Drug Interactions between aminophylline / ephedrine / guaifenesin / phenobarbital and emtricitabine / lopinavir / ritonavir / tenofovir

CONTRAINDICATED: Coadministration with drugs that are strong inducers of CYP450 3A4 may decrease the plasma concentrations of ritonavir and result in a potential loss of virologic response. The proposed mechanism is increased clearance due to induction of CYP450 3A4, which is the isoenzyme primarily responsible for the metabolism of ritonavir.

MANAGEMENT: Given the risk of reduced viral susceptibility and resistance development associated with subtherapeutic antiretroviral drug levels, concomitant use of ritonavir with drugs that are strong inducers of CYP450 3A4 is considered contraindicated.

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ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Coadministration of lopinavir-ritonavir with potent inducers of CYP450 3A4 such as phenobarbital and primidone (metabolized in vivo to phenobarbital) may decrease the plasma concentrations of lopinavir, which is primarily metabolized by the isoenzyme. Clinical studies have shown that potent CYP450 3A4 inducers can significantly alter the plasma concentrations of lopinavir, possibly by overriding some of the boosting effects of ritonavir and enhancing the clearance of both lopinavir and ritonavir. In 12 healthy volunteers, administration of lopinavir-ritonavir (400 mg-100 mg twice daily for 22 days) with the CYP450 3A4 inducer phenytoin (300 mg once daily on days 11 thru 22) decreased lopinavir peak plasma concentration (Cmax), systemic exposure (AUC) and trough plasma concentration (Cmin) by 24%, 33% and 46%, respectively. Ritonavir Cmax, AUC and Cmin were also reduced by 20%, 28% and 47%, respectively, although only the change in Cmin was statistically significant.

MANAGEMENT: Given the risk of reduced viral susceptibility and resistance development associated with subtherapeutic antiretroviral drug levels, caution is advised if lopinavir-ritonavir is prescribed with phenobarbital or primidone. Once-daily administration of lopinavir-ritonavir should be avoided when used concomitantly with these agents. Close clinical and laboratory monitoring of antiretroviral response is recommended. An increase in the dosage of lopinavir-ritonavir may be necessary, although dosage adjustment has not been evaluated in clinical studies.

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GENERALLY AVOID: Coadministration with inducers of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) may decrease the oral bioavailability and plasma concentrations of tenofovir alafenamide (TAF), which is a substrate of the efflux transporter. In 26 healthy study subjects, administration of TAF (25 mg once daily) with the P-gp inducer carbamazepine (300 mg twice daily) decreased TAF plasma concentration (Cmax) and systemic exposure (AUC) by an average of 57% and 55%, respectively, compared to TAF administered alone. It is not known if, and to what extent, tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF), another prodrug of tenofovir, may interact with P-gp inducers. The interaction has not been studied with TDF, and no information is found in the labeling of various products containing TDF, although it has been reported to be a P-gp substrate also.

MANAGEMENT: Given the risk of reduced viral susceptibility and resistance development associated with subtherapeutic antiviral drug levels, concomitant use of tenofovir alafenamide fumarate with P-gp inducers is not recommended. Whether this also applies to tenofovir disoproxil fumarate has not been established.

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MONITOR: Barbiturates may decrease serum levels and therapeutic effects of the methylxanthines. The mechanism is barbiturate induction of CYP450 3A4 and 1A2 hepatic metabolism of methylxanthines.

MANAGEMENT: Close observation for clinical and laboratory evidence of decreased methylxanthine effect is indicated if these drugs must be used together. Patients should be advised to notify their physician if they experience a worsening of their respiratory symptoms.

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MONITOR: The coadministration with ritonavir may decrease the plasma concentrations of theophylline. The proposed mechanism is ritonavir induction of CYP450 1A2, the isoenzyme responsible for the metabolic clearance of theophylline. In a study involving 27 subjects, ritonavir (500 mg orally every 12 hours for 10 days) decreased the steady-state peak plasma concentration (Cmax), area under the concentration-time curve (AUC), and trough concentration (Cmin) of theophylline (3 mg/kg every 8 hours) by 32%, 43%, and 57%, respectively, compared to placebo. The half-life also decreased from 8.4 hours at baseline to 3.6 hours after 10 days of ritonavir.

