Drug Interactions between Deltasone and Enlon-Plus

GENERALLY AVOID: Anticholinergic agents and other agents with significant anticholinergic activity (e.g., clozapine, class IA antiarrhythmics especially disopyramide) may antagonize the effects of cholinergic skeletal muscle stimulants (e.g., ambenonium, edrophonium, guanidine, neostigmine, pyridostigmine). Although this interaction may be desirable in some situations, such as when atropine is used to treat excessive muscarinic side effects and cholinergic crisis induced by anticholinesterase overdose, unintentional or indiscriminate use of anticholinergic agents in the treatment of myasthenia gravis may exacerbate symptoms. In addition, such use may mask the less serious, gastrointestinal signs of cholinergic overdose and lead to inadvertent induction of cholinergic crisis, which can produce respiratory paralysis and death.

MANAGEMENT: Agents with potent anticholinergic activity should preferably be avoided in patients receiving cholinergic skeletal muscle stimulants. If concurrent use is necessary, patients treated for myasthenia gravis should be monitored for potential exacerbation of symptoms. Caution is advised not only because anticholinergic agents may mask the signs of a cholinergic overdose, but also because increasing muscle weakness associated with disease aggravation may be difficult to distinguish from that due to cholinergic crisis.

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ADJUST DOSE: Corticosteroids and adrenocorticotropic agents may diminish the therapeutic effects of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors in myasthenia gravis. The mechanism of interaction is unknown. Marked deterioration in muscle strength has been reported in patients with myasthenia gravis shortly after the initiation of corticosteroid therapy, particularly when high dosages were used. In most cases, the decline in muscular function was relatively refractory to acetylcholinesterase inhibitors. However, clinical improvement generally occurs during prolonged corticosteroid therapy when administered properly.

MANAGEMENT: Corticosteroid therapy should be instituted at relatively low dosages (15 to 25 mg/day of prednisone or equivalent) and in a controlled setting in patients with myasthenia gravis. Respiratory support should be available, and the dosage should be increased stepwise as tolerated (approximately 5 mg/day of prednisone or equivalent at 2- to 3-day intervals until marked clinical improvement or a dosage of 50 mg/day is reached). Dose reductions of the acetylcholinesterase inhibitor may be required as symptoms improve, which often may be delayed and gradual.

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