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Drug Interactions between acarbose and digoxin

This report displays the potential drug interactions for the following 2 drugs:

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Interactions between your drugs

Moderate

digoxin acarbose

Applies to: digoxin and acarbose

MONITOR: Coadministration with acarbose may decrease the plasma concentrations of digoxin. The mechanism has not been established but may involve acarbose adsorption of digoxin and/or alterations in gastrointestinal transit time. Acarbose may also interfere with cleavage of the cardiac glycoside prior to absorption. Drug interaction studies show that acarbose can decrease mean digoxin bioavailability (AUC) by 16%, peak plasma concentration (Cmax) by 26%, and trough concentration (Cmin) by 9%. The interaction was suspected in a 69-year-old woman with diabetes mellitus and heart failure who repeatedly had unusual subtherapeutic digoxin plasma levels following the addition of acarbose. Plasma concentration of digoxin increased to the therapeutic range after acarbose was discontinued.

MANAGEMENT: Pharmacologic response and digoxin plasma levels should be monitored more closely following initiation or discontinuation of acarbose, and the digoxin dosage adjusted as necessary. Patients should be advised to notify their physician if they experience worsening of their heart symptoms.

References

  1. (2001) "Product Information. Precose (acarbose)." Bayer
  2. Serrano JS, Jimenez CM, Serrano MI, Balboa B (1996) "A possible interaction of potential clinical interest between digoxin and acarbose." Clin Pharmacol Ther, 60, p. 589-92

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Drug and food interactions

Moderate

acarbose food

Applies to: acarbose

GENERALLY AVOID: Alcohol may cause hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia in patients with diabetes. Hypoglycemia most frequently occurs during acute consumption of alcohol. Even modest amounts can lower blood sugar significantly, especially when the alcohol is ingested on an empty stomach or following exercise. The mechanism involves inhibition of both gluconeogenesis as well as the counter-regulatory response to hypoglycemia. Episodes of hypoglycemia may last for 8 to 12 hours after ethanol ingestion. By contrast, chronic alcohol abuse can cause impaired glucose tolerance and hyperglycemia. Moderate alcohol consumption generally does not affect blood glucose levels in patients with well controlled diabetes. A disulfiram-like reaction (e.g., flushing, headache, and nausea) to alcohol has been reported frequently with the use of chlorpropamide and very rarely with other sulfonylureas.

MANAGEMENT: Patients with diabetes should avoid consuming alcohol if their blood glucose is not well controlled, or if they have hypertriglyceridemia, neuropathy, or pancreatitis. Patients with well controlled diabetes should limit their alcohol intake to one drink daily for women and two drinks daily for men (1 drink = 5 oz wine, 12 oz beer, or 1.5 oz distilled spirits) in conjunction with their normal meal plan. Alcohol should not be consumed on an empty stomach or following exercise.

References

  1. Jerntorp P, Almer LO (1981) "Chlorpropamide-alcohol flushing in relation to macroangiopathy and peripheral neuropathy in non-insulin dependent diabetes." Acta Med Scand, 656, p. 33-6
  2. Jerntorp P, Almer LO, Holin H, et al. (1983) "Plasma chlorpropamide: a critical factor in chlorpropamide-alcohol flush." Eur J Clin Pharmacol, 24, p. 237-42
  3. Barnett AH, Spiliopoulos AJ, Pyke DA, et al. (1983) "Metabolic studies in chlorpropamide-alcohol flush positive and negative type 2 (non-insulin dependent) diabetic patients with and without retinopathy." Diabetologia, 24, p. 213-5
  4. Hartling SG, Faber OK, Wegmann ML, Wahlin-Boll E, Melander A (1987) "Interaction of ethanol and glipizide in humans." Diabetes Care, 10, p. 683-6
  5. (2002) "Product Information. Diabinese (chlorpropamide)." Pfizer U.S. Pharmaceuticals
  6. (2002) "Product Information. Glucotrol (glipizide)." Pfizer U.S. Pharmaceuticals
  7. "Product Information. Diabeta (glyburide)." Hoechst Marion-Roussel Inc, Kansas City, MO.
  8. Skillman TG, Feldman JM (1981) "The pharmacology of sulfonylureas." Am J Med, 70, p. 361-72
  9. (2002) "Position Statement: evidence-based nutrition principles and recommendations for the treatment and prevention of diabetes related complications. American Diabetes Association." Diabetes Care, 25(Suppl 1), S50-S60
  10. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics."
View all 10 references

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Minor

digoxin food

Applies to: digoxin

Administration of digoxin with a high-fiber meal has been shown to decrease its bioavailability by almost 20%. Fiber can sequester up to 45% of the drug when given orally. Patients should be advised to maintain a regular diet without significant fluctuation in fiber intake while digoxin is being titrated.

Grapefruit juice may modestly increase the plasma concentrations of digoxin. The mechanism is increased absorption of digoxin due to mild inhibition of intestinal P-glycoprotein by certain compounds present in grapefruits. In 12 healthy volunteers, administration of grapefruit juice with and 30 minutes before, as well as 3.5, 7.5, and 11.5 hours after a single digoxin dose (0.5 mg) increased the mean area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) of digoxin by just 9% compared to administration with water. Moreover, P-glycoprotein genetic polymorphism does not appear to influence the magnitude of the effects of grapefruit juice on digoxin. Thus, the interaction is unlikely to be of clinical significance.

References

  1. Darcy PF (1995) "Nutrient-drug interactions." Adverse Drug React Toxicol Rev, 14, p. 233-54
  2. Becquemont L, Verstuyft C, Kerb R, et al. (2001) "Effect of grapefruit juice on digoxin pharmacokinetics in humans." Clin Pharmacol Ther, 70, p. 311-6

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Therapeutic duplication warnings

No warnings were found for your selected drugs.

Therapeutic duplication warnings are only returned when drugs within the same group exceed the recommended therapeutic duplication maximum.

See also

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Drug Interaction Classification

These classifications are only a guideline. The relevance of a particular drug interaction to a specific individual is difficult to determine. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting or stopping any medication.
Major Highly clinically significant. Avoid combinations; the risk of the interaction outweighs the benefit.
Moderate Moderately clinically significant. Usually avoid combinations; use it only under special circumstances.
Minor Minimally clinically significant. Minimize risk; assess risk and consider an alternative drug, take steps to circumvent the interaction risk and/or institute a monitoring plan.
Unknown No interaction information available.

Further information

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