Techniques for using a narrow filter located before a power amplifier to reduce interference in an adjacent frequency band are disclosed. In an exemplary design, an apparatus (e.g., a wireless device) includes the narrow filter and the power amplifier. The narrow filter is for a first frequency band (e.g., Band 40) and has a first bandwidth that is more narrow than the first frequency band. The narrow filter receives and filters an input radio frequency (RF) signal and provides a filtered RF signal. The power amplifier receives and amplifies the filtered RF signal and provides an amplified RF signal. The apparatus may further include a full filter for the first frequency band and located after the power amplifier. The full filter receives and filters the amplified RF signal and provides an output RF signal when it is selected for use.