Drug interactions
Hydroxyurea + Melphalan
Severity: Moderate
Hydroxyurea and Melphalan: 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
Both drugs suppress bone marrow function, so combined use can increase leukopenia, anemia and thrombocytopenia.
What this interaction means in plain words
Hydroxyurea and Melphalan 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.
Hydroxyurea belongs to Miscellaneous; Melphalan belongs to Oncology.
Why it happens
Additive myelosuppression via alkylation and ribonucleotide reductase inhibition.
What to do
Monitor blood counts regularly and reduce doses or interrupt therapy if counts fall markedly.
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 Melphalan
- Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live + Melphalan Contraindicated
- Bcg vaccine live + Melphalan Contraindicated
- Influenza virus vaccine quadrivalent intranasal + Melphalan Contraindicated
- Measles mumps and rubella vaccine live + Melphalan Contraindicated
- Measles mumps and rubella vaccine + Melphalan Contraindicated
- Measles mumps rubella and varicella vaccine live + Melphalan Contraindicated
Other interactions of Hydroxyurea
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Hydroxyurea with Melphalan?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Hydroxyurea and Melphalan 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. Both drugs suppress bone marrow function, so combined use can increase leukopenia, anemia and thrombocytopenia.
How serious is the interaction between Hydroxyurea and Melphalan?
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 regularly and reduce doses or interrupt therapy if counts fall markedly.
What other medicines interact with Melphalan?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Melphalan with, for example, Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live, Bcg vaccine live, Influenza virus vaccine quadrivalent intranasal. The full list is on the Melphalan page.
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