Drug Interactions between lomitapide and lurasidone

GENERALLY AVOID: Grapefruit juice may significantly increase the plasma concentrations of lurasidone. 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 has been reported for other CYP450 3A4 inhibitors. When a single 10 mg dose of lurasidone was administered with the potent CYP450 3A4 inhibitor ketoconazole (400 mg/day for 5 days), lurasidone peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and systemic exposure (AUC) increased by 6.9- and 9.0-fold, respectively, compared to administration alone. The AUC of lurasidone's active metabolite increased by 6-fold. Another potent CYP450 3A4 inhibitor, posaconazole, has been reported to increase lurasidone AUC by approximately 4.5-fold. When a single 20 mg dose of lurasidone was administered with the moderate CYP450 3A4 inhibitor diltiazem (extended release formulation 240 mg/day for 5 days), lurasidone Cmax and AUC increased by 2.1- and 2.2-fold, respectively, while the AUC of the active metabolite increased by 2.4-fold. 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.

GENERALLY AVOID: Alcohol may potentiate some of the central nervous system and hypotensive effects of lurasidone. Use in combination may result in increased sedation, dizziness, hypotension, and impairment of judgment, thinking, and psychomotor skills.

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Food increases the oral bioavailability of lurasidone. According to the product labeling, lurasidone mean Cmax and AUC were increased approximately 3-fold and 2-fold, respectively, when administered with food relative to under fasting conditions. Lurasidone AUC was not affected by meal size (in the range of 350 to 1000 calories) or fat content. In clinical studies, lurasidone was administered with food.

MANAGEMENT: Patients treated with lurasidone should avoid consumption of grapefruit and grapefruit juice as well as alcohol. Lurasidone should be taken with food (at least 350 calories).

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Administration of lomitapide with food may increase the risk of common gastrointestinal adverse reactions such as diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, dyspepsia, abdominal pain or discomfort, abdominal distension, constipation, and flatulence. Absorption of concomitant oral medications may be affected in patients who develop diarrhea or vomiting.

GENERALLY AVOID: Grapefruit juice may significantly increase the plasma concentrations of lomitapide. The proposed mechanism is inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated first-pass metabolism in the gut wall by certain compounds present in grapefruit. Weak CYP450 3A4 inhibitors can increase lomitapide exposure (AUC) by approximately 2-fold according to the product labeling. Ketoconazole, a potent CYP450 3A4 inhibitor, has been shown to increase lomitapide AUC by 27-fold .

GENERALLY AVOID: Coadministration with alcohol may increase the risk of hepatotoxicity associated with the use of lomitapide. In a premarketing clinical trial, 34% (10/29) of patients treated with lomitapide had at least one elevation in alanine aminotransferase (ALT) or aspartate aminotransferase (AST) 3 times the upper limit of normal (ULN) or greater, and 14% (4/29) had at least one elevation in ALT or AST 5 times ULN or greater. There were no concomitant clinically meaningful elevations of total bilirubin, international normalized ratio (INR), or alkaline phosphatase. Lomitapide also increases hepatic fat, with or without concomitant increases in transaminases. In the same study, the median absolute increase in hepatic fat was 6% after both 26 and 78 weeks of treatment, from 1% at baseline, measured by magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Hepatic steatosis associated with lomitapide may be a risk factor for progressive liver disease, including steatohepatitis and cirrhosis. Clinical data suggest that hepatic fat accumulation is reversible after stopping treatment with lomitapide, although the long-term consequences are unknown.

MANAGEMENT: Lomitapide should be taken once daily with a glass of water, without food, at least 2 hours after the evening meal. Strict adherence to a low-fat diet (<20% of total calories from fat) and gradual dosage titration may also help to reduce gastrointestinal intolerance. Patients should avoid consumption of grapefruit, grapefruit juice, and any supplement containing grapefruit extract during treatment with lomitapide. Since alcohol may increase levels of hepatic fat and induce or exacerbate liver injury, the manufacturer recommends that patients taking lomitapide not consume more than one alcoholic drink per day.