Drug Interactions between ribociclib and rufinamide

GENERALLY AVOID: Alcohol may potentiate some of the pharmacologic effects of rufinamide. Use in combination may result in additive central nervous system depression and/or impairment of judgment, thinking, and psychomotor skills.

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Food enhances the oral absorption and bioavailability of rufinamide. In healthy volunteers, administration of a single 400 mg dose of rufinamide with food resulted in an approximately 56% increase in mean peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and a 34% increase in systemic exposure (AUC) compared to administration during a fasting state.

MANAGEMENT: To ensure maximal oral absorption, it is preferable to administer rufinamide with food. Patients receiving rufinamide should be advised to avoid consumption of alcohol. Ambulatory patients should be counseled to avoid hazardous activities requiring complete mental alertness and motor coordination until they know how rufinamide affects them, and to notify their physician if they experience excessive or prolonged CNS effects that interfere with their normal activities.

GENERALLY AVOID: Pomegranates and grapefruit may increase the systemic exposure to ribociclib. The proposed mechanism is inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated first-pass metabolism in the gut wall by certain compounds present in these fruits. Increased exposure to ribociclib may increase the risk of adverse effects such as infections, neutropenia, leukopenia, anemia, thrombocytopenia, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomatitis, alopecia, fatigue, headache, and abnormal liver function may be increased.

MANAGEMENT: Patients receiving ribociclib should avoid consumption of pomegranates or pomegranate juice and grapefruit or grapefruit juice during treatment.