Antibiotic | Selected drug interactions with immunosuppressive medications | Anticipated effect on selected agents | Selected toxicities and side effects | Monitoring parameters |
---|---|---|---|---|
Macrolides: Azithromycin Clarithromycin
|
CNI (cyclosporine and tacrolimus) Sirolimus |
Increased levels of immunosuppressive agent (clarithromycin with more pronounced effect) |
GI (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea) Decreased hearing Hepatitis |
Clinical symptoms Periodic LFTs during first 2-3 months CNI and sirolimus levels
|
Rifamycins: Rifampin Rifabutin |
CNIs Sirolimus Corticosteroids Mycophenolate |
Decreased levels of immunosuppressive agent |
Hepatitis Orange discoloration of urine GI effects Hypersensitivity (rash, fever) Flu-like syndrome Hematologic (leucopenia, granulocytopenia) |
Clinical symptoms Periodic CBC, LFTs CNI and sirolimus levels
|
Ethambutol |
None |
|
Optic neuritis |
Periodic testing for red/green color discrimination and visual acuity Clinical symptoms
|
Fluoroquinolones: Ciprofloxacin Levofloxacin Moxifloxacin |
CNI sirolimus |
Increased level of immunosuppressive medication (mild) |
GI effects Tendonitis and tendon rupture CNS (headache, insomnia, agitation) Photosensitivity QT prolongation |
Clinical symptoms CNI and sirolimus levels
|
Tetracyclines: Minocycline Doxycycline |
None |
|
GI effects Photosensitivity Vertigo, dizziness Increased LFTs |
Clinical symptoms
|
Tigecycline |
None |
|
GI effects Photosensitivity Vertigo, dizziness Increased LFTs |
Clinical symptoms
|
Tobramycin Amikacin Streptomycin |
CNIs
|
Increased risk of nephrotoxicity |
Nephrotoxicity Vestibular and auditory toxicity (dizziness, vertigo, ataxia, tinnitus, hearing loss) |
Clinical symptoms Periodic serum creatinine measurements Baseline and periodic hearing tests in high risk individuals |
Isoniazid |
None |
|
Hepatitis Hypersensitivity (rash, fever) Neurotoxicity |
Periodic LFTs Clinical symptoms
|
Linezolid |
No interactions with immunosuppressants interaction with serotonergic agents (many antidepressants) can result in serotonin syndrome |
|
Myelosuppressive (leukopenia, anemia, thrombocytopenia) Optic neuropathy Peripheral neuropathy
|
Periodic CBC. Clinical symptoms
|
CNI=calcineurin inhibitor, GI=gastrointestinal, LFT=liver function tests, CBC=complete blood count