Drug Interactions between Quinidex Extentabs and repotrectinib

GENERALLY AVOID: Grapefruit juice may increase the plasma concentrations and adverse effects of repotrectinib. According to prescribing information, repotrectinib is primarily metabolized by CYP450 3A4, and is also a substrate of P-gp in vitro. The proposed mechanism is inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated first-pass metabolism in the gut wall by certain compounds present in grapefruit. Inhibition of hepatic CYP450 3A4 may also contribute. The interaction has not been studied with repotrectinib and grapefruit juice but has been reported for other CYP450 3A4 inhibitors. Drug interaction studies have shown that the administration of repotrectinib with itraconazole, a potent CYP450 3A4 and P-gp inhibitor, increased the peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and systemic exposure (AUC) of repotrectinib by 1.7-fold and 5.9-fold, respectively. 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 repotrectinib may increase the risk of adverse reactions such as dizziness, fatigue, cognitive disorders, ataxia, dysgeusia, peripheral neuropathy, muscular weakness, and dyspnea as well as more serious adverse effects such as interstitial lung disease/pneumonitis, liver transaminase elevations, myalgia with creatinine phosphokinase (CPK) elevation, hyperuricemia, and skeletal fractures.

MANAGEMENT: The manufacturer advises that concomitant use of repotrectinib with grapefruit, grapefruit juice, or supplements that contain grapefruit should be avoided.

GENERALLY AVOID: In a small, randomized, crossover study, the administration of quinidine with grapefruit juice (compared to water) to healthy volunteers significantly prolonged the time to reach peak plasma quinidine concentrations and decreased the plasma concentrations of its major metabolite, 3-hydroxyquinidine. These changes were associated pharmacodynamically with both a delay and a reduction in the maximal effect on QTc interval. The proposed mechanism is delay of gastric emptying as well as inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated first-pass metabolism in the gut wall induced by certain compounds present in grapefruits.

MANAGEMENT: Given the drug's narrow therapeutic index, patients receiving quinidine therapy should avoid the consumption of grapefruits and grapefruit juice to prevent any undue fluctuations in plasma drug levels.