Skip to main content

Drug Interactions between Kisqali Femara Co-Pack and vemurafenib

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

Edit list (add/remove drugs)

Interactions between your drugs

Major

vemurafenib ribociclib

Applies to: vemurafenib and Kisqali Femara Co-Pack (letrozole / ribociclib)

GENERALLY AVOID: Vemurafenib can cause concentration-dependent prolongation of the QT interval. Theoretically, coadministration with other agents that can prolong the QT interval may result in additive effects and increased risk of ventricular arrhythmias including torsade de pointes and sudden death. The effect of vemurafenib 960 mg administered twice daily on QTc interval was evaluated in a multicenter, open-label, single-arm study consisting of 132 patients with BRAF V600E mutation-positive metastatic melanoma. No changes in mean QTc interval exceeding 20 ms from baseline were detected in the trial. In the first month of treatment, the largest mean increase from baseline was 12.8 ms, observed at 2 hours post-dose on Day 15. In the first 6 months of treatment, the largest mean increase from baseline was 15.1 ms, which was detected at a predose time point. In general, the risk of an individual agent or a combination of agents causing ventricular arrhythmia in association with QT prolongation is largely unpredictable but may be increased by certain underlying risk factors such as congenital long QT syndrome, cardiac disease, and electrolyte disturbances (e.g., hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia, hypocalcemia). Moreover, the extent of drug-induced QT prolongation is dependent on the particular drug(s) involved and dosage(s) of the drug(s).

MANAGEMENT: Coadministration of vemurafenib with other drugs that can prolong the QT interval is not recommended. ECG and serum electrolytes, including potassium, magnesium and calcium, should be monitored before starting vemurafenib therapy and after dose modification. An ECG should also be obtained 15 days after treatment initiation, monthly during the first 3 months of treatment, and every 3 months thereafter (or more often as clinically indicated). Vemurafenib should not be started in the presence of uncorrected electrolyte abnormalities or a baseline QTc greater than 500 ms. Likewise, treatment should be interrupted if QTc exceeds 500 ms. Any electrolyte abnormalities must then be corrected and cardiac risk factors for QT prolongation (e.g., congestive heart failure, bradyarrhythmias) under control prior to resuming treatment. Vemurafenib may be restarted once QTc decreases below 500 ms, but at a reduced dosage as described in the product labeling. Permanent discontinuation of treatment is recommended if, after correction of associated risk factors, both the QTc is greater than 500 ms and the QTc increase is greater than 60 ms from pretreatment values. Patients should be advised to seek prompt medical attention if they experience symptoms that could indicate the occurrence of torsade de pointes such as dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, palpitation, irregular heart rhythm, shortness of breath, or syncope.

References (4)
  1. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics."
  2. Canadian Pharmacists Association (2006) e-CPS. http://www.pharmacists.ca/function/Subscriptions/ecps.cfm?link=eCPS_quikLink
  3. Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information."
  4. (2011) "Product Information. Zelboraf (vemurafenib)." Genentech
Moderate

letrozole ribociclib

Applies to: Kisqali Femara Co-Pack (letrozole / ribociclib) and Kisqali Femara Co-Pack (letrozole / ribociclib)

MONITOR: Coadministration with ribociclib may increase the plasma concentrations and pharmacologic effects of drugs that are substrates of CYP450 3A4. The proposed mechanism is decreased clearance due to ribociclib-mediated inhibition of CYP450 3A4 metabolism. In healthy study subjects, administration of midazolam, a sensitive CYP450 3A4 substrate, with multiple 400 mg daily doses of ribociclib increased the midazolam peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and systemic exposure (AUC) by 2.1-fold and 3.8-fold, respectively, compared to midazolam administered alone. When given at a clinically relevant dose of 600 mg daily, ribociclib is predicted to increase midazolam Cmax and AUC by 2.4-fold and 5.2-fold, respectively.

MANAGEMENT: Caution is advised when ribociclib is used concomitantly with drugs that undergo metabolism by CYP450 3A4, particularly those with a narrow therapeutic range. Dosage adjustments as well as clinical and laboratory monitoring may be appropriate for some drugs whenever ribociclib is added to or withdrawn from therapy.

References (9)
  1. Zhou XJ, Zhou-Pan XR, Gauthier T, Placidi M, Maurel P, Rahmani R (1993) "Human liver microsomal cytochrome P450 3A isozymes mediated vindesine biotransformation. Metabolic drug interactions." Biochem Pharmacol, 45, p. 853-61
  2. Trivier JM, Libersa C, Belloc C, Lhermitte M (1993) "Amiodarone N-deethylation in human liver microsomes: involvement of cytochrome P450 3A enzymes (first report)." Life Sci, 52, pl91-6
  3. Rawden HC, Kokwaro GO, Ward SA, Edwards G (2000) "Relative contribution of cytochromes P-450 and flavin-containing monoxygenases to the metabolism of albendazole by human liver microsomes." Br J Clin Pharmacol, 49, p. 313-22
  4. DSouza DL, Levasseur LM, Nezamis J, Robbins DK, Simms L, Koch KM (2001) "Effect of alosetron on the pharmacokinetics of alprazolam." J Clin Pharmacol, 41, p. 452-4
  5. Katoh M, Nakajima M, Yamazaki H, Yokoi T (2001) "Inhibitory effects of CYP3A4 substrates and their metabolites on P-glycoprotein-mediated transport." Eur J Pharm Sci, 12, p. 505-13
  6. Kane GC, Lipsky JJ (2000) "Drug-grapefruit juice interactions." Mayo Clin Proc, 75, p. 933-42
  7. Yu DK (1999) "The contribution of P-glycoprotein to pharmacokinetic drug-drug interactions." J Clin Pharmacol, 39, p. 1203-11
  8. Nagy J, Schipper HG, Koopmans RP, Butter JJ, van Boxtel CJ, Kager PA (2002) "Effect of grapefruit juice or cimetidine coadministration on albendazole bioavailability." Am J Trop Med Hyg, 66, p. 260-3
  9. (2017) "Product Information. Kisqali (ribociclib)." Novartis Pharmaceuticals

Drug and food interactions

Moderate

ribociclib food

Applies to: Kisqali Femara Co-Pack (letrozole / ribociclib)

GENERALLY AVOID: Pomegranates and grapefruit may increase the systemic exposure to ribociclib. The proposed mechanism is inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated first-pass metabolism in the gut wall by certain compounds present in these fruits. Increased exposure to ribociclib may increase the risk of adverse effects such as infections, neutropenia, leukopenia, anemia, thrombocytopenia, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomatitis, alopecia, fatigue, headache, and abnormal liver function may be increased.

MANAGEMENT: Patients receiving ribociclib should avoid consumption of pomegranates or pomegranate juice and grapefruit or grapefruit juice during treatment.

References (1)
  1. (2017) "Product Information. Kisqali (ribociclib)." Novartis Pharmaceuticals

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

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.