Drug Interactions between Covera-HS and Decadron with Xylocaine

GENERALLY AVOID: Consumption of large quantities of grapefruit juice may be associated with significantly increased plasma concentrations of oral verapamil. The mechanism is inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated first-pass metabolism in the gut wall by certain compounds present in grapefruits. One study reported no significant effect of a single administration of grapefruit juice on the pharmacokinetics of verapamil in ten hypertensive patients receiving chronic therapy. In another study conducted in nine healthy male volunteers, administration of 120 mg oral verapamil twice daily for 3 days following pretreatment with 200 mL grapefruit juice twice daily for 5 days resulted in a 57% increase in S-verapamil peak plasma concentration (Cmax), a 36% increase in S-verapamil systemic exposure (AUC), a 40% increase in R-verapamil Cmax, and a 28% increase in R-verapamil AUC compared to administration following orange juice. Elimination half-life and renal clearance of both S- and R-verapamil were not affected by grapefruit juice, and there were no significant effects on blood pressure, heart rate, or PR interval. A third study reported a 1.63-fold increase in Cmax and a 1.45-fold increase in AUC of (R,S)-verapamil in 24 young, healthy volunteers given verapamil sustained-release 120 mg twice daily for 7 days with 250 mL grapefruit juice four times daily on days 5 through 7. Two subjects developed PR interval prolongation of more than 350 ms during grapefruit juice coadministration. A high degree of interindividual variability has been observed in these studies. The interaction was also suspected in a case report of a 42-year-old woman who developed complete heart block, hypotension, hypoxic respiratory failure, severe anion gap metabolic acidosis, and hyperglycemia following accidental ingestion of three verapamil sustained-release 120 mg tablets over a span of six hours. The patient's past medical history was remarkable only for migraine headaches, for which she was receiving several medications including verapamil. Prior to admission, the patient had a 2-week history of poorly controlled migraine, and the six hours preceding hospitalization she suffered from worsening headache and palpitations progressing to altered sensorium. An extensive workup revealed elevated verapamil and norverapamil levels more than 4.5 times above the upper therapeutic limits. These levels also far exceeded those reported in the medical literature for patients taking verapamil 120 mg every 6 hours, or 480 mg in a 24-hour period. The patient recovered after receiving ventilator and vasopressor support. Upon questioning, it was discovered that the patient had been drinking large amounts of grapefruit juice (3 to 4 liters total) the week preceding her admission due to nausea. No other sources or contributing factors could be found for the verapamil toxicity.

MANAGEMENT: Patients treated with oral verapamil should avoid the consumption of large amounts of grapefruit or grapefruit juice to prevent any undue fluctuations in serum drug levels. Patients should be advised to seek medical attention if they experience edema or swelling of the lower extremities; sudden, unexplained weight gain; difficulty breathing; chest pain or tightness; or hypotension as indicated by dizziness, fainting, or orthostasis.

