Drug Interactions between carbamazepine and copanlisib

GENERALLY AVOID: Alcohol may potentiate some of the pharmacologic effects of carbamazepine. Use in combination may result in additive central nervous system depression and/or impairment of judgment, thinking, and psychomotor skills.

In a small, randomized, crossover study, the administration of carbamazepine with grapefruit juice (compared to water) increased plasma drug concentrations by approximately 40%. The proposed mechanism is inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated first-pass metabolism in the gut wall by certain compounds present in grapefruits.

MANAGEMENT: Patients receiving carbamazepine should be advised to avoid or limit consumption of alcohol. Given the drug's narrow therapeutic index, patients receiving carbamazepine therapy should preferably avoid the regular consumption of grapefruits and grapefruit juice to prevent any undue fluctuations in plasma drug levels. Patients should be advised to report signs of carbamazepine toxicity (nausea, visual disturbances, dizziness, or ataxia) to their physicians.

GENERALLY AVOID: Grapefruit juice may increase the plasma concentrations of copanlisib. The proposed mechanism is inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated metabolism of copanlisib by certain compounds present in grapefruit. When a single 60 mg intravenous dose of copanlisib was administered to cancer patients in combination with the potent CYP450 3A4 and P-gp inhibitor, itraconazole (200 mg once daily for 10 days), mean copanlisib peak plasma concentration (Cmax) did not change but systemic exposure (AUC) increased by 53%. The interaction has not been studied with grapefruit juice. 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 copanlisib may increase the risk of adverse effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomatitis, hyperglycemia, hypertension, noninfectious pneumonitis, cutaneous reactions (e.g., exfoliative dermatitis, maculopapular rash), anemia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, and infections.

MANAGEMENT: Patients should avoid the consumption of grapefruit and grapefruit juice during treatment with copanlisib.