Nilotinib and Dexamethasone Injection: Interaction Details
AI-assisted, pharmacist-reviewed · Source data updated Aug 8, 2026 · Sources: FDA labeling, DDInter 2.0, cited literature
Nilotinib
No brand names on recordDexamethasone 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 dexamethasone exposure; decreased nilotinib exposure
Interaction Deep Dive
Avoid coadministration of dexamethasone (a CYP3A4 substrate and strong CYP3A4 inducer) with nilotinib (a CYP3A4 substrate and moderate CYP3A4 inhibitor), as increased dexamethasone exposure, subtherapeutic nilotinib exposure, or both may occur. Although this drug interaction has not been specifically studied, coadministration of nilotinib with rifampin (another strong CYP3A4 inducer) resulted in significantly reduced nilotinib exposure, and separately, coadministration of nilotinib with midazolam (another CYP3A4 substrate) significantly increased midazolam exposure. Dose adjustments may be required if dexamethasone and nilotinib are used concurrently; however, nilotinib dose increase is unlikely to compensate for loss of exposure1.
Why it happens (mechanism)
Inhibition of CYP3A4-mediated dexamethasone metabolism; induction of CYP3A4-mediated nilotinib metabolism
Literature reports
2 reports — tap to read
a) Multiple doses of nilotinib (a moderate CYP3A4 inhibitor) increased the systemic exposure of midazolam (a CYP3A4 substrate) by 2.6-fold in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia 1.
b) Coadministration of rifampin 600 mg/day for 12 days (a strong CYP3A4 inducer) with nilotinib (a CYP3A4 substrate) decreased nilotinib AUC by approximately 80%, compared with nilotinib alone, in healthy subjects 1.
Common questions
Can I take Nilotinib and Dexamethasone Injection together?
Increased dexamethasone exposure; decreased nilotinib exposure Always confirm with your pharmacist or prescriber before making any change.
How serious is the Nilotinib and Dexamethasone Injection 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 "theoretical". Predicted from the drugs' pharmacology; not yet confirmed in people.
Questions for your pharmacist
- Does my dose of Nilotinib or Dexamethasone Injection 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: TASIGNA(R) oral capsules, nilotinib oral capsules. Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation (per FDA), East Hanover, NJ, 2014. DailyMed
Keep reading about Nilotinib
Keep reading about Dexamethasone Injection
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