Drug Interactions between rifampin and sirolimus protein-bound

GENERALLY AVOID: Concurrent use of rifampin in patients who ingest alcohol daily may result in an increased incidence of hepatotoxicity. The increase in hepatotoxicity may be due to an additive risk as both alcohol and rifampin are individually associated with this adverse reaction. However, the exact mechanism has not been established.

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Administration with food may reduce oral rifampin absorption, increasing the risk of therapeutic failure or resistance. In a randomized, four-period crossover phase I study of 14 healthy male and female volunteers, the pharmacokinetics of single dose rifampin 600 mg were evaluated under fasting conditions and with a high-fat meal. Researchers observed that administration of rifampin with a high-fat meal reduced rifampin peak plasma concentration (Cmax) by 36%, nearly doubled the time to reach peak plasma concentration (Tmax) but reduced overall exposure (AUC) by only 6%.

MANAGEMENT: The manufacturer of oral forms of rifampin recommends administration on an empty stomach, 30 minutes before or 2 hours after meals. Patients should be encouraged to avoid alcohol or strictly limit their intake. Patients who use alcohol and rifampin concurrently or have a history of alcohol use disorder may require additional monitoring of their liver function during treatment with rifampin.

GENERALLY AVOID: Coadministration of protein-bound sirolimus intravenous suspension with grapefruit juice may increase the systemic exposure to sirolimus. The proposed mechanism is inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated metabolism of sirolimus by certain compounds present in grapefruit. However, grapefruit juice primarily inhibits CYP450 3A4-mediated first-pass metabolism in the gut wall and may have limited effects on medications that are not administered orally. No formal studies evaluating the drug interaction potential of protein-bound sirolimus have been conducted. 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.

MANAGEMENT: The manufacturer recommends avoiding grapefruit and grapefruit juice during treatment with protein-bound sirolimus.