Drug Interaction Report

GENERALLY AVOID: Patients exposed to photosensitizing agents at the same time as or in the 30 to 90 days following treatment with porfimer may be at an increased risk of a photosensitivity reaction (e.g., erythema, swelling, pruritus, burning sensations, feeling hot, and/or blisters). These agents have each been individually associated with photosensitivity reactions and may have additive effects if used together. Medicinal products with known phototoxic or photoallergic potential include, but are not limited to, hypericin-containing products (e.g., St. John's Wort), griseofulvin, thiazide diuretics, sulfonylureas, phenothiazines, sulfonamides, quinolones, and tetracyclines. Photosensitivity with porfimer is due to residual drug being present in the skin. Porfimer is cleared from a variety of tissues over 40 to 72 hours after treatment, but organs of the reticuloendothelial system (e.g., liver, spleen), skin and the tumor itself retain the drug for a longer period. Patients treated with porfimer will be photosensitive for at least 30 days and possibly up to 90 days or more for patients with hepatic or severe renal dysfunction. In clinical studies of porfimer, photosensitivity reactions occurred in approximately 20% of cancer patients and 69% of high-grade dysplasia in Barrett's esophagus patients.

MANAGEMENT: Use of photosensitizing agents should be avoided for at least 30 days and maybe up to 90 days or longer after porfimer treatment depending on the patient's hepatic function, renal function, and/or ability to tolerate exposure to sunlight. Following treatment with porfimer, patients should follow measures outlined in the product labeling for light and sun exposure. It is important to counsel patients to expose their skin to ambient indoor light as it is not only safe but will help eliminate porfimer through the skin by a process called "photobleaching." Before exposing skin or eyes to direct sunlight or bright indoor light (e.g., examination lamps, dental lamps, operating room lamps, floodlights, halogen lamps, unshaded light bulbs at close proximity, etc.), patients should test for residual photosensitivity as described in porfimer's product labeling.

H2 antagonists may alter the pharmacokinetic disposition of some nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), resulting in increased or decreased plasma concentrations. Data have been varied, even for the same NSAID. The mechanism may involve inhibition of metabolism, changes in gastric pH resulting in altered absorption, and/or reduced urinary elimination of the affected NSAIDs. Statistically significant changes have been small and of limited clinical significance when interactions have been observed.

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.

H2 antagonists may reduce the clearance of nicotine. Cimetidine, 600 mg given twice a day for two days, reduced clearance of an intravenous nicotine dose by 30%. Ranitidine, 300 mg given twice a day for two days, reduced clearance by 10%. The clinical significance of this interaction is not known. Patients should be monitored for increased nicotine effects when using the patches or gum for smoking cessation and dosage adjustments should be made as appropriate.