Can you take Interferon alfa-2b with Zofran?
No drug interactions found, but 22 warnings to review for the following 2 drugs:
- interferon alfa-2b
- Zofran (ondansetron)
Drug interactions
There were no interactions found between interferon alfa-2b and Zofran. However, this does not necessarily mean no interactions exist. Always consult your healthcare provider.
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
22 potential interactions Applies to: 19 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.
Major:
Zofran
The ondansetron in Zofran has a major potential interaction with Arrhythmia.
ECG changes including QT interval prolongation have been observed in patients receiving ondansetron. Additionally, there have been some postmarketing reports of Torsade de Pointes cases. The use of ondansetron should be avoided in patients with congenital long QT syndrome. ECG monitoring is recommended in patients with electrolyte abnormalities such as hypokalemia or hypomagnesemia, patients with congestive heart failure, bradyarrhythmias, or patients taking other medicines that could lead to QT prolongation.
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.
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.
Major:
Zofran
The ondansetron in Zofran has a major potential interaction with Heart Failure.
ECG changes including QT interval prolongation have been observed in patients receiving ondansetron. Additionally, there have been some postmarketing reports of Torsade de Pointes cases. The use of ondansetron should be avoided in patients with congenital long QT syndrome. ECG monitoring is recommended in patients with electrolyte abnormalities such as hypokalemia or hypomagnesemia, patients with congestive heart failure, bradyarrhythmias, or patients taking other medicines that could lead to QT prolongation.
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.
Hypokalemia
Major:
Zofran
The ondansetron in Zofran has a major potential interaction with Hypokalemia.
ECG changes including QT interval prolongation have been observed in patients receiving ondansetron. Additionally, there have been some postmarketing reports of Torsade de Pointes cases. The use of ondansetron should be avoided in patients with congenital long QT syndrome. ECG monitoring is recommended in patients with electrolyte abnormalities such as hypokalemia or hypomagnesemia, patients with congestive heart failure, bradyarrhythmias, or patients taking other medicines that could lead to QT prolongation.
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:
Zofran
The ondansetron in Zofran has a moderate potential interaction with Liver Disease.
Ondansetron is extensively metabolized by the liver. The plasma clearance of ondansetron may be substantially decreased and the half-life prolonged in patients with impaired hepatic function. During clinical trials in patients receiving concomitant chemotherapy, transient elevations of serum transaminases and isolated cases of jaundice have been reported. Therapy with ondansetron should be administered cautiously at reduced dosages in patients with liver disease. The manufacturer recommends a maximum daily dosage of 8 mg in severe hepatic impairment.
Magnesium Imbalance
Major:
Zofran
The ondansetron in Zofran has a major potential interaction with Magnesium Imbalance.
ECG changes including QT interval prolongation have been observed in patients receiving ondansetron. Additionally, there have been some postmarketing reports of Torsade de Pointes cases. The use of ondansetron should be avoided in patients with congenital long QT syndrome. ECG monitoring is recommended in patients with electrolyte abnormalities such as hypokalemia or hypomagnesemia, patients with congestive heart failure, bradyarrhythmias, or patients taking other medicines that could lead to QT prolongation.
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).
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.
- Interferon alfa-2b is in the drug class antineoplastic interferons.
- Interferon alfa-2b is used to treat the following conditions:
Zofran
A total of 377 drugs are known to interact with Zofran.
- Zofran is in the drug class 5HT3 receptor antagonists.
- Zofran is used to treat the following conditions:
Drug Interaction Classification
| Highly clinically significant. Avoid combinations; the risk of the interaction outweighs the benefit. | |
| Moderately clinically significant. Usually avoid combinations; use it only under special circumstances. | |
| 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. | |
| No interaction information available. |
Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.