Drug Interaction Report

GENERALLY AVOID: The concomitant use of protionamide with alcohol may enhance the central nervous system exciting effect of protionamide. The mechanism is not known. Excessive use of alcohol with another thiocarbamide derivative ethionamide, has been reported to precipitate a psychotic reaction. In addition, alcohol tolerance is reported to be reduced during protionamide treatment.

MANAGEMENT: Consumption of alcohol during protionamide treatment should be avoided. The manufacturer of ethionamide also advises that excess alcohol consumption should be avoided during ethionamide therapy (US).

GENERALLY AVOID: Use of anticholinergic agents with alcohol may result in sufficient impairment of attention so as to render driving and operating machinery more hazardous. In addition, the potential for abuse may be increased with the combination. The mechanism of interaction is not established but may involve additive depressant effects on the central nervous system. No effect of oral propantheline or atropine on blood alcohol levels was observed in healthy volunteers when administered before ingestion of a standard ethanol load. However, one study found impairment of attention in subjects given atropine 0.5 mg or glycopyrrolate 1 mg in combination with alcohol.

MANAGEMENT: Alcohol should generally be avoided during therapy with anticholinergic agents. Patients should be counseled to avoid activities requiring mental alertness until they know how these agents affect them.