Drug Interactions between mipomersen and rifampin

MONITOR CLOSELY: Coadministration of mipomersen with other agents known to induce hepatotoxicity may potentiate the risk of liver injury. Mipomersen can cause elevations in serum transaminases and hepatic steatosis. In a premarketing clinical trial, 12% (4/34) of patients treated with mipomersen had at least one elevation in alanine aminotransferase (ALT) 3 times the upper limit of normal (ULN) or greater, and 9% (3/34) had at least one elevation in ALT 5 times ULN or greater, compared to 0% of the 17 patients treated with placebo. There were no concomitant clinically meaningful elevations of total bilirubin, international normalized ratio (INR), or partial thromboplastin time (PTT). Mipomersen also increases hepatic fat, with or without concomitant increases in transaminases. In clinical trials of patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia and hyperlipidemia, the median absolute increase in hepatic fat was 10% after 26 weeks of treatment, from 0% at baseline, measured by magnetic resonance imaging. The long-term consequences of hepatic steatosis associated with mipomersen therapy are unknown. Hepatic steatosis may be a risk factor for progressive liver disease, including steatohepatitis and cirrhosis.

MANAGEMENT: Caution is advised if mipomersen is used with other potentially hepatotoxic agents (e.g., acetaminophen; alcohol; amiodarone; androgens and anabolic steroids; antituberculous agents; azole antifungal agents; ACE inhibitors; cyclosporine (high dosages); disulfiram; endothelin receptor antagonists; interferons; kinase inhibitors; methotrexate; nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents; nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors; proteasome inhibitors; retinoids; tamoxifen; tetracyclines; thiazolidinediones; tolvaptan; vincristine; zileuton; anticonvulsants such as carbamazepine, hydantoins, felbamate, and valproic acid; other lipid-lowering medications such as fenofibrate, lomitapide, niacin, and statins; herbals and nutritional supplements such as black cohosh, chaparral, comfrey, DHEA, kava, pennyroyal oil, and red yeast rice). Mipomersen has not been studied with other LDL-lowering agents that can also increase hepatic fat, thus concomitant use is not recommended. Patients treated with mipomersen should have serum ALT, AST, alkaline phosphatase, and total bilirubin measured prior to initiation of treatment and regularly during treatment in accordance with the product labeling, and the dosing adjusted or interrupted as necessary. Since alcohol may increase levels of hepatic fat and induce or exacerbate liver injury, the manufacturer recommends that patients taking mipomersen not consume more than one alcoholic drink per day. 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, pale stools, and jaundice.