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Drug Interactions between Hismanal and V-Gan-25

This report displays the potential drug interactions for the following 2 drugs:

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Interactions between your drugs

Moderate

promethazine astemizole

Applies to: V-Gan-25 (promethazine) and Hismanal (astemizole)

MONITOR: Theoretically, concurrent use of two or more drugs that can cause QT interval prolongation may result in additive effects and increased risk of ventricular arrhythmias including torsade de pointes and sudden death. The risk of an individual agent or a combination of these agents causing ventricular arrhythmia in association with QT prolongation is largely unpredictable but may be increased by certain underlying risk factors such as congenital long QT syndrome, cardiac disease, and electrolyte disturbances (e.g., hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia). In addition, the extent of drug-induced QT prolongation is dependent on the particular drug(s) involved and dosage(s) of the drug(s).

MANAGEMENT: Caution and clinical monitoring are recommended if multiple agents associated with QT interval prolongation are prescribed together. Patients should be advised to seek prompt medical attention if they experience symptoms that could indicate the occurrence of torsade de pointes such as dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, palpitation, irregular heart rhythm, shortness of breath, or syncope.

References

  1. Glassman AH, Bigger JT Jr (2001) "Antipsychotic drugs: prolonged QTc interval, torsade de pointes, and sudden death." Am J Psychiatry, 158, p. 1774-82
  2. Witchel HJ, Hancox JC, Nutt DJ (2003) "Psychotropic drugs, cardiac arrhythmia, and sudden death." J Clin Psychopharmacol, 23, p. 58-77
  3. Iannini PB (2002) "Cardiotoxicity of macrolides, ketolides and fluoroquinolones that prolong the QTc interval." Expert Opin Drug Saf, 1, p. 121-8
  4. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics."
  5. Canadian Pharmacists Association (2006) e-CPS. http://www.pharmacists.ca/function/Subscriptions/ecps.cfm?link=eCPS_quikLink
  6. Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information."
  7. EMA. European Medicines Agency. European Union (2013) EMA - List of medicines under additional monitoring. http://www.ema.europa.eu/ema/index.jsp?curl=pages/regulation/document_listing/document_listing_000366.jsp&mid=WC0b01ac058067c852
View all 7 references

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Drug and food interactions

Major

astemizole food

Applies to: Hismanal (astemizole)

GENERALLY AVOID: Some beverages such as tonic water contain varying amounts of quinine. Coadministration of a single 430 mg dose of quinine has been shown to increase plasma concentrations of astemizole and its metabolite, desmethylastemizole. Elevated levels of these agents may cause a prolongation of the electrocardiographic QT interval and potentially fatal ventricular arrhythmias. Although pharmacokinetic data have indicated that the amounts of quinine in beverages (up to 80 mg quinine in 32 oz of tonic water) are not sufficient to produce a significant effect, the potential for an interaction exists if large amounts of tonic water are ingested. Also, grapefruit juice has been shown to inhibit CYP450 enzymes, which may lead to increased serum astemizole concentrations. The risk of life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias may be increased.

MANAGEMENT: Patients should be counseled to limit consumption of quinine-containing beverages and avoid grapefruit juice while they are taking astemizole.

References

  1. (2002) "Product Information. Hismanal (astemizole)." Janssen Pharmaceuticals

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Moderate

promethazine food

Applies to: V-Gan-25 (promethazine)

GENERALLY AVOID: Concurrent use of ethanol and phenothiazines may result in additive CNS depression and psychomotor impairment. Also, ethanol may precipitate dystonic reactions in patients who are taking phenothiazines. The two drugs probably act on different sites in the brain, although the exact mechanism of the interaction is not known.

MANAGEMENT: Patients should be advised to avoid alcohol during phenothiazine therapy.

References

  1. Lutz EG (1976) "Neuroleptic-induced akathisia and dystonia triggered by alcohol." JAMA, 236, p. 2422-3
  2. Freed E (1981) "Alcohol-triggered-neuroleptic-induced tremor, rigidity and dystonia." Med J Aust, 2, p. 44-5

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Therapeutic duplication warnings

Therapeutic duplication is the use of more than one medicine from the same drug category or therapeutic class to treat the same condition. This can be intentional in cases where drugs with similar actions are used together for demonstrated therapeutic benefit. It can also be unintentional in cases where a patient has been treated by more than one doctor, or had prescriptions filled at more than one pharmacy, and can have potentially adverse consequences.

Duplication

Antihistamines

Therapeutic duplication

The recommended maximum number of medicines in the 'antihistamines' category to be taken concurrently is usually one. Your list includes two medicines belonging to the 'antihistamines' category:

  • Hismanal (astemizole)
  • V-Gan-25 (promethazine)

Note: In certain circumstances, the benefits of taking this combination of drugs may outweigh any risks. Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your medications or dosage.


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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.