Irinotecan Injection and Netupitant: Interaction Details
AI-assisted, pharmacist-reviewed · Source data updated Aug 8, 2026 · Sources: FDA labeling, DDInter 2.0, cited literature
Netupitant
No brand names on recordIrinotecan Injection
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 to chemotherapy agent and increased risk of side effects
Interaction Deep Dive
Administration of netupitant/palonosetron with docetaxel resulted in an increase in docetaxel AUC and Cmax. Use caution and monitor for chemotherapeutic related adverse effects when netupitant or fosnetupitant is coadministered with chemotherapeutic agents primarily metabolized by CYP3A4, as plasma concentrations of the chemotherapeutic agent may be increased1.
Why it happens (mechanism)
Inhibition of CYP3A4-mediated metabolism by netupitant
Literature reports
1 report — tap to read
a) Administration of docetaxel (75 to 100 mg/m(2)) with netupitant/palonosetron resulted in a 35% and 49% increase in docetaxel AUC and Cmax, respectively, compared with administration with palonosetron. When docetaxel, etoposide or cyclophosphamide was coadministered with netupitant/palonosetron, the mean netupitant AUC(0 to infinity) was similar for all groups 1.
Common questions
Can I take Irinotecan Injection and Netupitant together?
Increased exposure to chemotherapy agent and increased risk of side effects Always confirm with your pharmacist or prescriber before making any change.
How serious is the Irinotecan Injection and Netupitant 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 "probable". Good supporting evidence, though not definitively proven.
Questions for your pharmacist
- Does my dose of Irinotecan Injection or Netupitant 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: AKYNZEO(R) oral capsules, netupitant palonosetron oral capsules. Helsinn Therapeutics (US), Inc (per FDA), Iselin, NJ, 2018. DailyMed
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Keep reading about Irinotecan Injection
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