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Drug Interactions between amifampridine and Anafranil

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

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Interactions between your drugs

Moderate

clomiPRAMINE amifampridine

Applies to: Anafranil (clomipramine) and amifampridine

MONITOR: The use of amifampridine is associated with a dose-related risk of seizures, and the risk may be further increased when coadministered with other drugs that can reduce the seizure threshold such as antidepressants, antimalarials, neuroleptics, phenothiazines, and quinolones. Seizures have occurred in patients without a history of seizures taking amifampridine at recommended dosages and at various times after initiation of treatment. Reported incidence is approximately 2%. Many of the patients were taking medications or had comorbid medical conditions that may have lowered the seizure threshold.

MANAGEMENT: Caution is advised if amifampridine is coadministered with any substance that can reduce the seizure threshold, particularly in the elderly and in patients with other risk factors for seizures (e.g., head trauma; brain tumor; severe hepatic cirrhosis; metabolic disorders; CNS infections; excessive use of alcohol or sedatives; addiction to opiates, cocaine, or stimulants; diabetes treated with oral hypoglycemic agents or insulin). Consider discontinuation or dose reduction of amifampridine in patients who experience a seizure during treatment. Use of amifampridine is contraindicated in patients with a history of seizures.

References (3)
  1. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics."
  2. 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
  3. (2018) "Product Information. Firdapse (amifampridine)." Catalyst Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Drug and food interactions

Moderate

clomiPRAMINE food

Applies to: Anafranil (clomipramine)

MONITOR: Limited data suggest that the administration of clomipramine with grapefruit juice or cranberry juice may significantly increase plasma drug concentrations of clomipramine. Clomipramine is initially demethylated by CYP450 1A2, 3A3 and 3A4 before undergoing further metabolism to 8-hydroxyclomipramine. The increase in clomipramine bioavailability may stem from inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated first-pass metabolism in the gut wall by certain compounds present in grapefruits. The precise mechanism by which cranberry juice exerts its effects is unknown, but may involve inhibition of CYP450 isoenzymes. This interaction has occasionally been exploited in attempts to improve symptomatic control of obsessive compulsive disorder.

MANAGEMENT: Patients receiving clomipramine therapy who ingest cranberry juice, grapefruits, or grapefruit juice should be monitored for adverse effects and undue fluctuations in plasma drug levels.

References (4)
  1. Oesterheld J, Kallepalli BR (1997) "Grapefruit juice and clomipramine: shifting metabolitic ratios." J Clin Psychopharmacol, 17, p. 62-3
  2. Bailey DG, Dresser GR, Kreeft JH, Munoz C, Freeman DJ, Bend JR (2000) "Grapefruit-felodipine interaction: Effect of unprocessed fruit and probable active ingredients." Clin Pharmacol Ther, 68, p. 468-77
  3. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics."
  4. Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information."
Moderate

clomiPRAMINE food

Applies to: Anafranil (clomipramine)

GENERALLY AVOID: The combination of ethanol and a tricyclic antidepressant may result in additive impairment of motor skills, especially driving skills. Also, one study has suggested that clomipramine metabolism is significantly impaired for several weeks or more following discontinuation of chronic alcohol consumption.

MANAGEMENT: Patients should be warned of this interaction and advised to limit their ethanol intake while taking tricyclic antidepressants. Monitoring for TCA toxicity (CNS depression, excessive anticholinergic effects, hypotension, arrhythmias) is recommended during alcohol withdrawal.

References (3)
  1. Seppala T, Linnoila M, Elonen E, Mattila MJ, Makl M (1975) "Effect of tricyclic antidepressants and alcohol on psychomotor skills related to driving." Clin Pharmacol Ther, 17, p. 515-22
  2. Berlin I, Cournot A, Zimmer R, et al. (1990) "Evaluation and comparison of the interaction between alcohol and moclobemide or clomipramine in healthy subjects." Psychopharmacology (Berl), 100, p. 40-5
  3. Balant-Gorgia AE, Gay M, Gex-Fabry M, Balant LP (1992) "Persistent impairment of clomipramine demethylation in recently detoxified alcoholic patients." Ther Drug Monit, 14, p. 119-24

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.

Further information

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