Phentolamine Mesylate (phentolamine mesylate)

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Contraindicated Drug Combination: This drug combination is contraindicated and generally should not be dispensed or administered to the same patient.

Alpha-Blockers/Iloperidone; Milsaperidone

SEVERITY LEVEL: 1-Contraindicated Drug Combination: This drug combination is contraindicated and generally should not be dispensed or administered to the same patient.

MECHANISM OF ACTION: Concurrent use of iloperidone or milsaperidone and an alpha-blocker may result in additive or synergistic effects on blood pressure.(1,2)

CLINICAL EFFECTS: Concurrent use of iloperidone or milsaperidone and an alpha-blocker may result in symptomatic hypotension.(1,2)

PREDISPOSING FACTORS: None determined.

PATIENT MANAGEMENT: The US manufacturer of iloperidone and milsaperidone state that concurrent use with alpha-blockers should be avoided.(1,2)

DISCUSSION: Iloperidone and milsaperidone have alpha-blocking properties.(1,2)

There are no severe interactions for this drug.

Moderate Interaction: Assess the risk to the patient and take action as needed.

Alpha-Blockers/Cgmp Specific Pde Type-5 Inhibitors

SEVERITY LEVEL: 3-Moderate Interaction: Assess the risk to the patient and take action as needed.

MECHANISM OF ACTION: Concurrent use of avanafil,(1) sildenafil,(2-5) tadalafil,(6-9) or vardenafil(10-14) and an alpha-blocker may result in additive or synergistic effects on blood pressure.

CLINICAL EFFECTS: Concurrent use of avanafil,(1) sildenafil,(2-5) tadalafil,(6-9) or vardenafil(10-14)) and an alpha-blocker may result in symptomatic hypotension.

PREDISPOSING FACTORS: Patients who have a history of hemodynamic instability on alpha-blocker therapy prior to initiating avanafil, sildenafil, tadalafil, or vardenafil may be at an increased risk of symptomatic hypotension during concurrent therapy.

PATIENT MANAGEMENT: The US manufacturer of avanafil states that patients taking alpha-blockers should be stabilized on their alpha-blocker prior to beginning avanafil therapy. Avanafil should be initiated at the 50 mg dosage. In patients stabilized on avanafil therapy, alpha-blocker therapy should be initiated at the lowest possible dosage.(1) The US, Australian, Canadian, and UK manufacturers of sildenafil state that patients taking alpha-blockers should be stabilized on their alpha-blocker prior to beginning sildenafil therapy. Sildenafil should be initiated at the lowest possible dosage. In patients stabilized on sildenafil therapy, alpha-blocker therapy should be initiated at the lowest possible dosage.(2-5) The US manufacturer of tadalafil states that patients taking tadalafil for erectile dysfunction (ED) and alpha-blockers should be stabilized on their alpha-blocker prior to beginning tadalafil therapy. Tadalafil should be initiated at the lowest possible dosage. In patients stabilized on tadalafil therapy, alpha-blocker therapy should be initiated at the lowest possible dose. The combination of tadalafil and an alpha-blocker for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is not recommended. Patients on alpha-blocker therapy for BPH should discontinue their alpha-blocker at least one day prior to starting tadalafil for once daily use for the treatment of BPH.(6) The Australian manufacturer of tadalafil states that tadalafil should be used with caution in patients taking alpha-blockers.(7) The Canadian manufacturer of tadalafil states that it may be used with tamsulosin and should be used with caution with other alpha-blockers.(8) The UK manufacturer of tadalafil states that concurrent use with alpha-blockers is not recommended.(9) The US, Canadian, and UK manufacturers of vardenafil state that patients taking alpha-blockers should be stabilized on their alpha-blocker prior to beginning vardenafil therapy. Vardenafil should be initiated at the lowest possible dosage. In patients stabilized on vardenafil therapy, alpha-blocker therapy should be initiated at the lowest possible dosage.(10-12) The UK manufacturer of vardenafil states that vardenafil may be give at any time in relation to tamsulosin; however, a dose separation period of 6 hour should be considered for other alpha-blockers.(12) The Australian manufacturer of vardenafil states that concurrent use with alpha-blockers is not recommended.(13) The US manufacturers of doxazosin,(14) prazosin(15) and terazosin(16) state that PDE-5 inhibitor therapy should be initiated at the lowest dose.

