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Can you take Fosphenytoin with Temazepam?

1 drug interaction and 32 additional warnings found for the following 2 drugs:

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Drug interactions

Moderate drug interactions

Moderate:

temazepam fosphenytoin

Applies to: temazepam and fosphenytoin

Talk to your doctor before using fosphenytoin together with temazepam. Medications like temazepam can alter the blood levels and effects of fosphenytoin.

Contact your doctor if you experience loss of seizure control or symptoms that may suggest excessive fosphenytoin levels such as:

  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • twitching eye movements
  • blurred vision
  • slurred speech
  • loss of balance or coordination
  • tremors
  • sluggishness
  • confusion
  • hallucinations

You may need a dose adjustment or more frequent monitoring by your doctor to safely use both medications.

It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.

Food/lifestyle interactions

Moderate food/lifestyle interactions

Moderate:

temazepam Alcohol (Ethanol)

Applies to: temazepam

Using temazepam together with ethanol (alcohol) can increase nervous system side effects such as:

  • dizziness
  • drowsiness
  • difficulty concentrating

Some people may also experience impairment in thinking and judgment.

You should avoid or limit the use of alcohol while being treated with temazepam. Do not use more than the recommended dose of temazepam, and avoid activities requiring mental alertness such as driving or operating hazardous machinery until you know how the medication affects you.

It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medication without first talking to your doctor.

Disease interactions

31 potential interactions Applies to: 25 conditions, including Depression, Vitamin D Deficiency, Weight Loss, Seizures, and Hypotension.

Abnormal Glucose Tolerance

Moderate:

fosphenytoin

Fosphenytoin has a moderate potential interaction with Abnormal Glucose Tolerance.

Phenytoin, particularly in high dosages, may cause hyperglycemia by inhibiting insulin release. The drug may also raise serum glucose levels in diabetic patients. Therapy with phenytoin should be administered cautiously in patients with diabetes mellitus, glucose intolerance, or a predisposition to hyperglycemia. Patients with diabetes mellitus should be monitored more closely during phenytoin therapy, and their antidiabetic regimen adjusted accordingly. The same precautions should also be observed with other hydantoin anticonvulsants (i.e. ethotoin and mephenytoin) because of their structural and pharmacological similarities to phenytoin.

Acute Alcohol Intoxication

Major:

temazepam

Temazepam has a major potential interaction with Acute Alcohol Intoxication.

The use of benzodiazepines with alcohol is not recommended. Patients with acute alcohol intoxication exhibit depressed vital signs. The central nervous system depressant effects of benzodiazepines may be additive with those of alcohol, and severe respiratory depression and death may occur. Therapy with benzodiazepines should be administered cautiously in patients who might be prone to acute alcohol intake.

Alcoholism

Moderate:

fosphenytoin

Fosphenytoin has a moderate potential interaction with Alcoholism.

The use of acute alcoholic intake may increase phenytoin serum levels while chronic alcoholic use may decrease serum levels. Caution is recommended in alcoholic patients. The same precaution should also be observed with fosphenytoin as this agent is a prodrug of phenytoin.

Anemia, Folate Deficiency

Moderate:

fosphenytoin

Fosphenytoin has a moderate potential interaction with Anemia, Folate Deficiency.

Hydantoin anticonvulsants may interfere with folate metabolism and precipitate macrocytosis and megaloblastic anemia, which usually respond to folic acid therapy. These reactions have been fairly uncommon but may be of concern in patients with megaloblastic anemia or folate deficiency receiving hydantoin therapy.

Asphyxia

Major:

temazepam

Temazepam has a major potential interaction with Asphyxia.

