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Drug Interactions between Lipitor and remdesivir

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

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Interactions between your drugs

Moderate

atorvastatin remdesivir

Applies to: Lipitor (atorvastatin) and remdesivir

GENERALLY AVOID: Concomitant use of remdesivir with other agents that are known to induce hepatotoxicity may theoretically increase the risk of liver injury. Data from investigational use and clinical studies suggest that remdesivir may be associated with hepatotoxic effects. Transient treatment-emergent Grade 1 or Grade 2 elevations in alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were observed during multiple-dose Phase 1 studies in healthy volunteers. Some ALT and AST elevations were associated with graded PT elevations, but there were no graded changes in international normalized ratio (INR). Laboratory results for these subjects indicated no systemic sign of drug reaction. Liver transaminase elevations, including grade 3 or higher, were also observed in some participants during compassionate or investigational use of remdesivir and clinical studies for the treatment of COVID-19. The mechanism of potential hepatotoxicity is unknown and the contribution of remdesivir is difficult to determine, as transaminase elevations have also been reported as a component of COVID-19, including in patients receiving placebo in clinical trials of remdesivir.

MANAGEMENT: Until more information is available, concomitant use of remdesivir with known hepatotoxic drugs should be avoided when possible. Liver function should be evaluated prior to starting remdesivir and monitored during treatment as clinically appropriate. Remdesivir should not be initiated in patients with ALT greater than or equal to 5 times the upper limit of normal (ULN) at baseline. Likewise, remdesivir should be discontinued immediately if ALT increases to 5 times ULN or greater during treatment (may be restarted when ALT falls below 5 times ULN), or if ALT elevation is accompanied by signs or symptoms of liver inflammation or increasing conjugated bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, or INR.

References

  1. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics." O 0
  2. Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information." O 0
  3. Gilead Sciences, Inc "About Remdesivir. https://www.gilead.com/purpose/advancing-global-health/covid-19/about-remdesivir" (2020):
  4. European Medicines Agency "Summary on compassionate use. Remdesivir Gilead. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/other/summary-compassionate-use-remdesivir-gilead_en.pdf" (2020):
  5. US Food and Drug Administration "Fact sheet for health care providers emergency use authorization (EUA) of remdesivir (GS-5734TM) https://www.fda.gov/media/137566/download" (2020):
View all 5 references

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Drug and food interactions

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

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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.