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Avoiding Serious Drug Interactions
Digoxin, calcium channel blockers, phenytoin, ACE
inhibitors, metronidazole, loop diuretics, phenothiazines, carbamazepine,
rofecoxib, and sildenafil all can be quite hazardous if administered
concurrently with certain other drugs. The authors provide a refresher
course on precautions.
By RaeAnn Hamilton, MD, and Charles S. Graffeo,
MD
| Dr. Hamilton is an emergency medicine physician
at Tuality Community Hospital in Hillsboro, Oregon. Dr. Graffeo
is associate clinical professor in the department of emergency
medicine at Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk. |
In this age of polypharmacy and the introduction of new drugs on
the market at an ever-increasing rate, physicians need to be aware
of potential drug interactions. Many patient complaints may, in
fact, be directly related to drug interactions that too often go
unrecognized. Before prescribing a new medication for a patient,
it is imperative to review the drugs that he or she is taking. This
article will provide an overview of common drug interactions, risk
factors that predispose to drug interactions, and some helpful guidelines
and resources.
DIGOXIN
Digoxin is a cardiac glycoside that is commonly used to treat supraventricular
tachyarrhythmias and congestive heart failure. It is rapidly absorbed
from the gastrointestinal tract and excreted by the kidneys. About
50% to 70% of intravenous (IV) digoxin is excreted unchanged in
the urine. It has a half-life of 36 to 48 hours (prolonged to 3.5
to 5 days in anuric patients) and a very narrow therapeutic window.
Digoxin crosses both the blood-brain barrier and the placenta.
It also directly inhibits sodium/potassium ATPase, which results
in an increase in intracellular sodium, altering the driving force
for sodium-calcium exchange so that less calcium is removed from
the cell. Additionally, digoxin modifies autonomic outflow by increasing
vagal tone and decreasing atrioventicular node conduction.
The most dangerous drug interactions involving digoxin typically
cause an increase in serum digoxin levels. This is usually a result
of an alteration in the metabolism or excretion of the drug. It
is important for physicians to recognize signs of toxicity because
of the potentially fatal cardiac arrhythmias that may develop. Adverse
reactions include premature ventricular contractions (most common),
ventricular tachycardia, severe bradycardia, heart block, arrhythmias,
anorexia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and central nervous system
(CNS) effects (such as visual disturbances, weakness, and confusion).
The elderly and those with pre-existing medical conditions, such
as heart disease, renal dysfunction, hepatic dysfunction, hypothyroidism,
and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, are at increased risk
for toxicity.
Although there are more than 20 drugs that interact with digoxin
(see table below), the most common drug interactions associated
with digoxin toxicity include quinidine and calcium channel blockers.
Amiodarone, azole antifungal drugs, clarithromycin, cyclosporine,
erythromycin, flecainide, and propafenone all introduce the risk
of increasing digoxin to toxic levels by decreasing its renal clearance.
One in 10 patients converts 40% or more of oral digoxin to an inactive
reduction product (dihydrodigoxin) via bacteria in the gut. Therefore,
certain antibiotics (tetracycline, erythromycin, clarithromycin,
and possibly other macrolides) increase digoxin absorption by inactivating
these bacteria.
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Drug Interactions
Involving Digoxin
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amiodarone
amphotericin
antacids
anticholinergics
azole antifungals
bepridil
beta blockers
bile acid binding resins
calcium salts
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calcium channel blockers
clarithromycin
corticosteroids
cyclosporine
diltiazem
dihydropyridines
loop diuretics
thiazide diuretics
erythromycin
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flecainide
metoclopramide
propafenone
quinidine
sotalol
succinylcholine
sympathomimetics
verapamil |
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Antacids and bile acid-binding resins must be given two hours after
digoxin is administered because these drugs are known to decrease
the absorption of digoxin. Metoclopramide speeds gastrointestinal
transit time and reduces serum digoxin levels secondary to decreased
absorption. Conversely, anticholinergics, which are known to slow
gastrointestinal transit time, increase digoxin levels substantially.
Potassium or magnesium depletion sensitizes the myocardium to digoxin.
Therefore, patients with malnutrition, diarrhea, and prolonged vomiting,
as well as patients being treated with corticosteroids, loop and
thiazide diuretics, amphotericin B, antacids, or dialysis, may show
signs of digoxin toxicity despite normal serum concentrations.
