Drug Interactions between amoxicillin / clarithromycin / omeprazole and gemifloxacin

MONITOR: Certain quinolones, including gemifloxacin, may cause dose-related prolongation of the QT interval in some patients. Theoretically, coadministration with other agents that can prolong the QT interval may result in additive effects and increased risk of ventricular arrhythmias including torsade de pointes and sudden death. No cardiovascular morbidity or mortality attributable to QTc prolongation occurred with gemifloxacin treatment in over 6775 patients during clinical trials, including 653 patients concurrently receiving drugs known to prolong the QTc interval and 5 patients with hypokalemia. The maximal change in QTc interval occurs approximately 5 to 10 hours following oral administration of gemifloxacin. 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). In addition, the extent of drug-induced QT prolongation is dependent on the particular drug(s) involved and dosage(s) of the drug(s).

MANAGEMENT: Although the risk of a serious interaction is probably low, caution is recommended if gemifloxacin is used in combination with other drugs that can prolong the QT interval. Since the magnitude of QTc prolongation may increase with increasing plasma concentrations of gemifloxacin, the recommended dosage should not be exceeded, especially in patients with renal or hepatic impairment. Patients should be advised to seek prompt medical attention if they experience symptoms that could indicate the occurrence of torsade de pointes such as dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, palpitation, irregular heart rhythm, shortness of breath, or syncope.

Although some in vitro data indicate synergism between macrolide antibiotics and penicillins, other in vitro data indicate antagonism. When these drugs are given together, neither has predictable therapeutic efficacy. Data are available for erythromycin, although theoretically this interaction could occur with any macrolide. Except for monitoring of the effectiveness of antibiotic therapy, no special precautions appear to be necessary.

Clarithromycin may increase and prolong the omeprazole plasma concentration. The mechanism may be related to clarithromycin inhibition of hepatic cytochrome P450 enzymes responsible for omeprazole metabolism. Coadministration of omeprazole may result in an increase in clarithromycin and 14-(R)-hydroxyclarithromycin plasma concentrations. These increases may be due to the effect of omeprazole on gastric pH.

Coadministration with omeprazole has been shown to slightly increase the plasma concentrations of gemifloxacin. According to the product labeling, omeprazole (40 mg once a day for 4 days) increased the peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) of gemifloxacin (320 mg single dose) by an average of 11% and 10%, respectively. These increases are not considered clinically significant.