Drug Interactions between Empirin with Codeine and naproxen / sumatriptan

GENERALLY AVOID: The antiplatelet and cardioprotective effect of low-dose aspirin may be antagonized by coadministration of some nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Ibuprofen has been specifically implicated, and there is evidence that others including indomethacin, naproxen, and tiaprofenic acid may also interact. The mechanism is competitive inhibition of platelet cyclooxygenase by certain NSAIDs, which, unlike aspirin, bind reversibly at the active site of the enzyme and cause a temporary rather than persistent depression of thromboxane formation and thromboxane-dependent platelet function. Unpublished single-dose trials with ibuprofen 400 mg indicate that interference with aspirin's antiplatelet activity, as measured by thromboxane B2 (TXB2) levels and platelet activation studies, occurs when ibuprofen is taken within 8 hours before or 30 minutes after dosing of immediate-release aspirin. One study showed that the antiplatelet effect of enteric-coated low-dose aspirin is attenuated when ibuprofen 400 mg is dosed 2, 7, and 12 hours after aspirin. In contrast, a placebo-controlled study found no clinically significant reduction of TXB2 inhibition when ibuprofen (400 mg three times a day) was coadministered with chewable, immediate-release aspirin (81 mg once a day) for 10 days in healthy volunteers. There are no clinical endpoint studies conducted specifically to evaluate the interaction. A retrospective study of 7107 heart patients discharged from hospitals between 1989 and 1997 with aspirin prescriptions found that those also taking ibuprofen were twice as likely to die during the study period as those taking aspirin alone or with other NSAIDs or acetaminophen. That translates to 12 extra deaths (3 heart-related deaths) a year for every 1000 patients treated. A subgroup analysis from a 5-year randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 325 mg aspirin use on alternate days among 22,071 apparently healthy U.S. male physicians with prospective observational data on use of NSAIDs found that regular (>= 60 days/year) but not intermittent (1 to 59 days/year) use of NSAIDs inhibited the clinical benefits of aspirin on first myocardial infarction (MI). Specifically, regular users of NSAIDs in the aspirin group had a greater than 2-fold increased risk of MI, while regular users of NSAIDs in the placebo group had a nonsignificantly reduced risk of MI. There was no association between intermittent use of NSAIDs and subsequent development of MI among aspirin or placebo recipients.

MONITOR: The combined use of aspirin with NSAIDs in general may increase the potential for serious gastrointestinal (GI) toxicity, including inflammation, bleeding, ulceration, and perforation. Pharmacokinetically, aspirin at anti-inflammatory dosages or higher has been shown to decrease the plasma concentrations of many NSAIDs, including indomethacin and naproxen.

MANAGEMENT: Until more information is available, patients receiving low-dose aspirin for cardioprotection should avoid the regular use of NSAIDs including ibuprofen, indomethacin, naproxen, and tiaprofenic acid. Occasional, single use may be acceptable, as the risk from any attenuation of the antiplatelet effect of low-dose aspirin is likely to be minimal given the long-lasting effect of aspirin on platelets. If routine NSAID therapy is necessary, diclofenac may be a viable alternative. In the retrospective study implicating ibuprofen, 75 mg twice daily of delayed-release diclofenac did not interfere with the antiplatelet activity of aspirin. Other noninterfering alternatives for pain include acetaminophen, celecoxib, or narcotic analgesics. In any case, caution is advised whenever aspirin is combined with a NSAID due to the potential for additive GI toxicity. Patients should be advised to take the medications with food and to immediately report signs and symptoms of GI ulceration and bleeding such as abdominal pain, bloating, sudden dizziness or lightheadedness, nausea, vomiting, hematemesis, anorexia, and melena.

Switch to consumer interaction data

MONITOR: Opioids may potentiate the effects of serotonergic agents and increase the risk of serotonin syndrome. The interaction has primarily been reported with the phenylpiperidine opioids (e.g., meperidine, fentanyl) and tramadol, which are known to possess some serotonergic activity, although a few cases have involved other opioids such as oxycodone, methadone, morphine, hydromorphone, codeine, and buprenorphine. Serotonin syndrome is a rare but serious and potentially fatal condition thought to result from hyperstimulation of brainstem 5-HT1A and 2A receptors. Symptoms of the serotonin syndrome may include mental status changes such as irritability, altered consciousness, confusion, hallucinations, and coma; autonomic dysfunction such as tachycardia, hyperthermia, diaphoresis, shivering, blood pressure lability, and mydriasis; neuromuscular abnormalities such as hyperreflexia, myoclonus, tremor, rigidity, and ataxia; and gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal cramping, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Since many serotonergic agents can also cause central nervous system depression, concomitant use with opioids may result in increased sedation and impairment of judgment, thinking, and psychomotor skills.

MANAGEMENT: Caution is advised when opioids are used concomitantly with serotonergic agents such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), other antidepressants/psychotropic agents (e.g., amoxapine, buspirone, lithium, maprotiline, mirtazepine, nefazodone, trazodone, vilazodone), 5-HT1 receptor agonists (triptans), 5-HT3 receptor antagonists, cyclobenzaprine, dextromethorphan, 5-hydroxytryptophan, and St. John's wort. Patients should be monitored for symptoms of the serotonin syndrome during treatment. Particular caution is advised when increasing the dosages of these agents. If serotonin syndrome develops or is suspected during the course of therapy, all serotonergic agents should be discontinued immediately and supportive care rendered as necessary. Moderately ill patients may also benefit from the administration of a serotonin antagonist (e.g., cyproheptadine, chlorpromazine). Severe cases should be managed under consultation with a toxicologist and may require sedation, neuromuscular paralysis, intubation, and mechanical ventilation in addition to the other measures. Patients should also be advised of potentially additive central nervous system effects from these agents and to avoid hazardous activities requiring complete mental alertness and motor coordination until they know how these agents affect them.

Switch to consumer interaction data