Drugs known to cause bradycardia, such as beta blockers and calcium
channel blockers (especially diltiazem, verapamil, and bepridil),
may potentiate the development of serious bradyarrhythmias in patients
taking digoxin. Cardiac arrhythmias have also been reported when
digoxin is used in combination with calcium salts, sotalol, succinylcholine,
and sympathomimetics.
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CALCIUM CHANNEL BLOCKERS
Diltiazem is among the most commonly used calcium channel blockers
to treat hypertension, coronary artery disease, and supraventricular
tachyarrhythmias. Like all calcium channel blockers, its mechanism
of action is via the blockage of L-type calcium channels. By decreasing
calcium influx during action potentials, these drugs cause a reduction
in muscle contractility and heart rate. They also relax smooth muscle
tissue in blood vessels, the uterus, bronchi, and gastrointestinal
tract. In addition, they selectively reduce the heart rate during
tachycardia involving the atrioventricular node, with little or
no effect on normal node conduction.
Calcium channel blockers are contraindicated in sick sinus syndrome,
second- and third-degree heart block, Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW)
syndrome, severe hypotension or cardiogenic shock, and acute myocardial
infarction (AMI). Common side effects with these drugs include edema,
headache, dizziness, asthenia, flushing, nausea, constipation, and
rash. First-degree atrioventricular block, bradycardia, hypotension,
syncope, and liver abnormalities have also been described.
Calcium channel blockers have numerous potential drug interactions.
There is an increased risk of hypotension, bradycardia, and atrioventricular
nodal block when these drugs are given in combination with amiodarone,
azole antifungal drugs, beta blockers, delavirdine, fluvoxamine,
nefazodone, protease inhibitors, and quinidine. Protease inhibitors
are specifically contraindicated with the calcium channel blocker
bepridil. It also should not be given together with, or within a
few hours of, IV beta blockers. Cimetidine and erythromycin in combination
cause an increased risk of bradycardia and hypotension, while cimetidine
and flecainide may cause bradycardia and atrioventricular nodal
block.
A decrease in calcium channel blocker efficacy is seen when used
in combination with barbiturates, carbamazepine, phenytoin, rifabutin,
and rifampin. The statin drugs have been shown to interact with
diltiazem, with resulting myopathies and rhabdomyolysis. Use with
benzodiazepines may result in increased CNS depression. Cyclosporine,
digoxin, and theophylline all need to have their levels monitored
when used in combination with calcium channel blockers because they
may reach toxic concentrations.
PHENYTOIN
Phenytoin is commonly used to treat status epilepticus and tonic-clonic,
psychomotor, and neurosurgically induced seizures. Its mechanism
of action is to suppress repetitive action potentials in epileptic
foci in the brain by blocking sodium channels in neuronal membranes.
Phenytoin's oral bioavailability is variable due to wide fluctuations
in first-pass metabolism. It binds extensively to plasma proteins
(97% to 98%), and any free (unbound) drug is available to compete
for binding with other drugs such as warfarin. It is contraindicated
in patients with heart block and sinus bradycardia.
The effects of phenytoin are potentiated by acute alcohol ingestion
and antagonized by chronic alcohol ingestion. Common side effects
associated with its use include nystagmus, drowsiness, ataxia, gastrointestinal
disturbances, gingival hyperplasia, rash, hypertrichosis, and a
systemic lupus erythematosus-type syndrome. Osteomalacia, blood
dyscrasias, lymphadenopathy, hepatic disease, and hyperglycemia
are also known to occur.
Phenytoin's main interaction with other drugs is based upon their
effect on hepatic metabolism (see table below). Drugs that inhibit
hepatic metabolism cause phenytoin levels to rise, increasing the
risk of toxicity. These drugs include amiodarone, cimetidine, isoniazid,
and metronidazole. Drugs that increase hepatic metabolism of phenytoin,
such as carbamazepine, doxorubicin, estrogens, oral contraceptives,
phenobarbital, and rifampin, all predispose to poor seizure control.
Phenytoin is known to accelerate hepatic metabolism of acetaminophen,
which increases the production of toxic metabolites. Therefore,
acetaminophen use should be limited in patients taking phenytoin.
