Drug Interactions between acalabrutinib and eltrombopag

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.

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Food may reduce the oral bioavailability of eltrombopag. In healthy volunteers, a standard high-fat breakfast significantly decreased plasma eltrombopag peak plasma concentration (Cmax) by 65% and systemic exposure (AUC) by 59% and delayed Tmax by one hour. The calcium content of this meal may have also contributed to this decrease in exposure. In another study, adult subjects administered a single 25 mg dose of eltrombopag for oral suspension with a high-calcium, moderate-fat, moderate-calorie meal exhibited a 79% decrease in Cmax and 75% decrease in AUC of eltrombopag. Administration of eltrombopag 2 hours after the high-calcium meal decreased eltrombopag Cmax by 48% and AUC by 47%, while administration 2 hours before the high-calcium meal decreased eltrombopag Cmax by 14% and AUC by 20%.

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Polyvalent cations such as aluminum, calcium, iron, magnesium, and zinc can significantly reduce the gastrointestinal absorption of eltrombopag due to chelation. In one clinical trial, administration of a single 75 mg dose of eltrombopag with an antacid containing 1524 mg aluminum hydroxide and 1425 mg magnesium carbonate resulted in an approximately 70% decrease in eltrombopag Cmax and AUC.

MANAGEMENT: Eltrombopag should be taken on an empty stomach one hour before or two hours after a meal. Additionally, eltrombopag should be taken at least 2 hours before or 4 hours after any products that contain polyvalent cations such as antacids, mineral supplements, dairy products, and fortified juices.