Drug interactions
Azathioprine + Olaparib
Severity: Major
Azathioprine and Olaparib: major 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 suppress bone marrow function, and combining them may deepen or prolong anemia, neutropenia and thrombocytopenia. This raises the risk of infection and bleeding.
What this interaction means in plain words
Azathioprine and Olaparib can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for.
Azathioprine belongs to Gastrointestinal Tract; Olaparib belongs to Oncology.
Why it happens
Additive myelosuppression, with azathioprine impairing purine synthesis and olaparib inhibiting PARP and causing DNA damage in hematopoietic cells.
What to do
Monitor complete blood counts frequently, especially in the first months of combined therapy. Reduce the dose of one or both drugs or interrupt therapy if cytopenias develop.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Does the benefit of taking both outweigh the risk in my case?
- Do I need any blood test, ECG or other check while on both?
- What early warning signs should I watch for, and what should I do if they appear?
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Other interactions of Azathioprine
- Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live + Azathioprine Contraindicated
- Azathioprine + Bcg vaccine live Contraindicated
- Azathioprine + Febuxostat Contraindicated
- Azathioprine + Influenza virus vaccine quadrivalent intranasal Contraindicated
- Azathioprine + Measles mumps and rubella vaccine Contraindicated
- Azathioprine + Measles mumps and rubella vaccine live Contraindicated
Other interactions of Olaparib
- Amiodarone + Olaparib Major
- Amobarbital + Olaparib Major
- Apalutamide + Olaparib Major
- Aprepitant + Olaparib Major
- Carbamazepine + Olaparib Major
- Carboplatin + Olaparib Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Azathioprine with Olaparib?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Azathioprine and Olaparib can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for. Both drugs suppress bone marrow function, and combining them may deepen or prolong anemia, neutropenia and thrombocytopenia. This raises the risk of infection and bleeding.
How serious is the interaction between Azathioprine and Olaparib?
MediHelp rates it major, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor complete blood counts frequently, especially in the first months of combined therapy. Reduce the dose of one or both drugs or interrupt therapy if cytopenias develop.
What other medicines interact with Azathioprine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Azathioprine with, for example, Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live, Bcg vaccine live, Febuxostat. The full list is on the Azathioprine page.
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