Drug Interactions between abacavir / lamivudine / zidovudine and Novolog

GENERALLY AVOID: Alcohol may cause hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia in patients with diabetes. Hypoglycemia most frequently occurs during 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. A disulfiram-like reaction (e.g., flushing, headache, and nausea) to alcohol has been reported frequently with the use of chlorpropamide and very rarely with other sulfonylureas.

MANAGEMENT: Patients with diabetes should avoid consuming alcohol if their blood glucose is not well controlled, or if they have hypertriglyceridemia, neuropathy, or pancreatitis. Patients with well controlled diabetes should limit their alcohol intake to one drink daily for women and two drinks daily for men (1 drink = 5 oz wine, 12 oz beer, or 1.5 oz distilled spirits) in conjunction with their normal meal plan. Alcohol should not be consumed on an empty stomach or following exercise.

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Food may have variable effects on the oral bioavailability of zidovudine. Fatty foods have been reported to decrease the rate and extent of zidovudine absorption following oral administration. In a study of 13 AIDS patients, mean peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) of zidovudine were 2.8 and 1.4 times higher, respectively, in fasting patients than in those administered the medication with breakfast. In addition, variations in plasma zidovudine concentrations were increased when administered in the fed state. In another study of eight patients, the time to reach peak concentration (Tmax) was increased from 0.68 to 1.95 hours, and Cmax was reduced by 50% when zidovudine was administered with a liquid high-fat meal relative to fasting. Protein meals can also delay the absorption and reduce the Cmax of zidovudine, although the extent of absorption is not significantly affected. The clinical significance of these alterations, if any, is unknown. The product labeling states that zidovudine may be taken with or without food.

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