MANAGEMENT: During coadministration with ritonavir, the possibility of a diminished therapeutic response to theophylline should be considered. Dosage adjustment as well as clinical and laboratory monitoring may be appropriate whenever ritonavir is added to or withdrawn from therapy.

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MONITOR: Coadministration with ritonavir, with or without lopinavir, has been suggested in postmarketing reports to increase the proximal tubular intracellular concentrations of tenofovir and potentiate the risk of tenofovir-induced nephrotoxicity. The proposed mechanism is ritonavir inhibition of tenofovir renal tubular secretion into the urine via multidrug resistance protein MRP2. Analysis of data from a compassionate access study in which 271 patients with advanced HIV disease received the combination for a mean duration of 63 weeks revealed no clinically significant nephrotoxicity associated with coadministration. However, there have been case reports of renal failure associated with acute tubular necrosis, Fanconi's syndrome, and nephrogenic diabetes insipidus in patients treated with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate in combination with ritonavir. Some patients had incomplete recovery of renal function more than a year after cessation of tenofovir therapy. Ritonavir given in combination with lopinavir has also been reported to modestly increase the plasma concentrations of tenofovir. In contrast, both slight decreases and no change in lopinavir and ritonavir concentrations have been reported.

MANAGEMENT: Caution is advised if tenofovir disoproxil fumarate is prescribed with ritonavir. Renal function should be monitored regularly, including surveillance for signs of tubulopathy such as glycosuria, acidosis, increases in serum creatinine level, electrolyte disturbances (e.g., hypokalemia, hypophosphatemia), and proteinuria. The same precaution may be applicable during therapy with other protease inhibitors based on their similar pharmacokinetic profile, although clinical data are lacking. Nelfinavir reportedly does not alter the pharmacokinetics of tenofovir, or vice versa. Tenofovir administration should be discontinued promptly if nephropathy develops.

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MONITOR: Coadministration with ritonavir, with or without lopinavir, has been suggested in postmarketing reports to increase the proximal tubular intracellular concentrations of tenofovir and potentiate the risk of tenofovir-induced nephrotoxicity. The proposed mechanism is ritonavir inhibition of tenofovir renal tubular secretion into the urine via multidrug resistance protein MRP2. Analysis of data from a compassionate access study in which 271 patients with advanced HIV disease received the combination for a mean duration of 63 weeks revealed no clinically significant nephrotoxicity associated with coadministration. However, there have been case reports of renal failure associated with acute tubular necrosis, Fanconi's syndrome, and nephrogenic diabetes insipidus in patients treated with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate in combination with ritonavir. Some patients had incomplete recovery of renal function more than a year after cessation of tenofovir therapy. Ritonavir given in combination with lopinavir has also been reported to modestly increase the plasma concentrations of tenofovir. In contrast, both slight decreases and no change in lopinavir and ritonavir concentrations have been reported.

MANAGEMENT: Caution is advised if tenofovir disoproxil fumarate is prescribed with ritonavir. Renal function should be monitored regularly, including surveillance for signs of tubulopathy such as glycosuria, acidosis, increases in serum creatinine level, electrolyte disturbances (e.g., hypokalemia, hypophosphatemia), and proteinuria. The same precaution may be applicable during therapy with other protease inhibitors based on their similar pharmacokinetic profile, although clinical data are lacking. Nelfinavir reportedly does not alter the pharmacokinetics of tenofovir, or vice versa. Tenofovir administration should be discontinued promptly if nephropathy develops.

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Ephedrine-methylxanthine combinations are used for the treatment of asthma but the efficacy of the combination has been questioned. This combination may lead to increased xanthine side effects. The mechanism is unknown, but may be related to synergistic pharmacologic effects. Patients using this combination should be closely monitored for side effects such as nausea, vomiting, tachycardia, nervousness, or insomnia. If side effects are noted, the dosage of the xanthine may need to be decreased.

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