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Drugs That
Interact with Phenytoin
via Hepatic Metabolism
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Increased HM
acetaminophen
azole antifungals
carbamazepine
calcium channel blockers
cyclosporine
delavirdine
estrogens
methadone
oral contraceptives
phenobarbital
primidone
protease inhibitors
quinidine
rifampins
tacrolimus
theophyllines
warfarin
zonisamide
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Decreased HM
amiodarone
cimetidine
isoniazid
leflunomide
metronidazole
modafinil
SSRIs
ticlopidine
Altered HM
ciprofloxacin
oxcarbazepine
topiramate
valproic acid
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HM = hepatic metabolism
SSRIs = selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
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Benzodiazepines potentiate the CNS depression associated with phenytoin,
and their levels should be monitored carefully. Quinolones may alter
hepatic metabolism of drugs such as theophylline, warfarin, glyburide,
and phenytoin, and may predispose the patient to toxic levels of
these drugs. Opiate withdrawal may be precipitated when methadone
is used in conjunction with phenytoin. Calcium channel blockers,
cyclosporine, haloperidol, quinidine, and theophylline all have
decreased efficacy secondary to lower therapeutic concentrations
caused by concomitant pheytoin administration. When phenytoin is
used in combination with valproic acid, its levels increase while
valproic acid levels decrease. Prothrombin time (PT) or international
normalized ratio (INR) must be closely monitored when phenytoin
is used with warfarin because both drugs compete for protein binding,
which has been shown to transiently increase INR, with a resultant
risk of bleeding. With chronic use, INR and warfarin efficacy may
decrease.
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ACE INHIBITORS
ACE inhibitors are commonly used to treat hypertension, diabetic
renal disease, and significant left ventricular dysfunction (ejection
fraction less than 40%). Their mechanism of action is to inhibit
angiotensin-converting enzyme, kininase II, and peptidyl dipeptidase.
This results in a reduction of angiotensin II and aldosterone and
a variable increase in endogenous vasodilators such as bradykinin.
Consequently, salt retention, water retention, and vascular resistance
are reduced, making these drugs useful in the management of heart
failure.
Patients with renal impairment, congestive heart failure, renal
artery stenosis, and aortic stenosis should be closely monitored
for adverse effects caused by ACE inhibitors. Hyperkalemia is fairly
common in diabetic patients and those with renal insufficiency.
Common adverse effects in general include cough (up to 30% of patients),
headache, fatigue, diarrhea, rash, pruritus, orthostatic hypotension,
dizziness, proteinuria, hyperkalemia, hyponatremia, tachycardia,
dry mouth, jaundice, impotence, renal impairment, and nausea. Angioedema
is one of the most potentially dangerous side effects.
There are a host of potential drug interactions with ACE inhibitors.
The risk of hyperkalemia is increased when these drugs are used
with cyclosporine, potassium-sparing diuretics, potassium supplements,
or tacrolimus. Hypotension may occur when they are used with loop
and thiazide diuretics. Hypoglycemia may occur in type 1 diabetic
patients because insulin's effect is potentiated by concomitant
use of ACE inhibitors. Also, there is an increased risk of nephrotoxicity
and a loss of antihypertensive effectiveness when ACE inhibitors
are used in combination with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
(NSAIDs) and cyclo-oxygenase (COX)-2 inhibitors. It is suspected
that a decrease in renal excretion of ACE inhibitors occurs when
these drugs are used with lithium, which may result in toxicity.
A severe hypersensitivity reaction has been documented with combination
use with allopurinol. Captopril must be given one hour before, or
four hours after, antacids because of the risk of decreased absorption
from the gastrointestinal tract.
METRONIDAZOLE
Metronidazole is an antimicrobial agent commonly used to treat
susceptible anaerobic and protozoal infections, including intra-abdominal,
skin, gynecologic, bone, joint, CNS, and lower respiratory tract
infections, as well as septicemia and endocarditis. Important clinical
uses include treatment of trichomoniasis, giardiasis, bacterial
vaginosis, and extraintestinal amoebic disease. Its bactericidal
action results from the formation of toxic metabolites in the bacterial
cell. It penetrates most tissues, including abscesses and the CNS,
and is eliminated by hepatic metabolism.
