Drug Interactions between abemaciclib and fenfluramine

GENERALLY AVOID: Alcohol may potentiate the central nervous system and cardiovascular effects of centrally-acting appetite suppressants. In one study, concurrent administration of methamphetamine (30 mg intravenously) and ethanol (1 gm/kg orally over 30 minutes) increased heart rate by 24 beats/minute compared to methamphetamine alone. This increases cardiac work and myocardial oxygen consumption, which may lead to more adverse cardiovascular effects than either agent alone. Subjective effects of ethanol were diminished in the eight study subjects, but those of methamphetamine were not affected. The pharmacokinetics of methamphetamine were also unaffected except for a decrease in the apparent volume of distribution at steady state.

MANAGEMENT: Concomitant use of centrally-acting appetite suppressants and alcohol should be avoided if possible, especially in patients with a history of cardiovascular disease. Patients should be counselled to avoid hazardous activities requiring complete mental alertness and motor coordination until they know how these agents affect them, and to notify their physician if they experience excessive or prolonged CNS effects that interfere with their normal activities.

GENERALLY AVOID: Grapefruit juice may increase the plasma concentrations of abemaciclib. The proposed mechanism is inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated first-pass metabolism in the gut wall by certain compounds present in grapefruit. Inhibition of hepatic CYP450 3A4 may also contribute. The interaction has not been studied with grapefruit juice, but has been reported for other CYP450 3A4 inhibitors. According to the product labeling, abemaciclib systemic exposure (AUC) is predicted to increase by up to 16-fold when administered with the potent CYP450 3A4 inhibitor ketoconazole. Itraconazole, another potent inhibitor, is predicted to increase the relative potency-adjusted unbound AUC of abemaciclib plus its active metabolites by 2.2-fold. In cancer patients, administration of a single 50 mg dose of abemaciclib (one-third the approved recommended dose of 150 mg) with clarithromycin 500 mg twice daily increased the relative potency-adjusted unbound AUC of abemaciclib plus its active metabolites by 2.5-fold relative to abemaciclib administered alone. The moderate CYP450 3A4 inhibitors, diltiazem and verapamil, are predicted to increase the relative potency-adjusted unbound AUC of abemaciclib plus its active metabolites by 2.4-fold and 1.6-fold, respectively. In general, the effect of grapefruit juice is concentration-, dose- and preparation-dependent, and can vary widely among brands. Certain preparations of grapefruit juice (e.g., high dose, double strength) have sometimes demonstrated potent inhibition of CYP450 3A4, while other preparations (e.g., low dose, single strength) have typically demonstrated moderate inhibition. Increased exposure to abemaciclib may increase adverse effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomatitis, venous thromboembolism, hepatotoxicity, anemia, neutropenia, and thrombocytopenia.

Food has modest effects on the pharmacokinetics of abemaciclib. A high-fat, high-calorie meal (800 to 1000 calories; 150 calories from protein, 250 calories from carbohydrate, and 500 to 600 calories from fat) administered to healthy subjects increased the Cmax and AUC of abemaciclib plus its active metabolites by 26% and 9%, respectively.

MANAGEMENT: Abemaciclib may be administered with or without food. Patients should avoid consumption of grapefruit and grapefruit juice during treatment with abemaciclib.