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Drug Interactions between Irenka and methadone

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

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Moderate

methadone DULoxetine

Applies to: methadone and Irenka (duloxetine)

MONITOR: Coadministration of duloxetine and methadone may result in increased plasma concentrations of both drugs. The proposed mechanism is competitive inhibition of CYP450 2D6 metabolism. In one case report, a patient who had been receiving methadone 50 mg/day for approximately eight years for the treatment of heroin dependence complained of subjective symptoms of opioid overdose (sweating, drowsiness, fatigability, pruritus) a few days after the addition of duloxetine 60 mg/day. The symptoms improved immediately when the dosage of methadone was reduced to 40 mg/day two weeks later, and there was no recurrence when the dosage was increased back to 50 mg/day after two months. Although not reported in this patient, high plasma levels of methadone have been associated with QT interval prolongation and torsade de pointes arrhythmia.

Theoretically, duloxetine systemic exposure may also be increased by methadone. High plasma levels of duloxetine may increase the risk of serious adverse effects such as hypertension, hypertensive crisis, increased heart rate, orthostatic hypotension, syncope, and serotonin syndrome. Serotonin syndrome is a rare but serious and potentially fatal condition thought to result from hyperstimulation of brainstem 5-HT1A and 2A receptors. Symptoms may include mental status changes such as irritability, altered consciousness, confusion, hallucinations, and coma; autonomic dysfunction such as tachycardia, hyperthermia, diaphoresis, shivering, blood pressure lability, and mydriasis; neuromuscular abnormalities such as hyperreflexia, myoclonus, tremor, and ataxia; and gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal cramping, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

MANAGEMENT: Caution is advised if duloxetine and methadone are prescribed in combination. Pharmacologic response to methadone should be closely monitored and the dosage adjusted accordingly, particularly following initiation or discontinuation of duloxetine in patients who are stabilized on their methadone regimen. Patients should be advised to report excessive drowsiness, nausea, or asthenia to their physician, and to seek medical attention if they experience symptoms that could indicate the occurrence of torsades de pointes such as dizziness, palpitations, irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, or syncope. Likewise, pharmacologic response to duloxetine should be monitored more closely whenever methadone is added to or withdrawn from therapy, and the dosage adjusted as necessary.

References

  1. "Product Information. Cymbalta (duloxetine)." Lilly, Eli and Company (2004):
  2. McCance-Katz EF, Sullivan LE, Nallani S "Drug interactions of clinical importance among the opioids, methadone and buprenorphine, and other frequently prescribed medications: a review." Am J Addict 19 (2010): 4-16
  3. McCance-Katz EF, Mandell TW "Drug interactions of clinical importance with methadone and buprenorphine." Am J Addict 19 (2010): 2-3
  4. Vorspan F, Ksouda K, Bloch V, et al. "A case report of transient but clinically relevant interaction between methadone and duloxetine: a reply to McCance-Katz et al." Am J Addict 19 (2010): 458-9
View all 4 references

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Drug and food interactions

Moderate

methadone food

Applies to: methadone

GENERALLY AVOID: Coadministration with grapefruit juice may increase the plasma concentrations of methadone. The proposed mechanism is inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated first-pass metabolism in the gut wall by certain compounds present in grapefruits. In 8 study subjects stabilized on methadone maintenance treatment, ingestion of regular strength grapefruit juice (200 mL one-half hour before and 200 mL simultaneously with the daily methadone dose) for five days resulted in an approximately 17% mean increase in methadone peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and systemic exposure (AUC) and a 14% mean decrease in apparent clearance for both the R(+) and S(-) enantiomers. Grapefruit juice did not affect the time to peak level (Tmax), terminal half-life, or apparent volume of distribution of methadone. No signs or symptoms of methadone toxicity or changes in intensity of withdrawal symptoms were reported in the study.

MANAGEMENT: Given the interindividual variability in the pharmacokinetics of methadone, a more significant interaction with grapefruit juice in certain patients cannot be ruled out. Patients treated with methadone should preferably avoid or limit the consumption of grapefruit juice, particularly during the induction of maintenance treatment.

