Drug Interaction Report

MONITOR: Coadministration with potent inhibitors of CYP450 3A4 may increase the plasma concentrations and effects of doxazosin. In vitro studies suggest that the primary pathway for elimination of doxazosin is via CYP450 3A4.

MANAGEMENT: Caution is advised if doxazosin is used concomitantly with potent CYP450 3A4 inhibitors. Blood pressure and pharmacologic response to doxazosin should be monitored closely whenever a potent CYP450 3A4 inhibitor is added to or withdrawn from therapy, and the doxazosin dosage adjusted if necessary. Patients should be advised to avoid rising abruptly from a sitting or recumbent position and to notify their physician if they experience dizziness, lightheadedness, orthostasis, syncope, or tachycardia. Patients should also avoid driving or operating hazardous machinery until they know how the medication affects them.

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: According to the manufacturer, coadministration with a meal high in calories, fat, and protein reduces the absorption of indinavir. In ten patients given indinavir in this manner, the peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) of indinavir decreased by an average of 84% and 77%, respectively. In contrast, grapefruit juice may have only minor effects on the oral bioavailability of indinavir. The manufacturer's package labeling states that administration of a single 400 mg dose of indinavir with 8 oz. of grapefruit juice decreased indinavir AUC by an average of 26%. Likewise, a study consisting of 14 HIV-infected subjects found no uniform nor significant changes in steady-state indinavir AUC during administration with double-strength grapefruit juice compared to water. There was, however, a delay in absorption (Tmax) due to grapefruit juice that is unlikely to be of clinical significance.

MANAGEMENT: To ensure maximal oral absorption, indinavir should be administered without food but with water 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal. Alternatively, indinavir may be administered with other liquids such as skim milk, juice, coffee, or tea, or with a light meal (e.g., dry toast with jelly, juice, and coffee with skim milk and sugar; corn flakes, skim milk and sugar).

GENERALLY AVOID: The concurrent use of ethanol and alpha-1 adrenergic blockers may cause increased hypotensive effects. Patients with aldehyde dehydrogenase deficiencies (primarily Asians) may be at a higher risk of this interaction. The mechanism has not been determined. Data exist for prazosin and other alpha adrenergic blockers are expected to interact also. In addition, any patients taking alpha adrenergic blockers may experience excessive orthostatic hypotension with ethanol ingestion, due to ethanol's unopposed vasodilatory effects in the presence of alpha adrenergic blockade.

MANAGEMENT: Patients who develop a flushing reaction after ethanol ingestion (indicates a possible aldehyde dehydrogenase deficiency) should be advised to avoid ethanol or limit their intake. All patients should be warned about the possibility of orthostatic hypotension with concurrent ethanol use.