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Drug Interactions between cladribine and mephenytoin

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

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Interactions between your drugs

Major

mephenytoin cladribine

Applies to: mephenytoin and cladribine

GENERALLY AVOID: The use of cladribine with other immunosuppressive or myelosuppressive agents may increase the risk of infections. Cladribine alone may cause severe and prolonged myelosuppression, lymphopenia, and opportunistic infections. The risk may theoretically increase when coadministered with other immunosuppressive therapy. Agents that may be significantly myelo- or immunosuppressive include antineoplastic agents, radiation, zidovudine, linezolid, some antirheumatic agents, high dosages of corticosteroids or adrenocorticotropic agents (greater than 10 mg/day to 1 mg/kg/day, whichever is less, of prednisone or equivalent for more than 2 weeks), and long-term topical or inhaled corticosteroids.

MANAGEMENT: Concomitant use of oral cladribine with immunosuppressive or myelosuppressive agents should be avoided if possible. Acute short-term therapy with corticosteroids can be administered. Caution is advised if IV cladribine must be used in patients who have recently received or are receiving treatment with other immunosuppressive or myelosuppressive drugs, and vice versa. Close clinical and laboratory monitoring for the development of severe hematologic adverse effects is recommended both during and after discontinuation of therapy. In patients who have previously been treated with immunomodulatory or immunosuppressive drugs, consider potential additive effect, mode of action, and duration of effect of the other drugs prior to initiation of cladribine. Patients should be advised to contact their physician if they develop signs and symptoms of infection such as fever, chills, diarrhea, sore throat, muscle aches, shortness of breath, blood in phlegm, weight loss, red or inflamed skin, body sores, and pain or burning during urination.

References (1)
  1. (2001) "Product Information. Leustatin (cladribine)." Ortho Biotech Inc

Drug and food interactions

Moderate

mephenytoin food

Applies to: mephenytoin

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Phenytoin bioavailability may decrease to subtherapeutic levels when the suspension is given concomitantly with enteral feedings. The mechanism may be related to phenytoin binding to substances in the enteral formula (e.g., calcium, protein) and/or binding to the tube lumen. Data have been conflicting and some studies have reported no changes in phenytoin levels, while others have reported significant reductions.

MONITOR: Acute consumption of alcohol may increase plasma phenytoin levels. Chronic consumption of alcohol may decrease plasma phenytoin levels. The mechanism of this interaction is related to induction of phenytoin metabolism by ethanol during chronic administration. Other hydantoin derivatives may be similarly affected by ethanol.

MANAGEMENT: Some experts have recommended interrupting the feeding for 2 hours before and after the phenytoin dose, giving the phenytoin suspension diluted in water, and flushing the tube with water after administration; however, this method may not entirely avoid the interaction and is not always clinically feasible. Patients should be closely monitored for clinical and laboratory evidence of altered phenytoin efficacy and levels upon initiation and discontinuation of enteral feedings. Dosage adjustments or intravenous administration may be required until therapeutic serum levels are obtained. In addition, patients receiving phenytoin therapy should be warned about the interaction between phenytoin and ethanol and they should be advised to notify their physician if they experience worsening of seizure control or symptoms of toxicity, including drowsiness, visual disturbances, change in mental status, nausea, or ataxia.

References (16)
  1. Sandor P, Sellers EM, Dumbrell M, Khouw V (1981) "Effect of short- and long-term alcohol use on phenytoin kinetics in chronic alcoholics." Clin Pharmacol Ther, 30, p. 390-7
  2. Holtz L, Milton J, Sturek JK (1987) "Compatibility of medications with enteral feedings." JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr, 11, p. 183-6
  3. Sellers EM, Holloway MR (1978) "Drug kinetics and alcohol ingestion." Clin Pharmacokinet, 3, p. 440-52
  4. (2001) "Product Information. Dilantin (phenytoin)." Parke-Davis
  5. Doak KK, Haas CE, Dunnigan KJ, et al. (1998) "Bioavailability of phenytoin acid and phenytoin sodium with enteral feedings." Pharmacotherapy, 18, p. 637-45
  6. Rodman DP, Stevenson TL, Ray TR (1995) "Phenytoin malabsorption after jejunostomy tube delivery." Pharmacotherapy, 15, p. 801-5
  7. Au Yeung SC, Ensom MH (2000) "Phenytoin and enteral feedings: does evidence support an interaction?" Ann Pharmacother, 34, p. 896-905
  8. Ozuna J, Friel P (1984) "Effect of enteral tube feeding on serum phenytoin levels." J Neurosurg Nurs, 16, p. 289-91
  9. Faraji B, Yu PP (1998) "Serum phenytoin levels of patients on gastrostomy tube feeding." J Neurosci Nurs, 30, p. 55-9
  10. Marvel ME, Bertino JS (1991) "Comparative effects of an elemental and a complex enteral feeding formulation on the absorption of phenytoin suspension." JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr, 15, p. 316-8
  11. Fleisher D, Sheth N, Kou JH (1990) "Phenytoin interaction with enteral feedings administered through nasogastric tubes." JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr, 14, p. 513-6
  12. Haley CJ, Nelson J (1989) "Phenytoin-enteral feeding interaction." DICP, 23, p. 796-8
  13. Guidry JR, Eastwood TF, Curry SC (1989) "Phenytoin absorption in volunteers receiving selected enteral feedings." West J Med, 150, p. 659-61
  14. Krueger KA, Garnett WR, Comstock TJ, Fitzsimmons WE, Karnes HT, Pellock JM (1987) "Effect of two administration schedules of an enteral nutrient formula on phenytoin bioavailability." Epilepsia, 28, p. 706-12
  15. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics."
  16. Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information."
Moderate

cladribine food

Applies to: cladribine

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Oral cladribine may increase the bioavailability of other drugs, which may increase the risk or severity of adverse reactions. Cladribine tablets may contain hydroxypropyl betadex, which could form a complex with the active ingredients of other drugs, especially agents with low solubility. The clinical relevance of this interaction remains unknown.

MANAGEMENT: Administration of oral cladribine should be separated from any other oral drug by at least 3 hours.

References (3)
  1. (2001) "Product Information. Leustatin (cladribine)." Ortho Biotech Inc
  2. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics."
  3. Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information."

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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