Drug Interactions between modafinil and pacritinib

Grapefruit juice may increase the blood levels of pacritinib. This can increase the risk of side effects such as diarrhea, low blood platelet count, infection, and an irregular heart rhythm that may be serious or life-threatening. You should avoid consuming grapefruit and grapefruit juice during treatment with pacritinib. However, if you have been regularly consuming grapefruit or grapefruit juice with the medication, then it is advisable for you to talk with your doctor before changing the amounts of these products in your diet, as this may alter the effects of your medication. Contact your doctor if you have any questions or concerns or if you develop dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, shortness of breath, chest pain, or heart palpitations during treatment. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.

Information for this minor interaction is available on the professional version.

In a major safety study of a Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor, tofacitinib, in rheumatoid arthritis patients 50 years and older with at least 1 cardiovascular risk factor, higher rates of all-cause mortality (including sudden cardiovascular death) and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) (defined as cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, and stroke) were observed with the JAK inhibitor when compared with tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blockers. Patients who were current or past smokers had an additional increased risk. Based on a shared mechanism of action, this risk should be considered for other JAK inhibitors, including baricitinib, upadacitinib, ruxolitinib, fedratinib, ritlecitinib, deuruxolitinib, and pacritinib. Consider the benefits and risks for each individual patient prior and during treatment with JAK inhibitors, especially in patients with other cardiovascular risk factors, history of cardiovascular events, and patients who are current or past smokers. Patients should be informed about the symptoms of serious cardiovascular events and what to do if they occur.

The use of CNS stimulants can cause psychotic symptoms, suicidal ideation, and aggression, and can exacerbate symptoms of behavior disturbance and thought disorder; CNS stimulants may induce a manic or mixed episode in patients with bipolar disorder. Psychiatric symptoms have been reported in patients with and without history of psychiatric disorders. All patients (particularly those with psychotic or bipolar disorders) should be monitored closely, especially during treatment initiation and at times of dose changes. Extreme caution should be exercised when CNS stimulants are given to patients with a history of psychosis, depression, mania, or bipolar disorder. Prior to initiating therapy, all patients should be screened for risk factors for developing a manic episode (e.g., comorbid or history of depressive symptoms or family history of suicide, bipolar disease, or depression). If any psychiatric symptoms emerge or are exacerbated, treatment suspension should be considered. Some CNS stimulants are contraindicated in patients with marked agitation or anxiety.

Severe diarrhea, sometimes requiring discontinuation of treatment, has occurred in patients treated with pacritinib. Preexisting diarrhea should be controlled prior to starting treatment with pacritinib. Antidiarrheal agents should be promptly used to treat diarrhea at the first onset of symptoms. Antidiarrheal agents, fluid replacement, and/or dose modification should be used to manage diarrhea. Reducing or interrupting pacritinib should be considered in patients with significant diarrhea (despite optimal supportive care).

CNS stimulants increase blood pressure and heart rate; the use of some agents may be contraindicated in patients with severe/uncontrolled hypertension. Caution should be used when administering to patients with preexisting high blood pressure (even mild hypertension) and other cardiovascular conditions. All patients under treatment should be regularly monitored for potential tachycardia and hypertension.

Serious and sometimes fatal infections due to bacterial, mycobacterial, invasive fungal, viral, or other opportunistic pathogens have been reported in patients receiving pacritinib. It is recommended to avoid the use of pacritinib in patients with an active, serious infection, including localized infections and to consider the risks and benefits before starting treatment. Patients should be closely monitored for the development of signs and symptoms of infection during and after treatment. Treatment should be interrupted if a patient develops a serious infection, an opportunistic infection, or sepsis and appropriate therapy should be instituted according to clinical guidelines. Close monitoring is recommended.

