Drug Interactions between Phenytoin Sodium, Extended Release and pralsetinib

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Food significantly increases the oral bioavailability of pralsetinib. According to the product labeling, administration of pralsetinib (200 mg) with a high-fat meal (approximately 800 to 1000 calories; 50% to 60% from fat) increased mean pralsetinib peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and systemic exposure (AUC) by 104% and 122%, respectively. The median time to maximum concentration (Tmax) was delayed from 4 hours to 8.5 hours, when compared to the fasted state.

GENERALLY AVOID: The juice of grapefruit and/or Seville oranges may increase the plasma concentrations of pralsetinib. The proposed mechanism is inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated first-pass metabolism in the gut wall by certain compounds present in grapefruit and Seville oranges. 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 pralsetinib may increase the risk of adverse effects such as interstitial lung disease/pneumonitis, liver transaminase elevations, hypertension, and hemorrhage. Some clinical trials have also observed prolongation of the QT interval in patients on pralsetinib, though this was not observed in a study of 34 patients with rearranged during transfection (RET)-altered solid tumors on pralsetinib at the recommended dosage.

MANAGEMENT: Pralsetinib should be administered on an empty stomach, with no food intake recommended for at least 2 hours before and at least 1 hour after taking the medication. Patients should avoid consumption of grapefruit, grapefruit juice, Seville oranges, or Seville orange juice during treatment with pralsetinib.

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Phenytoin bioavailability may decrease to subtherapeutic levels when the suspension is given concomitantly with enteral feedings. The mechanism may be related to phenytoin binding to substances in the enteral formula (e.g., calcium, protein) and/or binding to the tube lumen. Data have been conflicting and some studies have reported no changes in phenytoin levels, while others have reported significant reductions.

MONITOR: Acute consumption of alcohol may increase plasma phenytoin levels. Chronic consumption of alcohol may decrease plasma phenytoin levels. The mechanism of this interaction is related to induction of phenytoin metabolism by ethanol during chronic administration. Other hydantoin derivatives may be similarly affected by ethanol.

MANAGEMENT: Some experts have recommended interrupting the feeding for 2 hours before and after the phenytoin dose, giving the phenytoin suspension diluted in water, and flushing the tube with water after administration; however, this method may not entirely avoid the interaction and is not always clinically feasible. Patients should be closely monitored for clinical and laboratory evidence of altered phenytoin efficacy and levels upon initiation and discontinuation of enteral feedings. Dosage adjustments or intravenous administration may be required until therapeutic serum levels are obtained. In addition, patients receiving phenytoin therapy should be warned about the interaction between phenytoin and ethanol and they should be advised to notify their physician if they experience worsening of seizure control or symptoms of toxicity, including drowsiness, visual disturbances, change in mental status, nausea, or ataxia.