Drug Interactions between caffeine / pheniramine / phenylephrine / sodium citrate / sodium salicylate and tacrolimus

MONITOR: Coadministration of two or more sympathomimetic agents may increase the risk of adverse effects such as nervousness, irritability, and increased heart rate. Central nervous system (CNS) stimulants, particularly amphetamines, can potentiate the adrenergic response to vasopressors and other sympathomimetic agents. Additive increases in blood pressure and heart rate may occur due to enhanced peripheral sympathetic activity.

MANAGEMENT: Caution is advised if two or more sympathomimetic agents are coadministered. Pulse and blood pressure should be closely monitored.

MONITOR: Agents that cause urinary alkalinization can reduce serum salicylate concentrations in patients receiving anti-inflammatory dosages of aspirin or other salicylates. The mechanism involves reduction in salicylate renal tubular reabsorption due to increased urinary pH, resulting in increased renal salicylate clearance especially above urine pH of 7. This interaction is sometimes exploited in the treatment of salicylate toxicity.

MANAGEMENT: Patients treated chronically with urinary alkalinizers and large doses of salicylates (i.e. 3 g/day or more) should be monitored for potentially diminished or inadequate analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects, and the salicylate dosage adjusted if necessary.

In vitro data suggest that the presence of antacids may reduce the bioavailability of tacrolimus. An in vitro study showed that tacrolimus incubated in 100 mL simulated gastric fluid with the equivalent of 500 mg of various antacids resulted in loss of tacrolimus, due presumably to a pH-mediated degradation of tacrolimus. Specifically, aluminum-magnesium hydroxide caused a 14% loss of tacrolimus in 24 hours, magnesium oxide caused a 98% loss in 12 hours, and calcium carbonate caused a 30% loss in 24 hours. In contrast, aluminum hydroxide gel caused an immediate 35% loss of tacrolimus (within 2 minutes) and no further loss for 24 hours, suggesting adsorption of tacrolimus. Whether these effects occur in vivo, and to what extent, are unknown. Sodium bicarbonate has been reported to cause widely variable trough plasma levels and reduced blood concentrations of tacrolimus when given close to the time of administration of tacrolimus. No other details were available in the report. However, in a single-dose study, administration of tacrolimus with aluminum-magnesium hydroxide in healthy volunteers resulted in a 10% and 21% increase (not decrease) in tacrolimus peak concentration (Cmax) and systemic exposure (AUC), respectively, compared to administration without aluminum-magnesium hydroxide.