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Drug Interactions between peginterferon beta-1a and Phenytoin Sodium

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

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Interactions between your drugs

Moderate

phenytoin peginterferon beta-1a

Applies to: Phenytoin Sodium (phenytoin) and peginterferon beta-1a

MONITOR: Coadministration of beta interferons with other agents known to induce hepatotoxicity may potentiate the risk of liver injury. Use of beta interferons has been associated with rare cases of liver injury, including autoimmune hepatitis and severe liver damage leading to hepatic failure, some of which required transplantation. In some cases, these events have occurred in the presence of other drugs that have been associated with hepatic injury. Symptoms of liver dysfunction typically began from 1 to 6 months following the initiation of therapy. Asymptomatic elevation of hepatic transaminases (particularly SGPT) have also been reported but is common with interferon therapy.

MANAGEMENT: The risk of hepatic injury should be considered when beta interferons are used with other potentially hepatotoxic agents (e.g., acetaminophen; alcohol; androgens and anabolic steroids; antituberculous agents; azole antifungal agents; ACE inhibitors; cyclosporine (high dosages); disulfiram; endothelin receptor antagonists; other interferons; ketolide and macrolide antibiotics; kinase inhibitors; minocycline; nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents; nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors; proteasome inhibitors; retinoids; sulfonamides; tamoxifen; thiazolidinediones; tolvaptan; vincristine; zileuton; anticonvulsants such as carbamazepine, hydantoins, felbamate, and valproic acid; lipid-lowering medications such as fenofibrate, lomitapide, mipomersen, niacin, and statins; herbals and nutritional supplements such as black cohosh, chaparral, comfrey, DHEA, kava, pennyroyal oil, and red yeast rice). Liver function tests should be monitored at regular intervals and the interferon dosage reduced if SGPT rises above 5 times the upper limit of normal. The dosage may be gradually re-escalated when enzyme levels return to normal. Patients should be advised to seek medical attention if they experience potential signs and symptoms of hepatotoxicity such as fever, rash, itching, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, malaise, right upper quadrant pain, dark urine, pale stools, and jaundice. If liver injury is suspected, interferon therapy should be promptly discontinued due to the potential for rapid progression to liver failure.

References

  1. (2002) "Product Information. Betaseron (interferon beta-1b)." Berlex Laboratories
  2. (2001) "Product Information. Avonex (interferon beta-1a)." Biogen
  3. (2002) "Product Information. Rebif (interferon beta-1a)." Serono Laboratories Inc
  4. (2014) "Product Information. Plegridy (peginterferon beta-1a)." Biogen Idec Inc
View all 4 references

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Drug and food interactions

Moderate

phenytoin food

Applies to: Phenytoin Sodium (phenytoin)

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Phenytoin bioavailability may decrease to subtherapeutic levels when the suspension is given concomitantly with enteral feedings. The mechanism may be related to phenytoin binding to substances in the enteral formula (e.g., calcium, protein) and/or binding to the tube lumen. Data have been conflicting and some studies have reported no changes in phenytoin levels, while others have reported significant reductions.

MONITOR: Acute consumption of alcohol may increase plasma phenytoin levels. Chronic consumption of alcohol may decrease plasma phenytoin levels. The mechanism of this interaction is related to induction of phenytoin metabolism by ethanol during chronic administration. Other hydantoin derivatives may be similarly affected by ethanol.

MANAGEMENT: Some experts have recommended interrupting the feeding for 2 hours before and after the phenytoin dose, giving the phenytoin suspension diluted in water, and flushing the tube with water after administration; however, this method may not entirely avoid the interaction and is not always clinically feasible. Patients should be closely monitored for clinical and laboratory evidence of altered phenytoin efficacy and levels upon initiation and discontinuation of enteral feedings. Dosage adjustments or intravenous administration may be required until therapeutic serum levels are obtained. In addition, patients receiving phenytoin therapy should be warned about the interaction between phenytoin and ethanol and they should be advised to notify their physician if they experience worsening of seizure control or symptoms of toxicity, including drowsiness, visual disturbances, change in mental status, nausea, or ataxia.

References

  1. Sandor P, Sellers EM, Dumbrell M, Khouw V (1981) "Effect of short- and long-term alcohol use on phenytoin kinetics in chronic alcoholics." Clin Pharmacol Ther, 30, p. 390-7
  2. Holtz L, Milton J, Sturek JK (1987) "Compatibility of medications with enteral feedings." JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr, 11, p. 183-6
  3. Sellers EM, Holloway MR (1978) "Drug kinetics and alcohol ingestion." Clin Pharmacokinet, 3, p. 440-52
  4. (2001) "Product Information. Dilantin (phenytoin)." Parke-Davis
  5. Doak KK, Haas CE, Dunnigan KJ, et al. (1998) "Bioavailability of phenytoin acid and phenytoin sodium with enteral feedings." Pharmacotherapy, 18, p. 637-45
  6. Rodman DP, Stevenson TL, Ray TR (1995) "Phenytoin malabsorption after jejunostomy tube delivery." Pharmacotherapy, 15, p. 801-5
  7. Au Yeung SC, Ensom MH (2000) "Phenytoin and enteral feedings: does evidence support an interaction?" Ann Pharmacother, 34, p. 896-905
  8. Ozuna J, Friel P (1984) "Effect of enteral tube feeding on serum phenytoin levels." J Neurosurg Nurs, 16, p. 289-91
  9. Faraji B, Yu PP (1998) "Serum phenytoin levels of patients on gastrostomy tube feeding." J Neurosci Nurs, 30, p. 55-9
  10. Marvel ME, Bertino JS (1991) "Comparative effects of an elemental and a complex enteral feeding formulation on the absorption of phenytoin suspension." JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr, 15, p. 316-8
  11. Fleisher D, Sheth N, Kou JH (1990) "Phenytoin interaction with enteral feedings administered through nasogastric tubes." JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr, 14, p. 513-6
  12. Haley CJ, Nelson J (1989) "Phenytoin-enteral feeding interaction." DICP, 23, p. 796-8
  13. Guidry JR, Eastwood TF, Curry SC (1989) "Phenytoin absorption in volunteers receiving selected enteral feedings." West J Med, 150, p. 659-61
  14. Krueger KA, Garnett WR, Comstock TJ, Fitzsimmons WE, Karnes HT, Pellock JM (1987) "Effect of two administration schedules of an enteral nutrient formula on phenytoin bioavailability." Epilepsia, 28, p. 706-12
  15. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics."
  16. Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information."
View all 16 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.

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