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Can you take Afinitor with Ambien?

1 drug interaction and 23 additional warnings found for the following 2 drugs:

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Drug interactions

Minor drug interactions

Minor:

zolpidem everolimus

Applies to: Ambien (zolpidem) and Afinitor (everolimus)

Information for this minor interaction is available on the professional version.

Food/lifestyle interactions

Moderate food/lifestyle interactions

Moderate:

zolpidem Food/Lifestyle

Applies to: Ambien (zolpidem)

You should avoid the use of alcohol while being treated with zolpidem. Alcohol can increase the nervous system side effects of zolpidem such as dizziness, drowsiness, and difficulty concentrating. Some people may also experience impairment in thinking and judgment. Taking zolpidem with food may delay the onset of sleep. For faster sleep onset, zolpidem should not be taken with or immediately after a meal. This will make it easier for your body to absorb the medication. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns.

Moderate:

everolimus Food/Lifestyle

Applies to: Afinitor (everolimus)

Grapefruit juice can increase the blood levels and effects of everolimus. You should not drink grapefruit juice or eat grapefruits during your treatment with everolimus. Orange juice is not expected to interact.

Disease interactions

21 potential interactions Applies to: 18 conditions, including High Cholesterol, Depression, Diabetes Mellitus, Urinary Retention, and Liver Disease.

Acute Alcohol Intoxication

Major:

Ambien

The zolpidem in Ambien has a major potential interaction with Acute Alcohol Intoxication.

Anxiolytic, sedative, and hypnotic agents should generally not be given to patients with acute alcohol intoxication exhibiting depressed vital signs. The central nervous system depressant effects of these agents may be additive with those of alcohol. Severe respiratory depression and death may occur. Therapy with such agents should be administered cautiously in patients who might be prone to acute alcohol intake.

Alcoholism

Major:

Ambien

The zolpidem in Ambien has a major potential interaction with Alcoholism.

Anxiolytic, sedative, and hypnotic agents have the potential to cause dependence and abuse. Tolerance as well as physical and psychological dependence can develop, particularly after prolonged use of excessive dosages, and abrupt cessation and/or a reduction in dosage may precipitate withdrawal symptoms. In patients who have developed tolerance, overdosage can still produce respiratory depression and death. Therapy with anxiolytic, sedative, and hypnotic agents should be administered cautiously and for as brief a period as possible. Addiction-prone individuals, such as those with a history of alcohol or substance abuse, should be under careful surveillance or medical supervision when treated with these agents. In addition, it may be prudent to refrain from dispensing large quantities of medication to such patients. After prolonged use or if dependency is suspected, withdrawal of medication should be undertaken gradually using a dosage-tapering schedule.

Asphyxia

Moderate:

Ambien

The zolpidem in Ambien has a moderate potential interaction with Asphyxia.

Oral anxiolytic, sedative, and hypnotic agents may cause respiratory depression and apnea when given in high dosages or following acute overdose. However, some patients may be susceptible at commonly used dosages, including the elderly, debilitated or severely ill patients, those receiving other CNS depressants, and those with limited ventilatory reserve, chronic pulmonary insufficiency or other respiratory disorders. Therapy with anxiolytic, sedative, and hypnotic agents should be administered cautiously in these patients. Appropriate monitoring and individualization of dosage are recommended.

Brain Tumor

Moderate:

Afinitor

The everolimus in Afinitor has a moderate potential interaction with Brain Tumor.

Inhibition of mTOR activity results in delays of wound healing and increases the occurrence of wound-related complications, which might require surgical intervention. Patients with central nervous system tumors (primary CNS tumor or metastases) and/or receiving anticoagulation therapy may be at an increased risk of developing intracerebral bleeding (including fatal outcomes). Caution is recommended when using these agents, particularly in the perioperative period.

Coagulation Defects and Disorders

Moderate:

Afinitor

The everolimus in Afinitor has a moderate potential interaction with Coagulation Defects and Disorders.

Inhibition of mTOR activity results in delays of wound healing and increases the occurrence of wound-related complications, which might require surgical intervention. Patients with central nervous system tumors (primary CNS tumor or metastases) and/or receiving anticoagulation therapy may be at an increased risk of developing intracerebral bleeding (including fatal outcomes). Caution is recommended when using these agents, particularly in the perioperative period.

