Elahere (mirvetuximab soravtansine-gynx) is a brand-name injection that’s prescribed for certain types of cancer. Elahere has interactions with some other drugs. Examples include certain antifungal drugs and certain antibiotics.

Elahere is prescribed for certain types of cancer in adults. These include:

An interaction occurs when one substance causes another substance to have a different effect than expected.

By learning about possible Elahere interactions, you can work with your doctor to ensure Elahere will be safe and effective for you to receive. For additional information about Elahere, including details about its uses, see this Elahere overview article.

Boxed warning: Serious eye problems

Elahere has a boxed warning about the risk of serious eye problems. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). A boxed warning alerts doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous.

Elahere can cause severe eye problems. Examples include vision problems, dry eye, sensitivity to light, and eye pain. Due to this risk, your doctor will likely refer you to an eye doctor who will perform eye exams before starting Elahere and regularly during treatment. Your doctor will likely give you certain eye drops before each Elahere infusion to help prevent eye problems.

If you develop any eye problems while receiving Elahere, tell your doctor right away. Depending on the severity of your symptoms, they may temporarily stop Elahere until your symptoms improve or have you stop Elahere altogether.

For more information about this warning, talk with your doctor.

Show More

Before you start treatment with Elahere, tell your doctor and pharmacist which prescription, over-the-counter, and other medications you take. By sharing this information with them, you may help prevent possible interactions. (To learn whether Elahere interacts with supplements, herbs, or vitamins, see the “Elahere and other interactions” section.)

If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Here’s a table of drugs that can interact with Elahere. Keep in mind that this table doesn’t include all drugs that may interact with Elahere. Some of these interactions are described in detail in “Drug interactions in depth.”

Drug class or drug nameDrug examplesInteraction result with Elahere
nefazodonecan increase the risk of side effects of Elahere
isoniazidcan increase the risk of side effects of Elahere
cyclosporine (Sandimmune, others)can increase the risk of side effects of Elahere
certain antifungal drugs• itraconazole (Sporanox, others)
• ketoconazole
can increase the risk of side effects of Elahere
certain antibiotics• clarithromycin
• erythromycin (Ery-Tab, others)
can increase the risk of side effects of Elahere
certain cardiovascular drugs• diltiazem (Cardizem, others)
• verapamil (Verelan, others)
can increase the risk of side effects of Elahere
certain HIV medications• ritonavir (Norvir)
• lopinavir/ritonavir (Kaletra)
• cobicistat (Tybost)
can increase the risk of side effects of Elahere

There aren’t any known interactions between Elahere and alcohol. However, your doctor may advise you to avoid or limit alcohol consumption during Elahere treatment.

This is because drinking alcohol while taking the drug may worsen some Elahere side effects. For example, you may experience:

If you consume alcohol during Elahere treatment, these side effects may be more likely to occur. If you have questions about drinking alcohol during Elahere treatment, talk with your doctor.

Here’s a closer look at certain drug interactions of Elahere.

Certain antifungals

Antifungals are a group of drugs used to treat fungal infections.

Interaction result: Taking Elahere with certain antifungal drugs can increase the risk of side effects of Elahere.

Interaction explained: Certain antifungals can slow the breakdown of Elahere in the body. As a result, taking Elahere with certain antifungals can increase the levels of Elahere in the body. Higher levels of Elahere in your system may increase your risk of side effects from Elahere.

Examples of antifungal drugs: Here are some antifungals that may interact with Elahere:

  • posaconazole (Noxafil)
  • ketoconazole
  • itraconazole (Sporanox, others)
  • voriconazole (Vfend)

Steps you or your doctor may take: Let your doctor know if you’re receiving Elahere before you start any antifungal drugs. They can help determine if Elahere will interact with your antifungal. If so, they may prescribe an alternative. If you and your doctor decide to start the antifungal medication, they’ll likely monitor you closely for any side effects of Elahere.

Nefazodone

Nefazodone is a drug used to treat depression.

Interaction result: Taking Elahere with nefazodone can increase the risk of side effects of Elahere.

Interaction explained: Nefazodone blocks the activity of an enzyme that breaks down Elahere. (An enzyme is a protein.) Taking nefazodone and Elahere together can slow the breakdown of Elahere. This can increase the levels of Elahere in your system, which increases your risk of Elahere side effects.

Steps you or your doctor may take: Tell your doctor if you take nefazodone before you start Elahere treatment. They may recommend an alternative medication. If these drugs are taken together, your doctor will likely monitor you closely for side effects of Elahere.

Certain HIV medications

Interaction result: Taking Elahere with certain HIV medications can increase the risk of side effects of Elahere.

Interaction explained: Certain HIV medications interfere with the breakdown of Elahere in your body. If Elahere is taken with certain HIV drugs, Elahere will not be broken down as quickly as usual. As a result, Elahere can build up in your system, which increases the risk of Elahere side effects.

