What are the main drug interactions with the medication called Saphris?

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Interactions between your selected drugs

hydrochlorothiazide ↔ metformin
Applies to: Avalide (hydrochlorothiazide/irbesartan), metformin
MONITOR: Diuretic-induced renal impairment and dehydration may increase the risk of lactic acidosis in patients who are concomitantly taking metformin. In addition, thiazides and other diuretics may interfere with glucose control by causing hyperglycemia, glucose intolerance, new-onset diabetes mellitus, and/or exacerbation of preexisting diabetes.

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MANAGEMENT: Close clinical monitoring is recommended if diuretics are coadministered with antidiabetic agents. Patients should be advised to monitor their blood glucose and to promptly notify their doctor if they experience possible signs of lactic acidosis (such as malaise, myalgia, respiratory distress, hyperventilation, slow or irregular heartbeat, somnolence, abdominal upset) or loss of glycemic control. Dose adjustments of metformin may be required. Likewise, patients should be observed for hypoglycemia if diuretics are withdrawn from their therapeutic regimen.

irbesartan ↔ asenapine
Applies to: Avalide (hydrochlorothiazide/irbesartan), Saphris (asenapine)
MONITOR: Phenothiazines and neuroleptic agents may potentiate the hypotensive effect of some medications secondary to their peripheral alpha-1 adrenergic blocking activity. Orthostatic hypotension and syncope associated with vasodilation may occur, particularly during initial dosing and/or parenteral administration of the phenothiazine or neuroleptic.

MANAGEMENT: Close clinical monitoring for development of hypotension is recommended if phenothiazines or neuroleptic agents are used in patients receiving antihypertensive medications or vasodilators. A lower starting dosage and slower titration of the phenothiazine or neuroleptic may be appropriate, especially in the elderly. Patients should be advised to avoid rising abruptly from a sitting or recumbent position and to notify their physician if they experience dizziness, lightheadedness, syncope, orthostasis, or tachycardia. Patients should also avoid driving or operating hazardous machinery until they know how the medications affect them.

irbesartan ↔ levocetirizine
Applies to: Avalide (hydrochlorothiazide/irbesartan), Xyzal (levocetirizine)
MONITOR: Concurrent use of cetirizine or levocetirizine with alcohol or other agents that exhibit central nervous system (CNS) depressant effects may result in additive impairment of mental alertness and performance. Several studies have shown no effect of racemic cetirizine on cognitive function, motor performance, or sleep latency as indicated by objective measurements. However, there have been reports of somnolence, fatigue, and asthenia in some patients treated with cetirizine or levocetirizine in clinical trials.

MANAGEMENT: Concomitant use of cetirizine or levocetirizine with alcohol or other CNS depressants should generally be avoided if possible. In the event that they are used together, patients should be counseled to avoid hazardous activities requiring mental alertness and motor coordination until they know how these agents affect them, and to notify their physician if they experience excessive or prolonged CNS effects that interfere with their normal activities.

quetiapine ↔ asenapine
Applies to: Seroquel (quetiapine), Saphris (asenapine)
MONITOR: There is some concern that quetiapine may have additive adverse cardiovascular effects in combination with other drugs that are known to prolong the QT interval of the electrocardiogram. Data are conflicting. In clinical trials, there was no statistically significant difference between quetiapine and placebo in the proportions of patients experiencing potentially important changes in ECG parameters including QT, QTc, and PR intervals. However, QT prolongation has been reported in quetiapine overdose and with therapeutic use of other atypical antipsychotic agents such as sertindole, ziprasidone, and risperidone. In one case report, torsade de pointes arrhythmia developed in a patient treated with low-dose quetiapine. However, the relationship to quetiapine is uncertain, as there were multiple confounding risk factors such as hypomagnesemia, a history of QT prolongation (possibly prior to initiation of quetiapine), a history of substance abuse, and uncertain medication compliance. In general, the risk of an individual agent or a combination of agents causing ventricular arrhythmia in association with QT prolongation is largely unpredictable but may be increased by certain underlying risk factors such as congenital long QT syndrome, cardiac disease, and electrolyte disturbances (e.g., hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia). In addition, the extent of drug-induced QT prolongation is dependent on the particular drug(s) involved and dosage(s) of the drug(s).

