Drug Interactions between dexamethasone / moxifloxacin and ulipristal

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: Coadministration with potent and moderate inducers of CYP450 3A4 may significantly decrease the plasma concentrations of ulipristal acetate and its pharmacologically active metabolite. Based on in vitro and pharmacokinetic data, ulipristal acetate is thought to be primarily metabolized by CYP450 3A4 to mono-demethylated and di-demethylated metabolites. When a single 30 mg dose of ulipristal acetate was administered following a 9-day treatment with 600 mg once daily of rifampin, a potent CYP450 3A4 inducer, ulipristal acetate peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and systemic exposure (AUC) decreased by 90% and 93% respectively, while half-life decreased by 2.2-fold. The Cmax and AUC of monodemethyl-ulipristal acetate, the active metabolite, decreased by 84% and 90%, respectively. The interaction has not been studied with other, less potent inducers.

MANAGEMENT: Concomitant use of ulipristal acetate with potent and moderate CYP450 3A4 inducers should generally be avoided due to the potential for loss of therapeutic efficacy. For patients who have used enzyme-inducing drugs within the past 4 weeks and are seeking emergency contraception, ulipristal acetate is not recommended and a non-hormonal method (i.e. a copper intrauterine device (Cu-IUD)) should be considered.