Benzodiazepines may cause respiratory depression and apnea, usually when given in high dosages and/or by intravenous administration. However, some patients may be susceptible at commonly used dosages, including the elderly, debilitated or severely ill patients, those receiving other CNS depressants, and those with limited ventilatory reserve, chronic pulmonary insufficiency or other respiratory disorders. Therapy with benzodiazepines should be administered cautiously in these patients. Appropriate monitoring and individualization of dosage are particularly important, and equipment for resuscitation should be immediately available if the parenteral route is used. Benzodiazepines, especially injectable formulations, should generally be avoided in patients with sleep apnea, severe respiratory insufficiency, or hypoxia.

Bone Marrow Depression/Low Blood Counts

Major:

fosphenytoin

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

Hematologic toxicities have been associated with the use of hydantoin anticonvulsants, particularly mephenytoin. Thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, neutropenia, agranulocytosis, pancytopenia and, rarely, hemolytic anemia, aplastic anemia and pure red cell aplasia have been reported. Therapy with hydantoin anticonvulsants should be administered cautiously in patients with preexisting blood dyscrasias and/or bone marrow depression. Complete blood counts, including platelets, should be performed prior to initiating therapy and regularly for several months thereafter. For mephenytoin, the manufacturer recommends performing counts after 2 weeks on a low dosage, after another 2 weeks when full dosage is reached, then monthly for a year, and every 3 months thereafter. Marked depression of blood counts may be indication for withdrawal of hydantoin therapy.

Depression

Moderate:

fosphenytoin

Fosphenytoin 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.

Moderate:

temazepam

Temazepam has a moderate potential interaction with Depression.

Benzodiazepines depress the central nervous system and may cause or exacerbate mental depression and cause suicidal behavior and ideation. Episodes of mania and hypomania have also been reported in depressed patients treated with some of these agents. Therapy with benzodiazepines should be administered cautiously in patients with a history of depression or other psychiatric disorders. Patients should be monitored for any changes in mood or behavior. It may be prudent to refrain from dispensing large quantities of medication to these patients.

Diabetes Mellitus

Moderate:

fosphenytoin

Fosphenytoin has a moderate potential interaction with Diabetes Mellitus.

Phenytoin, particularly in high dosages, may cause hyperglycemia by inhibiting insulin release. The drug may also raise serum glucose levels in diabetic patients. Therapy with phenytoin should be administered cautiously in patients with diabetes mellitus, glucose intolerance, or a predisposition to hyperglycemia. Patients with diabetes mellitus should be monitored more closely during phenytoin therapy, and their antidiabetic regimen adjusted accordingly. The same precautions should also be observed with other hydantoin anticonvulsants (i.e. ethotoin and mephenytoin) because of their structural and pharmacological similarities to phenytoin.

Drug Dependence

Major:

temazepam

Temazepam has a major potential interaction with Drug Dependence.

Benzodiazepines have the potential to cause dependence and abuse. Tolerance as well as physical and psychological dependence can develop, particularly after prolonged use and/or excessive dosages. However, abrupt cessation following continual use of as few as 6 weeks at therapeutic levels has occasionally precipitated withdrawal symptoms. Addiction- prone individuals, such as those with a history of alcohol or substance abuse, should be under careful surveillance when treated with benzodiazepines. It may be prudent to refrain from dispensing large quantities of medication to these patients. After prolonged use or if dependency is suspected, withdrawal of benzodiazepine therapy should be undertaken gradually using a dosage- tapering schedule. If withdrawal symptoms occur, temporary reinstitution of benzodiazepines may be necessary.

Folic Acid/Cyanocobalamin Deficiency

Moderate:

fosphenytoin

Fosphenytoin has a moderate potential interaction with Folic Acid/Cyanocobalamin Deficiency.

Hydantoin anticonvulsants may interfere with folate metabolism and precipitate macrocytosis and megaloblastic anemia, which usually respond to folic acid therapy. These reactions have been fairly uncommon but may be of concern in patients with megaloblastic anemia or folate deficiency receiving hydantoin therapy.

Glaucoma/Intraocular Hypertension

Major:

temazepam

Temazepam has a major potential interaction with Glaucoma/Intraocular Hypertension.

