Drug Interactions between brigatinib and saquinavir

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.

GENERALLY AVOID: Grapefruit juice may increase the plasma concentrations of brigatinib. The proposed mechanism is inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated first-pass metabolism in the gut wall by certain compounds present in grapefruit. 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. Itraconazole, a potent CYP450 3A4 inhibitor, has been shown to double brigatinib systemic exposure (AUC) in healthy volunteers. Increased exposure to brigatinib may increase the risk of adverse effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, hypertension, bradycardia, hyperglycemia, visual disturbances, lymphopenia, anemia, and elevations in pancreatic enzymes and creatine phosphokinase.

Food does not significantly affect the oral bioavailability of brigatinib. When brigatinib was administered to healthy volunteers after a high-fat meal (920 calories; 59 g fat, 58 g carbohydrates, 40 g proteins), brigatinib peak plasma concentration (Cmax) decreased by 13% and systemic exposure (AUC) did not change compared to administration after overnight fasting.

MANAGEMENT: Brigatinib may be taken with or without food. Patients should avoid consumption of grapefruit and grapefruit juice during treatment with brigatinib.