Drug Interactions between droperidol and Kalexate

MONITOR CLOSELY: The use of droperidol has been associated with QT interval prolongation, torsade de pointes and other serious arrhythmias, and sudden death. The concurrent administration of agents that can produce hypokalemia and/or hypomagnesemia (e.g., potassium-wasting diuretics, amphotericin B, cation exchange resins), drugs known to increase the QT interval (e.g., phenothiazines, tricyclic antidepressants, antiarrhythmic agents, etc.), certain other drugs (benzodiazepines, volatile anesthetics, intravenous opiates), or alcohol abuse may increase the risk of prolonged QT syndrome. In addition, central nervous system- and/or respiratory-depressant effects may be additively or synergistically increased in patients taking droperidol with certain other drugs that cause these effects, especially in elderly or debilitated patients.

MANAGEMENT: The manufacturer recommends extreme caution if droperidol must be given concomitantly with these agents. The dosage of droperidol should be individualized and titrated to the desired effect. Routine vital sign and ECG monitoring is recommended. When droperidol is used in combination with other drugs that cause CNS and/or respiratory depression, patients should be monitored for potentially excessive or prolonged CNS and respiratory depression. Ambulatory patients should be counseled to avoid hazardous activities requiring mental alertness and motor coordination until they know how these agents affect them, and to notify their doctor if they experience excessive or prolonged CNS effects that interfere with their normal activities.

Switch to consumer interaction data

GENERALLY AVOID: Potassium in foods can bind to the cation exchange resin and interfere with potassium removal in the treatment of hyperkalemia.

MANAGEMENT: Cation exchange resins should not be mixed with orange juice or other foods with a high potassium content.

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Cation exchange resins may bind to other medications that are administered orally. Reduced systemic absorption and therapeutic efficacy may occur. Manufacturers have reported that polystyrene sulfonate exchange resins can decrease the absorption of lithium and levothyroxine. A more recent study found that sodium polystyrene sulfonate binds to many commonly prescribed oral medications. Another potassium-lowering drug, patiromer, has also been found to bind about half of the medications tested, some of which are commonly used in patients who require potassium-lowering drugs.

MANAGEMENT: To minimize the risk of interaction, patients should be advised to separate the dosing of the cation exchange resin from other orally administered medications by at least 3 hours. The dosing interval should be increased to 6 hours for patients with gastroparesis or other conditions resulting in delayed emptying of food from the stomach into the small intestine. Health care professionals should monitor blood levels and/or clinical response to the other medications when appropriate.

Switch to consumer interaction data

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Simultaneous administration of cation-donating preparations may reduce the potassium exchange capability of cation-exchange resins due to binding of the cation to the resin.

MANAGEMENT: Patients should consider separating the times of administration of the cation-exchange resin and any cation-donating preparation (e.g., mineral supplements; antacids; products containing antacids such as didanosine buffered tablets or pediatric oral solution) by several hours if possible.

Switch to consumer interaction data