Drug Interactions between Akeega and apalutamide

GENERALLY AVOID: Coadministration with potent inducers of CYP450 3A4 may significantly decrease the plasma concentrations of abiraterone, which is partially metabolized by the isoenzyme. In healthy subjects administered a single 1000 mg dose of abiraterone following pretreatment with the potent CYP450 3A4 inducer rifampin (600 mg daily for 6 days), mean abiraterone systemic exposure (AUC) decreased by 55%. In addition, when two or more medications with similar adverse effect profiles are given concurrently, the likelihood of experiencing these adverse reactions may be increased. For example, coadministration with other agents that can prolong the QT interval (e.g., apalutamide, encorafenib, enzalutamide) may result in additive effects and an increased risk of ventricular arrhythmias like torsade de pointes.

MANAGEMENT: Concomitant use of abiraterone acetate with potent CYP450 3A4 inducers should generally be avoided. Otherwise, an increase in dosing frequency for abiraterone acetate from once daily to twice daily during the coadministration period may be considered, although this dosage adjustment has not been studied clinically. The dosage should be adjusted back to the previous level when the CYP450 3A4 inducer is discontinued. If abiraterone acetate is part of a combination pill, the regimen may need to be split into its individual components to allow for changes in abiraterone acetate dosing without affecting the other component(s). If the CYP450 3A4 inducer also carries a risk of prolonging the QT interval, then obtaining more frequent electrocardiograms (ECGs) to monitor the QT interval may be advisable. Patients should be counseled to seek immediate medical attention if they experience symptoms that could indicate the occurrence of torsade de pointes such as dizziness, lightheadedness, syncope, palpitations, irregular heartbeat, and/or shortness of breath.

MONITOR: Coadministration with apalutamide may decrease the plasma concentrations of drugs that are substrates of the metabolic enzymes CYP450 3A4, CYP450 2C19, CYP450 2C9, and uridine diphosphate glucuronosyltransferase (UGT), as well as substrates of the membrane transporters organic anion transporting polypeptide (OATP) 1B1, P-glycoprotein (P-gp), and breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP). According to the prescribing information, coadministration of apalutamide with single oral doses of sensitive CYP450 substrates resulted in a 92% decrease in the systemic exposure (AUC) of midazolam, a CYP450 3A4 substrate; 85% decrease in the AUC of omeprazole, a CYP450 2C19 substrate; and 46% decrease in the AUC of S(-) warfarin, a CYP450 2C9 substrate. These results indicate strong induction of CYP450 3A4 and 2C19 by apalutamide, and weak induction of CYP450 2C9. Coadministration of apalutamide with single oral doses of transporter substrates resulted in a 30% decrease in the AUC of fexofenadine, a P-gp substrate, and 41% decrease in the AUC of rosuvastatin, a BCRP/OATP1B1 substrate. These results suggest that apalutamide is a weak inducer of membrane transporters. Apalutamide may also induce UGT according to the prescribing information; however, no pharmacokinetic data from studies with UGT substrates are available.

MANAGEMENT: Caution is advised when apalutamide is used concomitantly with drugs that are substrates of CYP450 3A4, CYP450 2C19, CYP450 2C9, UGT, OATP1B1, P-gp and/or BCRP, particularly sensitive substrates or those with a narrow therapeutic range. Substitution for these medications is recommended when possible, or monitor for potential loss of therapeutic efficacy if coadministration is required. The prescribing information for concomitant medications should be consulted to assess the benefits versus risks of coadministration of a CYP450 inducer like apalutamide and for any dosage adjustments that may be required.