Drug Interactions between insulin glargine / lixisenatide and pentamidine

GENERALLY AVOID: Alcohol may cause hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia in patients with diabetes. Hypoglycemia most frequently occurs during acute consumption of alcohol. Even modest amounts can lower blood sugar significantly, especially when the alcohol is ingested on an empty stomach or following exercise. The mechanism involves inhibition of both gluconeogenesis as well as the counter-regulatory response to hypoglycemia. Episodes of hypoglycemia may last for 8 to 12 hours after ethanol ingestion. By contrast, chronic alcohol abuse can cause impaired glucose tolerance and hyperglycemia. Moderate alcohol consumption generally does not affect blood glucose levels in patients with well controlled diabetes. A disulfiram-like reaction (e.g., flushing, headache, and nausea) to alcohol has been reported frequently with the use of chlorpropamide and very rarely with other sulfonylureas.

MANAGEMENT: Patients with diabetes should avoid consuming alcohol if their blood glucose is not well controlled, or if they have hypertriglyceridemia, neuropathy, or pancreatitis. Patients with well controlled diabetes should limit their alcohol intake to one drink daily for women and two drinks daily for men (1 drink = 5 oz wine, 12 oz beer, or 1.5 oz distilled spirits) in conjunction with their normal meal plan. Alcohol should not be consumed on an empty stomach or following exercise.

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Lixisenatide slows gastric emptying, which may impact the absorption of concomitantly administered oral medications. The interaction has been studied with various medications, which demonstrated primarily an effect on the rate rather than the overall extent of absorption.

Acetaminophen: When acetaminophen 1000 mg was administered 1 hour and 4 hours after lixisenatide 10 mcg injection, acetaminophen peak plasma concentration (Cmax) was decreased by 29% and 31%, respectively; and median time to peak plasma concentration (Tmax) was delayed by 2 hours and 1.75 hours, respectively. The Cmax and Tmax of acetaminophen were not significantly altered when acetaminophen was given one hour before lixisenatide injection, and systemic exposure (AUC) was not affected whether administered before or after lixisenatide administration. Based on these results, no dose adjustment for acetaminophen is required; however, it may be advisable to take acetaminophen at least one hour before lixisenatide if a rapid onset of action is required.

Oral Contraceptives: When an oral contraceptive containing ethinyl estradiol 0.03 mg and levonorgestrel 0.15 mg was administered 1 hour and 4 hours after lixisenatide 10 mcg injection, ethinyl estradiol Cmax was decreased by 52% and 39%, respectively, while levonorgestrel Cmax was decreased by 46% and 20%, respectively. Median Tmax values were delayed by 1 to 3 hours, but overall exposure (AUC) and mean terminal half-life (T1/2) of ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel were not significantly altered. Administration of the oral contraceptive 1 hour before or 11 hours after lixisenatide had no effect on any of the measured pharmacokinetic parameters of either ethinyl estradiol or levonorgestrel. Based on these results, no dose adjustment for oral contraceptives is required; however, some authorities recommend that oral contraceptives be administered at least 1 hour before or 11 hours after lixisenatide.

Atorvastatin: When atorvastatin 40 mg and lixisenatide 20 mcg were coadministered in the morning for 6 days, atorvastatin Cmax was decreased by 31% and Tmax was delayed by 3.25 hours, but AUC was not affected. When atorvastatin was administered in the evening and lixisenatide in the morning, the AUC and Cmax of atorvastatin were increased by 27% and 66%, respectively, but there was no change in Tmax. Based on these results, no dose adjustment for atorvastatin is required; however, some authorities recommend that atorvastatin be administered at least 1 hour before lixisenatide.

Warfarin: When warfarin 25 mg was coadministered with repeated dosing of lixisenatide 20 mcg, warfarin Cmax was decreased by 19% and Tmax was delayed by 7 hours, but there were no effects on AUC or International Normalized Ratio (INR). Based on these results, no dose adjustment for warfarin is required; however, closer monitoring of INR may be appropriate following initiation or discontinuation of lixisenatide treatment.

Digoxin: When digoxin 0.25 mg and lixisenatide 20 mcg were coadministered at steady state, digoxin Cmax was decreased by 26% and Tmax was delayed by 1.5 hours, but AUC was not affected. Based on these results, no dose adjustment for digoxin is required.

Ramipril: When ramipril 5 mg and lixisenatide 20 mcg were coadministered for 6 days, ramipril Cmax was decreased by 63% and AUC was increased by 21%, while Cmax and AUC of the active metabolite (ramiprilat) were not affected. The Tmax values of ramipril and ramiprilat were delayed by approximately 2.5 hours. Based on these results, no dose adjustment for ramipril is required.

MANAGEMENT: Caution is advised during concomitant use of lixisenatide with oral medications that have a narrow therapeutic index or that require careful clinical monitoring. These medications should be administered on a consistent schedule relative to lixisenatide, and blood levels and/or pharmacologic effects should be closely monitored. In addition, if they are to be administered with food, patients should be advised to take them with a meal or snack when lixisenatide is not administered. Oral medications that are particularly dependent on threshold concentrations for efficacy, such as antibiotics, or medications for which a delay in effect is undesirable, such as acetaminophen, should be administered at least 1 hour before lixisenatide. Gastro-resistant formulations containing substances sensitive to stomach degradation should be administered 1 hour before or 4 hours after lixisenatide. Patients taking oral contraceptives should be advised to take them at least 1 hour before or 11 hours after lixisenatide.