What the FDA labels say about taking them together
Metronidazole and thalidomide
Thalidomide's FDA label of March 24, 2023 names metronidazole in its drug interactions section; the metronidazole labels PlainMeds reads (4) do not name thalidomide.
Check it at the source: the metronidazole FDA label on DailyMed (effective September 3, 2024, Aurobindo Pharma Limited); the thalidomide FDA label on DailyMed (effective March 24, 2023, Celgene Corporation).
What does the metronidazole label say about thalidomide?
Metronidazole's label (effective September 3, 2024) and its 3 other brand-application labels do not name thalidomide in these sections. A label lists what its studies and reports found; it is not a complete list.
Source: FDA drug label (Metronidazole), Aurobindo Pharma Limited, effective September 3, 2024 (SPL set f68397ee-67db-472e-8607-4300064e37df), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
What does the thalidomide label say about metronidazole?
Thalidomide label, drug interactionsDrugs which Cause Peripheral Neuropathy The use of drugs which cause peripheral neuropathy (e.g., bortezomib, amiodarone, cisplatin, docetaxel, paclitaxel, vincristine, disulfiram, phenytoin, metronidazole, alcohol) can cause an additive effect and should be used with caution.
Source: FDA drug label (Thalomid), NDA020785 (Bristol-Myers), as published by Celgene Corporation, effective March 24, 2023 (SPL set 2eda833b-1357-4ed4-a093-194524fcb061), 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
| Metronidazole | Thalidomide | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Bacterial infections | Leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC) | $0.102 per tablet 250 mg tablet | n/a |
| Shortage now | In shortage | 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