Details of Drug-Drug Interaction
| Drug General Information (ID: DDI4TUF8ZQ) | |||||||||
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| Drug Name | Peginterferon alfa-2a | Drug Info | Thalidomide | Drug Info | |||||
| Drug Type | Interferons | Small molecule | |||||||
| Therapeutic Class | Antineoplastics | Immunosuppressive Agents | |||||||
| Mechanism of Peginterferon alfa-2a-Thalidomide Interaction (Severity Level: Moderate) | |||||||||
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| Increased risk of peripheral neuropathy Click to Show/Hide Mechanism Graph | |||||||||
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| Drug Name | Peginterferon alfa-2a | Thalidomide | |||||||
| Mechanism | Peripheral neuropathy | Peripheral neuropathy | |||||||
| Key Mechanism Factor 1 | |||||||||
| Factor Name | Peripheral neuropathy | ||||||||
| Factor Description | Peripheral neuropathy is a disorder of the peripheral nerves that can cause sensory and motor symptoms, and even paralysis in severe cases. Signs and symptoms of peripheral neuropathy may include: gradual numbness, tingling or prickling in the feet or hands that can spread up the legs and arms; sharp, stinging, pricking or burning sensations; extreme sensitivity to touch; pain during activities that should not cause pain; lack of coordination and falls; muscle weakness; and paralysis if the motor nerves are affected. | ||||||||
| Mechanism Description |
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| Recommended Action | |||||||||
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| Management | Caution is advised if thalidomide is used in combination with other neurotoxic agents. All patients treated with thalidomide should be examined at monthly intervals for the first three months of therapy and periodically thereafter to detect early signs of neuropathy such as burning, tingling, pain, or numbness in the hands and feet. Electrophysiological testing may be performed at baseline and every six months during therapy to detect asymptomatic neuropathy. Consideration should be given to immediate discontinuation of thalidomide in patients who develop peripheral neuropathy to limit further damage. | ||||||||