Drug Interactions between cisapride and etrasimod

CONTRAINDICATED: Coadministration with grapefruit juice may increase the plasma concentrations of cisapride. The mechanism is inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated first-pass metabolism in the gut wall by certain compounds present in grapefruits. In a study of 14 healthy volunteers, administration with 250 mL of grapefruit juice increased the mean peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) of cisapride (10 mg single dose) by 34% and 39%, respectively, compared to water. A second single-dose study involving 12 healthy volunteers demonstrated an increase of 68% and 51% in cisapride Cmax and AUC, respectively, compared to water. In another 10 healthy volunteers, repeated ingestion of double-strength grapefruit juice (200 mL three times a day for 2 days, then with a 10 mg dose of cisapride and at 0.5 and 1.5 hours afterwards) resulted in an 81% and 144% increase in mean cisapride Cmax and AUC, respectively, compared to water. A high degree of intersubject variability in the grapefruit juice effect was observed in all three studies, but no patient experienced any changes in heart rate, blood pressure, or QT interval. However, high plasma levels of cisapride have been associated with prolongation of the QT interval on the ECG; ventricular arrhythmias including ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, and torsade de pointes; cardiac arrest; and sudden death.

GENERALLY AVOID: Coadministration with red wine may increase the plasma concentrations of cisapride in susceptible individuals. The exact mechanism of interaction is unknown but is believed to involve inhibition of CYP450 3A4 in the gut wall similar to grapefruit juice. In 12 healthy volunteers, administration with 250 mL of red wine (cabernet sauvignon) produced only minor and statistically insignificant changes in cisapride pharmacokinetics compared to water. However, one subject had a doubling in cisapride AUC and Cmax with red wine. The same subject also had the largest interaction with grapefruit juice, which suggests that a significant interaction may occur in certain individuals, perhaps those with a preexisting high intestinal CYP450 3A4 content.

MANAGEMENT: Patients receiving cisapride therapy should avoid the consumption of grapefruits and grapefruit juice. Because a significant interaction may occur with red wine in the occasional patient, red wine should preferably be avoided also during cisapride therapy.

GENERALLY AVOID: Coadministration with moderate inhibitors of CYP450 3A4 such as grapefruit juice in patients who known or suspected to be poor CYP450 2C9 metabolizers may increase the exposure of etrasimod. Etrasimod is primarily metabolized by the isoenzymes CYP450 3A4, 2C8, and 2C9. Pharmacokinetic studies have reported that no single enzyme system appears to dominate the elimination pathway of etrasimod. Therefore, the involvement of multiple CYP450 isoforms reduces the likelihood of drug-drug interactions when only a single CYP450 isoform is strongly or moderately inhibited by a coadministered drug. In clinical drug interaction studies, when etrasimod was administered with the dual moderate CYP450 2C9 and 3A4 inhibitor fluconazole at steady-state levels, etrasimod systemic exposure (AUC) increased by 84%. However, concomitant use with the potent CYP450 3A4 inhibitor itraconazole increased the AUC of etrasimod by 32%, which was not considered by the manufacturer to be clinically significant. The effect on etrasimod systemic exposure in CYP450 2C9 intermediate metabolizers treated with less potent CYP450 3A4 inhibitors is not known. Increased plasma concentrations of etrasimod may increase the risk of infection, bradyarrhythmia, AV conduction delays, elevated transaminase levels, and macular edema.

MANAGEMENT: Until further information is available, the consumption of grapefruit and grapefruit juice in combination with moderate to potent CYP450 2C8 inhibitors such as gemfibrozil should be avoided or limited during treatment with etrasimod in patients who are poor CYP450 2C9 metabolizers. Caution is recommended with grapefruit products consumption in patients who are intermediate CYP450 2C9 metabolizers. Patients should be advised to notify their physician if they experience potential adverse effects of etrasimod.