Drug Interactions between cobicistat / darunavir / emtricitabine / tenofovir alafenamide and rifampin

GENERALLY AVOID: Coadministration with inducers of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) may decrease the oral bioavailability and plasma concentrations of tenofovir alafenamide (TAF), which is a substrate of the efflux transporter. In 26 healthy study subjects, administration of TAF (25 mg once daily) with the P-gp inducer carbamazepine (300 mg twice daily) decreased TAF plasma concentration (Cmax) and systemic exposure (AUC) by an average of 57% and 55%, respectively, compared to TAF administered alone. It is not known if, and to what extent, tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF), another prodrug of tenofovir, may interact with P-gp inducers. The interaction has not been studied with TDF, and no information is found in the labeling of various products containing TDF, although it has been reported to be a P-gp substrate also.

MANAGEMENT: Given the risk of reduced viral susceptibility and resistance development associated with subtherapeutic antiviral drug levels, concomitant use of tenofovir alafenamide fumarate with P-gp inducers is not recommended. Whether this also applies to tenofovir disoproxil fumarate has not been established.

CONTRAINDICATED: Coadministration with rifampin may significantly decrease the plasma concentrations of most protease inhibitors (PIs) except ritonavir. The mechanism is rifampin induction of CYP450 3A4, the isoenzyme responsible for the metabolic clearance of PIs. In pharmacokinetic studies, the interaction has been associated with a 75% to 95% reduction in plasma PI concentrations and systemic exposure (AUC).

MANAGEMENT: Given the risk of reduced viral susceptibility and resistance development associated with subtherapeutic antiretroviral drug levels, alternative antimycobacterial agents should be considered in patients already receiving effective PI-containing antiretroviral therapy. For treatment of latent tuberculosis (TB) infection, a nine-month regimen of isoniazid may be considered if feasible. For treatment of HIV-related TB, a regimen that includes rifabutin is generally preferred, as rifabutin appears to be as effective as rifampin but is a much less potent inducer of CYP450 3A4. Nonrifamycin-containing regimens may be suboptimal (higher mortality rates; higher rates of treatment failure and relapse; increased adverse effects; longer treatment duration) and are usually not recommended for HIV-related TB except in patients who are intolerant of rifamycins or infected with a rifamycin-resistant isolate. Alternatively, rifampin may be used at usual dosages in patients receiving an antiretroviral regimen that includes ritonavir 600 mg or 400 mg twice a day in combination with another PI at a reduced dosage. In patients who have not begun antiretroviral therapy at the time TB treatment is initiated, clinicians may also consider using rifampin and postponing antiretroviral therapy. With early HIV disease, it may be reasonable to monitor CD4 cell count and postpone antiretroviral therapy until TB treatment is complete, since there is low risk of HIV disease progression or death during this period. However, the optimal time for starting antiretroviral therapy should be individualized based on initial response to TB treatment and occurrence of side effects. In patients with low CD4 cell counts, clinicians may consider delaying antiretroviral therapy until after the first one or two months of TB therapy, as side effects are common during this multi-drug phase of TB treatment and may overlap with those of antiretroviral medications. Moreover, delaying antiretroviral therapy may ameliorate adherence issues and decrease the frequency and severity of paradoxical reactions (i.e., immune restoration syndromes resembling exacerbation of TB that sometimes occur after initiation of antituberculosis treatment in patients receiving potent antiretroviral therapy). Rifabutin can be substituted approximately 2 weeks before the planned initiation of antiretroviral therapy to allow time for rifampin's enzyme induction effects to wane. In general, treatment of TB in the context of antiretroviral therapy is complex and requires an individualized approach. Experts in the treatment of HIV-related tuberculosis should be consulted, and TB and HIV care providers should work in close coordination throughout treatment.

