Skip to main content

Drug Interactions between acalabrutinib and Scemblix

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

Edit list (add/remove drugs)

Interactions between your drugs

Moderate

acalabrutinib asciminib

Applies to: acalabrutinib and Scemblix (asciminib)

MONITOR: Coadministration with asciminib may increase the plasma concentrations of drugs that are primarily metabolized by the CYP450 3A4 isoenzyme. The mechanism is reduced clearance due to inhibition of CYP450 3A4 by asciminib. When midazolam, a sensitive CYP450 3A4 substrate, was coadministered with asciminib 40 mg twice daily, midazolam peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and systemic exposure (AUC) increased by 11% and 28%, respectively. Likewise, the Cmax and AUC of midazolam increased by 17% and 24%, respectively, following coadministration with asciminib at 80 mg once daily, but increased by 58% and 88%, respectively, following coadministration with asciminib at 200 mg twice daily. These results suggest weak inhibition of CYP450 3A4 by asciminib.

MANAGEMENT: Caution is advised when asciminib is used concomitantly with drugs that are substrates of CYP450 3A4, particularly sensitive substrates or those with a narrow therapeutic range. Dosage adjustments as well as clinical and laboratory monitoring may be appropriate for some drugs whenever asciminib is added to or withdrawn from therapy. The prescribing information recommends closely monitoring for the development of adverse reactions in patients receiving asciminib therapy at 80 mg total daily dose with certain CYP450 3A4 substrates where minimal concentration changes may lead to serious or life-threatening toxicities, and avoiding coadministration of these drugs with asciminib at the maximum recommended dosage of 200 mg twice daily. The prescribing information for concomitant medications should be consulted to assess the benefits versus risks of coadministration of a weak CYP450 3A4 inhibitor like asciminib and for any dosage adjustments that may be required.

References (1)
  1. (2021) "Product Information. Scemblix (asciminib)." Novartis 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
Moderate

asciminib food

Applies to: Scemblix (asciminib)

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Food may reduce the oral bioavailability of asciminib. When a single 40 mg dose of asciminib was administered with a low-fat meal (400 calories; 25% fat) in healthy volunteers, asciminib peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and systemic exposure (AUC) decreased by 35% and 30%, respectively, compared to asciminib administered in the fasted state. Administration with a high-fat meal (1000 calories; 50% fat) decreased the Cmax and AUC of asciminib by 68% and 62%, respectively.

MANAGEMENT: To ensure adequate asciminib exposures, food consumption should be avoided for at least 2 hours before and 1 hour after taking asciminib.

References (2)
  1. (2021) "Product Information. Scemblix (asciminib)." Novartis Pharmaceuticals
  2. (2022) "Product Information. Scemblix (asciminib)." Novartis Pharmaceuticals UK Ltd, Scemblix 20 mg film-

Therapeutic duplication warnings

No warnings were found for your selected drugs.

Therapeutic duplication warnings are only returned when drugs within the same group exceed the recommended therapeutic duplication maximum.


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.