Drug Interactions between dexamethasone / ketorolac / moxifloxacin and ganciclovir

Moxifloxacin and other medications in its class can cause tendinitis and tendon rupture, and the risk may be increased when combined with a steroid such as dexAMETHasone. Older adults over 60 years of age and those who have received a kidney, heart, and/or lung transplant may be particularly susceptible. Tendon rupture can occur during or up to several months after finishing moxifloxacin treatment and may require surgery or result in prolonged disability. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns. Your doctor may be able to prescribe alternatives that do not interact, or you may need a dose adjustment or more frequent monitoring to safely use both medications. Stop taking moxifloxacin and call your doctor immediately if you experience pain, swelling, or inflammation of a tendon area such as the back of the ankle, shoulder, biceps, hand, or thumb. You should also avoid exercise or use of the affected area until further instruction from your doctor. 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.

Consumer information for this interaction is not currently available.

GENERALLY AVOID: The use of ganciclovir or its prodrug, valganciclovir, with other drugs associated with myelosuppression and/or nephrotoxicity may increase the risk and severity of these adverse reactions due to additive effects on the kidney and bone marrow. Valganciclovir is rapidly and extensively converted to ganciclovir, which has had the following adverse reactions observed with its treatment when used alone: severe leucopenia, neutropenia, anemia, thrombocytopenia, pancytopenia, bone marrow depression, aplastic anemia, increased serum creatinine levels, and acute renal failure. Additionally, ganciclovir is primarily renally excreted; therefore, patients with impaired renal function will have increased concentrations of ganciclovir and may be at an even greater risk of experiencing adverse reactions from treatment. Theoretically when two or more medications with similar side effect profiles are given concurrently, the likelihood of experiencing these adverse reactions may be increased.

MANAGEMENT: Ganciclovir or its prodrug, valganciclovir, should generally not be combined with other drugs associated with myelosuppression and/or nephrotoxicity unless the benefits are anticipated to outweigh the potential risks. Extreme caution is advised if they are used in patients who have recently received or are receiving treatment with myelotoxic and/or nephrotoxic drugs, and vice versa. If coadministration is required, reduced dosages of one or more of the drugs may be required, and the patient should be monitored for the development of hematologic and/or renal adverse effects both during and after discontinuation of therapy.

Using dexAMETHasone together with ketorolac may increase the risk of side effects in the gastrointestinal tract such as inflammation, bleeding, ulceration, and rarely, perforation. Gastrointestinal perforation is a potentially fatal condition and medical emergency where a hole forms all the way through the stomach or intestine. You should take these medications with food to lessen the risk. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns. Your doctor may be able to prescribe alternatives that do not interact, or you may need a dose adjustment or more frequent monitoring to safely use both medications. Your doctor may also be able to recommend medications to help protect the stomach and intestine if you are at high risk for developing serious gastrointestinal complications. You should seek immediate medical attention if you experience any unusual bleeding or bruising, or have other signs and symptoms of bleeding such as dizziness; lightheadedness; red or black, tarry stools; coughing up or vomiting fresh or dried blood that looks like coffee grounds; severe headache; and weakness. 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.

Moxifloxacin may rarely cause central nervous system side effects such as tremors, involuntary muscle movements, anxiety, confusion, depression, hallucinations or seizures, and combining it with other medications that can also affect the central nervous system such as ketorolac may increase that risk. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns. Your doctor may be able to prescribe alternatives that do not interact, or you may need a dose adjustment or more frequent monitoring by your doctor to safely use 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.