Drug Interactions between isoniazid and lidocaine / oxytetracycline

MONITOR: Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may increase the plasma concentrations of lidocaine, which is primarily metabolized by the CYP450 3A4 and 1A2 isoenzymes to active metabolites (monoethylglycinexylidide (MEGX) and glycinexylidide). The proposed mechanism is inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated first-pass metabolism in the gut wall by certain compounds present in grapefruit. Inhibition of hepatic CYP450 3A4 may also contribute. The interaction has not been studied with grapefruit juice but has been reported with oral and/or intravenous lidocaine and potent CYP450 3A4 inhibitor, itraconazole, as well as moderate CYP450 3A4 inhibitor, erythromycin. A pharmacokinetic study of 9 healthy volunteers showed that the administration of lidocaine oral (1 mg/kg single dose) with itraconazole (200 mg daily) increased lidocaine systemic exposure (AUC) and peak plasma concentration (Cmax) by 75% and 55%, respectively. However, no changes were observed in the pharmacokinetics of the active metabolite MEGX. In the same study, when the moderate CYP450 3A4 inhibitor erythromycin (500 mg three times a day) was administered, lidocaine AUC and Cmax increased by 60% and 40%, respectively. By contrast, when intravenous lidocaine (1.5 mg/kg infusion over 60 minutes) was administered on the fourth day of treatment with itraconazole (200 mg once a day) no changes in lidocaine AUC or Cmax were observed. However, when lidocaine (1.5 mg/kg infusion over 60 minutes) was coadministered with erythromycin (500 mg three times a day) in the same study, the AUC and Cmax of the active metabolite MEGX significantly increased by 45-60% and 40%, respectively. The observed differences between oral and intravenous lidocaine when coadministered with CYP450 3A4 inhibitors may be attributed to inhibition of CYP450 3A4 in both the gastrointestinal tract and liver affecting oral lidocaine to a greater extent than intravenous lidocaine. In general, the effects of grapefruit products are concentration-, dose- and preparation-dependent, and can vary widely among brands. Certain preparations of grapefruit (e.g., high dose, double strength) have sometimes demonstrated potent inhibition of CYP450 3A4, while other preparations (e.g., low dose, single strength) have typically demonstrated moderate inhibition. While the clinical significance of this interaction is unknown, increased exposure to lidocaine may lead to serious and/or life-threatening reactions including respiratory depression, convulsions, bradycardia, hypotension, arrhythmias, and cardiovascular collapse.

MONITOR: Certain foods and behaviors that induce CYP450 1A2 may reduce the plasma concentrations of lidocaine. The proposed mechanism is induction of hepatic CYP450 1A2, one of the isoenzymes responsible for the metabolic clearance of lidocaine. Cigarette smoking is known to be a CYP450 1A2 inducer. In one pharmacokinetic study of 4 smokers and 5 non-smokers who received 2 doses of lidocaine (100 mg IV followed by 100 mg orally after a 2-day washout period), the smokers' systemic exposure (AUC) of oral lidocaine was 68% lower than non-smokers. The AUC of IV lidocaine was only 9% lower in smokers compared with non-smokers. Other CYP450 1A2 inducers include cruciferous vegetables (e.g., broccoli, brussels sprouts) and char-grilled meat. Therefore, eating large or variable amounts of these foods could also reduce lidocaine exposure. The clinical impact of smoking and/or the ingestion of foods that induce CYP450 1A2 on lidocaine have not been studied, however, a loss of efficacy may occur.

MANAGEMENT: Caution is recommended if lidocaine is to be used in combination with grapefruit and grapefruit juice. Monitoring for lidocaine toxicity and plasma lidocaine levels may also be advised, and the lidocaine dosage adjusted as necessary. Patients who smoke and/or consume cruciferous vegetables may be monitored for reduced lidocaine efficacy.

GENERALLY AVOID: Concurrent use of isoniazid (INH) in patients who ingest alcohol daily may result in an increased incidence of both hepatotoxicity and peripheral neuropathy. The increase in hepatotoxicity may be due to an additive risk as both alcohol and INH are individually associated with this adverse reaction. INH-associated hepatotoxicity is believed to be due to an accumulation of toxic metabolites and may also be partly immune mediated, though the exact mechanisms are not universally agreed upon. INH is metabolized by N-acetyltransferase and CYP450 2E1. The rate of acetylation is genetically determined and generally classified as slow or rapid. Slow acetylators have been identified by some studies as having a higher risk of hepatotoxicity; therefore, this interaction may be more significant for patients who fall into this category. Other studies have postulated that alcohol-mediated CYP450 2E1 induction may play a role, as this isoenzyme is involved in INH metabolism and may be responsible for producing hepatotoxic metabolites. However, available literature is conflicting. The labeling for some INH products lists daily alcohol use or chronic alcoholism as a risk factor for hepatitis, but not all studies have found a significant association between alcohol use and INH-induced hepatotoxicity. Additionally, INH and alcohol are both associated with pyridoxine (B6) deficiency, which may increase the risk of peripheral neuropathy.

