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Drug Interactions between acetaminophen / propoxyphene and pseudoephedrine / terfenadine

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

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Interactions between your drugs

Moderate

propoxyphene terfenadine

Applies to: acetaminophen / propoxyphene and pseudoephedrine / terfenadine

MONITOR: Theoretically, concurrent use of two or more drugs that can cause QT interval prolongation may result in additive effects and increased risk of ventricular arrhythmias including torsade de pointes and sudden death. The risk of an individual agent or a combination of these 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: Caution and clinical monitoring are recommended if multiple agents associated with QT interval prolongation are prescribed together. Patients should be advised to seek prompt medical attention if they experience symptoms that could indicate the occurrence of torsade de pointes such as dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, palpitation, irregular heart rhythm, shortness of breath, or syncope.

References

  1. Glassman AH, Bigger JT Jr "Antipsychotic drugs: prolonged QTc interval, torsade de pointes, and sudden death." Am J Psychiatry 158 (2001): 1774-82
  2. Witchel HJ, Hancox JC, Nutt DJ "Psychotropic drugs, cardiac arrhythmia, and sudden death." J Clin Psychopharmacol 23 (2003): 58-77
  3. Iannini PB "Cardiotoxicity of macrolides, ketolides and fluoroquinolones that prolong the QTc interval." Expert Opin Drug Saf 1 (2002): 121-8
  4. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics." O 0
  5. Canadian Pharmacists Association "e-CPS. http://www.pharmacists.ca/function/Subscriptions/ecps.cfm?link=eCPS_quikLink" (2006):
  6. Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information." O 0
  7. EMA. European Medicines Agency. European Union "EMA - List of medicines under additional monitoring. http://www.ema.europa.eu/ema/index.jsp?curl=pages/regulation/document_listing/document_listing_000366.jsp&mid=WC0b01ac058067c852" (2013):
View all 7 references

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Drug and food interactions

Major

propoxyphene food

Applies to: 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. "Product Information. Darvon (propoxyphene)." Lilly, Eli and Company PROD (2001):

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Major

terfenadine food

Applies to: pseudoephedrine / terfenadine

CONTRAINDICATED: The consumption of grapefruit juice has been associated with significantly increased plasma concentrations of terfenadine. The mechanism is inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated first-pass metabolism in the gut wall induced by certain compounds present in grapefruits. Terfenadine in high serum levels has been associated with prolongation of the QT interval and development of torsade de pointes, a potentially fatal ventricular arrhythmia.

MANAGEMENT: Due to the risk of cardiotoxicity, patients receiving the drug should be advised to avoid consumption of grapefruit products. Loratadine, cetirizine, and fexofenadine may be safer alternatives in patients who may have trouble adhering to the dietary restriction.

