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Drug Interactions between erythromycin / sulfisoxazole and remdesivir

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

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Interactions between your drugs

Moderate

erythromycin remdesivir

Applies to: erythromycin / sulfisoxazole and remdesivir

GENERALLY AVOID: Concomitant use of remdesivir with other agents that are known to induce hepatotoxicity may theoretically increase the risk of liver injury. Data from investigational use and clinical studies suggest that remdesivir may be associated with hepatotoxic effects. Transient treatment-emergent Grade 1 or Grade 2 elevations in alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were observed during multiple-dose Phase 1 studies in healthy volunteers. Some ALT and AST elevations were associated with graded PT elevations, but there were no graded changes in international normalized ratio (INR). Laboratory results for these subjects indicated no systemic sign of drug reaction. Liver transaminase elevations, including grade 3 or higher, were also observed in some participants during compassionate or investigational use of remdesivir and clinical studies for the treatment of COVID-19. The mechanism of potential hepatotoxicity is unknown and the contribution of remdesivir is difficult to determine, as transaminase elevations have also been reported as a component of COVID-19, including in patients receiving placebo in clinical trials of remdesivir.

MANAGEMENT: Until more information is available, concomitant use of remdesivir with known hepatotoxic drugs should be avoided when possible. Liver function should be evaluated prior to starting remdesivir and monitored during treatment as clinically appropriate. Remdesivir should not be initiated in patients with ALT greater than or equal to 5 times the upper limit of normal (ULN) at baseline. Likewise, remdesivir should be discontinued immediately if ALT increases to 5 times ULN or greater during treatment (may be restarted when ALT falls below 5 times ULN), or if ALT elevation is accompanied by signs or symptoms of liver inflammation or increasing conjugated bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, or INR.

References

  1. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics."
  2. Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information."
  3. Gilead Sciences, Inc (2020) About Remdesivir. https://www.gilead.com/purpose/advancing-global-health/covid-19/about-remdesivir
  4. European Medicines Agency (2020) Summary on compassionate use. Remdesivir Gilead. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/other/summary-compassionate-use-remdesivir-gilead_en.pdf
  5. US Food and Drug Administration (2020) Fact sheet for health care providers emergency use authorization (EUA) of remdesivir (GS-5734TM) https://www.fda.gov/media/137566/download
View all 5 references

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Moderate

sulfiSOXAZOLE remdesivir

Applies to: erythromycin / sulfisoxazole and remdesivir

GENERALLY AVOID: Concomitant use of remdesivir with other agents that are known to induce hepatotoxicity may theoretically increase the risk of liver injury. Data from investigational use and clinical studies suggest that remdesivir may be associated with hepatotoxic effects. Transient treatment-emergent Grade 1 or Grade 2 elevations in alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were observed during multiple-dose Phase 1 studies in healthy volunteers. Some ALT and AST elevations were associated with graded PT elevations, but there were no graded changes in international normalized ratio (INR). Laboratory results for these subjects indicated no systemic sign of drug reaction. Liver transaminase elevations, including grade 3 or higher, were also observed in some participants during compassionate or investigational use of remdesivir and clinical studies for the treatment of COVID-19. The mechanism of potential hepatotoxicity is unknown and the contribution of remdesivir is difficult to determine, as transaminase elevations have also been reported as a component of COVID-19, including in patients receiving placebo in clinical trials of remdesivir.

MANAGEMENT: Until more information is available, concomitant use of remdesivir with known hepatotoxic drugs should be avoided when possible. Liver function should be evaluated prior to starting remdesivir and monitored during treatment as clinically appropriate. Remdesivir should not be initiated in patients with ALT greater than or equal to 5 times the upper limit of normal (ULN) at baseline. Likewise, remdesivir should be discontinued immediately if ALT increases to 5 times ULN or greater during treatment (may be restarted when ALT falls below 5 times ULN), or if ALT elevation is accompanied by signs or symptoms of liver inflammation or increasing conjugated bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, or INR.

References

  1. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics."
  2. Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information."
  3. Gilead Sciences, Inc (2020) About Remdesivir. https://www.gilead.com/purpose/advancing-global-health/covid-19/about-remdesivir
  4. European Medicines Agency (2020) Summary on compassionate use. Remdesivir Gilead. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/other/summary-compassionate-use-remdesivir-gilead_en.pdf
  5. US Food and Drug Administration (2020) Fact sheet for health care providers emergency use authorization (EUA) of remdesivir (GS-5734TM) https://www.fda.gov/media/137566/download
View all 5 references

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Drug and food interactions

Moderate

erythromycin food

Applies to: erythromycin / sulfisoxazole

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Food may variably affect the bioavailability of different oral formulations and salt forms of erythromycin. The individual product package labeling should be consulted regarding the appropriate time of administration in relation to food ingestion. Grapefruit juice may increase the plasma concentrations of orally administered erythromycin. The proposed mechanism is inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated first-pass metabolism in the gut wall by certain compounds present in grapefruits. In an open-label, crossover study consisting of six healthy subjects, the coadministration with double-strength grapefruit juice increased the mean peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) of a single dose of erythromycin (400 mg) by 52% and 49%, respectively, compared to water. The half-life was not affected. The clinical significance of this potential interaction is unknown.

MANAGEMENT: In general, optimal serum levels are achieved when erythromycin is taken in the fasting state, one-half to two hours before meals. However, some erythromycin products may be taken without regard to meals.

References

  1. Welling PG, Huang H, Hewitt PF, Lyons LL (1978) "Bioavailability of erythromycin stearate: influence of food and fluid volume." J Pharm Sci, 67, p. 764-6
  2. Welling PG, Elliott RL, Pitterle ME, et al. (1979) "Plasma levels following single and repeated doses of erythromycin estolate and erythromycin stearate." J Pharm Sci, 68, p. 150-5
  3. Welling PG (1977) "Influence of food and diet on gastrointestinal drug absorption: a review." J Pharmacokinet Biopharm, 5, p. 291-334
  4. Coyne TC, Shum S, Chun AH, Jeansonne L, Shirkey HC (1978) "Bioavailability of erythromycin ethylsuccinate in pediatric patients." J Clin Pharmacol, 18, p. 194-202
  5. Malmborg AS (1979) "Effect of food on absorption of erythromycin. A study of two derivatives, the stearate and the base." J Antimicrob Chemother, 5, p. 591-9
  6. Randinitis EJ, Sedman AJ, Welling PG, Kinkel AW (1989) "Effect of a high-fat meal on the bioavailability of a polymer-coated erythromycin particle tablet formulation." J Clin Pharmacol, 29, p. 79-84
  7. Kanazawa S, Ohkubo T, Sugawara K (2001) "The effects of grapefruit juice on the pharmacokinetics of erythromycin." Eur J Clin Pharmacol, 56, p. 799-803
View all 7 references

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Minor

erythromycin food

Applies to: erythromycin / sulfisoxazole

Ethanol, when combined with erythromycin, may delay absorption and therefore the clinical effects of the antibiotic. The mechanism appears to be due to slowed gastric emptying by ethanol. Data is available only for erythromycin ethylsuccinate. Patients should be advised to avoid ethanol while taking erythromycin salts.

References

  1. Morasso MI, Chavez J, Gai MN, Arancibia A (1990) "Influence of alcohol consumption on erythromycin ethylsuccinate kinetics." Int J Clin Pharmacol, 28, p. 426-9

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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

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

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