Drug Interactions between quinidine and taletrectinib

GENERALLY AVOID: Coadministration with grapefruit juice may increase the plasma concentrations of taletrectinib. The proposed mechanism for the interaction 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 grapefruit juice but has been reported for other CYP450 3A4 inhibitors. In a clinical study, taletrectinib peak plasma concentration (Cmax) increased by 1.8-fold and systemic exposure (AUC) increased by 3.3-fold following concomitant administration of itraconazole, a potent CYP450 3A inhibitor. According to the product labeling, administration of taletrectinib with a moderate CYP450 3A inhibitor is predicted to increase taletrectinib Cmax and AUC by up to 1.5- and 2.6-fold, respectively. Increased exposure to taletrectinib may increase the risk and/or severity of adverse effects such as hepatotoxicity with liver enzyme elevations, lung toxicities, QT prolongation, hyperuricemia, myalgia with creatine phosphokinase elevation, and skeletal fractures.

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Coadministration with high-fat food (1000 calories, 50% fat) increased taletrectinib Cmax and AUC by 1.5-fold, and the predicted increase in the QTc interval is 20.5 msec.

MANAGEMENT: The manufacturer recommends avoiding food or drink containing grapefruit during treatment with taletrectinib. In addition, taletrectinib should be administered on an empty stomach at about the same time each day, at least 2 hours before or 2 hours after food intake.

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.