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Can you take Nelarabine with Ruxolitinib?

1 drug interaction and 23 additional warnings found for the following 2 drugs:

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Drug interactions

Moderate drug interactions

Moderate:

nelarabine ruxolitinib

Applies to: nelarabine and ruxolitinib

Using nelarabine together with ruxolitinib or other chemotherapy drugs may increase the risk of side effects, especially those that affect the bone marrow or gastrointestinal tract. You may experience a greater number or more severe side effects such as nausea; vomiting; diarrhea; loss of appetite; mouth sores; abdominal pain; delayed wound healing; and impaired bone marrow function resulting in low numbers of different types of blood cells. You may also be more likely to develop anemia, bleeding problems, or infections due to low blood cell counts. You should seek medical attention if you develop paleness, fatigue, dizziness, fainting, unusual bruising or bleeding, 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. You may need a dose adjustment or more frequent monitoring by your doctor to safely use these medications. 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:

ruxolitinib Food/Lifestyle

Applies to: ruxolitinib

Do not consume grapefruit or grapefruit juice during treatment with ruxolitinib unless directed otherwise by your doctor. Grapefruit juice can increase the blood levels of ruxolitinib. This may increase the risk of side effects that affect your bone marrow function, resulting in low numbers of different types of blood cells. You may be more likely to develop anemia, bleeding problems, or infections. Contact your doctor if you experience potential signs and symptoms of these conditions such as paleness, fatigue, dizziness, fainting, unusual bleeding or bruising, fever, chills, sore throat, body aches, or other flu-like symptoms. 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

22 potential interactions Applies to: 19 conditions, including High Cholesterol, Thrombotic/Thromboembolic Disorder, Liver Disease, Infection, and Interstitial Lung Disease.

Bone Marrow Depression/Low Blood Counts

Moderate:

ruxolitinib

Ruxolitinib has a moderate potential interaction with Bone Marrow Depression/Low Blood Counts.

The use of ruxolitinib can cause thrombocytopenia, anemia, and neutropenia. It is recommended to manage thrombocytopenia by reducing the dose, temporarily interrupting treatment with ruxolitinib, or as clinically appropriate. Perform a pre-treatment complete blood count (CBC) and monitor CBCs every 2 to 4 weeks until doses are stabilized, and then as clinically indicated. Close monitoring is recommended.

Cardiovascular Conditions and Disorders

Major:

ruxolitinib

Ruxolitinib has a major potential interaction with Cardiovascular Conditions and Disorders.

In a major safety study of a Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor, tofacitinib, in rheumatoid arthritis patients 50 years and older with at least 1 cardiovascular risk factor, higher rates of all-cause mortality (including sudden cardiovascular death) and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) (defined as cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, and stroke) were observed with the JAK inhibitor when compared with tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blockers. Patients who were current or past smokers had an additional increased risk. Based on a shared mechanism of action, this risk should be considered for other JAK inhibitors, including baricitinib, upadacitinib, ruxolitinib, fedratinib, ritlecitinib, deuruxolitinib, and pacritinib. Consider the benefits and risks for each individual patient prior and during treatment with JAK inhibitors, especially in patients with other cardiovascular risk factors, history of cardiovascular events, and patients who are current or past smokers. Patients should be informed about the symptoms of serious cardiovascular events and what to do if they occur.

High Cholesterol

Moderate:

ruxolitinib

Ruxolitinib has a moderate potential interaction with High Cholesterol.

The use of ruxolitinib may increase total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and triglycerides. It is recommended to assess lipid parameters approximately 8-12 weeks following initiation of therapy and to monitor and treat per clinical guidelines for the management of hyperlipidemia. Care should be exercised when using this agent in patients with lipids disorders.

History, Radiation Therapy

Major:

nelarabine

Nelarabine has a major potential interaction with History, Radiation Therapy.

Severe neurologic adverse reactions have been reported with the use of nelarabine. Neurotoxicity is the dose-limiting toxicity of nelarabine. Patients treated previously or concurrently with intrathecal chemotherapy or previously with craniospinal irradiation may be at increased risk for neurologic adverse events. Close monitoring for neurologic adverse reactions is strongly recommended, when using nelarabine and therapy should be discontinued for neurologic adverse reactions of NCI Common Toxicity Criteria Grade 2 or greater.

Hyperuricemia Secondary to Chemotherapy

Moderate:

nelarabine

Nelarabine has a moderate potential interaction with Hyperuricemia Secondary to Chemotherapy.

Patients receiving nelarabine should receive intravenous hydration according to standard medical practice for the management of hyperuricemia in patients at risk for tumor lysis syndrome. Consideration should be given to the use of allopurinol in patients at risk of hyperuricemia.

Immunodeficiency

Moderate:

ruxolitinib

Ruxolitinib has a moderate potential interaction with Immunodeficiency.

