Drug Interaction Report

Nifedipine and Vincristine: Interaction Details

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

Nifedipine

Adalat® Adalat® CC Afeditab CR Afeditab® CR Nifedical® XL Nifeditab® CR Procardia Procardia®
+

Vincristine

Marqibo Vincasar
Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Medically reviewed by
Updated Aug 8, 2026
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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 325 documented Nifedipine interactions, 40 are rated moderate — including this one.
Onset
delayed
Evidence
probable
Severity
Moderate

What happens

An increased risk of vinCRIStine toxicity (neuropathy, delirium, seizures)

Interaction Deep Dive

Analysis of pharmacokinetic data involving patients who received NIFEdipine before and during vinCRIStine therapy compared to patients who only received vinCRIStine showed that NIFEdipine increased the vinCRIStine half-life and the area under the concentration-time curve1. One possible mechanism would be decreased vinCRIStine metabolism due to inhibition of outward transport from intracellular sites exerted by NIFEdipine 2.

Why it happens (mechanism)

Altered metabolism

Literature reports

1 report — tap to read

a) Twenty-six patients with solid tumors and normal renal and liver function were administered vinCRIStine 2 mg. Twelve subjects were given oral NIFEdipine 10 mg three times daily for three days before and seven days after vinCRIStine administration. The control group consisted of the remaining 14 patients who received only vincristine. The NIFEdipine-treated patients demonstrated reduced total plasma clearance of vinCRIStine and reduced 7-day urinary excretion of vinCRIStine 1.

Common questions

Can I take Nifedipine and Vincristine together?

An increased risk of vinCRIStine toxicity (neuropathy, delirium, seizures) Always confirm with your pharmacist or prescriber before making any change.

How serious is the Nifedipine and Vincristine 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 "probable". Good supporting evidence, though not definitively proven.

Questions for your pharmacist

  • Does my dose of Nifedipine or Vincristine 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. Fedeli L, Colozza M, Boschetti E, et al: Pharmacokinetics of vincristine in cancer patients treated with nifedipine. Cancer 1989; 64:1805-1811. PubMed
  2. Chan JD: Pharmacokinetic drug interactions of vinca alkaloids: summary of case reports. Pharmacotherapy 1998; 18:1304-1307. DOI
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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:

major · moderate · minor — check everything you take with our drug–supplement interaction checker.

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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.