Drug Interaction Report

MONITOR: Coadministration with drugs that are inhibitors of CYP450 3A4 may increase the plasma concentrations of tolterodine, which is partially metabolized by the isoenzyme. Tolterodine is primarily metabolized by CYP450 2D6 in most patients (referred to as "extensive metabolizers" or "EMs") to an equipotent, active metabolite, 5-hydroxymethyl tolterodine (5-HMT). However, in patients who are CYP450 2D6-deficient, or so-called "poor metabolizers" or "PMs" of CYP450 2D6 (approximately 7% of Caucasians and less than 2% of Asians and individuals of African descent), tolterodine is primarily metabolized by CYP450 3A4 to N-dealkylated tolterodine. Coadministration of tolterodine with ketoconazole 200 mg daily, a potent CYP450 3A4 inhibitor, increased the tolterodine mean peak plasma concentration (Cmax) by 2-fold and the mean systemic concentrations (AUC) by 2.5-fold in PMs. Data are not available for coadministration of tolterodine with CYP450 3A4 inhibitors in EMs or less potent CYP450 3A4 inhibitors. As tolterodine causes concentration-dependent QT interval prolongation, an increase in its AUC could increase the possibility of experiencing this adverse effect. Likewise, this risk may be further increased if the CYP450 3A4 inhibitor being used also carries a risk of QT prolongation (e.g., asciminib, bepridil, ciprofloxacin, clofazimine, crizotinib, erythromycin, fluconazole, lapatinib, pazopanib, rucaparib).

MANAGEMENT: Caution is advised when tolterodine is used with CYP450 3A4 inhibitors. Clinical and laboratory monitoring, including QTc interval and serum electrolytes, is advised. Patients should have regular ECGs and be monitored for arrhythmias when the QTc interval is prolonged. If the QTc interval becomes markedly prolonged or symptoms of arrhythmia occur, drug discontinuation should be considered. Patients should be advised to seek prompt medical attention if they experience symptoms that could indicate the occurrence of torsade de pointes such as dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, palpitation, irregular heart rhythm, shortness of breath, or syncope. Patients should be advised to notify their physician if they experience new or worsening side effects of tolterodine including severe blurry vision, difficulty urinating, dry mouth, headache, drowsiness, dizziness, or GI upset.

Concurrent use of cimetidine and ethanol may result in increased ethanol concentrations. The mechanism appears to be due to inhibition of gastric alcohol dehydrogenase by cimetidine, leading to increased bioavailability of the alcohol and inhibition of hepatic metabolism of alcohol. The clinical significance of this interaction is limited. More importantly, patients requiring cimetidine for gastrointestinal disease should be counseled to avoid alcohol to prevent worsening of their disease. The other H-2 receptor antagonists appear to have minimal effects on the concentrations of alcohol.

Caffeine effects may be increased in patients also taking cimetidine. The mechanism may be due to decreased caffeine metabolism induced by cimetidine. Although adequate clinical data are lacking, a reduction in dose or elimination of caffeine may be needed if excess CNS stimulation is observed.

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.