Drug Interactions between budesonide and ergocalciferol

Treatment with ergocalciferol may require you to adjust your dietary intake of foods which contain natural or added calcium, phosphate (organic and inorganic), and vitamin D or grapefruit. Ingesting too much vitamin D or having elevated calcium and/or phosphorus levels in the blood and urine can lead to toxic effects, such as having an irregular heart rhythm, seizures, kidney stones, and eventual calcification of your blood vessels, cornea and/or the soft tissues in your body. Consumption of grapefruit and grapefruit juice may also alter the blood levels and effects of ergocalciferol. Your doctor will monitor the levels of calcium and phosphorus in your blood during treatment with ergocalciferol. Please speak with your healthcare team to determine if you require a specialized diet, particularly if you have reduced kidney function, and to discuss any other questions or concerns you have. You may require additional monitoring or a dose adjustment of ergocalciferol if your diet changes. Fortified foods will state on their labeling how much calcium, phosphate, and/or vitamin D has been added. The National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements also provides information on which foods contain calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D. You should avoid abrupt changes in your dietary calcium intake and seek medical attention if you experience early symptoms of vitamin D intoxication such as weakness, fatigue, headache, drowsiness, vertigo, ringing in the ears, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, constipation, dry mouth, metallic taste, muscle pain, bone pain, muscle incoordination, and low muscle tone. Late symptoms may include frequent urination, excessive thirst, weight loss, conjunctivitis ("pink eye"), light sensitivity, runny nose, itching, increased body temperature, and irregular heart rhythm. 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.

You should avoid the regular consumption of large amounts of grapefruits and grapefruit juice while taking budesonide. Grapefruit can raise the levels of budesonide in your body and lead to increased side effects. Do not increase or decrease the amount of grapefruit products in your diet without first talking to your doctor.

Vitamin D analogs such as calciferol and ergocalciferol should not be given to patients with hypercalcemia, malabsorption syndrome, or evidence of vitamin D toxicity.

Vitamin D analogs such as calciferol and ergocalciferol should not be given to patients with hypercalcemia, malabsorption syndrome, or evidence of vitamin D toxicity.

The amine ergot alkaloids, ergonovine and methylergonovine, can cause serious cardiovascular complications because of their vasospastic effects. Hypertension (more often with ergonovine) has been most commonly reported, particularly when administered IV undiluted or at an excessive rate or when used in conjunction with regional anesthesia or vasoconstrictors. Headaches, seizures, cerebrovascular accidents and death have been associated with the hypertensive episodes. Other, less common adverse effects include acute myocardial infarction, transient chest pains, thrombophlebitis, tachycardia and palpitations. Therapy with ergot alkaloids should generally be avoided, except under special circumstances, in patients with chronic hypertension, preeclampsia or eclampsia, cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular disease, or peripheral vascular disease. Caution is advised when these agents are administered to patients with venoatrial shunts, mitral valve stenosis, or sepsis. Close monitoring of cardiovascular status is highly recommended during therapy.

Vitamin D analogs function to increase serum calcium concentrations and can exacerbate arrhythmias, particularly in patients receiving cardiac glycosides. Therapy with vitamin D analogs should be administered cautiously in patients with or predisposed to cardiac arrhythmias. Clinical monitoring of serum electrolyte concentrations and cardiac function is recommended.

Vitamin D analogs are fat soluble and oral formulations require bile for adequate intestinal absorption. Hepatic and/or biliary dysfunction decrease the absorption of vitamin D analogs. Metabolites of vitamin D analogs are primarily excreted in bile and feces. Ergocalciferol, cholecalciferol, and dihydrotachysterol undergo hepatic hydroxylation during metabolic activation. Hepatic impairment can alter the metabolic and therapeutic activity of certain vitamin D analogs. Alternative vitamin D analogs such as calcitriol (active form) may be considered in patients with compromised hepatic function.

Prolonged use of corticosteroids may cause posterior subcapsular cataracts and elevated intraocular pressure, the latter of which may lead to glaucoma and/or damage to the optic nerves. Therapy with corticosteroids should be administered cautiously nonetheless in patients with a history of cataracts, glaucoma, or increased intraocular pressure. Although adverse effects of corticosteroids may be minimized by local rather than systemic administration, the risks are not entirely abolished. Inhaled and nasally applied drug may be absorbed into the circulation, especially when large doses are used. It is important that the recommended dosages of the individual products not be exceeded and that the lowest effective dosage be used.

