Cyclosporine interaction with other drugs

Drug Interactions Since sirolimus is a substrate for CYP3A4 and is transported by P-glycoprotein, close attention to interactions with other drugs that are metaboUzed or transported by these proteins is required. As noted above, cyclosporine and sirolimus interact, and their administration should be separated by time. Dose adjustment may be required when sirolimus is coadministered with diltiazem or rifampin. 

The potential for drug interactions, particularly with other drugs that are actively secreted by the proximal tubules, should be considered. Probenecid has been shown to inhibit the renal clearance of acyclovir. Cyclosporine and other nephrotoxic agents may increase the risk of renal toxicity of acyclovir. 

Kronbach T, Fischer V, Meyer UA. Cyclosporine metabolism in human liver identification of a cytochrome P450III gene family as the major cyclosporine metabolizing enzyme explains interactions of cyclosporine with other drugs. Clin Pharmacol Ther 1988 43 630-635. 

The glucan synthase inhibitor caspofungin (intravenous formulation) is new on the market for the treatment of invasive aspergillosis in patients whose disease is refractory to, or who are intolerant of, other therapies. During the clinical trials fever, infused vein complications, nausea, vomiting and in combination with cyclosporin mild transient hepatic side effects were observed. Interaction with tacrolismius and with potential inducer or mixed inducer/inhibitors of drug clearance was also seen. 

Although many patients believe that dietary supplements will not interact with medications, recent literature suggests otherwise. Recently, many St. John s wort-drug interactions have been reported in the literature. Cases of patients developing symptoms of serotonin syndrome have been reported with St. John s wort alone and in concomitant therapy with other antidepressants such as monoamine oxidase inhibitors, serotonin reuptake inhibitors, and venlafaxine. St. John s wort may exacerbate the sedative effects of benzodiazepines, alcohol, narcotics, and other sedatives. St. John s wort may decrease the levels of protease inhibitors, cyclosporine, digoxin, and theophylline. 

Pharmacokinetic interactions Preliminary evidence suggests that Saint-John s-wort induces the cytochrome oxidase enzyme isoform CYP3A4 (Ernst 1999). This raises the potential for pharmacokinetic interactions with drugs metabolized by the same enzyme. A few cases have been reported of reduced warfarin levels (Yue et al. 2000). Similar interactions have also been reported for concurrent use with digoxin, theophylline, and cyclosporin (Nebel et al. 1999 Ruschitzka et al. 2000 Johne et al. 1999). As with any other medication, potential interactions should be considered when taking a combination of drugs. 

Cyclosporine has significant nephrotoxicity, and its toxicity can be increased by drug interactions with diltiazem, potassium-sparing diuretics, and other drugs inhibiting CYP3A. Serum creatinine should be closely monitored. Other toxicities include hypertension, hyperkalemia, hepatotoxicity, gingival hyperplasia, and hirsutism. 

Inhibitors of OATP transport are typically ster-ically bulky compounds, including anions, cations, and neutral compounds (95). Various medications have been shown to interact with OATPs, including HMG CoA reductase inhibitors, cyclosporine, quinidine, rifampin, ketoconazole, verapamil, and certain protease inhibitors. Cyclosporine and rifampin have relatively high ratios of plasma concentration to Ki, suggesting the potential for clinically significant drug-drug interactions via modulation of OATP. On the other hand, plasma concentrations of pravastatin are... 

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