Drug Interactions between Estragyn 5 and IsonaRif

MONITOR CLOSELY: The risk of hepatotoxicity is greater when rifampin and isoniazid (INH) are given concomitantly, than when either drug is given alone. The proposed mechanism is rifampin's induction of isoniazid hydrolase, an enzyme involved in the conversion of INH to isonicotinic acid and hydrazine. Hydrazine is the proposed toxic metabolite of INH, which has been shown in animal studies to cause steatosis, hepatocyte vacuolation and glutathione depletion. Some studies have also shown that slow acetylators have a two-fold increased risk of developing antituberculosis drug-induced hepatotoxicity (ATDH) as compared with fast acetylators due to more available INH for direct hydrolysis to hydrazine. Theoretically, a similar reaction may occur with rifabutin and isoniazid. Additional risk factors for developing hepatotoxicity include patients with advanced age, malnutrition, existing hepatic impairment, daily alcohol consumption, female gender, HIV infection, extra-pulmonary tuberculosis and/or patients who are taking other potent CYP450-inducing agents.

MANAGEMENT: Caution and close monitoring should be considered if isoniazid (INH) is coadministered with rifampin or rifabutin. In cases where coadministration is required, careful monitoring of liver function, especially ALT and AST, should be done at baseline and then every 2 to 4 weeks during therapy, or in accordance with individual product labeling. Some manufacturers of INH recommend strongly considering its discontinuation if serum aminotransferase concentrations (AST or SGOT, ALT or SGPT) exceed 3 to 5 times the upper limit of normal. Product labeling for rifampin also recommends the immediate discontinuation of therapy if hepatic damage is suspected. INH product labeling suggests alternate drugs be used if hepatitis is attributed to INH in patients with tuberculosis. However, if INH must be used, it should only be resumed after the patient's symptoms and laboratory abnormalities have cleared. It should also be restarted in very small, gradually increasing doses and immediately withdrawn if there is any indication of recurrent liver involvement. Patients should be counseled to immediately report signs or symptoms consistent with liver damage and notified that prodromal symptoms usually consist of fatigue, weakness, malaise, anorexia, nausea, and/or vomiting.

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MONITOR CLOSELY: Coadministration with rifampin or other rifamycins may reduce the efficacy of estrogen and progestin hormones that are CYP450 3A4 substrates. The interaction stems from accelerated clearance of the hormone(s) as well as decreased plasma concentrations of unbound (active) hormone(s) due to induction of CYP450 enzymatic activity and hormone-binding globulin capacity by rifampin and to a lesser extent with other rifamycins. In a study of 28 healthy premenopausal women on a combination oral contraceptive pill, coadministration with rifampin (300 mg/day for 10 days) reduced ethinyl estradiol peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and systemic exposure (AUC) by 42% and 64%, respectively, while the same dosage of rifabutin reduced ethinyl estradiol Cmax and AUC by 20% and 35%, respectively. Norethindrone AUC was reduced by 60% with rifampin and 20% with rifabutin. In addition, FSH and LH levels increased following rifamycin therapy, and the incidence of spotting was significantly higher after coadministration with rifampin (36.4%) and rifabutin (21.7%) than during the control cycle (3.7%). This interaction is not thought to be clinically relevant for persons using the progestin-only (DMPA) injection (as serum progestin levels are expected to remain adequate), locally acting levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine systems (as the local effect on the endometrium is unaffected by enzyme induction), and the non-hormonal copper intrauterine device for contraception. Similarly, this interaction may not be as significant for each hormone. A pharmacokinetic study (n=65) in postmenopausal women examined the effects of rifampin (600 mg/day) on the exposure of levonorgestrel (0.03 mg, n=13), norethindrone (0.35 mg, n=14), desogestrel (0.075 mg, n=12), dienogest (2 mg, n=12), and a combination of drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol (3 mg/0.03 mg, n=14). Bound and unbound hormone levels were reviewed. The largest decreases in AUC were observed for etonogestrel (desogestrel's active metabolite), dienogest, and drospirenone at >80%. Levonorgestrel, norethindrone, and ethinyl estradiol had reductions in AUC between 50% and less than 80%.

MANAGEMENT: Caution and close clinical monitoring for reduced efficacy are advised for people using an estrogen and/or progestin-containing product for purposes other than contraception. These patients should be counseled to report any changes in efficacy of the hormonal product to their healthcare provider. Women using estrogens and/or progestins for contraception should be advised of the risk of breakthrough bleeding and unintended pregnancy during concomitant rifamycin therapy, even when given in short doses. Long-acting progestin-only injections and levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine systems may be considered as alternative contraceptive agents. For the most current guidance, local relevant guidelines should be consulted. In general, alternative or additional methods of non-hormonal birth control should be used during and for at least 28 days after rifamycin therapy.

The following apply only to the specific medications (combined oral contraception) or situations (emergency contraception) specified:

-If a combination oral contraceptive pill is chosen despite the risks, a regimen containing at least 30 mcg of ethinyl estradiol per day or equivalent should be selected. Some authorities have suggested increasing to 50 mcg of ethinyl estradiol or equivalent; however, they recommend advising the patient that contraceptive effectiveness, even at this dose, may be reduced and that there could be an increased risk of thrombosis if exposure to ethinyl estradiol is increased.

-For emergency contraception in patients who have used a hepatic enzyme inducer in the past 4 weeks, a non-hormonal emergency contraceptive (e.g., copper intrauterine device) is considered preferable. If this is not possible, some authorities recommend that the usual dose of levonorgestrel (1.5 mg) be doubled to 3 mg and taken as a single dose as soon as possible (typically within 72 hours, though some guidelines suggest up to 96 hours, of unprotected sexual intercourse). However, the efficacy of this regimen is unknown.

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