Drug Interactions Naughty List – My Top 5 Meds

Drug interactions are everywhere in long term care.  Determining clinical significance and risk mitigation is what is really challenging.  There are times when it is near impossible to avoid a drug interaction. I primarily practice as a clinical pharmacist in geriatrics and I wanted to put together a list of medications that when you see them, you should know you have to be aware of drug interactions.  I also wanted to create a list that wasn’t 20-30 meds to try to remember, because I certainly could have done that.  Without further ado, here’s my top 5 medications that have a ton of drug interactions.

  1. Warfarin

Warfarin – Warfarin is primarily metabolized by CYP2C9 and CYP3A4.  Common medications used for infections like sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim, metronidazole can substantially raise INR.  Many clinicians are well aware of these interactions when medications are started, but you also need to recognize the clinical impact of drug interactions when medications are discontinued.  In one scenario, I remember a patient on rifampin (a potent enzyme inducer) for 12 weeks.  The warfarin had to be increased by several milligrams per day to maintain a therapeutic level during treatment.  Following discontinuation of the rifampin, the INR skyrocketed to almost 10.  The team did not recognize that when the antibiotic course was complete, the warfarin dose would have to be adjusted back downward.  I have seen survey deficiencies for errors and inappropriate monitoring of warfarin.

2. Fluconazole

Fluconazole – Fluconazole is a potent CYP3A4 inducer and often used for yeast and other fungal infections.  This medication can substantially raise concentrations of other medications that are metabolized through 3A4.  Common medications that can be impacted by fluconazole include amiodarone, phenytoin (I’ve seen a case of toxicity due to this one), and warfarin.

3. Amiodarone

Amiodarone – QTc prolongation interactions are everywhere with this medication.  Levofloxacin, antipsychotics, ondansetron, citalopram, and many other medications can potentially prolong the QT interval.  Reviewing an EKG prior to starting some of these medications would be advisable in a patient on amiodarone.  Amiodarone also has substantial interactions with warfarin, digoxin, and statin type medications.  CYP3A4 drug interactions are also prevalent with amiodarone.

4. Phenytoin

Phenytoin – Phenytoin is an enzyme induce and can reduce concentrations of several different medications.  Apixaban, amiodarone, and some antipsychotics are just a few examples of how phenytoin could negatively impact previously therapeutic concentrations. Phenytoin is also notorious for chewing up vitamin D by inducing metabolism and reducing overall levels.  If you are looking for more pearls on phenytoin, check out this podcast episode.

5. NSAIDs

NSAIDs – While I would overall say that NSAIDs have less drug interactions than the other medications list, the frequency of use and easy availability of these medications can lead to substantial challenges with drug interactions.  Warfarin (blood thinners in general) and lithium are two clinically significant examples of interactions.  Another common interaction is the risk to the kidney when NSAIDs are combined with ACEI’s, ARBs, or diuretics.

So there you have it, my list of the top five meds that I’ve seen cause or be a part of drug interactions.  What did I miss?

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