Drug interactions
Celecoxib + Pemetrexed
Severity: Major
Celecoxib and Pemetrexed: 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
NSAIDs can reduce renal clearance of pemetrexed, raising its exposure and the risk of myelosuppression, renal toxicity and gastrointestinal toxicity. The risk is greatest in patients with mild to moderate renal impairment. Celecoxib has a relatively long half-life, so the effect can persist.
What this interaction means in plain words
Celecoxib and Pemetrexed 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.
Celecoxib belongs to Musculoskeletal; Pemetrexed belongs to Oncology.
Why it happens
NSAID-induced reduction in renal prostaglandin-dependent perfusion and glomerular filtration decreases renal elimination of pemetrexed.
What to do
Where possible, hold celecoxib in the days before, on the day of and after pemetrexed, following the labeling schedule for long half-life NSAIDs. If it cannot be avoided, monitor blood counts and renal function closely.
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 Celecoxib and Pemetrexed, 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 Celecoxib
- Celecoxib + Ketorolac Contraindicated
- Celecoxib + Ketorolac intranasal Contraindicated
- Aceclofenac + Celecoxib Major
- Acemetacin + Celecoxib Major
- Amiloride + Celecoxib Major
- Apixaban + Celecoxib Major
Other interactions of Pemetrexed
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Celecoxib with Pemetrexed?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Celecoxib and Pemetrexed 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. NSAIDs can reduce renal clearance of pemetrexed, raising its exposure and the risk of myelosuppression, renal toxicity and gastrointestinal toxicity. The risk is greatest in patients with mild to moderate renal impairment. Celecoxib has a relatively long half-life, so the effect can persist.
How serious is the interaction between Celecoxib and Pemetrexed?
MediHelp rates it major, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Where possible, hold celecoxib in the days before, on the day of and after pemetrexed, following the labeling schedule for long half-life NSAIDs. If it cannot be avoided, monitor blood counts and renal function closely.
What other medicines interact with Celecoxib?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Celecoxib with, for example, Ketorolac, Ketorolac intranasal, Aceclofenac. The full list is on the Celecoxib 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.
