Drug Interaction Report

GENERALLY AVOID: The use of interleukin-1 blockers with other immunosuppressive or myelosuppressive agents may increase the risk of infections. Interleukin-1 blockade alone may cause neutropenia and serious infections, and the risk may be increased in the presence of other immunosuppressive therapy. Agents that may be significantly myelo- or immunosuppressive include antineoplastic agents, radiation, zidovudine, linezolid, some antirheumatic agents, high dosages of corticosteroids or adrenocorticotropic agents (greater than 10 mg/day to 1 mg/kg/day, whichever is less, of prednisone or equivalent for more than 2 weeks), and long-term topical or inhaled corticosteroids.

MANAGEMENT: The safety and efficacy of interleukin-1 blockers in immunosuppressed patients have not been established. Until more information is available, interleukin-1 blockers should preferably not be administered to immunosuppressed patients, or they should be prescribed with extreme caution. Interleukin-1 blockers should be discontinued if neutropenia or serious infection occurs.