Drug interactions
Deferiprone + Pyrimethamine
Severity: Major
Deferiprone and Pyrimethamine: 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 pyrimethamine, as a folate antagonist, can cause bone marrow suppression. Combined use may increase the risk of severe hematologic toxicity.
What this interaction means in plain words
Deferiprone and Pyrimethamine 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; Pyrimethamine belongs to Anti Parasitic.
Why it happens
Additive myelosuppression (pharmacodynamic); pyrimethamine inhibits dihydrofolate reductase.
What to do
Avoid the combination if an alternative exists. If it is necessary, monitor absolute neutrophil count and platelets 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 Pyrimethamine
- Eliglustat + Pyrimethamine Major
- Acalabrutinib + Pyrimethamine Moderate
- Brexpiprazole + Pyrimethamine Moderate
- Dapsone + Pyrimethamine Moderate
- Folic acid + Pyrimethamine Moderate
- Fosphenytoin + Pyrimethamine Moderate
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 Pyrimethamine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Deferiprone and Pyrimethamine 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 pyrimethamine, as a folate antagonist, can cause bone marrow suppression. Combined use may increase the risk of severe hematologic toxicity.
How serious is the interaction between Deferiprone and Pyrimethamine?
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 exists. If it is necessary, monitor absolute neutrophil count and platelets more frequently, and interrupt deferiprone for neutropenia.
What other medicines interact with Pyrimethamine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Pyrimethamine with, for example, Eliglustat, Acalabrutinib, Brexpiprazole. The full list is on the Pyrimethamine page.
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