keep reading about Buprenorphine
Keep reading about Mobocertinib
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:
major · moderate · minor — check everything you take with our drug–supplement interaction checker.
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