Drug Interactions between Actonel with Calcium and methenamine

GENERALLY AVOID: Agents that can alkalinize the urine such as thiazide diuretics, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, and antacids may decrease the antibacterial effectiveness of methenamine by inhibiting its conversion to formaldehyde. Methenamine is most effectively converted in an acidic milieu of pH less than 5.5.

MANAGEMENT: Concomitant use of methenamine-containing preparations with thiazide diuretics, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, or large doses of antacids should be avoided if possible. Otherwise, frequent urine pH testing may be considered. Some methenamine products may be used with antacids if dosing times are separated by at least one hour. Consult the manufacturer's product labeling for specific recommendations.

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Products containing aluminum, calcium, magnesium and other polyvalent cations such as antacids or vitamin with mineral supplements are likely to interfere with the gastrointestinal absorption of oral bisphosphonates. For example, the bioavailability of tiludronate has been shown to decrease 80% during simultaneous administration with calcium, and 60% when aluminum- or magnesium-containing antacids were administered one hour before tiludronate.

MANAGEMENT: Antacids or other oral medications containing aluminum, calcium, magnesium and other polyvalent cations should be administered at least 30 minutes after the bisphosphonate dose.