Drug interactions
Phenytoin + Secukinumab
Severity: Minor
Phenytoin and Secukinumab: 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
Chronic inflammation raises cytokines that suppress CYP450 enzymes, and an IL-17A blocker may reverse this suppression. Metabolism of narrow therapeutic index drugs such as phenytoin could therefore increase, lowering their concentrations. The effect is theoretical and is likely to be small.
What this interaction means in plain words
Phenytoin and Secukinumab 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 belongs to Central Nervous System; Secukinumab belongs to Miscellaneous.
Why it happens
Reduced cytokine-mediated suppression of CYP450 expression after IL-17A inhibition may increase phenytoin metabolism.
What to do
When secukinumab is started or stopped, check seizure control and consider a phenytoin level if there is a clinical change.
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?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Phenytoin and Secukinumab, 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 7 days on the web. No card needed.
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 Secukinumab
- Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live + Secukinumab Major
- Bcg vaccine live + Secukinumab Major
- Influenza virus vaccine quadrivalent intranasal + Secukinumab Major
- Measles mumps and rubella vaccine live + Secukinumab Major
- Measles mumps and rubella vaccine + Secukinumab Major
- Measles mumps rubella and varicella vaccine live + Secukinumab Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Phenytoin with Secukinumab?
MediHelp rates the interaction as minor. Phenytoin and Secukinumab have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised. Chronic inflammation raises cytokines that suppress CYP450 enzymes, and an IL-17A blocker may reverse this suppression. Metabolism of narrow therapeutic index drugs such as phenytoin could therefore increase, lowering their concentrations. The effect is theoretical and is likely to be small.
How serious is the interaction between Phenytoin and Secukinumab?
MediHelp rates it minor, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: When secukinumab is started or stopped, check seizure control and consider a phenytoin level if there is a clinical change.
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.
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.
