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Drug Interactions between posaconazole and Xanax

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

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Interactions between your drugs

Major

ALPRAZolam posaconazole

Applies to: Xanax (alprazolam) and posaconazole

ADJUST DOSE: Coadministration with posaconazole may significantly increase the plasma concentrations and pharmacologic effects of benzodiazepines that are primarily metabolized by CYP450 3A4. The mechanism is increased bioavailability and/or decreased clearance due to inhibition of intestinal and hepatic CYP450 3A4 by posaconazole. According to product labeling, pretreatment with posaconazole (200 mg tablets once a day for 10 days) increased the systemic exposure (AUC) of a single 0.05 mg/kg intravenous dose of midazolam by 83%. A greater effect is expected with oral midazolam. The interaction is subject to a high degree of interpatient variability.

MANAGEMENT: The benzodiazepine dose may require reduction during concomitant administration with posaconazole. Monitoring for increased benzodiazepine effects is recommended, and benzodiazepine receptor antagonists must be available to reverse these effects. Some authorities consider concomitant use of alprazolam with potent CYP450 3A4 inhibitors such as posaconazole to be contraindicated. Benzodiazepines that are not metabolized by CYP450 3A4 (e.g., lorazepam, oxazepam, temazepam) may be considered in patients requiring posaconazole treatment.

References

  1. (2002) "Product Information. Xanax (alprazolam)." Pharmacia and Upjohn
  2. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics."
  3. (2006) "Product Information. Noxafil (posaconazole)." Schering-Plough Corporation
  4. Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information."
View all 4 references

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Drug and food interactions

Moderate

ALPRAZolam food

Applies to: Xanax (alprazolam)

GENERALLY AVOID: The pharmacologic activity of oral midazolam, triazolam, and alprazolam may be increased if taken after drinking grapefruit juice. The proposed mechanism is CYP450 3A4 enzyme inhibition. In addition, acute alcohol ingestion may potentiate CNS depression and other CNS effects of many benzodiazepines. Tolerance may develop with chronic ethanol use. The mechanism may be decreased clearance of the benzodiazepines because of CYP450 hepatic enzyme inhibition. Also, it has been suggested that the cognitive deficits induced by benzodiazepines may be increased in patients who chronically consume large amounts of alcohol.

MANAGEMENT: The manufacturer recommends that grapefruit juice should not be taken with oral midazolam. Patients taking triazolam or alprazolam should be monitored for excessive sedation. Alternatively, the patient could consume orange juice which does not interact with these drugs. Patients should be advised to avoid alcohol during benzodiazepine therapy.

References

  1. (2002) "Product Information. Xanax (alprazolam)." Pharmacia and Upjohn
  2. (2002) "Product Information. Valium (diazepam)." Roche Laboratories
  3. (2001) "Product Information. Halcion (triazolam)." Pharmacia and Upjohn
  4. (1995) "Grapefruit juice interactions with drugs." Med Lett Drugs Ther, 37, p. 73-4
  5. Kupferschmidt HHT, Ha HR, Ziegler WH, Meier PJ, Krahenbuhl S (1995) "Interaction between grapefruit juice and midazolam in humans." Clin Pharmacol Ther, 58, p. 20-8
  6. Hukkinen SK, Varhe A, Olkkola KT, Neuvonen PJ (1995) "Plasma concentrations of triazolam are increased by concomitant ingestion of grapefruit juice." Clin Pharmacol Ther, 58, p. 127-31
  7. 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
View all 7 references

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Moderate

posaconazole food

Applies to: posaconazole

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Food significantly increases the absorption of posaconazole from the oral suspension but only modestly from the delayed-release tablet. Following single-dose administration, posaconazole mean peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and systemic exposure (AUC) are approximately 2.5 to 3 times higher when the oral suspension is given with a nonfat meal or a nutritional supplement (14 grams of fat) than when given under fasting conditions, and approximately 3.5 to 4 times higher when given during or 20 minutes after a high-fat meal (50 grams of fat) than under fasting conditions. Acidic beverages may also increase posaconazole absorption. In 12 healthy volunteers, administration of a single 400 mg dose of posaconazole suspension with 12 ounces of ginger ale increased posaconazole Cmax by 92% and AUC by 70% compared to administration after fasting. In contrast, the Cmax and AUC of posaconazole increased by just 16% and 51%, respectively, when posaconazole tablets were given as a single 300 mg dose to healthy volunteers after a high-fat meal relative to a fasted state.

GENERALLY AVOID Concomitant use of alcohol and posaconazole administered in the form of delayed-release oral suspension may lead to a faster release of posaconazole. An in vitro dissolution study determined a potential for alcohol-induced dose-dumping with the delayed-release oral suspension of posaconazole.

MONITOR: In 5 study subjects, posaconazole Cmax decreased by 27% to 53% and AUC decreased by 33% to 51% when the oral suspension was administered via a nasogastric tube as opposed to orally.

MANAGEMENT: Posaconazole tablets should be taken with food, whereas posaconazole oral suspension should be administered during or immediately (i.e., within 20 minutes) following a full meal to enhance bioavailability. Patients who cannot eat a full meal should take the suspension with a liquid nutritional supplement or an acidic carbonated beverage such as ginger ale. In patients who cannot eat a full meal or tolerate an oral nutritional supplement or an acidic carbonated beverage and who do not have the option of taking another formulation of posaconazole, alternative antifungal therapy should be considered; otherwise, monitor patients closely for breakthrough fungal infections. Patients receiving posaconazole via a nasogastric tube should also be closely monitored due to increased risk of treatment failure associated with lower plasma exposure. Administration of alcohol with posaconazole from the delayed-release oral suspension formulation is not recommended.

References

  1. (2006) "Product Information. Noxafil (posaconazole)." Schering-Plough Corporation
  2. Sansone-Parsons A, Krishna G, Calzetta A, et al. (2006) "Effect of a nutritional supplement on posaconazole pharmacokinetics following oral administration to healthy volunteers." Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 50, p. 1881-3
  3. Krishna G, Moton A, Ma L, Malavade D, Medlock M, McLeod J (2008) "Effect of gastric pH, dosing regimen and prandial state, food and meal timing relative to dose, and gastro-intestinal motility on absorption and pharmacokinetics of the antifungal posaconazole." 18th European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, April, p. 20
  4. Walravens J, Brouwers J, Spriet I, Tack J, Annaert P, Augustijns P (2011) "Effect of pH and Comedication on Gastrointestinal Absorption of Posaconazole: Monitoring of Intraluminal and Plasma Drug Concentrations." Clin Pharmacokinet, 50, p. 725-34
View all 4 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

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.