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Can you take Cyclophosphamide with Interferon alfa-2b?

1 drug interaction and 29 additional warnings found for the following 2 drugs:

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Drug interactions

Minor drug interactions

Minor:

cycloPHOSphamide interferon alfa-2b

Applies to: cyclophosphamide and interferon alfa-2b

Information for this minor interaction is available on the professional version.

Food/lifestyle interactions

No alcohol/food interactions were found. However, this does not necessarily mean no interactions exist. Always consult your healthcare provider.

Disease interactions

29 potential interactions Applies to: 26 conditions, including Depression, Underactive Thyroid, Heart Failure, Urinary Tract Infection, and Seizures.

Arrhythmia

Major:

interferon alfa-2b

Interferon alfa-2b has a major potential interaction with Arrhythmia.

Hypertension, arrhythmias, angina, myocardial infarction, cardiomyopathy, and congestive heart failure have been reported during interferon therapy. Therapy with interferons should be administered with caution in patients with compromised cardiac function.

Autoimmune Disorders

Major:

interferon alfa-2b

Interferon alfa-2b has a major potential interaction with Autoimmune Disorders.

Antiviral interferons may exacerbate autoimmune disorders such as myositis, thyroiditis, systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, or autoimmune hepatitis. Therapy should be avoided or administered with extreme caution in patients with autoimmune disorders.

Bladder Infection

Major:

cyclophosphamide

cycloPHOSphamide has a major potential interaction with Bladder Infection.

The use of cyclophosphamide is contraindicated in patients with urinary outflow obstruction. Urinary tract obstruction should be excluded or corrected before treatment because cyclophosphamide can cause urotoxicity, which may be fatal.

Bleeding Disorder

Major:

cyclophosphamide

cycloPHOSphamide has a major potential interaction with Bleeding Disorder.

Cyclophosphamide should not be administered to patients with neutrophil counts of 1,500/mm3 or less and platelet counts below 50,000/mm3. Cyclophosphamide can cause myelosuppression, bone marrow failure, and severe immunosuppression; complete blood counts should be monitored during treatment.

Bone Marrow Depression/Low Blood Counts

Major:

cyclophosphamide

cycloPHOSphamide has a major potential interaction with Bone Marrow Depression/Low Blood Counts.

Cyclophosphamide should not be administered to patients with neutrophil counts of 1,500/mm3 or less and platelet counts below 50,000/mm3. Cyclophosphamide can cause myelosuppression, bone marrow failure, and severe immunosuppression; complete blood counts should be monitored during treatment.

Moderate:

interferon alfa-2b

Interferon alfa-2b has a moderate potential interaction with Bone Marrow Depression/Low Blood Counts.

Interferons (alfa and gamma) induce a dose-dependent, generally mild, myelosuppression. Leukopenia is the primary manifestation. Thrombocytopenia and anemia occur less frequently. Therapy with interferons (alfa and gamma) should be administered cautiously to patients with bone marrow suppression. Clinical monitoring of hematopoietic function is recommended.

Cardiovascular Conditions and Disorders

Major:

interferon alfa-2b

Interferon alfa-2b has a major potential interaction with Cardiovascular Conditions and Disorders.

Hypertension, arrhythmias, angina, myocardial infarction, cardiomyopathy, and congestive heart failure have been reported during interferon therapy. Therapy with interferons should be administered with caution in patients with compromised cardiac function.

Depression

Major:

interferon alfa-2b

Interferon alfa-2b has a major potential interaction with Depression.

Interferons (alfa or beta) can induce depression and suicidal behavior. Suicidal attempts and suicides have been reported. Therapy with interferons (alfa or beta) should be administered cautiously to patients with or predisposed to mental depression. Clinical monitoring of psychological status is recommended.

Diabetes Mellitus

Moderate:

interferon alfa-2b

Interferon alfa-2b has a moderate potential interaction with Diabetes Mellitus.

Flu-like symptoms frequently associated with interferon-alfa therapy can precipitate ketoacidosis in diabetic patients. Therapy with interferon alfa should be administered cautiously in patients with diabetes mellitus. Clinical monitoring of blood glucose concentrations and anti-diabetic therapy is recommended.

Fever

Moderate:

cyclophosphamide

cycloPHOSphamide has a moderate potential interaction with Fever.

Cyclophosphamide treatment may not be indicated, or may require interruption or dose reduction, in patients with a serious infection. Cyclophosphamide can cause severe immunosuppression and reactivate latent infections; it should be used with caution, if at all, in patients with active urinary tract infections.

