Drug Interaction Report

MONITOR: The efficacy of insulin and other antidiabetic agents may be diminished by certain drugs, including atypical antipsychotics, corticosteroids, diuretics, estrogens, gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists, human growth hormone, phenothiazines, progestins, protease inhibitors, sympathomimetic amines, thyroid hormones, L-asparaginase, alpelisib, copanlisib, danazol, diazoxide, isoniazid, megestrol, omacetaxine, phenytoin, sirolimus, tagraxofusp, temsirolimus, as well as pharmacologic dosages of nicotinic acid and adrenocorticotropic agents. These drugs may interfere with blood glucose control because they can cause hyperglycemia, glucose intolerance, new-onset diabetes mellitus, and/or exacerbation of preexisting diabetes.

MANAGEMENT: Caution is advised when drugs that can interfere with glucose metabolism are prescribed to patients with diabetes. Close clinical monitoring of glycemic control is recommended following initiation or discontinuation of these drugs, and the dosages of concomitant antidiabetic agents adjusted as necessary. Patients should be advised to notify their physician if their blood glucose is consistently high or if they experience symptoms of severe hyperglycemia such as excessive thirst and increases in the volume or frequency of urination. Likewise, patients should be observed for hypoglycemia when these drugs are withdrawn from their therapeutic regimen.

GENERALLY AVOID: Alcohol may cause hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia in patients with diabetes. Hypoglycemia most frequently occurs during acute consumption of alcohol. Even modest amounts can lower blood sugar significantly, especially when the alcohol is ingested on an empty stomach or following exercise. The mechanism involves inhibition of both gluconeogenesis as well as the counter-regulatory response to hypoglycemia. Episodes of hypoglycemia may last for 8 to 12 hours after ethanol ingestion. By contrast, chronic alcohol abuse can cause impaired glucose tolerance and hyperglycemia. Moderate alcohol consumption generally does not affect blood glucose levels in patients with well controlled diabetes. A disulfiram-like reaction (e.g., flushing, headache, and nausea) to alcohol has been reported frequently with the use of chlorpropamide and very rarely with other sulfonylureas.

MANAGEMENT: Patients with diabetes should avoid consuming alcohol if their blood glucose is not well controlled, or if they have hypertriglyceridemia, neuropathy, or pancreatitis. Patients with well controlled diabetes should limit their alcohol intake to one drink daily for women and two drinks daily for men (1 drink = 5 oz wine, 12 oz beer, or 1.5 oz distilled spirits) in conjunction with their normal meal plan. Alcohol should not be consumed on an empty stomach or following exercise.

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

MANAGEMENT: Patients receiving CNS-active agents should be warned of this interaction and advised to avoid or limit consumption of alcohol. Ambulatory patients should be counseled to avoid hazardous activities requiring complete mental alertness and motor coordination until they know how these agents affect them, and to notify their physician if they experience excessive or prolonged CNS effects that interfere with their normal activities.

MONITOR: Coadministration of two or more sympathomimetic agents may increase the risk of adverse effects such as nervousness, irritability, and increased heart rate. Central nervous system (CNS) stimulants, particularly amphetamines, can potentiate the adrenergic response to vasopressors and other sympathomimetic agents. Additive increases in blood pressure and heart rate may occur due to enhanced peripheral sympathetic activity.

MANAGEMENT: Caution is advised if two or more sympathomimetic agents are coadministered. Pulse and blood pressure should be closely monitored.