Drug Interactions between dexamethasone / ketorolac / moxifloxacin and everolimus

MONITOR CLOSELY: Concomitant administration of corticosteroids may potentiate the risk of tendinitis and tendon rupture associated with fluoroquinolone treatment. The mechanism is unknown. Tendinitis and tendon rupture have most frequently involved the Achilles tendon, although cases involving the rotator cuff (the shoulder), the hand, the biceps, and the thumb have also been reported. Some have required surgical repair or resulted in prolonged disability. Tendon rupture can occur during or up to several months after completion of fluoroquinolone therapy.

MANAGEMENT: Caution is recommended if fluoroquinolones are prescribed in combination with corticosteroids, particularly in patients with other concomitant risk factors (e.g., age over 60 years; recipient of kidney, heart, and/or lung transplant). Patients should be advised to stop taking the fluoroquinolone, avoid exercise and use of the affected area, and promptly contact their physician if they experience pain, swelling, or inflammation of a tendon. In general, fluoroquinolones should only be used to treat conditions that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by bacteria and only if the benefits outweigh the risks.

GENERALLY AVOID: Coadministration with potent inducers of CYP450 3A4 and/or P-glycoprotein (P-gp) may significantly decrease the blood concentrations and pharmacologic effects of everolimus. In a study of healthy volunteers, multiple doses of the potent inducer rifampin increased the oral clearance of everolimus by threefold, representing mean decreases in peak blood concentration (Cmax) and systemic exposure (AUC) of 58% and 63%, respectively.

MANAGEMENT: Concomitant use of everolimus with potent CYP450 3A4 and/or P-gp inducers should generally be avoided. Alternative therapeutic agents with less enzyme induction potential should be considered. Some manufacturers recommend that, if concomitant use is unavoidable, the daily everolimus dose should be doubled to achieve the recommended therapeutic range for the condition being treated. Please refer to the manufacturer's labeling for specific dosing information. If the potent CYP450 3A4 and/or P-gp inducer is discontinued, the everolimus dosage should be returned to the dosage used before the potent inducer was commenced after a washout period of approximately 3 to 5 days. Everolimus whole blood trough levels should be closely monitored during treatment, particularly 2 weeks after a dose increase, and 2 weeks after discontinuation of the potent inducers.

MONITOR CLOSELY: Coadministration of macrolide immunosuppressants with other nephrotoxic agents may increase the risk and/or severity of renal impairment due to additive adverse effects on the kidney. No formal interaction studies have been performed. However, clinical experience in coadministration with cyclosporine indicates increased renal toxicity as evidenced by increased serum creatinine and decreased glomerular filtration rate. An interaction with ibuprofen resulting in acute renal failure was suspected in two liver transplant patients who had been stabilized on tacrolimus.

MANAGEMENT: Caution is advised when macrolide immunosuppressants is used in patients who have recently received or are receiving treatment with other potentially nephrotoxic drugs (e.g., aminoglycosides; polypeptide, glycopeptide, and polymyxin antibiotics; amphotericin B; adefovir; cidofovir; tenofovir; foscarnet; cisplatin; cyclosporine; deferasirox; gallium nitrate; lithium; mesalamine; intravenous bisphosphonates; intravenous pentamidine; high intravenous dosages of methotrexate; high dosages and/or chronic use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents). Renal function should be closely monitored both during and after discontinuation of therapy. Patients should be advised to seek medical attention if they experience symptoms that may indicate nephrotoxicity such as decreased urine output, sudden weight gain, fluid retention, edema, or shortness of breath.

MONITOR: The combined use of corticosteroids and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may increase the potential for serious gastrointestinal (GI) toxicity, including inflammation, bleeding, ulceration, and perforation. In a large, case-control study of elderly patients, those who used corticosteroids and NSAIDs concurrently had an estimated relative risk (RR) for peptic ulcer disease and GI hemorrhage of 14.6 compared to those who used neither. Corticosteroid use was associated with a doubling of the risk (estimated RR = 2.0), but the risk was confined to those who also used NSAIDs. It is possible that both categories of agents are ulcerogenic and have additive effects on the GI mucosa during coadministration. Some investigators have also suggested that the primary effect of corticosteroids in this interaction is to delay healing of erosions caused by NSAIDs rather than cause de novo ulcerations.

MANAGEMENT: Caution is advised if corticosteroids and NSAIDs are used together, especially in patients with a prior history of peptic ulcer disease or GI bleeding and in elderly and debilitated patients. During concomitant therapy, patients should be advised to take the medications with food and to immediately report signs and symptoms of GI ulceration and bleeding such as severe abdominal pain, dizziness, lightheadedness, and the appearance of black, tarry stools. The selective use of prophylactic anti-ulcer therapy (e.g., antacids, H2-antagonists) may be considered.

MONITOR: Coadministration with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may potentiate the risk of central nervous system toxicity sometimes associated with fluoroquinolone use. The interaction has been reported most often with enoxacin. It may occur with other fluoroquinolones as well, but is poorly documented. The exact mechanism of interaction is unknown. Some investigators suggest that the piperazine ring of fluoroquinolones may inhibit the binding of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) to brain receptors and that NSAIDs may synergistically add to this effect. Patients with a history of seizures may be at greater risk.

MANAGEMENT: Clinical monitoring for signs of CNS stimulation such as tremors, involuntary muscle movements, hallucinations, or seizures is recommended if fluoroquinolone antibiotics are prescribed in combination with NSAIDs.