Drug Interactions between crizotinib and dexamethasone / ketorolac / moxifloxacin

MONITOR CLOSELY: Concomitant administration of corticosteroids may potentiate the risk of tendinitis and tendon rupture associated with fluoroquinolone treatment. The mechanism is unknown. Tendinitis and tendon rupture have most frequently involved the Achilles tendon, although cases involving the rotator cuff (the shoulder), the hand, the biceps, and the thumb have also been reported. Some have required surgical repair or resulted in prolonged disability. Tendon rupture can occur during or up to several months after completion of fluoroquinolone therapy.

MANAGEMENT: Caution is recommended if fluoroquinolones are prescribed in combination with corticosteroids, particularly in patients with other concomitant risk factors (e.g., age over 60 years; recipient of kidney, heart, and/or lung transplant). Patients should be advised to stop taking the fluoroquinolone, avoid exercise and use of the affected area, and promptly contact their physician if they experience pain, swelling, or inflammation of a tendon. In general, fluoroquinolones should only be used to treat conditions that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by bacteria and only if the benefits outweigh the risks.

GENERALLY AVOID: Crizotinib can cause prolongation of the QT interval, which pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic modeling indicate may be concentration-dependent. Theoretically, coadministration with other agents that can prolong the QT interval may result in additive effects and increased risk of ventricular arrhythmias including torsade de pointes and sudden death. In clinical trials done in adults on crizotinib (250 mg twice daily) QTcF (Fridericia corrected QT interval) prolongation greater than or equal to 500 msec was observed in 34 of 1619 (2.1%) and an increase from baseline QTcF greater than or equal to 60 msec was observed in 79 of 1585 patients (5%). In clinical studies of pediatric patients (dosed according to body surface area), a prolonged QT interval was observed in approximately 4% of patients. In general, the risk of an individual agent or a combination of agents causing ventricular arrhythmia in association with QT prolongation is largely unpredictable but may be increased by certain underlying risk factors such as congenital long QT syndrome, cardiac disease, and electrolyte disturbances (e.g., hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia, hypocalcemia). Moreover, the extent of drug-induced QT prolongation is dependent on the particular drug(s) involved and dosage(s) of the drug(s).

MANAGEMENT: Concomitant use of crizotinib with drugs that prolong the QT interval should generally be avoided. ECG and serum electrolytes, including potassium, magnesium, and calcium, should be monitored before starting crizotinib therapy and periodically during treatment according to the manufacturer's labeling. Electrolytes should be replaced as clinically indicated. Crizotinib should not be started if baseline QTc (QT corrected for heart rate) is greater than 500 msec. Likewise, treatment should be interrupted in patients who develop a QTc greater than 500 msec on at least 2 separate ECGs. Once the QTc has recovered to baseline or less than 481 msec, crizotinib can be resumed at the next lower dosage recommended in the manufacturer's labeling. Crizotinib should be permanently discontinued if the patient has a QTc greater than 500 msec or a change greater than or equal to 60 msec from baseline with torsade de pointes, polymorphic ventricular tachycardia, or signs/symptoms of a serious arrhythmia. Patients should be advised to seek prompt medical attention if they experience symptoms that could indicate the occurrence of torsade de pointes such as dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, palpitation, irregular heart rhythm, shortness of breath, or syncope.

MONITOR: The combined use of corticosteroids and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may increase the potential for serious gastrointestinal (GI) toxicity, including inflammation, bleeding, ulceration, and perforation. In a large, case-control study of elderly patients, those who used corticosteroids and NSAIDs concurrently had an estimated relative risk (RR) for peptic ulcer disease and GI hemorrhage of 14.6 compared to those who used neither. Corticosteroid use was associated with a doubling of the risk (estimated RR = 2.0), but the risk was confined to those who also used NSAIDs. It is possible that both categories of agents are ulcerogenic and have additive effects on the GI mucosa during coadministration. Some investigators have also suggested that the primary effect of corticosteroids in this interaction is to delay healing of erosions caused by NSAIDs rather than cause de novo ulcerations.

MANAGEMENT: Caution is advised if corticosteroids and NSAIDs are used together, especially in patients with a prior history of peptic ulcer disease or GI bleeding and in elderly and debilitated patients. During concomitant therapy, patients should be advised to take the medications with food and to immediately report signs and symptoms of GI ulceration and bleeding such as severe abdominal pain, dizziness, lightheadedness, and the appearance of black, tarry stools. The selective use of prophylactic anti-ulcer therapy (e.g., antacids, H2-antagonists) may be considered.

MONITOR: Coadministration with CYP450 3A4 inducers may decrease plasma concentrations and pharmacologic effects of crizotinib, which is primarily metabolized by the isoenzyme. In study subjects, administration of a single 250 mg oral dose of crizotinib during treatment with the strong CYP450 3A4 inducer rifampin (600 mg once daily) resulted in an approximately 69% decrease in crizotinib peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and an 82% decrease in systemic exposure (AUC) compared to crizotinib administered alone. Crizotinib steady state Cmax and AUCinf decreased by 79% and 84%, respectively, following repeated coadministration of crizotinib (250 mg twice daily) and rifampin (600 mg once daily) compared to crizotinib alone. The extent to which mild to moderate CYP450 3A4 inducers may interact with crizotinib is unknown.

MANAGEMENT: Caution and clinical monitoring should be considered if CYP450 3A4 inducers such as efavirenz are used with crizotinib.

MONITOR: Coadministration with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may potentiate the risk of central nervous system toxicity sometimes associated with fluoroquinolone use. The interaction has been reported most often with enoxacin. It may occur with other fluoroquinolones as well, but is poorly documented. The exact mechanism of interaction is unknown. Some investigators suggest that the piperazine ring of fluoroquinolones may inhibit the binding of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) to brain receptors and that NSAIDs may synergistically add to this effect. Patients with a history of seizures may be at greater risk.

MANAGEMENT: Clinical monitoring for signs of CNS stimulation such as tremors, involuntary muscle movements, hallucinations, or seizures is recommended if fluoroquinolone antibiotics are prescribed in combination with NSAIDs.