Alcohol must be avoided during and for three days after metronidazole
use because abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, headache, and flushing
may occur. Common adverse effects include seizures, peripheral neuropathy,
gastrointestinal upset, anorexia, constipation, headache, metallic
taste, dysuria, cystitis, and candidal overgrowth.
Caution needs to be exercised when treating patients with HIV infection
who are undergoing treatment with antiviral medications. There is
an increased risk of peripheral neuropathy when metronidazole is
used with didanosine, stavudine, or zalcitabine, and concomitant
use with ritonavir may cause an alcohol-disulfiram-like reaction.
Treating post-transplant patients with metronidazole also requires
caution because levels of both cyclosporine and tacrolimus, which
are commonly used with these patients, may rise, introducing the
risk of neurotoxicity. Phenytoin levels must also be closely monitored
to avoid toxicity. An increased risk of bleeding may occur when
metronidazole is used in combination with warfarin, and therefore
INRs must be monitored regularly. As with most antibiotics, metronidazole
impairs the efficacy of oral contraceptives. Other forms of birth
control should be advised.
LOOP DIURETICS
Furosemide is a very useful agent for immediate reduction of the
pulmonary congestion and severe edema associated with congestive
heart failure. It is also used to treat hypertension, edematous
states secondary to liver failure, and severe hypercalcemia. It
acts by inhibiting potassium, the co-transporter of sodium, and
chloride at the loop of Henle in the kidney. A full dose may produce
a massive sodium chloride diuresis and may significantly reduce
blood volume. A loss of the luminal-positive potential reduces the
reabsorption of divalent cations, thereby increasing calcium excretion.
A large concentration of sodium at the level of the collecting tubule
results in significant potassium wasting with the potential for
hypokalemic alkalosis. Furosemide has also been shown to have a
potent pulmonary vasodilating effect.
Loop diuretics are relatively short-acting and usually cause diuresis
over the four hours following a dose. These drugs should be used
very cautiously in the elderly, in pregnant or breastfeeding women,
and in any patient with renal or hepatic dysfunction, diabetes,
gout, or lupus. Adverse reactions include excessive diuresis, fluid
or electrolyte imbalance, ototoxicity, gastrointestinal upset, dizziness,
vertigo, paresthesias, orthostatic hypotension, hyperglycemia, jaundice,
hyperuricemia, rash, photosensitivity, tinnitus, hearing loss, and
blood dyscrasias.
There is an increased risk of hypokalemia and electrolyte abnormalities
when loop diuretics are used in combination with amphotericin and
digoxin. Caution must also be taken when treating asthmatic and
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients with beta blockers
and corticosteroids; the interaction with loop diuretics may potentiate
the risk of hypokalemia. Hypotension has also been observed in patients
being treated concomitantly with ACE inhibitors, angiotensin II
receptor blockers, and thiazide diuretics. Hyperglycemia may occur
in diabetic patients being treated with glyburide/metformin, insulin,
or sulfonylureas, because furosemide and other loop diuretics decrease
the efficacy of these drugs. Also, nephrotoxicity has been found
to occur more frequently when furosemide is used in conjunction
with NSAIDs and COX-2 inhibitors. Lastly, a decrease in renal excretion
may cause lithium levels to rise.
PHENOTHIAZINES
Phenothiazines, such as promethazine, are commonly used to treat
acute episodes of nausea and vomiting. They act as a histamine H1
antagonist and have a sedative and antimotion sickness effect on
the CNS.
These agents must be used with caution in elders, pregnant or breastfeeding
women, and patients being treated for glaucoma, gastrointestinal
or urinary tract obstruction, cardiovascular or liver disease, epilepsy,
peptic ulcer disease, or bone marrow depression. Phenothiazines
have also been shown to alter serum pregnancy test results. Adverse
reactions include drowsiness, decreased seizure threshold, cholestatic
jaundice, photosensitivity, hypotension or hypertension, rash, and
blood dyscrasias. Anticholinergic and extrapyramidal side effects
may be particularly troublesome, and in rare cases they may be irreversible.
