Drug Interactions between Inderal LA and lonafarnib

GENERALLY AVOID: Grapefruit juice may increase the plasma concentrations of lonafarnib. 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 grapefruit juice, but has been reported for other CYP450 3A4 inhibitors. When a single 50 mg oral dose of lonafarnib was administered following pretreatment with the potent CYP450 3A4 inhibitor ketoconazole (200 mg once daily for 5 days) in healthy study subjects, lonafarnib peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and systemic exposure (AUC) increased by 270% and 425%, respectively, compared to lonafarnib administered 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. Increased exposure to lonafarnib may increase the risk and/or severity of adverse effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, electrolyte disturbances, liver enzyme elevations, myelosuppression, infection, and hypertension.

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Food does not have clinically relevant effects on the oral bioavailability of lonafarnib. When a single 75 mg oral dose of lonafarnib was administered with a high-fat meal (952 calories; approximately 43% from fat) in healthy subjects, lonafarnib Cmax and AUC decreased by 55% and 29%, respectively, compared to administration under fasted conditions. When administered with a low-fat meal (421 calories; approximately 12% from fat), lonafarnib Cmax decreased by 25% and AUC decreased by 21% relative to fasting. However, administration with food may help improve gastrointestinal tolerance to lonafarnib, which may commonly cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.

MANAGEMENT: Lonafarnib should be administered with the morning and evening meals and an adequate amount of water. Patients should avoid consumption of grapefruit or grapefruit juice and Seville oranges (also known as bitter or sour oranges).during treatment with lonafarnib.

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: The bioavailability of propranolol may be enhanced by food.

MANAGEMENT: Patients may be instructed to take propranolol at the same time each day, preferably with or immediately following meals.

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Concurrent administration with calcium salts may decrease the oral bioavailability of atenolol and possibly other beta-blockers. The exact mechanism of interaction is unknown. In six healthy subjects, calcium 500 mg (as lactate, carbonate, and gluconate) reduced the mean peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) of atenolol (100 mg) by 51% and 32%, respectively. The elimination half-life increased by 44%. Twelve hours after the combination, beta-blocking activity (as indicated by inhibition of exercise tachycardia) was reduced compared to that with atenolol alone. However, during a 4-week treatment in six hypertensive patients, there was no difference in blood pressure values between treatments. The investigators suggest that prolongation of the elimination half-life induced by calcium coadministration may have led to atenolol cumulation during long-term dosing, which compensated for the reduced bioavailability.

MANAGEMENT: It may help to separate the administration times of beta-blockers and calcium products by at least 2 hours. Patients should be monitored for potentially diminished beta-blocking effects following the addition of calcium therapy.

MONITOR: Smoking cessation may lead to elevated plasma concentrations and enhanced pharmacologic effects of drugs that are substrates of CYP450 1A2 (and possibly CYP450 1A1) and/or certain drugs with a narrow therapeutic index (e.g., flecainide, pentazocine). One proposed mechanism is related to the loss of CYP450 1A2 and 1A1 induction by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in tobacco smoke; when smoking cessation agents are initiated and smoking stops, the metabolism of certain drugs may decrease leading to increased plasma concentrations. The mechanism by which smoking cessation affects narrow therapeutic index drugs that are not known substrates of CYP450 1A2 or 1A1 is unknown. The clinical significance of this interaction is unknown as clinical data are lacking.

MANAGEMENT: Until more information is available, caution is advisable if smoking cessation agents are used concomitantly with drugs that are substrates of CYP450 1A2 or 1A1 and/or those with a narrow therapeutic range. Patients receiving smoking cessation agents may require periodic dose adjustments and closer clinical and laboratory monitoring of medications that are substrates of CYP450 1A2 or 1A1.