Depression

Major:

Ambien

The zolpidem in Ambien has a major potential interaction with Depression.

A variety of abnormal thinking and behavior changes have been reported to occur in association with the use of most anxiolytics, sedatives and hypnotics. Some of these changes include decreased inhibition, aggressiveness, agitation, and hallucinations. These drugs can cause or exacerbate mental depression and cause suicidal behavior and ideation. Therapy with these drugs should be administered cautiously in patients with a history of depression or other psychiatric disorders. Patients should be monitored for any changes in mood or behavior. It may be prudent to refrain from dispensing large quantities of medication to these patients.

Diabetes Mellitus

Moderate:

Afinitor

The everolimus in Afinitor has a moderate potential interaction with Diabetes Mellitus.

Elevations in serum blood glucose levels have been reported in patients taking inhibitors of mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin). Monitoring of fasting serum glucose levels is recommended prior to the start of therapy and periodically thereafter. Clinicians should achieve control of glucose levels before initiating therapy with these agents.

Drug Dependence

Major:

Ambien

The zolpidem in Ambien has a major potential interaction with Drug Dependence.

Anxiolytic, sedative, and hypnotic agents have the potential to cause dependence and abuse. Tolerance as well as physical and psychological dependence can develop, particularly after prolonged use of excessive dosages, and abrupt cessation and/or a reduction in dosage may precipitate withdrawal symptoms. In patients who have developed tolerance, overdosage can still produce respiratory depression and death. Therapy with anxiolytic, sedative, and hypnotic agents should be administered cautiously and for as brief a period as possible. Addiction-prone individuals, such as those with a history of alcohol or substance abuse, should be under careful surveillance or medical supervision when treated with these agents. In addition, it may be prudent to refrain from dispensing large quantities of medication to such patients. After prolonged use or if dependency is suspected, withdrawal of medication should be undertaken gradually using a dosage-tapering schedule.

Glaucoma/Intraocular Hypertension

Moderate:

Ambien

The zolpidem in Ambien has a moderate potential interaction with Glaucoma/Intraocular Hypertension.

Some hypnotic drugs can have an anticholinergic effect and should be used with caution in patients with glaucoma, and trouble urinating due to retention or enlarged prostate.

High Cholesterol

Moderate:

Afinitor

The everolimus in Afinitor has a moderate potential interaction with High Cholesterol.

Elevations in cholesterol and triglyceride levels have been reported in patients taking inhibitors of mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin). Monitoring of fasting lipid profile is recommended prior to the start of therapy and periodically thereafter. Clinicians should achieve control of lipid levels before initiating therapy with these agents.

Immunodeficiency

Moderate:

Afinitor

The everolimus in Afinitor has a moderate potential interaction with Immunodeficiency.

Hematologic abnormalities, including decreased levels of hemoglobin, lymphocytes, platelets, and white blood cell have been observed in patients taking everolimus. Caution is recommended when treating patients predisposed to hematologic changes. Periodic monitoring of complete blood count is recommended before starting therapy and periodically thereafter.

Infection

Moderate:

Afinitor

The everolimus in Afinitor has a moderate potential interaction with Infection.

The immunosuppressant effect of inhibitors of mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) may decrease host resistance to infectious agents and may predispose patients to bacterial, fungal, viral, or protozoal infections, infections with opportunistic pathogens, and reactivation of viral infections. Therapy with these agents should be administered with caution in patients with an infection, particularly active infections or any untreated systemic fungal, bacterial, parasitic, or viral infection. It is recommended to complete the treatment of preexisting invasive fungal infections prior to starting treatment and if a diagnosis of invasive systemic fungal infection is made during treatment, discontinue and treat with appropriate antifungal therapy.

Liver Disease

Major:

Afinitor

The everolimus in Afinitor has a major potential interaction with Liver Disease.

Everolimus exposure was increased in patients with mild (Child-Pugh class A), moderate (Child-Pugh class B), and severe (Child-Pugh class C) hepatic impairment. In patients with mild or moderate hepatic impairment, a dose reduction is recommended. Patients with severe hepatic impairment, everolimus may be used at a reduced dose if the desired benefit outweighs the risk.

Major:

Ambien

The zolpidem in Ambien has a major potential interaction with Liver Disease.

