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Drug Interactions between difelikefalin and Dolophine

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

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Interactions between your drugs

Moderate

methadone difelikefalin

Applies to: Dolophine (methadone) and difelikefalin

MONITOR: The central nervous system (CNS) adverse effects of difelikefalin (e.g., dizziness, somnolence, mental status changes, gait disturbances) may be potentiated by the concomitant use of opioids. In two clinical trials, 17% of hemodialysis patients receiving difelikefalin reported at least one CNS side effect, compared to 12% of patients who received placebo. When patients were analyzed by age, the incidence of somnolence was found to be higher in difelikefalin-treated patients 65 years of age or older (7%) than in those less than 65 years old (2.8%).

MONITOR: Concomitant use of difelikefalin with opioids may increase the risk of hyperkalemia. In clinical trials, the incidence of hyperkalemia was 4.7% in patients who received difelikefalin versus 3.5% in placebo-treated patients. Additionally, 2.8% of difelikefalin-treated subjects had potassium levels greater than 7 mmol/L, compared to 1.0% in the placebo group. In subjects also receiving opioids, the incidence of hyperkalemia was almost doubled in the difelikefalin group (11.7%) compared to the placebo group (6.2%). The clinical relevance of these findings is unknown, as a causal relationship has not been established.

MANAGEMENT: Caution is advised during coadministration of difelikefalin with opioids. Patients should be monitored for increased adverse CNS effects, particularly in patients 65 years of age and older. Patients should not drive, operate machinery, or engage in hazardous activities requiring mental alertness and motor coordination until they know how the medications affect them. In addition, more frequent monitoring of serum potassium levels may be required. Patients should be advised to seek medical attention if they experience signs and symptoms of hyperkalemia such as nausea, vomiting, weakness, listlessness, tingling of the extremities, paralysis, convulsion, weak pulse, and a slow or irregular heartbeat.

References

  1. (2021) "Product Information. Korsuva (difelikefalin)." Cara Therapeutics, Inc.
  2. (2022) "Product Information. Korsuva (difelikefalin)." Otsuka Canada Pharmaceutical Inc
  3. (2022) "Product Information. Kapruvia (difelikefalin)." Vifor Fresenius Medical Care Renal Pharma UK Ltd

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Drug and food interactions

Moderate

methadone food

Applies to: Dolophine (methadone)

GENERALLY AVOID: Coadministration with grapefruit juice may increase the plasma concentrations of methadone. The proposed mechanism is inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated first-pass metabolism in the gut wall by certain compounds present in grapefruits. In 8 study subjects stabilized on methadone maintenance treatment, ingestion of regular strength grapefruit juice (200 mL one-half hour before and 200 mL simultaneously with the daily methadone dose) for five days resulted in an approximately 17% mean increase in methadone peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and systemic exposure (AUC) and a 14% mean decrease in apparent clearance for both the R(+) and S(-) enantiomers. Grapefruit juice did not affect the time to peak level (Tmax), terminal half-life, or apparent volume of distribution of methadone. No signs or symptoms of methadone toxicity or changes in intensity of withdrawal symptoms were reported in the study.

MANAGEMENT: Given the interindividual variability in the pharmacokinetics of methadone, a more significant interaction with grapefruit juice in certain patients cannot be ruled out. Patients treated with methadone should preferably avoid or limit the consumption of grapefruit juice, particularly during the induction of maintenance treatment.

References

  1. Iribarne C, Berthou F, Baird S, Dreano Y, Picart D, Bail JP, Beaune P, Menez JF (1996) "Involvement of cytochrome P450 3A4 enzyme in the N-demethylation of methadone in human liver microsomes." Chem Res Toxicol, 9, p. 365-73
  2. Oda Y, Kharasch ED (2001) "Metabolism of methadone and levo-alpha-acetylmethadol (LAAM) by human intestinal cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4): potential contribution of intestinal metabolism to presystemic clearance and bioactivation." J Pharmacol Exp Ther, 298, p. 1021-32
  3. Benmebarek M, Devaud C, Gex-Fabry M, et al. (2004) "Effects of grapefruit juice on the pharmacokinetics of the enantiomers of methadone." Clin Pharmacol Ther, 76, p. 55-63
  4. Foster DJ, Somogyi AA, Bochner F (1999) "Methadone N-demethylation in human liver microsomes: lack of stereoselectivity and involvement of CYP3A4." Br J Clin Pharmacol, 47, p. 403-12
View all 4 references

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Moderate

difelikefalin food

Applies to: difelikefalin

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

MANAGEMENT: Patients receiving CNS-active agents should be warned of this interaction and advised to avoid or limit consumption of alcohol. Ambulatory patients should be counseled to avoid hazardous activities requiring complete mental alertness and motor coordination until they know how these agents affect them, and to notify their physician if they experience excessive or prolonged CNS effects that interfere with their normal activities.

References

  1. Warrington SJ, Ankier SI, Turner P (1986) "Evaluation of possible interactions between ethanol and trazodone or amitriptyline." Neuropsychobiology, 15, p. 31-7
  2. Gilman AG, eds., Nies AS, Rall TW, Taylor P (1990) "Goodman and Gilman's the Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics." New York, NY: Pergamon Press Inc.
  3. (2012) "Product Information. Fycompa (perampanel)." Eisai Inc
  4. (2015) "Product Information. Rexulti (brexpiprazole)." Otsuka American Pharmaceuticals Inc
View all 4 references

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Moderate

methadone food

Applies to: Dolophine (methadone)

GENERALLY AVOID: Ethanol may potentiate the central nervous system (CNS) depressant effects of opioid analgesics. Concomitant use may result in additive CNS depression and impairment of judgment, thinking, and psychomotor skills. In more severe cases, hypotension, respiratory depression, profound sedation, coma, or even death may occur.

MANAGEMENT: Concomitant use of opioid analgesics with ethanol should be avoided.

References

  1. Linnoila M, Hakkinen S (1974) "Effects of diazepam and codeine, alone and in combination with alcohol, on simulated driving." Clin Pharmacol Ther, 15, p. 368-73
  2. Sturner WQ, Garriott JC (1973) "Deaths involving propoxyphene: a study of 41 cases over a two-year period." JAMA, 223, p. 1125-30
  3. Girre C, Hirschhorn M, Bertaux L, et al. (1991) "Enhancement of propoxyphene bioavailability by ethanol: relation to psychomotor and cognitive function in healthy volunteers." Eur J Clin Pharmacol, 41, p. 147-52
  4. Levine B, Saady J, Fierro M, Valentour J (1984) "A hydromorphone and ethanol fatality." J Forensic Sci, 29, p. 655-9
  5. Sellers EM, Hamilton CA, Kaplan HL, Degani NC, Foltz RL (1985) "Pharmacokinetic interaction of propoxyphene with ethanol." Br J Clin Pharmacol, 19, p. 398-401
  6. Carson DJ (1977) "Fatal dextropropoxyphene poisoning in Northern Ireland. Review of 30 cases." Lancet, 1, p. 894-7
  7. Rosser WW (1980) "The interaction of propoxyphene with other drugs." Can Med Assoc J, 122, p. 149-50
  8. Edwards C, Gard PR, Handley SL, Hunter M, Whittington RM (1982) "Distalgesic and ethanol-impaired function." Lancet, 2, p. 384
  9. Kiplinger GF, Sokol G, Rodda BE (1974) "Effect of combined alcohol and propoxyphene on human performance." Arch Int Pharmacodyn Ther, 212, p. 175-80
View all 9 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.

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