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Drug Interaction Report

4 potential interactions and/or warnings found for the following 2 drugs:

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Interactions between your drugs

Major

erythromycin escitalopram

Applies to: erythromycin, escitalopram

MONITOR CLOSELY: Escitalopram can cause dose-dependent prolongation of the QT interval. Theoretically, coadministration with other agents that can prolong the QT interval may result in additive effects and increased risk of ventricular arrhythmias including torsade de pointes and sudden death. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled ECG study consisting of 113 healthy subjects, the change from baseline in QTc (Fridericia-corrected) was 4.3 msec for escitalopram 10 mg/day and 10.7 msec for the supratherapeutic dosage of 30 mg/day. Based on the established exposure-response relationship, the predicted QTc change from placebo under the Cmax for 20 mg/day is 6.6 msec. Cases of QT interval prolongation and torsade de pointes have been reported during postmarketing use. In general, the risk of an individual agent or a combination of agents causing ventricular arrhythmia in association with QT prolongation is largely unpredictable but may be increased by certain underlying risk factors such as congenital long QT syndrome, cardiac disease, and electrolyte disturbances (e.g., hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia). The extent of drug-induced QT prolongation is dependent on the particular drug(s) involved and dosage(s) of the drug(s). In addition, central nervous system- and/or respiratory-depressant effects may be additively or synergistically increased in patients taking escitalopram with certain other drugs that cause these effects, especially in elderly or debilitated patients.

MANAGEMENT: Caution is recommended if escitalopram is used in combination with other drugs that can prolong the QT interval. Patients should be advised to seek prompt medical attention if they experience symptoms that could indicate the occurrence of torsade de pointes such as dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, palpitation, irregular heart rhythm, shortness of breath, or syncope. When escitalopram is used in combination with other drugs that cause CNS and/or respiratory depression, patients should be monitored for potentially excessive or prolonged CNS and respiratory depression. Ambulatory patients should be counseled to avoid hazardous activities requiring mental alertness and motor coordination until they know how these agents affect them, and to notify their doctor if they experience excessive or prolonged CNS effects that interfere with their normal activities.

References

  1. (2002) "Product Information. Lexapro (escitalopram)." Forest Pharmaceuticals
  2. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics."
  3. Canadian Pharmacists Association (2006) e-CPS. http://www.pharmacists.ca/function/Subscriptions/ecps.cfm?link=eCPS_quikLink
  4. Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information."
  5. Health Canada (2012) Antidepressant Cipralex (escitalopram): Updated information regarding dose-related heart risk. http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ahc-asc/media/advisories-avis/_2012/2012_63-eng.php
  6. Castro VM, Clements CC, Murphy SN, et al. (2013) "QT interval and antidepressant use: a cross sectional study of electronic health records." BMJ, 346, f288
  7. EMA. European Medicines Agency. European Union (2013) EMA - List of medicines under additional monitoring. http://www.ema.europa.eu/ema/index.jsp?curl=pages/regulation/document_listing/document_listing_000366.jsp&mid=WC0b01ac058067c852
View all 7 references

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Drug and food interactions

Moderate

erythromycin food

Applies to: erythromycin

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Food may variably affect the bioavailability of different oral formulations and salt forms of erythromycin. The individual product package labeling should be consulted regarding the appropriate time of administration in relation to food ingestion. Grapefruit juice may increase the plasma concentrations of orally administered erythromycin. The proposed mechanism is inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated first-pass metabolism in the gut wall by certain compounds present in grapefruits. In an open-label, crossover study consisting of six healthy subjects, the coadministration with double-strength grapefruit juice increased the mean peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) of a single dose of erythromycin (400 mg) by 52% and 49%, respectively, compared to water. The half-life was not affected. The clinical significance of this potential interaction is unknown.

MANAGEMENT: In general, optimal serum levels are achieved when erythromycin is taken in the fasting state, one-half to two hours before meals. However, some erythromycin products may be taken without regard to meals.

References

  1. Welling PG, Huang H, Hewitt PF, Lyons LL (1978) "Bioavailability of erythromycin stearate: influence of food and fluid volume." J Pharm Sci, 67, p. 764-6
  2. Welling PG, Elliott RL, Pitterle ME, et al. (1979) "Plasma levels following single and repeated doses of erythromycin estolate and erythromycin stearate." J Pharm Sci, 68, p. 150-5
  3. Welling PG (1977) "Influence of food and diet on gastrointestinal drug absorption: a review." J Pharmacokinet Biopharm, 5, p. 291-334
  4. Coyne TC, Shum S, Chun AH, Jeansonne L, Shirkey HC (1978) "Bioavailability of erythromycin ethylsuccinate in pediatric patients." J Clin Pharmacol, 18, p. 194-202
  5. Malmborg AS (1979) "Effect of food on absorption of erythromycin. A study of two derivatives, the stearate and the base." J Antimicrob Chemother, 5, p. 591-9
  6. Randinitis EJ, Sedman AJ, Welling PG, Kinkel AW (1989) "Effect of a high-fat meal on the bioavailability of a polymer-coated erythromycin particle tablet formulation." J Clin Pharmacol, 29, p. 79-84
  7. Kanazawa S, Ohkubo T, Sugawara K (2001) "The effects of grapefruit juice on the pharmacokinetics of erythromycin." Eur J Clin Pharmacol, 56, p. 799-803
View all 7 references

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Moderate

escitalopram food

Applies to: escitalopram

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.

References

  1. Warrington SJ, Ankier SI, Turner P (1986) "Evaluation of possible interactions between ethanol and trazodone or amitriptyline." Neuropsychobiology, 15, p. 31-7
  2. Gilman AG, eds., Nies AS, Rall TW, Taylor P (1990) "Goodman and Gilman's the Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics." New York, NY: Pergamon Press Inc.
  3. (2012) "Product Information. Fycompa (perampanel)." Eisai Inc
  4. (2015) "Product Information. Rexulti (brexpiprazole)." Otsuka American Pharmaceuticals Inc
View all 4 references

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Minor

erythromycin food

Applies to: erythromycin

Ethanol, when combined with erythromycin, may delay absorption and therefore the clinical effects of the antibiotic. The mechanism appears to be due to slowed gastric emptying by ethanol. Data is available only for erythromycin ethylsuccinate. Patients should be advised to avoid ethanol while taking erythromycin salts.

References

  1. Morasso MI, Chavez J, Gai MN, Arancibia A (1990) "Influence of alcohol consumption on erythromycin ethylsuccinate kinetics." Int J Clin Pharmacol, 28, p. 426-9

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Therapeutic duplication warnings

No duplication 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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Further information

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