Skip to main content

Drug Interactions between asciminib and imatinib

This report displays the potential drug interactions for the following 2 drugs:

Edit list (add/remove drugs)

Interactions between your drugs

Major

imatinib asciminib

Applies to: imatinib and asciminib

MONITOR CLOSELY: Coadministration with imatinib may increase the plasma concentrations of asciminib. The proposed mechanism is inhibition of asciminib metabolism via CYP450 3A4-mediated oxidation and uridine diphosphate glucuronosyl transferase (UGT) 2B7- and 2B17-mediated glucuronidation by imatinib, as it is a known inhibitor of CYP450 3A4 and has been reported to be a potent inhibitor of UGT2B17 and a weak inhibitor of UGT2B7 in vitro. Inhibition of breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP) and P-glycoprotein (p-gp) may also contribute. In vitro, both asciminib and imatinib have been found to be substrates as well as inhibitors of these efflux transporters. When a single 40 mg dose of asciminib was coadministered with a low-fat meal (400 calories; 25% fat) and imatinib at steady state (400 mg once daily) in healthy volunteers, asciminib peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and systemic exposure (AUC) increased by 59% and 108%, respectively, compared to asciminib administered alone with a low-fat meal. Asciminib plus imatinib was well tolerated in the study with no new safety signals. However, the effect of imatinib on asciminib at the maximum recommended dosage of 200 mg twice daily has not been fully characterized.

MANAGEMENT: Caution is advised when asciminib is prescribed with imatinib. Patients should be monitored closely for adverse reactions such as nausea, diarrhea, rash, myelosuppression, pancreatitis, hypertension, and cardiovascular toxicity including ischemic cardiac conditions, arterial thrombotic and embolic conditions, cardiac failure, QT prolongation, and arrhythmia.

References

  1. Zhang N, Liu Y, Jeong H (2015) "Drug-Drug Interaction Potentials of Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors via Inhibition of UDP-Glucuronosyltransferases." Sci Rep, 5, p. 17778
  2. (2021) "Product Information. Scemblix (asciminib)." Novartis Pharmaceuticals

Switch to consumer interaction data

Drug and food interactions

Moderate

imatinib food

Applies to: imatinib

GENERALLY AVOID: Coadministration of imatinib with strong CYP450 3A4 inhibitors such as grapefruit juice, may significantly increase the plasma concentrations of imatinib, a known substrate of CYP450 3A4. The proposed mechanism is inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated metabolism of imatinib by certain compounds present in grapefruits. Because grapefruit juice inhibits primarily intestinal rather than hepatic CYP450 3A4, the magnitude of interaction is greatest for those drugs that undergo significant presystemic metabolism by CYP450 3A4 (i.e., drugs with low oral bioavailability). 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. Pharmacokinetic interactions involving grapefruit juice are also subject to a high degree of interpatient variability, thus the extent to which a given patient may be affected is difficult to predict. In a single-dose study, coadministration of imatinib with ketoconazole (a strong CYP450 3A4 inhibitor) increased imatinib peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and systemic exposure (AUC) by 26% and 40%, respectively.

MANAGEMENT: Patients treated with imatinib should preferably avoid the consumption of grapefruit or grapefruit juice. If coadministration is unavoidable, monitor for prolonged and/or increased pharmacologic effects of imatinib, including edema, hematologic toxicity and immunosuppression.

References

  1. (2022) "Product Information. Gleevec (imatinib)." Novartis Pharmaceuticals
  2. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics."
  3. Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information."

Switch to consumer interaction data

Moderate

asciminib food

Applies to: asciminib

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Food may reduce the oral bioavailability of asciminib. When a single 40 mg dose of asciminib was administered with a low-fat meal (400 calories; 25% fat) in healthy volunteers, asciminib peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and systemic exposure (AUC) decreased by 35% and 30%, respectively, compared to asciminib administered in the fasted state. Administration with a high-fat meal (1000 calories; 50% fat) decreased the Cmax and AUC of asciminib by 68% and 62%, respectively.

MANAGEMENT: To ensure adequate asciminib exposures, food consumption should be avoided for at least 2 hours before and 1 hour after taking asciminib.

References

  1. (2021) "Product Information. Scemblix (asciminib)." Novartis Pharmaceuticals
  2. (2022) "Product Information. Scemblix (asciminib)." Novartis Pharmaceuticals UK Ltd, Scemblix 20 mg film-

Switch to consumer interaction data

Therapeutic duplication warnings

Therapeutic duplication is the use of more than one medicine from the same drug category or therapeutic class to treat the same condition. This can be intentional in cases where drugs with similar actions are used together for demonstrated therapeutic benefit. It can also be unintentional in cases where a patient has been treated by more than one doctor, or had prescriptions filled at more than one pharmacy, and can have potentially adverse consequences.

Duplication

Bcr-abl tyrosine kinase inhibitors

Therapeutic duplication

The recommended maximum number of medicines in the 'BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase inhibitors' category to be taken concurrently is usually one. Your list includes two medicines belonging to the 'BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase inhibitors' category:

  • asciminib
  • imatinib

Note: In certain circumstances, the benefits of taking this combination of drugs may outweigh any risks. Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your medications or dosage.

See also

Report options

Loading...
QR code containing a link to this page

Drug Interaction Classification

These classifications are only a guideline. The relevance of a particular drug interaction to a specific individual is difficult to determine. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting or stopping any medication.
Major Highly clinically significant. Avoid combinations; the risk of the interaction outweighs the benefit.
Moderate Moderately clinically significant. Usually avoid combinations; use it only under special circumstances.
Minor Minimally clinically significant. Minimize risk; assess risk and consider an alternative drug, take steps to circumvent the interaction risk and/or institute a monitoring plan.
Unknown No interaction information available.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer