Drug Interactions between elderberry / melatonin and pazopanib

GENERALLY AVOID: Grapefruit juice may increase the plasma concentrations of pazopanib. The proposed mechanism is inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated first-pass metabolism in the gut wall by certain compounds present in grapefruits. Although not studied, the interaction may increase the risk of QT interval prolongation and torsade de pointes arrhythmia as well as severe and fatal hepatotoxicity associated with the use of pazopanib.

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Food increases the oral bioavailability of pazopanib. The mechanism of interaction is unknown. Administration of pazopanib with a high-fat or low-fat meal results in an approximately 2-fold increase in peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and systemic exposure (AUC).

MANAGEMENT: Patients treated with pazopanib should avoid consumption of grapefruit, grapefruit juice, and any supplement containing grapefruit extract. Pazopanib should be administered at least one hour before or two hours after a meal.

MONITOR: Oral caffeine may significantly increase the bioavailability of melatonin. The proposed mechanism is inhibition of CYP450 1A2 first-pass metabolism. After administration of melatonin 6 mg and caffeine 200 mg orally (approximately equivalent to 1 large cup of coffee) to 12 healthy subjects, the mean peak plasma concentration (Cmax) of melatonin increased by 137% and the area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) increased by 120%. The metabolic inhibition was greater in nonsmokers (n=6) than in smokers (n=6). The greatest effect was seen in subjects with the *1F/*1F genotype (n=7), whose melatonin Cmax increased by 202%. The half-life did not change significantly. The clinical significance of this interaction is unknown.

According to some authorities, alcohol may reduce the effect of melatonin on sleep. The mechanism of this interaction is not fully understood.

In addition, CYP450 1A2 inducers like cigarette smoking may reduce exogenous melatonin plasma levels. In a small clinical trial (n=8), habitual smokers had their melatonin plasma levels measured two times, each after a single oral dose of 25 mg of melatonin. They had smoked prior to the first measurement but had not smoked for 7 days prior to the second. Cigarette smoking significantly reduced melatonin plasma exposure (AUC) as compared to melatonin levels after 7 days of smoking abstinence (7.34 +/- 1.85 versus 21.07 +/- 7.28 nmol/L*h, respectively).

MANAGEMENT: Caution and monitoring are recommended if melatonin is used with inhibitors of CYP450 1A2 like caffeine or inducers of CYP450 1A2 like cigarette smoking. Consumption of alcohol should be avoided when taking melatonin.