Drug Interaction Report

CONTRAINDICATED: Use of alcohol or products containing alcohol during nitroimidazole therapy may result in a disulfiram-like reaction in some patients. There have been a few case reports involving metronidazole, although data overall are not convincing. The presumed mechanism is inhibition of aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) by metronidazole in a manner similar to disulfiram. Following ingestion of alcohol, inhibition of ALDH results in increased concentrations of acetaldehyde, the accumulation of which can produce an unpleasant physiologic response referred to as the 'disulfiram reaction'. Symptoms include flushing, throbbing in head and neck, throbbing headache, respiratory difficulty, nausea, vomiting, sweating, thirst, chest pain, palpitation, dyspnea, hyperventilation, tachycardia, hypotension, syncope, weakness, vertigo, blurred vision, and confusion. Severe reactions may result in respiratory depression, cardiovascular collapse, arrhythmia, myocardial infarction, acute congestive heart failure, unconsciousness, convulsions, and death. However, some investigators have questioned the disulfiram-like properties of metronidazole. One study found neither elevations in blood acetaldehyde nor objective or subjective signs of a disulfiram-like reaction to ethanol in six subjects treated with metronidazole (200 mg three times a day for 5 days) compared to six subjects who received placebo.

MANAGEMENT: Because clear evidence is lacking concerning the safety of ethanol use during nitroimidazole therapy, patients should be apprised of the potential for interaction. Consumption of alcoholic beverages and products containing propylene glycol is specifically contraindicated during and for at least 3 days after completion of metronidazole and benznidazole therapy according to their product labeling.

GENERALLY AVOID: Coadministration with foods or medications that contain polyvalent cations such as dairy products, calcium-fortified beverages, certain laxatives, antacids, or oral supplements may decrease the plasma concentrations and therapeutic efficacy of baloxavir. The proposed mechanism is chelation of baloxavir by polyvalent cations, forming a complex that is poorly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. A significant decrease in baloxavir exposure was observed in monkeys when the prodrug, baloxavir marboxil, was coadministered with calcium, aluminum, magnesium, or iron. However, clinical data in humans are lacking.

When baloxavir marboxil was administered with food, baloxavir peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and systemic exposure (AUC) decreased by 48% and 36%, respectively, relative to administration under fasting. These changes are not considered clinically significant.

MANAGEMENT: Baloxavir marboxil may be taken with or without food. However, coadministration with dairy products, calcium-fortified beverages, or polyvalent cation-containing laxatives, antacids, or oral supplements (e.g., calcium, iron, magnesium, selenium, or zinc) should be avoided.