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Drug Interactions between modafinil and pseudoephedrine / terfenadine

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

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Interactions between your drugs

Moderate

terfenadine modafinil

Applies to: pseudoephedrine / terfenadine and modafinil

MONITOR: Coadministration with modafinil (the racemate) or armodafinil (the R-enantiomer) may decrease the plasma concentrations of drugs that are substrates of the CYP450 3A4 isoenzyme. Modafinil and armodafinil are modest inducers of CYP450 3A4, and pharmacokinetic studies suggest that their effects may be primarily intestinal rather than hepatic. Thus, clinically significant interactions would most likely be expected with drugs that have low oral bioavailability due to significant intestinal CYP450 3A4-mediated first-pass metabolism (e.g., buspirone, cyclosporine, lovastatin, midazolam, saquinavir, simvastatin, sirolimus, tacrolimus, triazolam, calcium channel blockers). Chronic administration of 250 mg doses of armodafinil has been shown to reduce midazolam systemic exposure (AUC) by 32% and 17% after single oral (5 mg) and intravenous (2 mg) doses, respectively. Similar reductions in plasma concentrations were also observed for cyclosporine, ethinyl estradiol, and triazolam during coadministration of modafinil.

MANAGEMENT: Pharmacologic response to these drugs may be altered and should be monitored more closely whenever modafinil or armodafinil is added to or withdrawn from therapy. Dosage adjustments may be required if an interaction is suspected.

References (6)
  1. (2001) "Product Information. Provigil (modafinil)." Cephalon, Inc
  2. Robertson P, Decory HH, Madan A, Parkinson A (2000) "In vitro inhibition and induction of human hepatic cytochrome P450 enzymes by modafinil." Drug Metab Dispos, 28, p. 664-71
  3. Robertson P Jr, Hellriegel ET, Arora S, Nelson M (2002) "Effect of modafinil on the pharmacokinetics of ethinyl estradiol and triazolam in healthy volunteers." Clin Pharmacol Ther, 71, p. 46-56
  4. Doherty MM, Charman WN (2002) "The mucosa of the small intestine: how clinically relevant as an organ of drug metabolism?" Clin Pharmacokinet, 41, p. 235-53
  5. (2007) "Product Information. Nuvigil (armodafinil)." Cephalon Inc
  6. Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information."
Moderate

pseudoephedrine modafinil

Applies to: pseudoephedrine / terfenadine and modafinil

MONITOR: Coadministration of two or more sympathomimetic agents may increase the risk of adverse effects such as nervousness, irritability, and increased heart rate. Central nervous system (CNS) stimulants, particularly amphetamines, can potentiate the adrenergic response to vasopressors and other sympathomimetic agents. Additive increases in blood pressure and heart rate may occur due to enhanced peripheral sympathetic activity.

MANAGEMENT: Caution is advised if two or more sympathomimetic agents are coadministered. Pulse and blood pressure should be closely monitored.

References (7)
  1. Rosenblatt JE, Lake CR, van Kammen DP, Ziegler MG, Bunney WE Jr (1979) "Interactions of amphetamine, pimozide, and lithium on plasma norepineophrine and dopamine-beta-hydroxylase in schizophrenic patients." Psychiatry Res, 1, p. 45-52
  2. Cavanaugh JH, Griffith JD, Oates JA (1970) "Effect of amphetamine on the pressor response to tyramine: formation of p-hydroxynorephedrine from amphetamine in man." Clin Pharmacol Ther, 11, p. 656
  3. (2001) "Product Information. Adderall (amphetamine-dextroamphetamine)." Shire Richwood Pharmaceutical Company Inc
  4. (2001) "Product Information. Tenuate (diethylpropion)." Aventis Pharmaceuticals
  5. (2001) "Product Information. Sanorex (mazindol)." Novartis Pharmaceuticals
  6. (2001) "Product Information. Focalin (dexmethylphenidate)." Mikart Inc
  7. (2002) "Product Information. Strattera (atomoxetine)." Lilly, Eli and Company

Drug and food interactions

Major

terfenadine food

Applies to: pseudoephedrine / terfenadine

CONTRAINDICATED: The consumption of grapefruit juice has been associated with significantly increased plasma concentrations of terfenadine. The mechanism is inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated first-pass metabolism in the gut wall induced by certain compounds present in grapefruits. Terfenadine in high serum levels has been associated with prolongation of the QT interval and development of torsade de pointes, a potentially fatal ventricular arrhythmia.

MANAGEMENT: Due to the risk of cardiotoxicity, patients receiving the drug should be advised to avoid consumption of grapefruit products. Loratadine, cetirizine, and fexofenadine may be safer alternatives in patients who may have trouble adhering to the dietary restriction.

