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Drug Interactions between Agamree and smallpox vaccine

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

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Interactions between your drugs

Major

smallpox vaccine vamorolone

Applies to: smallpox vaccine and Agamree (vamorolone)

GENERALLY AVOID: The administration of live virus smallpox vaccine during corticosteroid therapy may be associated with a risk of localized or disseminated infection due to enhanced replication of vaccine virus in the presence of diminished immune competence. Patients receiving high dosages of systemic corticosteroids (e.g., greater than 20 mg/day or 2 mg/kg/day of prednisone or equivalent for more than 2 weeks) and those who are systemically immunosuppressed due to long-term topical or aerosol use of corticosteroids may also have an increased risk of neurologic reactions to vaccines and decreased or suboptimal immunologic response due to antibody inhibition. The risk of ocular complications may be increased in patients who are using ophthalmic corticosteroids.

MANAGEMENT: Routine nonemergency smallpox vaccination is considered a relative contraindication in patients receiving immunosuppressive corticosteroid therapy or ophthalmic corticosteroids. Vaccination should be deferred until after such therapy is discontinued and immune function has been restored. The interval depends on the dosage, duration, and route of corticosteroid therapy administered, but may be at least 3 months in most cases of systemic corticosteroid use. In patients who have recently been vaccinated, high-dose corticosteroid therapy should not be initiated for at least 2 weeks. Household contacts of immunosuppressed patients should also not be vaccinated. However, there are no absolute contraindications to vaccination if a high-risk exposure has occurred. In an outbreak emergency, smallpox vaccine is generally recommended for all persons, regardless of medical conditions. The risk for experiencing serious complications from the vaccine should be weighed against the risk of acquiring a potentially fatal smallpox infection. Vaccines may generally be administered to patients receiving corticosteroids as replacement therapy (e.g., for Addison's disease).

References (4)
  1. CDC. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/ (1993) "Recommendations of the advisory committtee on immunization practices (ACIP): use of vaccines and immune globulins in persons with altered immunocompetence." MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep, 42(RR-04), p. 1-18
  2. CDC. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2002) Smallpox vaccination clinic guide. Logistical considerations and guidance for state and local planning for emergency, large-scale, voluntary administration of smallpox vaccine in response to a smallpox outbreak. http://www.bt.cdc.gov/agents/smallpox/vac
  3. (2002) "Product Information. Dryvax (smallpox vaccine)." Wyeth-Ayerst Laboratories
  4. CDC. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2015) Clinical guidance for smallpox vaccine use in a postevent vaccination program. http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr6402a1.htm

Drug and food interactions

Moderate

vamorolone food

Applies to: Agamree (vamorolone)

GENERALLY AVOID: Grapefruit juice may increase the plasma concentrations of vamorolone. The proposed mechanism is inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated metabolism in the gut wall by certain compounds present in grapefruit. The metabolism of vamorolone is mediated by the isoenzymes CYP450 3A4/5, and CYP450 2C8, and uridine diphosphate glucuronosyltransferases (UGT) 1A3, 2B7, and 2B17. In general, the effect of grapefruit juice is concentration-, dose-, and preparation-dependent, and can vary widely among brands. Certain preparations of grapefruit juice (e.g., high dose, double strength) have sometimes demonstrated potent inhibition of CYP450 3A4, while other preparations (e.g., low dose, single strength) have typically demonstrated moderate inhibition. Increased systemic exposure to vamorolone may increase the risk of corticosteroid adverse effects such as hypercorticism, hyperglycemia, adrenal suppression, immunosuppression, hypertension, salt and water retention, electrolyte abnormalities, behavioral and mood disturbances, posterior subcapsular cataracts, glaucoma, bone loss, and growth retardation in children and adolescents.

MANAGEMENT: Until further information is available, it may be advisable for patients to avoid the consumption of large amounts of grapefruit and grapefruit juice during vamorolone therapy unless otherwise directed by their doctor, as the interaction is unreliable and subject to a high degree of interpatient variation. If coadministration is considered necessary, patients should be closely monitored for signs and symptoms of corticosteroid adverse effects. Patients should also be monitored for signs and symptoms of hypercorticism such as acne, striae, thinning of the skin, easy bruising, moon facies, dorsocervical "buffalo" hump, truncal obesity, increased appetite, acute weight gain, edema, hypertension, hirsutism, hyperhidrosis, proximal muscle wasting and weakness, glucose intolerance, exacerbation of preexisting diabetes, and depression. Signs and symptoms of adrenal insufficiency include anorexia, hypoglycemia, nausea, vomiting, weight loss, muscle wasting, fatigue, weakness, dizziness, postural hypotension, depression, and adrenal crisis manifested as an inability to respond to stress (e.g., illness, infection, surgery, trauma). Consultation with product labeling for specific recommendations is advisable.

