Can you take Ginkgo with Mesantoin?
1 drug interaction and 11 additional warnings found for the following 2 drugs:
- ginkgo
- Mesantoin (mephenytoin)
Drug interactions
Moderate drug interactions
Moderate:
mephenytoin ginkgo
Applies to: Mesantoin (mephenytoin) and ginkgo
Talk to your doctor before using ginkgo together with mephenytoin.
Some preparations of ginkgo biloba have caused seizures and may interfere with the anticonvulsant effects of mephenytoin.
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:
mephenytoin Food/Lifestyle
Applies to: Mesantoin (mephenytoin)
Mephenytoin levels may decrease when the suspension is given with enteral feedings. This could lead to a loss of seizure control.
You could interrupt the feeding for 2 hours before and after the mephenytoin dose. Alternatively, you may give the mephenytoin suspension diluted in water and flush the tube with water after administration. These would make it easier for your body to absorb the medication. However, this still may not entirely avoid the interaction and may not always be feasible.
You should have your mephenytoin levels checked upon starting and stopping of enteral feedings.
In addition, using mephenytoin together with food may alter the effects of mephenytoin.
Contact your doctor if you experience worsening of seizure control or symptoms of toxicity, including:
- twitching eye movements
- slurred speech
- loss of balance
- tremor
- muscle stiffness or weakness
- nausea
- vomiting
- feeling light-headed
- fainting
- slow or shallow breathing
If your doctor does prescribe these medications together, you may need a dose adjustment or special test to safely use both medications.
It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Ask your doctor before making any changes to your therapy.
Disease interactions
10 potential interactions Applies to: 10 conditions, including Depression, Vitamin D Deficiency, Psychosis, Diabetes Mellitus, and Liver Disease.
Abnormal Glucose Tolerance
Moderate:
Mesantoin
The mephenytoin in Mesantoin 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.
Anemia, Folate Deficiency
Moderate:
Mesantoin
The mephenytoin in Mesantoin 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.
Bone Marrow Depression/Low Blood Counts
Major:
Mesantoin
The mephenytoin in Mesantoin 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:
Mesantoin
The mephenytoin in Mesantoin 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.
Diabetes Mellitus
Moderate:
Mesantoin
The mephenytoin in Mesantoin 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.
Folic Acid/Cyanocobalamin Deficiency
Moderate:
Mesantoin
The mephenytoin in Mesantoin 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.
Liver Disease
Major:
Mesantoin
The mephenytoin in Mesantoin 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.
Porphyria
Major:
Mesantoin
The mephenytoin in Mesantoin 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:
Mesantoin
The mephenytoin in Mesantoin 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.
Vitamin D Deficiency
Moderate:
Mesantoin
The mephenytoin in Mesantoin 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.
More resources
ginkgo
A total of 304 drugs are known to interact with ginkgo.
- Ginkgo is in the drug class herbal products.
- Ginkgo is used to treat Herbal Supplementation.
Mesantoin
A total of 456 drugs are known to interact with Mesantoin.
- Mesantoin is in the drug class hydantoin anticonvulsants.
Drug Interaction Classification
| Highly clinically significant. Avoid combinations; the risk of the interaction outweighs the benefit. | |
| Moderately clinically significant. Usually avoid combinations; use it only under special circumstances. | |
| 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. | |
| No interaction information available. |
Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.