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Drug Interactions between donepezil and vamorolone

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

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Interactions between your drugs

Moderate

donepezil vamorolone

Applies to: donepezil and vamorolone

MONITOR: Concomitant use of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and corticosteroids or adrenocorticotropic agents may result in severe muscle weakness in patients with myasthenia gravis. The mechanism of the interaction is unknown. It has been suggested that corticosteroids at high doses have a direct effect on neuromuscular transmission. Marked deterioration in muscle strength has been reported in patients with myasthenia gravis shortly after the initiation of corticosteroid therapy, particularly when high dosages were used. The use of cortisone appears to be associated with the highest rate of myasthenia gravis exacerbation, with an intermediate rate for prednisone and the lowest rate for methylprednisolone. In most cases, the decline in muscular function was relatively refractory to acetylcholinesterase inhibitors. However, clinical improvement generally occurs during prolonged corticosteroid therapy when administered properly.

MANAGEMENT: Caution and monitoring for muscle weakness is recommended with the use of corticosteroids or adrenocorticotropic agents in combination with acetylcholinesterase inhibitors in the treatment of patients with myasthenia gravis. Prednisone or prednisolone are often considered part of the standard treatment for this condition. Recommendations in the medical literature have advised that corticosteroid therapy should be instituted at relatively low dosages and in a controlled setting in patients with myasthenia gravis. Respiratory support should be available, and the dosage should be increased stepwise as tolerated. Dose reductions of the acetylcholinesterase inhibitor may be required as symptoms improve, which often may be delayed and gradual. However, according to some manufacturers of the corticosteroids dexamethasone and triamcinolone, anticholinesterase agents should be discontinued at least 24 hours before initiating corticosteroid therapy in patients with myasthenia gravis. Other management recommendations in the medical literature suggest avoiding the use of corticosteroids at high doses; however, if high doses are required, consider pre-treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin or plasmapheresis. Local protocols and/or the manufacturer's product labeling should be consulted for specific guidance.

References (10)
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  2. Brunner NG, Namba T, Grob D (1972) "Corticosteroids in management of severe, generalized myasthenia gravis." Neurology, 22, p. 603-10
  3. Millikan CH, Eaton LM (1951) "Clinical evaluation of ACTH and cortisone in myasthenia gravis." Neurology, 1, p. 145-52
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  8. Barrons RW (2012) "Drug-Induced Neuromuscular Blockade and Myasthenia Gravis" Am Coll Clin Pharm, 17, p. 1220-1232
  9. Sheikh S, Alvi U, Soliven B, Rezania K (2021) "Drugs That Induce or Cause Deterioration of Myasthenia Gravis: An Update" J Cli Medi, 10, p. 1537
  10. (2024) "Product Information. Zunveyl (benzgalantamine)." Alpha Cognition, Inc., SUPPL-1

Drug and food interactions

Moderate

vamorolone food

Applies to: vamorolone

GENERALLY AVOID: Grapefruit juice may increase the plasma concentrations of vamorolone. The proposed mechanism is inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated metabolism in the gut wall by certain compounds present in grapefruit. The metabolism of vamorolone is mediated by the isoenzymes CYP450 3A4/5, and CYP450 2C8, and uridine diphosphate glucuronosyltransferases (UGT) 1A3, 2B7, and 2B17. In general, the effect of grapefruit juice is concentration-, dose-, and preparation-dependent, and can vary widely among brands. Certain preparations of grapefruit juice (e.g., high dose, double strength) have sometimes demonstrated potent inhibition of CYP450 3A4, while other preparations (e.g., low dose, single strength) have typically demonstrated moderate inhibition. Increased systemic exposure to vamorolone may increase the risk of corticosteroid adverse effects such as hypercorticism, hyperglycemia, adrenal suppression, immunosuppression, hypertension, salt and water retention, electrolyte abnormalities, behavioral and mood disturbances, posterior subcapsular cataracts, glaucoma, bone loss, and growth retardation in children and adolescents.

MANAGEMENT: Until further information is available, it may be advisable for patients to avoid the consumption of large amounts of grapefruit and grapefruit juice during vamorolone therapy unless otherwise directed by their doctor, as the interaction is unreliable and subject to a high degree of interpatient variation. If coadministration is considered necessary, patients should be closely monitored for signs and symptoms of corticosteroid adverse effects. Patients should also be monitored for signs and symptoms of hypercorticism such as acne, striae, thinning of the skin, easy bruising, moon facies, dorsocervical "buffalo" hump, truncal obesity, increased appetite, acute weight gain, edema, hypertension, hirsutism, hyperhidrosis, proximal muscle wasting and weakness, glucose intolerance, exacerbation of preexisting diabetes, and depression. Signs and symptoms of adrenal insufficiency include anorexia, hypoglycemia, nausea, vomiting, weight loss, muscle wasting, fatigue, weakness, dizziness, postural hypotension, depression, and adrenal crisis manifested as an inability to respond to stress (e.g., illness, infection, surgery, trauma). Consultation with product labeling for specific recommendations is advisable.

