Drug interactions
Doxorubicin + Zidovudine
Severity: Major
Doxorubicin and Zidovudine: 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
Both drugs suppress the bone marrow, so their combination increases the risk of anemia and neutropenia. Doxorubicin may also reduce the phosphorylation of zidovudine to its active form, which could weaken antiviral effect.
What this interaction means in plain words
Doxorubicin and Zidovudine 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.
Doxorubicin belongs to Oncology; Zidovudine belongs to Anti Virals.
Why it happens
Additive myelosuppression, and possible interference with intracellular activation of zidovudine.
What to do
Monitor full blood counts closely and consider an alternative antiretroviral during doxorubicin therapy. Watch HIV RNA for loss of virological control.
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?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Doxorubicin and Zidovudine, 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 14 days on the web. No card needed.
Other interactions of Zidovudine
- Elvitegravir / cobicistat / emtricitabine / tenofovir df + Zidovudine Contraindicated
- Stavudine + Zidovudine Contraindicated
- Atidarsagene autotemcel + Zidovudine Major
- Betibeglogene autotemcel + Zidovudine Major
- Carboplatin + Zidovudine Major
- Cisplatin + Zidovudine Major
Other interactions of Doxorubicin
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Doxorubicin with Zidovudine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Doxorubicin and Zidovudine 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. Both drugs suppress the bone marrow, so their combination increases the risk of anemia and neutropenia. Doxorubicin may also reduce the phosphorylation of zidovudine to its active form, which could weaken antiviral effect.
How serious is the interaction between Doxorubicin and Zidovudine?
MediHelp rates it major, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor full blood counts closely and consider an alternative antiretroviral during doxorubicin therapy. Watch HIV RNA for loss of virological control.
What other medicines interact with Zidovudine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Zidovudine with, for example, Elvitegravir / cobicistat / emtricitabine / tenofovir df, Stavudine, Atidarsagene autotemcel. The full list is on the Zidovudine 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.
