Drug Interactions between acetaminophen / butalbital and Herron Paracetamol Handy Pack
This report displays the potential drug interactions for the following 2 drugs:
- acetaminophen/butalbital
- Herron Paracetamol Handy Pack (acetaminophen)
Interactions between your drugs
acetaminophen butalbital
Applies to: acetaminophen / butalbital and Herron Paracetamol Handy Pack (acetaminophen) and acetaminophen / butalbital
MONITOR: Barbiturates may increase the hepatotoxic potential of acetaminophen and decrease its therapeutic effects. The mechanism may be related to accelerated CYP450 metabolism of acetaminophen with consequent increase in hepatotoxic metabolites. This interaction is of greatest concern in cases of acetaminophen overdose.
MANAGEMENT: Monitoring for altered efficacy and safety is recommended. Prolonged use or high doses of acetaminophen should be avoided by patients on barbiturate therapy.
References
- Pirotte JH (1984) "Apparent potentiation by phenobarbital of hepatotoxicity from small doses of acetaminophen." Ann Intern Med, 101, p. 403
- Douidar SM, Ahmed AE (1987) "A novel mechanism for the enhancement of acetaminophen hepatotoxicity by phenobarbital." J Pharmacol Exp Ther, 240, p. 578-83
- Wright N, Prescott LF (1973) "Potentiation by previous drug therapy of hepatotoxicity following paracetamol overdose." Scott Med J, 18, p. 56-8
- Bock KW, Wiltfang J, Blume R, Ullrich D, Bircher J (1987) "Paracetamol as a test drug to determine glucuronide formation in man: effects of inducers and of smoking." Eur J Clin Pharmacol, 31, p. 677-83
Drug and food interactions
acetaminophen food
Applies to: acetaminophen / butalbital and Herron Paracetamol Handy Pack (acetaminophen)
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
- 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
- O'Dell JR, Zetterman RK, Burnett DA (1986) "Centrilobular hepatic fibrosis following acetaminophen-induced hepatic necrosis in an alcoholic." JAMA, 255, p. 2636-7
- Seeff LB, Cuccherini BA, Zimmerman HJ, Adler E, Benjamin SB (1986) "Acetaminophen hepatotoxicity in alcoholics." Ann Intern Med, 104, p. 399-404
- Thummel KE, Slattery JT, Nelson SD (1988) "Mechanism by which ethanol diminishes the hepatotoxicity of acetaminophen." J Pharmacol Exp Ther, 245, p. 129-36
- McClain CJ, Kromhout JP, Peterson FJ, Holtzman JL (1980) "Potentiation of acetaminophen hepatotoxicity by alcohol." JAMA, 244, p. 251-3
- Kartsonis A, Reddy KR, Schiff ER (1986) "Alcohol, acetaminophen, and hepatic necrosis." Ann Intern Med, 105, p. 138-9
- Prescott LF, Critchley JA (1983) "Drug interactions affecting analgesic toxicity." Am J Med, 75, p. 113-6
- (2002) "Product Information. Tylenol (acetaminophen)." McNeil Pharmaceutical
- Whitcomb DC, Block GD (1994) "Association of acetaminopphen hepatotoxicity with fasting and ethanol use." JAMA, 272, p. 1845-50
- Bonkovsky HL (1995) "Acetaminophen hepatotoxicity, fasting, and ethanol." JAMA, 274, p. 301
- Nelson EB, Temple AR (1995) "Acetaminophen hepatotoxicity, fasting, and ethanol." JAMA, 274, p. 301
- Zimmerman HJ, Maddrey WC (1995) "Acetaminophen (paracetamol) hepatotoxicity with regular intake of alcohol: analysis of instances of therapeutic misadventure." Hepatology, 22, p. 767-73
butalbital food
Applies to: acetaminophen / butalbital
GENERALLY AVOID: Concurrent acute use of barbiturates and ethanol may result in additive CNS effects, including impaired coordination, sedation, and death. Tolerance of these agents may occur with chronic use. The mechanism is related to inhibition of microsomal enzymes acutely and induction of hepatic microsomal enzymes chronically.
MANAGEMENT: The combination of ethanol and barbiturates should be avoided.
References
- Gupta RC, Kofoed J (1966) "Toxological statistics for barbiturates, other sedatives, and tranquilizers in Ontario: a 10-year survey." Can Med Assoc J, 94, p. 863-5
- Misra PS, Lefevre A, Ishii H, Rubin E, Lieber CS (1971) "Increase of ethanol, meprobamate and pentobarbital metabolism after chronic ethanol administration in man and in rats." Am J Med, 51, p. 346-51
- Saario I, Linnoila M (1976) "Effect of subacute treatment with hypnotics, alone or in combination with alcohol, on psychomotor skills related to driving." Acta Pharmacol Toxicol (Copenh), 38, p. 382-92
- Stead AH, Moffat AC (1983) "Quantification of the interaction between barbiturates and alcohol and interpretation of fatal blood concentrations." Hum Toxicol, 2, p. 5-14
- Seixas FA (1979) "Drug/alcohol interactions: avert potential dangers." Geriatrics, 34, p. 89-102
Therapeutic duplication warnings
Therapeutic duplication is the use of more than one medicine from the same drug category or therapeutic class to treat the same condition. This can be intentional in cases where drugs with similar actions are used together for demonstrated therapeutic benefit. It can also be unintentional in cases where a patient has been treated by more than one doctor, or had prescriptions filled at more than one pharmacy, and can have potentially adverse consequences.
Acetaminophen
Therapeutic duplication
The recommended maximum number of medicines in the 'acetaminophen' category to be taken concurrently is usually one. Your list includes two medicines belonging to the 'acetaminophen' category:
- acetaminophen/butalbital
- Herron Paracetamol Handy Pack (acetaminophen)
Note: In certain circumstances, the benefits of taking this combination of drugs may outweigh any risks. Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your medications or dosage.
See also
Drug Interaction Classification
Highly clinically significant. Avoid combinations; the risk of the interaction outweighs the benefit. | |
Moderately clinically significant. Usually avoid combinations; use it only under special circumstances. | |
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. | |
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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