Drug Interactions between HalfLytely and Bisacodyl and tolvaptan

MONITOR: Coadministration with tolvaptan can potentiate the risk of hyperkalemia in patients treated with other drugs that are known to increase serum potassium. Tolvaptan alone can increase serum potassium by causing an acute reduction of the extracellular fluid volume. In clinical studies, adverse reactions of hyperkalemia were approximately 1% to 2% higher when tolvaptan was used concomitantly with ACE inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor antagonists, or potassium sparing diuretics compared to administration of these medications with placebo.

MANAGEMENT: Serum potassium levels should be checked regularly during concomitant therapy with tolvaptan and other agents that can increase serum potassium such as ACE inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor antagonists, potassium-sparing diuretics, aldosterone antagonists, and miscellaneous agents like cyclosporine, heparin, tacrolimus, and trimethoprim. Particular caution is warranted in patients with renal impairment, diabetes, old age, severe or worsening heart failure, or dehydration. Patients should be advised to seek medical attention if they experience signs and symptoms of hyperkalemia such as nausea, vomiting, weakness, listlessness, tingling of the extremities, paralysis, confusion, weak pulse, and a slow or irregular heartbeat.

GENERALLY AVOID: The use of tolvaptan with other treatments for hyponatremia or medications that increase serum sodium concentration may increase the risk of rapid correction of sodium levels due to additive effects. Other products with high sodium content such as oral sodium, effervescent analgesic preparations, or treatments for dyspepsia may also increase serum sodium concentration.

MANAGEMENT: The concomitant use of tolvaptan with hypertonic saline is not recommended. Caution and monitoring are recommended for patients who have received other medications that increase serum sodium levels.

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: By increasing gastric pH, antacids may reduce the resistance of the enteric coating of bisacodyl tablets, resulting in earlier release of bisacodyl and gastric irritation and dyspepsia.

MANAGEMENT: The administration of antacids and bisacodyl should be separated by at least one hour.

GENERALLY AVOID: The use of tolvaptan with other treatments for hyponatremia or medications that increase serum sodium concentration may increase the risk of rapid correction of sodium levels due to additive effects. Other products with high sodium content such as oral sodium, effervescent analgesic preparations, or treatments for dyspepsia may also increase serum sodium concentration.

MANAGEMENT: The concomitant use of tolvaptan with hypertonic saline is not recommended. Caution and monitoring are recommended for patients who have received other medications that increase serum sodium levels.

GENERALLY AVOID: Concomitant use of stimulant laxatives (e.g., bisacodyl, sodium picosulfate) may increase the risk of serious gastrointestinal adverse effects associated with certain osmotic laxatives (e.g., polyethylene glycol (PEG), oral sulfate solution), such as colonic mucosal ulcerations or ischemic colitis. There have been isolated case reports of ischemic colitis occurring with the use of PEG-based bowel cleansing products in combination with higher dosages of bisacodyl (usually greater than 10 mg). Bisacodyl can cause colonic ischemia due to transient reduction in splanchnic blood flow. When administered in conjunction with an osmotic laxative such as PEG, increased intramural pressure secondary to increased peristalsis may lead to ischemic colitis and perforation.

MANAGEMENT: The manufacturers for some osmotic bowel cleansing products recommend avoiding the concurrent use of stimulant laxatives. However, stimulant laxatives, in particular bisacodyl and sodium picosulfate, are sometimes used with PEG in certain bowel cleansing regimens to help reduce dose volume and improve patient tolerability and acceptance. Please consult individual product labeling for specific recommendations and guidance. Patients using osmotic bowel cleansing products and stimulant laxatives who present with sudden abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, or other symptoms of ischemic colitis should be evaluated promptly.