Drug Interaction Report

MONITOR: Use of anticholinergic drugs after administration of botulinum toxin may potentiate systemic anticholinergic effects such as dry mouth, blurred vision, and urinary disorders. Botulinum toxin inhibits the release of acetylcholine from peripheral cholinergic nerve endings, thus additive or synergistic anticholinergic effects may occur when these agents are used together.

MANAGEMENT: Patients should be advised that systemic anticholinergic side effects such as dry mouth, blurred vision, and urinary disorders may increase if agents with anticholinergic properties (e.g., sedating antihistamines; antispasmodics; neuroleptics; phenothiazines; skeletal muscle relaxants; tricyclic antidepressants; disopyramide) are used after administration of botulinum toxin.

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.