The manufacturers consider the use of benzodiazepines to be contraindicated in patients with acute angle-closure glaucoma or untreated open-angle glaucoma. These agents do not possess anticholinergic activity but have very rarely been associated with increased intraocular pressure.

Heart Disease

Major:

fosphenytoin

Fosphenytoin has a major potential interaction with Heart Disease.

The intravenous administration of phenytoin or its prodrug, fosphenytoin, is contraindicated in patients with sinus bradycardia, sino-atrial block, second and third degree AV block, and patients with Adam-Stokes syndrome. Severe cardiotoxic reactions related to depression of atrial and ventricular conduction and ventricular fibrillation have been reported with parenteral phenytoin, primarily in elderly or gravely ill patients. Hypotension and cardiovascular collapse have also been reported, usually when the drug was administered too rapidly. Therapy with intravenous phenytoin or fosphenytoin should be administered cautiously in patients with hypotension or severe myocardial insufficiency, particularly if they are elderly or seriously ill. The rate of injection should not exceed manufacturer recommendations and should be adjusted based on the patient's cardiovascular status. The rate of IV administration for SESQUIENT should not exceed 0.4 mg PE/kg/min in pediatric patients as safety at a faster rate has not been established.

Hyperkinetic Syndrome of Childhood

Moderate:

temazepam

Temazepam has a moderate potential interaction with Hyperkinetic Syndrome of Childhood.

Paradoxical reactions, including excitability, irritability, aggressive behavior, agitation, nervousness, hostility, anxiety, sleep disturbances, nightmares and vivid dreams, have been reported with the use of benzodiazepines in psychiatric patients and pediatric patients with hyperactive aggressive disorders. Such patients should be monitored for signs of paradoxical stimulation during therapy with benzodiazepines. The manufacturers do not recommend the use of benzodiazepines for the treatment of psychosis.

Hypotension

Major:

fosphenytoin

Fosphenytoin has a major potential interaction with Hypotension.

The intravenous administration of phenytoin or its prodrug, fosphenytoin, is contraindicated in patients with sinus bradycardia, sino-atrial block, second and third degree AV block, and patients with Adam-Stokes syndrome. Severe cardiotoxic reactions related to depression of atrial and ventricular conduction and ventricular fibrillation have been reported with parenteral phenytoin, primarily in elderly or gravely ill patients. Hypotension and cardiovascular collapse have also been reported, usually when the drug was administered too rapidly. Therapy with intravenous phenytoin or fosphenytoin should be administered cautiously in patients with hypotension or severe myocardial insufficiency, particularly if they are elderly or seriously ill. The rate of injection should not exceed manufacturer recommendations and should be adjusted based on the patient's cardiovascular status. The rate of IV administration for SESQUIENT should not exceed 0.4 mg PE/kg/min in pediatric patients as safety at a faster rate has not been established.

Liver Disease

Major:

fosphenytoin

Fosphenytoin has a major potential interaction with Liver Disease.

Hydantoin anticonvulsants are primarily metabolized by the liver. Both metabolic activity and plasma protein binding may be significantly altered in patients with liver disease, resulting in elevated drug levels (total and unbound fraction) and increased risk of toxicity. Therapy with hydantoin anticonvulsants should be administered cautiously in patients with impaired hepatic function. Reduced dosages and slower titration may be necessary. In addition, periodic monitoring of liver function is recommended, since the use of anticonvulsants, including hydantoins, has been associated with hepatotoxicity related to drug hypersensitivity. Hepatic failure and death have occurred. Hydantoin therapy should be discontinued and not readministered if evidence of liver damage is observed and felt to be drug-related.

Moderate:

temazepam

Temazepam has a moderate potential interaction with Liver Disease.

Benzodiazepines are metabolized by the liver and undergo oxidative N-dealkylation to active metabolites that are substantially longer-acting than the parent compound. These metabolites then undergo further biotransformation before excretion by the kidney. Therapy with benzodiazepines should be administered cautiously at lower initial dosages in patients with impaired hepatic function. Agents that are converted to weakly active, short-acting, or inactive metabolites (such as oxazepam and temazepam) may be preferable in patients with hepatic impairment.

