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Drug Interactions between Betapace AF and bisacodyl / polyethylene glycol 3350 / potassium chloride / sodium bicarbonate / sodium chloride

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

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Interactions between your drugs

Moderate

sotalol bisacodyl

Applies to: Betapace AF (sotalol) and bisacodyl / polyethylene glycol 3350 / potassium chloride / sodium bicarbonate / sodium chloride

MONITOR: Bowel cleansing as well as overuse of certain laxatives may cause electrolyte loss and increase the risk of torsade de pointes ventricular arrhythmia in patients treated with drugs that prolong the QT interval. Electrolyte disturbances including hypokalemia and hypomagnesemia have been reported with laxative abuse and are known risk factors for torsade de pointes associated with QT interval prolongation.

MANAGEMENT: Patients treated with drugs that prolong the QT interval should exercise caution when self-medicating with laxatives. The recommended dosage and duration of use should not be exceeded. Patients treated with lactulose for more than six months should be monitored periodically for electrolyte imbalance. Patients should be advised to seek prompt medical attention if they experience symptoms that could indicate the occurrence of torsade de pointes such as dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, palpitation, irregular heart rhythm, shortness of breath, or syncope.

References

  1. Chin RL (1998) "Laxative-induced hypokalemia." Ann Emerg Med, 32, p. 517-8
  2. Muller-Lissner SA (1993) "Adverse effects of laxatives: fact and fiction." Pharmacology, 47, p. 138-45
  3. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics."
  4. Canadian Pharmacists Association (2006) e-CPS. http://www.pharmacists.ca/function/Subscriptions/ecps.cfm?link=eCPS_quikLink
  5. Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information."
  6. Schaefer DC, Cheskin LJ (1998) "Constipation in the elderly." Am Fam Physician, 58, p. 907-14
View all 6 references

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Moderate

sodium bicarbonate bisacodyl

Applies to: bisacodyl / polyethylene glycol 3350 / potassium chloride / sodium bicarbonate / sodium chloride and bisacodyl / polyethylene glycol 3350 / potassium chloride / sodium bicarbonate / sodium chloride

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: By increasing gastric pH, antacids may reduce the resistance of the enteric coating of bisacodyl tablets, resulting in earlier release of bisacodyl and gastric irritation and dyspepsia.

MANAGEMENT: The administration of antacids and bisacodyl should be separated by at least one hour.

References

  1. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics."

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Moderate

sotalol polyethylene glycol 3350

Applies to: Betapace AF (sotalol) and bisacodyl / polyethylene glycol 3350 / potassium chloride / sodium bicarbonate / sodium chloride

MONITOR: Bowel cleansing as well as overuse of certain laxatives may cause electrolyte loss and increase the risk of torsade de pointes ventricular arrhythmia in patients treated with drugs that prolong the QT interval. Electrolyte disturbances including hypokalemia and hypomagnesemia have been reported with laxative abuse and are known risk factors for torsade de pointes associated with QT interval prolongation.

MANAGEMENT: Patients treated with drugs that prolong the QT interval should exercise caution when self-medicating with laxatives. The recommended dosage and duration of use should not be exceeded. Patients treated with lactulose for more than six months should be monitored periodically for electrolyte imbalance. Patients should be advised to seek prompt medical attention if they experience symptoms that could indicate the occurrence of torsade de pointes such as dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, palpitation, irregular heart rhythm, shortness of breath, or syncope.

