Imatinib and Amlodipine: Interaction Details
AI-assisted, pharmacist-reviewed · Source data updated Aug 8, 2026 · Sources: FDA labeling, DDInter 2.0, cited literature
Imatinib
Amlodipine
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.
What happens
Increased amLODIPine exposure, an increased risk of hypotension and edema and increased risk of imatinib toxicity
Interaction Deep Dive
Coadministration of amLODIPine (a CYP3A substrate and inhibitor) with imatinib (a CYP3A4 substrate and inhibitor), as increased amLODIPine1 and imatinib exposure may occur 3. If used concurrently, assess for edema and hypotension. Monitor for symptoms of hypotension and edema when amLODIPine is coadministered with imatinib to determine the need for dose adjustment 1. Imatinib toxicity and peripheral neuropathy developed in 1 patient when amLODIPine was added to an imatinib regimen 4.
Why it happens (mechanism)
Inhibition of CYP3A4-mediated metabolism of amLODIPine; interference with CYP3A4-mediated metabolism of imatinib
Literature reports
2 reports — tap to read
a) Imatinib toxicity and peripheral neuropathy occurred with concurrent use of amLODIPine and imatinib in a 74-year-old male with chronic myeloid leukemia. During treatment with imatinib 400 mg twice daily, concomitant perindopril was switched to amLODIPine 10 mg daily due to suspected perindopril-induced angioedema. Two weeks after amLODIPine initiation, the patient developed nausea and periorbital and ankle edema. Diuretics abated the edema; however, 10 days later, the patient developed bilateral pain and numbness in the soles of his feet, numbness of the chin, and reduced acuity to light touch and vibrations. The edema, pain, and numbness resolved with amLODIPine discontinuation and imatinib dose reduction. Despite residual numbness in his feet, the patient tolerated imatinib titration to 600 mg daily. Two months after onset of the neuropathy, nerve conduction testing revealed mild sensorimotor axonal neuropathy. The neuropathy completely resolved 9 months later during treatment with imatinib 600 mg day 4.
b) In a pharmacokinetic study of elderly hypertensive patients, coadministration of dilTIAZem (a CYP3A inhibitor) 180 mg daily with amLODIPine 5 mg resulted in a 60% increase in amLODIPine systemic exposure 12.
Common questions
Can I take Imatinib and Amlodipine together?
Increased amLODIPine exposure, an increased risk of hypotension and edema and increased risk of imatinib toxicity Always confirm with your pharmacist or prescriber before making any change.
How serious is the Imatinib and Amlodipine 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 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 Imatinib or Amlodipine 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 (4)
- Product Information: WIDAPLIK(TM) oral tablets, telmisartan amlodipine indapamide oral tablets. George Medicines Pty Limited (per FDA), Pithampur, Pradesh, India, 2025. DailyMed
- Product Information: EXFORGE oral tablets, amlodipine valsartan oral tablets. Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation (per FDA), East Hanover, NJ, 2019. DailyMed
- Product Information: GLEEVEC oral tablets, imatinib mesylate oral tablets. Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation (per FDA), East Hanover, NJ, 2014. DailyMed
- Ross DM: Peripheral neuropathy on imatinib treatment for chronic myeloid leukaemia: suspected adverse drug interaction with amlodipine. Intern Med J 2009; 39(10):708-708. PubMed
Keep reading about Imatinib
Keep reading about Amlodipine
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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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