Drug interactions
Hydroxyurea + Interferon alfa 2b
Severity: Major
Hydroxyurea and Interferon alfa 2b: 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
Cutaneous vasculitic toxicities, including ulceration and gangrene, have been reported in patients receiving hydroxyurea who were also receiving or had previously received interferon therapy. These lesions can be severe and may require stopping treatment.
What this interaction means in plain words
Hydroxyurea and Interferon alfa 2b 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.
Hydroxyurea belongs to Miscellaneous; Interferon alfa 2b belongs to Anti Virals.
Why it happens
Mechanism is not established; possible additive vascular and immune-mediated toxicity.
What to do
Examine the skin regularly for early ulceration or vasculitic lesions. Stop hydroxyurea if vasculitic toxicity develops.
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 Hydroxyurea and Interferon alfa 2b, 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 Interferon alfa 2b
Other interactions of Hydroxyurea
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Hydroxyurea with Interferon alfa 2b?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Hydroxyurea and Interferon alfa 2b 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. Cutaneous vasculitic toxicities, including ulceration and gangrene, have been reported in patients receiving hydroxyurea who were also receiving or had previously received interferon therapy. These lesions can be severe and may require stopping treatment.
How serious is the interaction between Hydroxyurea and Interferon alfa 2b?
MediHelp rates it major, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Examine the skin regularly for early ulceration or vasculitic lesions. Stop hydroxyurea if vasculitic toxicity develops.
What other medicines interact with Interferon alfa 2b?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Interferon alfa 2b with, for example, Deferiprone, Pexidartinib, Pretomanid. The full list is on the Interferon alfa 2b 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.
