Drug interactions
Capecitabine + Palifermin
Severity: Major
Capecitabine and Palifermin: 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
Palifermin stimulates epithelial cell growth, and when given close to cytotoxic chemotherapy it was associated with more severe and longer oral mucositis. This effect is a concern with fluoropyrimidines such as capecitabine.
What this interaction means in plain words
Capecitabine and Palifermin 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.
Capecitabine belongs to Oncology; Palifermin belongs to Miscellaneous.
Why it happens
Palifermin-driven proliferation of mucosal epithelial cells may increase their sensitivity to cytotoxic chemotherapy.
What to do
Do not give palifermin within 24 hours before, during, or within 24 hours after capecitabine. Follow the labeled spacing and monitor for mucositis.
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?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Capecitabine and Palifermin, 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.
Other interactions of Capecitabine
Other interactions of Palifermin
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Capecitabine with Palifermin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Capecitabine and Palifermin 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. Palifermin stimulates epithelial cell growth, and when given close to cytotoxic chemotherapy it was associated with more severe and longer oral mucositis. This effect is a concern with fluoropyrimidines such as capecitabine.
How serious is the interaction between Capecitabine and Palifermin?
MediHelp rates it major, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Do not give palifermin within 24 hours before, during, or within 24 hours after capecitabine. Follow the labeled spacing and monitor for mucositis.
What other medicines interact with Capecitabine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Capecitabine with, for example, Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live, Arsenic trioxide, Axicabtagene ciloleucel. The full list is on the Capecitabine 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.
