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Drug Interactions between afatinib and Belsomra

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

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Interactions between your drugs

Moderate

afatinib suvorexant

Applies to: afatinib and Belsomra (suvorexant)

ADJUST DOSE: Coadministration with inhibitors of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) may increase the plasma concentrations of afatinib, which is a substrate of the efflux transporter. In study subjects, oral administration of the P-gp inhibitor ritonavir (200 mg twice daily) one hour before afatinib dosing resulted in a 48% increase in afatinib systemic exposure. There was no change in afatinib exposure when ritonavir was administered simultaneously with, or 6 hours after, the afatinib dose.

MANAGEMENT: Caution is advised if afatinib is used in combination with P-gp inhibitors. Patients should be monitored for potentially increased adverse effects such as diarrhea, which may lead to dehydration with or without renal impairment; cutaneous reactions including rash, erythema, and bullous, blistering, or exfoliating lesions; interstitial lung disease such as lung infiltration, pneumonitis, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and allergic alveolitis; hepatotoxicity, which may be life-threatening or fatal; keratitis characterized by acute or worsening eye inflammation, lacrimation, light sensitivity, blurred vision, eye pain, red eye, and/or ulceration; and left ventricular dysfunction. The manufacturer recommends reducing the daily dose of afatinib by 10 mg if not tolerated. The previous dose may be resumed after discontinuation of the P-gp inhibitor as tolerated.

References (1)
  1. (2013) "Product Information. Gilotrif (afatinib)." Boehringer Ingelheim

Drug and food interactions

Moderate

afatinib food

Applies to: afatinib

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Food may reduce the oral bioavailability of afatinib. According to the product labeling, administration of afatinib with a high-fat meal decreased peak plasma concentration (Cmax) by 50% and systemic exposure (AUC) by 39% compared to administration in the fasted state.

MANAGEMENT: Afatinib should be taken at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal.

References (1)
  1. (2013) "Product Information. Gilotrif (afatinib)." Boehringer Ingelheim
Moderate

suvorexant food

Applies to: Belsomra (suvorexant)

GENERALLY AVOID: Alcohol may potentiate some of the pharmacologic effects of suvorexant. Use in combination may result in additive central nervous system depression and/or impairment of judgment, thinking, and psychomotor skills. In addition, alcohol may increase the risk of cognitive and complex behavioral changes associated with the use of hypnotics including suvorexant, such as amnesia, anxiety, hallucinations, sleep-driving, and other neuropsychiatric symptoms.

ADJUST DOSE: Grapefruit juice may significantly increase the plasma concentrations of suvorexant. The proposed mechanism is inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated first-pass metabolism in the gut wall by certain compounds present in grapefruit.

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Administration with or soon after a meal may delay the gastrointestinal absorption of suvorexant. According to the product labeling, administration of suvorexant with a high-fat meal resulted in no meaningful change in peak plasma concentration (Cmax) or systemic exposure (AUC), but a delay in Tmax of approximately 1.5 hours.

MANAGEMENT: Concomitant use of suvorexant with alcohol should be avoided. Patients should be advised not to use suvorexant if they had alcohol that evening or before bed. Grapefruit juice should preferably be avoided; otherwise, the recommended dose of suvorexant is 5 mg when used with grapefruit juice and should not exceed 10 mg. Suvorexant may be taken with or without food; however, for faster sleep onset, suvorexant should not be administered with or soon after a meal.

References (1)
  1. (2014) "Product Information. Belsomra (suvorexant)." Merck & Co., Inc

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.

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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.

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