Drug Interaction Report

MONITOR: Coadministration of carboplatin with other nephrotoxic agents may increase the risk of renal impairment due to additive effects on the kidney. Moreover, renal impairment secondary to the use of these agents may reduce the clearance of carboplatin, which is primarily eliminated by renal excretion. This may increase the risk of other adverse effects including severe myelosuppression which is concentration-dependent. Approximately 25% of patients receiving carboplatin exhibit decreases in creatinine clearance, whereas rises in serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen occur less frequently. Some data suggests hypomagnesemia is the primary indicator of carboplatin-induced nephrotoxicity. Patients receiving multiple courses or single doses exceeding 800 mg/m2 of carboplatin, or those with a history of cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity, may be at increased risk of renal toxicity.

MANAGEMENT: Renal function and serum magnesium levels should be monitored if carboplatin is used concomitantly with other nephrotoxic agents. The potential for increased toxicity of carboplatin such as peripheral sensory neuropathies and myelosuppression should be considered.

GENERALLY AVOID: Use of anticholinergic agents with alcohol may result in sufficient impairment of attention so as to render driving and operating machinery more hazardous. In addition, the potential for abuse may be increased with the combination. The mechanism of interaction is not established but may involve additive depressant effects on the central nervous system. No effect of oral propantheline or atropine on blood alcohol levels was observed in healthy volunteers when administered before ingestion of a standard ethanol load. However, one study found impairment of attention in subjects given atropine 0.5 mg or glycopyrrolate 1 mg in combination with alcohol.

MANAGEMENT: Alcohol should generally be avoided during therapy with anticholinergic agents. Patients should be counseled to avoid activities requiring mental alertness until they know how these agents affect them.