Drug Interactions between Akeega and pegaspargase

MONITOR: Concomitant use of asparaginase with other hepatotoxic agents may potentiate the risk of liver injury. Asparaginase-associated hepatotoxicity has been reported more commonly in adults than in children and has been strongly associated with obesity. Hepatomegaly, acute severe hepatotoxicity, and fatal liver failure have been reported with asparaginase treatment in adults. Also, asparaginase may increase the toxicity of drugs bound to plasma proteins or metabolized by the liver.

MANAGEMENT: The risk of additive hepatotoxicity should be considered when asparaginase is used with other hepatotoxic agents (e.g., alcohol, androgens, antituberculosis agents, azole antifungal agents, ACE inhibitors, macrolide antibiotics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents, nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, sulfonamides, thiazolidinediones, and statins). Liver function tests should be monitored at regular intervals during asparaginase treatment with or without other hepatotoxic drugs. Patients should be advised to seek medical attention if they experience potential symptoms of hepatotoxicity such as right upper quadrant pain, increasing abdominal size, fever, rash, itching, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, malaise, dark urine, pale stools, and jaundice.

MONITOR: The concomitant use of myelosuppressive, immunosuppressive, or cytotoxic agents may potentiate and/or prolong the bone marrow toxicity associated with niraparib. Thrombocytopenia, anemia, neutropenia, and/or pancytopenia have all been observed with niraparib during clinical trials, especially during the initial phase of treatment. Additionally, myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) have been reported in patients treated with niraparib. Some cases were fatal, and the duration of therapy with niraparib in patients who developed MDS/AML varied from less than 1 month to approximately 6 years. All patients had previous chemotherapy with platinum agents and/or other DNA-damaging agents, including radiotherapy.

MANAGEMENT: Caution is advised if niraparib is prescribed with other myelosuppressive, immunosuppressive, or cytotoxic agents. Do not start niraparib until patients have recovered from hematological toxicity caused by previous chemotherapy (Grade 1 or less). Complete blood counts should be monitored as recommended in the product labeling and any relevant institutional protocols. Recommendations for dose adjustments as well as treatment interruption and discontinuation can also be found in the product labeling for serious hematologic adverse reactions. If hematological toxicities have not resolved within 4 weeks after interruption, discontinue niraparib and refer the patient to a hematologist for further investigations, including bone marrow analysis and blood sample for cytogenetics. If MDS/AML is confirmed, discontinue niraparib. Patients should be advised to contact their physician if they experience pale skin, weakness, fatigue, fever, weight loss, infections, shortness of breath, unusual bleeding or bruising, or blood in urine or stool.