Drug interactions
Paclitaxel + Trastuzumab
Severity: Moderate
Paclitaxel 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
Adding trastuzumab to paclitaxel has been linked to more neutropenia and febrile neutropenia. Cardiac toxicity of trastuzumab may also be somewhat higher with taxane-based regimens.
What this interaction means in plain words
Paclitaxel 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.
Paclitaxel belongs to Oncology; Trastuzumab belongs to Oncology.
Why it happens
Additive hematologic toxicity; the mechanism is not fully defined.
What to do
Monitor blood counts and left ventricular function regularly, and apply growth factor support or dose delays as protocols direct.
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?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Paclitaxel and Trastuzumab, 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 14 days on the web. No card needed.
Other interactions of Paclitaxel
Other interactions of Trastuzumab
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Paclitaxel with Trastuzumab?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Paclitaxel 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. Adding trastuzumab to paclitaxel has been linked to more neutropenia and febrile neutropenia. Cardiac toxicity of trastuzumab may also be somewhat higher with taxane-based regimens.
How serious is the interaction between Paclitaxel 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 blood counts and left ventricular function regularly, and apply growth factor support or dose delays as protocols direct.
What other medicines interact with Paclitaxel?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Paclitaxel with, for example, Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live, Cobicistat, Cyclosporine. The full list is on the Paclitaxel 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.