The use of CNS stimulants can cause psychotic symptoms, suicidal ideation, and aggression, and can exacerbate symptoms of behavior disturbance and thought disorder; CNS stimulants may induce a manic or mixed episode in patients with bipolar disorder. Psychiatric symptoms have been reported in patients with and without history of psychiatric disorders. All patients (particularly those with psychotic or bipolar disorders) should be monitored closely, especially during treatment initiation and at times of dose changes. Extreme caution should be exercised when CNS stimulants are given to patients with a history of psychosis, depression, mania, or bipolar disorder. Prior to initiating therapy, all patients should be screened for risk factors for developing a manic episode (e.g., comorbid or history of depressive symptoms or family history of suicide, bipolar disease, or depression). If any psychiatric symptoms emerge or are exacerbated, treatment suspension should be considered. Some CNS stimulants are contraindicated in patients with marked agitation or anxiety.

In a major safety study of a Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor, tofacitinib, in rheumatoid arthritis patients 50 years and older with at least 1 cardiovascular risk factor, higher rates of all-cause mortality (including sudden cardiovascular death) and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) (defined as cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, and stroke) were observed with the JAK inhibitor when compared with tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blockers. Patients who were current or past smokers had an additional increased risk. Based on a shared mechanism of action, this risk should be considered for other JAK inhibitors, including baricitinib, upadacitinib, ruxolitinib, fedratinib, ritlecitinib, deuruxolitinib, and pacritinib. Consider the benefits and risks for each individual patient prior and during treatment with JAK inhibitors, especially in patients with other cardiovascular risk factors, history of cardiovascular events, and patients who are current or past smokers. Patients should be informed about the symptoms of serious cardiovascular events and what to do if they occur.

Malignancies (including lymphomas and solid tumors) have been reported in patients treated with tofacitinib, baricitinib, upadacitinib, deuruxolitinib and other Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors used to treat inflammatory conditions. Patients who are current or past smokers are at additional increased risk of malignancies. Based on a shared mechanism of action, this risk should be considered for other JAK inhibitors, including ruxolitinib, pacritinib, and fedratinib. Before starting or continuing therapy, the benefits and risks for the individual patient should be considered, especially in patients with a known malignancy (other than successfully treated nonmelanoma skin cancer), patients who develop a malignancy during therapy, and patients who are current or past smokers. Periodic skin examination is recommended for patients who are at increased risk for skin cancer.

Thrombosis (including deep venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, cerebral venous sinus thrombosis, and arterial thrombosis) has occurred in patients treated for inflammatory conditions with Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors, including baricitinib, tofacitinib, deuruxolitinib and upadacitinib. Many of these adverse events were serious and some resulted in death. Based on a shared mechanism of action, this risk should be considered for other JAK inhibitors, including ruxolitinib, fedratinib, and pacritinib. In general, JAK inhibitors should be avoided in patients who may be at increased risk of thrombosis. Tofacitinib should be used at the lowest effective dose and for the shortest duration needed to achieve/maintain therapeutic response when treating ulcerative colitis. If symptoms of thrombosis occur in any patients receiving JAK inhibitors, treatment should be discontinued and patients should be evaluated promptly and treated appropriately.

Patients with a history of drug and/or stimulant abuse should be closely followed during treatment with modafinil. Observe patients for signs of misuse and abuse. Clinical studies indicate modafinil produces psychoactive and euphoric effects/feelings consistent with other CNS stimulants.

Modafinil is not recommended for use in patients with a history of left ventricular hypertrophy or ischemic ECG changes, chest pain, arrhythmia or other clinically significant manifestations of mitral valve prolapse in association with central nervous system stimulant use. Increased monitoring of heart rate and blood pressure is recommended in patients taking modafinil. Caution is advised in patients with known cardiovascular disease and increased monitoring is recommended in patients with a recent history of myocardial infarction or unstable angina.

Modafinil is not recommended for use in patients with a history of left ventricular hypertrophy or ischemic ECG changes, chest pain, arrhythmia or other clinically significant manifestations of mitral valve prolapse in association with central nervous system stimulant use. Increased monitoring of heart rate and blood pressure is recommended in patients taking modafinil. Caution is advised in patients with known cardiovascular disease and increased monitoring is recommended in patients with a recent history of myocardial infarction or unstable angina.

