Drug Interactions between Nexium IV and Tepanil

GENERALLY AVOID: Alcohol may potentiate the central nervous system and cardiovascular effects of centrally-acting appetite suppressants. In one study, concurrent administration of methamphetamine (30 mg intravenously) and ethanol (1 gm/kg orally over 30 minutes) increased heart rate by 24 beats/minute compared to methamphetamine alone. This increases cardiac work and myocardial oxygen consumption, which may lead to more adverse cardiovascular effects than either agent alone. Subjective effects of ethanol were diminished in the eight study subjects, but those of methamphetamine were not affected. The pharmacokinetics of methamphetamine were also unaffected except for a decrease in the apparent volume of distribution at steady state.

MANAGEMENT: Concomitant use of centrally-acting appetite suppressants and alcohol should be avoided if possible, especially in patients with a history of cardiovascular disease. Patients should be counselled to avoid hazardous activities requiring complete mental alertness and motor coordination until they know how these agents affect them, and to notify their physician if they experience excessive or prolonged CNS effects that interfere with their normal activities.

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Food may interfere with the absorption of esomeprazole. The manufacturer reports that the area under the concentration-time curve for esomeprazole following a single 40 mg dose was 33% to 53% lower when administered after food intake as opposed to during fasting conditions.

MANAGEMENT: Esomeprazole should be taken at least one hour before meals. When administered to patients receiving continuous enteral nutrition, some experts recommend that the tube feeding should be interrupted for at least 1 hour before and 1 hour after the dose of esomeprazole is given.