Drug Interactions between aminophylline / ephedrine / guaifenesin / phenobarbital and Demulen 1/50

ADDITIONAL CONTRACEPTION RECOMMENDED: Coadministration with certain anticonvulsants such as carbamazepine, eslicarbazepine, oxcarbazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, and primidone may reduce the efficacy of contraceptive hormones. There have been numerous case reports of menstrual abnormalities (e.g., breakthrough bleeding, amenorrhea, irregular menses) and unintended pregnancy occurring in women who received oral contraceptives with anticonvulsants. The incidence of menstrual irregularities associated with this combination has been reported to be as high as 65% in some studies. The interaction stems from accelerated clearance of contraceptive hormones as well as decreased plasma concentrations of unbound (active) hormones due to induction of hepatic CYP450 enzymatic activity and hormone-binding globulin capacity by some anticonvulsants. Pharmacokinetic studies have found that normally recommended dosages of carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, phenobarbital, and phenytoin can individually reduce ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel systemic exposure (AUC) by a third or more. Eslicarbazepine acetate 1200 mg once daily for 2 weeks decreased the mean AUC of single-dose ethinyl estradiol (30 mcg) and levonorgestrel (150 mcg) by 32% and 24%, respectively, while eslicarbazepine 800 mg once daily decreased the mean AUCs by 25% and 11%, respectively.

MANAGEMENT: Women using hormonal contraceptives should be advised of the risk of breakthrough bleeding and unintended pregnancy during concomitant therapy with enzyme-inducing anticonvulsants. Alternative or additional methods of birth control should be used during and for at least two weeks after short-term and 4 weeks after long-term (greater than 4 weeks) anticonvulsant therapy. If a combination oral contraceptive pill is used, a regimen containing at least 50 mcg of ethinyl estradiol per day or equivalent should be considered. Although breakthrough bleeding is not necessarily indicative of low ethinyl estradiol serum levels or increased risk of ovulation, some clinicians suggest that women who experience breakthrough bleeding during enzyme-inducing therapy may be prescribed an increased dose of ethinyl estradiol above 50 mcg daily by combining more than one formulation of contraceptive pill if necessary. For emergency contraception in patients who have used an hepatic enzyme inducer in the past 4 weeks, a non-hormonal emergency contraceptive (e.g., copper intrauterine device) is considered preferable. If this is not possible, some authorities recommend that the usual dose of levonorgestrel (1.5 mg) should be doubled to 3 mg and taken as a single dose as soon as possible (within 72 hours of unprotected sexual intercourse). However, there are no data on efficacy, compliance, or side effects of this regimen. For women with the etonogestrel subdermal implant, the addition of a barrier method is recommended during concomitant use and for 28 days after discontinuation of hepatic enzyme inducing drugs. It is recommended to remove the implant and to prescribe a nonhormonal method in women who require long-term treatment with hepatic enzyme inducing drugs. No precautions or recommendations are available for women using hormone-releasing intrauterine systems, but a significant interaction with these systems is thought to be unlikely due to their local action. Injectable progestin-only contraceptives are also thought to be unaffected by enzyme-inducing drugs.

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ADDITIONAL CONTRACEPTION RECOMMENDED: Coadministration with certain anticonvulsants such as carbamazepine, eslicarbazepine, oxcarbazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, and primidone may reduce the efficacy of contraceptive hormones. There have been numerous case reports of menstrual abnormalities (e.g., breakthrough bleeding, amenorrhea, irregular menses) and unintended pregnancy occurring in women who received oral contraceptives with anticonvulsants. The incidence of menstrual irregularities associated with this combination has been reported to be as high as 65% in some studies. The interaction stems from accelerated clearance of contraceptive hormones as well as decreased plasma concentrations of unbound (active) hormones due to induction of hepatic CYP450 enzymatic activity and hormone-binding globulin capacity by some anticonvulsants. Pharmacokinetic studies have found that normally recommended dosages of carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, phenobarbital, and phenytoin can individually reduce ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel systemic exposure (AUC) by a third or more. Eslicarbazepine acetate 1200 mg once daily for 2 weeks decreased the mean AUC of single-dose ethinyl estradiol (30 mcg) and levonorgestrel (150 mcg) by 32% and 24%, respectively, while eslicarbazepine 800 mg once daily decreased the mean AUCs by 25% and 11%, respectively.

