Crizotinib and Docetaxel: Interaction Details
AI-assisted, pharmacist-reviewed · Source data updated Aug 8, 2026 · Sources: FDA labeling, DDInter 2.0, cited literature
Crizotinib
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 exposure of the CYP3A substrate
Interaction Deep Dive
Concomitant use of crizotinib (a CYP3A4 inhibitor) with a CYP3A substrate where minimal concentration changes may lead to serious adverse reactions should be avoided. If concomitant use is unavoidable, decrease the CYP3A substrate dosage1.
Why it happens (mechanism)
Inhibition of the CYP3A-mediated metabolism of the substrate by crizotinib
Literature reports
1 report — tap to read
a) In a drug interaction study of crizotinib and midazolam (a CYP3A substrate), concomitant use of crizotinib 250 mg twice daily for 28 days with oral midazolam resulted in a geometric mean midazolam AUC that was 3.7-fold that reported with midazolam administration alone 1.
Common questions
Can I take Crizotinib and Docetaxel together?
Increased exposure of the CYP3A substrate Always confirm with your pharmacist or prescriber before making any change.
How serious is the Crizotinib and Docetaxel interaction?
It is rated major. Potentially serious — often needs a change or close monitoring.
How quickly could this interaction happen?
The documented onset is "unspecified". The timing of this interaction is not well characterized.
How strong is the evidence for this interaction?
The evidence is graded "theoretical". Predicted from the drugs' pharmacology; not yet confirmed in people.
Questions for your pharmacist
- Does my dose of Crizotinib 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 a safer alternative to one of these medications for me?
References (1)
- Product Information: XALKORI(R) oral pellets, oral capsules, crizotinib oral pellets, oral capsules. Pfizer Labs (per FDA), New York, NY, 2023. DailyMed
Keep reading about Crizotinib
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.
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