Drug & supplement interaction

Lactoferrin + Ceritinib

Ceritinib brand name: Zykadia.

No Known Interaction
The bottom line No known interaction

We found no known interaction between Lactoferrin and Ceritinib in our sources. Absence of a documented interaction is not the same as proven safety, and does not guarantee one does not exist. Do not start, stop, or change a medication or supplement based on this page; confirm with your pharmacist or doctor first. Additionally, although there is no interaction, the label for Ceritinib states a food rule worth keeping to, and the two are separately associated with some of the same side effects, which would make a new symptom harder to attribute to one or the other.

Know someone taking this? Share
Interaction report

Lactoferrin and Ceritinib

We checked these two against our interaction database. Here is what we found.

No Known Interaction Found

We did not find a documented interaction between Ceritinib and Lactoferrin in our sources. This does not guarantee that the combination is completely free of risk — there is often limited research on supplements and herbal products, especially around drug interactions.

Worth understanding: our licensed dataset holds no drug-interaction record for Lactoferrin at all — not against Ceritinib, and not against any other medication we track. This verdict therefore rests on the absence of any recorded data, not on research that looked at this combination and found nothing. We cannot rule an interaction out.

If you decide to take both, the practical routine is simple: add one new thing at a time and note the date you started it. If the combination is going to disagree with you, it usually shows in the first days to a couple of weeks — and a start date turns “I’ve been feeling off” into something a pharmacist can actually work with. Do not stop a prescribed medicine on your own.

Always talk with your pharmacist or doctor before making changes to your medications or supplements, particularly if you take several medications or have an ongoing health condition.

Lactoferrin safety at a glance

Lactoferrin overall Use caution Generally well tolerated short-term, but high-quality long-term safety data are limited.
Pregnancy Likely Safe When used orally in amounts commonly found in foods. Lactoferrin has Generally Regarded as Safe (GRAS) status in the US. Read the full pregnancy detail
Breastfeeding Likely Safe When used orally in amounts commonly found in foods. Lactoferrin has Generally Regarded as Safe (GRAS) status in the US. There is insufficient reliable informat... Read the full breastfeeding detail

Pregnancy & breastfeeding ratings are from Natural Medicines (Therapeutic Research Center) — the full detail is in the Special populations card below. Safety guidance is general; always confirm with your pharmacist or doctor for your situation.

Still wondering about combining Ceritinib and Lactoferrin? Ask Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS directly ›
What to actually watch for

No Interaction Found — But Data Suggests Lactoferrin and Ceritinib May Share Several of the Same Side Effects

This is not an interaction. Neither one changes how your body handles the other, and nothing here says they react together. What our sources do show is that each has separately been linked to the effects below — so taking both can make those effects more likely to turn up, and harder to pin on one or the other if they do.

  • Diarrhea / Constipation / Nausea reported in 17.9% of FDA reports for Ceritinib Additional detail

    Lactoferrin

    “Orally, bovine and human recombinant lactoferrin are well tolerated when used in typical doses. However, hjgher doses of 7.2 grams daily increase the risk of side effects and decrease tolerability.

    Topically, there is a limited amount of information on the adverse effects of lactoferrin.

    Intravaginally, no adverse effects have been reported.”

    Lactoferrin · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in constipation.

    “Orally, lactoferrin has been reported to cause diarrhea in some patients. At higher doses of 7.2 grams daily, anorexia and constipation have been reported. However, gastrointestinal effects of lactoferrin, including epigastric pain, constipation, nausea, and diarrhea, are less common than with other sources of iron such as ferrous sulfate.”

    Lactoferrin · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in anorexia.