Pacritinib can cause a QT prolongation of greater than 500 msec, and patients receiving this drug were more likely to develop a QT prolongation of at least 60 msec from baseline (compared to the control group) in clinical trials. This agent should be avoided in patients with QT intervals greater than 480 msec at baseline, and/or in those who are taking medications known to prolong the QTc interval. Hypokalemia should be corrected before initiating and during therapy with this agent. QT prolongation occurring during treatment should be managed with treatment interruption and electrolyte management. Periodic monitoring of ECGs and electrolytes is recommended in these patients.

Serious episodes of bleeding, including those requiring transfusion/invasive intervention, and some leading to fatal bleeding events have been reported in patients treated with pacritinib. Platelet counts should be periodically assessed, monitoring for signs of bleeding (when indicated); hemorrhage should be managed with medical intervention, dose reductions, intermittent interruptions, and/or permanent treatment discontinuations. It is recommended to withhold pacritinib for 7 days prior to planned surgery/invasive procedure.

Serious episodes of bleeding, including those requiring transfusion/invasive intervention, and some leading to fatal bleeding events have been reported in patients treated with pacritinib. Platelet counts should be periodically assessed, monitoring for signs of bleeding (when indicated); hemorrhage should be managed with medical intervention, dose reductions, intermittent interruptions, and/or permanent treatment discontinuations. It is recommended to withhold pacritinib for 7 days prior to planned surgery/invasive procedure.

Modafinil is not recommended for use in patients with a history of left ventricular hypertrophy or ischemic ECG changes, chest pain, arrhythmia or other clinically significant manifestations of mitral valve prolapse in association with central nervous system stimulant use. Increased monitoring of heart rate and blood pressure is recommended in patients taking modafinil. Caution is advised in patients with known cardiovascular disease and increased monitoring is recommended in patients with a recent history of myocardial infarction or unstable angina.

Patients with a history of drug and/or stimulant abuse should be closely followed during treatment with modafinil. Observe patients for signs of misuse and abuse. Clinical studies indicate modafinil produces psychoactive and euphoric effects/feelings consistent with other CNS stimulants.

Modafinil is not recommended for use in patients with a history of left ventricular hypertrophy or ischemic ECG changes, chest pain, arrhythmia or other clinically significant manifestations of mitral valve prolapse in association with central nervous system stimulant use. Increased monitoring of heart rate and blood pressure is recommended in patients taking modafinil. Caution is advised in patients with known cardiovascular disease and increased monitoring is recommended in patients with a recent history of myocardial infarction or unstable angina.

Modafinil is not recommended for use in patients with a history of left ventricular hypertrophy or ischemic ECG changes, chest pain, arrhythmia or other clinically significant manifestations of mitral valve prolapse in association with central nervous system stimulant use. Increased monitoring of heart rate and blood pressure is recommended in patients taking modafinil. Caution is advised in patients with known cardiovascular disease and increased monitoring is recommended in patients with a recent history of myocardial infarction or unstable angina.

Modafinil is not recommended for use in patients with a history of left ventricular hypertrophy or ischemic ECG changes, chest pain, arrhythmia or other clinically significant manifestations of mitral valve prolapse in association with central nervous system stimulant use. Increased monitoring of heart rate and blood pressure is recommended in patients taking modafinil. Caution is advised in patients with known cardiovascular disease and increased monitoring is recommended in patients with a recent history of myocardial infarction or unstable angina.

Exposure to modafinil is increased in patients with liver dysfunction. In patients with severe liver dysfunction, reduce the dose of modafinil to one-half the dose recommended dose.

Pacritinib can cause a QT prolongation of greater than 500 msec, and patients receiving this drug were more likely to develop a QT prolongation of at least 60 msec from baseline (compared to the control group) in clinical trials. This agent should be avoided in patients with QT intervals greater than 480 msec at baseline, and/or in those who are taking medications known to prolong the QTc interval. Hypokalemia should be corrected before initiating and during therapy with this agent. QT prolongation occurring during treatment should be managed with treatment interruption and electrolyte management. Periodic monitoring of ECGs and electrolytes is recommended in these patients.