Drug interactions
Deferiprone + Fluorouracil
Severity: Major
Deferiprone and Fluorouracil: 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
Fluorouracil is myelosuppressive and deferiprone carries a risk of agranulocytosis. Combined use may produce profound neutropenia and serious infections.
What this interaction means in plain words
Deferiprone and Fluorouracil 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.
Deferiprone belongs to Miscellaneous; Fluorouracil belongs to Oncology.
Why it happens
Additive bone marrow toxicity affecting neutrophils.
What to do
Avoid combining if possible. If unavoidable, increase the frequency of absolute neutrophil count monitoring and interrupt deferiprone for neutropenia.
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 Fluorouracil
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 Deferiprone with Fluorouracil?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Deferiprone and Fluorouracil 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. Fluorouracil is myelosuppressive and deferiprone carries a risk of agranulocytosis. Combined use may produce profound neutropenia and serious infections.
How serious is the interaction between Deferiprone and Fluorouracil?
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 combining if possible. If unavoidable, increase the frequency of absolute neutrophil count monitoring and interrupt deferiprone for neutropenia.
What other medicines interact with Fluorouracil?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Fluorouracil with, for example, Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live, Axicabtagene ciloleucel, Belatacept. The full list is on the Fluorouracil page.
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