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Drug Interactions between Coartem and rivastigmine

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

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Interactions between your drugs

Moderate

rivastigmine artemether

Applies to: rivastigmine and Coartem (artemether / lumefantrine)

MONITOR: Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors may have vagotonic effects on the sinoatrial and atrioventricular nodes, which occasionally manifest as bradycardia or heart block (<2%). Because bradycardia is a risk factor for torsade de pointes, a theoretical risk exists when combined with agents that prolong the QT interval. In general, the risk of an individual agent or a combination of agents causing ventricular arrhythmia in association with QT prolongation is largely unpredictable but may be increased by certain underlying risk factors including, but not limited to congenital long QT syndrome, cardiac disease, and electrolyte disturbances (e.g., hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia). In addition, the extent of drug-induced QT prolongation may vary depending on the dosage(s) and specific drug(s) involved.

MANAGEMENT: Caution is advised when acetylcholinesterase inhibitors are used with drugs that can prolong the QT interval. Patients should be monitored for bradycardia, atrioventricular block and syncope, and advised to seek medical attention if they experience dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, shortness of breath, or slow or irregular heartbeat.

References (12)
  1. (2001) "Product Information. Aricept (donepezil)." Pfizer U.S. Pharmaceuticals
  2. (2001) "Product Information. Exelon (rivastigmine)." Novartis Pharmaceuticals
  3. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics."
  4. Canadian Pharmacists Association (2006) e-CPS. http://www.pharmacists.ca/function/Subscriptions/ecps.cfm?link=eCPS_quikLink
  5. Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information."
  6. (2024) "Product Information. Galantamine Hydrobromide ER (galantamine)." Aurobindo Pharma USA Inc
  7. (2024) "Product Information. Galantamine Hydrobromide (galantamine)." Aurobindo Pharma USA Inc
  8. (2022) "Product Information. Gaalin (galantamine)." Auro Pharma Inc
  9. (2023) "Product Information. Galzemic (galantamine)." Zentiva Pharma UK Ltd
  10. (2023) "Product Information. Galantyl (galantamine)." Viatris UK Healthcare Ltd
  11. (2020) "Product Information. Auro-Galantamine ER (galantamine)." Auro Pharma Inc
  12. (2024) "Product Information. Zunveyl (benzgalantamine)." Alpha Cognition, Inc., SUPPL-1
Moderate

rivastigmine lumefantrine

Applies to: rivastigmine and Coartem (artemether / lumefantrine)

MONITOR: Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors may have vagotonic effects on the sinoatrial and atrioventricular nodes, which occasionally manifest as bradycardia or heart block (<2%). Because bradycardia is a risk factor for torsade de pointes, a theoretical risk exists when combined with agents that prolong the QT interval. In general, the risk of an individual agent or a combination of agents causing ventricular arrhythmia in association with QT prolongation is largely unpredictable but may be increased by certain underlying risk factors including, but not limited to congenital long QT syndrome, cardiac disease, and electrolyte disturbances (e.g., hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia). In addition, the extent of drug-induced QT prolongation may vary depending on the dosage(s) and specific drug(s) involved.

MANAGEMENT: Caution is advised when acetylcholinesterase inhibitors are used with drugs that can prolong the QT interval. Patients should be monitored for bradycardia, atrioventricular block and syncope, and advised to seek medical attention if they experience dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, shortness of breath, or slow or irregular heartbeat.

References (12)
  1. (2001) "Product Information. Aricept (donepezil)." Pfizer U.S. Pharmaceuticals
  2. (2001) "Product Information. Exelon (rivastigmine)." Novartis Pharmaceuticals
  3. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics."
  4. Canadian Pharmacists Association (2006) e-CPS. http://www.pharmacists.ca/function/Subscriptions/ecps.cfm?link=eCPS_quikLink
  5. Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information."
  6. (2024) "Product Information. Galantamine Hydrobromide ER (galantamine)." Aurobindo Pharma USA Inc
  7. (2024) "Product Information. Galantamine Hydrobromide (galantamine)." Aurobindo Pharma USA Inc
  8. (2022) "Product Information. Gaalin (galantamine)." Auro Pharma Inc
  9. (2023) "Product Information. Galzemic (galantamine)." Zentiva Pharma UK Ltd
  10. (2023) "Product Information. Galantyl (galantamine)." Viatris UK Healthcare Ltd
  11. (2020) "Product Information. Auro-Galantamine ER (galantamine)." Auro Pharma Inc
  12. (2024) "Product Information. Zunveyl (benzgalantamine)." Alpha Cognition, Inc., SUPPL-1

Drug and food interactions

Moderate

lumefantrine food

Applies to: Coartem (artemether / lumefantrine)

GENERALLY AVOID: Coadministration with grapefruit juice may increase the plasma concentrations of artemether and lumefantrine. The mechanism is decreased clearance due to inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated first-pass metabolism in the gut wall by certain compounds present in grapefruits. High plasma levels of artemether and lumefantrine may increase the risk of QT interval prolongation and ventricular arrhythmias including torsade de pointes. In clinical trials, asymptomatic prolongation of the Fridericia-corrected QT interval (QTcF) by more than 30 msec from baseline was reported in approximately one-third of patients treated with artemether-lumefantrine, and prolongation by more than 60 msec was reported in more than 5% of patients. A few patients (0.4%) in the adult/adolescent population and no patient in the infant/children population experienced a QTcF greater than 500 msec. However, the possibility that these increases were disease-related cannot be ruled out. In a study of healthy adult volunteers, administration of the six-dose regimen of artemether-lumefantrine was associated with mean changes in QTcF from baseline of 7.45, 7.29, 6.12 and 6.84 msec at 68, 72, 96, and 108 hours after the first dose, respectively. There was a concentration-dependent increase in QTcF for lumefantrine. No subject had a greater than 30 msec increase from baseline nor an absolute increase to more than 500 msec.

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Food enhances the oral absorption of artemether and lumefantrine. In healthy volunteers, the relative bioavailability of artemether increased by two- to threefold and that of lumefantrine by sixteenfold when administered after a high-fat meal as opposed to under fasted conditions.

MANAGEMENT: Patients receiving artemether-lumefantrine therapy should avoid the consumption of grapefruits and grapefruit juice. To ensure maximal oral absorption, artemether-lumefantrine should be taken with food. Inadequate food intake can increase the risk for recrudescence of malaria. Patients who are averse to food during treatment should be closely monitored and encouraged to resume normal eating as soon as food can be tolerated.

References (3)
  1. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics."
  2. Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information."
  3. (2009) "Product Information. Coartem (artemether-lumefantrine)." Novartis Pharmaceuticals

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

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

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