Drug interactions
Porfimer + Tetracycline
Severity: Moderate
Porfimer and Tetracycline: 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
Both tetracyclines and porfimer sodium (a photodynamic therapy photosensitizer) can cause photosensitivity. Using them together may increase the risk of skin phototoxicity such as severe sunburn-like reactions after light exposure.
What this interaction means in plain words
Porfimer and Tetracycline 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.
Porfimer belongs to Miscellaneous; Tetracycline belongs to Anti Bacterial.
Why it happens
Additive photosensitizing effects of the two drugs.
What to do
Avoid tetracycline during the period of porfimer photosensitivity if an alternative antibiotic is possible, and reinforce strict protection from sunlight and bright indoor light.
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 Tetracycline
- Acitretin + Tetracycline Contraindicated
- Methoxyflurane + Tetracycline Contraindicated
- Isotretinoin + Tetracycline Major
- Palovarotene + Tetracycline Major
- Strontium ranelate + Tetracycline Major
- Tetracycline + Tretinoin Major
Other interactions of Porfimer
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Porfimer with Tetracycline?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Porfimer and Tetracycline 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. Both tetracyclines and porfimer sodium (a photodynamic therapy photosensitizer) can cause photosensitivity. Using them together may increase the risk of skin phototoxicity such as severe sunburn-like reactions after light exposure.
How serious is the interaction between Porfimer and Tetracycline?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid tetracycline during the period of porfimer photosensitivity if an alternative antibiotic is possible, and reinforce strict protection from sunlight and bright indoor light.
What other medicines interact with Tetracycline?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Tetracycline with, for example, Acitretin, Methoxyflurane, Isotretinoin. The full list is on the Tetracycline page.
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