Drug interactions
Deferiprone + Topotecan
Severity: Major
Deferiprone and Topotecan: 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
Topotecan causes dose-limiting bone marrow suppression, especially neutropenia, and deferiprone can cause agranulocytosis. Combined use may produce severe neutropenia and serious infection.
What this interaction means in plain words
Deferiprone and Topotecan 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; Topotecan belongs to Oncology.
Why it happens
Additive myelosuppressive toxicity (pharmacodynamic).
What to do
Avoid if possible; otherwise monitor absolute neutrophil count more frequently and interrupt deferiprone if neutropenia occurs.
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 Topotecan
- Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live + Topotecan Contraindicated
- Amiodarone + Topotecan Major
- Cisplatin + Topotecan Major
- Cobicistat + Topotecan Major
- Cyclosporine + Topotecan Major
- Cyclosporin + Topotecan 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 Topotecan?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Deferiprone and Topotecan 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. Topotecan causes dose-limiting bone marrow suppression, especially neutropenia, and deferiprone can cause agranulocytosis. Combined use may produce severe neutropenia and serious infection.
How serious is the interaction between Deferiprone and Topotecan?
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 possible; otherwise monitor absolute neutrophil count more frequently and interrupt deferiprone if neutropenia occurs.
What other medicines interact with Topotecan?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Topotecan with, for example, Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live, Amiodarone, Cisplatin. The full list is on the Topotecan page.
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