Adverse Drug–Drug Interaction Between Phenobarbital and Fluconazole in Two Dogs

ABSTRACT Phenobarbital (PB) is an antiseizure medication widely used in dogs that is metabolized by hepatic cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes. Fluconazole, a commonly prescribed antifungal medication, inhibits several CYP isoenzymes and can impair PB metabolism. Genetic polymorphisms such as the CYP2C41...

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Main Authors: Maria Jaramillo, Alejandra Mondino, Michael Court, Melissa J. Lewis, Natasha J. Olby, Karen R. Muñana
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2025-07-01
Series:Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.70190
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author Maria Jaramillo
Alejandra Mondino
Michael Court
Melissa J. Lewis
Natasha J. Olby
Karen R. Muñana
author_facet Maria Jaramillo
Alejandra Mondino
Michael Court
Melissa J. Lewis
Natasha J. Olby
Karen R. Muñana
author_sort Maria Jaramillo
collection DOAJ
description ABSTRACT Phenobarbital (PB) is an antiseizure medication widely used in dogs that is metabolized by hepatic cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes. Fluconazole, a commonly prescribed antifungal medication, inhibits several CYP isoenzymes and can impair PB metabolism. Genetic polymorphisms such as the CYP2C41 gene deletion can alter CYP activity and influence drug interactions, although not well characterized in dogs. We describe two epileptic dogs on chronic PB treatment that developed marked sedation and ataxia, and increased serum PB concentrations after receiving fluconazole. Both dogs were homozygous for the CYP2C41 deletion. Discontinuation of fluconazole resulted in decreased PB concentrations and resolution of clinical signs. These findings suggest fluconazole can inhibit PB metabolism, leading to clinically relevant toxicity, and this interaction does not require CYP2C41 enzyme expression. Monitoring PB concentrations during fluconazole co‐administration is advised. Further characterization of the role of CYP enzymes in PB metabolism in dogs is needed to better predict drug interactions.
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spelling doaj-art-9e1df5966f4149678a97c41e090040742025-08-20T03:56:09ZengWileyJournal of Veterinary Internal Medicine0891-66401939-16762025-07-01394n/an/a10.1111/jvim.70190Adverse Drug–Drug Interaction Between Phenobarbital and Fluconazole in Two DogsMaria Jaramillo0Alejandra Mondino1Michael Court2Melissa J. Lewis3Natasha J. Olby4Karen R. Muñana5Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine North Carolina State University Raleigh North Carolina USADepartment of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine North Carolina State University Raleigh North Carolina USAComparative Pharmacogenomics Laboratory, Program in Individualized Medicine, Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine Washington State University Pullman Washington USADepartment of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine North Carolina State University Raleigh North Carolina USADepartment of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine North Carolina State University Raleigh North Carolina USADepartment of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine North Carolina State University Raleigh North Carolina USAABSTRACT Phenobarbital (PB) is an antiseizure medication widely used in dogs that is metabolized by hepatic cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes. Fluconazole, a commonly prescribed antifungal medication, inhibits several CYP isoenzymes and can impair PB metabolism. Genetic polymorphisms such as the CYP2C41 gene deletion can alter CYP activity and influence drug interactions, although not well characterized in dogs. We describe two epileptic dogs on chronic PB treatment that developed marked sedation and ataxia, and increased serum PB concentrations after receiving fluconazole. Both dogs were homozygous for the CYP2C41 deletion. Discontinuation of fluconazole resulted in decreased PB concentrations and resolution of clinical signs. These findings suggest fluconazole can inhibit PB metabolism, leading to clinically relevant toxicity, and this interaction does not require CYP2C41 enzyme expression. Monitoring PB concentrations during fluconazole co‐administration is advised. Further characterization of the role of CYP enzymes in PB metabolism in dogs is needed to better predict drug interactions.https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.70190antiseizure medicationcanineCYP2C41cytochrome P450epilepsyhepatotoxicity
spellingShingle Maria Jaramillo
Alejandra Mondino
Michael Court
Melissa J. Lewis
Natasha J. Olby
Karen R. Muñana
Adverse Drug–Drug Interaction Between Phenobarbital and Fluconazole in Two Dogs
Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine
antiseizure medication
canine
CYP2C41
cytochrome P450
epilepsy
hepatotoxicity
title Adverse Drug–Drug Interaction Between Phenobarbital and Fluconazole in Two Dogs
title_full Adverse Drug–Drug Interaction Between Phenobarbital and Fluconazole in Two Dogs
title_fullStr Adverse Drug–Drug Interaction Between Phenobarbital and Fluconazole in Two Dogs
title_full_unstemmed Adverse Drug–Drug Interaction Between Phenobarbital and Fluconazole in Two Dogs
title_short Adverse Drug–Drug Interaction Between Phenobarbital and Fluconazole in Two Dogs
title_sort adverse drug drug interaction between phenobarbital and fluconazole in two dogs
topic antiseizure medication
canine
CYP2C41
cytochrome P450
epilepsy
hepatotoxicity
url https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.70190
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AT michaelcourt adversedrugdruginteractionbetweenphenobarbitalandfluconazoleintwodogs
AT melissajlewis adversedrugdruginteractionbetweenphenobarbitalandfluconazoleintwodogs
AT natashajolby adversedrugdruginteractionbetweenphenobarbitalandfluconazoleintwodogs
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