Phenothiazines are associated with an increased risk of arrhythmias
secondary to a prolongation of the QT interval when used with class
IA or III antiarrhythmics, such as astemizole, cisapride, and pimozide,
or with quinolones. Patients with prolonged QT syndrome may be at
particularly high risk. An increase in CNS depression may be seen
when phenothiazines are used in combination with antihistamines,
barbiturates, benzodiazepines, muscle relaxants, opiates, sedative/hypnotics,
or tricyclic antidepressants.
There is a higher risk of extrapyramidal symptoms when phenothiazines
are used with lithium, monamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors, and metoclopramide.
Insulin requirements in diabetic patients may increase. Dopamine
may also have to be given at higher doses to produce the desired
therapeutic effect. A higher incidence of adverse effects has been
noted with concomitant use of anticholinergics. As is typical with
antacids, promethazine must be given one hour prior to a phenothiazine
to avoid decreased absorption.
CARBAMAZEPINE
Carbamazepine is used to treat generalized tonic-clonic, partial
and mixed seizures, mania in bipolar disorder, and trigeminal neuralgia.
It induces the formation of liver enzymes that increase its metabolism
as well as the clearance rates of many other anticonvulsants. Its
mechanism of action is the blocking of sodium channels in neuronal
membranes.
This drug is contraindicated in patients with a history of bone
marrow depression or sensitivity to tricyclic antidepressants and
during or within 14 days of initiation of therapy with MAO inhibitors.
Adverse reactions include aplastic anemia, bone marrow depression,
diplopia, ataxia, rash, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, photosensitivity,
heart failure, edema, hypotension or hypertension, and arrhythmias.
Drowsiness, dizziness, nausea, liver and urinary disorders, dyspnea,
lens opacities, arthralgias, and fever have also been reported.
As with phenytoin, most of carbamazepine's potential drug interactions
are mediated by hepatic metabolism (see table below). There is a
greater risk of toxicity when the drug is used with azole antifungals,
calcium channel blockers, cimetidine, erythromycin, and valproic
acid. A greater risk of breakthrough seizures has been reported
when carbamazepine is given with phenytoin or acetaminophen. Acetaminophen
must also be limited to less than two grams daily because it causes
increased toxic metabolite formation, raising the risk of hepatic
damage. An increase in CNS depression may occur with benzodiazepines.
The effectiveness of cyclosporine, olanzapine, protease inhibitors,
quinidine, and theophylline decreases, secondary to an induction
of hepatic metabolism, when they are used with carbamazepine.
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Drugs That
Interact With
Carbamazepine via Hepatic Metabolism
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Increased HM
acetaminophen
cyclosporine
delavirdine
methadone
modafinil
oral contraceptives
phenytoin
protease inhibitors
quinidine
tacrolimus
theophylline
warfarin
zonisamide
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Decreased HM
azole antifungals
calcium channel blockers
cimetidine
clarithromycins
erythromycins
dalfopristin
quinupristin
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HM = hepatic metabolism |
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Monamine oxidase inhibitors are strictly contraindicated; their
use may result in CNS overstimulation, hyperpyrexia, seizures, and
even death. Concomitant lithium may result in neurotoxic adverse
effects, even at therapeutic levels. Patients taking methadone may
experience opiate withdrawal. Alternative forms of birth control
should be recommended to women taking oral contraceptives. In patients
being treated with vasopressin, use of carbamazepine potentiates
an antidiuretic response. Warfarin may have to be given at higher
doses to maintain its anticoagulant efficacy.
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ROFECOXIB
Rofecoxib is a part of the NSAID group of drugs that has anti-inflammatory,
analgesic, and antipyretic activity. It accomplishes this by inhibiting
prostaglandin synthesis selectively through the inhibition of COX-2.
At therapeutic levels it does not inhibit COX-1. Of the two COX
isoforms, COX-1 is found in most tissues and protects the gastric
mucosa, while COX-2 is mainly induced at sites of inflammation.
Rofecoxib is indicated for the treatment of joint pain secondary
to arthritis, postoperative dental pain, pain after orthopedic surgery,
and primary dysmenorrhea. Its metabolism is primarily through reduction
by cytosolic enzymes; the cytochrome P450 system plays only a minor
role. The drug is eliminated predominantly by hepatic metabolism
and excreted in the urine, with a therapeutic half-life of about
17 hours.
