Drug Interactions Flashcards
Pharmacodynamics
what the drug does to the body
A pharmacodynamic (PD) drug interaction happens when 2 or more drugs are…
given together and their end effects impact each other
First-pass metabolism results in…
the inactivation of some % of ~75% of oral drugs
With most drugs, inducers make more enzymes, which…
decrease the active drug
With prodrugs, more enzymes due to an inducer will…
increase the active drug
With most drugs, inhibitors make enzymes inactive, which will…
increase the active drug
With prodrugs, less enzymes due to an inhibitor will…
decrease the active drug
With inducers, there is…
a lag time to see effect (full effect on drug levels may not be seen for up to 4 weeks); effects remain after the drug is d/c’d (until the enzyme degrades; can take 2-4 weeks)
With inhibitors, there is…
quick onset and the effect stops when the drug is d/c’d
Major CYP Inducers: “PS PORCS”
Phenytoin
Smoking
Phenobarbital & primidine Oxcarbazepine (and eslicarbazepine) Rifampin (and rifabutin, rifapentine) Carbamazepine (also an auto-inducer) St. John's wort
Major CYP inhibitors: “G <3 Pacman”
Grapefruit
<3
Protease Inhibitors- especially ritonavir, but many PIs are potent inhibitors
Azole antifungals- fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole, posaconazole, voriconazole, and isavuconazonium
C- cyclosporine, cimetidine, cobicistat
Macrolides (clarithromycin and erythromycin, but not azithromycin)
Amiodarone (and dronedarone)
Non-DHP CCBs- diltiazem and verapamil
P-glycoprotein (P-gp) efflux pump substrates
- anticoagulants (apixaban, edoxaban, dabigatran, rivaroxaban)
- CV drugs (digoxin, diltiazem, carvedilol, ranolazine, verapamil)
- Immunosuppressants (cyclosporine, sirolimus, tacrolimus)
- HCV drugs (ombitasvir, paritaprevir, dasabuvir, sofosbuvir)
- Others (atazanavir, colchicine, dolutegravir, posaconazole, raltegravir, saxagliptin)
P-gp inducers
- carbamazepine
- dexamethasone
- phenobarbital
- phenytoin
- rifampin
- St. John’s Wort
- tipranavir
P-gp inhibitors
- Anti-infectives (clarithromycin, itraconazole, posaconazole)
- CV drugs (amiodarone, carvedilol, conivaptan, diltiazem, dronedarone, quinidine, verapamil)
- HIV drugs (cobicistat, ritonavir)
- HCV drugs (ledipasvir, paritaprevir)
- Others (cyclosporine, flibanserin, ticagrelor)
The recycling of an already-metabolized drug is called…
enterohepatic recycling (which increases the duration of action of many drugs, including some antibiotics, some NSAIDs, and ezetimibe)
amiodarone/dronedarone + warfarin
Amiodarone inhibits multiple enzymes, including CYP2C9, which metabolizes the major warfarin isomer. If using amiodarone and adding warfarin (start warfarin at a lower dose of ≤ 5 mg). If using warfarin 1st and adding amiodarone, decrease warfarin dose 30-50% based on INR (monitor and adjust)
amiodarone + digoxin (monitor for s/s of toxicity such as nausea, and HR)
Amiodarone inhibits P-gp; digoxin is a P-gp substrate (decreased digoxin excretion, more ADRs). If using amiodarone and adding digoxin (start oral digoxin at a low dose, such as 0.125 mg daily instead of 0.25 mg daily). If using digoxin and adding amiodarone (decrease oral digoxin dose by 50%).
Digoxin and loop diuretic (monitor electrolytes & correct if abnormal). Kideny impairment, decrease digoxin dose or frequency, or d/c.
Digoxin is cleared by P-gp and excreted by the kidneys. Loops decrease K, Mg, Ca, and Na. Digoxin toxicity risk is increased with decreased K and Mg, and increased Ca.
Drugs that decrease HR (additive effects when combined such as amiodarone, digoxin, BBs, clonidine, and dexmedetomidine)
Monitor HR; normal range 60-100 bpm
Statins + Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors
Increased levels of CYP3A4 substrates (lovastatin, simvastatin, atorvastatin). Increased myopathy risk. Simvastatin and lovastatin are C/I. Recommend a statin not metabolized by CYP450 enzymes (pitavastatin, pravastatin, rosuvastatin)
Warfarin + CYP2C9 inhibitors and inducers
- Increased INR and bleeding risk with inhibitors
- Decreased INR and clotting risk with inducers
- Monitor INR
CYP2C9 inducers
rifampin, St. John’s Wort
CYP3A4 inhibitors + CYP3A4 substrates (many)
Do not use a CYP3A4 inhibitor with an opioid metabolized by CYP3A4 (fentanyl, hydrocodone, oxycodone, methadone). Can increase ADRs and cause fatal sedation.