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Drug Interactions between amiodarone and E.E.S. Granules

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

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Interactions between your drugs

Major

amiodarone erythromycin

Applies to: amiodarone and E.E.S. Granules (erythromycin)

GENERALLY AVOID: Amiodarone can cause dose-related prolongation of the QT interval. Coadministration with other agents that can prolong the QT interval such as macrolide antibiotics may result in additive effects and increased risk of ventricular arrhythmias including torsade de pointes and sudden death. A case of QT prolongation and increased QT dispersion was reported in a patient three days after oral azithromycin was added to a regimen that included oral amiodarone. The QTc interval increased from 510 to 660 ms, and QT dispersion increased from 58 to 140 ms. The ECG returned to baseline four days after azithromycin was discontinued. In another case, syncope and torsade de pointes in association with QT prolongation developed when intravenous erythromycin was administered to a 76-year-old patient receiving amiodarone therapy, and recurred upon rechallenge. In general, the risk of an individual agent or a combination of agents causing ventricular arrhythmia in association with QT prolongation is largely unpredictable but may be increased by certain underlying risk factors such as congenital long QT syndrome, cardiac disease, and electrolyte disturbances (e.g., hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia). Some macrolides such as clarithromycin, erythromycin, and troleandomycin are also potent inhibitors of CYP450 3A4 and may significantly inhibit the metabolism of amiodarone, which is primarily metabolized by the isoenzyme.

MANAGEMENT: The concurrent use of amiodarone with other medications that can prolong the QT interval should generally be avoided unless benefits are anticipated to outweigh the risks. Caution and clinical monitoring are recommended if these agents are prescribed together, especially to patients with underlying risk factors. Patients should be advised to seek medical attention if they experience symptoms that could indicate the occurrence of torsade de pointes such as dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, palpitations, irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, or syncope.

References

  1. Nattel S, Ranger S, Talajic M, et al. "Erythromycin-induced long QT syndrome: concordance with quinidine and underlying cellular electrophysiologic mechanism." Am J Med 89 (1990): 235-8
  2. "Product Information. Cordarone (amiodarone)." Wyeth-Ayerst Laboratories PROD (2002):
  3. "Product Information. Azithromycin (azithromycin)." Pfizer U.S. Pharmaceuticals
  4. Trivier JM, Libersa C, Belloc C, Lhermitte M "Amiodarone N-deethylation in human liver microsomes: involvement of cytochrome P450 3A enzymes (first report)." Life Sci 52 (1993): pl91-6
  5. Yamreudeewong W, DeBisschop M, Martin L, Lower D "Potentially Significant Drug Interactions of Class III Antiarrhythmic Drugs." Drug Saf 26 (2003): 421-38
  6. Samarendra P, Kumari S, Evans SJ, Sacchi TJ, Navarro V "QT prolongation associated with azithromycin/amiodarone combination." Pacing Clin Electrophysiol 24 (2001): 1572-4
  7. "Product Information. Erythrocin Lactobionate (erythromycin)." Abbott Pharmaceutical (2003):
View all 7 references

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Drug and food interactions

Major

amiodarone food

Applies to: amiodarone

GENERALLY AVOID: Grapefruit juice may significantly increase the plasma concentrations of orally administered amiodarone. The proposed mechanism is inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated first-pass metabolism in the gut wall by certain compounds present in grapefruits. In 11 nonsmoking, healthy volunteers, grapefruit juice (300 mL with drug administration, then 3 hours and 9 hours later) increased the mean peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) of amiodarone (17 mg/kg single dose) by 84% and 50%, respectively, compared to water. Formation of the pharmacologically active metabolite, N-desethylamiodarone (N-DEA), was completely inhibited. Clinically, this interaction can lead to altered efficacy of amiodarone, since antiarrhythmic properties of amiodarone and N-DEA appear to differ. In the study, mean increases in PR and QTc intervals of 17.9% and 11.3%, respectively, were observed 6 hours postdose with water, while increases of 10.2% and 3.3%, respectively, were observed after administration with grapefruit juice.

