Drug Interaction Report

MONITOR: Coadministration with conivaptan may increase the plasma concentrations of drugs that are substrates of the CYP450 3A4 isoenzyme. The mechanism is decreased clearance due to inhibition of CYP450 3A4 activity by conivaptan. In pharmacokinetic studies with drugs that are primarily metabolized by CYP450 3A4 such as midazolam, simvastatin, and amlodipine, conivaptan has increased systemic exposure (AUC) by 2- to 3-fold.

MANAGEMENT: Caution is advised if conivaptan must be used concurrently with medications that undergo metabolism by CYP450 3A4, particularly those with a narrow therapeutic range. Dosage adjustments as well as clinical and laboratory monitoring may be appropriate for some drugs whenever conivaptan is added to or withdrawn from therapy, or the combination avoided altogether. If a clinical decision is made to discontinue concomitant medications at recommended doses, clinicians should allow an appropriate amount of time following the end of conivaptan administration before resuming these medications.

GENERALLY AVOID: Alcohol may potentiate some of the pharmacologic effects of zolpidem. Use in combination may result in additive central nervous system depression and/or impairment of judgment, thinking, and psychomotor skills.

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Administration of zolpidem with food may delay the onset of hypnotic effects. In 30 healthy subjects, administration of zolpidem 20 minutes after a meal resulted in decreased mean peak plasma drug concentration (Cmax) and area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) by 25% and 15%, respectively, compared to fasting. The time to reach peak plasma drug concentration (Tmax) was prolonged by 60%, from 1.4 to 2.2 hours.

MANAGEMENT: Patients receiving zolpidem should be advised to avoid the consumption of alcohol. For faster sleep onset, zolpidem should not be administered with or immediately after a meal.