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Drug Interactions between Sandimmune and teriflunomide

This report displays the potential drug interactions for the following 2 drugs:

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Interactions between your drugs

Major

cycloSPORINE teriflunomide

Applies to: Sandimmune (cyclosporine) and teriflunomide

GENERALLY AVOID: Coadministration of leflunomide with other immuno- or myelosuppressive antirheumatic agents may potentiate the risk of infections. The risk is thought to extend to teriflunomide, its principal active metabolite, because recommended dosages of both result in a similar range of plasma concentrations of teriflunomide. Serious infections including sepsis, as well as opportunistic infections like Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia, pulmonary and extrapulmonary tuberculosis, and aspergillosis have been reported with the use of leflunomide, particularly in patients on concomitant hematotoxic therapy. There have also been rare reports of pancytopenia, agranulocytosis, and thrombocytopenia in patients receiving leflunomide alone. However, these events occurred more frequently in patients who received concomitant treatment with methotrexate or other hematotoxic agents, or who had recently discontinued these agents.

MANAGEMENT: Concomitant use of leflunomide with other immuno- or myelosuppressive antirheumatic agents should generally be avoided. When switching from leflunomide to one of these agents, consideration should be given to administering a washout procedure with cholestyramine or activated charcoal to accelerate elimination of leflunomide's active metabolite from plasma, which otherwise may take up to two years. This will decrease the overlap of systemic exposure to both compounds and reduce the likelihood of additive hematologic toxicities. However, the washout procedure may also induce disease worsening if the patient had been responding to leflunomide treatment. Patients who do not receive the washout procedure prior to switching should be monitored closely for hematologic toxicity. Although not specified in the product labeling, the same precaution may be applicable to teriflunomide, the principal active metabolite of leflunomide. All patients treated with leflunomide or teriflunomide should be advised to contact their physician if they develop signs and symptoms of infection such as fever, chills, diarrhea, sore throat, muscle aches, shortness of breath, blood in phlegm, weight loss, red or inflamed skin, body sores, and pain or burning during urination. If evidence of serious infection or bone marrow suppression occurs, treatment should be stopped and washout procedure administered.

References

  1. (2001) "Product Information. Arava (leflunomide)." Hoechst Marion Roussel
  2. (2012) "Product Information. Aubagio (teriflunomide)." Genzyme Corporation

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Drug and food interactions

Moderate

cycloSPORINE food

Applies to: Sandimmune (cyclosporine)

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.

References

  1. Honcharik N, Yatscoff RW, Jeffery JR, Rush DN (1991) "The effect of meal composition on cyclosporine absorption." Transplantation, 52, p. 1087-9
  2. Ducharme MP, Provenzano R, Dehoornesmith M, Edwards DJ (1993) "Trough concentrations of cyclosporine in blood following administration with grapefruit juice." Br J Clin Pharmacol, 36, p. 457-9
  3. Bailey DG, Arnold JMO, Spence JD (1994) "Grapefruit juice and drugs - how significant is the interaction." Clin Pharmacokinet, 26, p. 91-8
  4. Hollander AAMJ, Vanrooij J, Lentjes EGWM, Arbouw F, Vanbree JB, Schoemaker RC, Vanes LA, Vanderwoude FJ, Cohen AF (1995) "The effect of grapefruit juice on cyclosporine and prednisone metabolism in transplant patients." Clin Pharmacol Ther, 57, p. 318-24
  5. (1995) "Grapefruit juice interactions with drugs." Med Lett Drugs Ther, 37, p. 73-4
  6. Tan KKC, Trull AK, Uttridge JA, Metcalfe S, Heyes CS, Facey S, Evans DB (1995) "Effect of dietary fat on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of cyclosporine in kidney transplant recipients." Clin Pharmacol Ther, 57, p. 425-33
  7. Yee GC, Stanley DL, Pessa LJ, et al. (1995) "Effect of grrapefruit juice on blood cyclosporin concentration." Lancet, 345, p. 955-6
  8. Ducharme MP, Warbasse LH, Edwards DJ (1995) "Disposition of intravenous and oral cyclosporine after administration with grapefruit juice." Clin Pharmacol Ther, 57, p. 485-91
  9. Ioannidesdemos LL, Christophidis N, Ryan P, Angelis P, Liolios L, Mclean AJ (1997) "Dosing implications of a clinical interaction between grapefruit juice and cyclosporine and metabolite concentrations in patients with autoimmune diseases." J Rheumatol, 24, p. 49-54
  10. Min DI, Ku YM, Perry PJ, Ukah FO, Ashton K, Martin MF, Hunsicker LG (1996) "Effect of grapefruit juice on cyclosporine pharmacokinetics in renal transplant patients." Transplantation, 62, p. 123-5
  11. Bailey DG, Dresser GR, Kreeft JH, Munoz C, Freeman DJ, Bend JR (2000) "Grapefruit-felodipine interaction: Effect of unprocessed fruit and probable active ingredients." Clin Pharmacol Ther, 68, p. 468-77
  12. Tsunoda SM, Harris RZ, Christians U, et al. (2001) "Red wine decreases cyclosporine bioavailability." Clin Pharmacol Ther, 70, p. 462-7
  13. Oliveira-Freitas VL, Dalla Costa T, Manfro RC, Cruz LB, Schwartsmann G (2010) "Influence of purple grape juice in cyclosporine availability." J Ren Nutr, 20, p. 309-13
View all 13 references

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Therapeutic duplication warnings

No warnings were found for your selected drugs.

Therapeutic duplication warnings are only returned when drugs within the same group exceed the recommended therapeutic duplication maximum.

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Drug Interaction Classification

These classifications are only a guideline. The relevance of a particular drug interaction to a specific individual is difficult to determine. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting or stopping any medication.
Major Highly clinically significant. Avoid combinations; the risk of the interaction outweighs the benefit.
Moderate Moderately clinically significant. Usually avoid combinations; use it only under special circumstances.
Minor Minimally clinically significant. Minimize risk; assess risk and consider an alternative drug, take steps to circumvent the interaction risk and/or institute a monitoring plan.
Unknown No interaction information available.

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