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Can you take Cramp Tabs with Phenytoin?

1 drug interaction and 25 additional warnings found for the following 2 drugs:

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Drug interactions

Moderate drug interactions

Moderate:

acetaminophen phenytoin

Applies to: Cramp Tabs (acetaminophen / pamabrom) and phenytoin

Using acetaminophen together with phenytoin may alter the effects of acetaminophen and cause serious side effects that may affect your liver.

Call your doctor immediately if you experience:

  • a fever
  • chills
  • joint pain or swelling
  • excessive tiredness or weakness
  • unusual bleeding or bruising
  • skin rash or itching
  • loss of appetite
  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • yellowing of the skin or the whites of your eyes

If your doctor does prescribe these medications together, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take both medications.

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.

Food/lifestyle interactions

Major food/lifestyle interactions

Major:

acetaminophen Food/Lifestyle

Applies to: Cramp Tabs (acetaminophen / pamabrom)

Acetaminophen may cause liver damage and taking it with alcohol may increase that risk.

You should avoid or limit the use of alcohol while being treated with acetaminophen.

Call your doctor immediately if you have:

  • fever
  • chills
  • joint pain or swelling
  • excessive tiredness or weakness
  • unusual bleeding or bruising
  • skin rash or itching
  • loss of appetite
  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • dark colored urine
  • yellowing of the skin or the whites of your eyes

These may be symptoms of liver damage.

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.

Moderate food/lifestyle interactions

Moderate:

phenytoin Food/Lifestyle

Applies to: phenytoin

Phenytoin levels may decrease when the suspension is given with enteral feedings. This could lead to a loss of seizure control.

You could interrupt the feeding for 2 hours before and after the phenytoin dose. Alternatively, you may give the phenytoin suspension diluted in water and flush the tube with water after administration. These would make it easier for your body to absorb the medication. However, this still may not entirely avoid the interaction and may not always be feasible.

You should have your phenytoin levels checked upon starting and stopping of enteral feedings.

In addition, using phenytoin together with food may alter the effects of phenytoin.

Contact your doctor if you experience worsening of seizure control or symptoms of toxicity, including:

  • twitching eye movements
  • slurred speech
  • loss of balance
  • tremor
  • muscle stiffness or weakness
  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • feeling light-headed
  • fainting
  • slow or shallow breathing

If your doctor does prescribe these medications together, you may need a dose adjustment or special test to safely use both medications.

It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Ask your doctor before making any changes to your therapy.

Disease interactions

23 potential interactions Applies to: 21 conditions, including Depression, Vitamin D Deficiency, Arrhythmia, Hypokalemia, and Hypotension.

Abnormal Glucose Tolerance

Moderate:

phenytoin

Phenytoin has a moderate potential interaction with Abnormal Glucose Tolerance.

Phenytoin, particularly in high dosages, may cause hyperglycemia by inhibiting insulin release. The drug may also raise serum glucose levels in diabetic patients. Therapy with phenytoin should be administered cautiously in patients with diabetes mellitus, glucose intolerance, or a predisposition to hyperglycemia. Patients with diabetes mellitus should be monitored more closely during phenytoin therapy, and their antidiabetic regimen adjusted accordingly. The same precautions should also be observed with other hydantoin anticonvulsants (i.e. ethotoin and mephenytoin) because of their structural and pharmacological similarities to phenytoin.

Alcoholism

Major:

Cramp Tabs

The acetaminophen in Cramp Tabs has a major potential interaction with Alcoholism.

Chronic alcohol abusers may be at increased risk of hepatotoxicity during treatment with acetaminophen (APAP). Severe liver injury, including cases of acute liver failure resulting in liver transplant and death, has been reported in patients using acetaminophen. Therapy with acetaminophen should be administered cautiously, if at all, in patients who consume three or more alcoholic drinks a day. In general, patients should avoid drinking alcohol while taking acetaminophen-containing medications. Patients should be warned not to exceed the maximum recommended total daily dosage of acetaminophen (4 g/day in adults and children 12 years of age or older), and to read all prescription and over-the-counter medication labels to ensure they are not taking multiple acetaminophen-containing products, or check with a healthcare professional if they are unsure. They should also be advised to seek medical attention if they experience signs and symptoms of liver injury such as fever, rash, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, right upper quadrant pain, dark urine, and jaundice.

Moderate:

phenytoin

Phenytoin has a moderate potential interaction with Alcoholism.

The use of acute alcoholic intake may increase phenytoin serum levels while chronic alcoholic use may decrease serum levels. Caution is recommended in alcoholic patients. The same precaution should also be observed with fosphenytoin as this agent is a prodrug of phenytoin.

