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Drug Interactions between arsenic trioxide and nortriptyline

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

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Major

nortriptyline arsenic trioxide

Applies to: nortriptyline and arsenic trioxide

GENERALLY AVOID: Arsenic trioxide can cause QT interval prolongation and complete atrioventricular block. 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. During clinical studies involving 40 patients receiving arsenic trioxide for acute promyelocytic leukemia, 16 of them (40%) had at least one ECG tracing with a QTc interval greater than 500 msec. Prolongation of QTc was observed between 1 and 5 weeks after arsenic trioxide infusion and returned towards baseline by the end of 8 weeks. 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: If possible, medications that are known to prolong the QT interval should be discontinued prior to initiating therapy with arsenic trioxide and withheld for at least several weeks after completion of therapy. Caution is advised if concomitant use cannot be avoided. Patients should have frequent ECGs and be monitored for arrhythmias when QT interval is prolonged. An absolute QT interval exceeding 500 msec will require immediate action to correct concomitant risk factors, if any, as well as a thorough assessment of the need for continued therapy. Patients who develop syncope or arrhythmia should be hospitalized for clinical and laboratory monitoring. Arsenic trioxide should be temporarily discontinued until symptoms resolve, the QTc interval regresses to below 460 msec, and electrolyte abnormalities are corrected.

References

  1. "Product Information. Trisenox (arsenic trioxide)." Cephalon Inc PROD (2001):
  2. Ohnishi K, Yoshida H, Shigeno K, et al. "Prolongation of the QT interval and ventricular tachycardia in patients treated with arsenic trioxide for acute promyelocytic leukemia." Ann Intern Med 133 (2000): 881-5

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Drug and food interactions

Moderate

nortriptyline food

Applies to: nortriptyline

GENERALLY AVOID: Concomitant use of ethanol and a tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) may result altered TCA plasma levels and efficacy, and additive impairment of motor skills, especially driving skills. Acute ethanol ingestion may inhibit TCA metabolism, while chronic ingestion of large amounts of ethanol may induce hepatic TCA metabolism.

MANAGEMENT: Patients should be advised to avoid alcohol during TCA therapy. Alcoholics who have undergone detoxification should be monitored for decreased TCA efficacy. Dosage adjustments may be required.

References

  1. Dorian P, Sellers EM, Reed KL, et al. "Amitriptyline and ethanol: pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interaction." Eur J Clin Pharmacol 25 (1983): 325-31
  2. Warrington SJ, Ankier SI, Turner P "Evaluation of possible interactions between ethanol and trazodone or amitriptyline." Neuropsychobiology 15 (1986): 31-7
  3. Sandoz M, Vandel S, Vandel B, Bonin B, Allers G, Volmat R "Biotransformation of amitriptyline in alcoholic depressive patients." Eur J Clin Pharmacol 24 (1983): 615-21
  4. Ciraulo DA, Barnhill JG, Jaffe JH "Clinical pharmacokinetics of imipramine and desipramine in alcoholics and normal volunteers." Clin Pharmacol Ther 43 (1988): 509-18
  5. Seppala T, Linnoila M, Elonen E, Mattila MJ, Makl M "Effect of tricyclic antidepressants and alcohol on psychomotor skills related to driving." Clin Pharmacol Ther 17 (1975): 515-22
  6. Ciraulo DA, Barnhill JG, Jaffe JH, Ciraulo AM, Tarmey MF "Intravenous pharmacokinetics of 2-hydroxyimipramine in alcoholics and normal controls." J Stud Alcohol 51 (1990): 366-72
  7. Ciraulo DA, Alderson LM, Chapron DJ, Jaffe JH, Subbarao B, Kramer PA "Imipramine disposition in alcoholics." J Clin Psychopharmacol 2 (1982): 2-7
View all 7 references

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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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