Drug Interactions between flibanserin and Stalevo

CONTRAINDICATED: Grapefruit juice may increase the plasma concentrations of flibanserin. The proposed mechanism is inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated first-pass metabolism in the gut wall by certain compounds present in grapefruit. In 26 healthy female subjects, administration of a single 100 mg dose of flibanserin with 240 mL grapefruit juice increased flibanserin peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and systemic exposure (AUC) by 1.1- and 1.4-fold, respectively, compared to administration of flibanserin alone. 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.

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Coadministration of flibanserin with alcohol may potentiate the risk of severe hypotension, syncope, and central nervous system depression. In a dedicated alcohol interaction study, hypotension or syncope requiring therapeutic intervention (ammonia salts and/or placement in supine or Trendelenberg position) occurred in 4 (17%) of 23 subjects given flibanserin 100 mg with 0.4 g/kg alcohol (equivalent to two 12 ounce cans of beer containing 5% alcohol content, two 5 ounce glasses of wine containing 12% alcohol content, or two 1.5 ounce shots of 80-proof spirit in a 70 kg person) consumed over 10 minutes in the morning. In these four subjects, systolic blood pressure reductions ranged from 28 to 54 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure reductions ranged from 24 to 46 mmHg. In addition, 6 (25%) of 24 subjects coadministered flibanserin with 0.8 g/kg alcohol experienced orthostatic hypotension when standing from a sitting position. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure reductions in these 6 subjects ranged from 22 to 48 mmHg and 0 to 27 mmHg, respectively, with one requiring therapeutic intervention. No adverse events requiring therapeutic intervention were observed when flibanserin or alcohol was administered alone. Somnolence was reported in 67%, 74%, and 92% of subjects who received flibanserin alone, flibanserin with 0.4 g/kg ethanol, and flibanserin with 0.8 g/kg ethanol, respectively. Subsequent data from postmarketing trials showed that the risk of severe hypotension and syncope was reduced when women who consumed up to two alcoholic drinks waited at least two hours before taking flibanserin.

MANAGEMENT: Concomitant use of flibanserin with moderate or potent CYP450 3A4 inhibitors such as grapefruit juice is considered contraindicated. The patient should be advised to avoid the consumption of grapefruit and grapefruit juice during treatment, and to take flibanserin at bedtime to minimize the risk of hypotension, syncope, accidental injury, and central nervous system depression. In addition, patients should consume no more than 1 to 2 alcoholic drinks and discontinue drinking alcohol at least two hours before taking flibanserin at bedtime; otherwise, they should skip the flibanserin dose that evening. Alcohol should not be consumed until at least the morning after taking flibanserin at bedtime. A standard alcoholic drink contains 14 g of pure alcohol and is equivalent to one 12-ounce regular beer (5% alcohol), 5-ounces wine (12% alcohol), or 1.5 ounces of distilled spirits/shot (40% alcohol).

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GENERALLY AVOID: Alcohol may potentiate some of the pharmacologic effects of levodopa. Use in combination may result in additive central nervous system depression and/or impairment of judgment, thinking, and psychomotor skills.

MONITOR: Limited clinical data suggest that high protein content in the diet may reduce or cause fluctuations in the clinical response to oral and enteral formulations of levodopa in patients with Parkinson's disease. Proposed mechanisms include delayed gastric emptying, decreased levodopa absorption when taken with a protein rich diet, and competition with certain amino acids for transport across the gut wall and/or the blood brain barrier. Data have been conflicting. Clinical studies have variously reported no effect, reduced levodopa absorption with low-protein meals, reduced effects of oral and enteral formulations of levodopa with high daily protein intake, and no differences compared to fasting with high-protein meals. Neuroleptic malignant-like symptoms were reported in a patient with Parkinson's disease who was receiving pramipexole, entacapone, and immediate-release levodopa/carbidopa, after the protein content of his enteral feedings via nasogastric tube was increased from 0.88 g/kg/day to 1.8 g/kg/day; symptoms improved after the protein was reduced to 1 g/kg/day and bromocriptine was administered. Another patient receiving immediate-release carbidopa/levodopa, pramipexole, and entacapone experienced severe rigidity after initiation of continuous enteral nutrition via oral gastric tube containing 1.4 g/kg/day of protein; his Parkinsonian symptoms improved after the protein content was reduced to 0.9 g/kg/day, the feeding was changed to bolus feedings, and the levodopa was administered between boluses.

MANAGEMENT: In general, alcohol consumption should be avoided or limited during treatment with CNS-depressant agents. Until more data are available, it is advisable to avoid large fluctuations in daily protein intake and to monitor patients for altered effects of oral and enteral levodopa formulations if the protein content of the diet is increased.

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GENERALLY AVOID: Alcohol may potentiate some of the pharmacologic effects of CNS-active agents. Use in combination may result in additive central nervous system depression and/or impairment of judgment, thinking, and psychomotor skills.

MANAGEMENT: Patients receiving CNS-active agents should be warned of this interaction and advised to avoid or limit consumption of alcohol. Ambulatory patients should be counseled to avoid hazardous activities requiring complete mental alertness and motor coordination until they know how these agents affect them, and to notify their physician if they experience excessive or prolonged CNS effects that interfere with their normal activities.

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ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: The oral bioavailability and pharmacologic effects of levodopa and carbidopa may be decreased during concurrent administration with iron-containing products. The proposed mechanism is chelation of levodopa and carbidopa by the iron cation, forming an insoluble complex that is poorly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. In nine patients with Parkinson's disease, administration of levodopa-carbidopa 100 mg-25 mg with ferrous sulfate 325 mg decreased levodopa peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and systemic exposure (AUC) by 47% and 30%, respectively, and carbidopa Cmax and AUC by 77% and 82%, respectively, compared to administration with placebo. There was also evidence of reduced efficacy of levodopa in some patients. In another study consisting of eight healthy subjects, coadministration of levodopa 250 mg with ferrous sulfate 325 mg resulted in greater than 50% reductions in the Cmax and AUC of levodopa compared to administration of levodopa alone. The magnitude of the interaction was the greatest in patients whose plasma levels of levodopa were the highest following administration of levodopa alone.

MANAGEMENT: Until more information is available, patients receiving levodopa and/or carbidopa in combination with iron-containing products should be advised to separate the times of administration by as much as possible. Patients should be monitored for reduced efficacy of levodopa, and the dosage adjusted as necessary.

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