Drug Interactions between efavirenz and fedratinib

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Administration with food increases the plasma concentrations of efavirenz and may increase the frequency of adverse reactions. According to the product labeling, administration of efavirenz capsules (600 mg single dose) with a high-fat/high-caloric meal (894 kcal, 54 g fat, 54% calories from fat) or a reduced-fat/normal-caloric meal (440 kcal, 2 g fat, 4% calories from fat) was associated with mean increases of 39% and 51% in efavirenz peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and 22% and 17% in systemic exposure (AUC), respectively, compared to administration under fasted conditions. For efavirenz tablets, administration of a single 600 mg dose with a high-fat/high-caloric meal (approximately 1000 kcal, 500-600 kcal from fat) resulted in a 79% increase in mean Cmax and a 28% increase in mean AUC of efavirenz relative to administration under fasted conditions.

GENERALLY AVOID: Alcohol may potentiate the central nervous system (CNS) depressant effects of efavirenz. Concomitant use may result in additive CNS depression and impairment of judgment, thinking, and psychomotor skills. In more severe cases, hypotension, respiratory depression, profound sedation, coma, or even death may occur.

MANAGEMENT: Efavirenz should be taken on an empty stomach, preferably at bedtime. Dosing at bedtime may improve the tolerability of nervous system symptoms such as dizziness, insomnia, impaired concentration, somnolence, abnormal dreams and hallucinations, although they often resolve on their own after the first 2 to 4 weeks of therapy . Patients should be advised of the potential for additive central nervous system effects when efavirenz is used concomitantly with alcohol or psychoactive drugs, and to avoid driving or operating hazardous machinery until they know how the medication affects them.

GENERALLY AVOID: Grapefruit juice may increase the plasma concentrations of fedratinib. The proposed mechanism is inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated first-pass metabolism in the gut wall by certain compounds present in grapefruit. Inhibition of hepatic CYP450 3A4 may also contribute. The interaction has not been studied with grapefruit juice, but has been reported for other CYP450 3A4 inhibitors. When a single 300 mg oral dose of fedratinib (0.75 times the recommended dose) was coadministered with 200 mg twice daily ketoconazole, a potent CYP450 3A4 inhibitor, fedratinib total systemic exposure (AUC(inf)) increased by approximately 3-fold. Using physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) simulations, coadministration of fedratinib 400 mg once daily and ketoconazole 400 mg once daily is predicted to increase fedratinib AUC at steady state by 2-fold. Coadministration with the moderate CYP450 3A4 inhibitors, erythromycin (500 mg three times daily) or diltiazem (120 mg twice daily), is predicted to increase fedratinib AUC by approximately 1.5- to 2-fold following single-dose administration and by approximately 1.2-fold at steady state. In general, the effect of grapefruit juice is concentration-, dose- and preparation-dependent, and can vary widely among brands. Certain preparations of grapefruit juice (e.g., high dose, double strength) have sometimes demonstrated potent inhibition of CYP450 3A4, while other preparations (e.g., low dose, single strength) have typically demonstrated moderate inhibition. Increased fedratinib exposure may potentiate the risk of adverse reactions such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, anemia, thrombocytopenia, neutropenia, encephalopathy (including Wernicke's), liver (ALT, AST) and pancreatic (amylase, lipase) enzyme elevations, increased blood creatinine, and secondary malignancies.

Food does not affect the oral bioavailability of fedratinib to a clinically significant extent. Administration of a single 500 mg dose (1.25 times the recommended dose) with a low-fat, low-calorie meal (162 calories; 6% from fat, 78% from carbohydrate, 16% from protein) or a high-fat, high-calorie meal (815 calories; 52% from fat, 33% from carbohydrate, 15% from protein) increased fedratinib peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and systemic exposure (AUC) by up to 14% and 24%, respectively.

MANAGEMENT: Fedratinib may be taken with or without food. However, administration with a high-fat meal may help reduce the incidence of nausea and vomiting. Patients should avoid consumption of grapefruit and grapefruit juice during treatment with fedratinib.