Drug Interactions between ezetimibe / rosuvastatin and idelalisib

MONITOR: Coadministration with ezetimibe may rarely increase the risk of myopathy and serum transaminase elevations associated with HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (i.e., statins). The mechanism of interaction is unknown. A case report describes two patients whose serum creatine kinase increased after ezetimibe was added to their statin therapy (atorvastatin and fluvastatin, respectively). One of the patients also developed myalgia and tendinopathy, which resolved promptly after withdrawal of both drugs. Statin therapy was subsequently reintroduced at the previous dosage without incident. In the other patient, serum creatine kinase returned to normal within 4 weeks after discontinuation of ezetimibe while the statin was continued. On the contrary, no cases of myopathy or tendinopathy occurred in a study of 33 hypercholesterolemic patients treated with ezetimibe and atorvastatin or simvastatin. There were also no reports of myopathy or significant increases in serum creatine kinase in a study of 32 subjects treated with ezetimibe and fluvastatin. In controlled clinical studies, the incidence of consecutive elevations (greater than 3 times the upper limit of normal) in serum transaminases was 1.3% for patients treated with ezetimibe in combination with a statin versus 0.4% for patients treated with a statin alone. These elevations were generally asymptomatic, not associated with cholestasis, and returned to baseline after discontinuation of therapy or with continued treatment.

MANAGEMENT: Until further information is available, use of a statin in combination with ezetimibe should be approached with caution. Some authorities consider concomitant use to be contraindicated in patients with active liver disease or unexplained persistent elevations in serum transaminases. Patients should be advised to promptly report to their physician any unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, particularly if accompanied by malaise or fever. The drugs should be discontinued if creatine kinase is markedly elevated in the absence of strenuous exercise or if myopathy is otherwise suspected or diagnosed. In addition, liver function tests should be performed at initiation of therapy and according to the recommendations of the HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor.

GENERALLY AVOID: Coadministration of idelalisib with other agents known to induce hepatotoxicity may potentiate the risk of liver injury. The use of idelalisib has been associated with elevations in alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) greater than 5 times the upper limit of normal. Serious and fatal hepatotoxicity occurred in 14% of patients treated with idelalisib in premarketing trials. Liver enzyme elevations were generally observed within the first 12 weeks of treatment and were reversible with dose interruption. Following treatment resumption at a lower dose, 26% of patients had recurrence of ALT and AST elevations.

MANAGEMENT: The use of idelalisib with other potentially hepatotoxic agents should be avoided whenever possible (e.g., acetaminophen; alcohol; amiodarone; androgens and anabolic steroids; antituberculous agents; azole antifungal agents; ACE inhibitors; cyclosporine (high dosages); disulfiram; endothelin receptor antagonists; interferons; ketolide and macrolide antibiotics; kinase inhibitors; methotrexate; nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents; nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors; proteasome inhibitors; retinoids; sulfonamides; tamoxifen; tetracyclines; thiazolidinediones; tolvaptan; vincristine; zileuton; anticonvulsants such as carbamazepine, hydantoins, felbamate, and valproic acid; lipid-lowering medications such as fenofibrate, lomitapide, mipomersen, niacin, and statins; herbals and nutritional supplements such as black cohosh, chaparral, comfrey, DHEA, kava, pennyroyal oil, and red yeast rice). Patients treated with idelalisib should have serum ALT, AST, and bilirubin measured prior to initiation of treatment and regularly during treatment in accordance with the product labeling, and the dosing adjusted or interrupted as necessary. Permanent discontinuation of idelalisib is recommended in those who experience recurrent hepatotoxicity following dosage reduction. Patients should be advised to seek medical attention if they experience potential signs and symptoms of hepatotoxicity such as fever, rash, itching, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, malaise, right upper quadrant pain, dark urine, pale stools, and jaundice.