Drug Interactions between Cozaar and indinavir

GENERALLY AVOID: Moderate-to-high dietary intake of potassium, especially salt substitutes, may increase the risk of hyperkalemia in some patients who are using angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs). ARBs can promote hyperkalemia through inhibition of angiotensin II-induced aldosterone secretion. Patients with diabetes, heart failure, dehydration, or renal insufficiency have a greater risk of developing hyperkalemia.

MANAGEMENT: Patients should receive dietary counseling and be advised to not use potassium-containing salt substitutes or over-the-counter potassium supplements without consulting their physician. If salt substitutes are used concurrently, regular monitoring of serum potassium levels is recommended. Patients should also be advised to seek medical attention if they experience symptoms of hyperkalemia such as weakness, irregular heartbeat, confusion, tingling of the extremities, or feelings of heaviness in the legs.

MONITOR: Grapefruit juice may modestly decrease and delay the conversion of losartan to its active metabolite, E3174. The proposed mechanism is inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated first-pass metabolism in the gut wall by certain compounds present in grapefruits. The clinical significance is unknown. Moreover, pharmacokinetic alterations associated with interactions involving grapefruit juice are often subject to a high degree of interpatient variability.

MANAGEMENT: Patients who regularly consume grapefruits and grapefruit juice should be monitored for altered efficacy of losartan. Grapefruits and grapefruit juice should be avoided if an interaction is suspected. Orange juice is not expected to interact.

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: According to the manufacturer, coadministration with a meal high in calories, fat, and protein reduces the absorption of indinavir. In ten patients given indinavir in this manner, the peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) of indinavir decreased by an average of 84% and 77%, respectively. In contrast, grapefruit juice may have only minor effects on the oral bioavailability of indinavir. The manufacturer's package labeling states that administration of a single 400 mg dose of indinavir with 8 oz. of grapefruit juice decreased indinavir AUC by an average of 26%. Likewise, a study consisting of 14 HIV-infected subjects found no uniform nor significant changes in steady-state indinavir AUC during administration with double-strength grapefruit juice compared to water. There was, however, a delay in absorption (Tmax) due to grapefruit juice that is unlikely to be of clinical significance.

MANAGEMENT: To ensure maximal oral absorption, indinavir should be administered without food but with water 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal. Alternatively, indinavir may be administered with other liquids such as skim milk, juice, coffee, or tea, or with a light meal (e.g., dry toast with jelly, juice, and coffee with skim milk and sugar; corn flakes, skim milk and sugar).