Drug interactions
Diflunisal + Imatinib
Severity: Moderate
Diflunisal and Imatinib: 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
Imatinib can cause thrombocytopenia and gastrointestinal bleeding, and diflunisal adds platelet inhibition and mucosal irritation. Combined use may increase the risk of hemorrhage.
What this interaction means in plain words
Diflunisal and Imatinib 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.
Diflunisal belongs to Musculoskeletal; Imatinib belongs to Oncology.
Why it happens
Additive bleeding tendency from imatinib-related reduction in platelet count and NSAID-induced platelet dysfunction and gastric mucosal injury.
What to do
Monitor platelet counts and watch for signs of bleeding; consider paracetamol instead of the NSAID, especially if thrombocytopenia is present.
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 Diflunisal and Imatinib, 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 Diflunisal
- Diflunisal + Ketorolac Contraindicated
- Diflunisal + Ketorolac intranasal Contraindicated
- Acemetacin + Diflunisal Major
- Acetazolamide + Diflunisal Major
- Alteplase + Diflunisal Major
- Amiloride + Diflunisal Major
Other interactions of Imatinib
- Imatinib + Lomitapide Contraindicated
- Imatinib + Lonafarnib Contraindicated
- Amobarbital + Imatinib Major
- Apalutamide + Imatinib Major
- Avapritinib + Imatinib Major
- Benzhydrocodone / acetaminophen + Imatinib Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Diflunisal with Imatinib?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Diflunisal and Imatinib 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. Imatinib can cause thrombocytopenia and gastrointestinal bleeding, and diflunisal adds platelet inhibition and mucosal irritation. Combined use may increase the risk of hemorrhage.
How serious is the interaction between Diflunisal and Imatinib?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor platelet counts and watch for signs of bleeding; consider paracetamol instead of the NSAID, especially if thrombocytopenia is present.
What other medicines interact with Diflunisal?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Diflunisal with, for example, Ketorolac, Ketorolac intranasal, Acemetacin. The full list is on the Diflunisal 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.
