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Drug Interactions between methadone and Trisenox

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

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Interactions between your drugs

Major

methadone arsenic trioxide

Applies to: methadone and Trisenox (arsenic trioxide)

GENERALLY AVOID: Arsenic trioxide can cause QT interval prolongation and complete atrioventricular block. Theoretically, coadministration with other agents that can prolong the QT interval may result in additive effects and increased risk of ventricular arrhythmias including torsade de pointes and sudden death. During clinical studies involving 40 patients receiving arsenic trioxide for acute promyelocytic leukemia, 16 of them (40%) had at least one ECG tracing with a QTc interval greater than 500 msec. Prolongation of QTc was observed between 1 and 5 weeks after arsenic trioxide infusion and returned towards baseline by the end of 8 weeks. In general, the risk of an individual agent or a combination of agents causing ventricular arrhythmia in association with QT prolongation is largely unpredictable but may be increased by certain underlying risk factors such as congenital long QT syndrome, cardiac disease, and electrolyte disturbances (e.g., hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia). In addition, the extent of drug-induced QT prolongation is dependent on the particular drug(s) involved and dosage(s) of the drug(s).

MANAGEMENT: If possible, medications that are known to prolong the QT interval should be discontinued prior to initiating therapy with arsenic trioxide and withheld for at least several weeks after completion of therapy. Caution is advised if concomitant use cannot be avoided. Patients should have frequent ECGs and be monitored for arrhythmias when QT interval is prolonged. An absolute QT interval exceeding 500 msec will require immediate action to correct concomitant risk factors, if any, as well as a thorough assessment of the need for continued therapy. Patients who develop syncope or arrhythmia should be hospitalized for clinical and laboratory monitoring. Arsenic trioxide should be temporarily discontinued until symptoms resolve, the QTc interval regresses to below 460 msec, and electrolyte abnormalities are corrected.

References

  1. (2001) "Product Information. Trisenox (arsenic trioxide)." Cephalon Inc
  2. Ohnishi K, Yoshida H, Shigeno K, et al. (2000) "Prolongation of the QT interval and ventricular tachycardia in patients treated with arsenic trioxide for acute promyelocytic leukemia." Ann Intern Med, 133, p. 881-5

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Drug and food interactions

Moderate

methadone food

Applies to: 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

methadone food

Applies to: 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.

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