MANAGEMENT: Some clinicians recommend caution when quetiapine is administered concomitantly with drugs that prolong the QT interval, especially to patients with underlying risk factors. Patients should be advised to seek medical attention if they experience symptoms that could indicate the occurrence of torsade de pointes such as dizziness, palpitations, or syncope.

quetiapine ↔ levocetirizine
Applies to: Seroquel (quetiapine), Xyzal (levocetirizine)
MONITOR: Concurrent use of cetirizine or levocetirizine with alcohol or other agents that exhibit central nervous system (CNS) depressant effects may result in additive impairment of mental alertness and performance. Several studies have shown no effect of racemic cetirizine on cognitive function, motor performance, or sleep latency as indicated by objective measurements. However, there have been reports of somnolence, fatigue, and asthenia in some patients treated with cetirizine or levocetirizine in clinical trials.

MANAGEMENT: Concomitant use of cetirizine or levocetirizine with alcohol or other CNS depressants should generally be avoided if possible. In the event that they are used together, patients should be counseled to avoid hazardous activities requiring mental alertness and motor coordination until they know how these agents affect them, and to notify their physician if they experience excessive or prolonged CNS effects that interfere with their normal activities.

quetiapine ↔ irbesartan
Applies to: Seroquel (quetiapine), Avalide (hydrochlorothiazide/irbesartan)
MONITOR: Phenothiazines and neuroleptic agents may potentiate the hypotensive effect of some medications secondary to their peripheral alpha-1 adrenergic blocking activity. Orthostatic hypotension and syncope associated with vasodilation may occur, particularly during initial dosing and/or parenteral administration of the phenothiazine or neuroleptic.

MANAGEMENT: Close clinical monitoring for development of hypotension is recommended if phenothiazines or neuroleptic agents are used in patients receiving antihypertensive medications or vasodilators. A lower starting dosage and slower titration of the phenothiazine or neuroleptic may be appropriate, especially in the elderly. Patients should be advised to avoid rising abruptly from a sitting or recumbent position and to notify their physician if they experience dizziness, lightheadedness, syncope, orthostasis, or tachycardia. Patients should also avoid driving or operating hazardous machinery until they know how the medications affect them.

metformin ↔ asenapine
Applies to: metformin, Saphris (asenapine)
MONITOR: The efficacy of oral hypoglycemic agents and insulin may be diminished by certain drugs, including thiazides and other diuretics, corticosteroids, estrogens, progestins, thyroid hormones, human growth hormone, phenothiazines, atypical antipsychotics, sympathomimetic amines, protease inhibitors, phenytoin, megestrol, danazol, isoniazid, asparaginase, pegaspargase, diazoxide, temsirolimus, sucralfate oral suspension, as well as pharmacologic dosages of nicotinic acid and adrenocorticotropic agents. These drugs may interfere with blood glucose control because they can cause hyperglycemia, glucose intolerance, new-onset diabetes mellitus, and/or exacerbation of preexisting diabetes.

MANAGEMENT: Close clinical monitoring of glycemic control is recommended if these drugs are coadministered with antidiabetic agents. Likewise, patients should be observed for hypoglycemia when these drugs are withdrawn from their therapeutic regimen. Dose adjustments of the hypoglycemic agent may be required.

metformin ↔ quetiapine
Applies to: metformin, Seroquel (quetiapine)
MONITOR: The efficacy of oral hypoglycemic agents and insulin may be diminished by certain drugs, including thiazides and other diuretics, corticosteroids, estrogens, progestins, thyroid hormones, human growth hormone, phenothiazines, atypical antipsychotics, sympathomimetic amines, protease inhibitors, phenytoin, megestrol, danazol, isoniazid, asparaginase, pegaspargase, diazoxide, temsirolimus, sucralfate oral suspension, as well as pharmacologic dosages of nicotinic acid and adrenocorticotropic agents. These drugs may interfere with blood glucose control because they can cause hyperglycemia, glucose intolerance, new-onset diabetes mellitus, and/or exacerbation of preexisting diabetes.

MANAGEMENT: Close clinical monitoring of glycemic control is recommended if these drugs are coadministered with antidiabetic agents. Likewise, patients should be observed for hypoglycemia when these drugs are withdrawn from their therapeutic regimen. Dose adjustments of the hypoglycemic agent may be required.

gabapentin ↔ asenapine
Applies to: gabapentin, Saphris (asenapine)
MONITOR: Central nervous system- and/or respiratory-depressant effects may be additively or synergistically increased in patients taking multiple drugs that cause these effects, especially in elderly or debilitated patients.

