Drug Interactions between amitriptyline and Ubrelvy

ADJUST DOSE: Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may increase the plasma concentrations of ubrogepant. The proposed mechanism is inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated first-pass metabolism in the gut wall by certain compounds present in grapefruit. Inhibition of hepatic CYP450 3A4 may also contribute. The interaction has not been studied with grapefruit but has been reported for other CYP450 3A4 inhibitors. When ubrogepant was administered with the potent CYP450 3A4 inhibitor ketoconazole during in vivo studies, ubrogepant peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and systemic exposure (AUC) increased by 5.3- and 9.7-fold, respectively. When administered with the moderate CYP450 3A4 inhibitor verapamil, ubrogepant Cmax and AUC increased by 2.8- and 3.5-fold, respectively. 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.

When administered with a high-fat meal, ubrogepant time to maximum plasma concentration (Tmax) was delayed by 2 hours, which resulted in a 22% decrease in Cmax and no change in AUC. Ubrogepant was administered without regard to food in clinical efficacy studies.

MANAGEMENT: Ubrogepant may be administered with or without food. When coadministered with grapefruit or grapefruit juice, the manufacturer recommends an initial ubrogepant dose of 50 mg. A second dose, if needed, should not be administered within 24 hours of the initial dose.

GENERALLY AVOID: Concomitant use of ethanol and a tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) may result altered TCA plasma levels and efficacy, and additive impairment of motor skills, especially driving skills. Acute ethanol ingestion may inhibit TCA metabolism, while chronic ingestion of large amounts of ethanol may induce hepatic TCA metabolism.

MANAGEMENT: Patients should be advised to avoid alcohol during TCA therapy. Alcoholics who have undergone detoxification should be monitored for decreased TCA efficacy. Dosage adjustments may be required.

MONITOR: Smoking cessation may lead to elevated plasma concentrations and enhanced pharmacologic effects of drugs that are substrates of CYP450 1A2 (and possibly CYP450 1A1) and/or certain drugs with a narrow therapeutic index (e.g., flecainide, pentazocine). One proposed mechanism is related to the loss of CYP450 1A2 and 1A1 induction by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in tobacco smoke; when smoking cessation agents are initiated and smoking stops, the metabolism of certain drugs may decrease leading to increased plasma concentrations. The mechanism by which smoking cessation affects narrow therapeutic index drugs that are not known substrates of CYP450 1A2 or 1A1 is unknown. The clinical significance of this interaction is unknown as clinical data are lacking.

MANAGEMENT: Until more information is available, caution is advisable if smoking cessation agents are used concomitantly with drugs that are substrates of CYP450 1A2 or 1A1 and/or those with a narrow therapeutic range. Patients receiving smoking cessation agents may require periodic dose adjustments and closer clinical and laboratory monitoring of medications that are substrates of CYP450 1A2 or 1A1.