Drug Interactions between Fentanyl Transdermal System and lurasidone

GENERALLY AVOID: Alcohol may potentiate the central nervous system (CNS) depressant effects of opioid analgesics including fentanyl. 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.

GENERALLY AVOID: Consumption of grapefruit juice during treatment with oral transmucosal formulations of fentanyl may result in increased plasma concentrations of fentanyl, which is primarily metabolized by CYP450 3A4 isoenzyme in the liver and intestine. Certain compounds present in grapefruit are known to inhibit CYP450 3A4 and may increase the bioavailability of swallowed fentanyl (reportedly up to 75% of a dose) and/or decrease its systemic clearance. The clinical significance is unknown. In 12 healthy volunteers, consumption of 250 mL regular-strength grapefruit juice the night before and 100 mL double-strength grapefruit juice one hour before administration of oral transmucosal fentanyl citrate (600 or 800 mcg lozenge) did not significantly affect fentanyl pharmacokinetics, overall extent of fentanyl-induced miosis (miosis AUC), or subjective self-assessment of various clinical effects compared to control. However, pharmacokinetic alterations associated with interactions involving grapefruit juice are often subject to a high degree of interpatient variability. The possibility of significant interaction in some patients should be considered.

MANAGEMENT: Patients should not consume alcoholic beverages or use drug products that contain alcohol during treatment with fentanyl. Any history of alcohol or illicit drug use should be considered when prescribing fentanyl, and therapy initiated at a lower dosage if necessary. Patients should be closely monitored for signs and symptoms of sedation, respiratory depression, and hypotension. Due to a high degree of interpatient variability with respect to grapefruit juice interactions, patients treated with fentanyl should preferably avoid the consumption of grapefruit and grapefruit juice. In addition, patients receiving transdermal formulations of fentanyl should be cautioned that drug interactions and drug effects may be observed for a prolonged period beyond removal of the patch, as significant amounts of fentanyl are absorbed from the skin for 17 hours or more after the patch is removed.

GENERALLY AVOID: Grapefruit juice may significantly increase the plasma concentrations of lurasidone. 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 10 mg dose of lurasidone was administered with the potent CYP450 3A4 inhibitor ketoconazole (400 mg/day for 5 days), lurasidone peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and systemic exposure (AUC) increased by 6.9- and 9.0-fold, respectively, compared to administration alone. The AUC of lurasidone's active metabolite increased by 6-fold. Another potent CYP450 3A4 inhibitor, posaconazole, has been reported to increase lurasidone AUC by approximately 4.5-fold. When a single 20 mg dose of lurasidone was administered with the moderate CYP450 3A4 inhibitor diltiazem (extended release formulation 240 mg/day for 5 days), lurasidone Cmax and AUC increased by 2.1- and 2.2-fold, respectively, while the AUC of the active metabolite increased by 2.4-fold. 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.

GENERALLY AVOID: Alcohol may potentiate some of the central nervous system and hypotensive effects of lurasidone. Use in combination may result in increased sedation, dizziness, hypotension, and impairment of judgment, thinking, and psychomotor skills.

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Food increases the oral bioavailability of lurasidone. According to the product labeling, lurasidone mean Cmax and AUC were increased approximately 3-fold and 2-fold, respectively, when administered with food relative to under fasting conditions. Lurasidone AUC was not affected by meal size (in the range of 350 to 1000 calories) or fat content. In clinical studies, lurasidone was administered with food.

MANAGEMENT: Patients treated with lurasidone should avoid consumption of grapefruit and grapefruit juice as well as alcohol. Lurasidone should be taken with food (at least 350 calories).