References

  1. Honig PK, Woosley RL, Zamani K, Conner DP, Cantilena LR Jr "Changes in the pharmacokinetics and electrocardiographic pharmacodynamics of terfenadine with concomitant administration of erythromycin." Clin Pharmacol Ther 52 (1992): 231-8
  2. Zimmermann M, Duruz H, Guinand O, et al. "Torsades de Pointes after treatment with terfenadine and ketoconazole." Eur Heart J 13 (1992): 1002-3
  3. Mathews DR, McNutt B, Okerholm R, et al. "Torsades de pointes occurring in association with terfenadine use." JAMA 266 (1991): 2375-6
  4. Monahan BP, Ferguson CL, Killeavy ES, et al. "Torsades de pointes occurring in association with terfenadine use." JAMA 264 (1990): 2788-90
  5. Honig PK, Wortham DC, Zamani K, et al. "Terfenadine-ketoconazole interaction: pharmacokinetic and electrocardiographic consequences." JAMA 269 (1993): 1513-8
  6. Pohjola-Sintonen S, Viitasalo M, Toivonene L, Neuvonen P "Torsades de pointes after terfenadine-itraconazole interaction." BMJ 306 (1993): 186
  7. Cortese LM, Bjornson DC "Potential interaction between terfenadine and macrolide antibiotics." Clin Pharm 11 (1992): 675
  8. Paris DG, Parente TF, Bruschetta HR, Guzman E, Niarchos AP "Torsades-de-pointes induced by erythromycin and terfenadine." Am J Emerg Med 12 (1994): 636-8
  9. Zechnich AD, Haxby DG "Drug interactions associated with terfenadine and related nonsedating antihistamines." West J Med 164 (1996): 68-9
  10. Honig PK, Wortham DC, Lazarev A, Cantilena LR "Grapefruit juice alters the systemic bioavailability and cardiac repolarization of terfenadine in poor metabolizers of terfenadine." J Clin Pharmacol 36 (1996): 345-51
  11. Woosley RL "Cardiac actions of antihistamines." Annu Rev Pharmacol Toxicol 36 (1996): 233-52
  12. Benton RE, Honig PK, Zamani K, Cantilena LR, Woosley RL "Grapefruit juice alters terfenadine pharmacokinetics resulting in prolongation of repolarization on the electrocardiogram." Clin Pharmacol Ther 59 (1996): 383-8
  13. Hsieh MH, Chen SA, Chiang CE, et al. "Drug-induced torsades de pointes in one patient with congenital long QT syndrome." Int J Cardiol 54 (1996): 85-8
  14. Clifford CP, Adams DA, Murray S, Taylor GW, Wilkins MR, Boobis AR, Davies DS "Pharmacokinetic and cardiac effects of terfenadine after inhibition of its metabolism by grapefruit juice." Br J Clin Pharmacol 42 (1996): p662
  15. Rau SE, Bend JR, Arnold JMO, Tran LT, Spence JD, Bailey DG "Grapefruit juice terfenadine single-dose interaction: Magnitude, mechanism, and relevance." Clin Pharmacol Ther 61 (1997): 401-9
  16. Bailey DG, Malcolm J, Arnold O, Spence JD "Grapefruit juice-drug interactions." Br J Clin Pharmacol 46 (1998): 101-10
  17. Bailey DG, Dresser GR, Kreeft JH, Munoz C, Freeman DJ, Bend JR "Grapefruit-felodipine interaction: Effect of unprocessed fruit and probable active ingredients." Clin Pharmacol Ther 68 (2000): 468-77
View all 17 references

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Major

acetaminophen food

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

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Moderate

pseudoephedrine food

Applies to: pseudoephedrine / terfenadine

MONITOR: Coadministration of two or more sympathomimetic agents may increase the risk of adverse effects such as nervousness, irritability, and increased heart rate. Central nervous system (CNS) stimulants, particularly amphetamines, can potentiate the adrenergic response to vasopressors and other sympathomimetic agents. Additive increases in blood pressure and heart rate may occur due to enhanced peripheral sympathetic activity.

MANAGEMENT: Caution is advised if two or more sympathomimetic agents are coadministered. Pulse and blood pressure should be closely monitored.

References

  1. Rosenblatt JE, Lake CR, van Kammen DP, Ziegler MG, Bunney WE Jr "Interactions of amphetamine, pimozide, and lithium on plasma norepineophrine and dopamine-beta-hydroxylase in schizophrenic patients." Psychiatry Res 1 (1979): 45-52
  2. Cavanaugh JH, Griffith JD, Oates JA "Effect of amphetamine on the pressor response to tyramine: formation of p-hydroxynorephedrine from amphetamine in man." Clin Pharmacol Ther 11 (1970): 656
  3. "Product Information. Adderall (amphetamine-dextroamphetamine)." Shire Richwood Pharmaceutical Company Inc PROD (2001):
  4. "Product Information. Tenuate (diethylpropion)." Aventis Pharmaceuticals PROD (2001):
  5. "Product Information. Sanorex (mazindol)." Novartis Pharmaceuticals PROD (2001):
  6. "Product Information. Focalin (dexmethylphenidate)." Mikart Inc (2001):
  7. "Product Information. Strattera (atomoxetine)." Lilly, Eli and Company (2002):
View all 7 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.

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

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