Drug Interactions between red yeast rice and Sandimmune

GENERALLY AVOID: Coadministration with grapefruit juice may significantly increase the plasma concentrations of lovastatin and simvastatin and their active acid metabolites. The proposed mechanism is inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated first-pass metabolism in the gut wall by certain compounds present in grapefruit. When a single 60 mg dose of simvastatin was coadministered with 200 mL of double-strength grapefruit juice three times a day, simvastatin systemic exposure (AUC) increased by 16-fold and simvastatin acid AUC increased by 7-fold. Administration of a single 20 mg dose of simvastatin with 8 ounces of single-strength grapefruit juice increased the AUC of simvastatin and simvastatin acid by 1.9-fold and 1.3-fold, respectively. The interaction has also been reported with lovastatin, which has a similar metabolic profile to simvastatin. Clinically, high levels of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitory activity in plasma is associated with an increased risk of musculoskeletal toxicity. Myopathy manifested as muscle pain and/or weakness associated with grossly elevated creatine kinase exceeding ten times the upper limit of normal has been reported occasionally. Rhabdomyolysis has also occurred rarely, which may be accompanied by acute renal failure secondary to myoglobinuria and may result in death.

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Fibres such as oat bran and pectin may diminish the pharmacologic effects of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors by interfering with their absorption from the gastrointestinal tract.

Coadministration with green tea may increase the plasma concentrations of simvastatin. The mechanism of interaction has not been established, but may involve inhibition of organic anion transporting polypeptide (OATP) 1B1- and/or 2B1-mediated hepatic uptake of simvastatin by catechins in green tea. The interaction was suspected in a 61-year-old man who experienced muscle intolerance during treatment with simvastatin while drinking an average of 3 cups of green tea daily. He also experienced similar muscle intolerance (leg cramps without creatine phosphokinase elevation) during treatments with atorvastatin and rosuvastatin while drinking green tea. Pharmacokinetic studies performed during his usual green tea intake demonstrated an approximately two-fold higher exposure to simvastatin lactone (the administered form of simvastatin) than that observed after stopping green tea intake for a month. He was also able to tolerate simvastatin after discontinuing green tea consumption. The authors of the report subsequently conducted two independent studies to assess the effect of different green tea preparations on simvastatin pharmacokinetics. One study was conducted in 12 Italian subjects and the other in 12 Japanese subjects. In the Italian study, administration of a single 20 mg dose of simvastatin following pretreatment with 200 mL of a hot green tea standardized infusion 3 times daily for 14 days (estimated daily intake of 335 mg total catechins and 173 mg epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), the most abundant and biologically active catechin in green tea) was found to have no significant effect on mean peak plasma concentration (Cmax) or systemic exposure (AUC) of simvastatin lactone and simvastatin acid relative to administration with water. However, green tea increased simvastatin lactone AUC (0-6h) by about two-fold in 3 of the study subjects. In the Japanese study, administration of a single 10 mg dose of simvastatin following pretreatment with 350 mL of a commercial green tea beverage twice daily for 14 days (estimated daily intake of 638 mg total catechins and 322 mg EGCG) did not affect mean simvastatin lactone Cmax or AUC to a statistically significant extent compared to administration with water, but increased mean simvastatin acid Cmax and AUC by 42% and 22%, respectively. Similar to the first study, green tea increased simvastatin lactone AUC (0-6h) by two- to three-fold in 4 of the study subjects. Although not studied, the interaction may also occur with lovastatin due to its similar metabolic profile to simvastatin.

MANAGEMENT: Patients receiving therapy with lovastatin, simvastatin, or red yeast rice (which contains lovastatin) should be advised to avoid the consumption of grapefruit and grapefruit juice. Fluvastatin, pravastatin, pitavastatin, and rosuvastatin are metabolized by other enzymes and may be preferable alternatives in some individuals. All patients receiving statin therapy should be advised to promptly report any unexplained muscle pain, tenderness or weakness, particularly if accompanied by fever, malaise and/or dark colored urine. Therapy should be discontinued if creatine kinase is markedly elevated in the absence of strenuous exercise or if myopathy is otherwise suspected or diagnosed. Also, patients should either refrain from the use of oat bran and pectin, or separate the administration times by at least 2 to 4 hours if concurrent use cannot be avoided. Caution may be advisable when coadministered with green tea or green tea extracts. Dosing reduction of the statin and/or limiting consumption of green tea and green tea products may be required if an interaction is suspected.

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GENERALLY AVOID: Administration with grapefruit juice (compared to water or orange juice) has been shown to increase blood concentrations of cyclosporine with a relatively high degree of interpatient variability. The mechanism is inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated first-pass metabolism in the gut wall by certain compounds present in grapefruits.

GENERALLY AVOID: Administration with red wine or purple grape juice may decrease blood concentrations of cyclosporine. In 12 healthy volunteers, 12 ounces total of a merlot consumed 15 minutes prior to and during cyclosporine administration (single 8 mg/kg dose of Sandimmune) decreased cyclosporine peak blood concentration (Cmax) and systemic exposure (AUC) by 38% and 30%, respectively, compared to water. The time to reach peak concentration (Tmax) doubled, and oral clearance increased 50%. Similarly, one study were 12 healthy patients were administered purple grape juice and a single dose of cyclosporine showed a 30% and a 36% decrease in cyclosporine systemic exposure (AUC) and peak blood concentration (Cmax), respectively. The exact mechanism of interaction is unknown but may involve decreased cyclosporine absorption.

MONITOR: Food has been found to have variable effects on the absorption of cyclosporine. There have been reports of impaired, unchanged, and enhanced absorption during administration with meals relative to the fasting state. The mechanisms are unclear. Some investigators found an association with the fat content of food. In one study, increased fat intake resulted in significantly increased cyclosporine bioavailability and clearance. However, the AUC and pharmacodynamics of cyclosporine were not significantly affected, thus clinical relevance of these findings may be minimal.

MANAGEMENT: Patients receiving cyclosporine therapy should be advised to either refrain from or avoid fluctuations in the consumption of grapefruits and grapefruit juice. Until more data are available, the consumption of red wine or purple grape juice should preferably be avoided or limited. All oral formulations of cyclosporine should be administered on a consistent schedule with regard to time of day and relation to meals so as to avoid large fluctuations in plasma drug levels.

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