Rofecoxib is not recommended for patients with severe renal insufficiency
because there is no safety information available, but studies have
shown the elimination profile does not change in patients who undergo
dialysis 48 hours after receiving the drug. It has not been studied
in patients under age 18 and is therefore not recommended in pediatric
patients. It also should be avoided in late pregnancy because it
may cause premature closure of the ductus arteriosus and is therefore
a pregnancy category C drug. It crosses both the placenta and the
blood-brain barrier.
Serious complications such as bleeding, ulceration, and perforation
of the gastrointestinal tract have been documented to occur at any
time with or without warning symptoms. One study of patients who
underwent endoscopy revealed that rofecoxib at 25 to 50 mg daily
was associated with a lower percentage of gastrointestinal ulcers
compared to ibuprofen at 2400 mg daily. However, there was some
increase in ulceration compared to placebo. A history of peptic
ulcer disease puts patients at a higher risk for complications with
rofecoxib. In addition, other concomitant therapies and comorbidities
may also increase the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding; these include
treatment with corticosteroids or anticoagulants and smoking, alcoholism,
old age, and poor overall health status.
Adverse effects include fatigue, dizziness, lower extremity edema,
dyspepsia, epigastric pain, nausea, and bronchitis. Most of these
occur less frequently than with ibuprofen. Anemia sometimes occurs,
but rofecoxib does not affect platelet count, bleeding time, PT
or partial thromboplastin time (PTT), nor does it inhibit platelet
aggregation.
Drug interactions with rofecoxib are similar to those that may
occur with other NSAIDs. It has been shown to diminish the antihypertensive
effects of ACE inhibitors, and it can reduce the natriuretic effect
of both furosemide and thiazides in some patients due to inhibition
of renal prostaglandin synthesis. Lithium and methotrexate levels
would need to be closely monitored because there is a decrease in
their renal clearanceand therefore an increase in their concentrationswhen
used with rofecoxib. Rifampin, a potent inducer of hepatic metabolism,
produces a 50% decrease in rofecoxib concentrations; therefore,
rofecoxib's starting dose should be higher than normal (or more
than 25 mg/day).
Anticoagulant activity needs to be closely monitored with concomitant
rofecoxib since patients will be at increased risk for bleeding
complications. Prothrombin time has been shown to increase by 8%
to 11% when warfarin and rofecoxib interact. There is also an increased
risk of gastrointestinal ulcerations and other bleeding complications
when rofecoxib is used with aspirin. It should also be noted that
rofecoxib is not a substitute for aspirin for cardiovascular prophylaxis.
SILDENAFIL
Sildenafil has been approved for the treatment of erectile dysfunction.
Its mechanism of action involves a release of nitric oxide in the
corpus cavernosum during sexual stimulation. Nitric oxide causes
an increase in cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), which produces
smooth muscle relaxation and the inflow of blood. Sildenafil does
not directly cause relaxation but inhibits the degradation of cGMP
by inhibiting phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5). It has no effect
in the absence of sexual stimulation. Phosphodiesterase type 5 is
also found in platelets, vascular and visceral smooth muscle, and
skeletal muscle. By inhibiting PDE5, sildenafil decreases platelet
aggregation and thrombus formation and enhances peripheral arterial-venous
dilation.
Sildenafil is 4,000 times more selective for PDE5 than PDE3, which
is related to control of cardiac contractility. It is 10 times more
selective for PDE5 than PDE6, which is an enzyme in the retina that
is related to an abnormality in color vision as a side effect.
Sildenafil is eliminated primarily by hepatic metabolism (via cytochrome
P450) and is converted to an active metabolite, which is excreted
primarily (80%) in feces and to a lesser degree (13%) in urine.
Its terminal half-life is about four hours; it reaches its maximum
concentration in 30 to 120 minutes. There is decreased clearance
in the elderly, with a 40% greater concentration in men older than
65 to ages 18 to 45. There is no change in clearance in patients
with mild to moderate renal insufficiency, but there is a 50% decrease
in clearance in patients with severe renal impairment. There is
also a significant decrease in clearance in patients who have hepatic
cirrhosis.
Adverse reactions include headache, flushing, dyspepsia, nasal
congestion, abnormal vision, diarrhea, dizziness, and rash. A transient
dose-related impairment of color discrimination has been observed,
without an effect on visual acuity, intraocular pressure, or papilledema.
