Drug Interactions between Fentora and regorafenib

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.

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ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Depending on the amount of fat, food may enhance the oral bioavailability of both regorafenib and its active metabolites, M-2 and M-5. In 24 healthy male subjects, administration of regorafenib with a high-fat meal (945 calories; 54.6 g fat) increased the mean systemic exposure (AUC) of regorafenib by 48% but decreased the mean AUC of M-2 and M-5 by 20% and 51%, respectively, compared to administration under the fasted state. In contrast, administration with a low-fat meal (319 calories; 8.2 g fat) increased the mean AUC of regorafenib, M-2 and M-5 by 36%, 40% and 23%, respectively, compared to administration during fasting.

GENERALLY AVOID: Coadministration with grapefruit juice may alter the pharmacokinetics of regorafenib and its active metabolites. The proposed mechanism is inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated first-pass metabolism in the gut wall by certain compounds present in grapefruit. The interaction has not been studied specifically with grapefruit juice, but has been reported with the potent CYP450 3A4 inhibitor, ketoconazole. In 18 healthy male study subjects, administration of a single 160 mg dose of regorafenib on day 5 of treatment with ketoconazole (400 mg daily for 18 days) resulted in a 33% increase in mean regorafenib systemic exposure (AUC) compared to administration of regorafenib alone. Additionally, there was a 93% decrease each in the mean AUC of the M-2 and M-5 metabolites. Both have been shown to have similar in vitro pharmacological activity and steady-state concentrations as regorafenib, thus the net clinical effect of these pharmacokinetic changes is unknown.

MANAGEMENT: To ensure optimal oral absorption, regorafenib should be administered with a low-fat breakfast that contains less than 30% fat. Examples of a low-fat breakfast include: 2 slices of white toast with 1 tablespoon of low-fat margarine and 1 tablespoon of jelly, plus 8 ounces of skim milk (319 calories; 8.2 g fat); or 1 cup of cereal, 8 ounces of skim milk, 1 slice of toast with jam, apple juice, and 1 cup of coffee or tea (520 calories; 2 g fat). Patients should be advised to avoid consuming grapefruit or grapefruit juice during treatment with regorafenib.

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