Drug interactions
Cladribine + Hydroxycarbamide
Severity: Major
Cladribine and Hydroxycarbamide: major interaction.
Last updated Sources: UK SmPC
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 suppress bone marrow function, so combined use can cause more severe neutropenia, anemia, thrombocytopenia and lymphopenia. This raises the risk of infection and bleeding.
What this interaction means in plain words
Cladribine and Hydroxycarbamide 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.
Cladribine belongs to Oncology; Hydroxycarbamide belongs to Oncology.
Why it happens
Additive myelosuppression from a purine nucleoside analog and a ribonucleotide reductase inhibitor.
What to do
Monitor complete blood counts frequently and reduce the dose or interrupt either drug if significant cytopenia develops. Avoid the combination where an alternative is available, particularly with oral cladribine for multiple sclerosis.
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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References
Other interactions of Cladribine
- Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live + Cladribine Contraindicated
- Cladribine + Siponimod Contraindicated
- Cladribine + Tofacitinib Contraindicated
- Axicabtagene ciloleucel + Cladribine Major
- Belatacept + Cladribine Major
- Brexucabtagene autoleucel + Cladribine Major
Other interactions of Hydroxycarbamide
- Didanosine + Hydroxycarbamide Contraindicated
- Hydroxycarbamide + Stavudine Contraindicated
- Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live + Hydroxycarbamide Major
- Axicabtagene ciloleucel + Hydroxycarbamide Major
- Bcg intravesical live + Hydroxycarbamide Major
- Bcg vaccine live + Hydroxycarbamide Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Cladribine with Hydroxycarbamide?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Cladribine and Hydroxycarbamide 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 suppress bone marrow function, so combined use can cause more severe neutropenia, anemia, thrombocytopenia and lymphopenia. This raises the risk of infection and bleeding.
How serious is the interaction between Cladribine and Hydroxycarbamide?
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 frequently and reduce the dose or interrupt either drug if significant cytopenia develops. Avoid the combination where an alternative is available, particularly with oral cladribine for multiple sclerosis.
What other medicines interact with Cladribine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Cladribine with, for example, Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live, Siponimod, Tofacitinib. The full list is on the Cladribine page.
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