What the FDA labels say about taking them together
Erlotinib and famotidine/ibuprofen
Famotidine/ibuprofen's FDA label of July 3, 2025 names erlotinib in its drug interactions section; erlotinib's label does not name famotidine/ibuprofen itself but warns about its class (NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)). The famotidine/ibuprofen label: “Because famotidine lowers intra-gastric acidity, this may result in reduced absorption and loss of efficacy of concomitant drugs.”
Check it at the source: the erlotinib FDA label on DailyMed (effective June 10, 2024, Alembic Pharmaceuticals Limited); the famotidine/ibuprofen FDA label on DailyMed (effective July 3, 2025, Aurobindo Pharma Limited).
What does the erlotinib label say about famotidine/ibuprofen?
Erlotinib's label does not name famotidine/ibuprofen itself; it warns about its class (NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)):
Erlotinib label, warnings and precautionsPatients receiving concomitant anti-angiogenic agents, corticosteroids, NSAIDs, or taxane-based chemotherapy, or who have prior history of peptic ulceration or diverticular disease may be at increased risk of perforation [see Adverse Reactions (6.1, 6.2)].
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 famotidine/ibuprofen label say about erlotinib?
Famotidine/ibuprofen label, drug interactionsDrugs Dependent on Gastric pH for Absorption Clinical Impact: Because famotidine lowers intra-gastric acidity, this may result in reduced absorption and loss of efficacy of concomitant drugs. … whose absorption is dependent on gastric pH, refer to their prescribing information (e.g., atazanavir, erlotinib, ketoconazole, itraconazole, nilotinib, ledipasvir/sofosbuvir, and rilpivirine).
Source: FDA drug label (Ibuprofen and famotidine), Aurobindo Pharma Limited, effective July 3, 2025 (SPL set 21688404-41fb-487e-8ba0-aea4431a42fa), 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 | Famotidine/ibuprofen | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Lung cancer | Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis |
| Boxed warning | No | Yes |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC) | n/a | $0.714 per unit 800-26.6 mg |
| 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