References (30)
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  2. Yamashita SK, Ludwig EA, Middleton E Jr, Jusko WJ (1991) "Lack of pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interactions between ketoconazole and prednisolone." Clin Pharmacol Ther, 49, p. 558-70
  3. Ulrich B, Frey FJ, Speck RF, Frey BM (1992) "Pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics of ketoconazole-prednisolone interaction." J Pharmacol Exp Ther, 260, p. 487-90
  4. Kandrotas RJ, Slaughter RL, Brass C, Jusko WJ (1987) "Ketoconazole effects on methylprednisolone disposition and their joint suppression of endogenous cortisol." Clin Pharmacol Ther, 42, p. 465-70
  5. Glynn AM, Slaughter RL, Brass C, et al. (1986) "Effects of ketoconazole on methylprednisolone pharmacokinetics and cortisol secretion." Clin Pharmacol Ther, 39, p. 654-9
  6. Itkin IH, Menzel ML (1970) "The use of macrolide antibiotic substances in the treatment of asthma." J Allergy Clin Immunol, 45, p. 146-62
  7. LaForce CF, Szefler SJ, Miller MF, Ebling W, Brenner M (1983) "Inhibition of methylprednisolone elimination in the presence of erythromycin therapy." J Allergy Clin Immunol, 72, p. 34-9
  8. Finkenbine RD, Frye MD (1998) "Case of psychosis due to prednisone-clarithromycin interaction." Gen Hosp Psychiat, 20, p. 325-6
  9. Varis T, Kaukonen KM, Kivisto KT, Neuvonen PJ (1998) "Plasma concentrations and effects of oral methylprednisolone are considerably increased by itraconazole." Clin Pharmacol Ther, 64, p. 363-8
  10. Hillebrand-Haverkort ME, Prummel MF, ten Veen JH (1999) "Ritonavir-induced Cushing's syndrome in a patient treated with nasal fluticasone." AIDS, 13, p. 1803
  11. Varis T, Kivisto KT, Neuvonen PJ (2000) "The effect of itraconazole on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of oral prednisolone." Eur J Clin Pharmacol, 56, p. 57-60
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  13. Garey KW, Rubinstein I, Gotfried MH, Khan IJ, Varma S, Danziger LH (2000) "Long-term clarithromycin decreases prednisone requirements in elderly patients with prednisone-dependent asthma." Chest, 118, p. 1826-7
  14. Lebrun-Vignes B, Archer VC, Diquest B, et al. (2001) "Effect of itraconazole on the pharmacokinetics of prednisolone and methylprednisolone and cortisol secretion in healthy subjects." Br J Clin Pharmacol, 51, p. 443-50
  15. Couturier J, Steele M, Hussey L, Pawliuk G (2001) "Steroid-induced mania in an adolescent: risk factors and management." Can J Clin Pharmacol, 8, p. 109-12
  16. Gupta SK, Dube MP (2002) "Exogenous Cushing syndrome mimicking human immunodeficiency virus lipodystrophy." Clin Infect Dis, 35, E69-71
  17. Raaska K, Niemi M, Neuvonen M, Neuvonen PJ, Kivisto KT (2002) "Plasma concentrations of inhaled budesonide and its effects on plasma cortisol are increased by the cytochrome P4503A4 inhibitor itraconazole." Clin Pharmacol Ther, 72, p. 362-369
  18. Main KM, Skov M, Sillesen IB, et al. (2002) "Cushing's syndrome due to pharmacological interaction in a cystic fibrosis patient." Acta Paediatr, 91, p. 1008-11
  19. Skov M, Main KM, Sillesen IB, Muller J, Koch C, Lanng S (2002) "Iatrogenic adrenal insufficiency as a side-effect of combined treatment of itraconazole and budesonide." Eur Respir J, 20, p. 127-33
  20. Kotlyar M, Brewer ER, Golding M, Carson SW (2003) "Nefazodone inhibits methylprednisolone disposition and enhances its adrenal-suppressant effect." J Clin Psychopharmacol, 23, p. 652-6
  21. Bolland MJ, Bagg W, Thomas MG, Lucas JA, Ticehurst R, Black PN (2004) "Cushing's syndrome due to interaction between inhaled corticosteroids and itraconazole." Ann Pharmacother, 38, p. 46-9
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  24. Soldatos G, Sztal-Mazer S, Woolley I, Stockigt J (2005) "Exogenous glucocorticoid excess as a result of ritonavir-fluticasone interaction." Intern Med J, 35, p. 67-8
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  30. (2023) "Product Information. Agamree (vamorolone)." Santhera Pharmaceuticals (US)

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.

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