Drug Interaction Report

MONITOR: Agents that cause urinary alkalinization can reduce serum salicylate concentrations in patients receiving anti-inflammatory dosages of aspirin or other salicylates. The mechanism involves reduction in salicylate renal tubular reabsorption due to increased urinary pH, resulting in increased renal salicylate clearance especially above urine pH of 7. This interaction is sometimes exploited in the treatment of salicylate toxicity.

MANAGEMENT: Patients treated chronically with urinary alkalinizers and large doses of salicylates (i.e. 3 g/day or more) should be monitored for potentially diminished or inadequate analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects, and the salicylate dosage adjusted if 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.

The effect of grapefruit juice on the pharmacologic activity of caffeine is controversial. One report suggests that grapefruit juice increases the effect of caffeine. The proposed mechanism is inhibition of cytochrome P-450 metabolism of caffeine. However, a well-conducted pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic study did not demonstrate this effect. The clinical significance of this potential interaction is unknown.