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Drug Interactions between methotrexate and ocrelizumab

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

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Interactions between your drugs

Moderate

methotrexate ocrelizumab

Applies to: methotrexate and ocrelizumab

MONITOR: The concomitant use of the CD20-directed cytolytic antibody ocrelizumab with other immune-modulating or immunosuppressive therapies, including immunosuppressant doses of corticosteroids, may result in an increased risk of immunosuppression. However, data is conflicting. Factors that appear to be associated with a risk of serious infections include higher doses of ocrelizumab than those recommended for multiple sclerosis (MS), other comorbidities, and concomitant use in patients on chronic immunosuppressants/corticosteroids. Ocrelizumab alone has been reported to increase the risk for respiratory tract infections and herpes-related infections in MS trials. In the postmarketing setting, hepatitis B reactivation, cases of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), and immune-mediated colitis have been reported. In relapsing MS (RMS) studies, 58% of ocrelizumab-treated patients experienced infections compared to 52% of interferon-treated patients. However, the proportion of patients reporting serious infection was higher in the interferon-treated group (2.9% versus 1.3%). On the other hand, when ocrelizumab is used concomitantly with immunosuppressants in other autoimmune conditions (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis) some studies have reported an increase in serious infections such as atypical pneumonia, pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia, varicella pneumonia, tuberculosis, and histoplasmosis have been reported from some studies, including rare reports of fatalities.

MANAGEMENT: The increased risk of additive immunosuppression should be considered if co-administering ocrelizumab with other immunosuppressive therapy. Some authorities recommend avoiding concomitant use of other immunosuppressive therapies with ocrelizumab, except for the use of corticosteroids for symptomatic treatment of a MS relapse. Patients should be advised to notify their doctor if they develop signs or symptoms of infection, including upper or lower respiratory tract infection, skin infection, herpes related infection, or PML. If switching from a drug with prolonged immune effects (e.g., daclizumab, fingolimod, natalizumab, teriflunomide, mitoxantrone), the duration and mechanism of action should be considered prior to starting ocrelizumab therapy. The product labeling should be consulted for more specific recommendations.

References

  1. Emery P, Rigby W, tak pp, et al. "Safety with ocrelizumab in rheumatoid arthritis: results from the ocrelizumab phase III program. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3911947/" (2023):
  2. "Product Information. Ocrevus (ocrelizumab)." Roche Products Ltd (2022):
  3. "Product Information. Ocrevus (oCRELizumab)." Roche Products Pty Ltd (2023):
  4. "Product Information. Ocrevus (ocrelizumab)." Genentech (2023):
  5. "Product Information. Ocrevus (ocrelizumab)." Hoffmann-La Roche Limited (2017):
View all 5 references

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Drug and food interactions

Moderate

methotrexate food

Applies to: methotrexate

MONITOR: Limited data suggest that consumption of greater than 180 mg/day of caffeine may interfere with the efficacy of methotrexate (MTX) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The exact mechanism of interaction is unknown but may be related to the antagonistic effect of caffeine on adenosine receptors, as anti-inflammatory properties of MTX is thought to result from the accumulation of adenosine. In a study of 39 patients treated with MTX 7.5 mg/week (without folate supplementation) for 3 months, patients with high caffeine intake (more than 180 mg/day) experienced significantly less improvement in morning stiffness and joint pain from baseline than patients with low caffeine intake (less than 120 mg/day). There were no significant differences between the responses of patients with moderate caffeine intake (120 to 180 mg/day) and those of the other 2 groups. In an interview of 91 patients treated with MTX, 26% of patients who discontinued the drug were regular coffee drinkers compared to only 2% of those still receiving the drug. Because treatment failure was the reason for MTX discontinuation in 80% of patients who discontinued, the investigators suggested that caffeine may have interfered with MTX efficacy.

MANAGEMENT: Until further information is available, the potential for interaction should be considered in patients who consume substantial amounts of caffeine and caffeine-containing foods and are prescribed methotrexate for rheumatoid arthritis. It may be appropriate to limit caffeine intake if an interaction is suspected in cases of treatment failure.

References

  1. Nesher G, Mates M, Zevin S "Effect of caffeine consumption on efficacy of methotrexate in rheumatoid arthritis." Arthritis Rheum 48 (2003): 571-572

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Moderate

methotrexate food

Applies to: methotrexate

GENERALLY AVOID: Coadministration of methotrexate with other agents known to induce hepatotoxicity may potentiate the risk of liver injury. Methotrexate, especially at higher dosages or during prolonged treatment, has been associated with severe hepatotoxicity including acute hepatitis, chronic fibrosis, cirrhosis, and fatal liver failure.

MANAGEMENT: The risk of hepatic injury should be considered when methotrexate is used with other potentially hepatotoxic agents (e.g., acetaminophen; alcohol; androgens and anabolic steroids; antituberculous agents; azole antifungal agents; ACE inhibitors; cyclosporine (high dosages); disulfiram; endothelin receptor antagonists; interferons; ketolide and macrolide antibiotics; kinase inhibitors; minocycline; nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents; nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors; proteasome inhibitors; retinoids; sulfonamides; tamoxifen; thiazolidinediones; tolvaptan; vincristine; zileuton; anticonvulsants such as carbamazepine, hydantoins, felbamate, and valproic acid; lipid-lowering medications such as fenofibrate, lomitapide, mipomersen, niacin, and statins; herbals and nutritional supplements such as black cohosh, chaparral, comfrey, DHEA, kava, pennyroyal oil, and red yeast rice). Baseline and periodic monitoring of hepatic function is recommended, while liver biopsy may be warranted during long-term use of methotrexate. 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, right upper quadrant pain, dark urine, pale stools, and jaundice.

References

  1. "Product Information. Methotrexate (methotrexate)." Lederle Laboratories PROD (2002):
  2. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics." O 0
  3. "Product Information. Methotrexate (methotrexate)." Hospira Inc (2023):

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Moderate

methotrexate food

Applies to: methotrexate

MONITOR: Limited data suggest that consumption of greater than 180 mg/day of caffeine may interfere with the efficacy of methotrexate (MTX) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The exact mechanism of interaction is unknown but may be related to the antagonistic effect of caffeine on adenosine receptors, as anti-inflammatory properties of MTX is thought to result from the accumulation of adenosine. In a study of 39 patients treated with MTX 7.5 mg/week (without folate supplementation) for 3 months, patients with high caffeine intake (more than 180 mg/day) experienced significantly less improvement in morning stiffness and joint pain from baseline than patients with low caffeine intake (less than 120 mg/day). There were no significant differences between the responses of patients with moderate caffeine intake (120 to 180 mg/day) and those of the other 2 groups. In an interview of 91 patients treated with MTX, 26% of patients who discontinued the drug were regular coffee drinkers compared to only 2% of those still receiving the drug. Because treatment failure was the reason for MTX discontinuation in 80% of patients who discontinued, the investigators suggested that caffeine may have interfered with MTX efficacy.

MANAGEMENT: Until further information is available, the potential for interaction should be considered in patients who consume substantial amounts of caffeine and caffeine-containing foods and are prescribed methotrexate for rheumatoid arthritis. It may be appropriate to limit caffeine intake if an interaction is suspected in cases of treatment failure.

References

  1. Nesher G, Mates M, Zevin S "Effect of caffeine consumption on efficacy of methotrexate in rheumatoid arthritis." Arthritis Rheum 48 (2003): 571-572

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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.

See also

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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.

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