CONTRAINDICATED: Coadministration with potent inducers of CYP450 3A4 may significantly decrease the plasma concentrations of cobicistat, which is primarily metabolized by the isoenzyme. In a study of 12 healthy volunteers, coadministration of the potent CYP450 3A4 inducer carbamazepine (200 mg twice daily) with cobicistat-elvitegravir (150 mg-150 mg once a day) reduced the cobicistat systemic exposure (AUC) and peak plasma concentration (Cmax) by 84% and 72%, respectively, and the elvitegravir AUC and Cmax by 69% and 45%, respectively. In addition, the AUC and Cmax of carbamazepine increased by 43% and 40%, respectively, due to inhibition of the CYP450 3A4-mediated metabolism by cobicistat.

MANAGEMENT: Given the risk of reduced viral susceptibility and resistance development associated with subtherapeutic drug levels, concomitant use of antiretroviral regimens containing cobicistat with potent CYP450 3A4 inducers is considered contraindicated.

MONITOR: Coadministration of rifampin with agents known to induce hepatotoxicity may potentiate the risk of liver injury. There are various possible mechanisms related to rifampin-associated hepatotoxicity described in product labeling and medical literature, however no consensus has been made. These include increased mitochondrial oxidative stress, apoptotic liver cell injury (in rodent studies), the development of cholestasis, hepatic lipid accumulation, and elevated toxic metabolites caused by rifampin-mediated induction of cytochrome P450 enzymes. Cases of drug-induced liver injury (including fatal cases) have been reported within the first few days to months following rifampin treatment initiation. Additional data suggests that 1-2% of patients receiving rifampin monotherapy for tuberculosis prophylaxis experience hepatotoxicity. The severity of hepatotoxicity from rifampin ranges from asymptomatic elevations in liver enzymes, jaundice and/or hyperbilirubinemia, and symptomatic self-limiting hepatitis to fulminant liver failure and death. In most cases, liver function recovers upon on discontinuation of rifampin treatment, however, progression to acute liver failure requiring liver transplantation is possible. Known risk factors that may predispose the patient to rifampin related hepatotoxicity include: coadministration with other hepatotoxic agents, alcoholism, existing liver disease, malnutrition, extensive liver tuberculosis, liver adenocarcinoma and biliary tract neoplasm. Clinical data have been reported with concurrent use of rifampin with other antituberculosis agents (e.g. isoniazid, pyrazinamide), acetaminophen, antiretroviral agents (e.g., saquinavir/ritonavir) and halothane. Data with other hepatotoxic agents are limited.

MANAGEMENT: Caution and close clinical monitoring should be considered if rifampin is coadministered with other hepatotoxic medications. In addition, the manufacturer recommends patients with impaired liver function only be given rifampin in cases of necessity and then under strict medical supervision. Some authorities consider rifampin treatment in patients with existing liver injury contraindicated (Canada). In cases where coadministration of rifampin with hepatotoxic agents is required, careful monitoring of liver function, especially ALT and AST, should be done prior to therapy and then every 2 to 4 weeks during therapy. If hepatic damage is suspected, rifampin should be immediately discontinued. Furthermore, if hepatitis is attributed to rifampin in patients with tuberculosis, alternative agents should be considered. Patients should be instructed to contact their physician immediately if they experience symptoms such as itching, weakness, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, yellowing of the eyes or skin or dark urine.

MONITOR: Coadministration of tenofovir and darunavir-ritonavir or darunavir-cobicistat may result in increased plasma concentrations of tenofovir and darunavir. Increased tenofovir plasma concentration may increase the risk for tenofovir-related renal adverse effects, including renal impairment, renal failure, elevated creatinine, and Fanconi syndrome. The mechanism of this interaction is unknown; however, increased tenofovir concentrations may be related to inhibition of P-glycoprotein by darunavir, cobicistat, or ritonavir in the renal tubules. Cobicistat may decrease estimated creatinine clearance via inhibition of tubular secretion of creatinine; however, renal glomerular function does not appear to be affected. In 12 study subjects, administration of darunavir-ritonavir (300 mg-100 mg twice daily) with tenofovir (300 mg once daily) increased the systemic exposure (AUC) and trough plasma concentration (Cmin) of darunavir by 21% and 24%, respectively, compared to administration without tenofovir. Tenofovir AUC and Cmin also increased by 22% and 37%, respectively, in the presence of darunavir-ritonavir. Data are lacking to determine whether concomitant use of tenofovir with cobicistat-containing regimens is associated with a greater risk of renal complications compared with regimens that do not include cobicistat.

