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Drug Interactions between Epitol and lithium

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

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Interactions between your drugs

Moderate

carBAMazepine lithium

Applies to: Epitol (carbamazepine) and lithium

MONITOR: The combination of lithium and carbamazepine, although generally well tolerated, has been reported to cause lethargy, muscular weakness, ataxia, dystonia, a tardive dyskinesia-like syndrome, tremor, sinus node dysfunction. The mechanism is unknown.

MANAGEMENT: Close monitoring for lithium toxicity, altered thyroxine levels, and adverse neurologic and cardiac effects. Patients should be advised to report possible neurotoxic symptoms (tremor, ataxia, hyperreflexia, nystagmus, confusion, drowsiness, or lethargy).

References

  1. Chaudhry RP, Waters BG (1983) "Lithium and carbamazepine interaction: possible neurotoxicity." J Clin Psychiatry, 44, p. 30-1
  2. Shukla S, Godwin CD, Long LE, Miller MG (1984) "Lithium-carbamazepine neurotoxicity and risk factors." Am J Psychiatry, 141, p. 1604-6
  3. Ghose K (1980) "Interaction between lithium and carbamazepine." Br Med J, 286, p. 1122
  4. Lazarus A (1994) "Tardive dyskinesia-like syndrome associated with lithium and carbamazepine." J Clin Psychopharmacol, 14, p. 146-7
  5. Steckler TL (1994) "Lithium- and carbamazepine-associated sinus node dysfunction: nine-year experience in a psychiatric hospital." J Clin Psychopharmacol, 14, p. 336-9
View all 5 references

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Drug and food interactions

Moderate

carBAMazepine food

Applies to: Epitol (carbamazepine)

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

In a small, randomized, crossover study, the administration of carbamazepine with grapefruit juice (compared to water) increased plasma drug concentrations by approximately 40%. The proposed mechanism is inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated first-pass metabolism in the gut wall by certain compounds present in grapefruits.

MANAGEMENT: Patients receiving carbamazepine should be advised to avoid or limit consumption of alcohol. Given the drug's narrow therapeutic index, patients receiving carbamazepine therapy should preferably avoid the regular consumption of grapefruits and grapefruit juice to prevent any undue fluctuations in plasma drug levels. Patients should be advised to report signs of carbamazepine toxicity (nausea, visual disturbances, dizziness, or ataxia) to their physicians.

References

  1. (2002) "Product Information. Tegretol (carbamazepine)." Novartis Pharmaceuticals
  2. Garg SK, Kumar N, Bhargava VK, Prabhakar SK (1998) "Effect of grapefruit juice on carbamazepine bioavailability in patients with epilepsy." Clin Pharmacol Ther, 64, p. 286-8
  3. Bailey DG, Dresser GR, Kreeft JH, Munoz C, Freeman DJ, Bend JR (2000) "Grapefruit-felodipine interaction: Effect of unprocessed fruit and probable active ingredients." Clin Pharmacol Ther, 68, p. 468-77

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Moderate

lithium food

Applies to: lithium

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

lithium food

Applies to: lithium

MONITOR: One study has suggested that caffeine withdrawal may significantly increase blood lithium levels. The mechanism may be involve reversal of a caffeine-induced increase in renal lithium excretion.

MANAGEMENT: When caffeine is eliminated from the diet of lithium-treated patients, caution should be exercised. When caffeine consumption is decreased, close observation for evidence of lithium toxicity and worsening of the psychiatric disorder is recommended. Patients should be advised to notify their physician if they experience symptoms of possible lithium toxicity such as drowsiness, dizziness, weakness, ataxia, tremor, vomiting, diarrhea, thirst, blurry vision, tinnitus, or increased urination.

References

  1. Mester R, Toren P, Mizrachi I, Wolmer L, Karni N, Weizman A (1995) "Caffeine withdrawal increases lithium blood levels." Biol Psychiatry, 37, p. 348-50

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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.

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

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