MANAGEMENT: Women using hormonal contraceptives should be advised of the risk of breakthrough bleeding and unintended pregnancy during concomitant therapy with enzyme-inducing anticonvulsants. Alternative or additional methods of birth control should be used during and for at least two weeks after short-term and 4 weeks after long-term (greater than 4 weeks) anticonvulsant therapy. If a combination oral contraceptive pill is used, a regimen containing at least 50 mcg of ethinyl estradiol per day or equivalent should be considered. Although breakthrough bleeding is not necessarily indicative of low ethinyl estradiol serum levels or increased risk of ovulation, some clinicians suggest that women who experience breakthrough bleeding during enzyme-inducing therapy may be prescribed an increased dose of ethinyl estradiol above 50 mcg daily by combining more than one formulation of contraceptive pill if necessary. For emergency contraception in patients who have used an hepatic enzyme inducer in the past 4 weeks, a non-hormonal emergency contraceptive (e.g., copper intrauterine device) is considered preferable. If this is not possible, some authorities recommend that the usual dose of levonorgestrel (1.5 mg) should be doubled to 3 mg and taken as a single dose as soon as possible (within 72 hours of unprotected sexual intercourse). However, there are no data on efficacy, compliance, or side effects of this regimen. For women with the etonogestrel subdermal implant, the addition of a barrier method is recommended during concomitant use and for 28 days after discontinuation of hepatic enzyme inducing drugs. It is recommended to remove the implant and to prescribe a nonhormonal method in women who require long-term treatment with hepatic enzyme inducing drugs. No precautions or recommendations are available for women using hormone-releasing intrauterine systems, but a significant interaction with these systems is thought to be unlikely due to their local action. Injectable progestin-only contraceptives are also thought to be unaffected by enzyme-inducing drugs.

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MONITOR: The coadministration with contraceptive steroids may increase the plasma concentrations of theophylline and other methylxanthines. The proposed mechanism is inhibition of methylxanthine metabolism via hepatic microsomal enzymes, of which estrogens and progestins are also substrates. In one study, theophylline clearance was approximately 30% lower in oral contraceptive users than in nonusers. However, clinical data have been conflicting.

MANAGEMENT: Caution is advised during concomitant therapy with methylxanthines and hormonal contraceptives. Serum theophylline levels and pharmacologic response should be monitored and the dosage adjusted accordingly, particularly following initiation or discontinuation of hormonal contraceptives in patients who are stabilized on their theophylline regimen. Patients should be advised to notify their physician if they experience signs and symptoms of theophylline toxicity such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, restlessness, insomnia, and irregular heartbeat.

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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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MONITOR: The coadministration with contraceptive steroids may increase the plasma concentrations of theophylline and other methylxanthines. The proposed mechanism is inhibition of methylxanthine metabolism via hepatic microsomal enzymes, of which estrogens and progestins are also substrates. In one study, theophylline clearance was approximately 30% lower in oral contraceptive users than in nonusers. However, clinical data have been conflicting.

MANAGEMENT: Caution is advised during concomitant therapy with methylxanthines and hormonal contraceptives. Serum theophylline levels and pharmacologic response should be monitored and the dosage adjusted accordingly, particularly following initiation or discontinuation of hormonal contraceptives in patients who are stabilized on their theophylline regimen. Patients should be advised to notify their physician if they experience signs and symptoms of theophylline toxicity such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, restlessness, insomnia, and irregular heartbeat.

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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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