References (30)
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  2. Yamashita SK, Ludwig EA, Middleton E Jr, Jusko WJ (1991) "Lack of pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interactions between ketoconazole and prednisolone." Clin Pharmacol Ther, 49, p. 558-70
  3. Ulrich B, Frey FJ, Speck RF, Frey BM (1992) "Pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics of ketoconazole-prednisolone interaction." J Pharmacol Exp Ther, 260, p. 487-90
  4. Kandrotas RJ, Slaughter RL, Brass C, Jusko WJ (1987) "Ketoconazole effects on methylprednisolone disposition and their joint suppression of endogenous cortisol." Clin Pharmacol Ther, 42, p. 465-70
  5. Glynn AM, Slaughter RL, Brass C, et al. (1986) "Effects of ketoconazole on methylprednisolone pharmacokinetics and cortisol secretion." Clin Pharmacol Ther, 39, p. 654-9
  6. Itkin IH, Menzel ML (1970) "The use of macrolide antibiotic substances in the treatment of asthma." J Allergy Clin Immunol, 45, p. 146-62
  7. LaForce CF, Szefler SJ, Miller MF, Ebling W, Brenner M (1983) "Inhibition of methylprednisolone elimination in the presence of erythromycin therapy." J Allergy Clin Immunol, 72, p. 34-9
  8. Finkenbine RD, Frye MD (1998) "Case of psychosis due to prednisone-clarithromycin interaction." Gen Hosp Psychiat, 20, p. 325-6
  9. Varis T, Kaukonen KM, Kivisto KT, Neuvonen PJ (1998) "Plasma concentrations and effects of oral methylprednisolone are considerably increased by itraconazole." Clin Pharmacol Ther, 64, p. 363-8
  10. Hillebrand-Haverkort ME, Prummel MF, ten Veen JH (1999) "Ritonavir-induced Cushing's syndrome in a patient treated with nasal fluticasone." AIDS, 13, p. 1803
  11. Varis T, Kivisto KT, Neuvonen PJ (2000) "The effect of itraconazole on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of oral prednisolone." Eur J Clin Pharmacol, 56, p. 57-60
  12. Varis T, Backman JT, Kivisto KT, Neuvonen PJ (2000) "Diltiazem and mibefradil increase the plasma concentrations and greatly enhance the adrenal-suppressant effect of oral methylprednisolone." Clin Pharmacol Ther, 67, p. 215-21
  13. Garey KW, Rubinstein I, Gotfried MH, Khan IJ, Varma S, Danziger LH (2000) "Long-term clarithromycin decreases prednisone requirements in elderly patients with prednisone-dependent asthma." Chest, 118, p. 1826-7
  14. Lebrun-Vignes B, Archer VC, Diquest B, et al. (2001) "Effect of itraconazole on the pharmacokinetics of prednisolone and methylprednisolone and cortisol secretion in healthy subjects." Br J Clin Pharmacol, 51, p. 443-50
  15. Couturier J, Steele M, Hussey L, Pawliuk G (2001) "Steroid-induced mania in an adolescent: risk factors and management." Can J Clin Pharmacol, 8, p. 109-12
  16. Gupta SK, Dube MP (2002) "Exogenous Cushing syndrome mimicking human immunodeficiency virus lipodystrophy." Clin Infect Dis, 35, E69-71
  17. Raaska K, Niemi M, Neuvonen M, Neuvonen PJ, Kivisto KT (2002) "Plasma concentrations of inhaled budesonide and its effects on plasma cortisol are increased by the cytochrome P4503A4 inhibitor itraconazole." Clin Pharmacol Ther, 72, p. 362-369
  18. Main KM, Skov M, Sillesen IB, et al. (2002) "Cushing's syndrome due to pharmacological interaction in a cystic fibrosis patient." Acta Paediatr, 91, p. 1008-11
  19. Skov M, Main KM, Sillesen IB, Muller J, Koch C, Lanng S (2002) "Iatrogenic adrenal insufficiency as a side-effect of combined treatment of itraconazole and budesonide." Eur Respir J, 20, p. 127-33
  20. Kotlyar M, Brewer ER, Golding M, Carson SW (2003) "Nefazodone inhibits methylprednisolone disposition and enhances its adrenal-suppressant effect." J Clin Psychopharmacol, 23, p. 652-6
  21. Bolland MJ, Bagg W, Thomas MG, Lucas JA, Ticehurst R, Black PN (2004) "Cushing's syndrome due to interaction between inhaled corticosteroids and itraconazole." Ann Pharmacother, 38, p. 46-9
  22. Edsbacker S, Andersson T (2004) "Pharmacokinetics of budesonide (Entocort EC) capsules for Crohn's disease." Clin Pharmacokinet, 43, p. 803-21
  23. Samaras K, Pett S, Gowers A, McMurchie M, Cooper DA (2005) "Iatrogenic Cushing's syndrome with osteoporosis and secondary adrenal failure in HIV-infected patients receiving inhaled corticosteroids and ritonavir-boosted protease inhibitors: six cases." J Clin Endocrinol Metab, 90, p. 4394-8
  24. Soldatos G, Sztal-Mazer S, Woolley I, Stockigt J (2005) "Exogenous glucocorticoid excess as a result of ritonavir-fluticasone interaction." Intern Med J, 35, p. 67-8
  25. Penzak SR, Formentini E, Alfaro RM, Long M, Natarajan V, Kovacs J (2005) "Prednisolone pharmacokinetics in the presence and absence of ritonavir after oral prednisone administration to healthy volunteers." J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr, 40, p. 573-80
  26. EMEA. European Medicines Agency (2007) EPARs. European Union Public Assessment Reports. http://www.ema.europa.eu/ema/index.jsp?curl=pages/includes/medicines/medicines_landingpage.jsp&mid
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  30. (2023) "Product Information. Agamree (vamorolone)." Santhera Pharmaceuticals (US)

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.

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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.

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