What the FDA labels say about taking them together
Phenytoin and thalidomide
Thalidomide's FDA label of March 24, 2023 names phenytoin in its drug interactions section; the phenytoin labels PlainMeds reads (2) do not name thalidomide.
Check it at the source: the phenytoin FDA label on DailyMed (effective October 15, 2024, Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc.); the thalidomide FDA label on DailyMed (effective March 24, 2023, Celgene Corporation).
What does the phenytoin label say about thalidomide?
Phenytoin's label (effective October 15, 2024) and its 1 other brand-application label 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 (Phenytek), Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc., effective October 15, 2024 (SPL set 0f94c791-8b07-4b41-927e-c9f28bec5f60), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
What does the thalidomide label say about phenytoin?
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
| Phenytoin | Thalidomide | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Seizures and epilepsy | Leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma |
| Boxed warning | No | Yes |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC) | $0.145 per capsule 100 mg capsule | 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