Porphyria

Major:

fosphenytoin

Fosphenytoin has a major potential interaction with Porphyria.

The use of phenytoin has rarely been associated with exacerbation of porphyria. Therapy with phenytoin should be administered cautiously in patients with porphyria. The same precaution should also be observed with other hydantoin anticonvulsants (i.e. ethotoin and mephenytoin) because of their structural and pharmacological similarities to phenytoin.

Psychosis

Moderate:

fosphenytoin

Fosphenytoin 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.

Moderate:

temazepam

Temazepam has a moderate potential interaction with Psychosis.

Benzodiazepines depress the central nervous system and may cause or exacerbate mental depression and cause suicidal behavior and ideation. Episodes of mania and hypomania have also been reported in depressed patients treated with some of these agents. Therapy with benzodiazepines should be administered cautiously in patients with a history of depression or other psychiatric disorders. Patients should be monitored for any changes in mood or behavior. It may be prudent to refrain from dispensing large quantities of medication to these patients.

Moderate:

temazepam

Temazepam has a moderate potential interaction with Psychosis.

Paradoxical reactions, including excitability, irritability, aggressive behavior, agitation, nervousness, hostility, anxiety, sleep disturbances, nightmares and vivid dreams, have been reported with the use of benzodiazepines in psychiatric patients and pediatric patients with hyperactive aggressive disorders. Such patients should be monitored for signs of paradoxical stimulation during therapy with benzodiazepines. The manufacturers do not recommend the use of benzodiazepines for the treatment of psychosis.

Pulmonary Impairment

Major:

temazepam

Temazepam has a major potential interaction with Pulmonary Impairment.

Benzodiazepines may cause respiratory depression and apnea, usually when given in high dosages and/or by intravenous administration. However, some patients may be susceptible at commonly used dosages, including the elderly, debilitated or severely ill patients, those receiving other CNS depressants, and those with limited ventilatory reserve, chronic pulmonary insufficiency or other respiratory disorders. Therapy with benzodiazepines should be administered cautiously in these patients. Appropriate monitoring and individualization of dosage are particularly important, and equipment for resuscitation should be immediately available if the parenteral route is used. Benzodiazepines, especially injectable formulations, should generally be avoided in patients with sleep apnea, severe respiratory insufficiency, or hypoxia.

Renal Dysfunction

Major:

fosphenytoin

Fosphenytoin has a major potential interaction with Renal Dysfunction.

The plasma protein binding of phenytoin may be significantly decreased in patients with renal impairment, resulting in elevated free drug concentrations and increased risk of toxicity. This effect is proportional to the degree of renal impairment and stems from quantitative differences in serum albumin as well as qualitative differences in the ability to bind phenytoin. Therapy with phenytoin should be administered cautiously in patients with impaired renal function. Both the therapeutic and toxic plasma total phenytoin levels may be lower than normal in these patients and should be considered in dosing. Alternatively, the monitoring of unbound phenytoin concentrations may be appropriate.

Moderate:

fosphenytoin

Fosphenytoin has a moderate potential interaction with Renal Dysfunction.

Fosphenytoin injection (Cerebyx, Sesquient) provides a phosphate load of 0.0037 mmol per mg of phenytoin sodium equivalent activity, which should be considered in patients who require phosphate restriction, such as those with severe renal impairment. A new formulation of fosphenytoin (Sesquient) contains an excipient betadex sulfobutyl ether sodium that may accumulate as sulfobutylether beta-cyclodextrin sodium salt in patients with moderate to severe renal impairment. Serum creatinine levels should be closely monitored in patients with severe renal impairment (eGFR 15 to less than 30 mL/min/1.73 m2) and a switch to oral phenytoin should be considered if serum creatinine levels begin to rise.

