Aristada interactions: Alcohol, medications, and other factors

Aristada interactions with other medications  

Before you start treatment with Aristada, tell your doctor and pharmacist which prescription, over-the-counter, and other medications you take. By sharing this information with them, you may help prevent possible interactions. (To learn whether Aristada interacts with supplements, herbs, or vitamins, see the “Aristada and other interactions” section.)

If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Here’s a table of drugs that can interact with Aristada. Keep in mind that this table doesn’t include all drugs that may interact with Aristada. Some of these interactions are described in detail just below in “Drug interactions in depth.”

When to avoid Aristada

In some cases, factors or conditions could prevent your doctor from prescribing Aristada due to the risk of harm. These are known as contraindications. The contraindications of Aristada include:

Having had an allergic reaction to Aristada or any of its ingredients

If you have had an allergic reaction to Aristada or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Aristada. Using the drug could cause another allergic reaction. You can ask them about other treatments that may be better choices for you.

Note: Before you start treatment with Aristada, it’s important to tell your doctor if this contraindication applies to you. They can determine whether to prescribe Aristada.

Aristada interaction with alcohol

There aren’t any known interactions between Aristada and alcohol. However, your doctor may advise you to avoid or limit alcohol consumption during Aristada treatment.

This is because drinking alcohol while using the drug may worsen some of Aristada’s side effects. For example, you may experience:

• headache
• dizziness
• memory problems
• problems with balance, coordination, and walking
• difficulty concentrating or thinking

If you consume alcohol during Aristada treatment, these side effects may be more likely to occur.

Alcohol can also worsen the condition you’re receiving Aristada to treat. For example, if you have schizophrenia, drinking alcohol may worsen your symptoms. If you have questions about drinking alcohol while using Aristada, talk with your doctor.

Drug interactions in depth

Here’s a closer look at certain drug interactions of Aristada.

Certain antiepileptic drugs

Aristada can interact with certain antiepileptic drugs, which are used to treat seizures, among other conditions. Some antiepileptic drugs are used off-label to treat schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, for example.

Interaction result: Using Aristada with certain antiepileptic drugs can make Aristada less effective.

Interaction explained: Your body uses certain enzymes (special proteins) to break down Aristada and remove it from your system. Certain antiepileptic drugs can increase the activity of an enzyme in your body called cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4). CYP3A4 plays a major role in breaking down Aristada. Increasing CYP3A4 activity can cause too much Aristada to be removed from your system, making the drug less effective.

Examples of antiepileptic drugs: Here are some antiepileptic drugs that may interact with Aristada:

• carbamazepine (Tegretol, others)
• phenytoin (Dilantin)

Steps you or your doctor may take: If you need to take Aristada with carbamazepine or phenytoin, your doctor may prescribe a higher Aristada dosage. Your doctor can provide more information on whether this interaction will affect your Aristada dosage.

Certain blood pressure medications

Aristada can interact with certain blood pressure medications, which are used to treat high blood pressure.

Interaction result: Aristada can increase the effect of certain blood pressure medications if these medications are used together.

Interaction explained: Aristada can cause effects similar to certain blood pressure medications. Specifically, Aristada can block certain alpha receptors, which play a role in regulating blood pressure by relaxing or narrowing blood vessels. Certain medications for high blood pressure work by blocking certain alpha receptors. Using Aristada and these medications together can enhance this effect.

Examples of blood pressure drugs: Here are specific blood pressure medications that may interact with Aristada:

• carvedilol (Coreg)
• lisinopril (Zestril, Qrelis)

Steps you or your doctor may take: Typically, this interaction isn’t severe enough to prevent doctors from prescribing Aristada or certain blood pressure medications. Instead, they’ll likely monitor your blood pressure throughout treatment. They may adjust the dosage of your blood pressure medication based on your blood pressure readings.

Ritonavir (Norvir) and treatments that contain it

Aristada can interact with ritonavir (Norvir) and other drugs that contain it. Examples include medications for treating COVID-19 and HIV.

Interaction result: Using Aristada with ritonavir or a treatment that contains it can increase the risk of side effects of Aristada.

Interaction explained: Ritonavir decreases the activity of the CYP3A4 enzyme. CYP3A4 plays a major role in breaking down Aristada. Decreasing CYP3A4 activity can cause too much Aristada to build up in your system. This increases your risk of side effects from Aristada.

Examples of drugs that contain ritonavir: Here are some treatments that contain ritonavir and may interact with Aristada:

• Paxlovid (ritonavir/nirmatrelvir)
• Kaletra (lopinavir/ritonavir)

Steps you or your doctor may take: If you need to take Aristada with ritonavir or a treatment that contains it, your doctor may prescribe a lower Aristada dosage. They can give more details on whether this interaction will affect your Aristada dosage.

Aristada and other interactions

Aristada may have other interactions, such as with supplements, foods, vaccines, or even lab tests. You’ll find details below. Keep in mind that the following information does not include all other possible interactions with Aristada.

Aristada interactions with supplements

Before you start treatment with Aristada, tell your doctor and pharmacist which supplements, herbs, and vitamins you take. By sharing this information with them, you may help prevent possible interactions.

If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Aristada interactions with herbs

Doctors may recommend you avoid taking St. John’s wort with Aristada. St. John’s wort is an herbal supplement that’s used to treat depression and other conditions.