    4 sources cited
    1. 13323. Okada S, Tanaka K, Sato T, et al. Dose-response trial of lactoferrin in patients with chronic hepatitis C. Jpn J Cancer Res 2002;93:1063-9. PubMed
    2. 97788. Abu Hashim H, Foda O, Ghayaty E. Lactoferrin or ferrous salts for iron deficiency anemia in pregnancy: A meta-analysis of randomized trials. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 2017;219:45-52. PubMed
    3. 104857. Tarnow-Mordi WO, Abdel-Latif ME, Martin A, et al. The effect of lactoferrin supplementation on death or major morbidity in very low birthweight infants (LIFT): a multicentre, double-blind, randomised controlled trial. Lancet Child Adolesc Health. 2020 Jun PubMed
    4. 104858. ELFIN trial investigators group. Enteral lactoferrin supplementation for very preterm infants: a randomised placebo-controlled trial. Lancet. 2019 Feb 2;393(10170):423-433. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(18)32221-9.

    Ceritinib

    Listed in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of the FDA label for Ceritinib, and in voluntary FDA adverse-event reports. Read the label on DailyMed ›

  • Reduced appetite Additional detail

    Lactoferrin

    Recorded for Lactoferrin in the same Natural Medicines adverse-effect record shown under Diarrhea / Constipation / Nausea above.

    Ceritinib

    Listed in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of the FDA label for Ceritinib. Read the label on DailyMed ›

  • Tiredness reported in 5.6% of FDA reports for Ceritinib Additional detail

    Lactoferrin

    “Orally, at higher doses of 7.2 grams daily, lactoferrin has been reported to cause fatigue and chills.”

    Lactoferrin · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in fatigue.

    1 source cited
    1. 13323. Okada S, Tanaka K, Sato T, et al. Dose-response trial of lactoferrin in patients with chronic hepatitis C. Jpn J Cancer Res 2002;93:1063-9. PubMed

    Ceritinib

    Listed in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of the FDA label for Ceritinib, and in voluntary FDA adverse-event reports. Read the label on DailyMed ›

Reported for Lactoferrin but not commonly for Ceritinib: a bowel blockage, yellowing of the skin or eyes and chills.

Effects for Ceritinib come from the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of its FDA label; effects for Lactoferrin come from the Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, quoted above. Where a percentage is shown, it is the share of 2,378 voluntary FDA FAERS reports for Ceritinib that mention that effect — a reporting proportion, not an incidence rate and not evidence the drug caused it. Wording is matched across sources by our own clinical vocabulary, so treat this as a prompt to pay attention, not a diagnosis.

Special populations

Lactoferrin in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Pregnancy Likely Safe

When used orally in amounts commonly found in foods. Lactoferrin has Generally Regarded as Safe (GRAS) status in the US.

Pregnancy Possibly Safe

When used orally in medicinal amounts. Lactoferrin has been used with apparent safety during the second or third trimester of pregnancy at doses of up to 250 mg daily for up to 8 weeks. Also, bovine lactoferrin has been used with apparent safety throughout all trimesters of pregnancy at doses of up to 200 mg daily. There is insufficient reliable information available about the safety of intravaginal lactoferrin during pregnancy and lactation; avoid using.

Lactation Likely Safe

When used orally in amounts commonly found in foods. Lactoferrin has Generally Regarded as Safe (GRAS) status in the US. There is insufficient reliable information available about the safety of lactoferrin when used medicinally during lactation; avoid using.

DISCLAIMER: This tool is intended for informational purposes only, and should not be interpreted as specific medical advice. Patients should consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making decisions about therapies and/or health conditions.© 2026 Therapeutic Research Center

How to take them

Some Ceritinib Products Have a Food Rule — Lactoferrin Should Not Break It

At least one FDA label for a product containing Ceritinib says to take it with food. If you take Lactoferrin on an empty stomach out of habit, keep them separate — and take Ceritinib with a meal where the label says to.

This may not be true of your version. Food instructions belong to the product, not the ingredient: two Ceritinib products can carry different directions, and extended-release forms often differ from immediate-release ones. The label we read is quoted below — check the directions on your own box or bottle, or ask your pharmacist, for how to take the exact product you were given.

2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Recommended Dosage: 450 mg orally once daily with food.