GENERALLY AVOID: Concomitant administration of isoniazid (INH) with foods containing tyramine and/or histamine may increase the risk of symptoms relating to tyramine- and/or histamine toxicity (e.g., headache, diaphoresis, flushing, palpitations, and hypotension). The proposed mechanism is INH-mediated inhibition of monoamine oxidase (MAO) and diamine oxidase (DAO), enzymes responsible for the metabolism of tyramine and histamine, respectively. Some authors have suggested that the reactions observed are mainly due to INH's effects on DAO instead of MAO or the amounts of histamine instead of tyramine present in the food. A Japanese case report recorded an example in 8 out of 25 patients on the tuberculosis ward who developed an accidental histamine poisoning after ingesting a fish paste (saury). Patients developed allergy-like symptoms, which started between 20 minutes and 2 hours after ingesting the food. A high-level of histamine (32 mg/100 g of fish) was confirmed in the saury paste and all 8 patients were both on INH and had reduced MAO concentrations. The 17 remaining patients were not on INH (n=5) or reported not eating the saury paste (n=12).

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Administration with food significantly reduces oral isoniazid (INH) absorption, increasing the risk of therapeutic failure or resistance. The mechanism is unknown. Pharmacokinetic studies completed in both healthy volunteers (n=14) and tuberculosis patients (n=20 treatment-naive patients during days 1 to 3 of treatment) have resulted in almost doubling the time to reach INH's maximum concentration (tmax) and a reduction in isoniazid's maximum concentration (Cmax) of 42%-51% in patients who consumed high-fat or high-carbohydrate meals prior to INH treatment.

MANAGEMENT: The manufacturer of oral forms of isoniazid (INH) recommends administration on an empty stomach (i.e., 30 minutes before or 2 hours after meals). Patients should be encouraged to avoid alcohol or strictly limit their intake. Patients who use alcohol and INH concurrently or have a history of alcohol use disorder may require additional monitoring of their liver function during treatment with INH. Concomitant pyridoxine (B6) administration is also recommended to reduce the risk of peripheral neuropathy, with some authorities suggesting a dose of at least 10 mg/day. Patients should be advised to avoid foods containing tyramine (e.g., aged cheese, cured meats such as sausages and salami, fava beans, sauerkraut, soy sauce, beer, or red wine) or histamine (e.g., skipjack, tuna, mackerel, salmon) during treatment with isoniazid. Consultation of product labeling for combination products containing isoniazid and/or relevant guidelines may be helpful for more specific recommendations.

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Administration with food, particularly dairy products, significantly reduces tetracycline absorption. The calcium content in some foods can form nonabsorbable chelates with tetracycline.

MANAGEMENT: Tetracycline should be administered one hour before or two hours after meals. Because oral tetracycline has caused rare cases of esophagitis and esophageal ulceration, patients should be advised to take tetracycline with a large glass of water while standing or sitting upright and to avoid laying down immediately afterwards.

GENERALLY AVOID: The bioavailability of oral tetracyclines and iron salts may be significantly decreased during concurrent administration. Therapeutic failure may result. The proposed mechanism is chelation of tetracyclines by the iron cation, forming an insoluble complex that is poorly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. In ten healthy volunteers, simultaneous oral administration of ferrous sulfate 200 mg and single doses of various tetracyclines (200 mg to 500 mg) resulted in reductions in the serum levels of methacycline and doxycycline by 80% to 90%, oxytetracycline by 50% to 60%, and tetracycline by 40% to 50%. In another study, 300 mg of ferrous sulfate reduced the absorption of tetracycline by 81% and that of minocycline by 77%. Conversely, the absorption of iron has been shown to be decreased by up to 78% in healthy subjects and up to 65% in patients with iron depletion when ferrous sulfate 250 mg was administered with tetracycline 500 mg. Available data suggest that administration of iron 3 hours before or 2 hours after a tetracycline largely prevents the interaction with most tetracyclines except doxycycline. Due to extensive enterohepatic cycling, iron binding may occur with doxycycline even when it is given parenterally. It has also been shown that when iron is administered up to 11 hours after doxycycline, serum concentrations of doxycycline may still be reduced by 20% to 45%.

MANAGEMENT: Coadministration of a tetracycline with any iron-containing product should be avoided if possible. Otherwise, patients should be advised to stagger the times of administration by at least three to four hours, although separating the doses may not prevent the interaction with doxycycline.

MONITOR: Smoking cessation may lead to elevated plasma concentrations and enhanced pharmacologic effects of drugs that are substrates of CYP450 1A2 (and possibly CYP450 1A1) and/or certain drugs with a narrow therapeutic index (e.g., flecainide, pentazocine). One proposed mechanism is related to the loss of CYP450 1A2 and 1A1 induction by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in tobacco smoke; when smoking cessation agents are initiated and smoking stops, the metabolism of certain drugs may decrease leading to increased plasma concentrations. The mechanism by which smoking cessation affects narrow therapeutic index drugs that are not known substrates of CYP450 1A2 or 1A1 is unknown. The clinical significance of this interaction is unknown as clinical data are lacking.

MANAGEMENT: Until more information is available, caution is advisable if smoking cessation agents are used concomitantly with drugs that are substrates of CYP450 1A2 or 1A1 and/or those with a narrow therapeutic range. Patients receiving smoking cessation agents may require periodic dose adjustments and closer clinical and laboratory monitoring of medications that are substrates of CYP450 1A2 or 1A1.