Drug interactions
Cisatracurium + Fosphenytoin
Severity: Minor
Cisatracurium and Fosphenytoin: minor interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Long-term phenytoin exposure can shorten the duration of non-depolarizing neuromuscular blockade and increase dose requirements. Fosphenytoin is converted to phenytoin, so recovery may be faster than expected with cisatracurium.
What this interaction means in plain words
Cisatracurium and Fosphenytoin have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised.
Cisatracurium belongs to Musculoskeletal; Fosphenytoin belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Chronic phenytoin exposure is thought to induce resistance to non-depolarizing blockers through receptor changes and possibly enhanced clearance.
What to do
Monitor neuromuscular blockade with train-of-four and titrate the cisatracurium infusion to effect. Anticipate higher infusion rates in chronically treated patients.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Is there anything I should notice while taking both?
- Do I need to tell my doctor at the next visit?
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Other interactions of Cisatracurium
Other interactions of Fosphenytoin
- Dronedarone + Fosphenytoin Contraindicated
- Fosphenytoin + Ledipasvir-sofosbuvir Contraindicated
- Fosphenytoin + Lorlatinib Contraindicated
- Fosphenytoin + Lurasidone Contraindicated
- Fosphenytoin + Ranolazine Contraindicated
- Fosphenytoin + Sofosbuvir-velpatasvir-voxilaprevir Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Cisatracurium with Fosphenytoin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as minor. Cisatracurium and Fosphenytoin have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised. Long-term phenytoin exposure can shorten the duration of non-depolarizing neuromuscular blockade and increase dose requirements. Fosphenytoin is converted to phenytoin, so recovery may be faster than expected with cisatracurium.
How serious is the interaction between Cisatracurium and Fosphenytoin?
MediHelp rates it minor, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor neuromuscular blockade with train-of-four and titrate the cisatracurium infusion to effect. Anticipate higher infusion rates in chronically treated patients.
What other medicines interact with Cisatracurium?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Cisatracurium with, for example, Amikacin, Bacitracin-neomycin-polymyxin, Benzhydrocodone / acetaminophen. The full list is on the Cisatracurium page.
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