Drug Interactions between halofantrine and repotrectinib

GENERALLY AVOID: Grapefruit juice may increase the plasma concentration of halofantrine. The mechanism is inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated first-pass metabolism in the gut wall by certain compounds present in grapefruits. After administration of 500 mg with 250 mL regular-strength grapefruit juice daily for 3 days, average halofantrine AUC increased 2.8-fold and peak plasma concentrations increased 3.2-fold, compared to water, in healthy subjects (n=12). QT interval prolongation increased from an average of 17 ms with water to 31 ms with grapefruit juice. Halofantrine, even at recommended doses, can cause dose-related prolongation of the QT interval, resulting in an elevated risk of potentially fatal ventricular arrhythmias including ventricular tachycardia and torsade de pointes.

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: The presence of food may increase the absorption and toxicity of halofantrine. Peak plasma concentrations increased seven-fold and AUC increased three-fold in healthy subjects when halofantrine was administered with high-fat food.

MANAGEMENT: The authors of the study recommend that grapefruit juice be avoided during halofantrine therapy. The manufacturer recommends performing an ECG before initiating halofantrine therapy and cardiac monitoring during and for 8 to 12 hours after completion of therapy. Halofantrine should be taken on an empty stomach at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after food.

GENERALLY AVOID: Grapefruit juice may increase the plasma concentrations and adverse effects of repotrectinib. According to prescribing information, repotrectinib is primarily metabolized by CYP450 3A4, and is also a substrate of P-gp in vitro. 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 repotrectinib and grapefruit juice but has been reported for other CYP450 3A4 inhibitors. Drug interaction studies have shown that the administration of repotrectinib with itraconazole, a potent CYP450 3A4 and P-gp inhibitor, increased the peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and systemic exposure (AUC) of repotrectinib by 1.7-fold and 5.9-fold, respectively. 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 exposure to repotrectinib may increase the risk of adverse reactions such as dizziness, fatigue, cognitive disorders, ataxia, dysgeusia, peripheral neuropathy, muscular weakness, and dyspnea as well as more serious adverse effects such as interstitial lung disease/pneumonitis, liver transaminase elevations, myalgia with creatinine phosphokinase (CPK) elevation, hyperuricemia, and skeletal fractures.

MANAGEMENT: The manufacturer advises that concomitant use of repotrectinib with grapefruit, grapefruit juice, or supplements that contain grapefruit should be avoided.