Drug Interactions between Diastat and mitotane

GENERALLY AVOID: Acute alcohol ingestion may potentiate the CNS depression and other 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.

MONITOR: Grapefruit juice may increase the plasma concentrations of orally administered drugs that are substrates of the CYP450 3A4 isoenzyme. However, the interaction seems to affect primarily those drugs that undergo significant presystemic metabolism by CYP450 3A4 (i.e., drugs with low oral bioavailability), presumably due to the fact that grapefruit juice inhibits intestinal rather than hepatic CYP450 3A4. 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 to avoid alcohol during benzodiazepine therapy. Patients who regularly consume grapefruit or grapefruit juice should be monitored for adverse effects and altered plasma concentrations of drugs that undergo significant presystemic metabolism by CYP450 3A4. Grapefruit and grapefruit juice should be avoided if an interaction is suspected. Orange juice is not expected to interact with these drugs.

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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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One study has reported a 22% reduction in diazepam plasma levels when coadministered with caffeine. The exact mechanism of this interaction has not been specified. Physicians and patients should be aware that changes to caffeine consumption habits may impact the efficacy of diazepam therapy.

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