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Published on: April 20, 2018
[Pharmacologic interactions between quinolones and oral hypoglycemic agents. An experimental study on rabbits]
C Losasso1, A Loffreda, M Angrisani
1Istituto di Farmacologia e Tossicologia, Facoltà di Medicina e Chirurgia, Il Università degli Studi di Napoli.
Abstract:
The association between antibiotics and oral hypoglycemic agents can determine various pharmacological interactions. The aim of our work has been to verify experimentally the eventual pharmacological interactions that may occur when some quinolones (nalidixic acid, ofloxacin, pefloxacin and sparfloxacin) are administered in association with oral hypoglycemic drugs (phenphormine and glibenclamide). Our results showed that ofloxacin, pefloxacin and sparfloxacin only at high dosages (not used in the human clinic) can increase the phenphormine and glibenclamide hypoglycemic effect. The nalidixic acid, just at therapeutic doses, is able to increase the hypoglycemic effect of the drugs studied.
Insights
Nalidixic acid, an antibiotic, significantly increases the blood-sugar-lowering effects of oral hypoglycemic drugs at therapeutic doses. Other quinolones showed this interaction only at high, non-clinical dosages.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Drug Interactions
- Microbiology
Context:
- Antibiotics and oral hypoglycemic agents can lead to significant pharmacological interactions.
- Understanding these interactions is crucial for patient safety and effective treatment regimens.
Purpose:
- To experimentally investigate potential pharmacological interactions between specific quinolone antibiotics (nalidixic acid, ofloxacin, pefloxacin, sparfloxacin) and oral hypoglycemic drugs (phenphormine, glibenclamide).
Summary:
- Nalidixic acid, at therapeutic doses, was found to increase the hypoglycemic effect of phenphormine and glibenclamide.
- Ofloxacin, pefloxacin, and sparfloxacin demonstrated an increased hypoglycemic effect on phenphormine and glibenclamide, but only at high dosages not typically used in clinical practice.
Impact:
- Highlights the clinically relevant interaction between nalidixic acid and oral hypoglycemic agents.
- Suggests caution when co-administering nalidixic acid with drugs like phenphormine and glibenclamide to avoid hypoglycemia.
- Provides evidence for dose-dependent interactions with other quinolones, informing future drug safety assessments.
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