Anemia, Folate Deficiency

Moderate:

phenytoin

Phenytoin has a moderate potential interaction with Anemia, Folate Deficiency.

Hydantoin anticonvulsants may interfere with folate metabolism and precipitate macrocytosis and megaloblastic anemia, which usually respond to folic acid therapy. These reactions have been fairly uncommon but may be of concern in patients with megaloblastic anemia or folate deficiency receiving hydantoin therapy.

Arrhythmia

Moderate:

phenytoin

Phenytoin has a moderate potential interaction with Arrhythmia.

Aromatic antiepileptic drugs such as phenytoin, carbamazepine, and oxcarbazepine, inhibit voltage- gated sodium channels and reduce membrane excitability in neurons and muscle and can be associated with cardiovascular effects. Individual agents have demonstrated AV heart block, including second and third-degree block following treatment. This occurred generally, but not solely in patients with underlying EKG abnormalities or risk factors for conduction abnormalities. Therapy with these agents should be considered and administered cautiously in patients with a history of cardiovascular disease and conduction abnormalities.

Bone Marrow Depression/Low Blood Counts

Major:

phenytoin

Phenytoin has a major potential interaction with Bone Marrow Depression/Low Blood Counts.

Hematologic toxicities have been associated with the use of hydantoin anticonvulsants, particularly mephenytoin. Thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, neutropenia, agranulocytosis, pancytopenia and, rarely, hemolytic anemia, aplastic anemia and pure red cell aplasia have been reported. Therapy with hydantoin anticonvulsants should be administered cautiously in patients with preexisting blood dyscrasias and/or bone marrow depression. Complete blood counts, including platelets, should be performed prior to initiating therapy and regularly for several months thereafter. For mephenytoin, the manufacturer recommends performing counts after 2 weeks on a low dosage, after another 2 weeks when full dosage is reached, then monthly for a year, and every 3 months thereafter. Marked depression of blood counts may be indication for withdrawal of hydantoin therapy.

Cardiovascular Conditions and Disorders

Moderate:

phenytoin

Phenytoin has a moderate potential interaction with Cardiovascular Conditions and Disorders.

Aromatic antiepileptic drugs such as phenytoin, carbamazepine, and oxcarbazepine, inhibit voltage- gated sodium channels and reduce membrane excitability in neurons and muscle and can be associated with cardiovascular effects. Individual agents have demonstrated AV heart block, including second and third-degree block following treatment. This occurred generally, but not solely in patients with underlying EKG abnormalities or risk factors for conduction abnormalities. Therapy with these agents should be considered and administered cautiously in patients with a history of cardiovascular disease and conduction abnormalities.

Dehydration

Major:

Cramp Tabs

The acetaminophen in Cramp Tabs has a major potential interaction with Dehydration.

Acetaminophen is contraindicated in patients with severe hepatic impairment or severe active liver disease. Patients with hepatic impairment may be at increased risk of toxicity. Severe liver injury, including cases of acute liver failure and death, have been reported in patients using this drug. Clinical monitoring of hepatic function is recommended. Caution is advised if using acetaminophen in patients with chronic malnutrition or severe hypovolemia. Instruct patients to avoid drinking alcohol while taking acetaminophen-containing medications. Patients should be warned not to exceed the maximum recommended total daily dosage of acetaminophen (4 g/day in adults and children 12 years of age or older), and to read all prescription and over-the-counter medication labels to ensure they are not taking multiple acetaminophen-containing products, or check with a healthcare professional if they are unsure.

Depression

Moderate:

phenytoin

Phenytoin has a moderate potential interaction with Depression.

Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) have been associated with an increased risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior in patients taking these drugs for any indication. Pooled analyses of 199 placebo-controlled clinical studies involving the use of 11 different AEDs showed that patients receiving AEDs had approximately twice the risk of suicidal thinking or behavior compared to patients receiving placebo. AEDs should be administered cautiously in patients with depression or other psychiatric disorders; phentermine-topiramate should be avoided in patients with history of suicidal attempts or active suicidal ideation. The risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior should be carefully assessed against the risk of untreated illness, bearing in mind that epilepsy and many other conditions for which AEDs are prescribed are themselves associated with morbidity and mortality and an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior. Patients, caregivers, and families should be alert to the emergence or worsening of signs and symptoms of depression, any unusual changes in mood or behavior, or the emergence of suicidal thoughts or behavior. If patients have symptoms of suicidal ideation or behavior, a dosage reduction or treatment discontinuation should be considered.

Diabetes Mellitus

Moderate:

phenytoin

Phenytoin has a moderate potential interaction with Diabetes Mellitus.

