Drug Interactions between aspirin / caffeine / salicylamide and Imbruvica

MONITOR CLOSELY: Coadministration of ibrutinib and drugs that interfere with platelet function or coagulation may potentiate the risk of bleeding complications. In clinical trials, 5% of patients with mantle cell lymphoma had Grade 3 or higher bleeding events such as subdural hematoma, gastrointestinal bleeding, and hematuria. Overall, bleeding events including bruising of any grade occurred in 48% of patients treated with ibrutinib 560 mg daily. The mechanism for the bleeding events is not well understood, although treatment with ibrutinib is associated with a high frequency of thrombocytopenia. Treatment-emergent grade 3 or 4 thrombocytopenia was reported in 17% of patients during clinical trials, while thrombocytopenia of all grades was reported in 57%. Fatal bleeding events have been reported during postmarketing use.

MANAGEMENT: Concomitant use of other medications that interfere with platelet function or coagulation should be considered cautiously in patients treated with ibrutinib. Close clinical and laboratory observation for bleeding complications is recommended during therapy. The INR should be monitored more frequently during coadministration of warfarin. In addition, some authorities recommend avoiding the use of supplements that have an inhibitory effect on platelet function such as fish oil (omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids), flaxseed, and vitamin E preparations (AU, CA, UK) because of an increased risk of bleeding. Patients should be advised to promptly report any signs of bleeding to their physician, including pain, swelling, headache, dizziness, weakness, prolonged bleeding from cuts, increased menstrual flow, vaginal bleeding, nosebleeds, bleeding of gums from brushing, unusual bleeding or bruising, red or brown urine, or red or black stools.

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MONITOR: The combined use of low-dose or high-dose aspirin with other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may increase the potential for serious gastrointestinal (GI) toxicity, including inflammation, bleeding, ulceration, and perforation. Aspirin at anti-inflammatory dosages or higher may also decrease the plasma concentrations of many NSAIDs. The decreases have ranged from none or small (piroxicam, meloxicam, naproxen, tolmetin) to substantial (flurbiprofen, ibuprofen). However, the therapeutic response does not appear to be affected. Investigators theorize that aspirin may displace NSAIDs from plasma protein binding sites, resulting in increased concentration of unbound, or free, drug available for clearance. The increase in NSAID free fraction, and possibly some contributory anti-inflammatory effect from aspirin, may account for the lack of overall effect on therapeutic response.

MANAGEMENT: Caution is advised if aspirin, particularly at anti-inflammatory dosages, is used with other NSAIDs. Concomitant administration of NSAIDs is considered contraindicated or not recommended with aspirin at analgesic/anti-inflammatory dosages by many NSAID manufacturers. During concomitant therapy, patients should be advised to take the medications with food and to immediately report signs and symptoms of GI ulceration and bleeding such as abdominal pain, bloating, sudden dizziness or lightheadedness, nausea, vomiting, hematemesis, anorexia, and melena.

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One study has reported that coadministration of caffeine and aspirin lead to a 25% increase in the rate of appearance and 17% increase in maximum concentration of salicylate in the plasma. A significantly higher area under the plasma concentration time curve of salicylate was also reported when both drugs were administered together. The exact mechanism of this interaction has not been specified. Physicians and patients should be aware that coadministration of aspirin and caffeine may lead to higher salicylate levels faster.

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