MANAGEMENT: During concomitant use of these drugs, patients should be monitored for potentially excessive or prolonged CNS and respiratory depression. Ambulatory patients should be counseled to avoid hazardous activities requiring mental alertness and motor coordination until they know how these agents affect them, and to notify their physician if they experience excessive or prolonged CNS effects that interfere with their normal activities.

gabapentin ↔ levocetirizine
Applies to: gabapentin, Xyzal (levocetirizine)
MONITOR: Concurrent use of cetirizine or levocetirizine with alcohol or other agents that exhibit central nervous system (CNS) depressant effects may result in additive impairment of mental alertness and performance. Several studies have shown no effect of racemic cetirizine on cognitive function, motor performance, or sleep latency as indicated by objective measurements. However, there have been reports of somnolence, fatigue, and asthenia in some patients treated with cetirizine or levocetirizine in clinical trials.

MANAGEMENT: Concomitant use of cetirizine or levocetirizine with alcohol or other CNS depressants should generally be avoided if possible. In the event that they are used together, patients should be counseled to avoid hazardous activities requiring mental alertness and motor coordination until they know how these agents affect them, and to notify their physician if they experience excessive or prolonged CNS effects that interfere with their normal activities.

gabapentin ↔ quetiapine
Applies to: gabapentin, Seroquel (quetiapine)
MONITOR: Central nervous system- and/or respiratory-depressant effects may be additively or synergistically increased in patients taking multiple drugs that cause these effects, especially in elderly or debilitated patients.

MANAGEMENT: During concomitant use of these drugs, patients should be monitored for potentially excessive or prolonged CNS and respiratory depression. Ambulatory patients should be counseled to avoid hazardous activities requiring mental alertness and motor coordination until they know how these agents affect them, and to notify their physician if they experience excessive or prolonged CNS effects that interfere with their normal activities.

hydrochlorothiazide ↔ asenapine
Applies to: Avalide (hydrochlorothiazide/irbesartan), Saphris (asenapine)
MONITOR: Phenothiazines and neuroleptic agents may potentiate the hypotensive effect of some medications secondary to their peripheral alpha-1 adrenergic blocking activity. Orthostatic hypotension and syncope associated with vasodilation may occur, particularly during initial dosing and/or parenteral administration of the phenothiazine or neuroleptic.

MANAGEMENT: Close clinical monitoring for development of hypotension is recommended if phenothiazines or neuroleptic agents are used in patients receiving antihypertensive medications or vasodilators. A lower starting dosage and slower titration of the phenothiazine or neuroleptic may be appropriate, especially in the elderly. Patients should be advised to avoid rising abruptly from a sitting or recumbent position and to notify their physician if they experience dizziness, lightheadedness, syncope, orthostasis, or tachycardia. Patients should also avoid driving or operating hazardous machinery until they know how the medications affect them.

hydrochlorothiazide ↔ levocetirizine
Applies to: Avalide (hydrochlorothiazide/irbesartan), Xyzal (levocetirizine)
MONITOR: Concurrent use of cetirizine or levocetirizine with alcohol or other agents that exhibit central nervous system (CNS) depressant effects may result in additive impairment of mental alertness and performance. Several studies have shown no effect of racemic cetirizine on cognitive function, motor performance, or sleep latency as indicated by objective measurements. However, there have been reports of somnolence, fatigue, and asthenia in some patients treated with cetirizine or levocetirizine in clinical trials.

MANAGEMENT: Concomitant use of cetirizine or levocetirizine with alcohol or other CNS depressants should generally be avoided if possible. In the event that they are used together, patients should be counseled to avoid hazardous activities requiring mental alertness and motor coordination until they know how these agents affect them, and to notify their physician if they experience excessive or prolonged CNS effects that interfere with their normal activities.

hydrochlorothiazide ↔ quetiapine
Applies to: Avalide (hydrochlorothiazide/irbesartan), Seroquel (quetiapine)
MONITOR: Phenothiazines and neuroleptic agents may potentiate the hypotensive effect of some medications secondary to their peripheral alpha-1 adrenergic blocking activity. Orthostatic hypotension and syncope associated with vasodilation may occur, particularly during initial dosing and/or parenteral administration of the phenothiazine or neuroleptic.

