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Drug Interactions between Harvoni and st. john's wort

This report displays the potential drug interactions for the following 2 drugs:

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Interactions between your drugs

Major

St. John's wort sofosbuvir

Applies to: st. john's wort and Harvoni (ledipasvir / sofosbuvir)

GENERALLY AVOID: Coadministration with potent inducers of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) may significantly decrease the plasma concentrations of sofosbuvir and other direct-acting antiviral agents that may be given with sofosbuvir in fixed-dose combination products such as ledipasvir and velpatasvir. Induction of P-gp-mediated efflux in the intestine decreases the oral bioavailability of these antiviral agents, which are substrates of the transporter. The interaction has been studied with rifampin, a potent inducer of P-gp and CYP450 isoenzymes. In 17 healthy volunteers, administration of a single 400 mg dose of sofosbuvir during multiple dosing of rifampin 600 mg once daily reduced mean sofosbuvir peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and systemic exposure (AUC) by 77% and 72%, respectively. Likewise, administration of a single 90 mg dose of ledipasvir to 31 healthy volunteers during multiple dosing of rifampin 600 mg once daily decreased mean ledipasvir Cmax and AUC by 35% and 59%, respectively. When a single 100 mg dose of velpatasvir was given with rifampin 600 mg once daily to 12 healthy volunteers, velpatasvir Cmax decreased by 71% and AUC decreased by 82%.

MANAGEMENT: Given the risk of reduced viral susceptibility and resistance development associated with subtherapeutic antiviral drug levels, concomitant use of potent P-gp inducers should generally be avoided during treatment with sofosbuvir, given either as a single-ingredient product or as a fixed-dose combination product with ledipasvir or velpatasvir.

References

  1. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics."
  2. (2013) "Product Information. Sovaldi (sofosbuvir)." Gilead Sciences
  3. (2014) "Product Information. Harvoni (ledipasvir-sofosbuvir)." Gilead Sciences
  4. (2016) "Product Information. Epclusa (sofosbuvir-velpatasvir)." Gilead Sciences
View all 4 references

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Drug and food interactions

Moderate

St. John's wort food

Applies to: st. john's wort

GENERALLY AVOID: An isolated case report suggests that foods containing large amounts of tyramine may precipitate a hypertensive crisis in patients treated with St. John's wort. The mechanism of interaction is unknown, as St. John's wort is not thought to possess monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibiting activity at concentrations achieved in vivo. The case patient was a 41-year-old man who had been taking St. John's wort for seven days prior to presentation at the emergency room with confusion and disorientation. The patient recalled last eating aged cheese and having a glass of red wine approximately 10 hours prior to admission. No other cause of delirium or hypertension could be identified. In addition, alcohol may potentiate some of the pharmacologic effects of St. John's wort. Use in combination may result in additive central nervous system depression and/or impairment of judgment, thinking, and psychomotor skills.

MANAGEMENT: Until further information is available, patients treated with St. John's wort should consider avoiding consumption of protein foods in which aging or breakdown of protein is used to increase flavor. These foods include cheese (particularly strong, aged or processed cheeses), sour cream, wine (particularly red wine), champagne, beer, pickled herring, anchovies, caviar, shrimp paste, liver (particularly chicken liver), dry sausage, figs, raisins, bananas, avocados, chocolate, soy sauce, bean curd, yogurt, papaya products, meat tenderizers, fava beans, protein extracts, and dietary supplements. Caffeine may also precipitate hypertensive crisis so its intake should be minimized as well. Patients should also be advised to avoid or limit consumption of alcohol.

References

  1. Patel S, Robinson R, Burk M (2002) "Hypertensive crisis associated with St. John's Wort." Am J Med, 112, p. 507-8

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Therapeutic duplication warnings

No warnings were found for your selected drugs.

Therapeutic duplication warnings are only returned when drugs within the same group exceed the recommended therapeutic duplication maximum.

See also

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Drug Interaction Classification

These classifications are only a guideline. The relevance of a particular drug interaction to a specific individual is difficult to determine. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting or stopping any medication.
Major Highly clinically significant. Avoid combinations; the risk of the interaction outweighs the benefit.
Moderate Moderately clinically significant. Usually avoid combinations; use it only under special circumstances.
Minor Minimally clinically significant. Minimize risk; assess risk and consider an alternative drug, take steps to circumvent the interaction risk and/or institute a monitoring plan.
Unknown No interaction information available.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

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