Telaprevir and Axitinib: Interaction Details
AI-assisted, pharmacist-reviewed · Source data updated Aug 8, 2026 · Sources: FDA labeling, DDInter 2.0, cited literature
Telaprevir
No brand names on recordAxitinib
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 axitinib plasma concentrations
Interaction Deep Dive
The concomitant use of axitinib (a CYP3A4/5 substrate) with telaprevir (a strong CYP3A inhibitor2) should be avoided due to a risk of increased axitinib plasma concentrations. Although no formal drug interaction studies have been performed with axitinib and telaprevir, in a drug interaction study of axitinib and ketoconazole (also a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor), concomitant use in healthy subjects increased axitinib plasma exposure by at least 2-fold. When possible, an alternate concomitant medication with little or no CYP3A4/5 inhibitory effect should be substituted for telaprevir. If concomitant use is required, reduce the dose of axitinib by approximately one-half and increase or decrease subsequent doses based on patient tolerability and safety. If telaprevir is discontinued, wait 3 to 5 half-lives of telaprevir and then return the axitinib dose to that used prior to telaprevir initiation 1.
Why it happens (mechanism)
Inhibition of CYP3A-mediated axitinib metabolism
Common questions
Can I take Telaprevir and Axitinib together?
Increased axitinib plasma concentrations Always confirm with your pharmacist or prescriber before making any change.
How serious is the Telaprevir and Axitinib 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 Telaprevir or Axitinib 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 (2)
- Product Information: INLYTA(R) oral tablets, axitinib oral tablets. Pfizer Inc. (per FDA), New York, NY, 2012. DailyMed
- Product Information: INCIVEK(TM) film coated oral tablets, telaprevir film coated oral tablets. Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated, Cambridge, MA, 2011.
Keep reading about Telaprevir
Keep reading about Axitinib
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.
Check another combination
Our instant two-drug interaction checker is almost here.
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