MANAGEMENT: Close clinical monitoring for development of hypotension is recommended if phenothiazines or neuroleptic agents are used in patients receiving antihypertensive medications or vasodilators. A lower starting dosage and slower titration of the phenothiazine or neuroleptic may be appropriate, especially in the elderly. Patients should be advised to avoid rising abruptly from a sitting or recumbent position and to notify their physician if they experience dizziness, lightheadedness, syncope, orthostasis, or tachycardia. Patients should also avoid driving or operating hazardous machinery until they know how the medications affect them.

levocetirizine ↔ asenapine
Applies to: Xyzal (levocetirizine), Saphris (asenapine)
MONITOR: Concurrent use of cetirizine or levocetirizine with alcohol or other agents that exhibit central nervous system (CNS) depressant effects may result in additive impairment of mental alertness and performance. Several studies have shown no effect of racemic cetirizine on cognitive function, motor performance, or sleep latency as indicated by objective measurements. However, there have been reports of somnolence, fatigue, and asthenia in some patients treated with cetirizine or levocetirizine in clinical trials.

MANAGEMENT: Concomitant use of cetirizine or levocetirizine with alcohol or other CNS depressants should generally be avoided if possible. In the event that they are used together, patients should be counseled to avoid hazardous activities requiring mental alertness and motor coordination until they know how these agents affect them, and to notify their physician if they experience excessive or prolonged CNS effects that interfere with their normal activities.

No other interactions were found between your selected drugs.
Note: this does not necessarily mean no interactions exist. ALWAYS consult with your doctor or pharmacist.

Other drugs that your selected drugs interact with

gabapentin interacts with more than 100 other drugs.
metformin interacts with more than 200 other drugs.
Aciphex (rabeprazole) interacts with more than 50 other drugs.
Avalide (hydrochlorothiazide/irbesartan) interacts with more than 500 other drugs.
Saphris (asenapine) interacts with more than 400 other drugs.
Seroquel (quetiapine) interacts with more than 400 other drugs.
Xyzal (levocetirizine) interacts with more than 200 other drugs.
Zocor (simvastatin) interacts with more than 100 other drugs.

Interactions between your selected drugs and food

simvastatin ↔ food
Applies to: Zocor (simvastatin)
GENERALLY AVOID: In small studies, the consumption of large amounts of grapefruit juice was associated with significantly increased plasma concentrations of lovastatin and simvastatin and their active acid metabolites. Similar results but to a lesser degree were reported for atorvastatin. The proposed mechanism is inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated first-pass metabolism in the gut wall by certain compounds present in grapefruits. Increased risk of musculoskeletal toxicity (myopathy with grossly elevated creatine kinase and rhabdomyolysis with or without acute renal failure secondary to myoglobinuria) has been associated with high levels of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitory activity in plasma.

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Fibers such as oat bran and pectin may diminish the pharmacologic effects of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors by interfering with their absorption from the gastrointestinal tract.

MANAGEMENT: Patients receiving therapy with atorvastatin, lovastatin, simvastatin, or red yeast rice (which contains lovastatin) should be advised to avoid the regular consumption of large amounts of grapefruits and grapefruit juice (the manufacturers of simvastatin and lovastatin advise against ingestion of greater than 1 quart per day). Pravastatin and fluvastatin are metabolized by other enzymes and may be preferable alternatives in some individuals. Patients should be advised to immediately notify their physician if they experience unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness. In addition, they should either refrain from the use of oat bran and pectin or, if concurrent use cannot be avoided, to separate the administration times by at least 2 to 4 hours.

irbesartan ↔ food
Applies to: Avalide (hydrochlorothiazide/irbesartan)
GENERALLY AVOID: Moderate-to-high dietary intake of potassium, especially salt substitutes, may increase the risk of hyperkalemia in some patients who are using angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs). ARBs can promote hyperkalemia through inhibition of angiotensin II-induced aldosterone secretion. Patients with diabetes, heart failure, dehydration, or renal insufficiency have a greater risk of developing hyperkalemia.

MANAGEMENT: Patients should receive dietary counseling and be advised to not use potassium-containing salt substitutes or over-the-counter potassium supplements without consulting their physician. If salt substitutes are used concurrently, regular monitoring of serum potassium levels is recommended. Patients should also be advised to seek medical attention if they experience symptoms of hyperkalemia such as weakness, irregular heartbeat, confusion, tingling of the extremities, or feelings of heaviness in the legs.

Take care...