Moderate:

temazepam

Temazepam has a moderate potential interaction with Renal Dysfunction.

Benzodiazepines are excreted by the kidneys and should be used with caution in patients with impaired renal function and end-stage kidney disease.

Respiratory Arrest

Major:

temazepam

Temazepam has a major potential interaction with Respiratory Arrest.

Benzodiazepines may cause respiratory depression and apnea, usually when given in high dosages and/or by intravenous administration. However, some patients may be susceptible at commonly used dosages, including the elderly, debilitated or severely ill patients, those receiving other CNS depressants, and those with limited ventilatory reserve, chronic pulmonary insufficiency or other respiratory disorders. Therapy with benzodiazepines should be administered cautiously in these patients. Appropriate monitoring and individualization of dosage are particularly important, and equipment for resuscitation should be immediately available if the parenteral route is used. Benzodiazepines, especially injectable formulations, should generally be avoided in patients with sleep apnea, severe respiratory insufficiency, or hypoxia.

Seizures

Major:

temazepam

Temazepam has a major potential interaction with Seizures.

The use of benzodiazepines in patients with seizure disorders may increase the incidence or precipitate the onset of generalized tonic-clonic seizures (grand mal). Appropriate anticonvulsant medication might need to be initiated or the dosage increased. Abrupt cessation of benzodiazepine therapy may precipitate seizures and other withdrawal symptoms, particularly after prolonged use and/or excessive dosages. Status epilepticus may occur in patients with a history of seizures withdrawn rapidly from benzodiazepine therapy. Following chronic administration, cessation of benzodiazepine therapy should occur gradually with incrementally reduced dosages. Patients should be advised not to discontinue medication without first consulting with the physician.

Sleep Disorders

Moderate:

temazepam

Temazepam has a moderate potential interaction with Sleep Disorders.

Sleep disturbances may be the presenting manifestation of a physical and/or psychiatric disorder. The symptomatic treatment of insomnia should be initiated only after a careful evaluation of the patient. The failure of insomnia to remit after 7 to 10 days of treatment may indicate the presence of a primary psychiatric or medical illness that should be evaluated. Worsening of insomnia with the emergence of new thinking or behavior abnormalities may be the consequence of an unrecognized disorder.

Thyroid Disease

Moderate:

fosphenytoin

Fosphenytoin has a moderate potential interaction with Thyroid Disease.

Phenytoin may decrease serum PBI (protein-bound iodine) levels without associated thyroid disturbance. Free thyroxine concentrations may also be decreased, while resin or red cell T3 uptake values may be increased. Clinicians should be cognizant of these effects when prescribing or administering phenytoin therapy to patients with thyroid disorders.

Vitamin D Deficiency

Moderate:

fosphenytoin

Fosphenytoin has a moderate potential interaction with Vitamin D Deficiency.

Phenytoin may interfere with vitamin D metabolism. Hypocalcemia and osteomalacia have been reported. Therapy with phenytoin should be administered cautiously in patients with preexisting vitamin D deficiency. The same precaution should also be observed with other hydantoin anticonvulsants (i.e. ethotoin and mephenytoin) because of their structural and pharmacological similarities to phenytoin.

Weight Loss

Moderate:

temazepam

Temazepam has a moderate potential interaction with Weight Loss.

The plasma half-lives of benzodiazepines may be prolonged in obese patients, presumably due to increased distribution into fat. Marked increases in distribution (> 100%) have been reported for diazepam and midazolam, and moderate increases (25% to 100%) for alprazolam, lorazepam, and oxazepam. Therapy with benzodiazepines should be administered cautiously in obese patients, with careful monitoring of CNS status. Longer dosing intervals may be appropriate. When dosing by weight, loading doses should be based on actual body weight, while maintenance dose should be based on ideal body weight to avoid toxicity.

More resources

fosphenytoin

A total of 815 drugs are known to interact with fosphenytoin.

temazepam

A total of 418 drugs are known to interact with temazepam.

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

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.