Examples of HIV drugs: Here are some HIV drugs that may interact with Elahere:

  • atazanavir (Reyataz)
  • cobicistat (Tybost)
  • delavirdine (Rescriptor)
  • ritonavir (Norvir)
  • lopinavir/ritonavir (Kaletra)
  • cobicistat/elvitegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide fumarate (Genvoya)

Steps you or your doctor may take: Before you start Elahere treatment, let your doctor know if you take HIV medications. Your doctor can help determine if they will interact with Elahere. If so, they’ll likely monitor you closely for side effects from Elahere.

Elahere may have other interactions, such as with supplements, foods, vaccines, or even lab tests. You’ll find details below. Keep in mind that the following information does not include all other possible interactions with Elahere.

Elahere interactions with supplements

It’s possible for drugs to interact with supplements such as vitamins and herbs.

Elahere interactions with herbs

There are no specific reports of herbs interacting with Elahere. However, that doesn’t mean herbal interactions won’t occur or be recognized in the future. Because of this, it’s important to check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any of these products during Elahere treatment.

Elahere interactions with vitamins

There are no specific reports of vitamins interacting with Elahere. However, that doesn’t mean vitamin interactions won’t occur or be recognized in the future. Because of this, you should talk with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any vitamin product with Elahere.

Elahere interactions with food

Grapefruit and grapefruit juice can interact with Elahere. Specifically, grapefruit products can stop your body from breaking down Elahere. This raises the level of Elahere in your body, which increases your risk of side effects from Elahere. Due to this risk, your doctor may recommend not consuming grapefruit and grapefruit juice while taking the drug.

Elahere interactions with vaccines

There aren’t any known interactions between Elahere and vaccines. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist to see whether you’re due for any vaccines.

Elahere interactions with lab tests

Elahere isn’t known to interact with any lab tests. If you have concerns about this medication interacting with lab tests, talk with your doctor.

ELAHERE INTERACTION WITH CANNABIS OR CBD

Cannabis (often called marijuana) and cannabis products, such as cannabidiol (CBD), have not been specifically reported to interact with Elahere. However, as with any drug or supplement, talk with your doctor before using cannabis in combination with Elahere. The impact of cannabis may affect how well you stick to your Elahere treatment plan.

Note: Cannabis is illegal at a federal level but is legal in many states to varying degrees.

Certain medical conditions and other factors may increase the risk of interactions with Elahere. Before you take this drug, be sure to talk with your doctor about your health history. Elahere may not be the right treatment option if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health.

Health conditions or factors that might interact with Elahere include:

  • Liver problems: Your liver helps clear Elahere from your body. If you have liver problems, your body may not be able to clear Elahere from your system as quickly. As a result, Elahere may build up in your system, which increases your risk of side effects. Let your doctor know if you have liver problems before you start Elahere. They may run tests to check on your liver health. They can also help determine if Elahere is safe for you.
  • Eye problems: Elahere has a boxed warning about the risk of serious eye problems. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). If you have existing eye problems, Elahere may worsen your condition. To learn more, see the “Boxed warning” section at the top of the article.
  • Allergic reaction: If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Elahere or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Elahere. Taking the drug could cause another allergic reaction. You can ask them about other treatments that may be better choices for you.
  • Breastfeeding: You should not breastfeed while receiving Elahere or for 1 month after your last dose. If you’re breastfeeding or planning to, talk with your doctor before using Elahere. They can talk with you about treatment options and ways to feed a child who is breastfed.
  • Pregnancy: You should not receive Elahere during pregnancy. Elahere can cause harm to a fetus. If you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant, tell your doctor before starting Elahere. They can advise you on the right treatment plan for you. If you can become pregnant, your doctor will likely order a pregnancy test to ensure you’re not pregnant before you start Elahere. They’ll also recommend effective birth control during treatment with Elahere and for 7 months after your last dose.

You can take certain steps to help prevent interactions with Elahere. Your doctor and pharmacist are key resources, so reach out to them before starting treatment. For example, you should plan to do the following:

  • Let them know if you drink alcohol or use cannabis.
  • Tell them about any other medications you take, as well as any supplements, herbs, and vitamins.
  • Create a medication listTrusted Source, which your doctor and pharmacist can help you fill out.

It’s also important to read the Elahere label and other paperworkTrusted Source that may come with the drug. The label may have colored stickers that mention an interaction. And the paperwork, sometimes called the medication guide or patient package insert, may contain details about interactions.

If Elahere doesn’t come with paperwork, you can ask your pharmacist to print a copy. If you need help reading or understanding this information, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

You can also help prevent interactions with Elahere by taking it exactly as your doctor prescribes.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.