Heart Disease

Moderate:

cyclophosphamide

cycloPHOSphamide has a moderate potential interaction with Heart Disease.

Cyclophosphamide can cause myocarditis, myopericarditis, pericardial effusion, arrhythmias, and congestive heart failure, which may be fatal. Particular caution is necessary in patients with pre-existing cardiac disease; monitor these patients for cardiotoxicity.

Heart Failure

Major:

interferon alfa-2b

Interferon alfa-2b has a major potential interaction with Heart Failure.

Hypertension, arrhythmias, angina, myocardial infarction, cardiomyopathy, and congestive heart failure have been reported during interferon therapy. Therapy with interferons should be administered with caution in patients with compromised cardiac function.

History, Radiation Therapy

Moderate:

cyclophosphamide

cycloPHOSphamide has a moderate potential interaction with History, Radiation Therapy.

Previous radiation treatment to the cardiac region may increase the risk of cyclophosphamide cardiotoxicity, and previous abdominal radiation is a risk factor for cyclophosphamide-associated veno-occlusive liver disease. Patients with risk factors for cardiotoxicity should be monitored during treatment.

Hyperthyroidism

Major:

interferon alfa-2b

Interferon alfa-2b has a major potential interaction with Hyperthyroidism.

Thyroid abnormalities, hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism, have been reported in patients administered interferons. Therapy with interferons should be administered cautiously to patients with thyroid dysfunction. If thyroid control cannot be maintained within normal limits with medication, interferon-alfa should be discontinued. Clinical monitoring of thyroid function is recommended.

Infection

Moderate:

cyclophosphamide

cycloPHOSphamide has a moderate potential interaction with Infection.

Cyclophosphamide treatment may not be indicated, or may require interruption or dose reduction, in patients with a serious infection. Cyclophosphamide can cause severe immunosuppression and reactivate latent infections; it should be used with caution, if at all, in patients with active urinary tract infections.

Ischemic Heart Disease

Major:

interferon alfa-2b

Interferon alfa-2b has a major potential interaction with Ischemic Heart Disease.

Hypertension, arrhythmias, angina, myocardial infarction, cardiomyopathy, and congestive heart failure have been reported during interferon therapy. Therapy with interferons should be administered with caution in patients with compromised cardiac function.

Liver Disease

Major:

interferon alfa-2b

Interferon alfa-2b has a major potential interaction with Liver Disease.

Hepatotoxicity, including fatal cases, has been reported in patients treated with interferon alpha. Additionally, the risk of hepatic decompensation and death is increased in patients with cirrhosis. Any patient developing liver function abnormalities during treatment should be monitored closely and treatment should be discontinued if appropriate. Interferon-alfa is contraindicated in patients with autoimmune hepatitis and decompensated liver disease.

Moderate:

cyclophosphamide

cycloPHOSphamide has a moderate potential interaction with Liver Disease.

Pre-existing disturbances of hepatic function are a risk factor for cyclophosphamide-associated veno-occlusive liver disease, which can be fatal. Severe hepatic impairment may reduce conversion of cyclophosphamide to its active metabolite, potentially reducing efficacy.

Parkinsonism

Major:

interferon alfa-2b

Interferon alfa-2b has a major potential interaction with Parkinsonism.

Reversible CNS effects such as seizures, mental status changes, manic behavior or psychotic reactions, gait disturbances, and dizziness have occurred in patients receiving interferons. Therapy with interferons should be administered cautiously in patients with or predisposed to seizures, psychiatric disorders, or conditions affecting posture or gait.

Peripheral Neuropathy

Moderate:

interferon alfa-2b

Interferon alfa-2b has a moderate potential interaction with Peripheral Neuropathy.

Paresthesia and numbness have been reported during interferon therapy. Therapy with interferons should be administered cautiously in patients with or predisposed to peripheral neuropathy.

Psychosis

Major:

interferon alfa-2b

Interferon alfa-2b has a major potential interaction with Psychosis.

Reversible CNS effects such as seizures, mental status changes, manic behavior or psychotic reactions, gait disturbances, and dizziness have occurred in patients receiving interferons. Therapy with interferons should be administered cautiously in patients with or predisposed to seizures, psychiatric disorders, or conditions affecting posture or gait.

Pulmonary Impairment

Moderate:

cyclophosphamide

cycloPHOSphamide has a moderate potential interaction with Pulmonary Impairment.

