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Drug Interactions between cimetidine and Zinacef

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

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Interactions between your drugs

Moderate

cefuroxime cimetidine

Applies to: Zinacef (cefuroxime) and cimetidine

GENERALLY AVOID: The coadministration with H2-receptor antagonists, proton pump inhibitors, or other agents that can increase gastric pH may reduce the oral bioavailability of cefpodoxime proxetil and cefuroxime axetil. The proposed mechanism is a pH-dependent reduction in drug dissolution and absorption. In ten healthy volunteers, famotidine 40 mg administered one hour before the ingestion of cefpodoxime proxetil 200 mg led to an approximately 40% reduction in the cefpodoxime peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) compared to when the drug was given alone. Similar results were reported with ranitidine in another study, where cefpodoxime Cmax and AUC decreased by approximately 30%. Likewise, pretreatment with ranitidine plus sodium bicarbonate decreased the Cmax and AUC of cefuroxime by over 40% in six healthy volunteers. The clinical significance of these effects is unknown, but potentially reduced antibiotic efficacy should be considered.

MANAGEMENT: Until further data are available, patients treated with cefpodoxime proxetil or cefuroxime axetil may want to avoid using H2-receptor antagonists, proton pump inhibitors, or other agents that can increase gastric pH. An alternative antibiotic may be considered if these medications cannot be discontinued.

References

  1. Saathoff N, Lode H, Neider K, et al. (1992) "Pharmacokinetics of cefpodoxime and interactions with an antacid and an H2 receptor antagonist." Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 36, p. 796-800
  2. Hughes GS, Heald DL, Barker KB, et al. (1989) "The effects of gastric pH and food on the pharmacokinetics of a new oral cephalosporin, cefpodoxime proxetil." Clin Pharmacol Ther, 46, p. 674-85
  3. Sommers DK, van Wyk M, Moncrieff J, Schoeman HS (1984) "Influence of food and reduced gastric acidity on the bioavailability of bacampicillin and cefuroxime axetil." Br J Clin Pharmacol, 18, p. 535-9
  4. Honig PK, Gillespie BK (1998) "Clinical significance of pharmacokinetic drug interactions with over-the-counter (OTC) drugs." Clin Pharmacokinet, 35, p. 167-71
View all 4 references

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Drug and food interactions

Minor

cimetidine food

Applies to: cimetidine

Concurrent use of cimetidine and ethanol may result in increased ethanol concentrations. The mechanism appears to be due to inhibition of gastric alcohol dehydrogenase by cimetidine, leading to increased bioavailability of the alcohol and inhibition of hepatic metabolism of alcohol. The clinical significance of this interaction is limited. More importantly, patients requiring cimetidine for gastrointestinal disease should be counseled to avoid alcohol to prevent worsening of their disease. The other H-2 receptor antagonists appear to have minimal effects on the concentrations of alcohol.

References

  1. Feely J, Wood AJ (1982) "Effects of cimetidine on the elimination and actions of ethanol." JAMA, 247, p. 2819-21
  2. Hansten PD (1992) "Effects of H2-receptor antagonists on blood alcohol levels." JAMA, 267, p. 2469

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Minor

cimetidine food

Applies to: cimetidine

Caffeine effects may be increased in patients also taking cimetidine. The mechanism may be due to decreased caffeine metabolism induced by cimetidine. Although adequate clinical data are lacking, a reduction in dose or elimination of caffeine may be needed if excess CNS stimulation is observed.

References

  1. (2001) "Product Information. Tagamet (cimetidine)." SmithKline Beecham
  2. Broughton LJ, Rodgers HJ (1981) "Decreased systenuc clearance of caffeine due to cimetidine." Br J Clin Pharmacol, 12, p. 155-9

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Minor

cimetidine food

Applies to: cimetidine

H2 antagonists may reduce the clearance of nicotine. Cimetidine, 600 mg given twice a day for two days, reduced clearance of an intravenous nicotine dose by 30%. Ranitidine, 300 mg given twice a day for two days, reduced clearance by 10%. The clinical significance of this interaction is not known. Patients should be monitored for increased nicotine effects when using the patches or gum for smoking cessation and dosage adjustments should be made as appropriate.

References

  1. Bendayan R, Sullivan JT, Shaw C, Frecker RC, Sellers EM (1990) "Effect of cimetidine and ranitidine on the hepatic and renal elimination of nicotine in humans." Eur J Clin Pharmacol, 38, p. 165-9

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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

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

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