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Drug Interactions between clozapine and leflunomide

This report displays the potential drug interactions for the following 2 drugs:

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Interactions between your drugs

Major

cloZAPine leflunomide

Applies to: clozapine and leflunomide

MONITOR CLOSELY: Coadministration of clozapine with other agents that can cause granulocytopenia, neutropenia, or agranulocytosis (severe neutropenia) may increase the risk and/or severity of hematologic toxicity. Clozapine alone is associated with a significant risk of severe neutropenia, defined as an absolute neutrophil count (ANC) of less than 500/µL (0.5 x 10^9/L), and its development appears independent of dose and treatment duration. The exact mechanism by which clozapine leads to neutropenia is unknown; however, several test systems using animal bone marrow cells suggest that clozapine has a suppressant effect on cell division. Some authorities estimate the incidence of neutropenia and severe neutropenia from clozapine therapy at 3% and 0.7%, respectively, with more severe cases occurring during the first 18 to 26 weeks of treatment. Fatal cases of clozapine-induced neutropenia have been rarely reported, and the majority of these cases occurred prior to the recognition of the risk of clozapine-induced neutropenia and the need for routine blood monitoring during clozapine therapy.

MANAGEMENT: If clozapine is used concurrently with an agent known to cause neutropenia (e.g., antineoplastic drugs, some anticonvulsant and antirheumatic medications, albendazole, chloramphenicol, colchicine, dapsone, interferons, linezolid, pentamidine, procainamide, and zidovudine), consider monitoring patients more closely than the standard guidelines suggested in the product labeling. If a patient is receiving concomitant chemotherapy, the treating oncologist should be consulted. Some authorities consider this combination to be contraindicated.

References (5)
  1. (2001) "Product Information. Clozaril (clozapine)." Novartis Pharmaceuticals
  2. (2023) "Product Information. CloZAPine (cloZAPine)." Aurobindo Pharma USA Inc
  3. (2023) "Product Information. AA-Clozapine (clozapine)." AA Pharma Inc
  4. (2022) "Product Information. Denzapine (clozapine)." Britannia Pharmaceuticals Ltd
  5. (2022) "Product Information. Clozapine (AKM) (clozapine)." Pharmacor Pty Ltd, 03

Drug and food interactions

Moderate

cloZAPine food

Applies to: clozapine

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.

References (4)
  1. Warrington SJ, Ankier SI, Turner P (1986) "Evaluation of possible interactions between ethanol and trazodone or amitriptyline." Neuropsychobiology, 15, p. 31-7
  2. Gilman AG, eds., Nies AS, Rall TW, Taylor P (1990) "Goodman and Gilman's the Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics." New York, NY: Pergamon Press Inc.
  3. (2012) "Product Information. Fycompa (perampanel)." Eisai Inc
  4. (2015) "Product Information. Rexulti (brexpiprazole)." Otsuka American Pharmaceuticals Inc
Moderate

leflunomide food

Applies to: leflunomide

GENERALLY AVOID: The consumption of alcohol during therapy with leflunomide may potentiate the risk of liver injury. Leflunomide has been associated with hepatotoxicity, including elevated liver transaminases, hepatitis, jaundice/cholestasis, hepatic failure, and acute hepatic necrosis,

MANAGEMENT: Patients should be advised to avoid excessive alcohol use during leflunomide treatment.

References (3)
  1. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics."
  2. Canadian Pharmacists Association (2006) e-CPS. http://www.pharmacists.ca/function/Subscriptions/ecps.cfm?link=eCPS_quikLink
  3. Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information."
Moderate

cloZAPine food

Applies to: clozapine

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.

References (4)
  1. (2024) "Product Information. Cytisine (cytisinicline)." Consilient Health Ltd
  2. jeong sh, Newcombe D, sheridan j, Tingle M (2015) "Pharmacokinetics of cytisine, an a4 b2 nicotinic receptor partial agonist, in healthy smokers following a single dose." Drug Test Anal, 7, p. 475-82
  3. Vaughan DP, Beckett AH, Robbie DS (1976) "The influence of smoking on the intersubject variation in pentazocine elimination." Br J Clin Pharmacol, 3, p. 279-83
  4. Zevin S, Benowitz NL (1999) "Drug interactions with tobacco smoking: an update" Clin Pharmacokinet, 36, p. 425-38
Minor

cloZAPine food

Applies to: clozapine

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.

References (4)
  1. Carrillo JA, Jerling M, Bertilsson L (1995) "Interaction between caffeine and clozapine - comment." J Clin Psychopharmacol, 15, p. 376-7
  2. Odom-White A, de Leon J (1996) "Clozapine levels and caffeine." J Clin Psychiatry, 57, p. 175-6
  3. Vainer JL, Chouinard G (1994) "Interaction between caffeine and clozapine." J Clin Psychopharmacol, 14, p. 284
  4. Hagg S, Spiset O, Mjorndal T, Dalqvist R (2000) "Effect of caffeine on clozapine pharmacokinetics in healthy volunteers." Br J Clin Pharmacol, 49, p. 59-63

Therapeutic duplication warnings

No warnings were found for your selected drugs.

Therapeutic duplication warnings are only returned when drugs within the same group exceed the recommended therapeutic duplication maximum.

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Drug Interaction Classification

These classifications are only a guideline. The relevance of a particular drug interaction to a specific individual is difficult to determine. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting or stopping any medication.
Major Highly clinically significant. Avoid combinations; the risk of the interaction outweighs the benefit.
Moderate Moderately clinically significant. Usually avoid combinations; use it only under special circumstances.
Minor Minimally clinically significant. Minimize risk; assess risk and consider an alternative drug, take steps to circumvent the interaction risk and/or institute a monitoring plan.
Unknown No interaction information available.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

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