What the FDA labels say about taking them together
Doxorubicin and paclitaxel
Doxorubicin's FDA label of May 5, 2026 names paclitaxel in its drug interactions section, and paclitaxel's label names doxorubicin too. The doxorubicin label: “Paclitaxel Paclitaxel, when given prior to doxorubicin hydrochloride, increases the plasma-concentrations of doxorubicin and its metabolites.”
Check it at the source: the doxorubicin FDA label on DailyMed (effective May 5, 2026, Pfizer Laboratories Div Pfizer Inc); the paclitaxel FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 21, 2026, Natco Pharma USA LLC).
What does the doxorubicin label say about paclitaxel?
Doxorubicin label, drug interactionsPaclitaxel Paclitaxel, when given prior to doxorubicin hydrochloride, increases the plasma-concentrations of doxorubicin and its metabolites.
Source: FDA drug label (Doxorubicin Hydrochloride), Pfizer Laboratories Div Pfizer Inc, effective May 5, 2026 (SPL set 1fd148fb-0fbc-4b6f-b790-23546fb46a71), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
What does the paclitaxel label say about doxorubicin?
Paclitaxel label, drug interactionsReports in the literature suggest that plasma levels of doxorubicin (and its active metabolite doxorubicinol) may be increased when paclitaxel and doxorubicin are used in combination.
Source: FDA drug label (Paclitaxel), Natco Pharma USA LLC, effective January 21, 2026 (SPL set a1eb16b4-285b-4e81-9c4e-1244d4a52af8), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
These are the labels' own sentences. PlainMeds does not grade interactions; a pharmacist or prescriber can say what they mean for one person's medicines.
Both medicines on the record
| Doxorubicin | Paclitaxel | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma, Breast cancer | Breast cancer, Lung cancer |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC) | n/a | n/a |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
Source: FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026 and the FDA Drug Shortage Database (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Check more medicines together
- up to five at once