Zolpidem is primarily metabolized by the liver. The plasma concentrations and half-life of zolpidem have been shown to increase substantially in the presence of chronic hepatic insufficiency. Therapy with zolpidem should be administered cautiously in patients with impaired hepatic function. Since many of the drug's adverse effects may be dose-related, especially those involving the central nervous system or gastrointestinal tract, an initial dosage of 5 mg is recommended for these patients.

Moderate:

Ambien

The zolpidem in Ambien has a moderate potential interaction with Liver Disease.

In general, anxiolytics, sedatives and hypnotics are extensively metabolized by the liver. Their plasma clearance may be decreased and their half-life prolonged in patients with impaired hepatic function. Therapy with these drugs should be administered cautiously in patients with liver disease (some are not recommended in severe liver impairment), and the dosage should be adjusted accordingly. Laboratory testing is recommended prior and during treatment.

Pulmonary Impairment

Moderate:

Ambien

The zolpidem in Ambien has a moderate potential interaction with Pulmonary Impairment.

Oral anxiolytic, sedative, and hypnotic agents may cause respiratory depression and apnea when given in high dosages or following acute overdose. However, some patients may be susceptible at commonly used dosages, including the elderly, debilitated or severely ill patients, those receiving other CNS depressants, and those with limited ventilatory reserve, chronic pulmonary insufficiency or other respiratory disorders. Therapy with anxiolytic, sedative, and hypnotic agents should be administered cautiously in these patients. Appropriate monitoring and individualization of dosage are recommended.

Renal Dysfunction

Major:

Afinitor

The everolimus in Afinitor has a major potential interaction with Renal Dysfunction.

Cases of renal failure, including acute renal failure and elevations of serum creatinine and proteinuria, some with a fatal outcome, have been observed in patients treated with inhibitors of mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin). Therapy with these agents should be administered cautiously in patients with renal dysfunction, in particularly where patients have additional risk factors that may further impair renal function. Renal impairment is not expected to influence drug exposure, and no dosage adjustment is recommended in patients with renal impairment. Monitoring of renal function, including measurement of blood urea nitrogen (BUN), urinary protein, or serum creatinine, is recommended prior to the start of therapy and periodically thereafter.

Moderate:

Ambien

The zolpidem in Ambien has a moderate potential interaction with Renal Dysfunction.

Zolpidem is extensively metabolized by the liver and subsequently excreted in the urine, primarily as metabolites. Limited data suggest that the pharmacokinetic disposition of zolpidem is not altered in the presence of renal insufficiency or even end-stage renal disease, and that there is no accumulation of unchanged drug after repeated dosing. However, the effects of possible metabolite accumulation have not been studied. While dosage adjustments are generally not required, close monitoring is recommended in patients with impaired renal function treated with zolpidem.

Respiratory Arrest

Moderate:

Ambien

The zolpidem in Ambien has a moderate potential interaction with Respiratory Arrest.

Oral anxiolytic, sedative, and hypnotic agents may cause respiratory depression and apnea when given in high dosages or following acute overdose. However, some patients may be susceptible at commonly used dosages, including the elderly, debilitated or severely ill patients, those receiving other CNS depressants, and those with limited ventilatory reserve, chronic pulmonary insufficiency or other respiratory disorders. Therapy with anxiolytic, sedative, and hypnotic agents should be administered cautiously in these patients. Appropriate monitoring and individualization of dosage are recommended.

Urinary Retention

Moderate:

Ambien

The zolpidem in Ambien has a moderate potential interaction with Urinary Retention.

Some hypnotic drugs can have an anticholinergic effect and should be used with caution in patients with glaucoma, and trouble urinating due to retention or enlarged prostate.

Vaccination

Major:

Afinitor

The everolimus in Afinitor has a major potential interaction with Vaccination.

The administration of live vaccines should be avoided during therapy with inhibitor of mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin). It is recommended that close contact with individuals who have received live vaccines should be avoided because of the potential risk for shedding from the household contact and transmission to patient. It is recommended to be up-to-date with all required immunizations, as recommended by current immunization guidelines, before initiating therapy with these agents.

More resources

Afinitor

A total of 703 drugs are known to interact with Afinitor.

Ambien

A total of 501 drugs are known to interact with Ambien.

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

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.