Cited by 52Pharmacogenetics and Drug MetabolismPharmaceutical Practices and Patient OutcomesSynthesis and pharmacology of benzodiazepine derivatives

Clinically significant pharmacokinetic drug interactions with benzodiazepines

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Tanaka, E.·1999·Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics

Abstract

The reports of interactions between benzodiazepines (BZPs) and other drugs (e.g., antidepressants, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, antiulcer drugs, antiepileptic drugs, macrolide antibiotics) during their combined use are reviewed. In general, metabolism of BZPs is delayed when combined with a number of other drugs but some reports have suggested otherwise. In recent years, the cytochrome P450 (P450 or CYP) isoenzyme that catalyses the metabolism of BZPs has also been identified. BZPs are mainly catalysed by CYP3A4. When published reports are studied, it appears necessary to be exceptionally careful about interactions mainly between BZPs and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, cimetidine, antiepileptic drugs, macrolide antibiotics and antimycotics. More information is necessary to identify individuals at greatest risk of drug interactions and adverse events.

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Crossref · 10.1046/j.1365-2710.1999.00247.x

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  • Benzodiazepine metabolism is primarily catalyzed by CYP-dependent hydroxylation, demethylation, and nitroreduction.

    “Benzodiazepine metabolism is primarily catalyzed by CYP-dependent hydroxylation, demethylation and nitroreduction (26,44,45).”
  • Potent enzyme inducers such as phenytoin, phenobarbital, and carbamazepine substantially increase clearance and reduce the half-life of certain benzodiazepines.

    “Conversely, potent enzyme inducers (e.g.phenytoin, phenobarbital and carbamazepine) substantially increase clearance and reduce the t 1 ⁄ 2 of certain BZDs (44).”
  • Benzodiazepines interact with certain antidepressants, antiepileptic drugs, sedative antihistamines, opiates, antipsychotics, and alcohol, potentially causing additive sedative effects.

    “Benzodiazepines interact with other drugs such as certain antidepressants, AEDs (e.g.phenobarbital, phenytoin and carbamazepine), sedative antihistamines, opiates, antipsychotics and alcohol (44,57,59), which may result in additive sedative effects.”
  • Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, cimetidine, macrolide antibiotics, and antimycotics may inhibit CYP isoenzymes and benzodiazepine metabolism, increasing plasma benzodiazepine concentrations.

    “Clinicians should exercise particular caution when using BZDs with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, cimetidine, macrolide antibiotics and antimycotics; these drugs may inhibit reactions catalyzed by certain CYP isoenzymes and, therefore, inhibit the metabolism of many BZDs, which results in increased plasma BZD concentrations (44).”

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Research works printed but not linked: 4

  1. Perucca E, Gatti G, Cipolla G, et al. (1994) Inhibition of diazepam metabolism by fluvoxamine: a pharmaco- maceutical Bulletin, 16, 331-333.
  2. Unge P, Andersson T. (1997) Drug interactions with Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 46, 35-39.
  3. Narchi P, Benhamou D, Elhaddoury M, Locatelli C, Fer- 47. von Moltke LL, Greenblatt DJ, Cotreau-Bibbo MM, Har- nandez H. (1993) Interactions of pre-operative erythro- matz JS, Shader RI. (1994) Inhibitors of alprazolam meta- mycin administration with general anaesthesia. Canadian bolism in vitro: effect of serotonin-reuptake-inhibitor Journal of Anaesthesia, 40 (5 Part 1), 444-447. antidepressants, ketoconazole and quinidine. British
  4. Mattila MJ, Idanpaan-Heikkila JJ, Tornwall M, Vanakoski Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 38, 23-31.

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Authors
Tanaka, E.
Affiliations
University of Tsukuba (JP)
Corresponding author
Tanaka, E.
Venue
Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics
Publisher
Wiley
Published
1999-10
Volume
24
Issue
5
Pages
347-355
ISSN
  • 0269-4727 (ISSN-L)
  • 1365-2710
OpenAlex
W2150753312
Cited by
52
References
103
Citations by year
2026: 3 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 3 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 1 · 2018: 1 · 2017: 3 · 2015: 1 · 2014: 1 · 2013: 1 · 2012: 2
FWCI
0.26
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics › Pharmacology › Pharmacogenetics and Drug Metabolism
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Geriatrics and Gerontology › Pharmaceutical Practices and Patient Outcomes
  • Physical Sciences › Chemistry › Organic Chemistry › Synthesis and pharmacology of benzodiazepine derivatives
Keywords
benzodiazepines, drug interactions, pharmacokinetics, CYP3A4, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, cimetidine, antiepileptic drugs, macrolide antibiotics, antidepressants, drug metabolism, adverse drug reactions
MeSH terms
Animals, Benzodiazepines, Drug Interactions, Humans, Anti-Anxiety Agents

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