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Can you take Benzethonium chloride / lidocaine topical with Flecainide?

1 drug interaction and 16 additional warnings found for the following 2 drugs:

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Drug interactions

Moderate drug interactions

Moderate:

flecainide lidocaine topical

Applies to: flecainide and benzethonium chloride / lidocaine topical

Some of the medication in lidocaine topical may be absorbed into the bloodstream following local application. Using lidocaine topical together with flecainide may increase the risk of side effects of both drugs. Although serious side effects are not very common with topically applied medications because only limited amounts of the medication generally get absorbed into the bloodstream from the skin, they can sometimes occur. Contact your doctor if your condition changes or you experience chest pain, palpitations, nausea, vomiting, lightheadedness, nervousness, dizziness or tremors. You may need more frequent monitoring to safely use both medications. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns. 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.

Food/lifestyle interactions

Moderate food/lifestyle interactions

Moderate:

flecainide Nicotine

Applies to: flecainide

As you stop smoking during treatment with nicotine, your dosage requirement of flecainide may need to be changed. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns. Your doctor may be able to prescribe alternatives that do not interact, or you may need a dose adjustment or more frequent monitoring by your doctor to safely use both medications. 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.

Minor food/lifestyle interactions

Minor:

lidocaine topical Food/Lifestyle

Applies to: benzethonium chloride / lidocaine topical

Information for this minor interaction is available on the professional version.

Disease interactions

14 potential interactions Applies to: 11 conditions, including Heart Failure, Seizures, Hypokalemia, Hypotension, and Hyperkalemia.

Heart Block

Major:

benzethonium chloride / lidocaine topical

The lidocaine topical in benzethonium chloride / lidocaine topical has a major potential interaction with Heart Block.

Lidocaine is absorbed through intact skin and mucosal membranes following topical administration. Prolonged exposure, large doses, frequent applications and/or use on compromised skin or mucosa can produce systemic effects. At high plasma levels, lidocaine can cause hypotension, bradycardia, and cardiovascular collapse. Therapy with lidocaine topical should be administered cautiously in patients with shock, sinus bradyarrhythmia, or severe heart block. The recommended dosage should not be exceeded. Children and debilitated, elderly, or acutely ill patients should be given reduced dosages commensurate with their age, weight, and physical condition.

Major:

flecainide

Flecainide has a major potential interaction with Heart Block.

Flecainide is contraindicated in patients with pre-existing second- or third-degree AV block, or with right bundle branch block when associated with a left hemiblock (bifascicular block), unless a pacemaker is present to sustain the cardiac rhythm should complete heart block occur. Flecainide is also contraindicated in the presence of cardiogenic shock

Heart Failure

Major:

flecainide

Flecainide has a major potential interaction with Heart Failure.

Antiarrhythmic agents can induce severe hypotension (particularly with IV administration) or induce or worsen congestive heart failure (CHF). Patients with primary cardiomyopathy or inadequately compensated CHF are at increased risk. Antiarrhythmic agents should be administered cautiously and dosage and/or frequency of administration modified in patients with hypotension or adequately compensated CHF. Alternative therapy should be considered unless these conditions are secondary to cardiac arrhythmia.

Hyperkalemia

Moderate:

flecainide

Flecainide has a moderate potential interaction with Hyperkalemia.

Electrolyte imbalance can alter the therapeutic effectiveness of antiarrhythmic agents. Hypokalemia and hypomagnesemia can reduce the effectiveness of antiarrhythmic agents. In some cases, these disorders can exaggerate the degree of QTc prolongation and increase the potential for torsade de pointes. Hyperkalemia can potentiate the toxic effects of antiarrhythmic agents. Electrolyte imbalance should be corrected prior to initiating antiarrhythmic therapy. Clinical monitoring of cardiac function and electrolyte concentrations is recommended.

Hypokalemia

Moderate:

flecainide

Flecainide has a moderate potential interaction with Hypokalemia.

Electrolyte imbalance can alter the therapeutic effectiveness of antiarrhythmic agents. Hypokalemia and hypomagnesemia can reduce the effectiveness of antiarrhythmic agents. In some cases, these disorders can exaggerate the degree of QTc prolongation and increase the potential for torsade de pointes. Hyperkalemia can potentiate the toxic effects of antiarrhythmic agents. Electrolyte imbalance should be corrected prior to initiating antiarrhythmic therapy. Clinical monitoring of cardiac function and electrolyte concentrations is recommended.

Hypotension

Major:

flecainide

Flecainide has a major potential interaction with Hypotension.

Antiarrhythmic agents can induce severe hypotension (particularly with IV administration) or induce or worsen congestive heart failure (CHF). Patients with primary cardiomyopathy or inadequately compensated CHF are at increased risk. Antiarrhythmic agents should be administered cautiously and dosage and/or frequency of administration modified in patients with hypotension or adequately compensated CHF. Alternative therapy should be considered unless these conditions are secondary to cardiac arrhythmia.

