Drug interactions
Oxaliplatin + Phenytoin
Severity: Minor
Oxaliplatin and Phenytoin: minor 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
Phenytoin concentrations may fall during chemotherapy and cause breakthrough seizures. Oxaliplatin has little hepatic metabolism, so the evidence for an interaction is weak and mostly indirect.
What this interaction means in plain words
Oxaliplatin and Phenytoin have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised.
Oxaliplatin belongs to Oncology; Phenytoin belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
The mechanism is not established; effects of chemotherapy on gut absorption or phenytoin clearance have been proposed.
What to do
Monitor phenytoin levels and seizure control during chemotherapy cycles and adjust the dose as needed.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Is there anything I should notice while taking both?
- Do I need to tell my doctor at the next visit?
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Other interactions of Phenytoin
- Artemether / lumefantrine + Phenytoin Contraindicated
- Bictegravir + Phenytoin Contraindicated
- Cabotegravir + Phenytoin Contraindicated
- Doravirine + Phenytoin Contraindicated
- Elbasvir / grazoprevir + Phenytoin Contraindicated
- Elvitegravir / cobicistat / emtricitabine / tenofovir df + Phenytoin Contraindicated
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 Oxaliplatin with Phenytoin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as minor. Oxaliplatin and Phenytoin have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised. Phenytoin concentrations may fall during chemotherapy and cause breakthrough seizures. Oxaliplatin has little hepatic metabolism, so the evidence for an interaction is weak and mostly indirect.
How serious is the interaction between Oxaliplatin and Phenytoin?
MediHelp rates it minor, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor phenytoin levels and seizure control during chemotherapy cycles and adjust the dose as needed.
What other medicines interact with Phenytoin?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Phenytoin with, for example, Artemether / lumefantrine, Bictegravir, Cabotegravir. The full list is on the Phenytoin page.
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