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Drug interactions

Deferiprone + Oxaliplatin

Severity: Major

Deferiprone and Oxaliplatin: 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 severe neutropenia and agranulocytosis, and oxaliplatin is myelosuppressive and commonly causes neutropenia. Combining them increases the risk of serious infection due to profound neutrophil depletion.

What this interaction means in plain words

Deferiprone and Oxaliplatin 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; Oxaliplatin belongs to Oncology.

Evidence level: Moderate

Why it happens

Additive myelosuppressive toxicity affecting neutrophils through different mechanisms.

What to do

Avoid the combination where possible. If both are required, monitor absolute neutrophil count more frequently 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?

Bring a full list of your medicines, including over-the-counter products, supplements and herbal remedies, to every pharmacy visit.

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Frequently asked questions

Can I take Deferiprone with Oxaliplatin?

MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Deferiprone and Oxaliplatin 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 severe neutropenia and agranulocytosis, and oxaliplatin is myelosuppressive and commonly causes neutropenia. Combining them increases the risk of serious infection due to profound neutrophil depletion.

How serious is the interaction between Deferiprone and Oxaliplatin?

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 both are required, monitor absolute neutrophil count more frequently and interrupt deferiprone if neutropenia develops.

What other medicines interact with Oxaliplatin?

MediHelp also lists interactions of Oxaliplatin with, for example, Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live, Bcg vaccine live, Influenza virus vaccine quadrivalent intranasal. The full list is on the Oxaliplatin page.

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