Drug Interactions between aspirin / pravastatin and fidanacogene elaparvovec

GENERALLY AVOID: Coadministration with other hepatotoxic agents such as alcohol may increase the risk of liver injury and decrease the therapeutic efficacy of liver-directed adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector fidanacogene elaparvovec, designed to help replace missing and coagulation factor IX. Increased transaminase levels from AAV therapy have been attributed to immune-mediated injury of transduced hepatocytes, which may decrease their therapeutic efficacy. In addition, alcohol may impact liver enzyme elevation as well as reduce the activity of coagulation factor IX. In a prospective, open-label, single-arm, multinational clinical study of adult male patients with moderately severe to severe hemophilia B (n=45) receiving a single dose of fidanacogene elaparvovec (5 x 10[11] vector genomes [vg]/kg), increased transaminase levels greater than or equal to 1.5 times baseline were reported in 29 patients. Of these patients, 28 received treatment with corticosteroids due to increased transaminases and/or a decline in factor IX activity, with a mean initiation time to corticosteroid therapy reported at 45 days.

MANAGEMENT: According to the manufacturer, for the first year after administration of fidanacogene elaparvovec, alcohol consumption should be limited.

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.

MONITOR: Concomitant use of statin medication with substantial quantities of alcohol may increase the risk of hepatic injury. Transient increases in serum transaminases have been reported with statin use and while these increases generally resolve or improve with continued therapy or a brief interruption in therapy, there have been rare postmarketing reports of fatal and non-fatal hepatic failure in patients taking statins. Patients who consume substantial quantities of alcohol and/or have a history of liver disease may be at increased risk for hepatic injury. Active liver disease or unexplained transaminase elevations are contraindications to statin use.

MANAGEMENT: Patients should be counseled to avoid substantial quantities of alcohol in combination with statin medications and clinicians should be aware of the increased risk for hepatotoxicity in these patients.

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.