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Drug Interactions between caspofungin and cyclosporine

This report displays the potential drug interactions for the following 2 drugs:

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Interactions between your drugs

Moderate

cycloSPORINE caspofungin

Applies to: cyclosporine and caspofungin

GENERALLY AVOID: Concomitant use of caspofungin and cyclosporine may be associated with transient elevations in serum transaminase levels. The mechanism has not been described. In one study, addition of cyclosporine (3 mg/kg twice a day) during the tenth day of caspofungin therapy (70 mg/day) resulted in ALT elevations on day 11 that were 2 to 3 times the upper limit of normal (ULN) in 3 of 4 healthy subjects. In another group from the same study, 2 of 8 subjects treated with caspofungin (35 mg/day) for 3 days and cyclosporine (3 mg/kg twice a day) on the first day had increases in ALT on day 2 that were slightly above ULN. In another study, 2 of 8 healthy men developed transient ALT elevations of less than 2 times ULN when cyclosporine (4 mg/kg) was administered on days 1 and 12 and caspofungin (70 mg/day) was administered on days 3 to 13. In all groups, AST levels were also elevated but of lesser magnitude. In a retrospective study of 40 immunocompromised patients treated with caspofungin and cyclosporine for 1 to 290 (median 17.5) days, 14 patients (35%) developed transaminase elevations greater than 5 times ULN or 3 times the baseline during concomitant therapy or the 14-day followup period. Five were considered possibly related to therapy. One patient had elevated bilirubin, but none developed clinical evidence of hepatotoxicity or serious hepatic events. In other studies, zero of four patients who were treated with caspofungin (50 mg/day) and cyclosporine for 2 to 56 days experienced increases in liver enzymes. In two clinical studies, cyclosporine increased exposure (AUC) of caspofungin by approximately 35%, but caspofungin did not increase plasma levels of cyclosporine.

MANAGEMENT: Until more data are available, the concomitant use of caspofungin and cyclosporine is not recommended unless the benefit is anticipated to outweigh the risk. Patients who develop abnormal liver function tests during concomitant therapy should be monitored, and the need for continued therapy should be evaluated.

References (1)
  1. (2001) "Product Information. Cancidas (caspofungin)." Merck & Co., Inc

Drug and food interactions

Moderate

cycloSPORINE food

Applies to: cyclosporine

GENERALLY AVOID: Administration with grapefruit juice (compared to water or orange juice) has been shown to increase blood concentrations of cyclosporine with a relatively high degree of interpatient variability. The mechanism is inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated first-pass metabolism in the gut wall by certain compounds present in grapefruits.

GENERALLY AVOID: Administration with red wine or purple grape juice may decrease blood concentrations of cyclosporine. In 12 healthy volunteers, 12 ounces total of a merlot consumed 15 minutes prior to and during cyclosporine administration (single 8 mg/kg dose of Sandimmune) decreased cyclosporine peak blood concentration (Cmax) and systemic exposure (AUC) by 38% and 30%, respectively, compared to water. The time to reach peak concentration (Tmax) doubled, and oral clearance increased 50%. Similarly, one study were 12 healthy patients were administered purple grape juice and a single dose of cyclosporine showed a 30% and a 36% decrease in cyclosporine systemic exposure (AUC) and peak blood concentration (Cmax), respectively. The exact mechanism of interaction is unknown but may involve decreased cyclosporine absorption.

MONITOR: Food has been found to have variable effects on the absorption of cyclosporine. There have been reports of impaired, unchanged, and enhanced absorption during administration with meals relative to the fasting state. The mechanisms are unclear. Some investigators found an association with the fat content of food. In one study, increased fat intake resulted in significantly increased cyclosporine bioavailability and clearance. However, the AUC and pharmacodynamics of cyclosporine were not significantly affected, thus clinical relevance of these findings may be minimal.

MANAGEMENT: Patients receiving cyclosporine therapy should be advised to either refrain from or avoid fluctuations in the consumption of grapefruits and grapefruit juice. Until more data are available, the consumption of red wine or purple grape juice should preferably be avoided or limited. All oral formulations of cyclosporine should be administered on a consistent schedule with regard to time of day and relation to meals so as to avoid large fluctuations in plasma drug levels.

References (13)
  1. Honcharik N, Yatscoff RW, Jeffery JR, Rush DN (1991) "The effect of meal composition on cyclosporine absorption." Transplantation, 52, p. 1087-9
  2. Ducharme MP, Provenzano R, Dehoornesmith M, Edwards DJ (1993) "Trough concentrations of cyclosporine in blood following administration with grapefruit juice." Br J Clin Pharmacol, 36, p. 457-9
  3. Bailey DG, Arnold JMO, Spence JD (1994) "Grapefruit juice and drugs - how significant is the interaction." Clin Pharmacokinet, 26, p. 91-8
  4. Hollander AAMJ, Vanrooij J, Lentjes EGWM, Arbouw F, Vanbree JB, Schoemaker RC, Vanes LA, Vanderwoude FJ, Cohen AF (1995) "The effect of grapefruit juice on cyclosporine and prednisone metabolism in transplant patients." Clin Pharmacol Ther, 57, p. 318-24
  5. (1995) "Grapefruit juice interactions with drugs." Med Lett Drugs Ther, 37, p. 73-4
  6. Tan KKC, Trull AK, Uttridge JA, Metcalfe S, Heyes CS, Facey S, Evans DB (1995) "Effect of dietary fat on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of cyclosporine in kidney transplant recipients." Clin Pharmacol Ther, 57, p. 425-33
  7. Yee GC, Stanley DL, Pessa LJ, et al. (1995) "Effect of grrapefruit juice on blood cyclosporin concentration." Lancet, 345, p. 955-6
  8. Ducharme MP, Warbasse LH, Edwards DJ (1995) "Disposition of intravenous and oral cyclosporine after administration with grapefruit juice." Clin Pharmacol Ther, 57, p. 485-91
  9. Ioannidesdemos LL, Christophidis N, Ryan P, Angelis P, Liolios L, Mclean AJ (1997) "Dosing implications of a clinical interaction between grapefruit juice and cyclosporine and metabolite concentrations in patients with autoimmune diseases." J Rheumatol, 24, p. 49-54
  10. Min DI, Ku YM, Perry PJ, Ukah FO, Ashton K, Martin MF, Hunsicker LG (1996) "Effect of grapefruit juice on cyclosporine pharmacokinetics in renal transplant patients." Transplantation, 62, p. 123-5
  11. Bailey DG, Dresser GR, Kreeft JH, Munoz C, Freeman DJ, Bend JR (2000) "Grapefruit-felodipine interaction: Effect of unprocessed fruit and probable active ingredients." Clin Pharmacol Ther, 68, p. 468-77
  12. Tsunoda SM, Harris RZ, Christians U, et al. (2001) "Red wine decreases cyclosporine bioavailability." Clin Pharmacol Ther, 70, p. 462-7
  13. Oliveira-Freitas VL, Dalla Costa T, Manfro RC, Cruz LB, Schwartsmann G (2010) "Influence of purple grape juice in cyclosporine availability." J Ren Nutr, 20, p. 309-13

Therapeutic duplication warnings

No warnings were found for your selected drugs.

Therapeutic duplication warnings are only returned when drugs within the same group exceed the recommended therapeutic duplication maximum.

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Drug Interaction Classification

These classifications are only a guideline. The relevance of a particular drug interaction to a specific individual is difficult to determine. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting or stopping any medication.
Major Highly clinically significant. Avoid combinations; the risk of the interaction outweighs the benefit.
Moderate Moderately clinically significant. Usually avoid combinations; use it only under special circumstances.
Minor Minimally clinically significant. Minimize risk; assess risk and consider an alternative drug, take steps to circumvent the interaction risk and/or institute a monitoring plan.
Unknown No interaction information available.

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