Drug Interactions between doxorubicin and fluconazole
This report displays the potential drug interactions for the following 2 drugs:
- doxorubicin
- fluconazole
Interactions between your drugs
fluconazole DOXOrubicin
Applies to: fluconazole and doxorubicin
MONITOR: Coadministration with fluconazole may increase the plasma concentrations of drugs that are substrates of CYP450 3A4. The mechanism is decreased clearance due to inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated metabolism by fluconazole, a moderate inhibitor of the isoenzyme. A 30% increase in serum carbamazepine has been observed during coadministration with fluconazole according to the product labeling. There have also been a few isolated case reports in the medical literature describing an approximate doubling of carbamazepine levels following the addition of fluconazole, resulting in toxicity. Other drugs metabolized by CYP450 3A4 whose plasma levels reportedly are increased by fluconazole include oral contraceptives (ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel), cyclosporine, tacrolimus, and cisapride. These interactions have usually been observed with higher dosages of fluconazole (200 mg/day or more).
MANAGEMENT: Caution is advised when fluconazole is used with medications that undergo metabolism by CYP450 3A4, particularly those with a narrow therapeutic range. Dosage adjustments as well as clinical and laboratory monitoring may be appropriate for some drugs whenever fluconazole is added to or withdrawn from therapy.
References (18)
- Sugar AM, Saunders C, Idelson BA, Bernard DB (1989) "Interaction of fluconazole and cyclosporine." Ann Intern Med, 110, p. 844
- Canafax DM, Graves NM, Hilligoss DM, et al. (1991) "Interaction between cyclosporine and fluconazole in renal allograft recipients." Transplantation, 51, p. 1014-8
- Torregrosa V, De la Torre M, Campistol JM, et al. (1992) "Interaction of fluconazole with ciclosporin A." Nephron, 60, p. 125-6
- Barbara JA, Clarkson AR, LaBrooy J, et al. (1993) "Candida albicans arthritis in a renal allograft recipient with an interaction between cyclosporin and fluconazole." Nephrol Dial Transplant, 8, p. 263-6
- (2002) "Product Information. Diflucan (fluconazole)." Roerig Division
- Lopez-Gil JA (1993) "Fluconazole-cyclosporin interaction: a dose-dependent effect?" Ann Pharmacother, 27, p. 427-30
- Baciewicz AM, Baciewicz FA, Jr (1993) "Ketoconazole and fluconazole drug interactions." Arch Intern Med, 153, p. 1970-6
- Assan R, Fredj G, Larger E, Feutren G, Bismuth H (1994) "FK 506/fluconazole interaction enhances FK 506 nephrotoxicity." Diabete Metab, 20, p. 49-52
- Osowski CL, Dix SP, Lin LS, Mullins RE, Geller RB, Wingard JR (1996) "Evaluation of the drug interaction between intravenous high-dose fluconazole and cyclosporine or tacrolimus in bone marrow transplant patients." Transplantation, 61, p. 1268-72
- Bedford TA, Rowbotham DJ (1996) "Cisapride: drug interactions of clinical significance." Drug Saf, 15, p. 167-75
- Sinofsky FE, Pasquale SA (1998) "The effect of fluconazole on circulating ethinyl estradiol levels in women taking oral contraceptives." Am J Obstet Gynecol, 178, p. 300-4
- Nair DR, Morris HH (1999) "Potential fluconazole-induced carbamazepine toxicity." Ann Pharmacother, 33, p. 790-2
- Dresser GK, Spence JD, Bailey DG (2000) "Pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic consequences and clinical relevance of cytochrome P450 3A4 inhibition." Clin Pharmacokinet, 38, p. 41-57
- Michalets EL, Williams CR (2000) "Drug interactions with cisapride: clinical implications." Clin Pharmacokinet, 39, p. 49-75
- Hilbert J, Messig M, Kuye O, Friedman H (2001) "Evaluation of interaction between fluconazole and an oral contraceptive in healthy women." Obstet Gynecol, 98, p. 218-23
- Ulivelli M, Rubegni P, Nuti D, Bartalini S, Giannini F, Rossi S (2004) "Clinical evidence of fluconazole-induced carbamazepine toxicity." J Neurol, 251, p. 622-3
- Tsouli S, Maranis S, Kyritsis AP (2011) "Fluconazole-carbamazepine interaction in a patient with bipolar disorder." Psychiatry Clin Neurosci, 65, p. 112
- Finch CK, Green CA, Self TH (2002) "Fluconazole-carbamazepine interaction." South Med J, 95, p. 1099-100
Drug and food/lifestyle interactions
No alcohol/food interactions were found. However, this does not necessarily mean no interactions exist. Always consult your healthcare provider.
