Drug Interactions between Relasin-HC and sodium polystyrene sulfonate

GENERALLY AVOID: Alcohol may potentiate the central nervous system (CNS) depressant effects of opioid analgesics including hydrocodone. Concomitant use may result in additive CNS depression and impairment of judgment, thinking, and psychomotor skills. In more severe cases, hypotension, respiratory depression, profound sedation, coma, or even death may occur.

GENERALLY AVOID: Consumption of alcohol while taking some sustained-release formulations of hydrocodone may cause rapid release of the drug, resulting in high systemic levels of hydrocodone that may be potentially lethal. Alcohol apparently can disrupt the release mechanism of some sustained-release formulations. In study subjects, the rate of absorption of hydrocodone from an extended-release formulation was found to be affected by coadministration with 40% alcohol in the fasted state, as demonstrated by an average 2.4-fold (up to 3.9-fold in one subject) increase in hydrocodone peak plasma concentration and a decrease in the time to peak concentration. Alcohol also increased the extent of absorption by an average of 1.2-fold (up to 1.7-fold in one subject).

GENERALLY AVOID: Grapefruit juice may increase the plasma concentrations of hydrocodone. The proposed mechanism is inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated metabolism of hydrocodone by certain compounds present in grapefruit. Increased hydrocodone concentrations could conceivably increase or prolong adverse drug effects and may cause potentially fatal respiratory depression.

MANAGEMENT: Patients taking sustained-release formulations of hydrocodone should not consume alcohol or use medications that contain alcohol. In general, potent narcotics such as hydrocodone should not be combined with alcohol. Patients should also avoid consumption of grapefruit or grapefruit juice during treatment with hydrocodone.

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GENERALLY AVOID: Alcohol may potentiate some of the pharmacologic effects of CNS-active agents. Use in combination may result in additive central nervous system depression and/or impairment of judgment, thinking, and psychomotor skills.

MANAGEMENT: Patients receiving CNS-active agents should be warned of this interaction and advised to avoid or limit consumption of alcohol. Ambulatory patients should be counseled 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.

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GENERALLY AVOID: Potassium in foods can bind to the cation exchange resin and interfere with potassium removal in the treatment of hyperkalemia.

MANAGEMENT: Cation exchange resins should not be mixed with orange juice or other foods with a high potassium content.

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Cation exchange resins may bind to other medications that are administered orally. Reduced systemic absorption and therapeutic efficacy may occur. Manufacturers have reported that polystyrene sulfonate exchange resins can decrease the absorption of lithium and levothyroxine. A more recent study found that sodium polystyrene sulfonate binds to many commonly prescribed oral medications. Another potassium-lowering drug, patiromer, has also been found to bind about half of the medications tested, some of which are commonly used in patients who require potassium-lowering drugs.

MANAGEMENT: To minimize the risk of interaction, patients should be advised to separate the dosing of the cation exchange resin from other orally administered medications by at least 3 hours. The dosing interval should be increased to 6 hours for patients with gastroparesis or other conditions resulting in delayed emptying of food from the stomach into the small intestine. Health care professionals should monitor blood levels and/or clinical response to the other medications when appropriate.

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ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Simultaneous administration of cation-donating preparations may reduce the potassium exchange capability of cation-exchange resins due to binding of the cation to the resin.

MANAGEMENT: Patients should consider separating the times of administration of the cation-exchange resin and any cation-donating preparation (e.g., mineral supplements; antacids; products containing antacids such as didanosine buffered tablets or pediatric oral solution) by several hours if possible.

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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.

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