Drug General Information (ID: DDI8BN0EGO)
  Drug Name Loperamide Drug Info Ranitidine Drug Info
  Drug Type Small molecule Small molecule
  Therapeutic Class Antidiarrheals Antiulcer Agents
  Structure

 Mechanism of Loperamide-Ranitidine Interaction (Severity Level: Major)
     Transporter inhibition Click to Show/Hide Mechanism Graph
Could Not Find 2D Structure
      Drug Name Loperamide Ranitidine
      Mechanism 1 P-gp substrate P-gp inhibitor
      Key Mechanism Factor 1
Factor Name P-glycoprotein 1
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Structure Sequence
MDLEGDRNGGAKKKNFFKLNNKSEKDKKEKKPTVSVFSMFRYSNWLDKLYMVVGTLAAIIHGAGLPLMMLVFGEMTDIFANAGNLEDLMSNITNRSDINDTGFFMNLEEDMTRYAYYYSGIGAGVLVAAYIQVSFWCLAAGRQIHKIRKQFFHAIMRQEIGWFDVHDVGELNTRLTDDVSKINEGIGDKIGMFFQSMATFFTGFIVGFTRGWKLTLVILAISPVLGLSAAVWAKILSSFTDKELLAYAKAGAVAEEVLAAIRTVIAFGGQKKELERYNKNLEEAKRIGIKKAITANISIGAAFLLIYASYALAFWYGTTLVLSGEYSIGQVLTVFFSVLIGAFSVGQASPSIEAFANARGAAYEIFKIIDNKPSIDSYSKSGHKPDNIKGNLEFRNVHFSYPSRKEVKILKGLNLKVQSGQTVALVGNSGCGKSTTVQLMQRLYDPTEGMVSVDGQDIRTINVRFLREIIGVVSQEPVLFATTIAENIRYGRENVTMDEIEKAVKEANAYDFIMKLPHKFDTLVGERGAQLSGGQKQRIAIARALVRNPKILLLDEATSALDTESEAVVQVALDKARKGRTTIVIAHRLSTVRNADVIAGFDDGVIVEKGNHDELMKEKGIYFKLVTMQTAGNEVELENAADESKSEIDALEMSSNDSRSSLIRKRSTRRSVRGSQAQDRKLSTKEALDESIPPVSFWRIMKLNLTEWPYFVVGVFCAIINGGLQPAFAIIFSKIIGVFTRIDDPETKRQNSNLFSLLFLALGIISFITFFLQGFTFGKAGEILTKRLRYMVFRSMLRQDVSWFDDPKNTTGALTTRLANDAAQVKGAIGSRLAVITQNIANLGTGIIISFIYGWQLTLLLLAIVPIIAIAGVVEMKMLSGQALKDKKELEGSGKIATEAIENFRTVVSLTQEQKFEHMYAQSLQVPYRNSLRKAHIFGITFSFTQAMMYFSYAGCFRFGAYLVAHKLMSFEDVLLVFSAVVFGAMAVGQVSSFAPDYAKAKISAAHIIMIIEKTPLIDSYSTEGLMPNTLEGNVTFGEVVFNYPTRPDIPVLQGLSLEVKKGQTLALVGSSGCGKSTVVQLLERFYDPLAGKVLLDGKEIKRLNVQWLRAHLGIVSQEPILFDCSIAENIAYGDNSRVVSQEEIVRAAKEANIHAFIESLPNKYSTKVGDKGTQLSGGQKQRIAIARALVRQPHILLLDEATSALDTESEKVVQEALDKAREGRTCIVIAHRLSTIQNADLIVVFQNGRVKEHGTHQQLLAQKGIYFSMVSVQAGTKRQ
Gene Name ABCB1
Uniprot ID MDR1_HUMAN
KEGG Pathway hsa:5243
Protein Family ABC transporter superfamily
Protein Function
Translocates drugs and phospholipids across the membrane (PubMed:8898203, PubMed:2897240, PubMed:9038218). Catalyzes the flop of phospholipids from the cytoplasmic to the exoplasmic leaflet of the apical membrane. Participates mainly to the flop of phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, beta-D-glucosylceramides and sphingomyelins (PubMed:8898203). Energy-dependent efflux pump responsible for decreased drug accumulation in multidrug-resistant cells (PubMed:2897240, PubMed:9038218).
