Cisplatin Injection and Docetaxel: Interaction Details
AI-assisted, pharmacist-reviewed · Source data updated Aug 8, 2026 · Sources: FDA labeling, DDInter 2.0, cited literature
Cisplatin Injection
Docetaxel
How we grade severity & evidence
Severity levels
- Contraindicated: These should generally not be used together.
- Major: Potentially serious — often needs a change or close monitoring.
- Moderate: Can be significant — usually manageable with monitoring.
- Minor: Usually limited clinical impact.
Evidence grades
- Established: Well documented — supported by controlled studies or strong clinical data.
- Probable: Good supporting evidence, though not definitively proven.
- Suspected: Some evidence suggests this interaction, but it is not well established.
- Possible: Limited or conflicting evidence; the interaction may occur.
- Theoretical: Predicted from the drugs' pharmacology; not yet confirmed in people.
Ratings come from the documented interaction literature and are reviewed by a pharmacist. They describe the documented risk of the combination, not what will necessarily happen to you — your dose, timing, and health picture all matter.
What happens
Increased risk of neuropathy
Interaction Deep Dive
In a study of cancer patients with metastatic or advanced tumors, docetaxel in combination with CISplatin induced more severe neurotoxic effects than either drug as a single agent in similar doses1.
Why it happens (mechanism)
Additive neurotoxic effects
Literature reports
1 report — tap to read
a) In a study of 55 patients with metastatic disease or locally advanced tumors, docetaxel was administered in combination with CISplatin to assess neurotoxicity and the feasibility of using the two drugs during combination therapy. Escalated doses were given to patients in amounts of 50 mg, 75 mg, and 100 mg per meter squared for CISplatin and 55, 70, 85, and 100 mg per meter squared for docetaxel. The mean dose per cycle of therapy was 74 mg per meter squared and 82 mg per meter squared for CISplatin and docetaxel, respectively. No other neurotoxic drugs were permitted during the study. At cumulative doses of both CISplatin and docetaxel above 200 mg per meter squared, 74% of patients developed a neuropathy. The neurotoxic effects of coadministration were more severe than either CISplatin or docetaxel as a single agent at similar doses 1.
Common questions
Can I take Cisplatin Injection and Docetaxel together?
Increased risk of neuropathy Always confirm with your pharmacist or prescriber before making any change.
How serious is the Cisplatin Injection and Docetaxel interaction?
It is rated moderate. Can be significant — usually manageable with monitoring.
How quickly could this interaction happen?
The documented onset is "delayed". Effects tend to build up gradually over days to weeks.
How strong is the evidence for this interaction?
The evidence is graded "established". Well documented — supported by controlled studies or strong clinical data.
Questions for your pharmacist
- Does my dose of Cisplatin Injection or Docetaxel need adjusting while I take them together?
- What symptoms should prompt me to call you or my prescriber right away?
- Does the timing of my doses matter for this combination?
- Is there anything you'd monitor while I'm on both?
References (1)
- Hilkens PHE, Pronk LC, Verweij J, et al: Peripheral neuropathy induced by combination chemotherapy of docetaxel and cisplatin. Br J Cancer 1997; 75:417-422. PubMed
Keep reading about Cisplatin Injection
Keep reading about Docetaxel
These medications also interact with supplements
Prescription drugs aren't the whole picture — herbal and dietary supplements can interact with them too. From the evidence-graded Natural Medicines database:
major · moderate · minor — check everything you take with our drug–supplement interaction checker.
Check another combination
Our instant two-drug interaction checker is almost here.
Still have questions about this combination?
Every question gets a real answer from a licensed pharmacist — free, and usually within a day.
Ask the pharmacist