Drug interactions
Hydroxyurea + Palifermin
Severity: Moderate
Hydroxyurea and Palifermin: 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
Palifermin stimulates epithelial cell growth, and given close to cytotoxic chemotherapy it can make mucositis more severe and longer lasting. Hydroxyurea is a cytotoxic agent that can itself cause mucositis, so the same timing concern applies.
What this interaction means in plain words
Hydroxyurea and Palifermin 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; Palifermin belongs to Miscellaneous.
Why it happens
Palifermin stimulates proliferation of epithelial cells, which may increase their sensitivity to antimetabolite cytotoxicity when exposure overlaps.
What to do
Do not give palifermin within 24 hours before, during, or within 24 hours after cytotoxic chemotherapy. Monitor for oral mucositis if the drugs must be used in the same period.
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 Hydroxyurea
Other interactions of Palifermin
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Hydroxyurea with Palifermin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Hydroxyurea and Palifermin 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. Palifermin stimulates epithelial cell growth, and given close to cytotoxic chemotherapy it can make mucositis more severe and longer lasting. Hydroxyurea is a cytotoxic agent that can itself cause mucositis, so the same timing concern applies.
How serious is the interaction between Hydroxyurea and Palifermin?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Do not give palifermin within 24 hours before, during, or within 24 hours after cytotoxic chemotherapy. Monitor for oral mucositis if the drugs must be used in the same period.
What other medicines interact with Hydroxyurea?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Hydroxyurea with, for example, Didanosine, Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live, Axicabtagene ciloleucel. The full list is on the Hydroxyurea page.
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