Drug Interactions between amiodarone and fezolinetant

GENERALLY AVOID: Grapefruit juice may significantly increase the plasma concentrations of orally administered amiodarone. The proposed mechanism is inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated first-pass metabolism in the gut wall by certain compounds present in grapefruits. In 11 nonsmoking, healthy volunteers, grapefruit juice (300 mL with drug administration, then 3 hours and 9 hours later) increased the mean peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) of amiodarone (17 mg/kg single dose) by 84% and 50%, respectively, compared to water. Formation of the pharmacologically active metabolite, N-desethylamiodarone (N-DEA), was completely inhibited. Clinically, this interaction can lead to altered efficacy of amiodarone, since antiarrhythmic properties of amiodarone and N-DEA appear to differ. In the study, mean increases in PR and QTc intervals of 17.9% and 11.3%, respectively, were observed 6 hours postdose with water, while increases of 10.2% and 3.3%, respectively, were observed after administration with grapefruit juice.

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Food increases the rate and extent of absorption of amiodarone. The mechanism appears to involve the effect of food-induced physiologic changes on drug release from its formulation. In 30 healthy volunteers, administration of a single 600 mg dose of amiodarone following a high-fat meal resulted in a Cmax and AUC that were 3.8 and 2.4 times the respective values under fasting conditions. The time to reach peak plasma concentration (Tmax) was decreased by 37%, indicating an increased rate of absorption. Mean Cmax and AUC for the active metabolite, N-DEA, also increased by 32% and 55%, respectively, but there was no change in the Tmax.

MANAGEMENT: Patients treated with oral amiodarone should avoid consumption of grapefruits and grapefruit juice. In addition, oral amiodarone should be administered consistently with regard to meals.

CONTRAINDICATED: Coadministration with inhibitors of CYP450 1A2 such as caffeine may significantly increase the plasma concentrations of fezolinetant, which is primarily metabolized by the isoenzyme. The interaction has not been studied with caffeine but has been reported for other CYP450 1A2 inhibitors. Consumption of caffeine-containing food or beverages (e.g., chocolate, coffee, cola drinks, energy drinks, tea) could result in an interaction with fezolinetant. In clinical drug interaction studies, fezolinetant was coadministered with fluvoxamine, mexiletine, and cimetidine (potent, moderate, and weak CYP450 1A2 inhibitors, respectively). Fezolinetant peak plasma concentration (Cmax) increased by 80%, 40%, and 30%, respectively, while its systemic exposure (AUC) increased by 840%, 360%, and 100%, respectively.

MANAGEMENT: Concomitant use of fezolinetant with CYP450 1A2 inhibitors such as caffeine, including caffeine-containing food or beverages, is considered contraindicated.