Skip to main content

Drug Interactions between imatinib and pegaspargase

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

Edit list (add/remove drugs)

Interactions between your drugs

Moderate

pegaspargase imatinib

Applies to: pegaspargase and imatinib

MONITOR: Concomitant use of asparaginase with other hepatotoxic agents may potentiate the risk of liver injury. Asparaginase-associated hepatotoxicity has been reported more commonly in adults than in children and has been strongly associated with obesity. Hepatomegaly, acute severe hepatotoxicity, and fatal liver failure have been reported with asparaginase treatment in adults. Also, asparaginase may increase the toxicity of drugs bound to plasma proteins or metabolized by the liver.

MANAGEMENT: The risk of additive hepatotoxicity should be considered when asparaginase is used with other hepatotoxic agents (e.g., alcohol, androgens, antituberculosis agents, azole antifungal agents, ACE inhibitors, macrolide antibiotics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents, nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, sulfonamides, thiazolidinediones, and statins). Liver function tests should be monitored at regular intervals during asparaginase treatment with or without other hepatotoxic drugs. Patients should be advised to seek medical attention if they experience potential symptoms of hepatotoxicity such as right upper quadrant pain, increasing abdominal size, fever, rash, itching, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, malaise, dark urine, pale stools, and jaundice.

References

  1. (2001) "Product Information. Oncaspar (pegaspargase)." Rhone Poulenc Rorer
  2. (2001) "Product Information. Elspar (asparaginase)." Merck & Co., Inc
  3. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics."
  4. Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information."
  5. "Product Information. Erwinaze (asparaginase Erwinia chrysanthemi)." EUSA Pharma
  6. Cerner Multum, Inc (2015) "ANVISA Bulário Eletrônico."
  7. (2019) "Product Information. Asparlas (calaspargase pegol)." Servier
  8. Al-Nawakil C, Willems L, Mauprivez C, et al. (2014) "Successful treatment of l-asparaginase-induced severe acute hepatotoxicity using mitochondrial cofactors." Leuk Lymphoma, 55, p. 1670-4
  9. Christ TN, Stock W, Knoebel RW (2018) "Incidence of asparaginase-related hepatotoxicity, pancreatitis, and thrombotic events in adults with acute lymphoblastic leukemia treated with a pediatric-inspired regimen." J Oncol Pharm Pract, 24, p. 299-308
  10. Jenkins R, Perlin E (1987) "Severe hepatotoxicity from Escherichia coli L-asparaginase." J Natl Med Assoc, 79, p. 775-9
  11. Lu G, Karur V, Herrington JD, Walker MG (2016) "Successful treatment of pegaspargase-induced acute hepatotoxicity with vitamin B complex and L-carnitine" Proc (Bayl Univ Med Cent), 29, p. 46-7
  12. Bodmer M, Sulz M, Stadlmann S, Droll A, Terracciano L, Krahenbuhl S (2006) "Fatal liver failure in an adult patient with acute lymphoblastic leukemia following treatment with L-asparaginase." Digestion, 74, epub
  13. Burke PW, Aldoss I, Lunning MA, et al. (2013) "High-grade PEGylated asparaginase-related hepatotoxicity occurrence in a pediatric-inspired adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia regimen does not necessarily predict recurrent hepatotoxicity in subsequent cycles." Blood, 122, p. 2671
View all 13 references

Switch to consumer interaction data

Drug and food interactions

Moderate

imatinib food

Applies to: imatinib

GENERALLY AVOID: Coadministration of imatinib with strong CYP450 3A4 inhibitors such as grapefruit juice, may significantly increase the plasma concentrations of imatinib, a known substrate of CYP450 3A4. The proposed mechanism is inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated metabolism of imatinib by certain compounds present in grapefruits. Because grapefruit juice inhibits primarily intestinal rather than hepatic CYP450 3A4, the magnitude of interaction is greatest for those drugs that undergo significant presystemic metabolism by CYP450 3A4 (i.e., drugs with low oral bioavailability). 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. Pharmacokinetic interactions involving grapefruit juice are also subject to a high degree of interpatient variability, thus the extent to which a given patient may be affected is difficult to predict. In a single-dose study, coadministration of imatinib with ketoconazole (a strong CYP450 3A4 inhibitor) increased imatinib peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and systemic exposure (AUC) by 26% and 40%, respectively.

MANAGEMENT: Patients treated with imatinib should preferably avoid the consumption of grapefruit or grapefruit juice. If coadministration is unavoidable, monitor for prolonged and/or increased pharmacologic effects of imatinib, including edema, hematologic toxicity and immunosuppression.

References

  1. (2022) "Product Information. Gleevec (imatinib)." Novartis Pharmaceuticals
  2. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics."
  3. Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information."

Switch to consumer interaction data

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.


Report options

Loading...
QR code containing a link to this page

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.