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Drug Interactions between Lipitor and pazopanib

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

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Interactions between your drugs

Moderate

atorvastatin PAZOPanib

Applies to: Lipitor (atorvastatin) and pazopanib

MONITOR: Concomitant use of pazopanib with simvastatin may increase the risk of ALT elevations, possibly due to additive hepatotoxic effects. In clinical trials, potentially severe and life-threatening hepatotoxicity manifested as increases in serum transaminases (ALT, AST) and bilirubin was observed with pazopanib use. Transaminase elevations occurred early in the course of treatment, with 92.5% of all cases of any grade occurring in the first 18 weeks. Across all monotherapy studies with pazopanib (n=977), ALT exceeding 3 times the upper limit of normal (ULN) was reported in 14% of patients who received pazopanib and ALT exceeding 8 times ULN was reported in 4%. Concurrent elevations in ALT greater than 3 times ULN and bilirubin greater than 2 times ULN regardless of alkaline phosphatase levels were detected in 1% of patients. Four of these patients had no other explanation for the elevations. Two of the total 977 patients (0.2%) died with disease progression and hepatic failure. Of the 41 patients who had concomitant use of simvastatin, 11 (27%) developed ALT exceeding 3 times ULN.

MANAGEMENT: Caution is advised if pazopanib is used in combination with simvastatin. Serum liver transaminases and bilirubin should be measured prior to initiation of pazopanib and regularly during treatment as recommended in the product labeling. If ALT elevations occur, simvastatin should be discontinued and guidelines for pazopanib dosage adjustments should be followed, or alternatives to pazopanib considered. Patients should be advised to seek medical attention if they experience potential signs and symptoms of hepatotoxicity such as fever, rash, itching, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, malaise, right upper quadrant pain, dark urine, light colored stools, and jaundice. Insufficient data are available to assess the risk of pazopanib administered concomitantly with other HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors.

References

  1. Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information."
  2. (2009) "Product Information. Votrient (pazopanib)." GlaxoSmithKline

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Drug and food interactions

Major

PAZOPanib food

Applies to: pazopanib

GENERALLY AVOID: Grapefruit juice may increase the plasma concentrations of pazopanib. The proposed mechanism is inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated first-pass metabolism in the gut wall by certain compounds present in grapefruits. Although not studied, the interaction may increase the risk of QT interval prolongation and torsade de pointes arrhythmia as well as severe and fatal hepatotoxicity associated with the use of pazopanib.

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Food increases the oral bioavailability of pazopanib. The mechanism of interaction is unknown. Administration of pazopanib with a high-fat or low-fat meal results in an approximately 2-fold increase in peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and systemic exposure (AUC).

MANAGEMENT: Patients treated with pazopanib should avoid consumption of grapefruit, grapefruit juice, and any supplement containing grapefruit extract. Pazopanib should be administered at least one hour before or two hours after a meal.

References

  1. (2009) "Product Information. Votrient (pazopanib)." GlaxoSmithKline

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Moderate

atorvastatin food

Applies to: Lipitor (atorvastatin)

GENERALLY AVOID: Coadministration with grapefruit juice may increase the plasma concentrations of atorvastatin. The proposed mechanism is inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated first-pass metabolism in the gut wall by certain compounds present in grapefruit. When a single 40 mg dose of atorvastatin was coadministered with 240 mL of grapefruit juice, atorvastatin peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and systemic exposure (AUC) increased by 16% and 37%, respectively. Greater increases in Cmax (up to 71%) and/or AUC (up to 2.5 fold) have been reported with excessive consumption of grapefruit juice (>=750 mL to 1.2 liters per day). Clinically, high levels of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitory activity in plasma is associated with an increased risk of musculoskeletal toxicity. Myopathy manifested as muscle pain and/or weakness associated with grossly elevated creatine kinase exceeding ten times the upper limit of normal has been reported occasionally. Rhabdomyolysis has also occurred rarely, which may be accompanied by acute renal failure secondary to myoglobinuria and may result in death.

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Fibres such as oat bran and pectin may diminish the pharmacologic effects of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors by interfering with their absorption from the gastrointestinal tract.

MANAGEMENT: Patients receiving therapy with atorvastatin should limit their consumption of grapefruit juice to no more than 1 liter per day. Patients should be advised to promptly report any unexplained muscle pain, tenderness or weakness, particularly if accompanied by fever, malaise and/or dark colored urine. Therapy should be discontinued if creatine kinase is markedly elevated in the absence of strenuous exercise or if myopathy is otherwise suspected or diagnosed. In addition, patients should either refrain from the use of oat bran and pectin or, if concurrent use cannot be avoided, to separate the administration times by at least 2 to 4 hours.

References

  1. Richter WO, Jacob BG, Schwandt P (1991) "Interaction between fibre and lovastatin." Lancet, 338, p. 706
  2. McMillan K (1996) "Considerations in the formulary selection of hydroxymethylglutaryl coenzyme a reductase inhibitors." Am J Health Syst Pharm, 53, p. 2206-14
  3. (2001) "Product Information. Lipitor (atorvastatin)." Parke-Davis
  4. Boberg M, Angerbauer R, Fey P, Kanhai WK, Karl W, Kern A, Ploschke J, Radtke M (1997) "Metabolism of cerivastatin by human liver microsomes in vitro. Characterization of primary metabolic pathways and of cytochrome P45 isozymes involved." Drug Metab Dispos, 25, p. 321-31
  5. Bailey DG, Malcolm J, Arnold O, Spence JD (1998) "Grapefruit juice-drug interactions." Br J Clin Pharmacol, 46, p. 101-10
  6. Lilja JJ, Kivisto KT, Neuvonen PJ (1999) "Grapefruit juice increases serum concentrations of atorvastatin and has no effect on pravastatin." Clin Pharmacol Ther, 66, p. 118-27
  7. Neuvonen PJ, Backman JT, Niemi M (2008) "Pharmacokinetic comparison of the potential over-the-counter statins simvastatin, lovastatin, fluvastatin and pravastatin." Clin Pharmacokinet, 47, p. 463-74
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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.


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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.