The use of ruxolitinib may increase the risk of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). Healthcare professionals should monitor patients for any new sign or symptom suggestive of PML. Withhold therapy dosing immediately and perform an appropriate diagnostic evaluation at the first sign or symptom suggestive of PML.

Infection

Moderate:

ruxolitinib

Ruxolitinib has a moderate potential interaction with Infection.

Serious bacterial, mycobacterial, fungal and viral infections have been reported in patients receiving ruxolitinib. It is recommended to delay starting therapy with ruxolitinib until serious active infections have resolved. Patients should be closely monitored for the development of signs and symptoms of infection during and after treatment. Treatment should be interrupted if a patient develops a serious infection, an opportunistic infection, or sepsis and appropriate therapy should be instituted according to clinical guidelines. Prompt management of signs and symptoms of infection is advisable.

Infectious Hepatitis

Moderate:

ruxolitinib

Ruxolitinib has a moderate potential interaction with Infectious Hepatitis.

Hepatitis B viral load (HBV-DNA titer) increases, with or without associated elevations in alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase, have been reported in patients with chronic HBV infections taking ruxolitinib. The effect of ruxolitinib on viral replication in patients with chronic HBV infection is unknown. Care and close monitoring is recommended and patients with chronic HBV infection should be treated and monitored according to clinical guidelines.

Interstitial Lung Disease

Moderate:

ruxolitinib

Ruxolitinib has a moderate potential interaction with Interstitial Lung Disease.

The use of certain multikinase inhibitors has been associated with pulmonary toxicity. Serious cases of interstitial lung disease (ILD), including fatal cases and interstitial pneumonitis or pulmonary fibrosis have been reported. Caution is recommended when using these agents in patients with a history of interstitial pneumonitis or pulmonary fibrosis or those patients presenting with acute onset of new or progressive unexplained pulmonary symptoms such as dyspnea, cough, and fever pending diagnostic evaluation. If ILD is confirmed, these agents should be permanently discontinued and appropriate measures should be instituted. Treatment should be immediately withheld in patients diagnosed with ILD/pneumonitis and permanently discontinued if no other potential causes of ILD/pneumonitis have been identified.

Liver Disease

Moderate:

nelarabine

Nelarabine has a moderate potential interaction with Liver Disease.

The influence of hepatic impairment on the pharmacokinetics of nelarabine has not been evaluated. Because the risk of adverse reactions to this drug may be greater in patients with severe hepatic impairment (total bilirubin greater than 3 times upper limit of normal), it is recommended to closely monitor patients with severe liver dysfunction when treated with nelarabine.

Moderate:

ruxolitinib

Ruxolitinib has a moderate potential interaction with Liver Disease.

A dose reduction of ruxolitinib is recommended for patients with hepatic impairment, particularly those patients with myelofibrosis with a platelet count between 50 X 109/L and 150 X 109/L. Close monitoring is recommended.

Neurological Disorders

Major:

nelarabine

Nelarabine has a major potential interaction with Neurological Disorders.

Severe neurologic adverse reactions have been reported with the use of nelarabine. Neurotoxicity is the dose-limiting toxicity of nelarabine. Patients treated previously or concurrently with intrathecal chemotherapy or previously with craniospinal irradiation may be at increased risk for neurologic adverse events. Close monitoring for neurologic adverse reactions is strongly recommended, when using nelarabine and therapy should be discontinued for neurologic adverse reactions of NCI Common Toxicity Criteria Grade 2 or greater.

Pulmonary Impairment

Moderate:

ruxolitinib

Ruxolitinib has a moderate potential interaction with Pulmonary Impairment.

The use of certain multikinase inhibitors has been associated with pulmonary toxicity. Serious cases of interstitial lung disease (ILD), including fatal cases and interstitial pneumonitis or pulmonary fibrosis have been reported. Caution is recommended when using these agents in patients with a history of interstitial pneumonitis or pulmonary fibrosis or those patients presenting with acute onset of new or progressive unexplained pulmonary symptoms such as dyspnea, cough, and fever pending diagnostic evaluation. If ILD is confirmed, these agents should be permanently discontinued and appropriate measures should be instituted. Treatment should be immediately withheld in patients diagnosed with ILD/pneumonitis and permanently discontinued if no other potential causes of ILD/pneumonitis have been identified.

Renal Dysfunction

Moderate:

nelarabine

Nelarabine has a moderate potential interaction with Renal Dysfunction.

Nelarabine has not been studied in patients with renal dysfunction. There are insufficient data to support a dose recommendation for patients with a CrCl less than 50 mL/min. Because the risk of adverse reactions to this drug may be greater in patients with moderate (CrCl 30 to 50 mL/min) or severe (CrCl less than 30 mL/min) renal impairment, these patients should be closely monitored for toxicities if treated with this drug.

Moderate:

ruxolitinib

Ruxolitinib has a moderate potential interaction with Renal Dysfunction.

