Drug Interactions between nintedanib and PCE Dispertab

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Food may variably affect the bioavailability of different oral formulations and salt forms of erythromycin. The individual product package labeling should be consulted regarding the appropriate time of administration in relation to food ingestion. Grapefruit juice may increase the plasma concentrations of orally administered erythromycin. The proposed mechanism is inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated first-pass metabolism in the gut wall by certain compounds present in grapefruits. In an open-label, crossover study consisting of six healthy subjects, the coadministration with double-strength grapefruit juice increased the mean peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) of a single dose of erythromycin (400 mg) by 52% and 49%, respectively, compared to water. The half-life was not affected. The clinical significance of this potential interaction is unknown.

MANAGEMENT: In general, optimal serum levels are achieved when erythromycin is taken in the fasting state, one-half to two hours before meals. However, some erythromycin products may be taken without regard to meals.

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Food enhances the oral bioavailability of nintedanib. After food intake, nintedanib exposure increased by approximately 20% compared to administration under fasted conditions. Absorption was also delayed, as indicated by an increase in the median time to reach maximum plasma concentration (Tmax) from 2 hours in the fasted state to approximately 4 hours under fed conditions, irrespective of the type of food ingested. In an in vitro study, mixing nintedanib capsules with a small amount of apple sauce or chocolate pudding for up to 15 minutes did not have any impact on their pharmaceutical quality, but swelling and deformation of the capsules were observed with longer exposure time due to water uptake of the gelatin capsule shell. Therefore, administration with soft food would not be expected to alter the clinical effect of nintedanib when taken immediately.

GENERALLY AVOID: Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may increase the plasma concentrations of nintedanib, which has been shown to be a substrate of the P-glycoprotein (P-gp) efflux transporter and a minor substrate of the CYP450 3A4 isoenzyme. The proposed mechanism is inhibition of both P-gp-mediated efflux in the gut wall as well as CYP450 3A4-mediated first-pass metabolism in the intestinal tract by certain compounds present in grapefruit.

MANAGEMENT: Nintedanib should be administered with food to reduce the incidence of gastrointestinal effects. Nintedanib capsules may be taken with water or a small amount (teaspoonful) of cold or room temperature soft food, such as apple sauce or chocolate pudding, and must be swallowed whole (unchewed) immediately, to ensure the capsule stays intact. Food containing grapefruit, grapefruit juice, Seville orange (a citrus relative of the grapefruit), or Seville orange juice should be avoided during treatment with nintedanib.

Ethanol, when combined with erythromycin, may delay absorption and therefore the clinical effects of the antibiotic. The mechanism appears to be due to slowed gastric emptying by ethanol. Data is available only for erythromycin ethylsuccinate. Patients should be advised to avoid ethanol while taking erythromycin salts.