From the Dosage and Administration section of the FDA label we read for Ceritinib — where that label names a specific product, the instruction is that product's. Read the label on DailyMed ›

A food rule is not an interaction — it is about how much of the medicine you absorb. The directions that came with your own product, and your pharmacist, outrank anything on this page.

Everything else you take

See Every Supplement That Interacts With Ceritinib

This page covers Lactoferrin only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Ceritinib page lists 67 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.

The most serious there right now: Activated Charcoal (major), American Hellebore (major), Arsenic (major), Beer (major) and Cesium (major).

By severity: 10 major · 48 moderate · 9 minor.

From our pharmacist’s overview on the Ceritinib page

“Ceritinib (Zykadia) treats ALK-positive lung cancer, and its label already warns about liver injury and heart rhythm changes, so this list of 67 supplements calls for genuine care. Ten interactions rate major, and most of the risk runs along two lines the drug is already prone to: 38 ingredients can stress the liver, and 13 can prolong…”

Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026

Open the Ceritinib interaction page

One more smart check

Taking Lactoferrin as Part of a Dietary Supplement Product? Check It for Interactions

We hold 292 real supplement products containing Lactoferrin, each one broken down to its full ingredient list — and combination products often carry several ingredients besides Lactoferrin. Even though Lactoferrin itself has no known interaction with Ceritinib, another ingredient on your label might. Find your product and we’ll check every ingredient on its label:

How much people look this up

Where Lactoferrin and Ceritinib Sit Against Everything Else

Out of every supplement and medication people look up on HelloPharmacist, here is where these two land this week — and which way each has been moving.

Supplement Lactoferrin
Top half

#462 of 1,452 supplements looked up here in the last 7 days

29 days ago today
Medication Ceritinib
Top 25%

#488 of 2,830 medications looked up here in the last 7 days

29 days ago today

Position among everything looked up on this site, not a measure of how commonly either one is used or how important it is. A supplement can climb this list because of a news story. It counts every request to the page, automated ones included, and nothing here identifies anyone.

Where does our data come from?
  • Source: the Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) clinical database — the evidence-graded professional reference for herb & supplement interactions.
  • Citation library: 103,510 references behind our interaction content, 65,311 of them resolved to verified PubMed/DOI sources. See every Lactoferrin reference on this page ↓
  • Freshness: we automatically re-check this combination every week — this pair was last verified September 20, 2026. The Lactoferrin and Ceritinib records this page draws on were last updated July 11, 2026.
  • What “no known interaction” means: no documented interaction in the sources above — not a guarantee of safety. Supplements are studied far less than prescription drugs, so we say exactly what the evidence supports, and nothing more.
Data structure & sourcing designed and verified by .
Supplement

About Lactoferrin

What is Lactoferrin?

  • Iron deficiency and anemia support
  • Immune support
  • Gut health
  • Stomach (H. pylori) infection
  • Acne
  • Diarrhea prevention in infants

Lactoferrin is an iron-binding protein found naturally in milk and other body fluids, and supplements are usually made from cow's milk or rice. It is being studied for immune support, iron levels, gut health, and infections, but the evidence is still limited and mixed for most uses. It is generally well tolerated, but talk with a pharmacist or doctor before starting it.

Protein from milk (colostrum), or made with recombinant technology · Capsules, tablets, powders; also added to some infant formulas and functional foods

An interaction check asks whether these two react with each other — it does not ask whether Lactoferrin is a good idea for someone in your situation. Here is what our Lactoferrin record says about it on its own.

Lactoferrin: dosing

There is no official standardized dose of lactoferrin, and the right amount can depend on the product, the form, and the reason for use. Doses used in research have varied widely.The best approach is to follow the directions on the product label and not exceed the recommended amount.

From our Lactoferrin monograph — the full record covers uses, side effects and every documented interaction.

Read the full Lactoferrin monograph & all interactions
Medication

About Ceritinib

What Is Ceritinib Used For?

