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Drug Interactions between acalabrutinib and Brukinsa

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

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Interactions between your drugs

Major

acalabrutinib zanubrutinib

Applies to: acalabrutinib and Brukinsa (zanubrutinib)

MONITOR CLOSELY: Coadministration of acalabrutinib and drugs that interfere with platelet function or coagulation may potentiate the risk of bleeding complications. Serious and fatal hemorrhagic events have been reported during acalabrutinib therapy. In the combined safety database of 1040 patients with hematologic malignancies treated with acalabrutinib monotherapy, major hemorrhage (serious or >= Grade 3 bleeding events or any central nervous system bleeding) occurred in 3.6% of patients, with fatalities occurring in 0.1% of patients. Overall, bleeding events of any grade, including bruising and petechiae, occurred in 46% of patients. The mechanism is not well understood, as bleeding events have occurred in patients both with and without thrombocytopenia. In clinical trials, major hemorrhagic events were experienced by 3% of patients taking acalabrutinib without concurrent antithrombotic agents. The addition of antithrombotic agents increased this percentage to 4.3%.

MANAGEMENT: Concomitant use of acalabrutinib with antithrombotic agents or other drugs that increase bleeding risk should be approached with caution. Close clinical and laboratory monitoring for bleeding complications is recommended during therapy. Patients should be advised to promptly report any signs and symptoms of bleeding to their physician. Refer to the product labeling for guidance on acalabrutinib dosage adjustments in patients with concurrent Grade 3 thrombocytopenia and bleeding.

References (4)
  1. (2019) "Product Information. Calquence (acalabrutinib)." AstraZeneca Pty Ltd
  2. (2023) "Product Information. Calquence (acalabrutinib)." AstraZeneca Canada Inc
  3. (2021) "Product Information. Calquence (acalabrutinib)." AstraZeneca UK Ltd
  4. (2022) "Product Information. Calquence (acalabrutinib)." Astra-Zeneca Pharmaceuticals

Drug and food interactions

Major

acalabrutinib food

Applies to: acalabrutinib

GENERALLY AVOID: Consumption of grapefruit and/or grapefruit juice may increase the plasma concentrations of acalabrutinib. 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 specifically, but has been reported for other CYP450 3A4 inhibitors. When acalabrutinib was administered with the potent CYP450 3A4 inhibitor itraconazole (200 mg once daily for 5 days) in 17 healthy subjects, acalabrutinib peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and systemic exposure (AUC) increased by 3.9- and 5.1-fold, respectively. Physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) simulations showed that moderate CYP450 3A4 inhibitors (erythromycin, fluconazole, diltiazem) increased acalabrutinib Cmax and AUC by 2- to nearly 3-fold. In healthy subjects, administration of acalabrutinib with the moderate CYP450 3A4 inhibitors fluconazole (400 mg as a single dose) or isavuconazole (200 mg as a repeated dose for 5 days) increased acalabrutinib Cmax and AUC by 1.4- to 2-fold, while the Cmax and AUC of the active metabolite, ACP-5862, was decreased by 0.65- to 0.88-fold. 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 acalabrutinib exposure may potentiate the risk of toxicities such as hemorrhage, infection, cytopenias, malignancies, and atrial fibrillation or flutter.

Food may delay the absorption of acalabrutinib, but does not appear to affect the overall extent of absorption. When a single 100 mg tablet or a 75 mg developmental formulation of acalabrutinib was administered with a high-fat, high-calorie meal (approximately 918 calories; 59 grams carbohydrate, 59 grams fat, 39 grams protein) in healthy study subjects, mean acalabrutinib Cmax was decreased by 54% and 73%, respectively, while time to reach Cmax was delayed by 1 to 2 hours compared to administration under fasted conditions. However, mean AUC was not affected.

