Drug Interactions between ketamine and pexidartinib

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: The presence of food may increase the absorption and toxicity of pexidartinib. Administration of pexidartinib with a high-fat meal increased peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and systemic exposure (AUC) by 100% and prolonged the time to reach peak plasma concentration (Tmax) by 2.5 hours.

GENERALLY AVOID: Grapefruit or grapefruit juice may increase the plasma concentration and risk of adverse effects of pexidartinib, including potentially fatal hepatotoxicity. The mechanism is inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated metabolism of pexidartinib by certain compounds present in grapefruits. Concomitant administration of itraconazole, a strong CYP450 3A4 inhibitor, increased pexidartinib peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and systemic exposure (AUC) by 48% and 70%, respectively.

MANAGEMENT: Pexidartinib should be administered on an empty stomach, at least one hour before or two hours after a meal or snack. Consumption of grapefruit or grapefruit juice should generally be avoided during pexidartinib therapy. If concomitant use is unavoidable, the dose of pexidartinib should be reduced according to the manufacturer's recommendations. If concomitant use of grapefruit or grapefruit juice is discontinued, the dose of pexidartinib may be increased (after 3 plasma half-lives of a strong CYP450 3A4 inhibitor) to the dose that was used prior to consumption of grapefruit or grapefruit juice.

MONITOR CLOSELY: Coadministration of ketamine with other central nervous system (CNS) depressants, including alcohol, may result in profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death. In addition, opioid analgesics, barbiturates, and benzodiazepines may prolong the time to complete recovery from anesthesia.

MANAGEMENT: During concomitant use of ketamine with other CNS depressants, including alcohol, close monitoring of neurologic status and respiratory parameters, including respiratory rate and pulse oximetry, is recommended. Dosage adjustments should be considered according to the patient's clinical situation. Ambulatory patients should be counseled to avoid hazardous activities requiring mental alertness and motor coordination until they know how these agents affect them, and to notify their physician if they experience excessive or prolonged CNS effects that interfere with their normal activities.

GENERALLY AVOID: Alcohol may potentiate some of the pharmacologic effects of ketamine. Use in combination may result in additive central nervous system (CNS) depression and/or impairment of judgment, thinking, and psychomotor skills.

GENERALLY AVOID: Coadministration of oral ketamine with grapefruit juice may significantly increase the plasma concentrations of S(+) ketamine, the dextrorotatory enantiomer of ketamine. 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. When a single 0.2 mg/kg dose of S(+) ketamine was administered orally on study day 5 with grapefruit juice (200 mL three times daily for 5 days) in 12 healthy volunteers, mean S(+) ketamine peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and systemic exposure (AUC) increased by 2.1- and 3.0-fold, respectively, compared to administration with water. In addition, the elimination half-life of S(+) ketamine increased by 24% with grapefruit juice, and the ratio of the main metabolite norketamine to ketamine was decreased by 57%. The pharmacodynamics of ketamine were also altered by grapefruit juice. Specifically, self-rated relaxation was decreased and performance in the digit symbol substitution test was increased with grapefruit juice, but other behavioral or analgesic effects were not affected.

MANAGEMENT: Patients receiving ketamine should not drink alcohol. Caution is advised when ketamine is used in patients with acute alcohol intoxication or a history of chronic alcoholism. Following anesthesia with ketamine, patients should be counseled to avoid hazardous activities requiring complete mental alertness and motor coordination, such as driving or operating hazardous machinery, for at least 24 hours and until they know how the medication affects them. Patients treated with oral ketamine should also avoid consumption of grapefruit and grapefruit juice during treatment. Otherwise, dosage reductions of oral ketamine should be considered.