Drug Interaction Report

MONITOR: Sedatives, tranquilizers, muscle relaxants, antidepressants, and other central nervous system (CNS) depressants may have additive CNS-depressant effects with aldesleukin. Aldesleukin has been associated with CNS effects including depression, confusion, and drowsiness, which may progress to coma.

MANAGEMENT: Caution is advised if aldesleukin is used with sedatives, hypnotics, tranquilizers, or other CNS-active medications. Patients should be monitored for CNS depression and other CNS adverse effects. Treatment with aldesleukin should be discontinued if severe lethargy or somnolence develop.

MONITOR: Smoking tobacco may decrease the plasma concentrations and effects of pentazocine by enhancing its metabolic clearance.

MANAGEMENT: The possibility of reduced therapeutic effects of pentazocine should be considered in smokers.

GENERALLY AVOID: Ethanol may potentiate the central nervous system (CNS) depressant effects of opioid analgesics. 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.

MANAGEMENT: Concomitant use of opioid analgesics with ethanol should be avoided.