Drug Interactions between artemether / lumefantrine and Di-Phen
This report displays the potential drug interactions for the following 2 drugs:
- artemether/lumefantrine
- Di-Phen (phenytoin)
Interactions between your drugs
phenytoin artemether
Applies to: Di-Phen (phenytoin) and artemether / lumefantrine
Using artemether together with phenytoin is not recommended. Combining these medications may significantly reduce the blood levels of artemether, which may make the medication less effective in treating malaria. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns. Your doctor may be able to prescribe alternatives that do not interact. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.
phenytoin lumefantrine
Applies to: Di-Phen (phenytoin) and artemether / lumefantrine
Consumer information for this interaction is not currently available.
CONTRAINDICATED: Coadministration with potent inducers of CYP450 3A4 may significantly decrease the plasma concentrations of artemether and lumefantrine, both of which are primarily metabolized by the isoenzyme. Loss of antimalarial efficacy may occur. In six HIV-1 and tuberculosis coinfected adults without malaria, administration of artemether-lumefantrine (six-dose regimen over 3 days) with the potent CYP450 3A4 inducer rifampin (600 mg orally daily) decreased the systemic exposure (AUC) to artemether, dihydroartemisinin (the active metabolite of artemether) and lumefantrine by 89%, 85% and 68%, respectively.
MANAGEMENT: Concomitant use of artemether-lumefantrine with potent CYP450 3A4 inducers is considered contraindicated.
References
- Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics." O 0
- Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information." O 0
- "Product Information. Coartem (artemether-lumefantrine)." Novartis Pharmaceuticals (2009):
Drug and food interactions
phenytoin food
Applies to: Di-Phen (phenytoin)
Phenytoin levels may decrease when the suspension is given with enteral feedings. This could lead to a loss of seizure control. You could interrupt the feeding for 2 hours before and after the phenytoin dose. Alternatively, you may give the phenytoin suspension diluted in water and flush the tube with water after administration. These would make it easier for your body to absorb the medication. However, this still may not entirely avoid the interaction and may not always be feasible. You should have your phenytoin levels checked upon starting and stopping of enteral feedings. In addition, using phenytoin together with food may alter the effects of phenytoin. Contact your doctor if you experience worsening of seizure control or symptoms of toxicity, including twitching eye movements, slurred speech, loss of balance, tremor, muscle stiffness or weakness, nausea, vomiting, feeling light-headed, fainting, and slow or shallow breathing. If your doctor does prescribe these medications together, you may need a dose adjustment or special test to safely use both medications. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Ask your doctor before making any changes to your therapy.
lumefantrine food
Applies to: artemether / lumefantrine
Each dose of lumefantrine should be taken with food such as milk, infant formula, pudding, porridge, or broth. Food helps the medication get absorbed into the bloodstream, so the medication may not work as well when taken on an empty stomach. If unable to be swallowed whole, lumefantrine tablets may be crushed and mixed with one to two teaspoons of water in a clean container and consumed immediately after mixing. The container should then be rinsed with more water and the contents consumed. This should be followed by eating as soon as possible. Avoid drinking grapefruit juice during treatment with lumefantrine. Grapefruit juice can cause too much of the medication to be in the blood. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.
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.
See also
Drug Interaction Classification
Highly clinically significant. Avoid combinations; the risk of the interaction outweighs the benefit. | |
Moderately clinically significant. Usually avoid combinations; use it only under special circumstances. | |
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. | |
No interaction information available. |
Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
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