Drug Interactions between aluminum hydroxide / calcium carbonate / magnesium hydroxide / simethicone and mefloquine
This report displays the potential drug interactions for the following 2 drugs:
- aluminum hydroxide/calcium carbonate/magnesium hydroxide/simethicone
- mefloquine
Interactions between your drugs
mefloquine magnesium hydroxide
Applies to: mefloquine and aluminum hydroxide / calcium carbonate / magnesium hydroxide / simethicone
MONITOR: Bowel cleansing as well as overuse of certain laxatives may cause electrolyte loss and increase the risk of torsade de pointes ventricular arrhythmia in patients treated with drugs that prolong the QT interval. Electrolyte disturbances including hypokalemia and hypomagnesemia have been reported with laxative abuse and are known risk factors for torsade de pointes associated with QT interval prolongation.
MANAGEMENT: Patients treated with drugs that prolong the QT interval should exercise caution when self-medicating with laxatives. The recommended dosage and duration of use should not be exceeded. Patients treated with lactulose for more than six months should be monitored periodically for electrolyte imbalance. 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
- Chin RL (1998) "Laxative-induced hypokalemia." Ann Emerg Med, 32, p. 517-8
- Muller-Lissner SA (1993) "Adverse effects of laxatives: fact and fiction." Pharmacology, 47, p. 138-45
- Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics."
- Canadian Pharmacists Association (2006) e-CPS. http://www.pharmacists.ca/function/Subscriptions/ecps.cfm?link=eCPS_quikLink
- Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information."
- Schaefer DC, Cheskin LJ (1998) "Constipation in the elderly." Am Fam Physician, 58, p. 907-14
Drug and food interactions
aluminum hydroxide food
Applies to: aluminum hydroxide / calcium carbonate / magnesium hydroxide / simethicone
GENERALLY AVOID: The concomitant administration of aluminum-containing products (e.g., antacids and phosphate binders) and citrates may significantly increase serum aluminum concentrations, resulting in toxicity. Citrates or citric acid are contained in numerous soft drinks, citrus fruits, juices, and effervescent and dispersible drug formulations. Citrates enhance the gastrointestinal absorption of aluminum by an unknown mechanism, which may involve the formation of a soluble aluminum-citrate complex. Various studies have reported that citrate increases aluminum absorption by 4.6- to 50-fold in healthy subjects. Patients with renal insufficiency are particularly at risk of developing hyperaluminemia and encephalopathy. Fatalities have been reported. Patients with renal failure or on hemodialysis may also be at risk from soft drinks and effervescent and dispersible drug formulations that contain citrates or citric acid. It is unknown what effect citrus fruits or juices would have on aluminum absorption in healthy patients.
MANAGEMENT: The concomitant use of aluminum- and citrate-containing products and foods should be avoided by renally impaired patients. Hemodialysis patients should especially be cautioned about effervescent and dispersible over-the-counter remedies and soft drinks. Some experts also recommend that healthy patients should separate doses of aluminum-containing antacids and citrates by 2 to 3 hours.
ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: The administration of aluminum-containing antacids with enteral nutrition may result in precipitation, formation of bezoars, and obstruction of feeding tubes. The proposed mechanism is the formation of an insoluble complex between the aluminum and the protein in the enteral feeding. Several cases of esophageal plugs and nasogastric tube obstructions have been reported in patients receiving high-protein liquids and an aluminum hydroxide-magnesium hydroxide antacid or an aluminum hydroxide antacid.
MANAGEMENT: Some experts recommend that antacids should not be mixed with or given after high protein formulations, that the antacid dose should be separated from the feeding by as much as possible, and that the tube should be thoroughly flushed before administration.
References
- Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics."
- Wohlt PD, Zheng L, Gunderson S, Balzar SA, Johnson BD, Fish JT (2009) "Recommendations for the use of medications with continuous enteral nutrition." Am J Health Syst Pharm, 66, p. 1438-67
mefloquine food
Applies to: mefloquine
ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Food enhances the oral absorption and bioavailability of mefloquine. The proposed mechanism is increased drug solubility in the presence of food. In 20 healthy volunteers, administration of a single 750 mg oral dose of mefloquine 30 minutes following a high-fat meal increased the mean peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) of mefloquine by 73% and 40%, respectively, compared to administration in the fasting state. The Cmax and AUC of the carboxylic acid metabolite were also increased by 35% and 33%, respectively, compared to fasting. In addition, the time to reach peak plasma concentration (Tmax) of mefloquine was significantly shorter after food intake (17 hours) than in the fasting state (36 hours). There was no difference in the elimination half-life of mefloquine and metabolite, or the Tmax for the metabolite.
MANAGEMENT: To ensure maximal oral absorption, mefloquine should be administered immediately after a meal with at least 8 ounces of water.
References
- (2021) "Product Information. Mefloquine Hydrochloride (mefloquine)." Hikma USA (formerly West-Ward Pharmaceutical Corporation)
- Schmidt LE, Dalhoff K (2002) "Food-drug interactions." Drugs, 62, p. 1481-502
calcium carbonate food
Applies to: aluminum hydroxide / calcium carbonate / magnesium hydroxide / simethicone
ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Administration with food may increase the absorption of calcium. However, foods high in oxalic acid (spinach or rhubarb), or phytic acid (bran and whole grains) may decrease calcium absorption.
MANAGEMENT: Calcium may be administered with food to increase absorption. Consider withholding calcium administration for at least 2 hours before or after consuming foods high in oxalic acid or phytic acid.
References
- Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics."
- Canadian Pharmacists Association (2006) e-CPS. http://www.pharmacists.ca/function/Subscriptions/ecps.cfm?link=eCPS_quikLink
- Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information."
- Agencia EspaƱola de Medicamentos y Productos Sanitarios Healthcare (2008) Centro de informaciĆ³n online de medicamentos de la AEMPS - CIMA. https://cima.aemps.es/cima/publico/home.html
- Mangels AR (2014) "Bone nutrients for vegetarians." Am J Clin Nutr, 100, epub
- Davies NT (1979) "Anti-nutrient factors affecting mineral utilization." Proc Nutr Soc, 38, p. 121-8
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
Drug Interaction Classification
Highly clinically significant. Avoid combinations; the risk of the interaction outweighs the benefit. | |
Moderately clinically significant. Usually avoid combinations; use it only under special circumstances. | |
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. | |
No interaction information available. |
Further information
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