Skip to content

Drug interactions

Azathioprine + Trastuzumab deruxtecan

Severity: Major

Azathioprine and Trastuzumab deruxtecan: 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

Trastuzumab deruxtecan commonly causes neutropenia, and azathioprine also suppresses marrow and immune function. Together they may increase the risk of severe neutropenia and infection.

What this interaction means in plain words

Azathioprine and Trastuzumab deruxtecan 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; Trastuzumab deruxtecan belongs to Oncology.

Evidence level: Low

Why it happens

Additive myelosuppression and immunosuppression from the cytotoxic topoisomerase I inhibitor payload and azathioprine's antimetabolite effect.

What to do

Monitor complete blood counts before each trastuzumab deruxtecan dose and watch for fever or infection. Consider reducing or stopping azathioprine if neutropenia develops.

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?

Bring a full list of your medicines, including over-the-counter products, supplements and herbal remedies, to every pharmacy visit.

Pro+ members

Unlock the full page

Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Azathioprine and Trastuzumab deruxtecan, the additional notes, the evidence detail and the whole-prescription interaction checker.

  • Full clinical management advice
  • Additional notes
  • Evidence detail
  • Interaction checker for a whole prescription

Try Pro+ free for 14 days on the web. No card needed.

Frequently asked questions

Can I take Azathioprine with Trastuzumab deruxtecan?

MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Azathioprine and Trastuzumab deruxtecan 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. Trastuzumab deruxtecan commonly causes neutropenia, and azathioprine also suppresses marrow and immune function. Together they may increase the risk of severe neutropenia and infection.

How serious is the interaction between Azathioprine and Trastuzumab deruxtecan?

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 before each trastuzumab deruxtecan dose and watch for fever or infection. Consider reducing or stopping azathioprine if neutropenia develops.

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.

Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app

Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.

Browse A–Z · Drug interactions

Get the app Sign in