Drug Interaction Report

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.

GENERALLY AVOID: Coadministration with inhibitors of CYP450 1A2 may increase the plasma concentrations of alosetron, which has been shown in vivo to be predominantly metabolized by the isoenzyme. When a single 1 mg dose of alosetron was administered to 40 healthy female subjects following pretreatment with the potent CYP450 1A2 inhibitor fluvoxamine (in escalating doses from 50 to 200 mg/day for 16 days) increased alosetron systemic exposure (AUC) and half-life by approximately 6-fold and 3-fold, respectively. Fluvoxamine is known to also inhibit CYP450 2C9 and 3A4, both of which have been shown in vitro to be involved in the metabolism of alosetron. However, it is uncertain to what extent inhibition of these isoenzymes actually contribute to the interaction. Concomitant administration of alosetron with less potent CYP450 1A2 inhibitors has not been evaluated.

MANAGEMENT: Because alosetron is associated with potentially serious and life-threatening, dose-related gastrointestinal adverse effects, concomitant use with CYP450 1A2 inhibitors should generally be avoided if possible (use with fluvoxamine is specifically contraindicated). If coadministration is required, it may be appropriate to initially prescribe a lower dosage of alosetron (e.g., 1 mg once a day). However, the product labeling does not offer recommendations for a dosage adjustment. Patients should be advised to immediately discontinue alosetron and notify their physician if they experience constipation or signs and symptoms of ischemic colitis such as rectal bleeding, bloody diarrhea, and new or worsening abdominal pain. Alosetron should not be resumed if ischemic colitis is diagnosed. Ischemic colitis and other serious complications such as obstruction, perforation, impaction, and toxic megacolon have resulted in hospitalization, blood transfusion, surgery, and death.

MONITOR: Agents that cause urinary alkalinization can reduce serum salicylate concentrations in patients receiving anti-inflammatory dosages of aspirin or other salicylates. The mechanism involves reduction in salicylate renal tubular reabsorption due to increased urinary pH, resulting in increased renal salicylate clearance especially above urine pH of 7. This interaction is sometimes exploited in the treatment of salicylate toxicity.

MANAGEMENT: Patients treated chronically with urinary alkalinizers and large doses of salicylates (i.e. 3 g/day or more) should be monitored for potentially diminished or inadequate analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects, and the salicylate dosage adjusted if necessary.

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.

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.

The effect of grapefruit juice on the pharmacologic activity of caffeine is controversial. One report suggests that grapefruit juice increases the effect of caffeine. The proposed mechanism is inhibition of cytochrome P-450 metabolism of caffeine. However, a well-conducted pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic study did not demonstrate this effect. The clinical significance of this potential interaction is unknown.