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Can you take Interferon alfa-2b with Niraparib?

1 drug interaction and 24 additional warnings found for the following 2 drugs:

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Drug interactions

Moderate drug interactions

Moderate:

interferon alfa-2b niraparib

Applies to: interferon alfa-2b and niraparib

Using niraparib together with interferon alfa-2b may have additive effects on the immune system, possibly increasing the risk of low blood cell counts (e.G., red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets) and infections.

Less commonly, the risk of more serious side effects known as myelodysplastic syndrome or acute myeloid leukemia could increase.

Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns. Your doctor may be able to prescribe alternatives that do not interact, or you may need a dose adjustment or more frequent monitoring to safely use both medications.

Let your doctor know if you experience:

  • pale skin
  • weakness
  • fatigue
  • fever
  • weight loss
  • infections
  • shortness of breath
  • unusual bleeding or bruising
  • blood in urine or stool

It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.

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

24 potential interactions Applies to: 20 conditions, including Depression, Underactive Thyroid, Heart Failure, Seizures, and Peripheral Neuropathy.

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.

Moderate:

niraparib

Niraparib has a moderate potential interaction with Arrhythmia.

Niraparib has the potential to cause effects on pulse rate and blood pressure. Hypertension and hypertensive crisis have been reported in patients treated with niraparib. It is recommended to monitor blood pressure and heart rate monthly for the first year and periodically thereafter during treatment with niraparib. Closely monitor patients with cardiovascular disorders, especially coronary insufficiency, cardiac arrhythmias, and hypertension. Medically manage hypertension with antihypertensive medications and adjust the dose of niraparib as necessary.

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.

Bone Marrow Depression/Low Blood Counts

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.

Moderate:

niraparib

Niraparib has a moderate potential interaction with Cardiovascular Conditions and Disorders.

Niraparib has the potential to cause effects on pulse rate and blood pressure. Hypertension and hypertensive crisis have been reported in patients treated with niraparib. It is recommended to monitor blood pressure and heart rate monthly for the first year and periodically thereafter during treatment with niraparib. Closely monitor patients with cardiovascular disorders, especially coronary insufficiency, cardiac arrhythmias, and hypertension. Medically manage hypertension with antihypertensive medications and adjust the dose of niraparib as necessary.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Leukemia

Moderate:

niraparib

Niraparib has a moderate potential interaction with Leukemia.

Myelodysplastic Syndrome/Acute Myeloid Leukemia (MDS/AML), including cases with fatal outcome, have been reported with the use of niraparib. It is recommended to use caution when using this agent in patients with MDS/AML, its use must be weighed against the risk. Discontinue the use of niraparib in patients who develop MDS/AML.

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:

niraparib

Niraparib has a moderate potential interaction with Liver Disease.

No dose adjustment is needed in patients with mild hepatic impairment according to the National Cancer Institute - Organ Dysfunction Working Group (NCI-ODWG) criteria. Caution is recommended in patients with moderate to severe hepatic impairment as the safety of niraparib has not been established in these patients.

Myelodysplastic Diseases

Moderate:

niraparib

Niraparib has a moderate potential interaction with Myelodysplastic Diseases.

Myelodysplastic Syndrome/Acute Myeloid Leukemia (MDS/AML), including cases with fatal outcome, have been reported with the use of niraparib. It is recommended to use caution when using this agent in patients with MDS/AML, its use must be weighed against the risk. Discontinue the use of niraparib in patients who develop MDS/AML.

Pancytopenia

Moderate:

niraparib

Niraparib has a moderate potential interaction with Pancytopenia.

Hematologic adverse reactions (thrombocytopenia, anemia and neutropenia) have been reported in patients treated with niraparib. It is recommended to monitor complete blood counts weekly for the first month, monthly for the next eleven months of treatment, and periodically after this time. Do not start niraparib until patients have recovered from hematological toxicity caused by previous chemotherapy (less than equal to Grade 1). If hematological toxicities do not resolve within 28 days following interruption, discontinue niraparib, and refer the patient to a hematologist for further investigations, including bone marrow analysis and blood sample for cytogenetics.

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.

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:

niraparib

Niraparib has a moderate potential interaction with Renal Dysfunction.

No dose adjustment is necessary for patients with mild to moderate renal impairment. Caution is recommended in patients with severe renal impairment or end stage renal disease undergoing hemodialysis as the safety of niraparib has not been established in these patients.

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.

More resources

interferon alfa-2b

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

niraparib

A total of 642 drugs are known to interact with niraparib.

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.