A dose reduction of ruxolitinib is recommended for patients with moderate or severe renal impairment, particularly those patients with myelofibrosis with a platelet count between 50 X 10^9/L and 150 X 10^9/L; and in patients presenting with end stage renal disease on dialysis. Ruxolitinib is not removed by dialysis; however, the removal of some active metabolites by dialysis cannot be ruled out.

Smoking

Major:

ruxolitinib

Ruxolitinib has a major potential interaction with Smoking.

In a major safety study of a Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor, tofacitinib, in rheumatoid arthritis patients 50 years and older with at least 1 cardiovascular risk factor, higher rates of all-cause mortality (including sudden cardiovascular death) and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) (defined as cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, and stroke) were observed with the JAK inhibitor when compared with tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blockers. Patients who were current or past smokers had an additional increased risk. Based on a shared mechanism of action, this risk should be considered for other JAK inhibitors, including baricitinib, upadacitinib, ruxolitinib, fedratinib, ritlecitinib, deuruxolitinib, and pacritinib. Consider the benefits and risks for each individual patient prior and during treatment with JAK inhibitors, especially in patients with other cardiovascular risk factors, history of cardiovascular events, and patients who are current or past smokers. Patients should be informed about the symptoms of serious cardiovascular events and what to do if they occur.

Major:

ruxolitinib

Ruxolitinib has a major potential interaction with Smoking.

Malignancies (including lymphomas and solid tumors) have been reported in patients treated with tofacitinib, baricitinib, upadacitinib, deuruxolitinib and other Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors used to treat inflammatory conditions. Patients who are current or past smokers are at additional increased risk of malignancies. Based on a shared mechanism of action, this risk should be considered for other JAK inhibitors, including ruxolitinib, pacritinib, and fedratinib. Before starting or continuing therapy, the benefits and risks for the individual patient should be considered, especially in patients with a known malignancy (other than successfully treated nonmelanoma skin cancer), patients who develop a malignancy during therapy, and patients who are current or past smokers. Periodic skin examination is recommended for patients who are at increased risk for skin cancer.

Thrombotic/Thromboembolic Disorder

Major:

ruxolitinib

Ruxolitinib has a major potential interaction with Thrombotic/Thromboembolic Disorder.

Thrombosis (including deep venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, cerebral venous sinus thrombosis, and arterial thrombosis) has occurred in patients treated for inflammatory conditions with Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors, including baricitinib, tofacitinib, deuruxolitinib and upadacitinib. Many of these adverse events were serious and some resulted in death. Based on a shared mechanism of action, this risk should be considered for other JAK inhibitors, including ruxolitinib, fedratinib, and pacritinib. In general, JAK inhibitors should be avoided in patients who may be at increased risk of thrombosis. Tofacitinib should be used at the lowest effective dose and for the shortest duration needed to achieve/maintain therapeutic response when treating ulcerative colitis. If symptoms of thrombosis occur in any patients receiving JAK inhibitors, treatment should be discontinued and patients should be evaluated promptly and treated appropriately.

Tuberculosis, Active

Moderate:

ruxolitinib

Ruxolitinib has a moderate potential interaction with Tuberculosis, Active.

Before initiating ruxolitinib, patients should be screened for latent or active tuberculosis infection. Prior to initiating therapy with ruxolitinib patients should be evaluated for tuberculosis risk factors, and those at higher risk should be tested for latent infection. Patients should be closely monitored for any signs and symptoms of tuberculosis, including those patients who tested negative for latent tuberculosis infection before initiating therapy. Patients with latent tuberculosis should be treated with standard therapy before initiation of treatment and should be closely screened for whether initiating anti-tuberculosis therapy is appropriate.

Tuberculosis, Latent

Moderate:

ruxolitinib

Ruxolitinib has a moderate potential interaction with Tuberculosis, Latent.

Before initiating ruxolitinib, patients should be screened for latent or active tuberculosis infection. Prior to initiating therapy with ruxolitinib patients should be evaluated for tuberculosis risk factors, and those at higher risk should be tested for latent infection. Patients should be closely monitored for any signs and symptoms of tuberculosis, including those patients who tested negative for latent tuberculosis infection before initiating therapy. Patients with latent tuberculosis should be treated with standard therapy before initiation of treatment and should be closely screened for whether initiating anti-tuberculosis therapy is appropriate.

Tumor Lysis Syndrome

Moderate:

nelarabine

Nelarabine has a moderate potential interaction with Tumor Lysis Syndrome.

Patients receiving nelarabine should receive intravenous hydration according to standard medical practice for the management of hyperuricemia in patients at risk for tumor lysis syndrome. Consideration should be given to the use of allopurinol in patients at risk of hyperuricemia.

Vaccination

Major:

nelarabine

Nelarabine has a major potential interaction with Vaccination.

Immunocompromised patients receiving nelarabine should avoid receiving live vaccines.

More resources

nelarabine

A total of 338 drugs are known to interact with nelarabine.

ruxolitinib

A total of 534 drugs are known to interact with ruxolitinib.

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.