Drug Interactions between dexamethasone / moxifloxacin and ponatinib

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.

MONITOR: Coadministration with inducers of CYP450 3A4 may decrease the plasma concentrations of ponatinib. In vitro, ponatinib has been shown to undergo Phase I metabolism primarily via CYP450 3A4 and to a lesser extent, CYP450 2C8, 2D6 and 3A5. When a single 45 mg dose of ponatinib was administered to healthy subjects following 7 days of continuous daily dosing of 600 mg rifampin, a potent CYP450 3A4 inducer, mean ponatinib peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and systemic exposure (AUC) decreased by 42% and 62%, respectively, compared to ponatinib administered alone. Similar results were observed with thrice daily administration of 100 mg oral phenytoin, another potent CYP450 3A4 inducer, using physiologically based pharmacokinetic modeling. The extent to which other, less potent CYP450 3A4 inducers may interact with ponatinib is unknown.

MANAGEMENT: The potential for diminished pharmacologic effects of ponatinib should be considered during coadministration with CYP450 3A4 inducers. Alternative treatments may be required if an interaction is suspected.