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Drug Interactions between dexamethasone and ketorolac

This report displays the potential drug interactions for the following 2 drugs:

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Interactions between your drugs

Moderate

dexAMETHasone ketorolac

Applies to: dexamethasone and ketorolac

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.

References

  1. Stewart JT, Pennington CR, Pringle R "Anti-inflammatory drugs and bowel perforations and haemorrhage." Br Med J 290 (1985): 787-8
  2. Thomas TP "The complications of systemic corticosteroid therapy in the elderly." Gerontology 30 (1984): 60-5
  3. Messer J, Reitman D, Sacks HS, et al. "Association of adrenocorticosteroid therapy and peptic-ulcer disease." N Engl J Med 309 (1983): 21-4
  4. ReMine SG, McIlrath DC "Bowel perforation in steroid-treated patients." Ann Surg 192 (1980): 581-6
  5. Levy M, Miller DR, Kaufman DW, Siskind V, Schwingl P, Rosenberg L, Strom B, Shapiro S "Major upper gastrointestinal tract bleeding. Relation to the use of aspirin and other nonnarcotic analgesics." Arch Intern Med 148 (1988): 281-5
  6. Kaufman DW, Kelly JP, Sheehan JE, Laszlo A, Wiholm BE, Alfredsson L, Koff RS, Shapiro S "Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug use in relation to major upper gastrointestinal bleeding." Clin Pharmacol Ther 53 (1993): 485-94
  7. Wilcox CM, Shalek KA, Cotsonis G "Striking prevalence of over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti- inflammatory drug use in patients with upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage." Arch Intern Med 154 (1994): 42-6
  8. Cantu TG, Lipani JA "Gastrointestinal ulceration with NSAIDs." Am J Med 99 (1995): 440-1
  9. Sacanella E, Munoz F, Cardellach F, Estruch R, Miro O, Urbanomarquez A "Massive haemorrhage due to colitis secondary to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs." Postgrad Med J 72 (1996): 57-8
  10. Buchman AL, Schwartz MR "Colonic ulceration associated with the systemic use of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory medication." J Clin Gastroenterol 22 (1996): 224-6
  11. Piper JM, Ray WA, Daugherty JR, Griffin MR "Corticosteroid use and peptic ulcer disease: role of nonsteroidal ani-inflammatory drugs." Ann Intern Med 114 (1991): 735-40
View all 11 references

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Drug and food interactions

Moderate

ketorolac food

Applies to: ketorolac

GENERALLY AVOID: The concurrent use of aspirin or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and ethanol may lead to gastrointestinal (GI) blood loss. The mechanism may be due to a combined local effect as well as inhibition of prostaglandins leading to decreased integrity of the GI lining.

MANAGEMENT: Patients should be counseled on this potential interaction and advised to refrain from alcohol consumption while taking aspirin or NSAIDs.

References

  1. "Product Information. Motrin (ibuprofen)." Pharmacia and Upjohn PROD (2002):

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Therapeutic duplication warnings

No warnings were found for your selected drugs.

Therapeutic duplication warnings are only returned when drugs within the same group exceed the recommended therapeutic duplication maximum.


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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.