Drug Interactions between asciminib and dexamethasone / ketorolac / moxifloxacin

MONITOR CLOSELY: Concomitant administration of corticosteroids may potentiate the risk of tendinitis and tendon rupture associated with fluoroquinolone treatment. The mechanism is unknown. Tendinitis and tendon rupture have most frequently involved the Achilles tendon, although cases involving the rotator cuff (the shoulder), the hand, the biceps, and the thumb have also been reported. Some have required surgical repair or resulted in prolonged disability. Tendon rupture can occur during or up to several months after completion of fluoroquinolone therapy.

MANAGEMENT: Caution is recommended if fluoroquinolones are prescribed in combination with corticosteroids, particularly in patients with other concomitant risk factors (e.g., age over 60 years; recipient of kidney, heart, and/or lung transplant). Patients should be advised to stop taking the fluoroquinolone, avoid exercise and use of the affected area, and promptly contact their physician if they experience pain, swelling, or inflammation of a tendon. In general, fluoroquinolones should only be used to treat conditions that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by bacteria and only if the benefits outweigh the risks.

MONITOR: The combined use of corticosteroids and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may increase the potential for serious gastrointestinal (GI) toxicity, including inflammation, bleeding, ulceration, and perforation. In a large, case-control study of elderly patients, those who used corticosteroids and NSAIDs concurrently had an estimated relative risk (RR) for peptic ulcer disease and GI hemorrhage of 14.6 compared to those who used neither. Corticosteroid use was associated with a doubling of the risk (estimated RR = 2.0), but the risk was confined to those who also used NSAIDs. It is possible that both categories of agents are ulcerogenic and have additive effects on the GI mucosa during coadministration. Some investigators have also suggested that the primary effect of corticosteroids in this interaction is to delay healing of erosions caused by NSAIDs rather than cause de novo ulcerations.

MANAGEMENT: Caution is advised if corticosteroids and NSAIDs are used together, especially in patients with a prior history of peptic ulcer disease or GI bleeding and in elderly and debilitated patients. During concomitant therapy, patients should be advised to take the medications with food and to immediately report signs and symptoms of GI ulceration and bleeding such as severe abdominal pain, dizziness, lightheadedness, and the appearance of black, tarry stools. The selective use of prophylactic anti-ulcer therapy (e.g., antacids, H2-antagonists) may be considered.

MONITOR: Coadministration with asciminib may increase the plasma concentrations of drugs that are primarily metabolized by the CYP450 3A4 isoenzyme. The mechanism is reduced clearance due to inhibition of CYP450 3A4 by asciminib. When midazolam, a sensitive CYP450 3A4 substrate, was coadministered with asciminib 40 mg twice daily, midazolam peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and systemic exposure (AUC) increased by 11% and 28%, respectively. Likewise, the Cmax and AUC of midazolam increased by 17% and 24%, respectively, following coadministration with asciminib at 80 mg once daily, but increased by 58% and 88%, respectively, following coadministration with asciminib at 200 mg twice daily. These results suggest weak inhibition of CYP450 3A4 by asciminib.

MANAGEMENT: Caution is advised when asciminib is used concomitantly with drugs that are substrates of CYP450 3A4, particularly sensitive substrates or those with a narrow therapeutic range. Dosage adjustments as well as clinical and laboratory monitoring may be appropriate for some drugs whenever asciminib is added to or withdrawn from therapy. The prescribing information recommends closely monitoring for the development of adverse reactions in patients receiving asciminib therapy at 80 mg total daily dose with certain CYP450 3A4 substrates where minimal concentration changes may lead to serious or life-threatening toxicities, and avoiding coadministration of these drugs with asciminib at the maximum recommended dosage of 200 mg twice daily. The prescribing information for concomitant medications should be consulted to assess the benefits versus risks of coadministration of a weak CYP450 3A4 inhibitor like asciminib and for any dosage adjustments that may be required.

MONITOR: Coadministration with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may potentiate the risk of central nervous system toxicity sometimes associated with fluoroquinolone use. The interaction has been reported most often with enoxacin. It may occur with other fluoroquinolones as well, but is poorly documented. The exact mechanism of interaction is unknown. Some investigators suggest that the piperazine ring of fluoroquinolones may inhibit the binding of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) to brain receptors and that NSAIDs may synergistically add to this effect. Patients with a history of seizures may be at greater risk.

MANAGEMENT: Clinical monitoring for signs of CNS stimulation such as tremors, involuntary muscle movements, hallucinations, or seizures is recommended if fluoroquinolone antibiotics are prescribed in combination with NSAIDs.

MONITOR: It is uncertain whether asciminib causes clinically significant prolongation of the QT interval of the electrocardiogram. In clinical studies, prolongation of the Fridericia-corrected QT interval (QTcF) was reported in 3 of 356 (0.8%) of patients, with one report of QTcF greater than 500 msec together with more than 60 msec QTcF increase from baseline. Asciminib is not reported to prolong the corrected QT (QTc) interval by greater than 20 msec at the maximum recommended clinical dosage (200 mg twice daily); however, a prolongation of up to 10 msec cannot be excluded. In general, the risk of an individual agent or a combination of agents causing ventricular arrhythmia in association with QT prolongation is largely unpredictable but may be increased by certain underlying risk factors such as congenital long QT syndrome, cardiac disease, and electrolyte disturbances (e.g., hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia, hypocalcemia). Moreover, the extent of drug-induced QT prolongation is dependent on the particular drug(s) involved and dosage(s) of the drug(s).

MANAGEMENT: Some authorities recommend caution and clinical monitoring when asciminib is used with drugs that are known to cause QT interval prolongation. An ECG should be obtained at baseline and during treatment as clinically indicated, particularly in patients with a history of cardiac arrhythmias, uncontrolled or significant cardiac disease (including bradycardia), or congenital or family history of long QT syndrome. Serum electrolytes, including potassium and magnesium should also be corrected prior to starting asciminib therapy and monitored during treatment as clinically indicated. Patients should be advised to seek prompt medical attention if they experience symptoms that indicate the occurrence of torsade de pointes such as dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, palpitation, irregular heart rhythm, shortness of breath, or syncope.