Drug Interactions between avatrombopag and st. john's wort

GENERALLY AVOID: An isolated case report suggests that foods containing large amounts of tyramine may precipitate a hypertensive crisis in patients treated with St. John's wort. The mechanism of interaction is unknown, as St. John's wort is not thought to possess monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibiting activity at concentrations achieved in vivo. The case patient was a 41-year-old man who had been taking St. John's wort for seven days prior to presentation at the emergency room with confusion and disorientation. The patient recalled last eating aged cheese and having a glass of red wine approximately 10 hours prior to admission. No other cause of delirium or hypertension could be identified. In addition, alcohol may potentiate some of the pharmacologic effects of St. John's wort. Use in combination may result in additive central nervous system depression and/or impairment of judgment, thinking, and psychomotor skills.

MANAGEMENT: Until further information is available, patients treated with St. John's wort should consider avoiding consumption of protein foods in which aging or breakdown of protein is used to increase flavor. These foods include cheese (particularly strong, aged or processed cheeses), sour cream, wine (particularly red wine), champagne, beer, pickled herring, anchovies, caviar, shrimp paste, liver (particularly chicken liver), dry sausage, figs, raisins, bananas, avocados, chocolate, soy sauce, bean curd, yogurt, papaya products, meat tenderizers, fava beans, protein extracts, and dietary supplements. Caffeine may also precipitate hypertensive crisis so its intake should be minimized as well. Patients should also be advised to avoid or limit consumption of alcohol.

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Food reduces the variability in oral absorption and bioavailability of avatrombopag. According to the product labeling, avatrombopag peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and systemic exposure (AUC) were not affected when administered with either a low-fat (500 calories; 3 g fat, 15 g proteins, 108 g carbohydrates) or high-fat (918 calories; 59 g fat, 39 g proteins, 59 g carbohydrates) meal. However, the variability of avatrombopag exposure was reduced by 40% to 60% with food, and the time to reach Cmax was delayed by 0 to 2 hours relative to the fasted state.

MANAGEMENT: To ensure consistent absorption and plasma drug levels, avatrombopag should be taken with food.