Brand name: Zykadia

Zykadia (ceritinib) is used to treat adults with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) — meaning lung cancer that has spread — when the tumor tests positive for a gene abnormality called ALK (anaplastic lymphoma kinase). An FDA-approved test must confirm ALK positivity before starting treatment.

Most-Reported Side Effects for Ceritinib

From FAERS, the FDA’s public side-effect reporting system (2,378 reports, all brands). Reports are voluntary and are not proof the drug caused the effect.

Malignant neoplasm progression 427 reports
Diarrhea 426 reports
Nausea 342 reports
Vomiting 224 reports
Metastases to central nervous system 172 reports
See full Ceritinib drug information
Keep checking

Other Drugs & Lactoferrin

Browse every other medication we’ve checked against Lactoferrin — both the ones with a known interaction and the ones without. Select any drug for the full detail.

0Major
0Moderate
0Minor
2,829No known interaction
No interaction 2,829 drugs checked — show the list
Evidence & sources

Lactoferrin References

The 6 references that drive our Lactoferrin monograph and interaction data, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Citations with a link open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.

  1. Food and Drug Administration, CFSAN/Office of Food Additive Safety. Agency Response Letter GRAS Notice No. GRN 000130. 2003. Available at: http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~rdb/opa-g130.html (Accessed 29 June 2005).
  2. Okada S, Tanaka K, Sato T, et al. Dose-response trial of lactoferrin in patients with chronic hepatitis C. Jpn J Cancer Res 2002;93:1063-9. PubMed
  3. Abu Hashim H, Foda O, Ghayaty E. Lactoferrin or ferrous salts for iron deficiency anemia in pregnancy: A meta-analysis of randomized trials. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 2017;219:45-52. PubMed
  4. Tarnow-Mordi WO, Abdel-Latif ME, Martin A, et al. The effect of lactoferrin supplementation on death or major morbidity in very low birthweight infants (LIFT): a multicentre, double-blind, randomised controlled trial. Lancet Child Adolesc Health. 2020 Jun PubMed
  5. ELFIN trial investigators group. Enteral lactoferrin supplementation for very preterm infants: a randomised placebo-controlled trial. Lancet. 2019 Feb 2;393(10170):423-433. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(18)32221-9.
  6. Lepanto MS, Rosa L, Cutone A, Conte MP, Paesano R, Valenti P. Efficacy of lactoferrin oral administration in the treatment of anemia and anemia of inflammation in pregnant and non-pregnant women: An interventional study. Front Immunol. 2018 Sep 21;9:2123. PubMed

Medication overviews come from MedlinePlus (NIH); supplement label data from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists — see our data sources and editorial standards.

Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Taking Lactoferrin and Ceritinib Together: Common Questions

Is it safe to take Lactoferrin with Ceritinib?
We do not list a known interaction between Lactoferrin and Ceritinib. That does not guarantee the combination is risk-free, so confirm with your pharmacist or doctor — especially if you take other medications or have a health condition.
Do Lactoferrin and Ceritinib have any of the same side effects?
Yes — our sources link each of them separately to 5 of the same effects. That is not an interaction: neither changes how your body handles the other. It does mean that if one of those effects turns up, it can be harder to tell which one is behind it. They are listed on this page with the source behind each.
Should I take Lactoferrin and Ceritinib at the same time of day?
At least one FDA label for a product containing Ceritinib says to take it with food. If you take Lactoferrin on an empty stomach out of habit, keep them separate and take Ceritinib with a meal where the label says to. Food instructions belong to the product rather than the ingredient — two Ceritinib products can differ — so check the directions on your own box. This is about absorption, not an interaction.
Does Ceritinib interact with any supplements?
Yes. Ceritinib has documented interactions with 67 supplements in our database — Lactoferrin is not one of them. The Ceritinib interaction page linked on this page lists every one, ranked by severity.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

Still Have a Question About Ceritinib and Lactoferrin?

Our pharmacists answer your medication & supplement questions — free.

Ask a pharmacist

This information is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always check with your pharmacist or doctor before starting, stopping, or combining supplements and medications.