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.

MONITOR: Like many CNS-active agents, alcohol can exhibit hypotensive effects. Coadministration with antihypertensive agents including diltiazem may result in additive effects on blood pressure and orthostasis.

MONITOR: Grapefruit juice may increase the plasma concentrations of orally administered diltiazem in some patients. The proposed mechanism is inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated first-pass metabolism in the gut wall by certain compounds present in grapefruit. In a study of ten healthy male volunteers, administration of a single 120 mg oral dose of immediate-release diltiazem in combination with 250 mL of grapefruit juice increased the diltiazem peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and systemic exposure (AUC) by an average of 22% and 20%, respectively, compared to administration with water. The time to reach Cmax (Tmax) and the terminal half-life were not affected, and no statistically significant differences in blood pressure and heart rate were observed during administration with grapefruit juice relative to water. In a different study, repeated administration of 200 mL of grapefruit juice at 0, 2, 4, 8 and 12 hours had no significant effect on the Cmax or AUC of a single 120 mg oral dose of diltiazem, but increased its half-life from 4.1 to 5.1 hours. The ratios for the N-demethyl and deacetyl metabolites to diltiazem were also not affected by grapefruit juice. However, because pharmacokinetic interactions involving grapefruit juice are often subject to a high degree of interpatient variability, the extent to which a given patient may be affected is difficult to predict.

MANAGEMENT: Patients should be advised that alcohol may potentiate the hypotensive effects of diltiazem, especially during the initiation of therapy and following a dosage increase. Caution should be exercised when rising from a sitting or recumbent position, and patients should notify their physician if they experience dizziness, lightheadedness, syncope, orthostasis, or tachycardia. Patients who regularly consume grapefruit or grapefruit juice should be monitored for increased adverse effects of diltiazem such as such as headache, irregular heartbeat, edema, unexplained weight gain, and chest pain. Grapefruit and grapefruit juice should be avoided if an interaction is suspected.

MONITOR: Calcium-containing products may decrease the effectiveness of calcium channel blockers by saturating calcium channels with calcium. Calcium chloride has been used to manage acute severe verapamil toxicity.

MANAGEMENT: Management consists of monitoring the effectiveness of calcium channel blocker therapy during coadministration with calcium products.