References

  1. Iribarne C, Berthou F, Baird S, Dreano Y, Picart D, Bail JP, Beaune P, Menez JF "Involvement of cytochrome P450 3A4 enzyme in the N-demethylation of methadone in human liver microsomes." Chem Res Toxicol 9 (1996): 365-73
  2. Oda Y, Kharasch ED "Metabolism of methadone and levo-alpha-acetylmethadol (LAAM) by human intestinal cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4): potential contribution of intestinal metabolism to presystemic clearance and bioactivation." J Pharmacol Exp Ther 298 (2001): 1021-32
  3. Benmebarek M, Devaud C, Gex-Fabry M, et al. "Effects of grapefruit juice on the pharmacokinetics of the enantiomers of methadone." Clin Pharmacol Ther 76 (2004): 55-63
  4. Foster DJ, Somogyi AA, Bochner F "Methadone N-demethylation in human liver microsomes: lack of stereoselectivity and involvement of CYP3A4." Br J Clin Pharmacol 47 (1999): 403-12
View all 4 references

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Moderate

DULoxetine food

Applies to: Irenka (duloxetine)

GENERALLY AVOID: Use of duloxetine in conjunction with chronic alcohol consumption may potentiate the risk of liver injury. Duloxetine alone can increase serum transaminase levels. In clinical trials, 0.3% of patients discontinued duloxetine due to liver transaminase elevations. The median time to detection was about two months. Three duloxetine-treated patients had liver injury as manifested by transaminase and bilirubin elevations, with evidence of obstruction. Substantial intercurrent ethanol use was present in each of these cases, which may have contributed to the abnormalities observed. Duloxetine does not appear to enhance the central nervous system effects of alcohol. When duloxetine and ethanol were administered several hours apart so that peak concentrations of each would coincide, duloxetine did not increase the impairment of mental and motor skills caused by alcohol.

MANAGEMENT: Due to the risk of liver injury, patients prescribed duloxetine should be counseled to avoid excessive use of alcohol. Duloxetine should generally not be prescribed to patients with substantial alcohol use.

References

  1. "Product Information. Cymbalta (duloxetine)." Lilly, Eli and Company (2004):

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Moderate

methadone food

Applies to: methadone

GENERALLY AVOID: Ethanol may potentiate the central nervous system (CNS) depressant effects of opioid analgesics. Concomitant use may result in additive CNS depression and impairment of judgment, thinking, and psychomotor skills. In more severe cases, hypotension, respiratory depression, profound sedation, coma, or even death may occur.

MANAGEMENT: Concomitant use of opioid analgesics with ethanol should be avoided.

References

  1. Linnoila M, Hakkinen S "Effects of diazepam and codeine, alone and in combination with alcohol, on simulated driving." Clin Pharmacol Ther 15 (1974): 368-73
  2. Sturner WQ, Garriott JC "Deaths involving propoxyphene: a study of 41 cases over a two-year period." JAMA 223 (1973): 1125-30
  3. Girre C, Hirschhorn M, Bertaux L, et al. "Enhancement of propoxyphene bioavailability by ethanol: relation to psychomotor and cognitive function in healthy volunteers." Eur J Clin Pharmacol 41 (1991): 147-52
  4. Levine B, Saady J, Fierro M, Valentour J "A hydromorphone and ethanol fatality." J Forensic Sci 29 (1984): 655-9
  5. Sellers EM, Hamilton CA, Kaplan HL, Degani NC, Foltz RL "Pharmacokinetic interaction of propoxyphene with ethanol." Br J Clin Pharmacol 19 (1985): 398-401
  6. Carson DJ "Fatal dextropropoxyphene poisoning in Northern Ireland. Review of 30 cases." Lancet 1 (1977): 894-7
  7. Rosser WW "The interaction of propoxyphene with other drugs." Can Med Assoc J 122 (1980): 149-50
  8. Edwards C, Gard PR, Handley SL, Hunter M, Whittington RM "Distalgesic and ethanol-impaired function." Lancet 2 (1982): 384
  9. Kiplinger GF, Sokol G, Rodda BE "Effect of combined alcohol and propoxyphene on human performance." Arch Int Pharmacodyn Ther 212 (1974): 175-80
View all 9 references

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Therapeutic duplication warnings

No warnings were found for your selected drugs.

Therapeutic duplication warnings are only returned when drugs within the same group exceed the recommended therapeutic duplication maximum.

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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

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