Drug interactions
Deferiprone + Idarubicin
Severity: Major
Deferiprone and Idarubicin: 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
Deferiprone can cause neutropenia and agranulocytosis, and idarubicin is strongly myelosuppressive. Together the risk of severe, potentially fatal infection is increased.
What this interaction means in plain words
Deferiprone and Idarubicin 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; Idarubicin belongs to Oncology.
Why it happens
Additive bone marrow suppression (pharmacodynamic).
What to do
Avoid if an alternative iron chelation approach is feasible; otherwise monitor absolute neutrophil count more frequently 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 Idarubicin
- Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live + Idarubicin Contraindicated
- Belatacept + Idarubicin Major
- Cyclophosphamide + Idarubicin Major
- Dengue vaccine + Idarubicin Major
- Etrasimod + Idarubicin Major
- Fingolimod + Idarubicin Major
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 Idarubicin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Deferiprone and Idarubicin 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 can cause neutropenia and agranulocytosis, and idarubicin is strongly myelosuppressive. Together the risk of severe, potentially fatal infection is increased.
How serious is the interaction between Deferiprone and Idarubicin?
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 if an alternative iron chelation approach is feasible; otherwise monitor absolute neutrophil count more frequently and interrupt deferiprone for neutropenia.
What other medicines interact with Idarubicin?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Idarubicin with, for example, Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live, Belatacept, Cyclophosphamide. The full list is on the Idarubicin page.
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