Drug Interactions between Cordarone and sodium iodide-i-131

GENERALLY AVOID: Grapefruit juice may significantly increase the plasma concentrations of orally administered amiodarone. The proposed mechanism is inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated first-pass metabolism in the gut wall by certain compounds present in grapefruits. In 11 nonsmoking, healthy volunteers, grapefruit juice (300 mL with drug administration, then 3 hours and 9 hours later) increased the mean peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) of amiodarone (17 mg/kg single dose) by 84% and 50%, respectively, compared to water. Formation of the pharmacologically active metabolite, N-desethylamiodarone (N-DEA), was completely inhibited. Clinically, this interaction can lead to altered efficacy of amiodarone, since antiarrhythmic properties of amiodarone and N-DEA appear to differ. In the study, mean increases in PR and QTc intervals of 17.9% and 11.3%, respectively, were observed 6 hours postdose with water, while increases of 10.2% and 3.3%, respectively, were observed after administration with grapefruit juice.

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Food increases the rate and extent of absorption of amiodarone. The mechanism appears to involve the effect of food-induced physiologic changes on drug release from its formulation. In 30 healthy volunteers, administration of a single 600 mg dose of amiodarone following a high-fat meal resulted in a Cmax and AUC that were 3.8 and 2.4 times the respective values under fasting conditions. The time to reach peak plasma concentration (Tmax) was decreased by 37%, indicating an increased rate of absorption. Mean Cmax and AUC for the active metabolite, N-DEA, also increased by 32% and 55%, respectively, but there was no change in the Tmax.

MANAGEMENT: Patients treated with oral amiodarone should avoid consumption of grapefruits and grapefruit juice. In addition, oral amiodarone should be administered consistently with regard to meals.

MONITOR: Excessive intake of dietary iodine (e.g., iodised salt) may interfere with adequate uptake of radioiodide by the thyroid .

MANAGEMENT: A diet low in iodine is recommended before initiating therapy with sodium iodide I-131 or I-123.

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Certain drugs may affect the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and/or diagnostic results of radioiodides.

MANAGEMENT: Antithyroid agents such as carbimazole or propylthiouracil should generally be withheld for 1 week before administration of sodium iodide I-131 or I-123, and for a few days afterward. Salicylates, steroids, anticoagulants, antihistamines, antiparasitics, penicillins, sulfonamides, tolbutamide, thiopental, and nitroprusside should generally be withheld for 1 week. Amiodarone, lithium, and benzodiazepines should be withheld for at least 4 weeks.