Drug Interaction Report

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Concomitant use of some oral medications may reduce the bioavailability of orally administered iron, and vice versa.

Food taken in conjunction with oral iron supplements may reduce the bioavailability of the iron. However, in many patients intolerable gastrointestinal side effects occur necessitating administration with food.

MANAGEMENT: Ideally, iron products should be taken on an empty stomach (i.e., at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals), but if this is not possible, administer with meals and monitor the patient more closely for a subtherapeutic effect. Some studies suggest administration of iron with ascorbic acid may enhance bioavailability. In addition, administration of oral iron products and some oral medications should be separated whenever the bioavailability of either agent may be decreased. Consult the product labeling for specific separation times and monitor clinical responses as appropriate.

MONITOR: Coadministration with moderate inhibitors of CYP450 3A4 such as grapefruit juice may increase the plasma concentrations of fesoterodine's active metabolite, 5-hydroxymethyl tolterodine, which is partially metabolized by the isoenzyme. The possibility of prolonged and/or increased pharmacologic effects of fesoterodine should be considered. Because 5-hydroxymethyl tolterodine is also metabolized by CYP450 2D6, the clinical significance of the interaction may be greater in patients who are CYP450 2D6-deficient, or so-called poor metabolizers of CYP450 2D6 (approximately 7% of Caucasians and less than 2% of Asians and individuals of African descent) who may rely more on the 3A4 metabolic pathway for clearance of the drug.

MANAGEMENT: Caution is advised if fesoterodine is administered with grapefruit or grapefruit juice. Patients should be advised to notify their physician if they experience potential adverse effects of fesoterodine such as irregular heartbeat, blurry vision, difficulty urinating, dry mouth, headache, drowsiness, dizziness, gastrointestinal upset, or constipation.