References

  1. Chin RL (1998) "Laxative-induced hypokalemia." Ann Emerg Med, 32, p. 517-8
  2. Muller-Lissner SA (1993) "Adverse effects of laxatives: fact and fiction." Pharmacology, 47, p. 138-45
  3. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics."
  4. Canadian Pharmacists Association (2006) e-CPS. http://www.pharmacists.ca/function/Subscriptions/ecps.cfm?link=eCPS_quikLink
  5. Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information."
  6. Schaefer DC, Cheskin LJ (1998) "Constipation in the elderly." Am Fam Physician, 58, p. 907-14
View all 6 references

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Moderate

bisacodyl polyethylene glycol 3350

Applies to: bisacodyl / polyethylene glycol 3350 / potassium chloride / sodium bicarbonate / sodium chloride and bisacodyl / polyethylene glycol 3350 / potassium chloride / sodium bicarbonate / sodium chloride

GENERALLY AVOID: Concomitant use of stimulant laxatives (e.g., bisacodyl, sodium picosulfate) may increase the risk of serious gastrointestinal adverse effects associated with certain osmotic laxatives (e.g., polyethylene glycol (PEG), oral sulfate solution), such as colonic mucosal ulcerations or ischemic colitis. There have been isolated case reports of ischemic colitis occurring with the use of PEG-based bowel cleansing products in combination with higher dosages of bisacodyl (usually greater than 10 mg). Bisacodyl can cause colonic ischemia due to transient reduction in splanchnic blood flow. When administered in conjunction with an osmotic laxative such as PEG, increased intramural pressure secondary to increased peristalsis may lead to ischemic colitis and perforation.

MANAGEMENT: The manufacturers for some osmotic bowel cleansing products recommend avoiding the concurrent use of stimulant laxatives. However, stimulant laxatives, in particular bisacodyl and sodium picosulfate, are sometimes used with PEG in certain bowel cleansing regimens to help reduce dose volume and improve patient tolerability and acceptance. Please consult individual product labeling for specific recommendations and guidance. Patients using osmotic bowel cleansing products and stimulant laxatives who present with sudden abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, or other symptoms of ischemic colitis should be evaluated promptly.

References

  1. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics."
  2. Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information."
  3. Baudet JS, Castro V, Redondo I (2010) "Recurrent ischemic colitis induced by colonoscopy bowel lavage." Am J Gastroenterol, 105, p. 700-1
  4. (2010) "Product Information. Suprep Bowel Prep Kit (magnesium/potassium/sodium sulfates)." Braintree Laboratories
  5. Ajani S, Hurt RT, Teeters DA, Bellmore LR (2012) "Ischaemic colitis associated with oral contraceptive and bisacodyl use." BMJ Case Rep, 2012
  6. (2016) "Product Information. MoviPrep (polyethylene glycol 3350 with electrolytes)." Physicians Total Care
  7. (2020) "Product Information. Plenvu (polyethylene glycol 3350 with electrolytes)." Bausch Health US (formerly Valeant Pharmaceuticals)
  8. (2022) "Product Information. GaviLyte-H and Bisacodyl with Flavor Packs (bisacodyl-PEG 3350 with electrolytes)." Gavis Pharmaceuticals
  9. "Product Information. Bi-Peglyte (bisacodyl-PEG 3350 with electrolytes)." Pendopharm
  10. Vaizman K, Li J, Iswara K, Tenner S (2007) "Ischemic colitis induced by the combination of Bisacodyl and polyethylene glycol in preparation for colonoscopy." Am J Gastroenterol, 102, S267
  11. Belsey J, Epstein O, heresbach D (2009) "Systematic review: adverse event reports for oral sodium phosphate and polyethylene glycol." Aliment Pharmacol Ther, 29, p. 15-28
  12. Hung SY, Chen HC, Chen WT (2020) "A randomized trial comparing the bowel cleansing efficacy of sodium picosulfate/magnesium citrate and polyethylene glycol/Bisacodyl (The Bowklean Study)" Sci Rep, 10, p. 5604
  13. Adamcewicz M, Bearelly D, Porat G, Friedenberg FK (2011) "Mechanism of action and toxicities of purgatives used for colonoscopy preparation." Expert Opin Drug Metab Toxicol, 7, p. 89-101
  14. Anastassopoulos K, Farraye FA, Knight T, Colman S, Cleveland MvB, Pelham RW (2016) "A comparative study of treatment-emergent adverse events following use of common bowel preparations among a colonoscopy screening population: results from a post-marketing observational study." Dig Dis Sci, 61, p. 2993-3006
  15. Barbeau P, Wolfe D, Yazdi F, et al. (2018) "Comparative safety of bowel cleansers: protocol for a systematic review and network meta-analysis." BMJ Open, 8, e021892
View all 15 references

