Can you take Interferon alfacon-1 with Velsipity?
1 drug interaction and 22 additional warnings found for the following 2 drugs:
- interferon alfacon-1
- Velsipity (etrasimod)
Drug interactions
Major drug interactions
Major:
interferon alfacon-1 etrasimod
Applies to: interferon alfacon-1 and Velsipity (etrasimod)
Using etrasimod together with interferon alfacon-1 may increase the risk of serious and potentially life-threatening infections.
Because etrasimod effects can continue for up to 5 weeks after the last dose, interactions with other drugs may occur for some time even after you have stopped taking it.
Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns.
Contact your doctor immediately if you develop signs and symptoms of infection such as fever, chills, diarrhea, sore throat, muscle aches, shortness of breath, blood in phlegm, weight loss, red or inflamed skin, body sores, and pain or burning during urination during or after treatment with these drugs.
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
Moderate food/lifestyle interactions
Moderate:
etrasimod Food/Lifestyle
Applies to: Velsipity (etrasimod)
Grapefruit juice may increase the blood levels of etrasimod.
You should avoid grapefruit, grapefruit juice, or any supplements that contain grapefruit extract during treatment with etrasimod unless directed otherwise by your doctor.
Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns.
Contact your doctor if your condition changes or you experience increased side effects, such as fever, high temperature or flu-like symptoms, severe headache, confusion, seizures, dizziness, tiredness, lightheadedness, chest pain, shortness of breath, or irregular or abnormal heartbeat, blurriness or shadows in the center of your vision, and nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, anorexia, or jaundice and/or dark urine.
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
21 potential interactions Applies to: 20 conditions, including Depression, Underactive Thyroid, Heart Failure, Seizures, and Peripheral Neuropathy.
Arrhythmia
Major:
interferon alfacon-1
Interferon alfacon-1 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 alfacon-1
Interferon alfacon-1 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 alfacon-1
Interferon alfacon-1 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:
Velsipity
The etrasimod in Velsipity has a major potential interaction with Cardiovascular Conditions and Disorders.
Etrasimod is contraindicated in patients who have experienced in the last 6 months myocardial infarction, unstable angina pectoris, stroke, transient ischemic attack, decompensated heart failure requiring hospitalization, and Class III or IV heart failure. It is also contraindicated in patients with history of Mobitz type II second or third-degree atrioventricular (AV) block, sick sinus syndrome, or sino-atrial block, unless the patient has a functioning pacemaker. Advice from a cardiologist should be sought if treatment is being considered in patients with significant QT prolongation, arrhythmias requiring treatment with Class Ia or Class II anti-arrhythmic drugs or QT prolonging drugs, unstable ischemic heart disease, Class I or III heart failure, history of cardiac arrest, cerebrovascular disease, uncontrolled hypertension, resting heart rate less than 50 beats per minute, symptomatic bradycardia, recurrent cardiogenic syncope, severe untreated sleep apnea, history of Mobitz type I second degree AV block, unless the patient has a functioning pacemaker.
Depression
Major:
interferon alfacon-1
Interferon alfacon-1 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 alfacon-1
Interferon alfacon-1 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 Disease
Major:
Velsipity
The etrasimod in Velsipity has a major potential interaction with Heart Disease.
Etrasimod is contraindicated in patients who have experienced in the last 6 months myocardial infarction, unstable angina pectoris, stroke, transient ischemic attack, decompensated heart failure requiring hospitalization, and Class III or IV heart failure. It is also contraindicated in patients with history of Mobitz type II second or third-degree atrioventricular (AV) block, sick sinus syndrome, or sino-atrial block, unless the patient has a functioning pacemaker. Advice from a cardiologist should be sought if treatment is being considered in patients with significant QT prolongation, arrhythmias requiring treatment with Class Ia or Class II anti-arrhythmic drugs or QT prolonging drugs, unstable ischemic heart disease, Class I or III heart failure, history of cardiac arrest, cerebrovascular disease, uncontrolled hypertension, resting heart rate less than 50 beats per minute, symptomatic bradycardia, recurrent cardiogenic syncope, severe untreated sleep apnea, history of Mobitz type I second degree AV block, unless the patient has a functioning pacemaker.
Heart Failure
Major:
interferon alfacon-1
Interferon alfacon-1 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 alfacon-1
Interferon alfacon-1 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:
Velsipity
The etrasimod in Velsipity has a moderate potential interaction with Infection.
Etrasimod increases the risk of infections as it decreases the peripheral lymphocyte counts. Treatment initiation should be delayed in patients with an active infection until the infection is resolved. Patients without a confirmed history of varicella (chickenpox), or without documentation of a full course of vaccination against varicella zoster virus, should be tested for antibodies before initiating treatment. Avoid the use of live attenuated vaccines during and for up to 5 weeks after treatment.
Ischemic Heart Disease
Major:
interferon alfacon-1
Interferon alfacon-1 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 alfacon-1
Interferon alfacon-1 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:
Velsipity
The etrasimod in Velsipity has a moderate potential interaction with Liver Disease.
Elevations of transaminases have been reported in patients receiving etrasimod. Additionally, this drug undergoes extensive hepatic metabolism, and its exposure was found increased in subjects with severe hepatic dysfunction (Child-Pugh C). The use of etrasimod is not recommended on these patients. No dosage adjustment is needed in mild to moderate hepatic dysfunction.
Parkinsonism
Major:
interferon alfacon-1
Interferon alfacon-1 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 alfacon-1
Interferon alfacon-1 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 alfacon-1
Interferon alfacon-1 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 alfacon-1
Interferon alfacon-1 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 alfacon-1
Interferon alfacon-1 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.
Skin Cancer
Moderate:
Velsipity
The etrasimod in Velsipity has a moderate potential interaction with Skin Cancer.
Cases of malignancies, including skin malignancies have been reported in patients treated with some sphingosine -1-receptor (S1P) receptor modulators. Skin examinations are recommended prior and during treatment in all patients, particularly in those with risk factors for skin cancer. Suspicious skin lesions should be promptly evaluated, and patients at increased risk should wear protective clothing and use sunscreen with high protection factor.
Underactive Thyroid
Major:
interferon alfacon-1
Interferon alfacon-1 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.
Vaccination
Moderate:
Velsipity
The etrasimod in Velsipity has a moderate potential interaction with Vaccination.
Etrasimod increases the risk of infections as it decreases the peripheral lymphocyte counts. Treatment initiation should be delayed in patients with an active infection until the infection is resolved. Patients without a confirmed history of varicella (chickenpox), or without documentation of a full course of vaccination against varicella zoster virus, should be tested for antibodies before initiating treatment. Avoid the use of live attenuated vaccines during and for up to 5 weeks after treatment.
More resources
interferon alfacon-1
A total of 226 drugs are known to interact with interferon alfacon-1.
- Interferon alfacon-1 is in the drug class interferons.
- Interferon alfacon-1 is used to treat Hepatitis C.
Velsipity
A total of 801 drugs are known to interact with Velsipity.
- Velsipity is in the drug class selective immunosuppressants.
- Velsipity is used to treat Ulcerative Colitis.
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.