Drug Interactions between amoxicillin / clarithromycin / omeprazole and salmeterol

GENERALLY AVOID: Coadministration with potent inhibitors of CYP450 3A4 may significantly increase the systemic levels and pharmacologic effects of salmeterol, which is primarily metabolized by the isoenzyme. Because salmeterol prolongs the QT interval in a dose-dependent manner, high systemic levels of salmeterol may increase the risk of ventricular arrhythmias such as ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, and torsade de pointes. In a placebo-controlled, crossover drug interaction study consisting of 20 healthy subjects, coadministration of salmeterol (50 mcg twice daily) and the potent CYP450 3A4 inhibitor ketoconazole (400 mg once daily) for 7 days resulted in a 16-fold increase in plasma salmeterol exposure (AUC) mainly due to increased bioavailability of the swallowed portion of the dose. Peak plasma salmeterol concentrations (Cmax) were increased by 1.4-fold, and three out of 20 subjects (15%) were withdrawn from the combination due to salmeterol-mediated systemic effects (two with QTc prolongation and one with palpitations and sinus tachycardia). Coadministration of salmeterol and ketoconazole did not result in a clinically significant effect on mean heart rate, blood potassium, or blood glucose. Although there was no statistical effect on the mean QTc, the combination was associated with more frequent increases in QTc duration than salmeterol and placebo.

MANAGEMENT: Concomitant use of salmeterol with potent CYP450 3A4 inhibitors is not recommended. Some authorities recommend avoiding concomitant use of salmeterol during and for 2 weeks after treatment with itraconazole. Other authorities consider concomitant use of salmeterol and atazanavir-cobicistat to be contraindicated.

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.