References (17)
  1. Honig PK, Woosley RL, Zamani K, Conner DP, Cantilena LR Jr (1992) "Changes in the pharmacokinetics and electrocardiographic pharmacodynamics of terfenadine with concomitant administration of erythromycin." Clin Pharmacol Ther, 52, p. 231-8
  2. Zimmermann M, Duruz H, Guinand O, et al. (1992) "Torsades de Pointes after treatment with terfenadine and ketoconazole." Eur Heart J, 13, p. 1002-3
  3. Mathews DR, McNutt B, Okerholm R, et al. (1991) "Torsades de pointes occurring in association with terfenadine use." JAMA, 266, p. 2375-6
  4. Monahan BP, Ferguson CL, Killeavy ES, et al. (1990) "Torsades de pointes occurring in association with terfenadine use." JAMA, 264, p. 2788-90
  5. Honig PK, Wortham DC, Zamani K, et al. (1993) "Terfenadine-ketoconazole interaction: pharmacokinetic and electrocardiographic consequences." JAMA, 269, p. 1513-8
  6. Pohjola-Sintonen S, Viitasalo M, Toivonene L, Neuvonen P (1993) "Torsades de pointes after terfenadine-itraconazole interaction." BMJ, 306, p. 186
  7. Cortese LM, Bjornson DC (1992) "Potential interaction between terfenadine and macrolide antibiotics." Clin Pharm, 11, p. 675
  8. Paris DG, Parente TF, Bruschetta HR, Guzman E, Niarchos AP (1994) "Torsades-de-pointes induced by erythromycin and terfenadine." Am J Emerg Med, 12, p. 636-8
  9. Zechnich AD, Haxby DG (1996) "Drug interactions associated with terfenadine and related nonsedating antihistamines." West J Med, 164, p. 68-9
  10. Honig PK, Wortham DC, Lazarev A, Cantilena LR (1996) "Grapefruit juice alters the systemic bioavailability and cardiac repolarization of terfenadine in poor metabolizers of terfenadine." J Clin Pharmacol, 36, p. 345-51
  11. Woosley RL (1996) "Cardiac actions of antihistamines." Annu Rev Pharmacol Toxicol, 36, p. 233-52
  12. Benton RE, Honig PK, Zamani K, Cantilena LR, Woosley RL (1996) "Grapefruit juice alters terfenadine pharmacokinetics resulting in prolongation of repolarization on the electrocardiogram." Clin Pharmacol Ther, 59, p. 383-8
  13. Hsieh MH, Chen SA, Chiang CE, et al. (1996) "Drug-induced torsades de pointes in one patient with congenital long QT syndrome." Int J Cardiol, 54, p. 85-8
  14. Clifford CP, Adams DA, Murray S, Taylor GW, Wilkins MR, Boobis AR, Davies DS (1996) "Pharmacokinetic and cardiac effects of terfenadine after inhibition of its metabolism by grapefruit juice." Br J Clin Pharmacol, 42, p662
  15. Rau SE, Bend JR, Arnold JMO, Tran LT, Spence JD, Bailey DG (1997) "Grapefruit juice terfenadine single-dose interaction: Magnitude, mechanism, and relevance." Clin Pharmacol Ther, 61, p. 401-9
  16. Bailey DG, Malcolm J, Arnold O, Spence JD (1998) "Grapefruit juice-drug interactions." Br J Clin Pharmacol, 46, p. 101-10
  17. Bailey DG, Dresser GR, Kreeft JH, Munoz C, Freeman DJ, Bend JR (2000) "Grapefruit-felodipine interaction: Effect of unprocessed fruit and probable active ingredients." Clin Pharmacol Ther, 68, p. 468-77
Moderate

pseudoephedrine food

Applies to: pseudoephedrine / terfenadine

MONITOR: Coadministration of two or more sympathomimetic agents may increase the risk of adverse effects such as nervousness, irritability, and increased heart rate. Central nervous system (CNS) stimulants, particularly amphetamines, can potentiate the adrenergic response to vasopressors and other sympathomimetic agents. Additive increases in blood pressure and heart rate may occur due to enhanced peripheral sympathetic activity.

MANAGEMENT: Caution is advised if two or more sympathomimetic agents are coadministered. Pulse and blood pressure should be closely monitored.

References (7)
  1. Rosenblatt JE, Lake CR, van Kammen DP, Ziegler MG, Bunney WE Jr (1979) "Interactions of amphetamine, pimozide, and lithium on plasma norepineophrine and dopamine-beta-hydroxylase in schizophrenic patients." Psychiatry Res, 1, p. 45-52
  2. Cavanaugh JH, Griffith JD, Oates JA (1970) "Effect of amphetamine on the pressor response to tyramine: formation of p-hydroxynorephedrine from amphetamine in man." Clin Pharmacol Ther, 11, p. 656
  3. (2001) "Product Information. Adderall (amphetamine-dextroamphetamine)." Shire Richwood Pharmaceutical Company Inc
  4. (2001) "Product Information. Tenuate (diethylpropion)." Aventis Pharmaceuticals
  5. (2001) "Product Information. Sanorex (mazindol)." Novartis Pharmaceuticals
  6. (2001) "Product Information. Focalin (dexmethylphenidate)." Mikart Inc
  7. (2002) "Product Information. Strattera (atomoxetine)." Lilly, Eli and Company
Minor

modafinil food

Applies to: modafinil

Administration with food may delay the absorption of modafinil (the racemate) and armodafinil (the R-enantiomer) without significantly affecting their overall bioavailability. According to the product labeling, modafinil's absorption may be delayed by approximately one hour if taken with food. Similarly, the time to reach peak plasma concentration (Tmax) of armodafinil may be delayed by approximately 2 to 4 hours in the fed state.

References (2)
  1. (2001) "Product Information. Provigil (modafinil)." Cephalon, Inc
  2. (2007) "Product Information. Nuvigil (armodafinil)." Cephalon Inc

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.


Report options

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.