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Nightmares and hallucinations with aprepitant and opium powder: a suspected drug–drug interaction
Author(s) -
Narjoux Grégoire,
Clarenne Justine,
Azzouz Brahim,
Zeller PaulineSaraï,
Slimano Florian,
Bouché Olivier
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
british journal of clinical pharmacology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.216
H-Index - 146
eISSN - 1365-2125
pISSN - 0306-5251
DOI - 10.1111/bcp.13810
Subject(s) - aprepitant , polypharmacy , context (archaeology) , medicine , drug , irinotecan , opium , pharmacology , drug interaction , intensive care medicine , oncology , cancer , antiemetic , chemotherapy , paleontology , colorectal cancer , political science , law , biology
Polypharmacy of elderly oncology patients and fragmented medication management are well‐known risk factors for drug–drug interactions (DDIs). These interactions can occur among antineoplastic, ongoing chronic treatment(s) and chemotherapy‐associated treatments, like antiemetics. Clinically relevant interactions based on enzyme‐ or transporter‐inhibition phenomena of active drugs can increase the frequency of their DDIs. We describe a strongly suspected elderly cancer patient's DDI between aprepitant and opium powder in the context of an irinotecan‐based regimen manifested by nightmares and visual hallucinations. We discuss this DDI's hypothetical pharmacological mechanisms and management.