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Can you take Interferon alfa-2b with Repotrectinib?

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 repotrectinib

Applies to: interferon alfa-2b and repotrectinib

Using interferon alfa-2b together with repotrectinib may increase the risk of nerve damage, which is a potential side effect of both medications.

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 develop weakness, numbness, pain, burning, or tingling in your hands, feet, or limbs.

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

Major food/lifestyle interactions

Major:

repotrectinib Food/Lifestyle

Applies to: repotrectinib

Consumption of grapefruit, grapefruit juice, supplements that contain grapefruit, and Seville oranges should be avoided during treatment with repotrectinib as they may increase the blood levels of repotrectinib.

This may increase the risk and/or severity of side effects such as:

  • dizziness
  • tiredness
  • muscle pain
  • nausea
  • change in your sense of taste
  • feeling numbness or tingling in your arms or legs
  • constipation
  • trouble with balance
  • shortness of breath
  • problems with thinking such as forgetfulness or confusion and hallucinations
  • as well as more serious side effects such as severe or life-threatening inflammation of the lungs and liver injury

Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns. Your doctor may be able to provide alternatives that do not interact.

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.

Disease interactions

23 potential interactions Applies to: 21 conditions, including Depression, Underactive Thyroid, Heart Failure, Asthma, and COPD.

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.

Asthma

Moderate:

repotrectinib

Repotrectinib has a moderate potential interaction with Asthma.

Repotrectinib can cause interstitial lung disease (ILD)/pneumonitis. This may be considered in patients with lung or breathing problems other than lung cancer. Patients should be monitored for new/worsening pulmonary symptoms indicative of ILD/pneumonitis and should be advised to contact their health care provider if such symptoms develop.

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.

COPD

Moderate:

repotrectinib

Repotrectinib has a moderate potential interaction with COPD.

Repotrectinib can cause interstitial lung disease (ILD)/pneumonitis. This may be considered in patients with lung or breathing problems other than lung cancer. Patients should be monitored for new/worsening pulmonary symptoms indicative of ILD/pneumonitis and should be advised to contact their health care provider if such symptoms develop.

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.

Interstitial Lung Disease

Moderate:

repotrectinib

Repotrectinib has a moderate potential interaction with Interstitial Lung Disease.

Repotrectinib can cause interstitial lung disease (ILD)/pneumonitis. This may be considered in patients with lung or breathing problems other than lung cancer. Patients should be monitored for new/worsening pulmonary symptoms indicative of ILD/pneumonitis and should be advised to contact their health care provider if such symptoms develop.

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:

repotrectinib

Repotrectinib has a moderate potential interaction with Liver Disease.

Repotrectinib can cause hepatotoxicity; this may be considered in patients with liver problems. The effect of moderate or severe liver dysfunction (total bilirubin greater than 1.5 times the upper limit of normal and any AST) on repotrectinib pharmacokinetics is unknown. The recommended dosage of repotrectinib has not been established in patients with moderate or severe liver dysfunction.

Neurological Disorders

Moderate:

repotrectinib

Repotrectinib has a moderate potential interaction with Neurological Disorders.

Repotrectinib can cause central nervous system (CNS) adverse reactions including dizziness, ataxia, cognitive disorders, mood disorders, and sleep disorders. This may be considered in patients with neurological problems. Patients should be advised to contact their health care provider for new/worsening CNS symptoms.

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:

repotrectinib

Repotrectinib has a moderate potential interaction with Renal Dysfunction.

The effect of severe renal dysfunction, kidney failure (estimated GFR less than 30 mL/min), or dialysis on repotrectinib pharmacokinetics is unknown. The recommended dosage of repotrectinib has not been established in patients with severe renal dysfunction or kidney failure or in patients on dialysis.

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.

repotrectinib

A total of 701 drugs are known to interact with repotrectinib.

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.