Can you take Felbamate with Interferon beta-1b?

Felbamate has a major potential interaction with Anemia.

The use of felbamate is contraindicated in patients with bone marrow suppression or a current or prior history of blood dyscrasias. A marked increase in the incidence of aplastic anemia has been associated with the use of felbamate, reportedly exceeding 100 times the incidence observed in the general population (2 to 5 per million persons per year). In the few cases that have been reported in felbamate patients, the onset of clinical manifestations of aplastic anemia ranged from 5 to 30 weeks. However, the injury to bone marrow stem cells that is believed to be ultimately responsible for the anemia may occur much earlier. Currently, it is not known whether the risk is related to dose, duration of exposure, and/or concomitant use of other antiepileptic or myelotoxic drugs. Expert hematologic consultation should be available for all patients treated with felbamate. Since aplastic anemia typically develops without premonitory clinical or laboratory signs, it should be borne in mind that routine blood testing may not be reliably used to prevent development of the syndrome. However, in some cases, it may allow the detection of hematologic changes before the condition is full-blown. Felbamate therapy should be withdrawn if evidence of bone marrow depression is observed. Patients who are discontinued from the drug may remain at risk for developing anemia for a variable and unknown period afterwards and should be monitored accordingly.

Interferon beta-1b has a major potential interaction with Arrhythmia.

Hypertension, arrhythmias, angina, myocardial infarction, cardiomyopathy, and congestive heart failure have been reported during interferon therapy. Therapy with interferons should be administered with caution in patients with compromised cardiac function.

Felbamate has a major potential interaction with Bone Marrow Depression/Low Blood Counts.

The use of felbamate is contraindicated in patients with bone marrow suppression or a current or prior history of blood dyscrasias. A marked increase in the incidence of aplastic anemia has been associated with the use of felbamate, reportedly exceeding 100 times the incidence observed in the general population (2 to 5 per million persons per year). In the few cases that have been reported in felbamate patients, the onset of clinical manifestations of aplastic anemia ranged from 5 to 30 weeks. However, the injury to bone marrow stem cells that is believed to be ultimately responsible for the anemia may occur much earlier. Currently, it is not known whether the risk is related to dose, duration of exposure, and/or concomitant use of other antiepileptic or myelotoxic drugs. Expert hematologic consultation should be available for all patients treated with felbamate. Since aplastic anemia typically develops without premonitory clinical or laboratory signs, it should be borne in mind that routine blood testing may not be reliably used to prevent development of the syndrome. However, in some cases, it may allow the detection of hematologic changes before the condition is full-blown. Felbamate therapy should be withdrawn if evidence of bone marrow depression is observed. Patients who are discontinued from the drug may remain at risk for developing anemia for a variable and unknown period afterwards and should be monitored accordingly.

Interferon beta-1b has a major potential interaction with Cardiovascular Conditions and Disorders.

Hypertension, arrhythmias, angina, myocardial infarction, cardiomyopathy, and congestive heart failure have been reported during interferon therapy. Therapy with interferons should be administered with caution in patients with compromised cardiac function.

Interferon beta-1b has a major potential interaction with Depression.

Interferons (alfa or beta) can induce depression and suicidal behavior. Suicidal attempts and suicides have been reported. Therapy with interferons (alfa or beta) should be administered cautiously to patients with or predisposed to mental depression. Clinical monitoring of psychological status is recommended.

Felbamate has a moderate potential interaction with Depression.

Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) have been associated with an increased risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior in patients taking these drugs for any indication. Pooled analyses of 199 placebo-controlled clinical studies involving the use of 11 different AEDs showed that patients receiving AEDs had approximately twice the risk of suicidal thinking or behavior compared to patients receiving placebo. AEDs should be administered cautiously in patients with depression or other psychiatric disorders; phentermine-topiramate should be avoided in patients with history of suicidal attempts or active suicidal ideation. The risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior should be carefully assessed against the risk of untreated illness, bearing in mind that epilepsy and many other conditions for which AEDs are prescribed are themselves associated with morbidity and mortality and an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior. Patients, caregivers, and families should be alert to the emergence or worsening of signs and symptoms of depression, any unusual changes in mood or behavior, or the emergence of suicidal thoughts or behavior. If patients have symptoms of suicidal ideation or behavior, a dosage reduction or treatment discontinuation should be considered.

Interferon beta-1b has a major potential interaction with Heart Failure.

Hypertension, arrhythmias, angina, myocardial infarction, cardiomyopathy, and congestive heart failure have been reported during interferon therapy. Therapy with interferons should be administered with caution in patients with compromised cardiac function.

Felbamate has a major potential interaction with History of Blood Dyscrasias.

