Urologie pro praxi 2/2020

Drug interactions in urology – what to watch out for

Drug interactions are a problem in all medical disciplines including urology. A number of typically urological drugs such as drugs for the treatment of overactive bladder, benign prostatic hyperplasia or erectile dysfunction are substrates of CYP3A4 and the P-glycoprotein transport system. Combination of these drugs with inhibitors or inducers of CYP3A4 or P-glycoprotein can either lead to adverse events or reduce the effect to failure. In addition, manufacturers often recommend changes in drug dosage when combined with CYP3A4 inhibitors and it may be difficult for physicians to navigate such recommendations.

Keywords: drug interactions, alpha-blockers, 5-alpha reductase inhibitors, antimuscarinics, PDF5 inhibitors, CYP3A4, CYP2D6, P-glycoprotein, OAB, ED, LUTS.