Drug interactions
Pemetrexed + Salsalate
Severity: Moderate
Pemetrexed and Salsalate: 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
Salsalate is a non-acetylated salicylate with NSAID-like properties that may lower pemetrexed clearance and increase its exposure. This can worsen myelosuppression, mucositis and renal toxicity, especially with impaired renal function.
What this interaction means in plain words
Pemetrexed and Salsalate 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.
Why it happens
Reduced renal elimination of pemetrexed through effects on renal prostaglandins and possible competition for tubular secretion.
What to do
Hold salsalate for several days before, on the day of, and for 2 days after pemetrexed, given its long half-life. Monitor blood counts and renal function if coadministration is unavoidable.
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 Pemetrexed
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Pemetrexed with Salsalate?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Pemetrexed and Salsalate 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. Salsalate is a non-acetylated salicylate with NSAID-like properties that may lower pemetrexed clearance and increase its exposure. This can worsen myelosuppression, mucositis and renal toxicity, especially with impaired renal function.
How serious is the interaction between Pemetrexed and Salsalate?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Hold salsalate for several days before, on the day of, and for 2 days after pemetrexed, given its long half-life. Monitor blood counts and renal function if coadministration is unavoidable.
What other medicines interact with Pemetrexed?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Pemetrexed with, for example, Bacitracin, Brexucabtagene autoleucel, Celecoxib. The full list is on the Pemetrexed page.
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