Drug Interactions between fedratinib and fexinidazole

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.

GENERALLY AVOID: Use of alcohol or products containing alcohol during nitroimidazole therapy may result in a disulfiram-like reaction in some patients. There have been a few case reports involving metronidazole, although data overall are not convincing. The presumed mechanism is inhibition of aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) by metronidazole in a manner similar to disulfiram. Following ingestion of alcohol, inhibition of ALDH results in increased concentrations of acetaldehyde, the accumulation of which can produce an unpleasant physiologic response referred to as the 'disulfiram reaction'. Symptoms include flushing, throbbing in head and neck, throbbing headache, respiratory difficulty, nausea, vomiting, sweating, thirst, chest pain, palpitation, dyspnea, hyperventilation, tachycardia, hypotension, syncope, weakness, vertigo, blurred vision, and confusion. Severe reactions may result in respiratory depression, cardiovascular collapse, arrhythmia, myocardial infarction, acute congestive heart failure, unconsciousness, convulsions, and death. However, some investigators have questioned the disulfiram-like properties of metronidazole. One study found neither elevations in blood acetaldehyde nor objective or subjective signs of a disulfiram-like reaction to ethanol in six subjects treated with metronidazole (200 mg three times a day for 5 days) compared to six subjects who received placebo.

GENERALLY AVOID: The potential exists for pharmacodynamic interactions and/or toxicities between fexinidazole and herbal medicines and supplements. In addition, grapefruit and grapefruit juice may, theoretically, increase the plasma concentrations of fexinidazole and the risk of adverse effects. The mechanism is decreased clearance of fexinidazole due to inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated first-pass metabolism in the gut wall by certain compounds present in grapefruits. 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. Pharmacokinetic interactions involving grapefruit juice are also subject to a high degree of interpatient variability, thus the extent to which a given patient may be affected is difficult to predict.

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Food significantly increases the oral absorption and bioavailability of fexinidazole. Compared with the fasted state, the systemic exposure (AUC) of fexinidazole and its metabolites (fexinidazole sulfoxide [M1], fexinidazole sulfone [M2]) were 4- to 5-fold higher following administration with food.

MANAGEMENT: To ensure maximal oral absorption, fexinidazole should be administered with food each day at about the same time of day (e.g., during or immediately after the main meal of the day). Coadministration of fexinidazole with grapefruit, grapefruit juice, or herbal medicines or supplements should be avoided. Because clear evidence is lacking concerning the safety of ethanol use during nitroimidazole therapy, patients should be apprised of the potential for interaction and instructed to avoid alcoholic beverages and products containing alcohol or propylene glycol while using oral, intravenous, or vaginal preparations of a nitroimidazole. Alcoholic beverages should not be consumed for at least 48 hours after completion of fexinidazole therapy.