Phenytoin, particularly in high dosages, may cause hyperglycemia by inhibiting insulin release. The drug may also raise serum glucose levels in diabetic patients. Therapy with phenytoin should be administered cautiously in patients with diabetes mellitus, glucose intolerance, or a predisposition to hyperglycemia. Patients with diabetes mellitus should be monitored more closely during phenytoin therapy, and their antidiabetic regimen adjusted accordingly. The same precautions should also be observed with other hydantoin anticonvulsants (i.e. ethotoin and mephenytoin) because of their structural and pharmacological similarities to phenytoin.

Folic Acid/Cyanocobalamin Deficiency

Moderate:

phenytoin

Phenytoin has a moderate potential interaction with Folic Acid/Cyanocobalamin Deficiency.

Hydantoin anticonvulsants may interfere with folate metabolism and precipitate macrocytosis and megaloblastic anemia, which usually respond to folic acid therapy. These reactions have been fairly uncommon but may be of concern in patients with megaloblastic anemia or folate deficiency receiving hydantoin therapy.

Heart Disease

Major:

phenytoin

Phenytoin has a major potential interaction with Heart Disease.

The intravenous administration of phenytoin or its prodrug, fosphenytoin, is contraindicated in patients with sinus bradycardia, sino-atrial block, second and third degree AV block, and patients with Adam-Stokes syndrome. Severe cardiotoxic reactions related to depression of atrial and ventricular conduction and ventricular fibrillation have been reported with parenteral phenytoin, primarily in elderly or gravely ill patients. Hypotension and cardiovascular collapse have also been reported, usually when the drug was administered too rapidly. Therapy with intravenous phenytoin or fosphenytoin should be administered cautiously in patients with hypotension or severe myocardial insufficiency, particularly if they are elderly or seriously ill. The rate of injection should not exceed manufacturer recommendations and should be adjusted based on the patient's cardiovascular status. The rate of IV administration for SESQUIENT should not exceed 0.4 mg PE/kg/min in pediatric patients as safety at a faster rate has not been established.

Hypokalemia

Moderate:

Cramp Tabs

The pamabrom in Cramp Tabs has a moderate potential interaction with Hypokalemia.

The use of pamabrom (a theobromine derivative) has been associated with the renal elimination of potassium due to its diuretic effects. Therapy with pamabrom should be administered cautiously in patients with hypokalemia.

Hypotension

Major:

phenytoin

Phenytoin has a major potential interaction with Hypotension.

The intravenous administration of phenytoin or its prodrug, fosphenytoin, is contraindicated in patients with sinus bradycardia, sino-atrial block, second and third degree AV block, and patients with Adam-Stokes syndrome. Severe cardiotoxic reactions related to depression of atrial and ventricular conduction and ventricular fibrillation have been reported with parenteral phenytoin, primarily in elderly or gravely ill patients. Hypotension and cardiovascular collapse have also been reported, usually when the drug was administered too rapidly. Therapy with intravenous phenytoin or fosphenytoin should be administered cautiously in patients with hypotension or severe myocardial insufficiency, particularly if they are elderly or seriously ill. The rate of injection should not exceed manufacturer recommendations and should be adjusted based on the patient's cardiovascular status. The rate of IV administration for SESQUIENT should not exceed 0.4 mg PE/kg/min in pediatric patients as safety at a faster rate has not been established.

Liver Disease

Major:

Cramp Tabs

The acetaminophen in Cramp Tabs has a major potential interaction with Liver Disease.

Acetaminophen is contraindicated in patients with severe hepatic impairment or severe active liver disease. Patients with hepatic impairment may be at increased risk of toxicity. Severe liver injury, including cases of acute liver failure and death, have been reported in patients using this drug. Clinical monitoring of hepatic function is recommended. Caution is advised if using acetaminophen in patients with chronic malnutrition or severe hypovolemia. Instruct patients to avoid drinking alcohol while taking acetaminophen-containing medications. Patients should be warned not to exceed the maximum recommended total daily dosage of acetaminophen (4 g/day in adults and children 12 years of age or older), and to read all prescription and over-the-counter medication labels to ensure they are not taking multiple acetaminophen-containing products, or check with a healthcare professional if they are unsure.

Major:

phenytoin

Phenytoin has a major potential interaction with Liver Disease.

Hydantoin anticonvulsants are primarily metabolized by the liver. Both metabolic activity and plasma protein binding may be significantly altered in patients with liver disease, resulting in elevated drug levels (total and unbound fraction) and increased risk of toxicity. Therapy with hydantoin anticonvulsants should be administered cautiously in patients with impaired hepatic function. Reduced dosages and slower titration may be necessary. In addition, periodic monitoring of liver function is recommended, since the use of anticonvulsants, including hydantoins, has been associated with hepatotoxicity related to drug hypersensitivity. Hepatic failure and death have occurred. Hydantoin therapy should be discontinued and not readministered if evidence of liver damage is observed and felt to be drug-related.

