Drug Interactions between amitriptyline / perphenazine and nebivolol

MONITOR: Coadministration of a phenothiazine with a tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) may result in elevated plasma concentrations of one or both drugs as well as additive adverse effects. Most phenothiazines and TCAs have been found to undergo metabolism by CYP450 2D6, thus competitive inhibition of the enzyme may occur when more than one of these agents are administered. Although these drugs have been used together clinically, the possibility of increased risk of serious adverse effects such as central nervous system depression, tardive dyskinesia, hypotension, and prolongation of the QT interval should be considered, as many of these agents alone can and have produced these effects. In addition, excessive anticholinergic effects may occur in combination use, which can result in paralytic ileus, hyperthermia, heat stroke, and the anticholinergic intoxication syndrome. Peripheral symptoms of anticholinergic intoxication commonly include mydriasis, blurred vision, flushed face, fever, dry skin and mucous membranes, tachycardia, urinary retention, and constipation. Central symptoms may include memory loss, disorientation, incoherence, hallucinations, psychosis, delirium, hyperactivity, twitching or jerking movements, stereotypy, and seizures.

MANAGEMENT: Concurrent use of phenothiazines and TCAs should be approached with caution, particularly in the elderly and those with underlying organic brain disease, who tend to be more sensitive to the central anticholinergic effects of these drugs and in whom toxicity symptoms may be easily overlooked. Patients should be advised to notify their physician promptly if they experience potential symptoms of anticholinergic intoxication (e.g., abdominal pain, fever, heat intolerance, blurred vision, confusion, hallucinations) or cardiovascular toxicity (e.g., dizziness, palpitations, arrhythmias, syncope). Ambulatory patients should be counseled to avoid activities requiring mental alertness until they know how these agents affect them. A dosage reduction in one or both drugs may be necessary if excessive adverse effects develop.

MONITOR: Phenothiazines, tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), and some antipsychotic (neuroleptic) agents may potentiate the blood pressure lowering capabilities of other drugs with hypotensive effects due to their peripheral alpha-1 adrenergic blocking activity. Orthostatic hypotension and syncope associated with vasodilation may occur, particularly during initial dosing and/or parenteral administration of the phenothiazine, TCA, or neuroleptic. The severity of this interaction may be affected by the agent's affinity for the alpha-1 adrenoceptor. One in vitro study demonstrated an affinity for the alpha-1 adrenoceptor for some of these medications that was similar to, or greater than, those of alpha blocker medications used to treat hypertension. Examples of drugs evaluated in this study with a high affinity included amitriptyline, clomipramine, chlorpromazine, clozapine, doxepin, flupenthixol, lurasidone, nortriptyline, perphenazine, paliperidone, quetiapine, risperidone, sertindole, and ziprasidone. On the other hand, examples of those with lower affinities included aripiprazole, lofepramine, protriptyline, sulpiride, and amisulpride.

MANAGEMENT: Close clinical monitoring for development of hypotension is recommended if phenothiazines, tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), or certain antipsychotic (neuroleptic) agents are used in patients receiving antihypertensive medications or vasodilators. A lower starting dosage and slower titration of the phenothiazine, TCA, or neuroleptic may be appropriate, especially in the elderly. It may also be advisable to consider using a phenothiazine, TCA, or neuroleptic medication with a lower affinity for the alpha-1 adrenoceptor when possible. Patients should be counseled to avoid rising abruptly from a sitting or recumbent position and to notify their healthcare provider if they experience dizziness, lightheadedness, syncope, orthostasis, or tachycardia. Patients should also avoid driving or operating hazardous machinery until they know how the medications affect them.

MONITOR: Coadministration with inhibitors of CYP450 2D6 may increase the plasma concentrations of nebivolol, which is primarily metabolized by the isoenzyme The mechanism is decreased clearance due to inhibition of CYP450 2D6 activity. Several studies have shown that coadministration of CYP450 2D6 inhibitors increases the peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and systemic exposure (AUC) of nebivolol. When the potent CYP450 2D6 inhibitor paroxetine (20-40 mg daily) was coadministered with nebivolol (5 mg) in 23 healthy subjects, nebivolol's Cmax and AUC increased by 5.7-fold and 6.1-fold, respectively. Similarly, when bupropion (300 mg), a potent CYP450 2D6 inhibitor, was coadministered with nebivolol in 18 healthy volunteers, the Cmax and AUC increased by 2.3-fold and 7.2-fold, respectively. Fluoxetine (20 mg daily), a potent CYP450 2D6 inhibitor, increased nebivolol's Cmax and AUC by approximately 2.3-fold and 6-fold in 10 patients. Fluvoxamine, a mild CYP450 2D6 inhibitor, increased Cmax and AUC by 1.41-fold and 1.44-fold in 18 healthy volunteers. However, no data resulted in significant changes to heart rate or blood pressure.

MANAGEMENT: Caution is advised when nebivolol is used concomitantly with CYP450 2D6 inhibitors. Additional caution and monitoring are advised if the coadministered CYP450 2D6 inhibitor may potentiate the blood pressure lowering effects of nebivolol (e.g., phenothiazines, tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), and some antipsychotic (neuroleptic) agents). Patients should be monitored closely for adverse effects such as bradycardia, diarrhea, nausea, fatigue, chest pain, peripheral edema, headache, dizziness, insomnia, dyspnea and rash, and the nebivolol dose should be adjusted according to blood pressure response.