Drug Interactions between adenosine and Nuedexta

GENERALLY AVOID: In a small, randomized, crossover study, the administration of quinidine with grapefruit juice (compared to water) to healthy volunteers significantly prolonged the time to reach peak plasma quinidine concentrations and decreased the plasma concentrations of its major metabolite, 3-hydroxyquinidine. These changes were associated pharmacodynamically with both a delay and a reduction in the maximal effect on QTc interval. The proposed mechanism is delay of gastric emptying as well as inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated first-pass metabolism in the gut wall induced by certain compounds present in grapefruits.

MANAGEMENT: Given the drug's narrow therapeutic index, patients receiving quinidine therapy should avoid the consumption of grapefruits and grapefruit juice to prevent any undue fluctuations in plasma drug levels.

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Caffeine and other xanthine derivatives (e.g., theophylline) are nonspecific, competitive antagonists of adenosine receptors and may interfere with the hemodynamic effects of adenosine. There have been case reports of patients receiving theophylline who required higher than normal dosages of adenosine for the treatment of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia. In studies of healthy volunteers, caffeine and theophylline have been shown to reduce the cardiovascular response to adenosine infusions (i.e., heart rate increases, vasodilation, blood pressure changes), and theophylline has also been shown to attenuate adenosine-induced respiratory effects and chest pain/discomfort.

MANAGEMENT: Clinicians should be aware that adenosine may be less effective in the presence of xanthine derivatives including caffeine. Patients should avoid consumption of caffeine-containing products for at least 12 hours, preferably 24 hours, prior to administration of adenosine for myocardial perfusion imaging.

GENERALLY AVOID: Alcohol may potentiate some of the pharmacologic effects of CNS-active agents. Use in combination may result in additive central nervous system depression and/or impairment of judgment, thinking, and psychomotor skills.

MANAGEMENT: Patients receiving CNS-active agents should be warned of this interaction and advised to avoid or limit consumption of alcohol. Ambulatory patients should be counseled to avoid hazardous activities requiring complete mental alertness and motor coordination until they know how these agents affect them, and to notify their physician if they experience excessive or prolonged CNS effects that interfere with their normal activities.

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Methylxanthines (e.g., caffeine, theophylline) are nonspecific, competitive antagonists of adenosine receptors. As such, they may interfere with the pharmacologic effects of adenosine and other adenosine receptor agonists such as dipyridamole and regadenoson. There have been case reports of patients receiving theophylline who required higher than normal dosages of adenosine for the treatment of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia. In studies of healthy volunteers, caffeine and theophylline have been shown to reduce the cardiovascular response to adenosine infusions (i.e., heart rate increases, vasodilation, blood pressure changes), and theophylline has also been shown to attenuate adenosine-induced respiratory effects and chest pain/discomfort. Similarly, caffeine has been found to reduce the hemodynamic response to dipyridamole, and both caffeine and theophylline have been reported to cause false-negative results in myocardial scintigraphy tests using dipyridamole. In a placebo-controlled study that assessed the effects of oral caffeine on regadenoson-induced increase in coronary flow reserve (CFR), healthy subjects who took caffeine 200 mg orally two hours prior to regadenoson administration exhibited a median CFR that was 92% that of subjects who took placebo. The study was done using positron emission tomography with radiolabeled water.

MANAGEMENT: Clinicians should be aware that adenosine and other adenosine receptor agonists may be less effective in the presence of methylxanthines. Methylxanthines including caffeine should be withheld for 12 to 24 hours (or five half-lives) prior to administration of adenosine receptor agonists for myocardial perfusion imaging. However, parenteral aminophylline should be readily available for treating severe or persistent adverse reactions to adenosine receptor agonists such as bronchospasm or chest pain.

Nicotine may enhance adenosine-associated tachycardia and chest pain. The mechanism is not known. No special precautions appear to be necessary.

The recommended maximum number of medicines in the 'antiarrhythmics' category to be taken concurrently is usually one. Your list includes two medicines belonging to the 'antiarrhythmics' category:

• adenosine
• Nuedexta (dextromethorphan/quinidine)

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.