Drug Interactions between gefitinib and Omeclamox-Pak

GENERALLY AVOID: Coadministration with drugs that elevate gastric pH may decrease the plasma concentrations of gefitinib. According to the manufacturer, the solubility of gefitinib is pH-dependent and decreases sharply between pH 4 and 6, becoming practically insoluble above pH 7. When gefitinib 250 mg was administered to healthy male volunteers (n=26) one hour following two oral 450 mg doses of ranitidine with sodium bicarbonate as needed to achieve a sustained gastric pH above 5.0, mean gefitinib peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and systemic exposure (AUC) decreased by 71% and 47%, respectively, compared to administration of gefitinib alone. The interaction has not been studied with proton pump inhibitors.

MANAGEMENT: Concomitant use of gefitinib with proton pump inhibitors should generally be avoided. If coadministration is required, the manufacturer recommends administering gefitinib 12 hours after the last dose or 12 hours before the next dose of the proton pump inhibitor.

MONITOR: Coadministration with inhibitors of CYP450 3A4 may increase the plasma concentrations of gefitinib, which is primarily metabolized by the isoenzyme. According to the product labeling, administration of gefitinib (250 mg single dose) with the potent inhibitor itraconazole (200 mg once a day for 12 days) increased the mean gefitinib systemic exposure (AUC) by 88% in healthy male volunteers. This increase may be clinically significant, as adverse events of gefitinib are related to dose and exposure.

MANAGEMENT: Caution is advised if gefitinib is administered with CYP450 3A4 inhibitors, particularly potent ones like itraconazole, ketoconazole, posaconazole, voriconazole, clarithromycin, telithromycin, conivaptan, idelalisib, nefazodone, cobicistat, delavirdine, and most protease inhibitors. Pharmacologic response to gefitinib should be monitored more closely whenever a CYP450 3A4 inhibitor is added to or withdrawn from therapy, and the dosage adjusted as necessary. Patients should be advised to contact their physician if they experience possible symptoms of gefitinib toxicity such as severe diarrhea, nausea, dyspnea, cough, and fever.

Although some in vitro data indicate synergism between macrolide antibiotics and penicillins, other in vitro data indicate antagonism. When these drugs are given together, neither has predictable therapeutic efficacy. Data are available for erythromycin, although theoretically this interaction could occur with any macrolide. Except for monitoring of the effectiveness of antibiotic therapy, no special precautions appear to be necessary.

Clarithromycin may increase and prolong the omeprazole plasma concentration. The mechanism may be related to clarithromycin inhibition of hepatic cytochrome P450 enzymes responsible for omeprazole metabolism. Coadministration of omeprazole may result in an increase in clarithromycin and 14-(R)-hydroxyclarithromycin plasma concentrations. These increases may be due to the effect of omeprazole on gastric pH.