Drug interactions
Fluorouracil + Oxaliplatin
Severity: Moderate
Fluorouracil and Oxaliplatin: 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
Fluorouracil and oxaliplatin are routinely combined in regimens such as FOLFOX, and the combination is clinically established rather than avoided. Overlapping toxicities include myelosuppression, diarrhea and mucositis, and oxaliplatin can occasionally prolong the QT interval.
What this interaction means in plain words
Fluorouracil and Oxaliplatin 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.
Fluorouracil belongs to Oncology; Oxaliplatin belongs to Oncology.
Why it happens
Additive pharmacodynamic toxicity; oxaliplatin may modestly increase fluorouracil exposure or effect, but this is not well characterized.
What to do
Monitor blood counts, GI toxicity, and electrolytes including potassium and magnesium. Obtain an ECG if other QT-prolonging drugs are used or there are cardiac risk factors.
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?
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Other interactions of Fluorouracil
Other interactions of Oxaliplatin
- Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live + Oxaliplatin Contraindicated
- Bcg vaccine live + Oxaliplatin Contraindicated
- Influenza virus vaccine quadrivalent intranasal + Oxaliplatin Contraindicated
- Measles mumps and rubella vaccine live + Oxaliplatin Contraindicated
- Measles mumps and rubella vaccine + Oxaliplatin Contraindicated
- Measles mumps rubella and varicella vaccine live + Oxaliplatin Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Fluorouracil with Oxaliplatin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Fluorouracil and Oxaliplatin 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. Fluorouracil and oxaliplatin are routinely combined in regimens such as FOLFOX, and the combination is clinically established rather than avoided. Overlapping toxicities include myelosuppression, diarrhea and mucositis, and oxaliplatin can occasionally prolong the QT interval.
How serious is the interaction between Fluorouracil and Oxaliplatin?
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 blood counts, GI toxicity, and electrolytes including potassium and magnesium. Obtain an ECG if other QT-prolonging drugs are used or there are cardiac risk factors.
What other medicines interact with Fluorouracil?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Fluorouracil with, for example, Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live, Axicabtagene ciloleucel, Belatacept. The full list is on the Fluorouracil page.
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