Possible Interaction: Ethanol and Nifedipine

“The relative bioavailability of nifedipine , measured as AUC, was increased by 54% (533 vs 346 ng · hr/ml) after the dose of alcohol (P < 0.0002).”

“This study shows that ethanol increases the bioavailability of nifedipine and decreases the time for onset of increased heart rate.”

“The Ca2+ channel blockers verapamil and nifedipine were chosen because preclinical research has shown them to decrease certain behavioral effects of ethanol in animals.”

“Single doses of nifedipine increased the acute toxicity of ethanol and potentiated its central effects.”

“By itself, nifedipine had no effect on activity, but when combined with ethanol it produced a consistent decrease in comparison with ethanol alone.”

“Retardation of the development of acute tolerance may contribute to the interaction between ethanol and nifedipine.”

“ Ethanol … nifedipine (oxidized nifedipine IC50 3 mg dL−1, where the IC50 value is the inhibitor concentration corresponding to a 50% reduction in metabolite formation velocity), … mg dL−1, 4‐OH TRZ IC50 2.7 mg dL−1) and testosterone (6β‐OH TST IC50 2.4 mg dL−1).”

“A 34-year-old female was brought to the emergency department after taking 200 to 250 mg of nifedipine and drinking an unknown amount of ethanol in a suicide attempt.”

“Administration of the aqueous extract or nifedipine prevented the hemodynamic, biochemical, oxidative and histological impairments induced chronic ethanol and sucrose consumption.”

“Although lidocaine (50 and 100 μmol/L), a local anesthetic agent, and hexamethonium (100 and 500 …), a ganglionic blocking agent, failed to affect these contractions, verapamil (1–50 μmol/L) and nifedipine (1–50 μmol/L), selective blockers of L-… Ca2+ channels, significantly inhibited the contractile responses of ethanol.”

“ Nifedipine reduced the preference for ethanol , estimated by the relative intake of ethanol (6% v/v) and water in a free-choice situation, suggesting an influence of nifedipine not only on the stimulatory but also on the positive reinforcing effects of ethanol.”

“Pretreatment with nifedipine antagonized the stimulatory effects of ethanol on the DA-system.”

“The locomotor-stimulatory effect of low doses of ethanol (2.5 g/kg) was antagonized by nifedipine , whereas ethanol-induced sedation observed after higher doses (4.5 g/ kg) was potentiated.”

“The contractions that remained when these agonists were administered in the presence of nifedipine 10 μmol/l were depressed by ethanol (IC30 242–387 mmol/1).”