Malnourishment

Major:

Cramp Tabs

The acetaminophen in Cramp Tabs has a major potential interaction with Malnourishment.

Acetaminophen is contraindicated in patients with severe hepatic impairment or severe active liver disease. Patients with hepatic impairment may be at increased risk of toxicity. Severe liver injury, including cases of acute liver failure and death, have been reported in patients using this drug. Clinical monitoring of hepatic function is recommended. Caution is advised if using acetaminophen in patients with chronic malnutrition or severe hypovolemia. Instruct patients to avoid drinking alcohol while taking acetaminophen-containing medications. Patients should be warned not to exceed the maximum recommended total daily dosage of acetaminophen (4 g/day in adults and children 12 years of age or older), and to read all prescription and over-the-counter medication labels to ensure they are not taking multiple acetaminophen-containing products, or check with a healthcare professional if they are unsure.

Phenylketonuria

Moderate:

Cramp Tabs

The acetaminophen in Cramp Tabs has a moderate potential interaction with Phenylketonuria.

Several oral acetaminophen and acetaminophen-combination products, particularly flavored chewable tablets, contain the artificial sweetener, aspartame (NutraSweet). Aspartame is converted to phenylalanine in the gastrointestinal tract following ingestion. Chewable and effervescent formulations of acetaminophen products may also contain phenylalanine. The aspartame/phenylalanine content should be considered when these products are used in patients who must restrict their intake of phenylalanine (i.e. phenylketonurics).

Porphyria

Major:

phenytoin

Phenytoin has a major potential interaction with Porphyria.

The use of phenytoin has rarely been associated with exacerbation of porphyria. Therapy with phenytoin should be administered cautiously in patients with porphyria. The same precaution should also be observed with other hydantoin anticonvulsants (i.e. ethotoin and mephenytoin) because of their structural and pharmacological similarities to phenytoin.

Psychosis

Moderate:

phenytoin

Phenytoin has a moderate potential interaction with Psychosis.

Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) have been associated with an increased risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior in patients taking these drugs for any indication. Pooled analyses of 199 placebo-controlled clinical studies involving the use of 11 different AEDs showed that patients receiving AEDs had approximately twice the risk of suicidal thinking or behavior compared to patients receiving placebo. AEDs should be administered cautiously in patients with depression or other psychiatric disorders; phentermine-topiramate should be avoided in patients with history of suicidal attempts or active suicidal ideation. The risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior should be carefully assessed against the risk of untreated illness, bearing in mind that epilepsy and many other conditions for which AEDs are prescribed are themselves associated with morbidity and mortality and an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior. Patients, caregivers, and families should be alert to the emergence or worsening of signs and symptoms of depression, any unusual changes in mood or behavior, or the emergence of suicidal thoughts or behavior. If patients have symptoms of suicidal ideation or behavior, a dosage reduction or treatment discontinuation should be considered.

Renal Dysfunction

Major:

phenytoin

Phenytoin has a major potential interaction with Renal Dysfunction.

The plasma protein binding of phenytoin may be significantly decreased in patients with renal impairment, resulting in elevated free drug concentrations and increased risk of toxicity. This effect is proportional to the degree of renal impairment and stems from quantitative differences in serum albumin as well as qualitative differences in the ability to bind phenytoin. Therapy with phenytoin should be administered cautiously in patients with impaired renal function. Both the therapeutic and toxic plasma total phenytoin levels may be lower than normal in these patients and should be considered in dosing. Alternatively, the monitoring of unbound phenytoin concentrations may be appropriate.

Thyroid Disease

Moderate:

phenytoin

Phenytoin has a moderate potential interaction with Thyroid Disease.

Phenytoin may decrease serum PBI (protein-bound iodine) levels without associated thyroid disturbance. Free thyroxine concentrations may also be decreased, while resin or red cell T3 uptake values may be increased. Clinicians should be cognizant of these effects when prescribing or administering phenytoin therapy to patients with thyroid disorders.

Vitamin D Deficiency

Moderate:

phenytoin

Phenytoin has a moderate potential interaction with Vitamin D Deficiency.

Phenytoin may interfere with vitamin D metabolism. Hypocalcemia and osteomalacia have been reported. Therapy with phenytoin should be administered cautiously in patients with preexisting vitamin D deficiency. The same precaution should also be observed with other hydantoin anticonvulsants (i.e. ethotoin and mephenytoin) because of their structural and pharmacological similarities to phenytoin.

More resources

Cramp Tabs

A total of 549 drugs are known to interact with Cramp Tabs.

phenytoin

A total of 909 drugs are known to interact with phenytoin.

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.