Drug interactions
Deferiprone + Milk thistle
Severity: Moderate
Deferiprone and Milk thistle: moderate 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 is cleared mainly by glucuronidation via UGT1A6. Milk thistle constituents may inhibit this enzyme, which could raise deferiprone exposure and the risk of neutropenia, though the clinical effect is not well characterized.
What this interaction means in plain words
Deferiprone and Milk thistle can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Why it happens
Possible inhibition of UGT1A6-mediated glucuronidation of deferiprone.
What to do
Advise patients to avoid milk thistle supplements, or monitor neutrophil counts closely if they are used.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Deferiprone and Milk thistle, 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 7 days on the web. No card needed.
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 Milk thistle?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Deferiprone and Milk thistle can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Deferiprone is cleared mainly by glucuronidation via UGT1A6. Milk thistle constituents may inhibit this enzyme, which could raise deferiprone exposure and the risk of neutropenia, though the clinical effect is not well characterized.
How serious is the interaction between Deferiprone and Milk thistle?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Advise patients to avoid milk thistle supplements, or monitor neutrophil counts closely if they are used.
What other medicines interact with Deferiprone?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Deferiprone with, for example, Clozapine, Abemaciclib, Acalabrutinib. The full list is on the Deferiprone 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.
