Drug Interactions between avacopan and cobimetinib

MONITOR: Grapefruit juice may increase the plasma concentrations of orally administered drugs that are substrates of the CYP450 3A4 isoenzyme, such as cobimetinib. However, the interaction seems to affect primarily those drugs that undergo significant presystemic metabolism by CYP450 3A4 (i.e., drugs with low oral bioavailability), presumably due to the fact that grapefruit juice inhibits primarily intestinal rather than hepatic CYP450 3A4. Because pharmacokinetic interactions involving grapefruit juice are often subject to a high degree of interpatient variability, the extent to which a given patient may be affected is difficult to predict.

MANAGEMENT: Patients who regularly consume grapefruit or grapefruit juice should be monitored for adverse effects and altered plasma concentrations of cobimetinib. Grapefruit and grapefruit juice should be avoided if an interaction is suspected. Orange juice is not expected to interact with these drugs.

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Food significantly enhances the oral bioavailability of avacopan. When a 30 mg capsule of avacopan was administered with a high-fat, high-calorie meal, avacopan peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and systemic exposure (AUC) increased by approximately 8% and 72%, respectively, while the time to reach peak concentration (Tmax) was delayed by approximately 4 hours (from 2.0 hours to 6.0 hours).

GENERALLY AVOID: Grapefruit juice may increase the plasma concentrations of avacopan. The proposed mechanism is inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated first-pass metabolism in the gut wall by certain compounds present in grapefruit. Inhibition of hepatic CYP450 3A4 may also contribute. The interaction has not been studied with grapefruit juice, but has been reported for itraconazole, a potent CYP450 3A4 inhibitor. When avacopan was administered with itraconazole (200 mg once daily for 4 days), avacopan peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and systemic exposure (AUC) increased by 1.9-fold and 2.2-fold, respectively. 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. Increased exposure to avacopan may increase the risk and/or severity of serious adverse reactions such as hepatotoxicity and infections.

MANAGEMENT: To ensure maximal oral absorption, avacopan should be administered with food. Patients should preferably avoid or limit consumption of grapefruit, grapefruit juice, or any supplement containing grapefruit extract during avacopan therapy.