Pneumonitis, pulmonary fibrosis, pulmonary veno-occlusive disease and other forms of pulmonary toxicity leading to respiratory failure have been reported during and following treatment with cyclophosphamide. Pneumonitis may develop years after treatment with cyclophosphamide. Patients should be monitored for signs and symptoms of pulmonary toxicity. Caution is advised in patients with preexisting pulmonary impairment.

Renal Dysfunction

Major:

interferon alfa-2b

Interferon alfa-2b has a major potential interaction with Renal Dysfunction.

Proteinuria (rare), not associated with a decrease in serum protein, is the most common renal toxicity observed with interferon- alfa therapy. Increased BUN and serum creatinine levels, hematuria, acute renal failure and nephrotic syndrome have also been reported. Therapy with interferon alfa should be administered cautiously to patients with severe renal dysfunction. Renal function should be evaluated in all patients before initiation of interferon- alfa therapy. In addition, patients with any degree of renal impairment should be carefully monitored for laboratory abnormalities and decreased creatinine clearance. A reduced dose of medication is recommended in patients with low CrCl (less than 50 mL/min - 30 mL/min).

Moderate:

cyclophosphamide

cycloPHOSphamide has a moderate potential interaction with Renal Dysfunction.

In patients with severe renal impairment, decreased renal excretion may result in increased plasma levels of cyclophosphamide and its metabolites, which may result in increased toxicity. Monitor patients with severe renal impairment (CrCl =10 mL/min to 24 mL/min) for signs and symptoms of toxicity. Therapy with cyclophosphamide should be administered cautiously in patients with a history of or predisposition to renal dysfunction. Clinical monitoring of renal function is recommended.

Seizures

Major:

interferon alfa-2b

Interferon alfa-2b has a major potential interaction with Seizures.

Reversible CNS effects such as seizures, mental status changes, manic behavior or psychotic reactions, gait disturbances, and dizziness have occurred in patients receiving interferons. Therapy with interferons should be administered cautiously in patients with or predisposed to seizures, psychiatric disorders, or conditions affecting posture or gait.

Ulcerative Colitis

Moderate:

interferon alfa-2b

Interferon alfa-2b has a moderate potential interaction with Ulcerative Colitis.

Fatal and nonfatal ulcerative or hemorrhagic/ischemic colitis have been observed within 12 weeks of the start of alpha interferon treatment. Abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea, and fever are the typical manifestations. Treatment should be discontinued immediately in patients who develop these signs and symptoms. The colitis usually resolves within 1 to 3 weeks of discontinuation of alpha interferons.

Underactive Thyroid

Major:

interferon alfa-2b

Interferon alfa-2b has a major potential interaction with Underactive Thyroid.

Thyroid abnormalities, hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism, have been reported in patients administered interferons. Therapy with interferons should be administered cautiously to patients with thyroid dysfunction. If thyroid control cannot be maintained within normal limits with medication, interferon-alfa should be discontinued. Clinical monitoring of thyroid function is recommended.

Urinary Tract Infection

Major:

cyclophosphamide

cycloPHOSphamide has a major potential interaction with Urinary Tract Infection.

The use of cyclophosphamide is contraindicated in patients with urinary outflow obstruction. Urinary tract obstruction should be excluded or corrected before treatment because cyclophosphamide can cause urotoxicity, which may be fatal.

Urinary Tract Obstruction

Major:

cyclophosphamide

cycloPHOSphamide has a major potential interaction with Urinary Tract Obstruction.

The use of cyclophosphamide is contraindicated in patients with urinary outflow obstruction. Urinary tract obstruction should be excluded or corrected before treatment because cyclophosphamide can cause urotoxicity, which may be fatal.

More resources

cyclophosphamide

A total of 422 drugs are known to interact with cyclophosphamide.

interferon alfa-2b

A total of 272 drugs are known to interact with interferon alfa-2b.

Drug Interaction Classification

These classifications are only a guideline. The relevance of a particular drug interaction to a specific individual is difficult to determine. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting or stopping any medication.
Major Highly clinically significant. Avoid combinations; the risk of the interaction outweighs the benefit.
Moderate Moderately clinically significant. Usually avoid combinations; use it only under special circumstances.
Minor Minimally clinically significant. Minimize risk; assess risk and consider an alternative drug, take steps to circumvent the interaction risk and/or institute a monitoring plan.
Unknown No interaction information available.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.