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Drug Interaction Report

3 potential interactions and/or warnings found for the following 2 drugs:

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Interactions between your drugs

No drug ⬌ drug interactions were found between the drugs in your list. However, this does not necessarily mean no drug interactions exist. Always consult your healthcare provider.

Drug and food interactions

Major

propoxyphene food

Applies to: Darvocet-N 100 (acetaminophen / propoxyphene)

GENERALLY AVOID: Alcohol may have additive CNS- and/or respiratory-depressant effects with propoxyphene. Misuse of propoxyphene, either alone or in combination with other CNS depressants, has been a major cause of drug-related deaths, particularly in patients with a history of emotional disturbances, suicidal ideation, or alcohol and drug abuse.

MANAGEMENT: The use of alcohol during propoxyphene therapy should be avoided. Patients should be warned not to exceed the recommended dosage of propoxyphene and to avoid activities requiring mental alertness until they know how these agents affect them.

References

  1. (2001) "Product Information. Darvon (propoxyphene)." Lilly, Eli and Company

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Major

metFORMIN food

Applies to: metformin

GENERALLY AVOID: Alcohol can potentiate the effect of metformin on lactate metabolism and increase the risk of lactic acidosis. In addition, alcohol may cause hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia in patients with diabetes. Although hypoglycemia rarely occurs during treatment with metformin alone, the risk may increase with acute consumption of alcohol. Even modest amounts can lower blood sugar significantly, especially when the alcohol is ingested on an empty stomach or following exercise. The mechanism involves inhibition of both gluconeogenesis as well as the counter-regulatory response to hypoglycemia. Episodes of hypoglycemia may last for 8 to 12 hours after ethanol ingestion. By contrast, chronic alcohol abuse can cause impaired glucose tolerance and hyperglycemia. Moderate alcohol consumption generally does not affect blood glucose levels in patients with well controlled diabetes.

Food may have varying effects on the absorption of metformin from immediate-release versus extended-release formulations. When a single 850 mg dose of immediate-release metformin was administered with food, mean peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and systemic exposure (AUC) decreased by 40% and 25%, respectively, and time to peak plasma concentration (Tmax) increased by 35 minutes compared to administration under fasting conditions. By contrast, administration of extended-release metformin with food increased AUC by 50% without affecting Cmax or Tmax, and both high- and low-fat meals had the same effect. These data may not be applicable to formulations that contain metformin with other oral antidiabetic agents.

MANAGEMENT: Metformin should be taken with meals, and excessive alcohol intake should be avoided during treatment. Diabetes patients in general should avoid consuming alcohol if their blood glucose is not well controlled, or if they have hypertriglyceridemia, neuropathy, or pancreatitis. Alcohol should not be consumed on an empty stomach or following exercise, as it may increase the risk of hypoglycemia. Patients should contact their physician immediately if they experience potential signs and symptoms of lactic acidosis such as malaise, myalgia, respiratory distress, increasing somnolence, and nonspecific abdominal distress (especially after stabilization of metformin therapy, when gastrointestinal symptoms are uncommon). With more marked acidosis, there may also be associated hypothermia, hypotension, and resistant bradyarrhythmias. Metformin should be withdrawn promptly if lactic acidosis is suspected. Serum electrolytes, ketones, blood glucose, blood pH, lactate levels, and blood metformin levels may be useful in establishing a diagnosis. Lactic acidosis should be suspected in any diabetic patient with metabolic acidosis lacking evidence of ketoacidosis (ketonuria and ketonemia).

References

  1. (2001) "Product Information. Glucophage (metformin)." Bristol-Myers Squibb
  2. (2002) "Position Statement: evidence-based nutrition principles and recommendations for the treatment and prevention of diabetes related complications. American Diabetes Association." Diabetes Care, 25(Suppl 1), S50-S60

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Major

acetaminophen food

Applies to: Darvocet-N 100 (acetaminophen / propoxyphene)

GENERALLY AVOID: Chronic, excessive consumption of alcohol may increase the risk of acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity, which has included rare cases of fatal hepatitis and frank hepatic failure requiring liver transplantation. The proposed mechanism is induction of hepatic microsomal enzymes during chronic alcohol use, which may result in accelerated metabolism of acetaminophen and increased production of potentially hepatotoxic metabolites.

MANAGEMENT: In general, chronic alcoholics should avoid regular or excessive use of acetaminophen. Alternative analgesic/antipyretic therapy may be appropriate in patients who consume three or more alcoholic drinks per day. However, if acetaminophen is used, these patients should be cautioned not to exceed the recommended dosage (maximum 4 g/day in adults and children 12 years of age or older).

References

  1. Kaysen GA, Pond SM, Roper MH, Menke DJ, Marrama MA (1985) "Combined hepatic and renal injury in alcoholics during therapeutic use of acetaminophen." Arch Intern Med, 145, p. 2019-23
  2. O'Dell JR, Zetterman RK, Burnett DA (1986) "Centrilobular hepatic fibrosis following acetaminophen-induced hepatic necrosis in an alcoholic." JAMA, 255, p. 2636-7
  3. Seeff LB, Cuccherini BA, Zimmerman HJ, Adler E, Benjamin SB (1986) "Acetaminophen hepatotoxicity in alcoholics." Ann Intern Med, 104, p. 399-404
  4. Thummel KE, Slattery JT, Nelson SD (1988) "Mechanism by which ethanol diminishes the hepatotoxicity of acetaminophen." J Pharmacol Exp Ther, 245, p. 129-36
  5. McClain CJ, Kromhout JP, Peterson FJ, Holtzman JL (1980) "Potentiation of acetaminophen hepatotoxicity by alcohol." JAMA, 244, p. 251-3
  6. Kartsonis A, Reddy KR, Schiff ER (1986) "Alcohol, acetaminophen, and hepatic necrosis." Ann Intern Med, 105, p. 138-9
  7. Prescott LF, Critchley JA (1983) "Drug interactions affecting analgesic toxicity." Am J Med, 75, p. 113-6
  8. (2002) "Product Information. Tylenol (acetaminophen)." McNeil Pharmaceutical
  9. Whitcomb DC, Block GD (1994) "Association of acetaminopphen hepatotoxicity with fasting and ethanol use." JAMA, 272, p. 1845-50
  10. Bonkovsky HL (1995) "Acetaminophen hepatotoxicity, fasting, and ethanol." JAMA, 274, p. 301
  11. Nelson EB, Temple AR (1995) "Acetaminophen hepatotoxicity, fasting, and ethanol." JAMA, 274, p. 301
  12. Zimmerman HJ, Maddrey WC (1995) "Acetaminophen (paracetamol) hepatotoxicity with regular intake of alcohol: analysis of instances of therapeutic misadventure." Hepatology, 22, p. 767-73
View all 12 references

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Therapeutic duplication warnings

No duplication 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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Further information

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