Liver Disease

Major:

benzethonium chloride / lidocaine topical

The lidocaine topical in benzethonium chloride / lidocaine topical has a major potential interaction with Liver Disease.

Lidocaine topical is absorbed through intact skin and mucosal membranes. Prolonged exposure, large doses, and/or application to compromised skin or mucosa can result in elevated plasma concentrations of lidocaine. Lidocaine is rapidly and extensively metabolized by the liver. Less than 10% is eliminated unchanged in the urine. Several inactive and two active forms (MEGX and GX) have been identified. MEGX and GX exhibit antiarrhythmic and convulsant properties. The pharmacokinetic disposition of lidocaine is altered by changes in hepatic function, including hepatic blood flow. Therapy with lidocaine topical should be administered cautiously and dosing modified for patients with compromised hepatic function.

Moderate:

flecainide

Flecainide has a moderate potential interaction with Liver Disease.

Since flecainide elimination from plasma can be markedly slower in patients with significant hepatic impairment, flecainide should not be used in such patients unless the potential benefits clearly outweigh the risks. If used, frequent and early plasma level monitoring is required to guide dosage. Additionally, dosage increases should be made very cautiously when plasma levels have plateaued (after more than four days).

Magnesium Imbalance

Moderate:

flecainide

Flecainide has a moderate potential interaction with Magnesium Imbalance.

Electrolyte imbalance can alter the therapeutic effectiveness of antiarrhythmic agents. Hypokalemia and hypomagnesemia can reduce the effectiveness of antiarrhythmic agents. In some cases, these disorders can exaggerate the degree of QTc prolongation and increase the potential for torsade de pointes. Hyperkalemia can potentiate the toxic effects of antiarrhythmic agents. Electrolyte imbalance should be corrected prior to initiating antiarrhythmic therapy. Clinical monitoring of cardiac function and electrolyte concentrations is recommended.

Renal Dysfunction

Major:

benzethonium chloride / lidocaine topical

The lidocaine topical in benzethonium chloride / lidocaine topical has a major potential interaction with Renal Dysfunction.

Lidocaine topical is absorbed through intact skin and mucosal membranes. Prolonged exposure, large doses, and/or application to compromised skin or mucosa can result in elevated plasma concentrations of lidocaine. Lidocaine is primarily eliminated by the kidney. Less than 10% is eliminated unchanged in the urine. Two active metabolites (MEGX and GX) have been identified that exhibit antiarrhythmic and convulsant properties. Serum concentrations of lidocaine and the active metabolites are increased and the half-life prolonged in patients with renal impairment. Therapy with lidocaine topical should be administered cautiously and dosing modified for repeated doses in patients with compromised renal function.

Moderate:

flecainide

Flecainide has a moderate potential interaction with Renal Dysfunction.

Flecainide is primarily eliminated by the kidney. Approximately 30% (10% to 50%) of flecainide is excreted in the urine unchanged. The serum concentration of flecainide is increased and the half-life prolonged in patients with renal impairment. Rare conditions such as a strict vegetarian diet or renal tubular acidosis that significantly increase the urinary pH slow the urinary elimination of flecainide. Adjustment of dosage is necessary and modification should be based on the degree of renal impairment. Clinical monitoring of cardiac function (ECG) and renal function is recommended.

Seizures

Major:

benzethonium chloride / lidocaine topical

The lidocaine topical in benzethonium chloride / lidocaine topical has a major potential interaction with Seizures.

Lidocaine topical is absorbed through intact skin and mucosal membranes. Prolonged exposure, large doses, and/or application to compromised skin or mucosa can result in elevated plasma concentrations of lidocaine. Seizures can occur as a result of accumulation of active metabolites. Therapy with lidocaine topical should be administered cautiously to patients with or predisposed to seizure disorders.

Shock

Major:

benzethonium chloride / lidocaine topical

The lidocaine topical in benzethonium chloride / lidocaine topical has a major potential interaction with Shock.

Lidocaine is absorbed through intact skin and mucosal membranes following topical administration. Prolonged exposure, large doses, frequent applications and/or use on compromised skin or mucosa can produce systemic effects. At high plasma levels, lidocaine can cause hypotension, bradycardia, and cardiovascular collapse. Therapy with lidocaine topical should be administered cautiously in patients with shock, sinus bradyarrhythmia, or severe heart block. The recommended dosage should not be exceeded. Children and debilitated, elderly, or acutely ill patients should be given reduced dosages commensurate with their age, weight, and physical condition.

Teething Syndrome

Major:

benzethonium chloride / lidocaine topical

The lidocaine topical in benzethonium chloride / lidocaine topical has a major potential interaction with Teething Syndrome.

Topical lidocaine is not recommended to be used in teething infants and young children, as its ingestion is dangerous and potentially fatal. Ingestion of the drug has shown to result in seizures, severe brain injury, and heart problems in children.

More resources

benzethonium chloride / lidocaine topical

A total of 122 drugs are known to interact with benzethonium chloride / lidocaine topical.

flecainide

A total of 392 drugs are known to interact with flecainide.

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

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.