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Drug Interactions between clomipramine and flecainide

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

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Interactions between your drugs

Moderate

flecainide clomiPRAMINE

Applies to: flecainide and clomipramine

MONITOR: Coadministration with Class IC antiarrhythmic agents may increase the plasma concentrations of some tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs). The proposed mechanism is inhibition of CYP450 2D6, the isoenzyme primarily or partially responsible for the metabolism of most TCAs. In one case report, a patient developed dry mouth, dizziness, sedation, and tremors in association with increased desipramine serum concentrations when digoxin and propafenone were added to his medication regimen. The symptoms resolved following cessation of desipramine for 5 days. However, when desipramine was restarted at one-half the previous dosage, desipramine levels were still elevated compared to before propafenone was added.

MONITOR: Class IC antiarrhythmic agents can cause prolongation of the QT interval. Theoretically, coadministration with other agents such as TCAs that can prolong the QT interval may increase the risk of ventricular arrhythmias, including ventricular tachycardia and torsade de pointes, because of additive arrhythmogenic potential related to their effects on cardiac conduction. In general, the risk of an individual agent or combination of agents causing ventricular arrhythmia in association with QT prolongation is largely unpredictable but may be increased by certain underlying risk factors such as congenital long QT syndrome, cardiac disease, and electrolyte disturbances (e.g., hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia). In addition, the extent of drug-induced QT prolongation is dependent on the particular drug(s) involved and dosage(s) of the drug(s).

MANAGEMENT: Caution and clinical monitoring are recommended if a class IC antiarrhythmic agent is prescribed in combination with a tricyclic antidepressant. Pharmacologic response and serum TCA levels should be monitored more closely whenever a class IC antiarrhythmic agent is added to or withdrawn from therapy, and the TCA dosage adjusted as necessary. Patients should be advised to notify their physician if they experience possible signs and symptoms of TCA toxicity such as excessive sedation, dry mouth, blurred vision, urinary retention, constipation, tachycardia, arrhythmia, and seizures. Patients should seek medical attention if they experience symptoms that could indicate the occurrence of torsades de pointes such as dizziness, palpitations, or syncope.

References (3)
  1. Katz MR (1991) "Raised serum levels of desipramine with the antiarrhythmic propafenone ." J Clin Psychiatry, 52, p. 432-3
  2. (2002) "Product Information. Sinequan (doxepin)." Roerig Division
  3. Witchel HJ, Hancox JC, Nutt DJ (2003) "Psychotropic drugs, cardiac arrhythmia, and sudden death." J Clin Psychopharmacol, 23, p. 58-77

Drug and food interactions

Moderate

clomiPRAMINE food

Applies to: clomipramine

MONITOR: Limited data suggest that the administration of clomipramine with grapefruit juice or cranberry juice may significantly increase plasma drug concentrations of clomipramine. Clomipramine is initially demethylated by CYP450 1A2, 3A3 and 3A4 before undergoing further metabolism to 8-hydroxyclomipramine. The increase in clomipramine bioavailability may stem from inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated first-pass metabolism in the gut wall by certain compounds present in grapefruits. The precise mechanism by which cranberry juice exerts its effects is unknown, but may involve inhibition of CYP450 isoenzymes. This interaction has occasionally been exploited in attempts to improve symptomatic control of obsessive compulsive disorder.

MANAGEMENT: Patients receiving clomipramine therapy who ingest cranberry juice, grapefruits, or grapefruit juice should be monitored for adverse effects and undue fluctuations in plasma drug levels.

References (4)
  1. Oesterheld J, Kallepalli BR (1997) "Grapefruit juice and clomipramine: shifting metabolitic ratios." J Clin Psychopharmacol, 17, p. 62-3
  2. Bailey DG, Dresser GR, Kreeft JH, Munoz C, Freeman DJ, Bend JR (2000) "Grapefruit-felodipine interaction: Effect of unprocessed fruit and probable active ingredients." Clin Pharmacol Ther, 68, p. 468-77
  3. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics."
  4. Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information."
Moderate

clomiPRAMINE food

Applies to: clomipramine

GENERALLY AVOID: The combination of ethanol and a tricyclic antidepressant may result in additive impairment of motor skills, especially driving skills. Also, one study has suggested that clomipramine metabolism is significantly impaired for several weeks or more following discontinuation of chronic alcohol consumption.

MANAGEMENT: Patients should be warned of this interaction and advised to limit their ethanol intake while taking tricyclic antidepressants. Monitoring for TCA toxicity (CNS depression, excessive anticholinergic effects, hypotension, arrhythmias) is recommended during alcohol withdrawal.

References (3)
  1. Seppala T, Linnoila M, Elonen E, Mattila MJ, Makl M (1975) "Effect of tricyclic antidepressants and alcohol on psychomotor skills related to driving." Clin Pharmacol Ther, 17, p. 515-22
  2. Berlin I, Cournot A, Zimmer R, et al. (1990) "Evaluation and comparison of the interaction between alcohol and moclobemide or clomipramine in healthy subjects." Psychopharmacology (Berl), 100, p. 40-5
  3. Balant-Gorgia AE, Gay M, Gex-Fabry M, Balant LP (1992) "Persistent impairment of clomipramine demethylation in recently detoxified alcoholic patients." Ther Drug Monit, 14, p. 119-24
Moderate

flecainide food

Applies to: flecainide

MONITOR: Smoking cessation may lead to elevated plasma concentrations and enhanced pharmacologic effects of drugs that are substrates of CYP450 1A2 (and possibly CYP450 1A1) and/or certain drugs with a narrow therapeutic index (e.g., flecainide, pentazocine). One proposed mechanism is related to the loss of CYP450 1A2 and 1A1 induction by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in tobacco smoke; when smoking cessation agents are initiated and smoking stops, the metabolism of certain drugs may decrease leading to increased plasma concentrations. The mechanism by which smoking cessation affects narrow therapeutic index drugs that are not known substrates of CYP450 1A2 or 1A1 is unknown. The clinical significance of this interaction is unknown as clinical data are lacking.

MANAGEMENT: Until more information is available, caution is advisable if smoking cessation agents are used concomitantly with drugs that are substrates of CYP450 1A2 or 1A1 and/or those with a narrow therapeutic range. Patients receiving smoking cessation agents may require periodic dose adjustments and closer clinical and laboratory monitoring of medications that are substrates of CYP450 1A2 or 1A1.

References (4)
  1. (2024) "Product Information. Cytisine (cytisinicline)." Consilient Health Ltd
  2. jeong sh, Newcombe D, sheridan j, Tingle M (2015) "Pharmacokinetics of cytisine, an a4 b2 nicotinic receptor partial agonist, in healthy smokers following a single dose." Drug Test Anal, 7, p. 475-82
  3. Vaughan DP, Beckett AH, Robbie DS (1976) "The influence of smoking on the intersubject variation in pentazocine elimination." Br J Clin Pharmacol, 3, p. 279-83
  4. Zevin S, Benowitz NL (1999) "Drug interactions with tobacco smoking: an update" Clin Pharmacokinet, 36, p. 425-38

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.

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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.

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