Drug Interactions between lefamulin and sotalol

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Food may reduce the oral bioavailability of lefamulin. When a single 600 mg oral dose of lefamulin was administered with a high-calorie, high-fat breakfast (800 to 1000 calories; approximately 50% from fat), lefamulin peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and systemic exposure (AUC) decreased by approximately 23% and 18%, respectively.

GENERALLY AVOID: Grapefruit juice may increase the oral bioavailability of lefamulin. 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 pharmacokinetic data are available for the potent CYP450 3A4 inhibitor, ketoconazole. When oral lefamulin was administered with oral ketoconazole, mean lefamulin peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and systemic exposure (AUC) increased by 58% and 165%, respectively. 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 lefamulin may increase the risk of QT interval prolongation, which has been associated with ventricular arrhythmias including torsade de pointes and sudden death.

MANAGEMENT: Lefamulin tablets should be taken at least one hour before or two hours after a meal. Patients should preferably avoid or limit the consumption of grapefruit and grapefruit juice during treatment with lefamulin.

MONITOR: Many psychotherapeutic and CNS-active agents (e.g., anxiolytics, sedatives, hypnotics, antidepressants, antipsychotics, opioids, alcohol, muscle relaxants) exhibit hypotensive effects, especially during initiation of therapy and dose escalation. Coadministration with antihypertensives and other hypotensive agents, in particular vasodilators and alpha-blockers, may result in additive effects on blood pressure and orthostasis.

MANAGEMENT: Caution and close monitoring for development of hypotension is advised during coadministration of these agents. Some authorities recommend avoiding alcohol in patients receiving vasodilating antihypertensive drugs. Patients should be advised to avoid rising abruptly from a sitting or recumbent position and to notify their physician if they experience dizziness, lightheadedness, syncope, orthostasis, or tachycardia. Patients should also avoid driving or operating hazardous machinery until they know how the medications affect them.

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.