Drug Interactions between Effexor XR and indinavir

GENERALLY AVOID: Alcohol may potentiate some of the pharmacologic effects of CNS-active agents. Use in combination may result in additive central nervous system depression and/or impairment of judgment, thinking, and psychomotor skills.

MANAGEMENT: Patients receiving CNS-active agents should be warned of this interaction and advised to avoid or limit consumption of alcohol. Ambulatory patients should be counseled to avoid hazardous activities requiring complete mental alertness and motor coordination until they know how these agents affect them, and to notify their physician if they experience excessive or prolonged CNS effects that interfere with their normal activities.

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: According to the manufacturer, coadministration with a meal high in calories, fat, and protein reduces the absorption of indinavir. In ten patients given indinavir in this manner, the peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) of indinavir decreased by an average of 84% and 77%, respectively. In contrast, grapefruit juice may have only minor effects on the oral bioavailability of indinavir. The manufacturer's package labeling states that administration of a single 400 mg dose of indinavir with 8 oz. of grapefruit juice decreased indinavir AUC by an average of 26%. Likewise, a study consisting of 14 HIV-infected subjects found no uniform nor significant changes in steady-state indinavir AUC during administration with double-strength grapefruit juice compared to water. There was, however, a delay in absorption (Tmax) due to grapefruit juice that is unlikely to be of clinical significance.

MANAGEMENT: To ensure maximal oral absorption, indinavir should be administered without food but with water 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal. Alternatively, indinavir may be administered with other liquids such as skim milk, juice, coffee, or tea, or with a light meal (e.g., dry toast with jelly, juice, and coffee with skim milk and sugar; corn flakes, skim milk and sugar).