Significant drug interaction: phenytoin toxicity due to erlotinib

Lung Cancer. 2007 Sep;57(3):404-6. doi: 10.1016/j.lungcan.2007.02.011. Epub 2007 Mar 26.

Abstract

Brain metastases are a frequent finding in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer and concomitant administration of antiepileptic and chemotherapeutic drugs or epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitor is necessary in many cases. Anticonvulsants have clinically significant interactions with other drugs used in brain tumor patients. We report a case in which a potential drug interaction resulted in elevated phenytoin levels after initiation of erlotinib therapy in a patient who was receiving phenytoin.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Anticonvulsants / adverse effects*
  • Anticonvulsants / therapeutic use
  • Brain Neoplasms / complications
  • Brain Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Brain Neoplasms / secondary
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / drug therapy*
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / secondary
  • Drug Interactions
  • Erlotinib Hydrochloride
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Lung Neoplasms / pathology
  • Middle Aged
  • Phenytoin / adverse effects*
  • Phenytoin / therapeutic use
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / adverse effects*
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Quinazolines / adverse effects*
  • Quinazolines / therapeutic use
  • Seizures / drug therapy*
  • Seizures / etiology

Substances

  • Anticonvulsants
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors
  • Quinazolines
  • Phenytoin
  • Erlotinib Hydrochloride