Drug Interactions between avapritinib and saquinavir

GENERALLY AVOID: Grapefruit juice may increase the plasma concentrations of avapritinib. 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 other CYP450 3A4 inhibitors. Based on pharmacokinetic modeling, administration of avapritinib (300 mg once daily) in combination with the potent CYP450 3A4 inhibitor itraconazole (200 mg once daily) is predicted to increase avapritinib systemic exposure (AUC) by 600% at steady state, while administration with the moderate CYP450 3A4 inhibitor fluconazole (200 mg once daily) is predicted to increase avapritinib systemic exposure (AUC) by 210% at steady state. 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. Increased exposure to avapritinib may increase the risk and/or severity of serious adverse effects such as intracranial hemorrhage, cognitive impairment, mood disorders, hallucinations, edema, and decreases in hemoglobin, leukocytes, neutrophils, and platelets.

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Food may increase the oral absorption of avapritinib. When avapritinib was administered with a high-calorie, high-fat meal (approximately 909 calories; 58 g carbohydrate, 56 g fat, 43 g protein), avapritinib Cmax and AUC increased by 59% and 29%, respectively, compared to administration in the fasted state.

MANAGEMENT: Avapritinib should be administered on an empty stomach at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal. Patients should avoid consumption of grapefruit and grapefruit juice during treatment with avapritinib.

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Food significantly increases the absorption of saquinavir.

MONITOR: Coadministration with grapefruit juice may increase the plasma concentrations of saquinavir. The primary mechanism is inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated first-pass metabolism in the gut wall by certain compounds present in grapefruits. In eight healthy volunteers, ingestion of 400 mL of grapefruit juice prior to administration of a 600 mg dose of saquinavir mesylate increased the area under the plasma concentration-time curve and oral bioavailability of saquinavir by 50% and 100%, respectively, compared to water; however, the increase is not considered clinically relevant. A high degree of intersubject variability in the grapefruit juice effect was also observed. The extent to which this interaction may occur with the saquinavir free base soft gelatin capsule is unknown. However, the saquinavir soft gelatin capsule formulation is no longer commercially available.

MANAGEMENT: Saquinavir mesylate should be taken with meals or within 2 hours after eating to enhance bioavailability. Patients should be advised to avoid the consumption of large amounts of grapefruit and grapefruit juice during saquinavir therapy unless otherwise directed by their doctor, as the interaction is unreliable and subject to a high degree of interpatient variation.