Drug Interactions between aminophylline / amobarbital / ephedrine and metoprolol

GENERALLY AVOID: The pharmacologic effects of theophyllines and beta-blockers are opposite. Nonselective and high doses of cardioselective beta-blockers may cause severe or fatal bronchospasm by opposing theophylline-induced bronchodilation. Ophthalmic beta-blockers undergo significant systemic absorption and may also interact. In addition, propranolol and other beta-blockers may reduce the CYP450 hepatic metabolism of theophylline, and serum theophylline levels may be increased.

MANAGEMENT: Oral and ophthalmic nonselective beta-blockers (e.g., carteolol, carvedilol, levobunolol, metipranolol, nadolol, oxprenolol, penbutolol, pindolol, propranolol, sotalol, and timolol) are considered contraindicated in patients with bronchospastic diseases. Cardioselective beta-blockers should generally be avoided, or used with extreme caution if no other alternatives are available and the benefits outweigh the risks of potentially severe bronchospasm. If patients do receive this combination, they should be closely monitored for increased serum theophylline levels but decreased bronchodilatory effectiveness.

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MONITOR: Coadministration with barbiturates may decrease the plasma concentrations and pharmacologic effects of certain beta-blockers when administered orally. The proposed mechanism is barbiturate induction of hepatic microsomal and first-pass metabolism. The interaction has been studied with alprenolol, metoprolol and timolol, but probably can occur with any beta-blocker that is primarily metabolized in the liver such as propranolol. In six healthy volunteers, pretreatment with pentobarbital (100 mg daily for 10 days) reduced the plasma levels of alprenolol (200 mg single oral dose) and its metabolite 4-hydroxyalprenolol by approximately 40% without altering their plasma half-lives. The inhibition of exercise-induced tachycardia during a 7-hour period following alprenolol administration was reduced from 14% to 10.7% by pentobarbital, and the reduction was proportional to the decreased drug levels. In another study, pentobarbital reduced alprenolol levels by 59% and 4-hydroxyalprenolol levels by 24% in 6 hypertensive patients treated with alprenolol 400 mg twice daily. The effect of pentobarbital was significant after 3 doses and declined over 4 to 5 days after discontinuation. The decreases were associated with a 6% increase in pulse rate and 8% increase in systolic and 9% increase in diastolic blood pressure, as well as an 18% reduction in inhibition of exercise tachycardia by alprenolol. In eight healthy subjects, administration of metoprolol (100 mg single oral dose) with pentobarbital (100 mg daily for 10 days) resulted in a mean 32% reduction in metoprolol systemic exposure (AUC) compared to administration alone. The same dose of pentobarbital given for 7 days reduced AUC of timolol (10 mg) by just 24% in 12 healthy volunteers.

MANAGEMENT: Barbiturates may variously reduce the effects of certain beta-blockers when given for more than a few days. Pharmacologic response to beta-blockers should be monitored more closely whenever a barbiturate is added to or withdrawn from therapy, and the beta-blocker dosage adjusted as necessary. Renally excreted beta-blockers such as atenolol, carteolol, nadolol, or sotalol are not expected to interact.

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MONITOR: Beta-blockers may antagonize the cardiostimulatory effects of ephedrine by blocking beta-1 adrenergic receptors in the heart. Parenteral ephedrine may be less effective in the treatment of shock and hypotension if the patient is receiving, or has recently received, a beta-blocking drug. In addition, peripheral vascular resistance may increase due to unopposed alpha-adrenergic effect of ephedrine in the presence of beta-blockade. Theoretically, the interaction may also occur with beta-blocker ophthalmic preparations, since they may be systemically absorbed and can produce clinically significant systemic effects even at low or undetectable plasma levels.

MANAGEMENT: Clinicians should be alert to the potential for diminished cardiac response when parenteral ephedrine is used in patients treated with beta-blockers, including ophthalmic formulations.

GENERALLY AVOID: Noncardioselective beta-blockers can antagonize the bronchodilating effects of ephedrine by blocking beta-2 adrenergic receptors in smooth muscles of the bronchial tree. The interaction is less likely to occur with cardioselective beta-blockers, which generally have little effect on beta-2 adrenergic receptors at therapeutic dosages. However, cardioselectivity is not absolute and may be lost with larger doses.

MANAGEMENT: Noncardioselective beta-blockers, including ophthalmic formulations, should generally be avoided in patients using ephedrine-containing preparations for bronchospastic diseases. If beta-blocker therapy is necessary, an agent with beta-1 selectivity (e.g., atenolol, metoprolol, betaxolol) is considered safer. However, caution is advised, especially with higher dosages of the beta-blocker.

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MONITOR: Barbiturates may decrease serum levels and therapeutic effects of the methylxanthines. The mechanism is barbiturate induction of CYP450 3A4 and 1A2 hepatic metabolism of methylxanthines.

MANAGEMENT: Close observation for clinical and laboratory evidence of decreased methylxanthine effect is indicated if these drugs must be used together. Patients should be advised to notify their physician if they experience a worsening of their respiratory symptoms.

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Ephedrine-methylxanthine combinations are used for the treatment of asthma but the efficacy of the combination has been questioned. This combination may lead to increased xanthine side effects. The mechanism is unknown, but may be related to synergistic pharmacologic effects. Patients using this combination should be closely monitored for side effects such as nausea, vomiting, tachycardia, nervousness, or insomnia. If side effects are noted, the dosage of the xanthine may need to be decreased.

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