    Click to Show/Hide
      Mechanism Description
  • Decreased clearance of Loperamide due to the transporter inhibition by Ranitidine 
     CYP450 enzyme inhibition Click to Show/Hide Mechanism Graph
Could Not Find 2D Structure
      Drug Name Loperamide Ranitidine
      Mechanism 2 CYP450 3A4 substrate CYP450 3A4 inhibitor
      Key Mechanism Factor 2
Factor Name Cytochrome P450 3A4
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Structure Sequence
MALIPDLAMETWLLLAVSLVLLYLYGTHSHGLFKKLGIPGPTPLPFLGNILSYHKGFCMFDMECHKKYGKVWGFYDGQQPVLAITDPDMIKTVLVKECYSVFTNRRPFGPVGFMKSAISIAEDEEWKRLRSLLSPTFTSGKLKEMVPIIAQYGDVLVRNLRREAETGKPVTLKDVFGAYSMDVITSTSFGVNIDSLNNPQDPFVENTKKLLRFDFLDPFFLSITVFPFLIPILEVLNICVFPREVTNFLRKSVKRMKESRLEDTQKHRVDFLQLMIDSQNSKETESHKALSDLELVAQSIIFIFAGYETTSSVLSFIMYELATHPDVQQKLQEEIDAVLPNKAPPTYDTVLQMEYLDMVVNETLRLFPIAMRLERVCKKDVEINGMFIPKGVVVMIPSYALHRDPKYWTEPEKFLPERFSKKNKDNIDPYIYTPFGSGPRNCIGMRFALMNMKLALIRVLQNFSFKPCKETQIPLKLSLGGLLQPEKPVVLKVESRDGTVSGA
Gene Name CYP3A4
Uniprot ID CP3A4_HUMAN
KEGG Pathway hsa:1576
Protein Family Cytochrome P450 family
Protein Function
A cytochrome P450 monooxygenase involved in the metabolism of sterols, steroid hormones, retinoids and fatty acids (PubMed:10681376, PubMed:11093772, PubMed:11555828, PubMed:14559847, PubMed:12865317, PubMed:15373842, PubMed:15764715, PubMed:20702771, PubMed:19965576, PubMed:21490593, PubMed:21576599). Mechanistically, uses molecular oxygen inserting one oxygen atom into a substrate, and reducing the second into a water molecule, with two electrons provided by NADPH via cytochrome P450 reductase (NADPH--hemoprotein reductase). Catalyzes the hydroxylation of carbon-hydrogen bonds (PubMed:2732228, PubMed:14559847, PubMed:12865317, PubMed:15373842, PubMed:15764715, PubMed:21576599, PubMed:21490593). Exhibits high catalytic activity for the formation of hydroxyestrogens from estrone (E1) and 17beta-estradiol (E2), namely 2-hydroxy E1 and E2, as well as D-ring hydroxylated E1 and E2 at the C-16 position (PubMed:11555828, PubMed:14559847, PubMed:12865317). Plays a role in the metabolism of androgens, particularly in oxidative deactivation of testosterone (PubMed:2732228, PubMed:15373842, PubMed:15764715, PubMed:22773874). Metabolizes testosterone to less biologically active 2beta- and 6beta-hydroxytestosterones (PubMed:2732228, PubMed:15373842, PubMed:15764715). Contributes to the formation of hydroxycholesterols (oxysterols), particularly A-ring hydroxylated cholesterol at the C-4beta position, and side chain hydroxylated cholesterol at the C-25 position, likely contributing to cholesterol degradation and bile acid biosynthesis (PubMed:21576599). Catalyzes bisallylic hydroxylation of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) (PubMed:9435160). Catalyzes the epoxidation of double bonds of PUFA with a preference for the last double bond (PubMed:19965576). Metabolizes endocannabinoid arachidonoylethanolamide (anandamide) to 8,9-, 11,12-, and 14,15-epoxyeicosatrienoic acid ethanolamides (EpETrE-EAs), potentially modulating endocannabinoid system signaling (PubMed:20702771). Plays a role in the metabolism of retinoids. Displays high catalytic activity for oxidation of all-trans-retinol to all-trans-retinal, a rate-limiting step for the biosynthesis of all-trans-retinoic acid (atRA) (PubMed:10681376). Further metabolizes atRA toward 4-hydroxyretinoate and may play a role in hepatic atRA clearance (PubMed:11093772). Responsible for oxidative metabolism of xenobiotics. Acts as a 2-exo-monooxygenase for plant lipid 1,8-cineole (eucalyptol) (PubMed:11159812). Metabolizes the majority of the administered drugs. Catalyzes sulfoxidation of the anthelmintics albendazole and fenbendazole (PubMed:10759686). Hydroxylates antimalarial drug quinine (PubMed:8968357). Acts as a 1,4-cineole 2-exo-monooxygenase (PubMed:11695850). Also involved in vitamin D catabolism and calcium homeostasis. Catalyzes the inactivation of the active hormone calcitriol (1-alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3)) (PubMed:29461981).
    Click to Show/Hide
      Mechanism Description
  • Decreased metabolism of Loperamide caused by Ranitidine mediated inhibition of CYP450 enzyme

Recommended Action
      Management Caution is recommended if loperamide is used with drugs that enhance its gastrointestinal absorption or inhibit its metabolism. Particular caution is advised when drugs that inhibit CYP450 3A4 (e.g., azole antifungal agents, clarithromycin, cobicistat, conivaptan, delavirdine, erythromycin, idelalisib, nefazodone, protease inhibitors, telithromycin) and CYP450 2C8 (e.g., gemfibrozil, clopidogrel) are used together with loperamide, or when one or more of these drugs are combined with inhibitors of P-glycoprotein transport (e.g., amiodarone, cyclosporine, diltiazem, dronedarone, quinidine, verapamil), since they may act synergistically to increase loperamide concentrations. Patients should be counseled to not exceed the recommended dosage and frequency or duration of use of loperamide, and to seek prompt medical attention if they experience symptoms that could indicate the occurrence of torsade de pointes such as dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, palpitation, irregular heart rhythm, shortness of breath, or syncope. If loperamide-induced cardiotoxicity is suspected, promptly discontinue loperamide and initiate therapy to manage and prevent cardiac arrhythmias and adverse outcomes. Electrical pacing or cardioversion may be necessary if torsade de pointes persists despite pharmacotherapy.

References
1 Eggleston W, Clark KH, Marraffa JM "Loperamide abuse associated with cardiac dysrhythmia and death." Ann Emerg Med 69 (2017): 83-6. [PMID: 27140747]
2 Kim KA, Chung J, Jung DH, Park JY "Identification of cytochrome P450 isoforms involved in the metabolism of loperamide in human liver microsomes." Eur J Clin Pharmacol 60 (2004): 575-81. [PMID: 15365656]
3 Niemi M, Tornio A, Pasanen MK, Fredrikson H, Neuvonen PJ, Backman JT "Itraconazole, gemfibrozil and their combination markedly raise the plasma concentrations of loperamide." Eur J Clin Pharmacol 62 (2006): 463-72. [PMID: 16758263]
4 Product Information. Imodium (loperamide). Janssen Pharmaceutica, Titusville, NJ.
5 Tayrouz Y, Ganssmann B, Ding R, et al. "Ritonavir increases loperamide plasma concentrations without evidence for P-glycoprotein involvement." Clin Pharmacol Ther 70 (2001): 405-14. [PMID: 11719726]
6 US Food and Drug Administration "FDA warns about serious heart problems with high doses of the antidiarrheal medicine loperamide (Imodium), including from abuse and misuse.".