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MONITOR: Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may increase the plasma concentrations of lidocaine, which is primarily metabolized by the CYP450 3A4 and 1A2 isoenzymes to active metabolites (monoethylglycinexylidide (MEGX) and glycinexylidide). The proposed mechanism is inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated first-pass metabolism in the gut wall by certain compounds present in grapefruit. Inhibition of hepatic CYP450 3A4 may also contribute. The interaction has not been studied with grapefruit juice but has been reported with oral and/or intravenous lidocaine and potent CYP450 3A4 inhibitor, itraconazole, as well as moderate CYP450 3A4 inhibitor, erythromycin. A pharmacokinetic study of 9 healthy volunteers showed that the administration of lidocaine oral (1 mg/kg single dose) with itraconazole (200 mg daily) increased lidocaine systemic exposure (AUC) and peak plasma concentration (Cmax) by 75% and 55%, respectively. However, no changes were observed in the pharmacokinetics of the active metabolite MEGX. In the same study, when the moderate CYP450 3A4 inhibitor erythromycin (500 mg three times a day) was administered, lidocaine AUC and Cmax increased by 60% and 40%, respectively. By contrast, when intravenous lidocaine (1.5 mg/kg infusion over 60 minutes) was administered on the fourth day of treatment with itraconazole (200 mg once a day) no changes in lidocaine AUC or Cmax were observed. However, when lidocaine (1.5 mg/kg infusion over 60 minutes) was coadministered with erythromycin (500 mg three times a day) in the same study, the AUC and Cmax of the active metabolite MEGX significantly increased by 45-60% and 40%, respectively. The observed differences between oral and intravenous lidocaine when coadministered with CYP450 3A4 inhibitors may be attributed to inhibition of CYP450 3A4 in both the gastrointestinal tract and liver affecting oral lidocaine to a greater extent than intravenous lidocaine. In general, the effects of grapefruit products are concentration-, dose- and preparation-dependent, and can vary widely among brands. Certain preparations of grapefruit (e.g., high dose, double strength) have sometimes demonstrated potent inhibition of CYP450 3A4, while other preparations (e.g., low dose, single strength) have typically demonstrated moderate inhibition. While the clinical significance of this interaction is unknown, increased exposure to lidocaine may lead to serious and/or life-threatening reactions including respiratory depression, convulsions, bradycardia, hypotension, arrhythmias, and cardiovascular collapse.

MONITOR: Certain foods and behaviors that induce CYP450 1A2 may reduce the plasma concentrations of lidocaine. The proposed mechanism is induction of hepatic CYP450 1A2, one of the isoenzymes responsible for the metabolic clearance of lidocaine. Cigarette smoking is known to be a CYP450 1A2 inducer. In one pharmacokinetic study of 4 smokers and 5 non-smokers who received 2 doses of lidocaine (100 mg IV followed by 100 mg orally after a 2-day washout period), the smokers' systemic exposure (AUC) of oral lidocaine was 68% lower than non-smokers. The AUC of IV lidocaine was only 9% lower in smokers compared with non-smokers. Other CYP450 1A2 inducers include cruciferous vegetables (e.g., broccoli, brussels sprouts) and char-grilled meat. Therefore, eating large or variable amounts of these foods could also reduce lidocaine exposure. The clinical impact of smoking and/or the ingestion of foods that induce CYP450 1A2 on lidocaine have not been studied, however, a loss of efficacy may occur.

MANAGEMENT: Caution is recommended if lidocaine is to be used in combination with grapefruit and grapefruit juice. Monitoring for lidocaine toxicity and plasma lidocaine levels may also be advised, and the lidocaine dosage adjusted as necessary. Patients who smoke and/or consume cruciferous vegetables may be monitored for reduced lidocaine efficacy.

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GENERALLY AVOID: Verapamil may increase the blood concentrations and intoxicating effects of ethanol. The exact mechanism of interaction is unknown but may involve verapamil inhibition of ethanol metabolism. In 10 healthy, young volunteers, verapamil (80 mg orally every 8 hours for 6 days) increased the mean peak blood concentration (Cmax) and the 12-hour area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) of ethanol (0.8 g/kg single oral dose) by 17% and 30%, respectively, compared to placebo. Verapamil AUCs were positively correlated to increased ethanol blood AUC values. Subjectively (i.e. each subject's perception of intoxication as measured on a visual analog scale), verapamil also significantly increased the area under the ethanol effect versus time curve but did not change the peak effect or time to peak effect.

MANAGEMENT: Patients treated with verapamil should be counseled to avoid alcohol consumption.

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MONITOR: Calcium-containing products may decrease the effectiveness of calcium channel blockers by saturating calcium channels with calcium. Calcium chloride has been used to manage acute severe verapamil toxicity.

MANAGEMENT: Management consists of monitoring the effectiveness of calcium channel blocker therapy during coadministration with calcium products.

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The recommended maximum number of medicines in the 'antiarrhythmics' category to be taken concurrently is usually one. Your list includes two medicines belonging to the 'antiarrhythmics' category:

• Covera-HS (verapamil)
• Decadron with Xylocaine (dexamethasone/lidocaine)

Note: In certain circumstances, the benefits of taking this combination of drugs may outweigh any risks. Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your medications or dosage.