Drug Interaction Report

MONITOR: Due to their gastrointestinal pharmacologic effects, somatostatin analogs (e.g., octreotide, lanreotide) may variously affect the absorption of dietary nutrients and concomitantly administered oral medications. Somatostatin analogs have been shown to prolong gastrointestinal transit time and inhibit intestinal absorption of some nutrients such as fat. Clinical data are limited, however. In case reports, octreotide has been reported to reduce the relative bioavailability of cyclosporine. Transplant rejection and significant reductions in cyclosporine levels, sometimes to undetectable levels, have been reported in association with the interaction. Vitamin K absorption was not affected when concomitantly administered with lanreotide according to the manufacturer.

MANAGEMENT: Clinicians should be aware of the potential for altered absorption of concomitantly administered oral medications during treatment with somatostatin analogs. Blood levels and clinical response should be monitored, particularly for drugs that have a narrow therapeutic index, and the dosages adjusted as necessary.

GENERALLY AVOID: The concurrent use of aspirin or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and ethanol may lead to gastrointestinal (GI) blood loss. The mechanism may be due to a combined local effect as well as inhibition of prostaglandins leading to decreased integrity of the GI lining.

MANAGEMENT: Patients should be counseled on this potential interaction and advised to refrain from alcohol consumption while taking aspirin or NSAIDs.

One study has reported that coadministration of caffeine and aspirin lead to a 25% increase in the rate of appearance and 17% increase in maximum concentration of salicylate in the plasma. A significantly higher area under the plasma concentration time curve of salicylate was also reported when both drugs were administered together. The exact mechanism of this interaction has not been specified. Physicians and patients should be aware that coadministration of aspirin and caffeine may lead to higher salicylate levels faster.