Drug Interactions between atazanavir and suvorexant

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Administration of atazanavir with food enhances oral bioavailability and reduces pharmacokinetic variability. According to the manufacturer, administration with a light meal increased the peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) of a single 400 mg dose of atazanavir by 57% and 70%, respectively, relative to the fasting state. Administration with a high-fat meal resulted in a mean increase of 35% in atazanavir AUC and no change in Cmax compared to fasting. The coefficient of variation of AUC and Cmax decreased by approximately one-half when given with either a light or high-fat meal compared to the fasting state.

MANAGEMENT: To ensure maximal oral absorption, atazanavir should be administered with or immediately after a meal.

GENERALLY AVOID: Alcohol may potentiate some of the pharmacologic effects of suvorexant. Use in combination may result in additive central nervous system depression and/or impairment of judgment, thinking, and psychomotor skills. In addition, alcohol may increase the risk of cognitive and complex behavioral changes associated with the use of hypnotics including suvorexant, such as amnesia, anxiety, hallucinations, sleep-driving, and other neuropsychiatric symptoms.

ADJUST DOSE: Grapefruit juice may significantly increase the plasma concentrations of suvorexant. The proposed mechanism is inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated first-pass metabolism in the gut wall by certain compounds present in grapefruit.

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Administration with or soon after a meal may delay the gastrointestinal absorption of suvorexant. According to the product labeling, administration of suvorexant with a high-fat meal resulted in no meaningful change in peak plasma concentration (Cmax) or systemic exposure (AUC), but a delay in Tmax of approximately 1.5 hours.

MANAGEMENT: Concomitant use of suvorexant with alcohol should be avoided. Patients should be advised not to use suvorexant if they had alcohol that evening or before bed. Grapefruit juice should preferably be avoided; otherwise, the recommended dose of suvorexant is 5 mg when used with grapefruit juice and should not exceed 10 mg. Suvorexant may be taken with or without food; however, for faster sleep onset, suvorexant should not be administered with or soon after a meal.