DISCUSSION: In a study in 24 subjects, concurrent use of avanafil (200 mg) with doxazosin (1 mg on Day 1, titrated to 8 mg for Days 8-18) resulted in 7 subjects experiencing potentially clinically significant changes in blood pressure.(1) In a study in 24 subjects, concurrent use of avanafil (200 mg) with tamsulosin (0.4 mg Days 1-11) resulted in 5 subjects experiencing potentially clinically significant changes in blood pressure.(1) Simultaneous administration of sildenafil (25 mg) and doxazosin (4 mg) resulted in mean additional reductions of supine blood pressure of 7 mmHg systolic and 7 mmHg diastolic. When doxazosin (4 mg) was simultaneously administered with higher doses of sildenafil, there were reports of symptomatic postural hypotension within one to four hours.(2) In a study, concurrent administration of a single dose of tadalafil (20 mg) to healthy subjects receiving alfuzosin (10 mg daily) resulted in mean maximum decreases in standing and supine systolic blood pressure by 2.2 mmHg and 4.4 mmHg, respectively. There were no subjects with a decrease from baseline standing systolic blood pressure greater than 30 mmHg.(6) In a study, concurrent administration of a single dose of tadalafil (20 mg) to 18 healthy subjects receiving doxazosin (8 mg daily) resulted in significant augmentation of the blood-pressure lowering effects of doxazosin (by 9.8 mmHg). The number of subjects with a standing blood pressure of less than 85 mmHg was greater after concurrent doxazosin and tadalafil than when compared to doxazosin with placebo (28% versus 6%). One subject reported vertigo and another reported dizziness. No syncope was reported.(5,14) In a second study, concurrent administration of a single dose of tadalafil (20 mg) to healthy subjects receiving doxazosin (4-8 mg daily) also resulted in augmentation of the blood-pressure lowering affects of doxazosin. One subject reported symptomatic hypotension and another reported dizziness with concurrent therapy.(6) In a study, concurrent administration of a single dose of tadalafil (20 mg) to healthy subjects receiving tamsulosin (0.4 mg daily) resulted in no significant decreases in blood pressure.(6,17) Hypotension has been reported with concurrent use of terazosin and phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors.(16) With simultaneous administration of vardenafil (10 mg) and terazosin (10 mg), 6 of 8 healthy subjects experienced a standing systolic blood pressure of less than 85 mmHg. With simultaneous vardenafil (20 mg) and terazosin (10 mg), 2 of 9 subjects experienced a standing systolic blood pressure of less than 85 mmHg. When vardenafil (20 mg) was administered 6 hours apart from terazosin (10 mg), 7 of 28 subjects experienced a standing systolic blood pressure of less than 85 mmHg.(10) With simultaneous administration of vardenafil (10 mg) and tamsulosin (0.4 mg), two of 16 subjects experienced a standing systolic blood pressure of less than 85 mmHg. When vardenafil (20 mg) was administered six hours apart from tamsulosin (0.4 mg), one of 24 subjects experienced a standing systolic blood pressure of less than 85 mmHg.(10) In a study in subjects with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) on stable tamsulosin or terazosin therapy, simultaneous vardenafil (5 mg) and tamsulosin resulted in no effects on blood pressure. Simultaneous vardenafil (5 mg) with terazosin resulted in hypotension in some subjects. This effect did not occur when vardenafil and terazosin were separated by 6 hours.(12) In a placebo controlled, crossover study in 22 subjects with benign prostatic hyperplasia receiving tamsulosin, subjects received single doses of vardenafil (10 mg and 20 mg). No patients exhibited symptomatic hypotension. Three patients receiving 20 mg of vardenafil reported dizziness, but none had a systolic blood pressure of less than 95 mmHg.(18) In a placebo-controlled study in 24 health male subjects, administration of sildenafil (100 mg) or tadalafil (20 mg) with silodosin resulted in an increase in positive orthostatic tests in the 12 hours after concurrent administration when compared with the administration of silodosin alone. There were no reports of symptomatic orthostasis or dizziness.(19)

Selected Antihypertensives And Vasodilators/Apomorphine

SEVERITY LEVEL: 3-Moderate Interaction: Assess the risk to the patient and take action as needed.

