Drug-Drug Interaction


SELECTED ANTICONVULSANTS/POSACONAZOLE

MECHANISM OF ACTION
Some anticonvulsants may induce the metabolism of posaconazole by CYP P-450-3A4.(1,2)

DISCUSSION
Concurrent phenytoin (200 mg daily) decreased posaconazole area-under-curve (AUC) and maximum concentration (Cmax) by 50% and 41%, respectively.(1,2) Both phenytoin AUC and Cmax increased by 16%.(2)

CLINICAL EFFECTS
Concurrent use of some anticonvulsants such as carbamazepine, phenobarbital, primidone,(1) and phenytoin(1,2) may result in decreased levels and clinical effectiveness of posaconazole.

SEVERITY LEVEL
2-Severe Interaction: Action is required to reduce the risk of severe adverse interaction.

PATIENT MANAGEMENT
The UK manufacturer of posaconazole states that concurrent use of carbamazepine, phenobarbital, primidone, and phenytoin should be avoided unless the benefit to the patient outweighs the risk of concurrent therapy.(1)

PREDISPOSING FACTORS
None determined.

REFERENCES

  1. Noxafil (posaconazole) UK summary of product characteristics. .Noxafil (posaconazole) UK summary of product characteristics. Schering-Plough Ltd. February 2, 2006.
  2. Noxafil (posaconazole) US prescribing information. Schering Corporation .Noxafil (posaconazole) US prescribing information. Schering Corporation September, 2006.