Cisplatin Injection and Paclitaxel: Interaction Details
AI-assisted, pharmacist-reviewed · Source data updated Aug 8, 2026 · Sources: FDA labeling, DDInter 2.0, cited literature
Cisplatin Injection
Paclitaxel
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 PACLitaxel exposure
Interaction Deep Dive
In a phase 1 trial, sequential infusions of escalating doses of PACLitaxel (110 to 200 mg/m(2)) and CISplatin (50 or 75 mg/m(2)) caused more profound myelosuppression when PACLitaxel was given after CISplatin than with the alternate sequence, namely PACLitaxel before CISplatin. PACLitaxel clearance was decreased approximately 33% when PACLitaxel was administered following CISplatin1.
Why it happens (mechanism)
Unknown
Literature reports
1 report — tap to read
a) In a phase 1 trial, sequential infusions of escalating doses of PACLitaxel (110 to 200 mg/m(2)) and CISplatin (50 or 75 mg/m(2)) caused more profound myelosuppression when PACLitaxel was given after CISplatin than with the alternate sequence, namely PACLitaxel before CISplatin. PACLitaxel clearance was decreased approximately 33% when PACLitaxel was administered following CISplatin 1.
Common questions
Can I take Cisplatin Injection and Paclitaxel together?
Increased PACLitaxel exposure Always confirm with your pharmacist or prescriber before making any change.
How serious is the Cisplatin Injection and Paclitaxel interaction?
It is rated major. Potentially serious — often needs a change or close 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 "probable". Good supporting evidence, though not definitively proven.
Questions for your pharmacist
- Does my dose of Cisplatin Injection or Paclitaxel 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 a safer alternative to one of these medications for me?
References (1)
- Product Information: TAXOL(R) IV injection, paclitaxel IV injection. Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Princeton, NJ, 2011.
Keep reading about Cisplatin Injection
Keep reading about Paclitaxel
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.
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