Drug Interactions between eliglustat and fexofenadine

GENERALLY AVOID: Grapefruit juice may significantly increase the systemic exposure to eliglustat. The proposed mechanism is inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated first-pass metabolism in the gut wall by certain compounds present in grapefruit. Because eliglustat is predicted to cause prolongation of the PR, QTc, and QRS cardiac intervals at substantially elevated plasma concentrations, consumption of grapefruit juice during treatment may increase the risk of bradycardia, atrioventricular block, cardiac arrest, and serious ventricular arrhythmias such as torsade de pointes.

MANAGEMENT: Patients treated with eliglustat should avoid consumption of grapefruit and grapefruit juice.

GENERALLY AVOID: Coadministration with large amounts of certain fruit juices, including grapefruit, orange and apple, may decrease the oral bioavailability of fexofenadine. The proposed mechanism is inhibition of drug efflux via intestinal organic anion transporting polypeptides (e.g., P-glycoprotein), of which fexofenadine is a substrate. In a five-way crossover study with 10 healthy volunteers, 1/4-strength grapefruit juice, grapefruit juice, orange juice and apple juice (300 mL with drug administration and 150 mL every 1/2 hour for up to 3 hours, total volume 1.2 L) reduced the mean area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) of a 120 mg dose of fexofenadine by 23%, 67%, 72% and 77%, respectively, compared to water. Mean peak plasma concentration (Cmax) was similarly affected. The clinical significance of these changes is unknown. However, results from studies using histamine-induced skin wheals and flares found that the size of wheal and flare was significantly larger when fexofenadine was administered with either grapefruit or orange juices compared to water.

MANAGEMENT: To maximize plasma levels and therapeutic effects, fexofenadine should be taken with water. In addition, patients should refrain from consuming large amounts of grapefruit, orange, or apple juice.