Drug Interactions between macitentan / tadalafil and mavorixafor

GENERALLY AVOID: Grapefruit products may significantly increase the plasma concentrations and effects of mavorixafor, which is primarily metabolized by the isoenzyme CYP450 3A4. The proposed mechanism is inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated first-pass metabolism in the gut wall by certain compounds present in grapefruit. A study examining mavorixafor in combination with the strong CYP450 3A4 and P-glycoprotein inhibitor, itraconazole, suggests an increase in mavorixafor's systemic exposure (AUC) of approximately 2-fold. Clinical data with grapefruit products are not available. Pharmacokinetic interactions involving grapefruit are subject to a high degree of interpatient variability and can also be affected by the product and amount consumed; therefore, the extent to which a given patient may be affected is difficult to predict. Additionally, since mavorixafor is associated with concentration-dependent prolongation of the QT interval, increased levels may potentiate the risk of ventricular arrhythmias such as torsade de pointes and sudden death.

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Food may significantly reduce the peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and systemic exposure (AUC) of mavorixafor. When a single-dose of mavorixafor (400 mg) was administered with a high-fat meal (1000 calories, 50% fat) to healthy subjects, the Cmax and AUC decreased by 66% and 55%, respectively. Similarly, when the same dose was given with a low-fat meal (500 calories, 25% fat) to healthy subjects, mavorixafor's Cmax and AUC decreased by 55% and 51%, respectively. Additionally, a single dose of mavorixafor (400 mg) administered with a low-fat meal to healthy subjects following an overnight fast resulted in a 14% higher Cmax and an 18% lower AUC than those obtained from subjects who fasted for an additional 4 hours after the dose.

MANAGEMENT: Mavorixafor should be taken on an empty stomach after an overnight fast, 30 minutes before food. Patients should be advised to avoid eating or drinking products containing grapefruit, as this could increase the risk of experiencing adverse effects from mavorixafor such as QT prolongation.

GENERALLY AVOID: Coadministration with grapefruit juice is likely to increase the plasma concentrations of tadalafil, which is primarily metabolized by CYP450 3A4. However, the interaction has not been studied. The proposed mechanism is inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated first-pass metabolism in the gut wall by certain compounds present in grapefruit.

MONITOR: Additive hypotensive effects may occur when phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitors such as tadalafil are used with alcohol, as both are mild systemic vasodilators. In clinical pharmacology studies, more subjects administered alcohol at a dose of 0.7 g/kg (equivalent to approximately 6 ounces of 80-proof vodka in an 80-kg male; consumed within 10 minutes in study subjects, providing blood alcohol levels of 0.08%) in combination with tadalafil 10 or 20 mg single doses had clinically significant decreases in blood pressure than with alcohol alone. There were reports of postural dizziness, and orthostatic hypotension was observed in some. When tadalafil 20 mg was administered with alcohol at a lower dose of 0.6 g/kg (equivalent to approximately 4 ounces of 80-proof vodka in an 80-kg male), orthostatic hypotension was not observed, dizziness occurred with similar frequency relative to alcohol alone, and the hypotensive effects of alcohol were not potentiated. Neither tadalafil nor alcohol affected the plasma concentrations of the other.

MANAGEMENT: Caution is recommended with concurrent consumption of large amounts of alcohol in patients taking tadalafil as it may increase the potential for orthostatic signs and symptoms, such as increase in heart rate, decrease in standing blood pressure, dizziness, and headache. It may also be appropriate to avoid consuming large amounts of grapefruit juice.

GENERALLY AVOID: Coadministration with grapefruit juice may increase the plasma concentrations of macitentan, which is primarily metabolized by CYP450 3A4. The proposed mechanism is inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated first-pass metabolism in the gut wall by certain compounds present in grapefruit. The interaction has not been studied with grapefruit juice but has been reported for ketoconazole, a potent CYP450 3A4 inhibitor. In ten healthy subjects, coadministration of a single 10 mg oral dose of macitentan on day 5 of treatment with ketoconazole (400 mg daily for 24 days) resulted in an approximately 2-fold increase in macitentan systemic exposure compared to administration alone. However, the clinical significance of the interaction is unclear. 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. Pharmacokinetic interactions involving grapefruit juice are also subject to a high degree of interpatient variability, thus the extent to which a given patient may be affected is difficult to predict.

MANAGEMENT: Until further information is available, patients receiving macitentan therapy should avoid the consumption of grapefruit or grapefruit juice.