Drug interactions
Deferiprone + Pemetrexed
Severity: Major
Deferiprone and Pemetrexed: 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 pemetrexed is myelosuppressive. Together they increase the risk of severe, potentially life-threatening infection.
What this interaction means in plain words
Deferiprone and Pemetrexed 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; Pemetrexed belongs to Oncology.
Why it happens
Additive bone marrow suppression affecting neutrophils.
What to do
Avoid the combination if an alternative chelator or regimen exists. If unavoidable, 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?
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Other interactions of Pemetrexed
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 Pemetrexed?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Deferiprone and Pemetrexed 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 pemetrexed is myelosuppressive. Together they increase the risk of severe, potentially life-threatening infection.
How serious is the interaction between Deferiprone and Pemetrexed?
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 if an alternative chelator or regimen exists. If unavoidable, monitor absolute neutrophil count more frequently and interrupt deferiprone if neutropenia develops.
What other medicines interact with Pemetrexed?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Pemetrexed with, for example, Bacitracin, Brexucabtagene autoleucel, Celecoxib. The full list is on the Pemetrexed page.
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