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Drug Interactions between Coartem and Zagam Respipac

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

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Interactions between your drugs

Major

sparfloxacin artemether

Applies to: Zagam Respipac (sparfloxacin) and Coartem (artemether / lumefantrine)

Consumer information for this interaction is not currently available.

CONTRAINDICATED: Sparfloxacin may cause dose-related prolongation of the QT interval in some patients. Theoretically, coadministration with other agents that can prolong the QT interval may result in additive effects and increased risk of ventricular arrhythmias including torsade de pointes and sudden death. Torsade de pointes has been reported in a few patients receiving sparfloxacin alone and with antiarrhythmic agents like amiodarone and disopyramide.

MANAGEMENT: Coadministration of sparfloxacin with other drugs that can prolong the QT interval is considered contraindicated.

References

  1. Thomas M, Maconochie JG, Fletcher E "The dilemma of the prolonged QT interval in early drug studies." Br J Clin Pharmacol 41 (1996): 77-81
  2. Jaillon P, Morganroth J, Brumpt I, Talbot G "Overview of electrocardiographic and cardiovascular safety data for sparfloxacin. Sparfloxacin Safety Group." J Antimicrob Chemother 37(suppl a) (1996): 161-7
  3. Zix JA, GeerdesFenge HF, Rau M, Vockler J, Borner K, Koeppe P, Lode H "Pharmacokinetics of sparfloxacin and interaction with cisapride and sucralfate." Antimicrob Agents Chemother 41 (1997): 1668-72
  4. "Product Information. Zagam (sparfloxacin)." Rhone Poulenc Rorer PROD (2001):
  5. Demolis JL, Charransol A, Funck-Brentano C, Jaillon P "Effects of a single oral dose of sparfloxacin on ventricular repolarization in healthy volunteers." Br J Clin Pharmacol 41 (1996): 499-503
  6. Dupont H, Timsit JF, Souweine B, Gachot B, Wolff M, Regnier B "Torsades de pointe probably related to sparfloxacin." Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 15 (1996): 350-1
  7. Lipsky BA, Dorr MB, Magner DJ, Talbot GH "Safety profile of sparfloxacin, a new fluoroquinolone antibiotic." Clin Ther 21 (1999): 148-59
  8. Owens RC "Risk assessment for antimicrobial agent-induced QTc interval prolongation and torsades de pointes." Pharmacotherapy 21 (2001): 301-19
  9. Iannini PB, Doddamani S, Byazrova E, Curciumaru I, Kramer H "Risk of torsades de pointes with non-cardiac drugs." BMJ 322 (2001): 46-7
  10. Ball P "Quinolone-induced QT interval prolongation: a not-so-unexpected class effect." J Antimicrob Chemother 45 (2000): 557-9
  11. Kang J, Wang L, Chen XL, Triggle DJ, Rampe D "Interactions of a series of fluoroquinolone antibacterial drugs with the human cardiac K+ channel HERG." Mol Pharmacol 59 (2001): 122-6
  12. Oliphant CM, Green GM "Quinolones: a comprehensive review." Am Fam Physician 65 (2002): 455-64
  13. Owens RC Jr, Ambrose PG "Torsades de pointes associated with fluoroquinolones." Pharmacotherapy 22 (2002): 663-8; discussion 668-72
  14. Iannini PB "Cardiotoxicity of macrolides, ketolides and fluoroquinolones that prolong the QTc interval." Expert Opin Drug Saf 1 (2002): 121-8
  15. Owens RC "QT Prolongation with Antimicrobial Agents : Understanding the Significance." Drugs 64 (2004): 1091-124
  16. Katritsis D, Camm AJ "Quinolones: cardioprotective or cardiotoxic." Pacing Clin Electrophysiol 26 (2003): 2317-20
  17. Stahlmann R "Clinical toxicological aspects of fluoroquinolones." Toxicol Lett 127 (2002): 269-77
  18. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics." O 0
  19. Canadian Pharmacists Association "e-CPS. http://www.pharmacists.ca/function/Subscriptions/ecps.cfm?link=eCPS_quikLink" (2006):
  20. Falagas ME, Rafailidis PI, Rosmarakis ES "Arrhythmias associated with fluoroquinolone therapy." Int J Antimicrob Agents 29 (2007): 374-9
  21. Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information." O 0
View all 21 references
Major

sparfloxacin lumefantrine

Applies to: Zagam Respipac (sparfloxacin) and Coartem (artemether / lumefantrine)

Sparfloxacin is no longer commercially available in the US. Do not take sparfloxacin with any other medication.

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Drug and food interactions

Moderate

lumefantrine food

Applies to: Coartem (artemether / lumefantrine)

Each dose of lumefantrine should be taken with food such as milk, infant formula, pudding, porridge, or broth. Food helps the medication get absorbed into the bloodstream, so the medication may not work as well when taken on an empty stomach. If unable to be swallowed whole, lumefantrine tablets may be crushed and mixed with one to two teaspoons of water in a clean container and consumed immediately after mixing. The container should then be rinsed with more water and the contents consumed. This should be followed by eating as soon as possible. Avoid drinking grapefruit juice during treatment with lumefantrine. Grapefruit juice can cause too much of the medication to be in the blood. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.

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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.

Further information

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