Phenytoin Corticosteroids

The following drugp have a decreased pharmacologic effect when administered with an antacid corticosteroids, digoxin, chlorpromazine, oral iron products, isoniazid, phenothiazines, ranitidine, phenytoin, valproic acid, and the tetracyclines. 

Opioids, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, corticosteroids, dopamine agonists (e.g., amantadine, bromocriptine, levodopa, pergolide, pramipexole, ropinirole), H2-receptor antagonists, anticholinergics (e.g., diphenhydramine, trihexylphenidyl), P-adrenergic blockers, clonidine, methyldopa, carbamazepine, phenytoin, baclofen, cyclobenzaprine, lithium, antidepressants (e.g., tricyclic antidepressants, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors), and interleukin-2... 

Causes of hypocalcemia include hypoparathyroidism, hypomagnesemia, alcoholism, hyperphosphatemia, blood product infusion (due to chelation by the citrate buffers), chronic renal failure, vitamin D deficiency, acute pancreatitis, alkalosis, and hypoalbuminemia. Medications that cause hypocalcemia include phosphate replacement products, loop diuretics, phenytoin (Dilantin, available as generic), pheno-barbital (available as generic), corticosteroids, aminoglycoside antibiotics, and acetazolamide (available as generic).34,39,42... 

One chronic adverse effect that is of concern is osteoporosis.32,33 Carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital, oxcarbazepine, and valproate have all been shown to decrease bone mineral density, even after only 6 months of treatment. Data on the relationship between other AEDs and osteoporosis are not currently available. Multiple studies have shown the risk of osteoporosis due to chronic AED use to be similar to the risk with chronic use of corticosteroids. Patients taking carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital, or valproate for longer than 6 months should take supplemental calcium and vitamin D. Additionally routine monitoring for osteoporosis should be performed every 2 years, and patients should be instructed on ways to protect themselves from fractures. 

Evaluate the patient for drug interactions, allergies, and adverse effects with phenytoin or corticosteroid therapy. 

In cases of lead encephalopathy with cerebral edema, edema can be treated with mannitol, corticosteroids, and hypothermia. Convulsions can be treated with diazepam, phenytoin, and/or phenobarbital (Garrettson 1990). 

Drug-induced osteoporosis may result from systemic corticosteroids (prednisone doses greater than 7.5 mg/day), thyroid hormone replacement, some antiepileptic drugs (e.g., phenytoin, phenobarbital), depot medroxyprogesterone acetate, and other agents. 

Drugs that may affect repaglinide include CYP 450 inhibitors (eg, clarithromycin, erythromycin, ketoconazole, miconazole), CYP 450 inducers (eg, barbiturates, carbamazepine, rifampin), beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, chloramphenicol, corticosteroids, coumarins, estrogens, gemfibrozil, isoniazid, itraconazole, levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol, MAOIs, nicotinic acid, NSAIDs, oral contraceptives, phenothiazines, phenytoin, probenecid, salicylates, simvastatin, sulfonamides, sympathomimetics, thiazides and other diuretics, and thyroid products. 

Certain drugs tend to produce hyperglycemia and may lead to loss of blood glucose control. These drugs include the thiazides and other diuretics, corticosteroids, phenothiazines, thyroid products, estrogens, oral contraceptives, phenytoin, nicotinic acid, sympathomimetics, calcium channel blocking drugs, and isoniazid. 

Drugs that may affect fluconazole include cimetidine, hydrochlorothiazide, and rifampin. Drugs that may be affected by fluconazole include alfentanil, benzodiazepines, buspirone, carbamazepine, cisapride, oral contraceptives, corticosteroids, cyclosporine, haloperidol, HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, losartan, nisoldipine, phenytoin, protease inhibitors, rifabutin, sirolimus, sulfonylureas, tacrolimus, theophylline, tolterodine, tricyclic antidepressants, vinca alkaloids, warfarin, zidovudine, and zolpidem. 

Drugs that might decrease plasma concentrations of lopinavir/ritonavir include rifampin, phenobarbital, carbamazepine, phenytoin, azole antifungals, delavirdine, rifabutin, St. John s wort, efavirenz, nevirapine, and corticosteroids. 

Drugs that may affect cyclosporine include allopurinol, amiodarone, androgens (eg, danazol, methyltestosterone), anticonvulsants (eg, carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin), azole antifungals (eg, fluconazole, ketoconazole), beta-blockers, bosentan, bromocriptine, calcium channel blockers, colchicine, oral contraceptives, corticosteroids, fluoroquinolones (eg, ciprofloxacin), foscarnet, HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, imipenem-cilastatin, macrolide antibiotics, methotrexate, metoclopramide, nafcillin, nefazodone, orlistat, potassium-sparing diuretics, probucol, rifamycins (rifampin, rifabutin), serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs eg, fluoxetine, sertraline),... 

Prednisolone [Corticosteroid] [See Steroids and Table VI-1] Interactions T Effects W/ clarithromycin, erythromycin, estrogen, ketoconazole, OCPs, troleandomycin X effects W/ antacids, aminoglutethimide, barbiturates, cholestyramine, colestipol, phenytoin, rifampin X effects OF anticoagulants, hypoglycemics, INH, salicylates, vaccine toxoids EMS Infxns may be masked OD May cause wt gain, T hair growth, acne, HTN, peripheral edema, and sore muscles symptomatic and supportive... 

Triamcinolone Nystatin (Mycolog ) [Anti-inflammatory Antifungal/Corticosteroid] Uses Cutaneous candidiasis Action Antifungal anti-inflammatory Dose Apply lightly to area bid max 25 mg/d Caution [C, ] Contra Varicella systemic fungal Infxns Disp Cream oint SE Local irritation, hypertrichosis, pigmentation changes Interactions T Effects W/barbiturates, phenytoin, rifampin T effects OF salicylates, vaccines EMS See Triamcinolone OD See Triamcinolone... 

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