Drug interactions
Allopurinol + Hydroxycarbamide
Severity: Moderate
Allopurinol and Hydroxycarbamide: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Both drugs can suppress bone marrow, and allopurinol is often given with hydroxyurea to prevent urate nephropathy from tumor lysis. Together they may increase the risk of cytopenias, although the clinical evidence is limited.
What this interaction means in plain words
Allopurinol and Hydroxycarbamide can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Allopurinol belongs to Genitourinary; Hydroxycarbamide belongs to Oncology.
Why it happens
Additive myelosuppressive effects; no established pharmacokinetic interaction.
What to do
Monitor complete blood counts regularly and reduce hydroxyurea or interrupt therapy if cytopenias develop.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Allopurinol
Other interactions of Hydroxycarbamide
- Didanosine + Hydroxycarbamide Contraindicated
- Hydroxycarbamide + Stavudine Contraindicated
- Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live + Hydroxycarbamide Major
- Axicabtagene ciloleucel + Hydroxycarbamide Major
- Bcg intravesical live + Hydroxycarbamide Major
- Bcg vaccine live + Hydroxycarbamide Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Allopurinol with Hydroxycarbamide?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Allopurinol and Hydroxycarbamide can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Both drugs can suppress bone marrow, and allopurinol is often given with hydroxyurea to prevent urate nephropathy from tumor lysis. Together they may increase the risk of cytopenias, although the clinical evidence is limited.
How serious is the interaction between Allopurinol and Hydroxycarbamide?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor complete blood counts regularly and reduce hydroxyurea or interrupt therapy if cytopenias develop.
What other medicines interact with Allopurinol?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Allopurinol with, for example, Azathioprine, Didanosine, Mercaptopurine. The full list is on the Allopurinol page.
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