Drug Interactions between duloxetine and Mintox Tablets

GENERALLY AVOID: The concomitant administration of aluminum-containing products (e.g., antacids and phosphate binders) and citrates may significantly increase serum aluminum concentrations, resulting in toxicity. Citrates or citric acid are contained in numerous soft drinks, citrus fruits, juices, and effervescent and dispersible drug formulations. Citrates enhance the gastrointestinal absorption of aluminum by an unknown mechanism, which may involve the formation of a soluble aluminum-citrate complex. Various studies have reported that citrate increases aluminum absorption by 4.6- to 50-fold in healthy subjects. Patients with renal insufficiency are particularly at risk of developing hyperaluminemia and encephalopathy. Fatalities have been reported. Patients with renal failure or on hemodialysis may also be at risk from soft drinks and effervescent and dispersible drug formulations that contain citrates or citric acid. It is unknown what effect citrus fruits or juices would have on aluminum absorption in healthy patients.

MANAGEMENT: The concomitant use of aluminum- and citrate-containing products and foods should be avoided by renally impaired patients. Hemodialysis patients should especially be cautioned about effervescent and dispersible over-the-counter remedies and soft drinks. Some experts also recommend that healthy patients should separate doses of aluminum-containing antacids and citrates by 2 to 3 hours.

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: The administration of aluminum-containing antacids with enteral nutrition may result in precipitation, formation of bezoars, and obstruction of feeding tubes. The proposed mechanism is the formation of an insoluble complex between the aluminum and the protein in the enteral feeding. Several cases of esophageal plugs and nasogastric tube obstructions have been reported in patients receiving high-protein liquids and an aluminum hydroxide-magnesium hydroxide antacid or an aluminum hydroxide antacid.

MANAGEMENT: Some experts recommend that antacids should not be mixed with or given after high protein formulations, that the antacid dose should be separated from the feeding by as much as possible, and that the tube should be thoroughly flushed before administration.

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GENERALLY AVOID: Use of duloxetine in conjunction with chronic alcohol consumption may potentiate the risk of liver injury. Duloxetine alone can increase serum transaminase levels. In clinical trials, 0.3% of patients discontinued duloxetine due to liver transaminase elevations. The median time to detection was about two months. Three duloxetine-treated patients had liver injury as manifested by transaminase and bilirubin elevations, with evidence of obstruction. Substantial intercurrent ethanol use was present in each of these cases, which may have contributed to the abnormalities observed. Duloxetine does not appear to enhance the central nervous system effects of alcohol. When duloxetine and ethanol were administered several hours apart so that peak concentrations of each would coincide, duloxetine did not increase the impairment of mental and motor skills caused by alcohol.

MANAGEMENT: Due to the risk of liver injury, patients prescribed duloxetine should be counseled to avoid excessive use of alcohol. Duloxetine should generally not be prescribed to patients with substantial alcohol use.

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