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Drug and food interactions

Moderate

sotalol food

Applies to: Betapace AF (sotalol)

MONITOR: Many psychotherapeutic and CNS-active agents (e.g., anxiolytics, sedatives, hypnotics, antidepressants, antipsychotics, opioids, alcohol, muscle relaxants) exhibit hypotensive effects, especially during initiation of therapy and dose escalation. Coadministration with antihypertensives and other hypotensive agents, in particular vasodilators and alpha-blockers, may result in additive effects on blood pressure and orthostasis.

MANAGEMENT: Caution and close monitoring for development of hypotension is advised during coadministration of these agents. Some authorities recommend avoiding alcohol in patients receiving vasodilating antihypertensive drugs. Patients should be advised to avoid rising abruptly from a sitting or recumbent position and to notify their physician if they experience dizziness, lightheadedness, syncope, orthostasis, or tachycardia.

References

  1. Sternbach H (1991) "Fluoxetine-associated potentiation of calcium-channel blockers." J Clin Psychopharmacol, 11, p. 390-1
  2. Shook TL, Kirshenbaum JM, Hundley RF, Shorey JM, Lamas GA (1984) "Ethanol intoxication complicating intravenous nitroglycerin therapy." Ann Intern Med, 101, p. 498-9
  3. Feder R (1991) "Bradycardia and syncope induced by fluoxetine." J Clin Psychiatry, 52, p. 139
  4. Ellison JM, Milofsky JE, Ely E (1990) "Fluoxetine-induced bradycardia and syncope in two patients." J Clin Psychiatry, 51, p. 385-6
  5. Rodriguez de la Torre B, Dreher J, Malevany I, et al. (2001) "Serum levels and cardiovascular effects of tricyclic antidepressants and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in depressed patients." Ther Drug Monit, 23, p. 435-40
  6. Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information."
  7. Pacher P, Kecskemeti V (2004) "Cardiovascular side effects of new antidepressants and antipsychotics: new drugs, old concerns?" Curr Pharm Des, 10, p. 2463-75
  8. Andrews C, Pinner G (1998) "Postural hypotension induced by paroxetine." BMJ, 316, p. 595
View all 8 references

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Moderate

sotalol food

Applies to: Betapace AF (sotalol)

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Concurrent administration with calcium salts may decrease the oral bioavailability of atenolol and possibly other beta-blockers. The exact mechanism of interaction is unknown. In six healthy subjects, calcium 500 mg (as lactate, carbonate, and gluconate) reduced the mean peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) of atenolol (100 mg) by 51% and 32%, respectively. The elimination half-life increased by 44%. Twelve hours after the combination, beta-blocking activity (as indicated by inhibition of exercise tachycardia) was reduced compared to that with atenolol alone. However, during a 4-week treatment in six hypertensive patients, there was no difference in blood pressure values between treatments. The investigators suggest that prolongation of the elimination half-life induced by calcium coadministration may have led to atenolol cumulation during long-term dosing, which compensated for the reduced bioavailability.

MANAGEMENT: It may help to separate the administration times of beta-blockers and calcium products by at least 2 hours. Patients should be monitored for potentially diminished beta-blocking effects following the addition of calcium therapy.

References

  1. Kirch W, Schafer-Korting M, Axthelm T, Kohler H, Mutschler E (1981) "Interaction of atenolol with furosemide and calcium and aluminum salts." Clin Pharmacol Ther, 30, p. 429-35

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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.

See also

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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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