The use of felbamate is contraindicated in patients with bone marrow suppression or a current or prior history of blood dyscrasias. A marked increase in the incidence of aplastic anemia has been associated with the use of felbamate, reportedly exceeding 100 times the incidence observed in the general population (2 to 5 per million persons per year). In the few cases that have been reported in felbamate patients, the onset of clinical manifestations of aplastic anemia ranged from 5 to 30 weeks. However, the injury to bone marrow stem cells that is believed to be ultimately responsible for the anemia may occur much earlier. Currently, it is not known whether the risk is related to dose, duration of exposure, and/or concomitant use of other antiepileptic or myelotoxic drugs. Expert hematologic consultation should be available for all patients treated with felbamate. Since aplastic anemia typically develops without premonitory clinical or laboratory signs, it should be borne in mind that routine blood testing may not be reliably used to prevent development of the syndrome. However, in some cases, it may allow the detection of hematologic changes before the condition is full-blown. Felbamate therapy should be withdrawn if evidence of bone marrow depression is observed. Patients who are discontinued from the drug may remain at risk for developing anemia for a variable and unknown period afterwards and should be monitored accordingly.

Interferon beta-1b has a major potential interaction with Ischemic Heart Disease.

Hypertension, arrhythmias, angina, myocardial infarction, cardiomyopathy, and congestive heart failure have been reported during interferon therapy. Therapy with interferons should be administered with caution in patients with compromised cardiac function.

Felbamate has a major potential interaction with Liver Disease.

The use of felbamate is contraindicated in patients with a history of hepatic impairment. A marked increase in the incidence of hepatic failure, some resulting in fatality, has been associated with the use of felbamate relative to that expected in the general population (approximately 2000 cases per year). Currently, it is not known whether the risk is related to dose, duration of exposure, and/or concomitant use of other antiepileptic or hepatotoxic drugs. All patients treated with felbamate should have serum transaminase and bilirubin levels checked prior to initiating therapy and at 1- to 2-week intervals while treatment continues. Felbamate therapy should be withdrawn if abnormal liver function tests occur.

Interferon beta-1b has a major potential interaction with Liver Disease.

Severe hepatic injury, including hepatitis, autoimmune hepatitis, cases of hepatic failure and asymptomatic transient increases in the concentrations of serum transaminases, have been reported in patients treated with beta interferons. In some cases, these events have occurred in the presence of other drugs that have been associated with hepatic injury. The potential risk of these agents used in combination with known hepatotoxic drugs or other products (e.g., alcohol) should be considered before starting therapy, or before starting hepatotoxic drugs. Patients should be monitored for signs of hepatic injury, including the regular monitoring of liver function tests, and discontinuation of therapy should be considered if serum transaminase levels significantly increase or if hepatic injury occurs.

Interferon beta-1b has a major potential interaction with Parkinsonism.

Reversible CNS effects such as seizures, mental status changes, manic behavior or psychotic reactions, gait disturbances, and dizziness have occurred in patients receiving interferons. Therapy with interferons should be administered cautiously in patients with or predisposed to seizures, psychiatric disorders, or conditions affecting posture or gait.

Interferon beta-1b has a major potential interaction with Psychosis.

Reversible CNS effects such as seizures, mental status changes, manic behavior or psychotic reactions, gait disturbances, and dizziness have occurred in patients receiving interferons. Therapy with interferons should be administered cautiously in patients with or predisposed to seizures, psychiatric disorders, or conditions affecting posture or gait.

Felbamate has a moderate potential interaction with Psychosis.

Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) have been associated with an increased risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior in patients taking these drugs for any indication. Pooled analyses of 199 placebo-controlled clinical studies involving the use of 11 different AEDs showed that patients receiving AEDs had approximately twice the risk of suicidal thinking or behavior compared to patients receiving placebo. AEDs should be administered cautiously in patients with depression or other psychiatric disorders; phentermine-topiramate should be avoided in patients with history of suicidal attempts or active suicidal ideation. The risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior should be carefully assessed against the risk of untreated illness, bearing in mind that epilepsy and many other conditions for which AEDs are prescribed are themselves associated with morbidity and mortality and an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior. Patients, caregivers, and families should be alert to the emergence or worsening of signs and symptoms of depression, any unusual changes in mood or behavior, or the emergence of suicidal thoughts or behavior. If patients have symptoms of suicidal ideation or behavior, a dosage reduction or treatment discontinuation should be considered.

Felbamate has a major potential interaction with Renal Dysfunction.

Felbamate is partially eliminated by the kidney as unchanged drug (approximately 40% to 50% of absorbed dose). The plasma clearance of felbamate may be decreased and the half-life prolonged in patients with impaired renal function. Therapy with felbamate should be administered cautiously in patients with renal impairment.

Interferon beta-1b has a major potential interaction with Seizures.

Reversible CNS effects such as seizures, mental status changes, manic behavior or psychotic reactions, gait disturbances, and dizziness have occurred in patients receiving interferons. Therapy with interferons should be administered cautiously in patients with or predisposed to seizures, psychiatric disorders, or conditions affecting posture or gait.