Drug interactions
Chloramphenicol + Deferiprone
Severity: Major
Chloramphenicol and Deferiprone: 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 can cause neutropenia or agranulocytosis, so combining them raises the risk of serious bone marrow suppression. Deferiprone labeling advises against use with other agents known to cause neutropenia.
What this interaction means in plain words
Chloramphenicol and Deferiprone 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.
Chloramphenicol belongs to Anti Bacterial; Deferiprone belongs to Miscellaneous.
Why it happens
Additive pharmacodynamic myelotoxicity affecting neutrophil production.
What to do
Avoid the combination where possible. If unavoidable, monitor absolute neutrophil count more often than usual and interrupt deferiprone 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?
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Other interactions of Chloramphenicol
Other interactions of Deferiprone
- Clozapine + Deferiprone Contraindicated
- Abemaciclib + Deferiprone Major
- Acalabrutinib + Deferiprone Major
- Ado-trastuzumab emtansine + Deferiprone Major
- Ado-trastuzumab + Deferiprone Major
- Aldesleukin + Deferiprone Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Chloramphenicol with Deferiprone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Chloramphenicol and Deferiprone 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 can cause neutropenia or agranulocytosis, so combining them raises the risk of serious bone marrow suppression. Deferiprone labeling advises against use with other agents known to cause neutropenia.
How serious is the interaction between Chloramphenicol and Deferiprone?
MediHelp rates it major, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid the combination where possible. If unavoidable, monitor absolute neutrophil count more often than usual and interrupt deferiprone if neutropenia develops.
What other medicines interact with Chloramphenicol?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Chloramphenicol with, for example, Adagrasib, Avapritinib, Bcg vaccine live. The full list is on the Chloramphenicol page.
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