Drug Interaction Report

MONITOR CLOSELY: Coadministration with other psychotropic agents may potentiate the adverse effects of clozapine on cardiovascular function. Orthostatic hypotension with or without syncope, in rare cases accompanied by profound collapse and cardiorespiratory arrest, has occurred during initiation of clozapine treatment alone and in combination with other psychotropic agents, occasionally even on the first dose. The risk is greatest during initial titration in association with rapid dose escalation. In one report, initial doses as low as 12.5 mg were associated with collapse and respiratory arrest. Other adverse effects that may be increased during use of clozapine with other psychotropic agents include CNS depression, tardive dyskinesia, blood dyscrasias (leukopenia, neutropenia, agranulocytosis), tachycardia, and ECG changes such as QT interval prolongation. Anticholinergic effects of these agents may also be additively increased. Excessive anticholinergic effects may result in paralytic ileus, hyperthermia, heat stroke, and the anticholinergic intoxication syndrome. Peripheral symptoms of anticholinergic intoxication commonly include mydriasis, blurred vision, flushed face, fever, dry skin and mucous membranes, tachycardia, urinary retention, and constipation. Central symptoms may include memory loss, disorientation, incoherence, hallucinations, psychosis, delirium, hyperactivity, twitching or jerking movements, stereotypy, and seizures.

MANAGEMENT: Caution is advised when clozapine is initiated in patients receiving other psychotropic drugs. Vital signs should be closely monitored. Patients who have had even a brief interval off clozapine (i.e. 2 or more days since the last dose) should be restarted with 12.5 mg once or twice daily. The potential for additive effects on the QT interval and increased risk of torsade de pointes arrhythmia should also be considered when clozapine is used in combination with phenothiazines, tricyclic antidepressants, some atypical antipsychotics (e.g., asenapine, quetiapine, iloperidone, iloperidone, paliperidone, risperidone, ziprasidone), or other psychotherapeutic agents that can prolong the QT interval such as amoxapine, haloperidol, maprotiline, mirtazapine, and trazodone. Serum electrolytes, including potassium, magnesium and calcium, should be measured at baseline and periodically during treatment, and any abnormalities corrected prior to initiating clozapine. Routine ECG assessment may detect QTc prolongation but is not always effective in preventing arrhythmias. Clozapine treatment should be discontinued if the QTc interval exceeds 500 msec. 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. Ambulatory patients may want to avoid activities requiring mental alertness until they know how these agents affect them. A dosage reduction in one or both drugs may be necessary if excessive adverse effects develop.

MONITOR: Several studies have suggested that fluoxetine may increase serum clozapine levels significantly. In one study, clozapine levels were increased by 76% and norclozapine levels were increased by 52%. The mechanism of this interaction is unknown but may be related to inhibition of CYP450 hepatic metabolism by fluoxetine. No adverse effects were reported in a small study; however, myoclonus was reported in one case report.

MANAGEMENT: Close clinical observation is recommended if clozapine and fluoxetine must be used together. The dose of clozapine may require reduction if an interaction is suspected.

MONITOR: It is uncertain whether olanzapine causes clinically significant prolongation of the QT interval. In pooled studies of adults as well as pooled studies of adolescents, there were no significant differences between olanzapine and placebo in the proportion of patients experiencing potentially important changes in ECG parameters, including QT, QTcF (Fridericia-corrected), and PR intervals. In clinical trials, clinically meaningful QTc prolongations (QTcF >=500 msec at any time post-baseline in patients with baseline QTcF <500 msec) occurred in 0.1% to 1% of patients treated with olanzapine, with no significant differences in associated cardiac events compared to placebo. Published studies have generally reported no significant effect of olanzapine on QTc interval, although both QTc prolongation and QTc shortening have also been reported. There have been a few isolated case reports of QT prolongation in patients receiving olanzapine. However, causality is difficult to establish due to confounding factors such as concomitant use of drugs that cause QT prolongation and underlying conditions that may predispose to QT prolongation (e.g., hypokalemia, congenital long QT syndrome, preexisting conduction abnormalities).

MANAGEMENT: Some authorities recommend caution when olanzapine is used with drugs that are known to cause QT prolongation. ECG monitoring may be advisable in some cases, such as in patients with a history of cardiac arrhythmias or congenital or family history of long QT syndrome. 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.

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.

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.

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: Smoking cessation may lead to elevated plasma concentrations and enhanced pharmacologic effects of drugs that are substrates of CYP450 1A2 (and possibly CYP450 1A1) and/or certain drugs with a narrow therapeutic index (e.g., flecainide, pentazocine). One proposed mechanism is related to the loss of CYP450 1A2 and 1A1 induction by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in tobacco smoke; when smoking cessation agents are initiated and smoking stops, the metabolism of certain drugs may decrease leading to increased plasma concentrations. The mechanism by which smoking cessation affects narrow therapeutic index drugs that are not known substrates of CYP450 1A2 or 1A1 is unknown. The clinical significance of this interaction is unknown as clinical data are lacking.

MANAGEMENT: Until more information is available, caution is advisable if smoking cessation agents are used concomitantly with drugs that are substrates of CYP450 1A2 or 1A1 and/or those with a narrow therapeutic range. Patients receiving smoking cessation agents may require periodic dose adjustments and closer clinical and laboratory monitoring of medications that are substrates of CYP450 1A2 or 1A1.

Caffeine may increase clozapine serum concentrations and exacerbate psychotic symptoms. The mechanism is unknown but may be related to competition for the same metabolic pathway. No specific intervention is necessary; however, if an interaction is suspected it is recommended that caffeine intake be avoided.

The recommended maximum number of medicines in the 'antipsychotics' category to be taken concurrently is usually one. Your list includes two medicines belonging to the 'antipsychotics' category:

• clozapine
• fluoxetine / olanzapine

Note: In certain circumstances, the benefits of taking this combination of drugs may outweigh any risks. Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your medications or dosage.