(PubMed)—A 39-yo woman w/ invasive breast carcinoma was being followed by a personalized medicine clinic where CYP2D6 genotyping and therapeutic monitoring of tamoxifen and active metabolite endoxifen were being carried out. Following admission for a flare of ulcerative colitis and testing positive for latent TB, she was started on rifampin x4mo in preparation for anti-TNFα tx. However, the pt could only tolerate rifampin for 10 days before it was discontinued. Other meds included ascorbic acid, vitamin D, dalteparin, ferrous gluconate, and methylprednisolone. The endoxifen level measured 2wk after rifampin d/c was subtherapeutic, while the tamoxifen level was 24% lower than baseline. The pt, known to be a CYP2D6 intermediate metabolizer, had therapeutic endoxifen levels prior to this admission.

Which drug interaction can cause a decrease in tamoxifen and endoxifen levels?
vitamin D
rifampin
methylprednisolone
dalteparin
You are correct. Rifampin may have increased endoxifen clearance via induction of multiple pathways, including metabolic enzymes, transporters, and/or glucuronidation. Because CYP3A4 plays a role in converting tamoxifen to endoxifen, it was once thought that CYP3A4 induction by drugs such as rifampin may result in increased endoxifen levels; however, many studies have demonstrated that endoxifen levels decrease w/ enzyme inducers.

In contrast, no significant interactions are known or found for tamoxifen and dalteparin, tamoxifen and vitamin D, or tamoxifen and methylprednisolone. Moreover, dalteparin, vitamin D, and methylprednisone are not reported to influence the levels of other drugs.

Source article: Henderson SL, Teft WA, Kim RB. Profound reduction in tamoxifen active metabolite endoxifen in a breast cancer patient treated with rifampin prior to initiation of an anti-TNFα biologic for ulcerative colitis: a case report. BMC Cancer. 2016 May 11;16:304. doi: 10.1186/s12885-016-2342-x.

More info is available in the free, full-text BMC Cancer article at PubMed Central.
All of these are common eye symptoms linked to COVID-19 EXCEPT for:
dry eye or foreign body sensation
eye pain
discharge
redness
photophobia
tearing
itching
You are correct. Approximately 1 out of 10 COVID-19 patients shows at least one ocular symptom - but photophobia is not among the most commonly reported symptoms.

According to a 2021 systematic review and meta-analysis of 38 studies with 8,219 COVID-19 patients, the prevalence of ocular manifestations was estimated to be 11.03%.

In the studies that reported ocular symptom details, the most common ocular manifestations were conjunctivitis (88.8%), dry eye or foreign body sensation (16%), redness (13.3%), tearing (12.8%), itching (12.6%), eye pain (9.6%), and discharge (8.8%).

Source: PubMed® abstract
Can you identify this pill?
dexmethylphenidate
Actos (pioglitazone)
nitroglycerin
Zubsolv (buprenorphine/naloxone)
You are correct. Zubsolv (buprenorphine/naloxone) is a combination medication used to treat opioid dependence in adults and children.

As a reminder, you can use the Pill ID feature to identify a pill based on its imprint code or physical characteristics, including shape, color, and scoring. Find Pill ID in the epocrates app or on epocrates web.
By rray, 5 October, 2023
By rray, 5 October, 2023
By rray, 5 October, 2023
By rray, 5 October, 2023
By rray, 5 October, 2023