MECHANISM OF ACTION: Apomorphine causes dose-dependent decreases in blood pressure. Concurrent use with antihypertensive agents may result in additive effects on blood pressure.(1)

CLINICAL EFFECTS: Concurrent use of antihypertensives and apomorphine may result in orthostatic hypotension with or without dizziness, nausea, or syncope.(1)

PREDISPOSING FACTORS: The risk of orthostatic hypotension may be increased during dose escalation of apomorphine and in patients with renal or hepatic impairment.(1)

PATIENT MANAGEMENT: Patients receiving concurrent therapy should be monitored for hypotension. Counsel patients about the risk of orthostatic hypotension.(1)

DISCUSSION: Healthy volunteers who took sublingual nitroglycerin (0.4 mg) concomitantly with apomorphine experienced a mean largest decrease in supine systolic blood pressure (SBP) of 9.7 mm Hg and in supine diastolic blood pressure (DBP) of 9.3 mm Hg, and a mean largest decrease in standing SBP and DBP of 14.3 mm Hg and 13.5 mm Hg, respectively. The maximum decrease in SBP and DBP was 65 mm Hg and 43 mm Hg, respectively. When apomorphine was taken alone, the mean largest decrease in supine SBP and DBP was 6.1 mm Hg and 7.3 mm Hg, respectively, and in standing SBP and DBP was 6.7 mm Hg and 8.4 mm Hg, respectively.(1)

Selected Antihypertensives/Tizanidine

SEVERITY LEVEL: 3-Moderate Interaction: Assess the risk to the patient and take action as needed.

MECHANISM OF ACTION: Tizanidine is an alpha-2 agonist. Concurrent use with antihypertensive agents may result in additive effects on blood pressure.(1)

CLINICAL EFFECTS: Concurrent use of antihypertensives and tizanidine may result in hypotension.(1)

PREDISPOSING FACTORS: None determined.

PATIENT MANAGEMENT: Patients receiving concurrent therapy should be monitored for hypotension. The risk of hypotension may be decreased by careful titration of tizanidine dosages and monitoring for hypotension prior to dose advancement. Counsel patients about the risk of orthostatic hypotension.(1)

DISCUSSION: Severe hypotension has been reported following the addition of tizanidine to existing lisinopril therapy.(2-4)

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• Acute myocardial infarction
• Angina
• Chronic myocardial ischemia

• Cardiac arrhythmia
• Hypotension

• Sinus tachycardia

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More Frequent

• Cardiac arrhythmia
• Tachycardia

Less Frequent

• General weakness

Rare or Very Rare

• Acute myocardial infarction
• Cerebrovascular occlusion
• Spasm of cerebral arteries

More Frequent

• Abdominal pain with cramps
• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Orthostatic hypotension
• Vomiting

Less Frequent

• Dizziness
• Flushing
• Nasal congestion

Rare or Very Rare

• Accidental fall

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Reproduction studies in rats and mice using oral phentolamine mesylate dosages 24-30 times the usual daily human dosage (based on a 60-kg individual) have shown slightly decreased fetal growth and slight fetal skeletal immaturity (manifested by an increased incidence of incomplete or unossified calcanei and phalangeal nuclei of the hind limb and of incompletely ossified sternebrae). In rats receiving oral dosages 60 times the usual human daily dosage (based on a 60-kg individual), a slightly decreased rate of implantation occurred. In rabbits receiving oral dosages 20 times the usual human daily dosage (based on a 60-kg individual), embryonic and fetal development were not affected. No teratogenic or embryotoxic effects were observed in reproduction studies in rats, mice, and rabbits. At least one human death has been reported following the phentolamine test during pregnancy. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies using phentolamine in pregnant women, and the drug should be used during pregnancy only when the potential benefits outweigh the possible risks to the fetus.

It is not known whether phentolamine mesylate is distributed into milk. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions to phentolamine mesylate in nursing infants, a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the woman.

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