Skip to content

Drug interactions

Carboplatin + Zidovudine

Severity: Major

Carboplatin and Zidovudine: 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 agents suppress the bone marrow, and combined use increases the risk of anemia, neutropenia and thrombocytopenia. Carboplatin is particularly myelosuppressive.

What this interaction means in plain words

Carboplatin and Zidovudine 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.

Carboplatin belongs to Oncology; Zidovudine belongs to Anti Virals.

Evidence level: Moderate

Why it happens

Additive bone marrow suppression.

What to do

Monitor full blood counts frequently, and consider an alternative to zidovudine in patients on myelosuppressive chemotherapy. Reduce doses or provide growth factor support as needed.

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 Carboplatin and Zidovudine, 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 Carboplatin with Zidovudine?

MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Carboplatin and Zidovudine 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 agents suppress the bone marrow, and combined use increases the risk of anemia, neutropenia and thrombocytopenia. Carboplatin is particularly myelosuppressive.

How serious is the interaction between Carboplatin and Zidovudine?

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 full blood counts frequently, and consider an alternative to zidovudine in patients on myelosuppressive chemotherapy. Reduce doses or provide growth factor support as needed.

What other medicines interact with Zidovudine?

MediHelp also lists interactions of Zidovudine with, for example, Elvitegravir / cobicistat / emtricitabine / tenofovir df, Stavudine, Atidarsagene autotemcel. The full list is on the Zidovudine 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