Drug Interactions between naldemedine and suvorexant

GENERALLY AVOID: Alcohol may potentiate some of the pharmacologic effects of suvorexant. Use in combination may result in additive central nervous system depression and/or impairment of judgment, thinking, and psychomotor skills. In addition, alcohol may increase the risk of cognitive and complex behavioral changes associated with the use of hypnotics including suvorexant, such as amnesia, anxiety, hallucinations, sleep-driving, and other neuropsychiatric symptoms.

ADJUST DOSE: Grapefruit juice may significantly increase the plasma concentrations of suvorexant. The proposed mechanism is inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated first-pass metabolism in the gut wall by certain compounds present in grapefruit.

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Administration with or soon after a meal may delay the gastrointestinal absorption of suvorexant. According to the product labeling, administration of suvorexant with a high-fat meal resulted in no meaningful change in peak plasma concentration (Cmax) or systemic exposure (AUC), but a delay in Tmax of approximately 1.5 hours.

MANAGEMENT: Concomitant use of suvorexant with alcohol should be avoided. Patients should be advised not to use suvorexant if they had alcohol that evening or before bed. Grapefruit juice should preferably be avoided; otherwise, the recommended dose of suvorexant is 5 mg when used with grapefruit juice and should not exceed 10 mg. Suvorexant may be taken with or without food; however, for faster sleep onset, suvorexant should not be administered with or soon after a meal.

GENERALLY AVOID: Grapefruit juice may increase the plasma concentrations of naldemedine. The proposed mechanism is inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated first-pass metabolism in the gut wall by certain compounds present in grapefruit. In pharmacokinetic studies, naldemedine systemic exposure (AUC) was increased approximately 90% by the moderate CYP450 3A4 inhibitor fluconazole and nearly 200% by the potent inhibitor itraconazole. The interaction has not been studied with grapefruit juice. 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. Increased exposure to naldemedine may precipitate opioid withdrawal symptoms such as hyperhidrosis, lacrimation, rhinorrhea, chills, diarrhea, abdominal pain, anxiety, insomnia, irritability, restlessness, and yawning.

Food does not significantly affect the overall bioavailability of naldemedine. When administered with a high-fat meal, the rate of naldemedine absorption was decreased, but not the extent. Specifically, naldemedine peak plasma concentration (Cmax) was decreased by approximately 35% and time to achieve Cmax was delayed from 0.75 hours in the fasted state to 2.5 hours in the fed state, while naldemedine AUC was not significantly changed.

MANAGEMENT: Naldemedine may be taken with or without food. Patients should avoid consumption of grapefruit and grapefruit juice during treatment with naldemedine.