Drug Interaction Report

Doxorubicin and Sorafenib: Interaction Details

A pharmacist-reviewed analysis of the Doxorubicin and Sorafenib interaction: the documented clinical effects, severity rating, onset, mechanism, and management considerations, with cited references throughout.

AI-assisted, pharmacist-reviewed · Source data updated Aug 8, 2026 · Sources: FDA labeling, DDInter 2.0, cited literature

Sorafenib

Nexavar Nexavar®
+

Doxorubicin

Adriamycin Adriamycin® Caelyx Doxil Rubex®
Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Medically reviewed by
Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Updated Aug 8, 2026
Editorial policy · Data sources
LinkedIn
Interaction severity
Moderate
Can be significant — usually manageable with monitoring.
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.

Of 237 documented Doxorubicin interactions, 5 are rated moderate — including this one.
Onset
unspecified
Evidence
probable
Severity
Moderate

What happens

Increased exposure to DOXOrubicin

Interaction Deep Dive

In clinical studies, coadministration of DOXOrubicin and sorafenib resulted in a 21% increase in DOXOrubicin area under the concentration-time curve (AUC). Although the clinical significance of this interaction is not known, caution is advised when these two agents are coadministered . Patients should be monitored for signs of DOXOrubicin toxicity1. Although no formal drug interaction studies have been done with DOXOrubicin hydrochloride liposome injection, it may interact with drugs known to interact with the conventional formulation of DOXOrubicin 2.

Why it happens (mechanism)

Unknown

Common questions

Can I take Doxorubicin and Sorafenib together?

Increased exposure to DOXOrubicin Always confirm with your pharmacist or prescriber before making any change.

How serious is the Doxorubicin and Sorafenib interaction?

It is rated moderate. Can be significant — usually manageable with 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 "probable". Good supporting evidence, though not definitively proven.

Questions for your pharmacist

  • Does my dose of Doxorubicin or Sorafenib 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 (2)

  1. Product Information: NEXAVAR(R) oral tablets, sorafenib oral tablets. Bayer Pharmaceutical Corporation, West Haven, CT, 2005. DailyMed
  2. Product Information: DOXIL(R) intravenous injection, doxorubicin HCl liposome intravenous injection. Janssen Products, LP (per FDA), Horsham, PA, 2012. DailyMed
Was this write-up helpful?
Sorafenib

Keep reading about Sorafenib

All Sorafenib interactions (75) Sorafenib drug information
Also serious with: Ketoconazole Topical Eribulin Injection Sertraline Dasatinib
Doxorubicin

Keep reading about Doxorubicin

All Doxorubicin interactions (237) Doxorubicin drug information
Also serious with: Tasonermin Smallpox Monkeypox Vaccine Mumps Virus Vaccine, Live Rubella Virus Vaccine, Live
Beyond drug–drug

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:

Sorafenib + Activated Charcoal Danshen Grapefruit Piracetam St. John's Wort Acacia Rigidula Aconite Adrafinil + 277 more
Doxorubicin + Grapefruit St. John's Wort Acacia Rigidula Acerola Adrafinil African Wild Potato Alpha-lipoic Acid American Elder + 131 more

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.

Coming soon

The instant two-drug checker is on its way.

In the meantime, browse the directory below to look up any drug and see its documented interactions.

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
This information is for education, not a substitute for professional medical advice. Do not start, stop, or change any medication without talking to your pharmacist or prescriber.