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Drug Interactions between atorvastatin and Photofrin

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

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Interactions between your drugs

Moderate

porfimer atorvastatin

Applies to: Photofrin (porfimer) and atorvastatin

GENERALLY AVOID: Patients exposed to photosensitizing agents at the same time as or in the 30 to 90 days following treatment with porfimer may be at an increased risk of a photosensitivity reaction (e.g., erythema, swelling, pruritus, burning sensations, feeling hot, and/or blisters). These agents have each been individually associated with photosensitivity reactions and may have additive effects if used together. Medicinal products with known phototoxic or photoallergic potential include, but are not limited to, hypericin-containing products (e.g., St. John's Wort), griseofulvin, thiazide diuretics, sulfonylureas, phenothiazines, sulfonamides, quinolones, and tetracyclines. Photosensitivity with porfimer is due to residual drug being present in the skin. Porfimer is cleared from a variety of tissues over 40 to 72 hours after treatment, but organs of the reticuloendothelial system (e.g., liver, spleen), skin and the tumor itself retain the drug for a longer period. Patients treated with porfimer will be photosensitive for at least 30 days and possibly up to 90 days or more for patients with hepatic or severe renal dysfunction. In clinical studies of porfimer, photosensitivity reactions occurred in approximately 20% of cancer patients and 69% of high-grade dysplasia in Barrett's esophagus patients.

MANAGEMENT: Use of photosensitizing agents should be avoided for at least 30 days and maybe up to 90 days or longer after porfimer treatment depending on the patient's hepatic function, renal function, and/or ability to tolerate exposure to sunlight. Following treatment with porfimer, patients should follow measures outlined in the product labeling for light and sun exposure. It is important to counsel patients to expose their skin to ambient indoor light as it is not only safe but will help eliminate porfimer through the skin by a process called "photobleaching." Before exposing skin or eyes to direct sunlight or bright indoor light (e.g., examination lamps, dental lamps, operating room lamps, floodlights, halogen lamps, unshaded light bulbs at close proximity, etc.), patients should test for residual photosensitivity as described in porfimer's product labeling.

References

  1. Hoffman GA, Gradl G, Schulz M, Haidinger G, Tanew A, Weber B (2020) "The frequency of photosensitizing drug dispensings in Austria and Germany: A correlation with their photosensitizing potential based on published literature." J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol, 34, p. 589-600
  2. Blakely KM, Drucker AM, Rosen CF (2019) "Drug-induced photosensitivity—an update: Culprit drugs, prevention and management." Drug Saf, 42, p. 827-47
  3. (2023) "Product Information. Photofrin (porfimer)." Pinnacle Biologicals, Inc.
  4. Concordia Laboratories Inc. (2023) Photofrin sterile porfimer sodium for injection for intravenous use antineoplastic photosensitizing agent. https://pdf.hres.ca/dpd_pm/00028148.PDF
  5. Pinnacle Biologics B.V. (2023) Annex I summary of product characteristics https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/product-information/photobarr-epar-product-information_en.pdf
View all 5 references

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Drug and food interactions

Moderate

atorvastatin food

Applies to: atorvastatin

GENERALLY AVOID: Coadministration with grapefruit juice may increase the plasma concentrations of atorvastatin. The proposed mechanism is inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated first-pass metabolism in the gut wall by certain compounds present in grapefruit. When a single 40 mg dose of atorvastatin was coadministered with 240 mL of grapefruit juice, atorvastatin peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and systemic exposure (AUC) increased by 16% and 37%, respectively. Greater increases in Cmax (up to 71%) and/or AUC (up to 2.5 fold) have been reported with excessive consumption of grapefruit juice (>=750 mL to 1.2 liters per day). Clinically, high levels of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitory activity in plasma is associated with an increased risk of musculoskeletal toxicity. Myopathy manifested as muscle pain and/or weakness associated with grossly elevated creatine kinase exceeding ten times the upper limit of normal has been reported occasionally. Rhabdomyolysis has also occurred rarely, which may be accompanied by acute renal failure secondary to myoglobinuria and may result in death.

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Fibres 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 should limit their consumption of grapefruit juice to no more than 1 liter per day. Patients should be advised to promptly report any unexplained muscle pain, tenderness or weakness, particularly if accompanied by fever, malaise and/or dark colored urine. Therapy should be discontinued if creatine kinase is markedly elevated in the absence of strenuous exercise or if myopathy is otherwise suspected or diagnosed. In addition, patients 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.

References

  1. Richter WO, Jacob BG, Schwandt P (1991) "Interaction between fibre and lovastatin." Lancet, 338, p. 706
  2. McMillan K (1996) "Considerations in the formulary selection of hydroxymethylglutaryl coenzyme a reductase inhibitors." Am J Health Syst Pharm, 53, p. 2206-14
  3. (2001) "Product Information. Lipitor (atorvastatin)." Parke-Davis
  4. Boberg M, Angerbauer R, Fey P, Kanhai WK, Karl W, Kern A, Ploschke J, Radtke M (1997) "Metabolism of cerivastatin by human liver microsomes in vitro. Characterization of primary metabolic pathways and of cytochrome P45 isozymes involved." Drug Metab Dispos, 25, p. 321-31
  5. Bailey DG, Malcolm J, Arnold O, Spence JD (1998) "Grapefruit juice-drug interactions." Br J Clin Pharmacol, 46, p. 101-10
  6. Lilja JJ, Kivisto KT, Neuvonen PJ (1999) "Grapefruit juice increases serum concentrations of atorvastatin and has no effect on pravastatin." Clin Pharmacol Ther, 66, p. 118-27
  7. Neuvonen PJ, Backman JT, Niemi M (2008) "Pharmacokinetic comparison of the potential over-the-counter statins simvastatin, lovastatin, fluvastatin and pravastatin." Clin Pharmacokinet, 47, p. 463-74
View all 7 references

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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.

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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.

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