Etcamah (camizestrant) is prescribed to treat certain types of breast cancer. While Etcamah can be an effective option for some people, it can interact with other medicines and substances.
An interaction occurs when a substance changes how a medicine works or affects the body. Some interactions can raise or lower the amount of Etcamah in your body, while others can affect the levels of medicines you take with it. Certain combinations can also increase the risk of heart problems.
Keep reading to learn about Etcamah interactions and steps you can take to help prevent them.
This article does not include every possible interaction. Before you start Etcamah, tell your health care provider and pharmacist about all prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins, herbal products, and supplements you use.
Understanding Etcamah Interactions
Your body uses certain proteins in the liver to break down Etcamah and many other medicines. Some medicines can change the speed at which Etcamah is broken down. This can cause the amount of Etcamah in your body to be too high or too low.
Etcamah can also affect how your body processes other medicines. This may raise the levels of certain medicines and increase the risk of their side effects.
Mixing certain medicines can affect the heart. Etcamah can slow your heart rate and, when combined with certain medicines, can increase the risk of a potentially dangerous abnormal heart rhythm.
While not a complete guide, the five sections below offer a closer look at some medicines that can interact with Etcamah.
1. Medicines that affect heart rhythm
Etcamah can affect the electrical activity that controls your heartbeat. Taking it with certain other medicines that have a similar effect can increase the risk of an abnormal heart rhythm called QT prolongation. This can lead to a potentially life-threatening heart rhythm problem called torsades de pointes, other serious abnormal heart rhythms, and even sudden death.
Many medicines can cause or increase the risk of QT prolongation, including certain antibiotics, antidepressants, antipsychotics, and heart rhythm medicines. Examples include amiodarone, azithromycin, citalopram, methadone, and ondansetron. Taking more than one medicine that affects the QT interval can further increase the risk.
Etcamah should not generally be used with other medicines that cause these heart rhythm problems. One exception is ribociclib, a CDK4/6 inhibitor that may be prescribed with Etcamah as part of breast cancer treatment. If you must take another medicine that affects heart rhythm, your health care provider may monitor your heart more often.
Before and during treatment, you will have an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG), a test that checks your heart’s electrical activity. Your health care provider may also use blood tests to check levels of electrolytes, which are minerals that can affect your heartbeat.
2. Medicines that slow heart rate
Etcamah can lower your heart rate. Taking it with another medicine that also slows your heart rate can increase the risk of bradycardia, a condition in which your heart beats more slowly than normal.
If possible, avoid taking other medicines that slow your heart rate when taking Etcamah. These include some heart and blood pressure medicines, such as beta-blockers (examples: atenolol, metoprolol). If you need to take these medicines together, your health care provider will monitor you for signs and symptoms of bradycardia.
Be sure to tell your health care provider about any heart or blood pressure medicines you take before you start Etcamah.
3. Medicines that can change Etcamah levels
Some medicines affect how quickly your body breaks down Etcamah. This can change the amount of Etcamah in your bloodstream.
Certain medicines can raise the levels of Etcamah in your body, which may increase your risk of side effects. One example is itraconazole, a medicine used to treat fungal infections.
Other medicines can speed up the breakdown of Etcamah, lowering its levels in your body. Examples include certain seizure medicines, such as carbamazepine and phenobarbital, as well as an antibiotic called rifampin.
Medicines that lower Etcamah levels substantially should be avoided. Medicines with a more moderate effect may sometimes be used, but your health care provider may need to adjust your treatment based on which CDK4/6 inhibitor you take.
Do not change your medicines or Etcamah dose on your own. Your health care provider can decide how to manage the interaction.
4. Warfarin
Warfarin is a blood thinner used to help prevent and treat blood clots. Etcamah can slow the breakdown of warfarin, which may increase warfarin levels in your body and the risk of side effects.
Because of this interaction, Etcamah should not generally be taken with warfarin during treatment and for at least two weeks after your last Etcamah dose, unless recommended by your health care provider.
If you take warfarin, tell your health care provider before you start Etcamah. Do not stop or change your warfarin dose on your own. Your health care provider can let you know how best to manage your medicines.
5. Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs)
PPIs reduce stomach acid and are commonly used for heartburn and acid reflux.
Examples of PPIs that can interact with Etcamah include lansoprazole and omeprazole. Etcamah can slow the breakdown of these medicines, which can raise their levels in your body and increase the risk of side effects.
Because of this risk, lansoprazole and omeprazole should generally be avoided during Etcamah treatment and for at least two weeks after your last dose. Some PPIs are available OTC, so check with your health care provider or pharmacist before taking an OTC medicine for heartburn or acid reflux while taking Etcamah.
Other Etcamah Interactions
Does Etcamah interact with alcohol?
It is not known whether alcohol interacts with Etcamah. However, heavy alcohol use can slow your immune response and make it harder for your body to fight cancer.
Before drinking alcohol, ask your health care provider whether it is safe for you during treatment. The answer may depend on your overall health, other medicines you take, and your cancer treatment plan.
Does Etcamah interact with food?
There are no known food interactions with Etcamah. Food does not have a meaningful effect on the amount of Etcamah that reaches your bloodstream, so you can take your dose with or without food.
Does Etcamah interact with any supplements?
Possibly, but the labeling for Etcamah does not list specific herbs or supplements that are known to interact with it. Supplements can affect medicines in different ways, including other medicines you may take as part of your breast cancer treatment.
Tell your health care provider about any vitamins, minerals, herbal products, or other supplements you use before you start Etcamah. Do not start a new supplement during treatment without checking with your health care provider or pharmacist.
How to Avoid Etcamah Interactions
The following steps can also help you prevent unsafe interactions while taking Etcamah.
- Take it exactly as prescribed.
- Keep an up-to-date list of all prescription and OTC medicines, vitamins, and supplements you use.
- Share your medicine list with your health care provider and pharmacist.
- Ask your health care provider or pharmacist before you start or stop a medicine or supplement.
- Safely dispose of medicines you no longer use or that have expired.
Etcamah may affect how other medicines work, and other medicines may affect Etcamah. Checking for interactions before you start something new can help your health care team decide if a combination is safe for you or if your treatment plan needs to be changed.
