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Drug Interactions between alemtuzumab and Velcade

This report displays the potential drug interactions for the following 2 drugs:

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Interactions between your drugs

Moderate

alemtuzumab bortezomib

Applies to: alemtuzumab and Velcade (bortezomib)

MONITOR: The use of alemtuzumab with other immunosuppressive or myelosuppressive agents may increase the risk of infections. Alemtuzumab alone may cause severe and prolonged myelosuppression, lymphopenia, and rarely, fatal bone marrow aplasia/hypoplasia, autoimmune idiopathic thrombocytopenia, and autoimmune hemolytic anemia. Serious, sometimes fatal opportunistic infections have been reported, and the risk may theoretically increase when coadministered with other immunosuppressive therapy. Agents that may be significantly myelo- or immunosuppressive include antineoplastic agents, radiation, zidovudine, linezolid, some antirheumatic agents, high dosages of corticosteroids or adrenocorticotropic agents (greater than 10 mg/day to 1 mg/kg/day, whichever is less, of prednisone or equivalent for more than 2 weeks), and long-term topical or inhaled corticosteroids.

MANAGEMENT: Caution is advised if alemtuzumab must be used in patients who have recently received or are receiving treatment with other immunosuppressive or myelosuppressive drugs, and vice versa. The manufacturer recommends that single doses of alemtuzumab not exceed 30 mg and cumulative weekly doses not exceed 90 mg, since higher dosages are associated with an increased incidence of pancytopenia. Close clinical and laboratory monitoring for the development of severe hematologic adverse effects is recommended both during and after discontinuation of therapy.

References

  1. (2001) "Product Information. Campath (alemtuzumab)." Berlex Laboratories

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Drug and food interactions

Moderate

bortezomib food

Applies to: Velcade (bortezomib)

GENERALLY AVOID: Data from in vitro and animal (mice) studies suggest that green tea may antagonize the cytotoxic effects of bortezomib. Polyphenols in green tea such as (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) have been shown to block the proteasome inhibitory action of bortezomib in multiple myeloma and glioblastoma cancer cell lines. The mechanism appears to involve a direct chemical reaction between the boronic acid moiety of bortezomib and the 1,2-benzenediol groups present in certain polyphenols leading to inactivation of bortezomib. However, one group of investigators reported that no antagonism of bortezomib was observed in preclinical in vivo experiments where EGCG plasma concentrations are commensurate with dietary or supplemental intake.

MANAGEMENT: Until more data are available, it may be advisable to avoid or limit consumption of green tea and green tea products during treatment with bortezomib. The interaction has not been demonstrated for other, non-boronic acid proteasome inhibitors.

References

  1. Bannerman B, Xu L, Jones M, et al. (2011) "Preclinical evaluation of the antitumor activity of bortezomib in combination with vitamin C or with epigallocatechin gallate, a component of green tea." Cancer Chemother Pharmacol, 68, p. 1145-54
  2. Golden EB, Lam PY, Kardosh A, et al. (2009) "Green tea polyphenols block the anticancer effects of bortezomib and other boronic acid–based proteasome inhibitors." Blood, 113, p. 5927-37
  3. Jia L, Liu FT (2013) "Why bortezomib cannot go with 'green'?" Cancer Biol Med, 10, p. 206-13

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Therapeutic duplication warnings

No warnings were found for your selected drugs.

Therapeutic duplication warnings are only returned when drugs within the same group exceed the recommended therapeutic duplication maximum.

See also

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Drug Interaction Classification

These classifications are only a guideline. The relevance of a particular drug interaction to a specific individual is difficult to determine. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting or stopping any medication.
Major Highly clinically significant. Avoid combinations; the risk of the interaction outweighs the benefit.
Moderate Moderately clinically significant. Usually avoid combinations; use it only under special circumstances.
Minor Minimally clinically significant. Minimize risk; assess risk and consider an alternative drug, take steps to circumvent the interaction risk and/or institute a monitoring plan.
Unknown No interaction information available.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

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