What the FDA labels say about taking them together
Erlotinib and esomeprazole
Esomeprazole's FDA label of March 19, 2024 names erlotinib in its drug interactions (prescription label) section; erlotinib's label does not name esomeprazole itself but warns about its class (Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs)). The esomeprazole label: “Esomeprazole can reduce the absorption of other drugs due to its effect on reducing intragastric acidity”
Check it at the source: the erlotinib FDA label on DailyMed (effective June 10, 2024, Alembic Pharmaceuticals Limited); the esomeprazole FDA label on DailyMed (effective March 19, 2024, Haleon US Holdings LLC).
What does the erlotinib label say about esomeprazole?
Erlotinib's label does not name esomeprazole itself; it warns about its class (Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs)):
Erlotinib label, drug interactionsDrugs the Increase Gastric pH Co-administration of erlotinib with proton pump inhibitors (e.g., omeprazole) and H-2 receptor antagonists (e.g., ranitidine) decreased erlotinib exposure [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].
Erlotinib label, drug interactionsFor proton pump inhibitors, avoid concomitant use if possible.
Source: FDA drug label (ERLOTINIB HYDROCHLORIDE), Alembic Pharmaceuticals Limited, effective June 10, 2024 (SPL set ab6f3cb3-34a8-4492-a5d7-fb6b055a2d6b), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
What does the esomeprazole label say about erlotinib?
Esomeprazole label, drug interactions (prescription label)Clinical Impact: Esomeprazole can reduce the absorption of other drugs due to its effect on reducing intragastric acidity Intervention: Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF): Co-administration of omeprazole, of which esomeprazole is an enantiomer, in healthy subjects and in transplant patients receiving MMF has been reported to reduce the exposure to the active metabolite, mycophenolic acid (MPA), possibly due to a decrease in MMF …
Esomeprazole Strontium label (R2 Pharma, LLC, September 22, 2016), drug interactionsLike with other drugs that decrease the intragastric acidity, the absorption of drugs such as ketoconazole, atazanavir, iron salts, erlotinib, and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) can decrease, while the absorption of drugs such as digoxin can increase during treatment with omeprazole.
Source: FDA drug label (Esomeprazole Strontium, NDA202342), R2 Pharma, LLC, effective September 22, 2016 (SPL set 3c916d32-f9e9-1d15-e054-00144ff88e88), via openFDA
Source: FDA drug label (Nexium 24HR), NDA204655 (Astrazeneca Lp), as published by Haleon US Holdings LLC, effective March 19, 2024 (SPL set 4513934d-0cf0-40fc-a348-b4e75a33b094), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
These are the labels' own sentences. PlainMeds does not grade interactions; a pharmacist or prescriber can say what they mean for one person's medicines.
Both medicines on the record
| Erlotinib | Esomeprazole | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Lung cancer | Acid reflux and ulcers |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC) | n/a | $0.145 per capsule 20 mg capsule |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
Source: FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026 and the FDA Drug Shortage Database (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Check more medicines together
- up to five at once