Drug Interactions between abarelix and Triavil

MONITOR: Coadministration of a phenothiazine with a tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) may result in elevated plasma concentrations of one or both drugs as well as additive adverse effects. Most phenothiazines and TCAs have been found to undergo metabolism by CYP450 2D6, thus competitive inhibition of the enzyme may occur when more than one of these agents are administered. Although these drugs have been used together clinically, the possibility of increased risk of serious adverse effects such as central nervous system depression, tardive dyskinesia, hypotension, and prolongation of the QT interval should be considered, as many of these agents alone can and have produced these effects. In addition, excessive anticholinergic effects may occur in combination use, which can result in paralytic ileus, hyperthermia, heat stroke, and the anticholinergic intoxication syndrome. Peripheral symptoms of anticholinergic intoxication commonly include mydriasis, blurred vision, flushed face, fever, dry skin and mucous membranes, tachycardia, urinary retention, and constipation. Central symptoms may include memory loss, disorientation, incoherence, hallucinations, psychosis, delirium, hyperactivity, twitching or jerking movements, stereotypy, and seizures.

MANAGEMENT: Concurrent use of phenothiazines and TCAs should be approached with caution, particularly in the elderly and those with underlying organic brain disease, who tend to be more sensitive to the central anticholinergic effects of these drugs and in whom toxicity symptoms may be easily overlooked. Patients should be advised to notify their physician promptly if they experience potential symptoms of anticholinergic intoxication (e.g., abdominal pain, fever, heat intolerance, blurred vision, confusion, hallucinations) or cardiovascular toxicity (e.g., dizziness, palpitations, arrhythmias, syncope). Ambulatory patients should be counseled to avoid activities requiring mental alertness until they know how these agents affect them. A dosage reduction in one or both drugs may be necessary if excessive adverse effects develop.

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GENERALLY AVOID: Long-term androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) can prolong the QT interval. Coadministration of ADT with other agents that may prolong the QT interval could also result in additive effects and an increased risk of ventricular arrhythmias including torsade de pointes and sudden death. The risk may be increased in patients with certain underlying risk factors like congenital long QT syndrome, cardiac disease, and electrolyte disturbances (e.g., hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia). Studies in young men have shown that endogenous serum testosterone levels are inversely associated with QTc (QT interval corrected for heart rate) duration. Clinical trials in men with low serum testosterone levels have reported testosterone administration being associated with a shortening of QTc. Likewise, studies using ADT have shown that it may prolong the QT interval; however, this effect may vary by drug, dose, or even each drug class that can be used to reduce testosterone levels. A clinical study comparing abarelix to a luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonist plus nonsteroidal antiandrogen therapy found that both therapies prolonged the mean Fridericia-corrected QT interval (QTcF) by more than 10 msec from baseline. Approximately 20% of patients in both groups had either changes from baseline QTc of >30 msec or end-of-treatment QTc values >450 msec. Similarly, a study comparing degarelix to leuprolide found that approximately 20% of patients on each drug had QT/QTc intervals >450 msec after 1 year of treatment. From baseline to end of study, the median change in QTcF was 12.3 msec for degarelix and 16.7 msec for leuprolide. Some drugs used to lower testosterone levels may also have other side effects that can predispose a patient to QT prolongation and torsade de pointes. For example, inhibitors of 17 alpha-hydroxylase/C17,20-lyase (CYP17) like abiraterone may cause hypokalemia as a result of increased mineralocorticoid levels. Clinical data on ADT prolonging the QT interval in women and children are lacking.

MANAGEMENT: The benefits of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) should be carefully assessed against the potential risk in patients receiving other drugs known to prolong the QT interval. Electrolyte abnormalities should be corrected prior to initiating therapy, and monitoring of electrocardiograms and electrolytes may be advisable. The manufacturer's labeling as well as current clinical guidelines should be consulted for monitoring recommendations.

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GENERALLY AVOID: Long-term androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) can prolong the QT interval. Coadministration of ADT with other agents that may prolong the QT interval could also result in additive effects and an increased risk of ventricular arrhythmias including torsade de pointes and sudden death. The risk may be increased in patients with certain underlying risk factors like congenital long QT syndrome, cardiac disease, and electrolyte disturbances (e.g., hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia). Studies in young men have shown that endogenous serum testosterone levels are inversely associated with QTc (QT interval corrected for heart rate) duration. Clinical trials in men with low serum testosterone levels have reported testosterone administration being associated with a shortening of QTc. Likewise, studies using ADT have shown that it may prolong the QT interval; however, this effect may vary by drug, dose, or even each drug class that can be used to reduce testosterone levels. A clinical study comparing abarelix to a luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonist plus nonsteroidal antiandrogen therapy found that both therapies prolonged the mean Fridericia-corrected QT interval (QTcF) by more than 10 msec from baseline. Approximately 20% of patients in both groups had either changes from baseline QTc of >30 msec or end-of-treatment QTc values >450 msec. Similarly, a study comparing degarelix to leuprolide found that approximately 20% of patients on each drug had QT/QTc intervals >450 msec after 1 year of treatment. From baseline to end of study, the median change in QTcF was 12.3 msec for degarelix and 16.7 msec for leuprolide. Some drugs used to lower testosterone levels may also have other side effects that can predispose a patient to QT prolongation and torsade de pointes. For example, inhibitors of 17 alpha-hydroxylase/C17,20-lyase (CYP17) like abiraterone may cause hypokalemia as a result of increased mineralocorticoid levels. Clinical data on ADT prolonging the QT interval in women and children are lacking.

MANAGEMENT: The benefits of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) should be carefully assessed against the potential risk in patients receiving other drugs known to prolong the QT interval. Electrolyte abnormalities should be corrected prior to initiating therapy, and monitoring of electrocardiograms and electrolytes may be advisable. The manufacturer's labeling as well as current clinical guidelines should be consulted for monitoring recommendations.

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