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Drug interactions

Melphalan + Trastuzumab

Severity: Moderate

Melphalan and Trastuzumab: 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

Trastuzumab given with myelosuppressive chemotherapy has been linked to more neutropenia and febrile neutropenia. With melphalan the risk of infection may be increased.

What this interaction means in plain words

Melphalan and Trastuzumab 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.

Melphalan belongs to Oncology; Trastuzumab belongs to Oncology.

Evidence level: Low

Why it happens

Additive hematologic toxicity; trastuzumab's contribution is not fully understood.

What to do

Monitor neutrophil counts and infection signs, using dose delay or growth factor support as the protocol allows.

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?

Bring a full list of your medicines, including over-the-counter products, supplements and herbal remedies, to every pharmacy visit.

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Frequently asked questions

Can I take Melphalan with Trastuzumab?

MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Melphalan and Trastuzumab 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. Trastuzumab given with myelosuppressive chemotherapy has been linked to more neutropenia and febrile neutropenia. With melphalan the risk of infection may be increased.

How serious is the interaction between Melphalan and Trastuzumab?

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 neutrophil counts and infection signs, using dose delay or growth factor support as the protocol allows.

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.

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.

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