Drug Interactions

Drug interactions between abacavir and Arava

Results for the following 2 drugs:

abacavir
Arava (leflunomide)

Interactions between your selected drugs

leflunomide ⇔ abacavir

Applies to: Arava (leflunomide) and abacavir

MONITOR: The concomitant or sequential use (without the recommended leflunomide washout period or procedure) of other agents known to induce hepatotoxicity may potentiate the risk of liver injury associated with leflunomide. Elevated liver transaminases, hepatitis, jaundice/cholestasis, hepatic failure, and acute hepatic necrosis have been reported with leflunomide. Liver enzyme elevations were generally mild (2-fold ULN or less) and resolved while continuing treatment. Marked elevations (greater than 3-fold ULN) occurred infrequently and reversed with dose reduction or discontinuation of treatment. However, fatalities associated with severe liver injury have also been reported rarely. Most cases occurred within six months of therapy and in a setting of multiple risk factors including preexisting liver disease and concomitant use of other hepatotoxins.

MANAGEMENT: The use of leflunomide in combination with other potentially hepatotoxic agents (e.g., acetaminophen; alcohol; androgens and anabolic steroids; antituberculous agents; azole antifungal agents; ACE inhibitors; endothelin receptor antagonists; interferons; nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors; thiazolidinediones; anticonvulsants such as carbamazepine, hydantoins, felbamate, and valproic acid; lipid-lowering medications such as fenofibrate, HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, and niacin; herbals and nutritional supplements such as black cohosh, chaparral, comfrey, DHEA, kava, pennyroyal oil, and red yeast rice) should be approached with caution. Patients should be advised to seek medical attention if they experience potential signs and symptoms of hepatotoxicity such as fever, rash, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, right upper quadrant pain, dark urine, and jaundice. Baseline and regular monitoring of hepatic function is recommended. If evidence of serious hepatotoxicity occurs (i.e., ALT elevation greater than 3-fold ULN or persistent elevations between 2- and 3-fold ULN despite dose reduction), treatment with leflunomide should be stopped, and cholestyramine or charcoal administered to accelerate elimination of leflunomide's active metabolite from plasma.

See also...




Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Multum is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. In addition, the drug information contained herein may be time sensitive and should not be utilized as a reference resource beyond the date hereof. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients, or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is a reference resource designed as supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill , knowledge, and judgement of healthcare practitioners in patient care. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug of drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Multum Information Services, Inc. does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. Copyright 2000-2009 Multum Information Services, Inc. The information in contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.


MedNotes
Advertisement

(web1)