Drug Interactions between Cardizem CD and mitotane

MONITOR: Like many CNS-active agents, alcohol can exhibit hypotensive effects. Coadministration with antihypertensive agents including diltiazem may result in additive effects on blood pressure and orthostasis.

MONITOR: Grapefruit juice may increase the plasma concentrations of orally administered diltiazem in some patients. The proposed mechanism is inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated first-pass metabolism in the gut wall by certain compounds present in grapefruit. In a study of ten healthy male volunteers, administration of a single 120 mg oral dose of immediate-release diltiazem in combination with 250 mL of grapefruit juice increased the diltiazem peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and systemic exposure (AUC) by an average of 22% and 20%, respectively, compared to administration with water. The time to reach Cmax (Tmax) and the terminal half-life were not affected, and no statistically significant differences in blood pressure and heart rate were observed during administration with grapefruit juice relative to water. In a different study, repeated administration of 200 mL of grapefruit juice at 0, 2, 4, 8 and 12 hours had no significant effect on the Cmax or AUC of a single 120 mg oral dose of diltiazem, but increased its half-life from 4.1 to 5.1 hours. The ratios for the N-demethyl and deacetyl metabolites to diltiazem were also not affected by grapefruit juice. However, because pharmacokinetic interactions involving grapefruit juice are often subject to a high degree of interpatient variability, the extent to which a given patient may be affected is difficult to predict.

MANAGEMENT: Patients should be advised that alcohol may potentiate the hypotensive effects of diltiazem, especially during the initiation of therapy and following a dosage increase. Caution should be exercised when rising from a sitting or recumbent position, and patients should notify their physician if they experience dizziness, lightheadedness, syncope, orthostasis, or tachycardia. Patients who regularly consume grapefruit or grapefruit juice should be monitored for increased adverse effects of diltiazem such as such as headache, irregular heartbeat, edema, unexplained weight gain, and chest pain. Grapefruit and grapefruit juice should be avoided if an interaction is suspected.

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ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Fat-rich food enhances the absorption of mitotane. One study evaluated blood levels of mitotane (o,p'-DDD) after subjects ingested a single dose of 2 g administered using various delivery vehicles (e.g., tablets, granules, milk, chocolate or oil emulsion). Mitotane plasma levels were significantly higher for milk, chocolate, and oil emulsion when compared to those who received tablets or granules alone. In the same study, mitotane levels were evaluated in subjects following long-term treatment (total dose of 200 g over 30 to 60 days) in tablet, oil emulsion, or milk formulations. Significantly higher mean plasma levels were recorded in subjects who received mitotane as an oil emulsion or mixed in milk, when compared to tablets alone. Additionally, the recovery of o,p'-DDD from the feces was about 5 times higher in subjects who received tablets alone, suggesting absorption was reduced when compared to subjects who received mitotane mixed with a fat-rich vehicle (e.g., oil emulsion or milk).

GENERALLY AVOID: Concomitant use of mitotane with central nervous system (CNS) depressants, including alcohol, may potentiate adverse effects such as somnolence and sedation.

MANAGEMENT: According to product labeling, mitotane tablets should be taken during meals containing fat-rich food (e.g., milk, chocolate, or oil) and with a full glass of water. Patients should be advised to avoid or limit consumption of alcohol and to avoid activities requiring mental alertness such as driving or operating hazardous machinery until they know how the medication affects them.

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MONITOR: Calcium-containing products may decrease the effectiveness of calcium channel blockers by saturating calcium channels with calcium. Calcium chloride has been used to manage acute severe verapamil toxicity.

MANAGEMENT: Management consists of monitoring the effectiveness of calcium channel blocker therapy during coadministration with calcium products.

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