Disease interactions
DOXOrubicin Arrhythmias
Applies to: Arrhythmias
Myocardial damage, including acute left ventricular failure can occur with doxorubicin. The risk of cardiomyopathy is proportional to the cumulative exposure with incidence rates from 1% to 20% for cumulative doses ranging from 300 mg/m2 to 500 mg/m2 when doxorubicin is administered every 3 weeks. The risk of cardiomyopathy is further increased with concomitant cardiotoxic therapy. Additionally, doxorubicin can also cause arrhythmias, including life-threatening events at any point during treatment. Assess LVEF before and regularly during and after treatment with doxorubicin. Doxorubicin is contraindicated in patients with severe myocardial insufficiency and recent myocardial infarction (past 6 months).
DOXOrubicin Bleeding
Applies to: Bleeding
Doxorubicin induces dose-related myelosuppression, primarily affecting leukocytes. Therapy with doxorubicin should be withheld in patients whose bone marrow function is severely depressed by prior irradiation or chemotherapy or whose marrow function is recovering from previous cytotoxic therapy. If the need outweighs the risk, extreme caution should be exercised in administering doxorubicin and the dosage should be reduced. Patients should be instructed to immediately report any signs or symptoms suggesting bone marrow suppression such as fever, sore throat, local infection, or bleeding. Close clinical monitory of hematopoietic function is recommended. Doxorubicin is contraindicated in patients with severe persistent drug-induced myelosuppression
DOXOrubicin Bone Marrow Depression/Low Blood Counts
Applies to: Bone Marrow Depression/Low Blood Counts
Doxorubicin induces dose-related myelosuppression, primarily affecting leukocytes. Therapy with doxorubicin should be withheld in patients whose bone marrow function is severely depressed by prior irradiation or chemotherapy or whose marrow function is recovering from previous cytotoxic therapy. If the need outweighs the risk, extreme caution should be exercised in administering doxorubicin and the dosage should be reduced. Patients should be instructed to immediately report any signs or symptoms suggesting bone marrow suppression such as fever, sore throat, local infection, or bleeding. Close clinical monitory of hematopoietic function is recommended. Doxorubicin is contraindicated in patients with severe persistent drug-induced myelosuppression
DOXOrubicin Congestive Heart Failure
Applies to: Congestive Heart Failure
Myocardial damage, including acute left ventricular failure can occur with doxorubicin. The risk of cardiomyopathy is proportional to the cumulative exposure with incidence rates from 1% to 20% for cumulative doses ranging from 300 mg/m2 to 500 mg/m2 when doxorubicin is administered every 3 weeks. The risk of cardiomyopathy is further increased with concomitant cardiotoxic therapy. Additionally, doxorubicin can also cause arrhythmias, including life-threatening events at any point during treatment. Assess LVEF before and regularly during and after treatment with doxorubicin. Doxorubicin is contraindicated in patients with severe myocardial insufficiency and recent myocardial infarction (past 6 months).
