Drug Interactions between aspirin / butalbital / caffeine and belumosudil

GENERALLY AVOID: Concurrent acute use of barbiturates and ethanol may result in additive CNS effects, including impaired coordination, sedation, and death. Tolerance of these agents may occur with chronic use. The mechanism is related to inhibition of microsomal enzymes acutely and induction of hepatic microsomal enzymes chronically.

MANAGEMENT: The combination of ethanol and barbiturates should be avoided.

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Administration with food increases the oral bioavailability of belumosudil. The mechanism has not been described. Administration of belumosudil (200 mg single oral dose) in healthy subjects, with a fatty and calorie-rich meal (approximately half of the calories were contained in the fat) increased the mean belumosudil peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) by 120% and 100%, respectively, compared to administration under fasting conditions. The time to reach peak concentration (Tmax) was delayed by 30 minutes. Administration of oral belumosudil 200 mg once daily with food in patients with chronic graft-versus-host disease (chronic GVHD) lead to steady-state concentrations of the drug with an accumulation ration of 1.4.

MANAGEMENT: To ensure maximal oral absorption, belumosudil should be administered with a meal, every day at the same time.

GENERALLY AVOID: The concurrent use of aspirin or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and ethanol may lead to gastrointestinal (GI) blood loss. The mechanism may be due to a combined local effect as well as inhibition of prostaglandins leading to decreased integrity of the GI lining.

MANAGEMENT: Patients should be counseled on this potential interaction and advised to refrain from alcohol consumption while taking aspirin or NSAIDs.

The effect of grapefruit juice on the pharmacologic activity of caffeine is controversial. One report suggests that grapefruit juice increases the effect of caffeine. The proposed mechanism is inhibition of cytochrome P-450 metabolism of caffeine. However, a well-conducted pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic study did not demonstrate this effect. The clinical significance of this potential interaction is unknown.

One study has reported that coadministration of caffeine and aspirin lead to a 25% increase in the rate of appearance and 17% increase in maximum concentration of salicylate in the plasma. A significantly higher area under the plasma concentration time curve of salicylate was also reported when both drugs were administered together. The exact mechanism of this interaction has not been specified. Physicians and patients should be aware that coadministration of aspirin and caffeine may lead to higher salicylate levels faster.