Drug Interactions between Prevpac and relugolix

GENERALLY AVOID: Coadministration with inhibitors of the P-glycoprotein (P-gp) efflux transporter may increase the plasma concentrations of relugolix, particularly when the inhibitors are given orally. Relugolix is a substrate for intestinal P-gp. In vitro, it is metabolized primarily by CYP450 3A and, to a lesser extent, by CYP450 2C8. When relugolix was coadministered with erythromycin, a combined P-gp and moderate CYP450 3A inhibitor, relugolix peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and systemic exposure (AUC) increased by 6.2-fold. Increased exposure to relugolix may increase the risk and/or severity of adverse effects such as hot flushes; weight gain; decreased sex drive; erectile function difficulties; QT interval prolongation; musculoskeletal pain; constipation; diarrhea; increases in glucose, triglyceride, and liver transaminase levels; and decreased hemoglobin. No clinically significant differences in the pharmacokinetics of relugolix were observed when coadministered with voriconazole, a strong CYP450 3A inhibitor that does not inhibit P-gp.

GENERALLY AVOID: Long-term androgen deprivation therapy, including relugolix, can prolong the QT interval. Theoretically, coadministration with other agents that can prolong the QT interval may result in additive effects and increased risk of ventricular arrhythmias including torsade de pointes and sudden death. In a single, active-controlled, clinical study comparing abarelix to LHRH (luteinizing hormone releasing hormone) agonist plus nonsteroidal antiandrogen therapy, both therapies were found to prolong the mean Fridericia-corrected QT interval (QTcF) by more than 10 msec from baseline. In approximately 20% of patients in both groups, there were either changes from baseline QTc of greater than 30 msec or end-of-treatment QTc values exceeding 450 msec. Similar results were observed in two other Phase 3 studies with abarelix and the active-control treatments. In a randomized, active-controlled trial comparing degarelix to leuprolide, three patients (<1%) in the pooled degarelix group and four patients (2%) in the leuprolide 7.5 mg group had a QTcF of 500 ms or greater. From baseline to end of study, the median change was 12.3 msec for degarelix and 16.7 msec for leuprolide. Investigators believe that long-term androgen deprivation is responsible for these changes, as testosterone has been found to shorten ventricular repolarization. In general, the risk of an individual agent or a combination of agents causing ventricular arrhythmia in association with QT prolongation is largely unpredictable but may be increased by certain underlying risk factors such as congenital long QT syndrome, cardiac disease, and electrolyte disturbances (e.g., hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia). In addition, the extent of drug-induced QT prolongation is dependent on the particular drug(s) involved and dosage(s) of the drug(s).

MANAGEMENT: Concomitant use of relugolix with orally administered P-gp inhibitors should be avoided when possible. In addition, the benefits of androgen deprivation therapy such as relugolix should be carefully assessed against the potential risk in patients receiving other drugs known to prolong the QT interval, many of which are also P-gp inhibitors (e.g., amiodarone, azithromycin, bepridil, cabozantinib, clarithromycin, crizotinib, dronedarone, elagolix, erythromycin, ketoconazole, lapatinib, mifepristone, nilotinib, osimertinib, propafenone, quinidine, quinine, ranolazine, tacrolimus, telithromycin, valbenazine, vemurafenib). If coadministration is required, the manufacturer recommends taking relugolix first and separating the dosing by at least 6 hours. Electrolyte abnormalities should be corrected prior to initiating therapy, and periodic monitoring of electrocardiograms and electrolytes should be considered. Alternatively, when relugolix is used as monotherapy for the treatment of prostate cancer, the prescribing information states that treatment with relugolix may be interrupted for up to two weeks if a short course of treatment with a P-gp inhibitor is necessary. Following interruption of relugolix for more than 7 days, the manufacturer recommends restarting therapy with a loading dose of 360 mg on the first day, then continuing with a dose of 120 mg once daily.

MONITOR: Coadministration with clarithromycin may increase the plasma concentrations of lansoprazole. The proposed mechanism is clarithromycin inhibition of intestinal (first-pass) and hepatic metabolism of lansoprazole via CYP450 3A4. Although lansoprazole is primarily metabolized by CYP450 2C19 in the liver, 3A4-mediated metabolism is the predominant pathway in individuals who are 2C19-deficient (approximately 3% to 5% of the Caucasian and 17% to 20% of the Asian population). Additionally, inhibition of P-glycoprotein intestinal efflux transporter by clarithromycin may also contribute to the interaction, resulting in increased bioavailability of lansoprazole. In 18 healthy volunteers--six each of homozygous extensive metabolizers (EMs), heterozygous EMs, and poor metabolizers (PMs) of CYP450 2C19--clarithromycin (400 mg orally twice a day for 6 days) increased the peak plasma concentration (Cmax) of a single 60 mg oral dose of lansoprazole by 1.47, 1.71- and 1.52-fold, respectively, and area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) by 1.55-, 1.74- and 1.80-fold, respectively, in each of these groups compared to placebo. The AUC ratio of lansoprazole to lansoprazole sulphone, which is considered an index of CYP450 3A4 activity, was significantly increased by clarithromycin in all three groups. However, elimination half-life of lansoprazole was prolonged by 1.54-fold only in PMs. Mild diarrhea was reported in two subjects and mild abdominal disturbance in six subjects during clarithromycin coadministration. These side effects continued until day 6 and ameliorated the day after discontinuation of clarithromycin, whereas no adverse events were reported during placebo administration or after lansoprazole plus placebo. In another study, clarithromycin induced dose-dependent increases in the plasma concentration of lansoprazole in a group of 20 patients receiving treatment for H. pylori eradication. Mean 3-hour plasma lansoprazole concentration was 385 ng/mL for the control subjects who received lansoprazole 30 mg and amoxicillin 750 mg twice a day for 7 days; 696 ng/mL for patients coadministered clarithromycin 200 mg twice a day; and 947 ng/mL for patients coadministered clarithromycin 400 mg twice a day.

MANAGEMENT: Although lansoprazole is generally well tolerated, caution may be advised during coadministration with clarithromycin, particularly if higher dosages of one or both drugs are used. Dosage adjustment may be necessary in patients who experience excessive adverse effects of lansoprazole.

Although some in vitro data indicate synergism between macrolide antibiotics and penicillins, other in vitro data indicate antagonism. When these drugs are given together, neither has predictable therapeutic efficacy. Data are available for erythromycin, although theoretically this interaction could occur with any macrolide. Except for monitoring of the effectiveness of antibiotic therapy, no special precautions appear to be necessary.