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

References (5)
  1. (2019) "Product Information. Calquence (acalabrutinib)." AstraZeneca Pty Ltd
  2. (2023) "Product Information. Calquence (acalabrutinib)." AstraZeneca Canada Inc
  3. (2021) "Product Information. Calquence (acalabrutinib)." AstraZeneca UK Ltd
  4. (2022) "Product Information. Calquence (acalabrutinib)." Astra-Zeneca Pharmaceuticals
  5. Chen B, Zhou D, Wei H, et al. (2022) "Acalabrutinib CYP3A-mediated drug-drug interactions: clinical evaluations and physiologically based pharmacokinetic modelling to inform dose adjustment strategy" Br J Clin Pharmacol, 88, p. 3716-29
Major

zanubrutinib food

Applies to: Brukinsa (zanubrutinib)

GENERALLY AVOID: Grapefruit and/or grapefruit juice may increase the plasma concentrations of zanubrutinib. 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. When zanubrutinib was coadministered with the potent CYP450 3A4 inhibitor itraconazole (200 mg once daily), zanubrutinib peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and systemic exposure (AUC) increased 157% and 278%, respectively, in healthy volunteers. Data evaluating coadministration of zanubrutinib, in patients with B-cell lymphoma, and several other known CYP450 3A4 inhibitors have been reported. When zanubrutinib was coadministered with another CYP450 3A4 inhibitor, clarithromycin (250 mg twice daily), zanubrutinib Cmax and AUC increased 101% and 92%, respectively. The moderate CYP450 3A4 inhibitor diltiazem (180 mg once daily) increased both zanubrutinib Cmax and AUC increased by 62%. Another moderate CYP450 3A4 inhibitor, fluconazole (400 mg once daily), increased zanubrutinib Cmax and AUC 81% and 88%, respectively. Clinical data for less potent inhibitors are not available. In general, the effects of grapefruit products are concentration-, dose- and preparation-dependent, and can vary widely among brands. Certain preparations of grapefruit (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 zanubrutinib exposure may potentiate the risk of toxicities such as hemorrhage, infection, cytopenias, malignancies, and serious cardiac arrhythmias, primarily atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter.

Food does not affect the oral bioavailability of zanubrutinib. No clinically significant differences in zanubrutinib Cmax or AUC were observed following administration of a high-fat meal (approximately 1000 calories; 50% from fat) in healthy subjects.

MANAGEMENT: Zanubrutinib may be administered with or without food. Patients should avoid consumption of grapefruit, grapefruit juice, Seville oranges (a citrus relative of the grapefruit), and Seville orange juice during treatment with zanubrutinib. Close clinical monitoring for development of zanubrutinib-related toxicities, dosage adjustments, and/or withholding treatment in accordance with product labeling is advised. Additional consultation with individual package labeling, as well as relevant institutional protocols, may be advisable for further guidance.

References (3)
  1. (2025) "Product Information. Brukinsa (zanubrutinib)." BeiGene USA, Inc
  2. (2024) "Product Information. Brukinsa (zanubrutinib)." Beigene Aus Pty Ltd
  3. beigene switzerland gmbh (2025) Zanubrutinib PRODUCT MONOGRAPH https://pdf.hres.ca/dpd_pm/00078143.PDF

Therapeutic duplication warnings

Therapeutic duplication is the use of more than one medicine from the same drug category or therapeutic class to treat the same condition. This can be intentional in cases where drugs with similar actions are used together for demonstrated therapeutic benefit. It can also be unintentional in cases where a patient has been treated by more than one doctor, or had prescriptions filled at more than one pharmacy, and can have potentially adverse consequences.

Duplication

Btk inhibitors

Therapeutic duplication

The recommended maximum number of medicines in the 'BTK inhibitors' category to be taken concurrently is usually one. Your list includes two medicines belonging to the 'BTK inhibitors' category:

  • acalabrutinib
  • Brukinsa (zanubrutinib)

Note: In certain circumstances, the benefits of taking this combination of drugs may outweigh any risks. Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your medications or dosage.


Report options

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.