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Drug Interactions between clonazepam and Epitol

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

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Interactions between your drugs

Moderate

carBAMazepine clonazePAM

Applies to: Epitol (carbamazepine) and clonazepam

MONITOR: Carbamazepine may reduce serum clonazepam levels. The mechanism may be related to induction of metabolism. The risk of CNS-depressant side effects, such as sedation and apathy, may be increased with this combination.

MANAGEMENT: If these drugs must be used together, observation for clinical and laboratory evidence of altered clonazepam effect is recommended.

References

  1. Lai AA, Levy RH, Cutler RE (1978) "Time-course of interaction between carbamazepine and clonazepam in normal man." Clin Pharmacol Ther, 24, p. 316-23
  2. (2001) "Product Information. Klonopin (clonazepam)." Roche Laboratories
  3. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics."

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Drug and food interactions

Moderate

carBAMazepine food

Applies to: Epitol (carbamazepine)

GENERALLY AVOID: Alcohol may potentiate some of the pharmacologic effects of carbamazepine. Use in combination may result in additive central nervous system depression and/or impairment of judgment, thinking, and psychomotor skills.

In a small, randomized, crossover study, the administration of carbamazepine with grapefruit juice (compared to water) increased plasma drug concentrations by approximately 40%. The proposed mechanism is inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated first-pass metabolism in the gut wall by certain compounds present in grapefruits.

MANAGEMENT: Patients receiving carbamazepine should be advised to avoid or limit consumption of alcohol. Given the drug's narrow therapeutic index, patients receiving carbamazepine therapy should preferably avoid the regular consumption of grapefruits and grapefruit juice to prevent any undue fluctuations in plasma drug levels. Patients should be advised to report signs of carbamazepine toxicity (nausea, visual disturbances, dizziness, or ataxia) to their physicians.

References

  1. (2002) "Product Information. Tegretol (carbamazepine)." Novartis Pharmaceuticals
  2. Garg SK, Kumar N, Bhargava VK, Prabhakar SK (1998) "Effect of grapefruit juice on carbamazepine bioavailability in patients with epilepsy." Clin Pharmacol Ther, 64, p. 286-8
  3. Bailey DG, Dresser GR, Kreeft JH, Munoz C, Freeman DJ, Bend JR (2000) "Grapefruit-felodipine interaction: Effect of unprocessed fruit and probable active ingredients." Clin Pharmacol Ther, 68, p. 468-77

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Moderate

clonazePAM food

Applies to: clonazepam

GENERALLY AVOID: Acute ethanol ingestion may potentiate the CNS effects of many benzodiazepines. Tolerance may develop with chronic ethanol use. The mechanism may be decreased clearance of the benzodiazepines because of CYP450 hepatic enzyme inhibition. Also, it has been suggested that the cognitive deficits induced by benzodiazepines may be increased in patients who chronically consume large amounts of alcohol.

MANAGEMENT: Patients should be advised to avoid alcohol during benzodiazepine therapy.

References

  1. MacLeod SM, Giles HG, Patzalek G, Thiessen JJ, Sellers EM (1977) "Diazepam actions and plasma concentrations following ethanol ingestion." Eur J Clin Pharmacol, 11, p. 345-9
  2. Whiting B, Lawrence JR, Skellern GG, Meier J (1979) "Effect of acute alcohol intoxication on the metabolism and plasma kinetics of chlordiazepoxide." Br J Clin Pharmacol, 7, p. 95-100
  3. Divoll M, Greenblatt DJ, Lacasse Y, Shader RI (1981) "Benzodiazepine overdosage: plasma concentrations and clinical outcome." Psychopharmacology (Berl), 73, p. 381-3
  4. Juhl RP, Van Thiel DH, Dittert LW, Smith RB (1984) "Alprazolam pharmacokinetics in alcoholic liver disease." J Clin Pharmacol, 24, p. 113-9
  5. Ochs HR, Greenblatt DJ, Arendt RM, Hubbel W, Shader RI (1984) "Pharmacokinetic noninteraction of triazolam and ethanol." J Clin Psychopharmacol, 4, p. 106-7
  6. Staak M, Raff G, Nusser W (1979) "Pharmacopsychological investigations concerning the combined effects of dipotassium clorazepate and ethanol." Int J Clin Pharmacol Biopharm, 17, p. 205-12
  7. Nichols JM, Martin F, Kirkby KC (1993) "A comparison of the effect of lorazepam on memory in heavy and low social drinkers." Psychopharmacology (Berl), 112, p. 475-82
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.

Further information

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