A 54 year-old man with a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) presents by his son to the emergency room semi-unconscious with shortness of breath. He has nausea, diarrhea and restlessness for the last four hours. His arterial oxygen saturation is 88% with room air. His ECG shows normal sinus rhythm with non-specific changes in lateral leads. The patient uses albuterol inhalation, ipratropium bromide, theophylline and Lisinopril. Three days ago, he had an exacerbation of his COPD and was prescribed ciprofloxacin and supplemental oxygen at night and during ambulation.
What is the most likely cause of this patient presentation to the ER?
A- Interaction of ciprofloxacin to albuterol
B- Interaction of ciprofloxacin to ipratropium bromide
C- Interaction of ciprofloxacin to theophylline
D- Interaction of ciprofloxacin to Lisinopril
E- Interaction of ciprofloxacin to oxygen
Answer
Ciprofloxacin administration leads to increase in the level or effect of oral theophylline by altering the drug metabolism. Combination may lead to theophylline toxicity and life-threatening interaction. Other drugs mentioned above do not have any undesirable interaction with ciprofloxacin.
The correct answer is C
Thank you Dr Manzoor
Correct answer is C as administration of Ciprofloxacin increase theophyline concentration… Such questions are very important for understanding drug drug interaction