Drug Interactions between abrocitinib and fexofenadine

GENERALLY AVOID: Coadministration with large amounts of certain fruit juices, including grapefruit, orange and apple, may decrease the oral bioavailability of fexofenadine. The proposed mechanism is inhibition of drug efflux via intestinal organic anion transporting polypeptides (e.g., P-glycoprotein), of which fexofenadine is a substrate. In a five-way crossover study with 10 healthy volunteers, 1/4-strength grapefruit juice, grapefruit juice, orange juice and apple juice (300 mL with drug administration and 150 mL every 1/2 hour for up to 3 hours, total volume 1.2 L) reduced the mean area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) of a 120 mg dose of fexofenadine by 23%, 67%, 72% and 77%, respectively, compared to water. Mean peak plasma concentration (Cmax) was similarly affected. The clinical significance of these changes is unknown. However, results from studies using histamine-induced skin wheals and flares found that the size of wheal and flare was significantly larger when fexofenadine was administered with either grapefruit or orange juices compared to water.

MANAGEMENT: To maximize plasma levels and therapeutic effects, fexofenadine should be taken with water. In addition, patients should refrain from consuming large amounts of grapefruit, orange, or apple juice.

MONITOR: Smoking during treatment with abrocitinib may increase the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and the risk of developing malignancies. During abrocitinib clinical studies, current or past smokers had an additional increased risk of overall malignancies. Also, abrocitinib may increase patients' risk of MACE, including myocardial infarction, stroke, and cardiovascular death.

Administration of abrocitinib with high-fat, high-calorie food increased abrocitinib peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and systemic exposure (AUC) by 29% and 26%, respectively, and prolonged the time to reach Cmax by 2 hours. These changes are not considered clinically relevant.

MANAGEMENT: Caution is advised if abrocitinib is prescribed to current or past smokers. Patients should be informed about the symptoms of serious cardiovascular events and the steps to take if they occur. The manufacturer recommends discontinuing abrocitinib in patients that have experienced a myocardial infarction or stroke. Abrocitinib may be taken with or without food.