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Food increases the rate and extent of absorption of amiodarone. The mechanism appears to involve the effect of food-induced physiologic changes on drug release from its formulation. In 30 healthy volunteers, administration of a single 600 mg dose of amiodarone following a high-fat meal resulted in a Cmax and AUC that were 3.8 and 2.4 times the respective values under fasting conditions. The time to reach peak plasma concentration (Tmax) was decreased by 37%, indicating an increased rate of absorption. Mean Cmax and AUC for the active metabolite, N-DEA, also increased by 32% and 55%, respectively, but there was no change in the Tmax.

MANAGEMENT: Patients treated with oral amiodarone should avoid consumption of grapefruits and grapefruit juice. In addition, oral amiodarone should be administered consistently with regard to meals.

References

  1. "Product Information. Cordarone (amiodarone)." Wyeth-Ayerst Laboratories PROD (2002):
  2. Libersa CC, Brique SA, Motte KB, et al. "Dramatic inhibition of amiodarone metabolism induced by grapefruit juice." Br J Clin Pharmacol 49 (2000): 373-8
  3. Meng X, Mojaverian P, Doedee M, Lin E, Weinryb I, Chiang ST, Kowey PR "Bioavailability of Amiodarone tablets administered with and without food in healthy subjects." Am J Cardiol 87 (2001): 432-5

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Moderate

erythromycin food

Applies to: E.E.S. Granules (erythromycin)

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Food may variably affect the bioavailability of different oral formulations and salt forms of erythromycin. The individual product package labeling should be consulted regarding the appropriate time of administration in relation to food ingestion. Grapefruit juice may increase the plasma concentrations of orally administered erythromycin. The proposed mechanism is inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated first-pass metabolism in the gut wall by certain compounds present in grapefruits. In an open-label, crossover study consisting of six healthy subjects, the coadministration with double-strength grapefruit juice increased the mean peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) of a single dose of erythromycin (400 mg) by 52% and 49%, respectively, compared to water. The half-life was not affected. The clinical significance of this potential interaction is unknown.

MANAGEMENT: In general, optimal serum levels are achieved when erythromycin is taken in the fasting state, one-half to two hours before meals. However, some erythromycin products may be taken without regard to meals.

References

  1. Welling PG, Huang H, Hewitt PF, Lyons LL "Bioavailability of erythromycin stearate: influence of food and fluid volume." J Pharm Sci 67 (1978): 764-6
  2. Welling PG, Elliott RL, Pitterle ME, et al. "Plasma levels following single and repeated doses of erythromycin estolate and erythromycin stearate." J Pharm Sci 68 (1979): 150-5
  3. Welling PG "Influence of food and diet on gastrointestinal drug absorption: a review." J Pharmacokinet Biopharm 5 (1977): 291-334
  4. Coyne TC, Shum S, Chun AH, Jeansonne L, Shirkey HC "Bioavailability of erythromycin ethylsuccinate in pediatric patients." J Clin Pharmacol 18 (1978): 194-202
  5. Malmborg AS "Effect of food on absorption of erythromycin. A study of two derivatives, the stearate and the base." J Antimicrob Chemother 5 (1979): 591-9
  6. Randinitis EJ, Sedman AJ, Welling PG, Kinkel AW "Effect of a high-fat meal on the bioavailability of a polymer-coated erythromycin particle tablet formulation." J Clin Pharmacol 29 (1989): 79-84
  7. Kanazawa S, Ohkubo T, Sugawara K "The effects of grapefruit juice on the pharmacokinetics of erythromycin." Eur J Clin Pharmacol 56 (2001): 799-803
View all 7 references

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Minor

erythromycin food

Applies to: E.E.S. Granules (erythromycin)

Ethanol, when combined with erythromycin, may delay absorption and therefore the clinical effects of the antibiotic. The mechanism appears to be due to slowed gastric emptying by ethanol. Data is available only for erythromycin ethylsuccinate. Patients should be advised to avoid ethanol while taking erythromycin salts.

References

  1. Morasso MI, Chavez J, Gai MN, Arancibia A "Influence of alcohol consumption on erythromycin ethylsuccinate kinetics." Int J Clin Pharmacol 28 (1990): 426-9

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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

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