Drug Interactions between Cardizem CD and Margesic H

GENERALLY AVOID: Alcohol may potentiate the central nervous system (CNS) depressant effects of opioid analgesics including hydrocodone. Concomitant use may result in additive CNS depression and impairment of judgment, thinking, and psychomotor skills. In more severe cases, hypotension, respiratory depression, profound sedation, coma, or even death may occur.

GENERALLY AVOID: Consumption of alcohol while taking some sustained-release formulations of hydrocodone may cause rapid release of the drug, resulting in high systemic levels of hydrocodone that may be potentially lethal. Alcohol apparently can disrupt the release mechanism of some sustained-release formulations. In study subjects, the rate of absorption of hydrocodone from an extended-release formulation was found to be affected by coadministration with 40% alcohol in the fasted state, as demonstrated by an average 2.4-fold (up to 3.9-fold in one subject) increase in hydrocodone peak plasma concentration and a decrease in the time to peak concentration. Alcohol also increased the extent of absorption by an average of 1.2-fold (up to 1.7-fold in one subject).

GENERALLY AVOID: Grapefruit juice may increase the plasma concentrations of hydrocodone. The proposed mechanism is inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated metabolism of hydrocodone by certain compounds present in grapefruit. Increased hydrocodone concentrations could conceivably increase or prolong adverse drug effects and may cause potentially fatal respiratory depression.

MANAGEMENT: Patients taking sustained-release formulations of hydrocodone should not consume alcohol or use medications that contain alcohol. In general, potent narcotics such as hydrocodone should not be combined with alcohol. Patients should also avoid consumption of grapefruit or grapefruit juice during treatment with hydrocodone.

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GENERALLY AVOID: Chronic, excessive consumption of alcohol may increase the risk of acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity, which has included rare cases of fatal hepatitis and frank hepatic failure requiring liver transplantation. The proposed mechanism is induction of hepatic microsomal enzymes during chronic alcohol use, which may result in accelerated metabolism of acetaminophen and increased production of potentially hepatotoxic metabolites.

MANAGEMENT: In general, chronic alcoholics should avoid regular or excessive use of acetaminophen. Alternative analgesic/antipyretic therapy may be appropriate in patients who consume three or more alcoholic drinks per day. However, if acetaminophen is used, these patients should be cautioned not to exceed the recommended dosage (maximum 4 g/day in adults and children 12 years of age or older).

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MONITOR: Like many CNS-active agents, alcohol can exhibit hypotensive effects. Coadministration with antihypertensive agents including diltiazem may result in additive effects on blood pressure and orthostasis.

MONITOR: Grapefruit juice may increase the plasma concentrations of orally administered diltiazem in some patients. The proposed mechanism is inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated first-pass metabolism in the gut wall by certain compounds present in grapefruit. In a study of ten healthy male volunteers, administration of a single 120 mg oral dose of immediate-release diltiazem in combination with 250 mL of grapefruit juice increased the diltiazem peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and systemic exposure (AUC) by an average of 22% and 20%, respectively, compared to administration with water. The time to reach Cmax (Tmax) and the terminal half-life were not affected, and no statistically significant differences in blood pressure and heart rate were observed during administration with grapefruit juice relative to water. In a different study, repeated administration of 200 mL of grapefruit juice at 0, 2, 4, 8 and 12 hours had no significant effect on the Cmax or AUC of a single 120 mg oral dose of diltiazem, but increased its half-life from 4.1 to 5.1 hours. The ratios for the N-demethyl and deacetyl metabolites to diltiazem were also not affected by grapefruit juice. However, because pharmacokinetic interactions involving grapefruit juice are often subject to a high degree of interpatient variability, the extent to which a given patient may be affected is difficult to predict.

MANAGEMENT: Patients should be advised that alcohol may potentiate the hypotensive effects of diltiazem, especially during the initiation of therapy and following a dosage increase. Caution should be exercised when rising from a sitting or recumbent position, and patients should notify their physician if they experience dizziness, lightheadedness, syncope, orthostasis, or tachycardia. Patients who regularly consume grapefruit or grapefruit juice should be monitored for increased adverse effects of diltiazem such as such as headache, irregular heartbeat, edema, unexplained weight gain, and chest pain. Grapefruit and grapefruit juice should be avoided if an interaction is suspected.

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MONITOR: Calcium-containing products may decrease the effectiveness of calcium channel blockers by saturating calcium channels with calcium. Calcium chloride has been used to manage acute severe verapamil toxicity.

MANAGEMENT: Management consists of monitoring the effectiveness of calcium channel blocker therapy during coadministration with calcium products.

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