Drug Interaction Report

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Food significantly decreases the bioavailability of oral ibandronate. The manufacturer reports up to a 75% decrease in bioavailability when administered 2 hours after a standard meal.

MANAGEMENT: Oral ibandronate should be administered on an empty stomach (after an overnight fast of at least 6 hours) with a 180 to 240 mL glass of plain water and no other food or drink should be taken for at least 30 minutes after administration.

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.