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Drug Interactions between esmolol and Fortovase

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

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Interactions between your drugs

Major

esmolol saquinavir

Applies to: esmolol and Fortovase (saquinavir)

GENERALLY AVOID: Saquinavir in combination with ritonavir has been shown to prolong the PR interval of the electrocardiogram in some patients. Theoretically, coadministration with other agents that prolong the PR interval (e.g., beta blockers, digoxin, diltiazem, lacosamide, mefloquine, verapamil) may result in additive effects and increased risk of bradycardia and heart block. In a study of 59 healthy volunteers aged 18 to 55 years, PR interval prolongation greater than 200 msec (first-degree atrioventricular block) was observed on treatment day 3 in 40% and 47% of subjects during administration of saquinavir/ritonavir at a therapeutic dosage of 1000 mg/100 mg twice daily and a supratherapeutic dosage of 1500 mg/100 mg twice daily, respectively, compared to 3% of subjects during administration of the active control (moxifloxacin) and 5% of subjects during administration of placebo. The maximum mean PR interval changes relative to the predose baseline value were 25 msec and 34 msec for the saquinavir/ritonavir therapeutic and supratherapeutic regimens, respectively, while almost no change occurred during the moxifloxacin and placebo arms.

MANAGEMENT: Ritonavir-boosted saquinavir should not be used with other agents that prolong the PR interval.

References

  1. "Product Information. Invirase (saquinavir)." Roche Laboratories PROD (2001):
  2. FDA. U.S. Food and Drug Administration "FDA drug safety communication: Ongoing safety review of Invirase (saquinavir) and possible association with abnormal heart rhythms. http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/PostmarketDrugSafetyInformationforPatientsandProviders/ucm201221.htm" (2010):
  3. Biondi L "Health Canada endorsed important safety information on Invirase (saquinavir mesylate). http://hc-sc.gc.ca/dhp-mps/alt_formats/pdf/medeff/advisories-avis/prof/2010/invirase_hpc-cps-eng.pdf" (2010):

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Drug and food interactions

Moderate

saquinavir food

Applies to: Fortovase (saquinavir)

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Food significantly increases the absorption of saquinavir.

MONITOR: Coadministration with grapefruit juice may increase the plasma concentrations of saquinavir. The primary mechanism is inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated first-pass metabolism in the gut wall by certain compounds present in grapefruits. In eight healthy volunteers, ingestion of 400 mL of grapefruit juice prior to administration of a 600 mg dose of saquinavir mesylate increased the area under the plasma concentration-time curve and oral bioavailability of saquinavir by 50% and 100%, respectively, compared to water; however, the increase is not considered clinically relevant. A high degree of intersubject variability in the grapefruit juice effect was also observed. The extent to which this interaction may occur with the saquinavir free base soft gelatin capsule is unknown. However, the saquinavir soft gelatin capsule formulation is no longer commercially available.

MANAGEMENT: Saquinavir mesylate should be taken with meals or within 2 hours after eating to enhance bioavailability. Patients should be advised to avoid the consumption of large amounts of grapefruit and grapefruit juice during saquinavir therapy unless otherwise directed by their doctor, as the interaction is unreliable and subject to a high degree of interpatient variation.

References

  1. "Product Information. Invirase (saquinavir)." Roche Laboratories PROD (2001):
  2. Kupferschmidt HHT, Fattinger KE, Ha HR, Follath F, Krahenbuhl S "Grapefruit juice enhances the bioavailability of the HIV protease inhibitor saquinavir in man." Br J Clin Pharmacol 45 (1998): 355-9
  3. Bailey DG, Malcolm J, Arnold O, Spence JD "Grapefruit juice-drug interactions." Br J Clin Pharmacol 46 (1998): 101-10
  4. Eagling VA, Profit L, Back DJ "Inhibition of the CYP3A4-mediated metabolism and P-glycoprotein-mediated transport of the HIV-I protease inhibitor saquinavir by grapefruit juice components." Br J Clin Pharmacol 48 (1999): 543-52
  5. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics." O 0
  6. Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information." O 0
View all 6 references

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Moderate

esmolol food

Applies to: esmolol

MONITOR: Many psychotherapeutic and CNS-active agents (e.g., anxiolytics, sedatives, hypnotics, antidepressants, antipsychotics, opioids, alcohol, muscle relaxants) exhibit hypotensive effects, especially during initiation of therapy and dose escalation. Coadministration with antihypertensives and other hypotensive agents, in particular vasodilators and alpha-blockers, may result in additive effects on blood pressure and orthostasis.

MANAGEMENT: Caution and close monitoring for development of hypotension is advised during coadministration of these agents. Some authorities recommend avoiding alcohol in patients receiving vasodilating antihypertensive drugs. Patients should be advised to avoid rising abruptly from a sitting or recumbent position and to notify their physician if they experience dizziness, lightheadedness, syncope, orthostasis, or tachycardia.

References

  1. Sternbach H "Fluoxetine-associated potentiation of calcium-channel blockers." J Clin Psychopharmacol 11 (1991): 390-1
  2. Shook TL, Kirshenbaum JM, Hundley RF, Shorey JM, Lamas GA "Ethanol intoxication complicating intravenous nitroglycerin therapy." Ann Intern Med 101 (1984): 498-9
  3. Feder R "Bradycardia and syncope induced by fluoxetine." J Clin Psychiatry 52 (1991): 139
  4. Ellison JM, Milofsky JE, Ely E "Fluoxetine-induced bradycardia and syncope in two patients." J Clin Psychiatry 51 (1990): 385-6
  5. Rodriguez de la Torre B, Dreher J, Malevany I, et al. "Serum levels and cardiovascular effects of tricyclic antidepressants and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in depressed patients." Ther Drug Monit 23 (2001): 435-40
  6. Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information." O 0
  7. Pacher P, Kecskemeti V "Cardiovascular side effects of new antidepressants and antipsychotics: new drugs, old concerns?" Curr Pharm Des 10 (2004): 2463-75
  8. Andrews C, Pinner G "Postural hypotension induced by paroxetine." BMJ 316 (1998): 595
View all 8 references

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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

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