Priapism, or a prolonged erection of more than four hours, has been
reported infrequently. However, the drug should be used with caution
in patients with sickle cell anemia, multiple myeloma, and leukemia.
A decrease in supine blood pressure of 5.5 to 8.4 mm Hg has been
observed one to two hours after taking sildenafil.
Serious cardiovascular events, including myocardial infarction
(MI), sudden cardiac death, ventricular arrhythmias, cerebrovascular
hemorrhage, and transient ischemic attacks, have all been reported
in patients who have taken sildenafil. It is not possible, however,
to determine whether these events are related to the drug itself
or to other factors, such as sexual activity, underlying cardiovascular
disease, or other comorbid conditions. The safety of this drug is
uncertain in patients who have had an MI, stroke, or life-threatening
arrhythmia within the previous six months, and in patients with
resting hypotension (90/50 mm Hg or lower) or hypertension (170/110
mm Hg or higher), congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease
with unstable angina, or retinitis pigmentosa.
The most serious drug interactions with sildenafil involve the
risk of these cardiovascular events. The drug is strictly contraindicated
with the use of nitrates because of the risk of severe hypotension,
which may lead to cardiovascular collapse. It is unknown when nitrates,
if necessary, may be safely administered after a patient has taken
sildenafil. Studies have shown that normal healthy individuals'
plasma levels fall from 440 ng/ml at sildenafil's peak to 2 ng/ml
at 24 hours. Patients older than 65, those with severe renal or
hepatic impairment, and those who use cytochrome P450 inhibitors
have a 24-hour plasma level three to eight times higher than normal
controls. Even though their plasma levels would be much lower after
24 hours, it is still not clear whether it is safe to treat them
with nitrates.
When sildenafil has been given with amlodipine, there have been
documented drops in blood pressure (approximately 8 mm Hg). Sildenafil
potentiates the antiaggregatory effect of sodium nitroprusside.
There is no effect on bleeding time when it is given with aspirin,
but there is an additive effect with concomitant heparin. Loop and
potassium-sparing diuretics have been found to increase the active
metabolite of sildenafil by 62%, and beta blockers increase it by
102%, although these increases seems to be of little clinical consequence.
Since cytochrome P450 enzymes metabolize sildenafil, other drugs
that influence the activity of these enzymes will affect the sildenafil
concentrations. Cimetidine has been shown to increase sildenafil
concentrations by 56%, while erythromycin will increase it by 182%.
Protease inhibitors such as saquinavir and ritonavir, taken by HIV-positive
patients, will also increase concentration (by 140% and 300%, respectively).
Rifampin, a cytochrome P450 inducer, will decrease sildenafil concentrations.
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Suggested Reading
Beta-blockers for heart failure. Med Lett Drugs Ther 42(1081):54,
2000.
Cardiovascular safety of COX-2 inhibitors. Med Lett Drugs
Ther 43(1118):99, 2001.
Drug Interactions. Med Lett Drugs Ther 41(1056):61, 1999.
Drugs for chronic heart failure. Med Lett Drugs Ther 41(1045):12,
1999.
Drugs for hypertension. Med Lett Drugs Ther 41(1048):23,
1999.
Drugs for pain. Med Lett Drugs Ther 42(1085):73, 2000.
Drugs for rheumatoid arthritis. Med Lett Drugs Ther 42(1082):57,
2000.
Emergency Medicine: A Comprehensive Study Guide, 4th
ed, McGraw-Hill Companies, 1985, pp. 210, 356, 566, 695, 724,
792, 799, 803, 807, 976.
ePocrates Rx, Clinical drug database, version 4.0. Available
at: www.epocrates.com.
Accessed March 19, 2003.
Physician's Desk Reference 2000, 54th ed, Medical
Economics Company, 1999, pp. 1574, 2622, 1016, 1378, 2624,
2281, 1404, 1986, 2284, 3553, 3234, 2404, 2213, 2732.
Rofecoxib for osteoarthritis and pain. Med Lett Drugs Ther
41(1056):59, 1999.
Sildenafil: an oral drug for impotence. Med Lett Drugs Ther
40(1026):51, 1998.
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