Prolonged use of corticosteroids may cause posterior subcapsular cataracts and elevated intraocular pressure, the latter of which may lead to glaucoma and/or damage to the optic nerves. Therapy with corticosteroids should be administered cautiously nonetheless in patients with a history of cataracts, glaucoma, or increased intraocular pressure. Although adverse effects of corticosteroids may be minimized by local rather than systemic administration, the risks are not entirely abolished. Inhaled and nasally applied drug may be absorbed into the circulation, especially when large doses are used. It is important that the recommended dosages of the individual products not be exceeded and that the lowest effective dosage be used.

The use of corticosteroids may rarely precipitate or aggravate conditions of hyperadrenocorticism. Although adverse effects of corticosteroids may be minimized by local rather than systemic administration, the risks are not entirely abolished. Inhaled and nasally applied drug may be absorbed into the circulation, especially when large doses are used. It is important that the recommended dosages of the individual products not be exceeded and that the lowest effective dosage be used. The development of symptoms such as menstrual irregularities, acneiform lesions, cataracts and cushingoid features during inhaled or nasal corticosteroid therapy may indicate excessive use.

The immunosuppressant and anti-inflammatory effects of corticosteroids, particularly in higher dosages, may decrease host resistance to infectious agents, decrease the ability to localize infections, and mask the symptoms of infection. Secondary infections may be more likely to develop. Therapy with corticosteroids should be administered cautiously in patients with an infection, particularly active or quiescent tuberculosis or in hepatitis B carriers. Monitor patients for any new or worsening infection and use with caution in these patients. A serious or even fatal course of chickenpox and measles can occur in susceptible patients. It is important that the recommended dosages of the individual products not be exceeded and that the lowest effective dosage be used.

Some inhaled corticosteroid formulations contain lactose and may cause adverse reactions including cough, wheezing and bronchospasm in patients with severe milk protein allergy or intolerance. Caution is advised.

Vitamin D analogs are fat soluble and oral formulations require bile for adequate intestinal absorption. Hepatic and/or biliary dysfunction decrease the absorption of vitamin D analogs. Metabolites of vitamin D analogs are primarily excreted in bile and feces. Ergocalciferol, cholecalciferol, and dihydrotachysterol undergo hepatic hydroxylation during metabolic activation. Hepatic impairment can alter the metabolic and therapeutic activity of certain vitamin D analogs. Alternative vitamin D analogs such as calcitriol (active form) may be considered in patients with compromised hepatic function.

Corticosteroids are predominantly cleared by hepatic metabolism and impairment of the liver function may lead to their accumulation. Patients with hepatic disease should be closely monitored.

Pharmacologic dosages of corticosteroids may increase the risk of corneal perforation in patients with ocular herpes simplex. Therapy with inhaled and nasal corticosteroids should be administered cautiously in such patients.

Prolonged use of inhaled corticosteroids may be associated with a reduction in bone density. This effect appears to be dose-related and has been reported primarily with high dosages (800 mcg/day or more of beclomethasone or equivalent for 1 year or greater). Reduced levels of total body calcium have also been demonstrated in patients receiving lower dosages. Long-term therapy with inhaled and nasal corticosteroids should be administered cautiously in patients with osteoporosis. It is important that the recommended dosages of the individual products not be exceeded and that the lowest effective dosage be used.

Vitamin D analogs administered in the presence of hyperphosphatemia can result in precipitation of calcium-phosphate deposits within the vascular or renal systems or other soft tissue calcifications. A solubility product (Serum Calcium X Phosphate) should not exceed 70. Serum electrolyte concentrations should be corrected prior to vitamin D analog therapy and monitored during therapy.

Ergocalciferol and cholecalciferol undergo renal biotransformation during metabolic activation. Renal impairment can alter metabolic and therapeutic activity of certain vitamin D analogs. Alternative vitamin D analogs such as dihydrotachysterol (hepatic activation) and calcitriol (active form) may be considered in patients with compromised renal function.

The immunosuppressant and anti-inflammatory effects of corticosteroids, particularly in higher dosages, may decrease host resistance to infectious agents, decrease the ability to localize infections, and mask the symptoms of infection. Secondary infections may be more likely to develop. Therapy with corticosteroids should be administered cautiously in patients with an infection, particularly active or quiescent tuberculosis or in hepatitis B carriers. Monitor patients for any new or worsening infection and use with caution in these patients. A serious or even fatal course of chickenpox and measles can occur in susceptible patients. It is important that the recommended dosages of the individual products not be exceeded and that the lowest effective dosage be used.