Drug Interactions between apalutamide and ezetimibe / rosuvastatin

MONITOR: Coadministration with ezetimibe may rarely increase the risk of myopathy and serum transaminase elevations associated with HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (i.e., statins). The mechanism of interaction is unknown. A case report describes two patients whose serum creatine kinase increased after ezetimibe was added to their statin therapy (atorvastatin and fluvastatin, respectively). One of the patients also developed myalgia and tendinopathy, which resolved promptly after withdrawal of both drugs. Statin therapy was subsequently reintroduced at the previous dosage without incident. In the other patient, serum creatine kinase returned to normal within 4 weeks after discontinuation of ezetimibe while the statin was continued. On the contrary, no cases of myopathy or tendinopathy occurred in a study of 33 hypercholesterolemic patients treated with ezetimibe and atorvastatin or simvastatin. There were also no reports of myopathy or significant increases in serum creatine kinase in a study of 32 subjects treated with ezetimibe and fluvastatin. In controlled clinical studies, the incidence of consecutive elevations (greater than 3 times the upper limit of normal) in serum transaminases was 1.3% for patients treated with ezetimibe in combination with a statin versus 0.4% for patients treated with a statin alone. These elevations were generally asymptomatic, not associated with cholestasis, and returned to baseline after discontinuation of therapy or with continued treatment.

MANAGEMENT: Until further information is available, use of a statin in combination with ezetimibe should be approached with caution. Some authorities consider concomitant use to be contraindicated in patients with active liver disease or unexplained persistent elevations in serum transaminases. Patients should be advised to promptly report to their physician any unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, particularly if accompanied by malaise or fever. The drugs should be discontinued if creatine kinase is markedly elevated in the absence of strenuous exercise or if myopathy is otherwise suspected or diagnosed. In addition, liver function tests should be performed at initiation of therapy and according to the recommendations of the HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor.

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.

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.