MANAGEMENT: Caution and close monitoring of renal function is recommended if darunavir-ritonavir or darunavir-cobicistat is to be used in combination with tenofovir, particularly in patients with risk factors for renal impairment. No dose adjustments appear necessary during coadministration of darunavir-ritonavir with tenofovir. However, initiation of cobicistat or cobicistat-containing regimens is not recommended in patients with CrCl less than 70 mL/min if any coadministered medicine requires dose adjustment based on renal function (including tenofovir) or is nephrotoxic.

MONITOR: Concomitant use of tenofovir with cobicistat may increase the risk for tenofovir-related renal adverse effects, including renal impairment, renal failure, elevated creatinine, and Fanconi syndrome. The mechanism of this interaction has not been described. Cobicistat may decrease estimated creatinine clearance via inhibition of tubular secretion of creatinine; however, renal glomerular function does not appear to be affected. When given concomitantly with cobicistat, the systemic exposure (AUC) and trough plasma concentrations (Cmin) of tenofovir was also increased by 23% and 55%, respectively. However, data are lacking to determine whether concomitant use of tenofovir with cobicistat-containing regimens is associated with a greater risk of renal complications compared with regimens that do not include cobicistat.

MANAGEMENT: Initiation of cobicistat or cobicistat-containing regimens is not recommended in patients with CrCl less than 70 mL/min if any coadministered medicine requires dose adjustment based on renal function (including tenofovir), or is nephrotoxic. If concomitant therapy is necessary, monitoring of renal function is recommended, particularly in patients with risk factors for renal impairment.

GENERALLY AVOID: Cobicistat may increase the plasma concentrations of antiretroviral agents. The plasma concentrations of cobicistat may also be increased or reduced in the presence of antiretroviral agents. The proposed mechanism is cobicistat inhibition of the CYP450 3A4 isoenzyme, of which antiretroviral agents may be substrates, and the inhibition or induction of CYP450 3A4 by concomitant antiretroviral medications. Cobicistat is a mechanism-based inhibitor and substrate of CYP450 3A4 with no antiretroviral activity of its own. Rather, it is indicated in its capacity as a pharmacokinetic booster of CYP450 3A4 to increase the systemic exposure of some antiretroviral medications such as atazanavir, darunavir, and elvitegravir, which are substrates of this isoenzyme. Concomitant use of other antiretroviral agents with cobicistat may also increase the plasma levels and risk of side effects associated with these medicines. In contrast, concomitant use of cobicistat-boosted atazanavir or darunavir with CYP450 3A4 inducers nevirapine, etravirine, or efavirenz may reduce the plasma concentrations of cobicistat, darunavir, and atazanavir, leading to a potential loss of therapeutic effect and development of resistance to darunavir and atazanavir. Pharmacokinetic data are not available.

MANAGEMENT: Cobicistat is not intended for use with more than one antiretroviral medication that requires pharmacokinetic enhancement, such as two protease inhibitors or elvitegravir in combination with a protease inhibitor. In addition, cobicistat should not be used concomitantly with ritonavir due to their similar effects on CYP450 3A4. According to some authorities, use of the antiretroviral combinations of atazanavir-cobicistat or darunavir-cobicistat concomitantly with the CYP450 3A4 inducers efavirenz, etravirine, or nevirapine is also not recommended. Other authorities consider the administration of atazanavir-cobicistat with efavirenz or nevirapine to be contraindicated. Since dosing recommendations have only been established for a number of antiretroviral medications, product labeling and current antiretroviral treatment guidelines should be consulted.