DOXOrubicin Fever
Applies to: Fever
Doxorubicin induces dose-related myelosuppression, primarily affecting leukocytes. Therapy with doxorubicin should be withheld in patients whose bone marrow function is severely depressed by prior irradiation or chemotherapy or whose marrow function is recovering from previous cytotoxic therapy. If the need outweighs the risk, extreme caution should be exercised in administering doxorubicin and the dosage should be reduced. Patients should be instructed to immediately report any signs or symptoms suggesting bone marrow suppression such as fever, sore throat, local infection, or bleeding. Close clinical monitory of hematopoietic function is recommended. Doxorubicin is contraindicated in patients with severe persistent drug-induced myelosuppression
DOXOrubicin History - Myocardial Infarction
Applies to: History - Myocardial Infarction
Myocardial damage, including acute left ventricular failure can occur with doxorubicin. The risk of cardiomyopathy is proportional to the cumulative exposure with incidence rates from 1% to 20% for cumulative doses ranging from 300 mg/m2 to 500 mg/m2 when doxorubicin is administered every 3 weeks. The risk of cardiomyopathy is further increased with concomitant cardiotoxic therapy. Additionally, doxorubicin can also cause arrhythmias, including life-threatening events at any point during treatment. Assess LVEF before and regularly during and after treatment with doxorubicin. Doxorubicin is contraindicated in patients with severe myocardial insufficiency and recent myocardial infarction (past 6 months).
DOXOrubicin Infection - Bacterial/Fungal/Protozoal/Viral
Applies to: Infection - Bacterial / Fungal / Protozoal / Viral
Because of their cytotoxic effects on rapidly proliferating tissues, antineoplastic agents frequently can, to varying extent, induce myelosuppression. The use of these drugs may be contraindicated in patients with known infectious diseases. All patients should be instructed to immediately report any signs or symptoms suggesting infection such as fever, sore throat, or local infection during antineoplastic therapy. Close clinical monitoring of hematopoietic function is recommended.
fluconazole Liver Disease
Applies to: Liver Disease
The use of fluconazole has been rarely associated with hepatotoxicity. Reversible idiosyncratic hepatitis, cholestasis and fatal fulminant hepatic failure have been reported, the latter occurring primarily in patients with serious underlying medical conditions and taking multiple concomitant medications. Liver function tests should be performed periodically in patients with preexisting hepatic abnormalities, particularly during prolonged therapy. Treatment should be withdrawn if persistent elevations or worsening of liver enzyme levels occur.
DOXOrubicin Liver Disease
Applies to: Liver Disease
Doxorubicin is contraindicated in patients with severe hepatic impairment (defined as Child Pugh Class C or serum bilirubin level greater than 5 mg/dL). Doxorubicin is primarily metabolized by the liver and its clearance is reduced in the presence of hepatic dysfunction, increasing the risk for toxicity. Therapy with doxorubicin should be administered cautiously and at a reduced dosage in patients with moderate or mild hepatic function. Close clinical monitoring of hepatic function prior to initiation of doxorubicin therapy is recommended.
fluconazole Arrhythmias
Applies to: Arrhythmias
Some azole antifungals have been associated with prolongation of the QT interval on the ECG. Rare cases of QT prolongation and torsade de pointes have been reported during postmarketing experience; such reports usually involved seriously ill patients with multiple confounding risk factors, such as structural heart disease, electrolyte abnormalities, and concomitant medications. These drugs should be administered with caution to patients with potentially proarrhythmic conditions, such as congenital/acquired QT prolongation, cardiomyopathy (especially when heart failure is present), sinus bradycardia, and existing symptomatic arrhythmias. Concomitant use with other medications that have potential to increase the risk of cardiotoxicity should be avoided.
fluconazole hemodialysis
Applies to: hemodialysis
Fluconazole is substantially removed by hemodialysis. Plasma levels of fluconazole has been shown to reduce by 50% following 3 hours of dialysis. Fluconazole should be administered after hemodialysis.
fluconazole Renal Dysfunction
Applies to: Renal Dysfunction
Fluconazole is primarily eliminated by the kidney. Patients with renal impairment may be at greater risk for adverse effects from fluconazole due to decreased drug clearance. Dosage adjustments are recommended for patients with moderate to severe renal impairment (CrCl <= 50 mL/min) receiving multiple doses of the drug.
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.
See also
Drug Interaction Classification
| Highly clinically significant. Avoid combinations; the risk of the interaction outweighs the benefit. | |
| Moderately clinically significant. Usually avoid combinations; use it only under special circumstances. | |
| 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. | |
| No interaction information available. |
Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.