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Drug Interactions between Cordarone and ibutilide

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

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Interactions between your drugs

Major

amiodarone ibutilide

Applies to: Cordarone (amiodarone) and ibutilide

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Class III antiarrhythmic agents and ibutilide have additive effects and may prolong cardiac refractoriness and increase the risk of arrhythmias. Like other class III antiarrhythmic agents, ibutilide can cause dose-related QT interval prolongation. Theoretically, coadministration with other agents that can prolong the QT interval may result in additive effects and increased risk of ventricular arrhythmias including torsade de pointes and sudden death. In general, the risk of an individual agent or a combination of agents causing ventricular arrhythmia in association with QT prolongation is largely unpredictable but may be increased by certain underlying risk factors such as congenital long QT syndrome, cardiac disease, and electrolyte disturbances (e.g., hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia). In addition, the extent of drug-induced QT prolongation is dependent on the particular drug(s) involved and dosage(s) of the drug(s).

MANAGEMENT: Class III antiarrhythmic agents should not be given concomitantly with ibutilide (which also has class III properties) or within four hours after ibutilide is given. In clinical trials, other class III antiarrhythmic agents were withheld for at least five half-lives prior to ibutilide infusion and for four hours after dosing, but thereafter were allowed at the doctor's discretion.

References

  1. (2001) "Product Information. Corvert (ibutilide)." Pharmacia and Upjohn
  2. Canadian Pharmacists Association (2006) e-CPS. http://www.pharmacists.ca/function/Subscriptions/ecps.cfm?link=eCPS_quikLink

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Drug and food interactions

Major

amiodarone food

Applies to: Cordarone (amiodarone)

GENERALLY AVOID: Grapefruit juice may significantly increase the plasma concentrations of orally administered amiodarone. The proposed mechanism is inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated first-pass metabolism in the gut wall by certain compounds present in grapefruits. In 11 nonsmoking, healthy volunteers, grapefruit juice (300 mL with drug administration, then 3 hours and 9 hours later) increased the mean peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) of amiodarone (17 mg/kg single dose) by 84% and 50%, respectively, compared to water. Formation of the pharmacologically active metabolite, N-desethylamiodarone (N-DEA), was completely inhibited. Clinically, this interaction can lead to altered efficacy of amiodarone, since antiarrhythmic properties of amiodarone and N-DEA appear to differ. In the study, mean increases in PR and QTc intervals of 17.9% and 11.3%, respectively, were observed 6 hours postdose with water, while increases of 10.2% and 3.3%, respectively, were observed after administration with grapefruit juice.

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Food increases the rate and extent of absorption of amiodarone. The mechanism appears to involve the effect of food-induced physiologic changes on drug release from its formulation. In 30 healthy volunteers, administration of a single 600 mg dose of amiodarone following a high-fat meal resulted in a Cmax and AUC that were 3.8 and 2.4 times the respective values under fasting conditions. The time to reach peak plasma concentration (Tmax) was decreased by 37%, indicating an increased rate of absorption. Mean Cmax and AUC for the active metabolite, N-DEA, also increased by 32% and 55%, respectively, but there was no change in the Tmax.

MANAGEMENT: Patients treated with oral amiodarone should avoid consumption of grapefruits and grapefruit juice. In addition, oral amiodarone should be administered consistently with regard to meals.

References

  1. (2002) "Product Information. Cordarone (amiodarone)." Wyeth-Ayerst Laboratories
  2. Libersa CC, Brique SA, Motte KB, et al. (2000) "Dramatic inhibition of amiodarone metabolism induced by grapefruit juice." Br J Clin Pharmacol, 49, p. 373-8
  3. Meng X, Mojaverian P, Doedee M, Lin E, Weinryb I, Chiang ST, Kowey PR (2001) "Bioavailability of Amiodarone tablets administered with and without food in healthy subjects." Am J Cardiol, 87, p. 432-5

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Therapeutic duplication warnings

Therapeutic duplication is the use of more than one medicine from the same drug category or therapeutic class to treat the same condition. This can be intentional in cases where drugs with similar actions are used together for demonstrated therapeutic benefit. It can also be unintentional in cases where a patient has been treated by more than one doctor, or had prescriptions filled at more than one pharmacy, and can have potentially adverse consequences.

Duplication

Antiarrhythmics

Therapeutic duplication

The recommended maximum number of medicines in the 'antiarrhythmics' category to be taken concurrently is usually one. Your list includes two medicines belonging to the 'antiarrhythmics' category:

  • Cordarone (amiodarone)
  • ibutilide

Note: In certain circumstances, the benefits of taking this combination of drugs may outweigh any risks. Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your medications or dosage.

Duplication

Group iii antiarrhythmics

Therapeutic duplication

The recommended maximum number of medicines in the 'group III antiarrhythmics' category to be taken concurrently is usually one. Your list includes two medicines belonging to the 'group III antiarrhythmics' category:

  • Cordarone (amiodarone)
  • ibutilide

Note: In certain circumstances, the benefits of taking this combination of drugs may outweigh any risks. Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your medications or dosage.

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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