Drug Interactions between Agenerase and cannabidiol

GENERALLY AVOID: Administration with a high-fat meal may decrease the oral bioavailability of amprenavir. The mechanism is unknown. In healthy volunteers, consumption of a standardized high-fat meal decreased the peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) of amprenavir (1200 mg single oral dose) by 36% and 21%, respectively, compared to administration in the fasted state. The time to reach Cmax (Tmax) was increased 44% following a high-fat meal.

Grapefruit juice does not appear to significantly affect the pharmacokinetics of amprenavir. In 12 healthy volunteers, administration with grapefruit juice (200 mL) decreased the mean peak plasma concentration (Cmax) of amprenavir (1200 mg single oral dose) by 22% compared to water. The median time to reach Cmax (Tmax) was prolonged from 0.75 to 1.13 hours. These pharmacokinetic changes are not thought to be clinically significant, since antiretroviral response is more closely associated with systemic exposure (AUC) and trough plasma concentration (Cmin), which were not affected in the study.

MANAGEMENT: Amprenavir may be taken with or without food, but should not be taken with a high-fat meal.

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Food may affect the plasma concentrations of cannabidiol. In healthy volunteers, administration of cannabidiol with a high-fat/high-calorie meal increased cannabidiol peak plasma concentration (Cmax) by 5-fold and systemic exposure (AUC) by 4-fold and reduced the total variability compared with administration in the fasted state.

GENERALLY AVOID: Grapefruit juice may increase the plasma concentrations of cannabidiol. The proposed mechanism is inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated metabolism of cannabidiol by certain compounds present in grapefruit. The interaction has not been studied, but the product labeling for cannabidiol recommends consideration of a dosage reduction when used with strong or moderate inhibitors of CYP450 3A4. 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.

MANAGEMENT: Cannabidiol should be taken about the same time each day consistently either with or without food. Patients should limit the consumption of grapefruit and grapefruit juice. If they are coadministered, cannabidiol levels should be monitored and the dosage adjusted as necessary.