Skip to main content

Can you take Porfimer with Targadox?

1 drug interaction and 9 additional warnings found for the following 2 drugs:

Add/remove drugs

Drug interactions

Moderate drug interactions

Moderate:

doxycycline porfimer

Applies to: Targadox (doxycycline) and porfimer

Using porfimer together with doxycycline may increase the risk of a photosensitivity reaction (e.G., redness, swelling, itching, burning sensation, feeling hot, and/or blisters), following exposure to sunlight or bright indoor lights such as:

  • examination, dental or operating room lamps
  • floodlights
  • halogen lights
  • unshaded light bulbs at close proximity

It is recommended that doxycycline be avoided for at least 30 days following therapy with porfimer, and until a test for residual photosensitivity shows no photosensitivity reaction within 24 hours. In some cases, it might be necessary to avoid photosensitizing medications for 90 days or longer, although it may not be feasible to interrupt some treatments for that long, especially if they are medically necessary.

Exposing your skin to normal indoor lighting is helpful as it will help your body get rid of porfimer more quickly, so you do not need to stay inside in the dark.

Check with your doctor to see if you should temporarily withhold any of your medications after taking porfimer or if you have any other questions.

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:

doxycycline multivitamins with minerals

Applies to: Targadox (doxycycline)

In general, multivitamins with minerals and doxycycline should not be taken orally at the same time.

Products that contain aluminum, calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc and/or other minerals may interfere with the absorption of doxycycline into the bloodstream and reduce its effectiveness in treating your infection.

If possible, it may be best to avoid taking multivitamins with minerals while you are being treated with doxycycline. Otherwise, you should separate their dosing times by as much as possible, usually at least 2 to 4 hours.

Talk to your healthcare provider if you are unsure whether your medications contain something that could potentially interact or if you have questions on how to take this or other medications you are prescribed.

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.

Minor food/lifestyle interactions

Minor:

doxycycline Alcohol (Ethanol)

Applies to: Targadox (doxycycline)

Chronic alcohol consumption may enhance the elimination of doxycycline. The mechanism is induction of hepatic microsomal enzymes by alcohol. In one study, the half-life of doxycycline in six alcoholics was 10.5 hours, compared with 14.7 hours in six control patients. In addition, half the alcoholic patients had serum concentrations below what is generally considered the minimum therapeutic concentration (0.5 mcg/mL) at 12 to 24 hours after the dose. The investigators suggest that twice-a-day dosing may be indicated in these patients, especially if additional inducing drugs are used. The elimination of other tetracyclines probably is not affected by alcohol consumption.

The information above is from our professional interaction data. Consumer information is not available for this interaction.

Disease interactions

7 potential interactions Applies to: 7 conditions, including Liver Disease, Noninfectious Colitis, Esophageal Varices, Porphyria, and Esophageal Obstruction.

Biliary Obstruction

Moderate:

Targadox

The doxycycline in Targadox has a moderate potential interaction with Biliary Obstruction.

The use of tetracyclines has rarely been associated with hepatotoxicity. Histologic fatty changes of the liver, elevated liver enzymes, and jaundice have been reported, primarily in patients treated with large doses of intravenous tetracycline hydrochloride (no longer available in the U.S.) but also in patients receiving high oral doses of these drugs. Therapy with tetracyclines should be administered cautiously in patients with preexisting liver disease or biliary obstruction. Reduced dosages may be appropriate, particularly with minocycline and doxycycline, since the former is metabolized by the liver and the latter undergoes enterohepatic recycling. Liver function tests are recommended prior to and during therapy, and the concomitant use of other potentially hepatotoxic drugs should be avoided.

Esophageal Obstruction

Moderate:

Targadox

The doxycycline in Targadox has a moderate potential interaction with Esophageal Obstruction.

The use of oral tetracycline capsules and tablets has been associated with esophageal irritation and ulceration in patients who ingested the drug without sufficient fluid shortly before bedtime. Therapy with solid formulations of tetracyclines should preferably be avoided in patients with esophageal obstruction, compression or dyskinesia. If the drugs are used, patients should be advised not to take the medication just before retiring and to drink fluids liberally.

Esophageal Varices

Major:

porfimer

Porfimer has a major potential interaction with Esophageal Varices.

Treatment with photodynamic therapy and porfimer should be conducted with extreme caution in patients with esophageal varices. Light should not be given directly to the variceal area because of the high risk of bleeding. In general, photodynamic therapy is not suitable for patients with esophageal or gastric varices, or patients with esophageal ulcers >1 cm in diameter.

Liver Disease

Moderate:

Targadox

The doxycycline in Targadox has a moderate potential interaction with Liver Disease.

The use of tetracyclines has rarely been associated with hepatotoxicity. Histologic fatty changes of the liver, elevated liver enzymes, and jaundice have been reported, primarily in patients treated with large doses of intravenous tetracycline hydrochloride (no longer available in the U.S.) but also in patients receiving high oral doses of these drugs. Therapy with tetracyclines should be administered cautiously in patients with preexisting liver disease or biliary obstruction. Reduced dosages may be appropriate, particularly with minocycline and doxycycline, since the former is metabolized by the liver and the latter undergoes enterohepatic recycling. Liver function tests are recommended prior to and during therapy, and the concomitant use of other potentially hepatotoxic drugs should be avoided.

Noninfectious Colitis

Major:

Targadox

The doxycycline in Targadox has a major potential interaction with Noninfectious Colitis.

Clostridioides difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD), formerly pseudomembranous colitis, has been reported with almost all antibacterial drugs and may range from mild diarrhea to fatal colitis. The most common culprits include clindamycin and lincomycin. Antibacterial therapy alters the normal flora of the colon, leading to overgrowth of C difficile, whose toxins A and B contribute to CDAD development. Morbidity and mortality are increased with hypertoxin-producing strains of C difficile; these infections can be resistant to antimicrobial therapy and may require colectomy. CDAD must be considered in all patients who present with diarrhea after antibacterial use. Since CDAD has been reported to occur more than 2 months after antibacterial use, careful medical history is necessary. Therapy with broad-spectrum antibacterials and other agents with significant antibacterial activity should be administered cautiously in patients with history of gastrointestinal disease, particularly colitis; pseudomembranous colitis (generally characterized by severe, persistent diarrhea and severe abdominal cramps, and sometimes associated with the passage of blood and mucus), if it occurs, may be more severe in these patients and may be associated with flares in underlying disease activity. Antibacterial drugs not directed against C difficile may need to be stopped if CDAD is suspected or confirmed. Appropriate fluid and electrolyte management, protein supplementation, antibacterial treatment of C difficile, and surgical evaluation should be started as clinically indicated.

Porphyria

Major:

porfimer

Porfimer has a major potential interaction with Porphyria.

The use of porfimer is contraindicated in patients with porphyria.

Tracheoesophageal Fistula

Major:

porfimer

Porfimer has a major potential interaction with Tracheoesophageal Fistula.

The use of photodynamic therapy (PDT) with porfimer is contraindicated for the treatment of esophageal cancer in patients with an existing bronchoesophageal or tracheoesophageal fistula. Prior to administration of PDT, patients must be evaluated by barium swallow to rule out fistulas, which can occur with PDT, particularly if the esophageal tumor is eroding into the trachea or bronchial tree.

More resources

porfimer

A total of 213 drugs are known to interact with porfimer.

Targadox

A total of 246 drugs are known to interact with Targadox.

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.