St. John’s wort may speed up the activity of the CYP3A4 enzyme. This enzyme helps break down Aristada. By speeding up this enzyme, St. John’s wort can cause Aristada to break down more quickly. And this may lead to a low level of Aristada in your system. If the level of Aristada in your system is too low, the drug may not work to treat schizophrenia.

Your doctor may be able to suggest a treatment option other than St. John’s wort. Or they may prescribe you a higher Aristada dosage.

Aristada interactions and vitamins

There are no specific reports of vitamins interacting with Aristada. However, that doesn’t mean vitamin interactions won’t occur or be recognized in the future. Because of this, you should talk with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any vitamin product with Aristada.

Aristada interactions with food

Grapefruit and grapefruit juice can interact with Aristada. Specifically, grapefruit products can stop your body from breaking down Aristada. This raises the level of Aristada in your body, which increases your risk of side effects from Aristada. Due to this risk, your doctor may recommend not consuming grapefruit and grapefruit juice while using the drug.

Aristada interactions and vaccines

There aren’t any known interactions between Aristada and vaccines. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist to see whether you’re due for any vaccines.

Aristada interactions and lab tests

Aristada isn’t known to interact with any lab tests. If you have concerns about this medication interacting with lab tests, talk with your doctor.

ARISTADA INTERACTION WITH CANNABIS OR CBD

Cannabis (often called marijuana) and cannabis products, such as cannabidiol (CBD), have been specifically reported to interact with Aristada. Cannabis and cannabis products can cause excessive sleepiness and fatigue if used with Aristada.

Before you start treatment with Aristada, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you use cannabis. By sharing this information with them, you may help prevent possible interactions.

Note: Cannabis is illegal at a federal level but is legal in many U.S. states to varying degrees.

Aristada and health-related interactions

Certain medical conditions and other factors may increase the risk of interactions with Aristada. Before you take this drug, be sure to talk with your doctor about your health history. Aristada may not be the right treatment option if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health.

Health conditions or factors that might interact with Aristada include:

• Blood cell problems: Aristada can cause low white blood cell levels and other blood cell problems as a side effect. It can worsen your condition if you already have a blood cell problem.
• Condition involving compulsive behaviors: Let your doctor know if you have a condition affecting compulsive behaviors, such as a gambling addiction or binge eating disorder. Treatment with Aristada can cause issues with controlling urges. It could also worsen symptoms if you already have a condition involving compulsive behaviors. Your doctor can help determine if Aristada treatment is safe for you.
• Diabetes or high cholesterol: Treatment with Aristada can cause unexpected weight gain and worsen diabetes or high cholesterol. If you’re prescribed Aristada, your doctor may increase the dose of your diabetes or cholesterol medication. Or they may prescribe additional medications to treat your condition.
• Epilepsy or seizures due to another cause: If you experience seizures, Aristada may worsen them or make them happen more often. Due to this risk, your doctor may suggest treatments other than Aristada. Or they may adjust the dose of your antiepileptic medication(s) if they prescribe you Aristada.
• Exposure to high temperatures or heat: Treatment with Aristada can affect your body’s ability to regulate its temperature. If you’re exposed to high temperatures or heat, such as due to working outside, you may have a higher risk of overheating and dehydration if you use Aristada. Your doctor can help determine if treatment with Aristada is safe for you.
• Heart disease: Aristada can cause orthostatic hypotension as a side effect. You may have a higher risk of this side effect if you have heart disease, such as heart failure or a past heart attack.
• Weak bones: If you have a condition that causes weak bones, such as osteoporosis, be sure to tell your doctor before you start using Aristada. Treatment with Aristada can cause side effects which increase your risk of falls. If you have weak bones, a fall could result in broken bones.
• Allergic reaction: If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Aristada or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Aristada. Using the drug could cause another allergic reaction. You can ask them about other treatments that may be better choices for you.
• Breastfeeding: It’s not known whether it’s safe to use Aristada while breastfeeding. The drug passes into breast milk, but there isn’t enough information to determine what effects Aristada may have on a child who is breastfed. If you’re breastfeeding or planning to, talk with your doctor before using Aristada. They can discuss treatment options and ways to feed your child.
• Pregnancy: If you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant, tell your doctor before starting Aristada. They can advise the right treatment plan for you. Animal studies show that the drug may cause congenital anomalies (commonly known as birth defects) or pregnancy loss. However, animal studies don’t always indicate what may happen in humans. Limited studies in humans show an increased risk of side effects in newborns if Aristada is used during the third trimester of pregnancy.

Preventing interactions

You can take certain steps to help prevent interactions with Aristada. Your doctor and pharmacist are key resources, so reach out to them before starting treatment. For example, you should plan to do the following:

• Let them know if you drink alcohol or use cannabis.
• Tell them about any other medications you take, as well as any supplements, herbs, and vitamins.
• Create a medication list, which your doctor and pharmacist can help you fill out.

It’s also important to read the Aristada label and other paperwork that may come with the drug. The label may have colored stickers that mention an interaction. And the paperwork, sometimes called the medication guide or patient package insert, may contain details about interactions.

If Aristada doesn’t come with paperwork, you can ask your pharmacist to print a copy. If you need help reading or understanding this information, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

You can also help prevent interactions with Aristada by using it exactly as your doctor prescribes.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.