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Drug Interactions between azathioprine and procarbazine

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

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Interactions between your drugs

Moderate

azaTHIOprine procarbazine

Applies to: azathioprine and procarbazine

GENERALLY AVOID: The use of azathioprine with other immunosuppressive or myelosuppressive agents may result in additive hematologic toxicities and increased risk of infections, particularly in transplant patients. Azathioprine alone may cause dose-related and potentially life-threatening bone marrow suppression, although it is usually reversible when managed promptly. Leucopenia, anemia, thrombocytopenia, and rarely, agranulocytosis, pancytopenia, and aplastic anemia have been reported. Dose-related reductions in numbers of circulating total white cells, granulocytes, and lymphocytes may also occur. Treatment with azathioprine alone or in combination with other immunosuppressants, particularly corticosteroids, has been associated with increased susceptibility to infections including severe or atypical infection and reactivation with varicella zoster virus, hepatitis B, cytomegalovirus, and other infectious agents. Very rare cases of JC virus-associated progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), a severely disabling and potentially fatal opportunistic viral infection of the brain, have also been reported. In addition, chronic use of azathioprine with other immunosuppressants may increase the risk of lymphoma, skin cancer, and other malignancies. Again, the risk is greatest in transplant patients, with the exception of hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma (HSTCL), which has occurred primarily in patients with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, especially adolescent and young adult males.

MANAGEMENT: Concomitant use of azathioprine with other immunosuppressive or myelosuppressive agents should be avoided whenever possible. Close clinical and laboratory monitoring for hematologic toxicity is advised if coadministration is required. Since azathioprine is considered a slow-acting drug, delayed myelosuppression may occur, and effects may persist even after the drug has been discontinued. Prompt reduction in dosage or temporary withdrawal of azathioprine may be necessary if a persistently low or rapid decline in leucocyte count occurs, or if there is other evidence of bone marrow depression.

References (2)
  1. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics."
  2. Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information."

Drug and food interactions

Major

procarbazine food

Applies to: procarbazine

CONTRAINDICATED: Foods that contain large amounts of tyramine may precipitate a hypertensive crisis in patients treated with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). The mechanism is inhibition of MAO-A, the enzyme responsible for metabolizing exogenous amines such as tyramine in the gut and preventing them from being absorbed intact. Once absorbed, tyramine is metabolized to octopamine, a substance that is believed to displace norepinephrine from storage granules.

GENERALLY AVOID: Alcohol may potentiate some of the pharmacologic effects of MAOIs. Use in combination may result in additive central nervous system depression and/or impairment of judgment, thinking, and psychomotor skills.

MANAGEMENT: In general, patients treated with MAOIs or other agents that possess MAOI activity (e.g., furazolidone, linezolid, procarbazine) should avoid consumption of products that contain large amounts of amines and protein foods in which aging or breakdown of protein is used to increase flavor. These foods include cheese (particularly strong, aged or processed cheeses), sour cream, wine (particularly red wine), champagne, beer, pickled herring, anchovies, caviar, shrimp paste, liver (particularly chicken liver), dry sausage, salamis, figs, raisins, bananas, avocados, chocolate, soy sauce, bean curd, sauerkraut, yogurt, papaya products, meat tenderizers, fava bean pods, protein extracts, yeast extracts, and dietary supplements. Caffeine may also precipitate hypertensive crisis so its intake should be minimized as well. At least 14 days should elapse following discontinuation of MAOI therapy before these foods may be consumed. Specially designed reference materials and dietary consultation are recommended so that an appropriate and safe diet can be planned. Patients should be advised to promptly seek medical attention if they experience potential signs and symptoms of a hypertensive crisis such as severe headache, visual disturbances, difficulty thinking, stupor or coma, seizures, chest pain, unexplained nausea or vomiting, and stroke-like symptoms. Patients should also be counseled not to use MAOIs with alcohol, and to avoid hazardous activities requiring complete mental alertness and motor coordination until they know how these agents affect them.

References (19)
  1. Pettinger WA, Soyangco FG, Oates JA (1968) "Inhibition of monoamine oxidase in man by furazolidone." Clin Pharmacol Ther, 9, p. 442-7
  2. Goldberg LI (1964) "Monoamine oxidase inhibitors: adverse reactions and possible mechanisms." JAMA, 190, p. 456-62
  3. Nuessle WF, Norman FC, Miller HE (1965) "Pickled herring and tranylcypromine reaction." JAMA, 192, p. 142-3
  4. Sweet RA, Liebowitz MR, Holt CS, Heimberg RG (1991) "Potential interactions between monoamine oxidase inhibitors and prescribed dietary supplements." J Clin Psychopharmacol, 11, p. 331-2
  5. Walker JI, Davidson J, Zung WWK (1984) "Patient compliance with MAO Inhibitor therapy." J Clin Psychiatry, 45, p. 78-80
  6. Ban TA (1975) "Drug interactions with psychoactive drugs." Dis Nerv Syst, 36, p. 164-6
  7. Darcy PF, Griffin JP (1995) "Interactions with drugs used in the treatment of depressive illness." Adverse Drug React Toxicol Rev, 14, p. 211-31
  8. Maxwell MB (1980) "Reexamining the dietary restrictions with procarbazine (an MAOI)." Cancer Nurs, 3, p. 451-7
  9. (2001) "Product Information. Matulane (procarbazine)." Roche Laboratories
  10. De Vita VT, Hahn MA, Oliverio VT (1965) "Monoamine oxidase inhibition by a new carcinostatic agent, n-isopropyl-a-(2-methylhydrazino)-p-toluamide (MIH). (30590)." Proc Soc Exp Biol Med, 120, p. 561-5
  11. Zetin M, Plon L, DeAntonio M (1987) "MAOI reaction with powdered protein dietary supplement." J Clin Psychiatry, 48, p. 499
  12. Domino EF, Selden EM (1984) "Red wine and reactions." J Clin Psychopharmacol, 4, p. 173-4
  13. Tailor SA, Shulman KI, Walker SE, Moss J, Gardner D (1994) "Hypertensive episode associated with phenelzine and tap beer--a reanalysis of the role of pressor amines in beer." J Clin Psychopharmacol, 14, p. 5-14
  14. Pohl R, Balon R, Berchou R (1988) "Reaction to chicken nuggets in a patient taking an MAOI." Am J Psychiatry, 145, p. 651
  15. (2001) "Product Information. Furoxone (furazolidone)." Roberts Pharmaceutical Corporation
  16. (2001) "Product Information. Nardil (phenelzine)." Parke-Davis
  17. (2001) "Product Information. Marplan (isocarboxazid)." Roche Laboratories
  18. (2001) "Product Information. Zyvox (linezolid)." Pharmacia and Upjohn
  19. Martin TG (1996) "Serotonin syndrome." Ann Emerg Med, 28, p. 520-6

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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