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Drug Interactions between Darvon and sildenafil

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

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Interactions between your drugs

Moderate

propoxyphene sildenafil

Applies to: Darvon (propoxyphene) and sildenafil

MONITOR: Acute intake of opiates during sildenafil use may result in prolonged erections. The proposed mechanism is an opiate-induced acute increase in cyclic guanosine monophosphate concentrations in peripheral nerve endings, which can be additive with that produced by sildenafil. The interaction has been reported specifically with dihydrocodeine but could conceivably occur with other opiates. In two patients who had been using sildenafil for erectile dysfunction, prolonged erections lasting 2 to 5 hours occurred on several occasions of sildenafil use within the first week after initiation of treatment with dihydrocodeine. One patient discontinued the dihydrocodeine, whereupon his erections from sildenafil returned to normal. The other patient continued taking dihydrocodeine for an additional 2 weeks but had no further problems.

MANAGEMENT: Patients using sildenafil should be advised of the potential for prolonged erections during acute intake of opiates, and to contact their physician if problems occur. The interaction may not occur during chronic use of opiates.

References

  1. Goldmeier D, Lamba H (2002) "Prolonged erections produced by dihydrocodeine and sildenafil." BMJ, 324, p. 1555

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Drug and food interactions

Major

propoxyphene food

Applies to: Darvon (propoxyphene)

GENERALLY AVOID: Alcohol may have additive CNS- and/or respiratory-depressant effects with propoxyphene. Misuse of propoxyphene, either alone or in combination with other CNS depressants, has been a major cause of drug-related deaths, particularly in patients with a history of emotional disturbances, suicidal ideation, or alcohol and drug abuse.

MANAGEMENT: The use of alcohol during propoxyphene therapy should be avoided. Patients should be warned not to exceed the recommended dosage of propoxyphene and to avoid activities requiring mental alertness until they know how these agents affect them.

References

  1. (2001) "Product Information. Darvon (propoxyphene)." Lilly, Eli and Company

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Moderate

sildenafil food

Applies to: sildenafil

GENERALLY AVOID: Coadministration with grapefruit juice may slightly increase the oral bioavailability and delay the onset of action of sildenafil. The proposed mechanism is inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated first-pass metabolism in the gut wall by certain compounds present in grapefruits. In a randomized, crossover study with 24 healthy male volunteers, ingestion of 250 mL of grapefruit juice one hour before and concurrently with a 50 mg dose of sildenafil increased the mean area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) of sildenafil and its pharmacologically active N-desmethyl metabolite by 23% and 24%, respectively, compared to water. Peak plasma concentrations (Cmax) were unaltered, but the time to reach sildenafil Cmax was prolonged by 0.25 hour. The observed increase in sildenafil bioavailability is unlikely to be of clinical significance in most individuals. However, pharmacokinetic interactions involving grapefruit juice are often subject to a high degree of interpatient variability and may be significant in the occasional susceptible patient. Indeed, one subject in the study had a 2.6-fold increase in sildenafil concentrations.

MANAGEMENT: It may be advisable to avoid administration of sildenafil with grapefruit juice to prevent potential toxicity and delay in onset of action.

References

  1. Jetter A, Kinzig-Schippers M, Walchner-Bonjean M, et al. (2002) "Effects of grapefruit juice on the pharmacokinetics of sildenafil." Clin Pharmacol Ther, 71, p. 21-29

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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.