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Drug Interactions between saquinavir and tofacitinib

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

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Interactions between your drugs

Major

saquinavir tofacitinib

Applies to: saquinavir and tofacitinib

ADJUST DOSE: Coadministration with potent inhibitors of CYP450 3A4 may significantly increase the plasma concentrations of tofacitinib, which is metabolized by the isoenzyme. In study subjects, administration with the potent CYP450 3A4 inhibitor ketoconazole increased tofacitinib systemic exposure (AUC) by greater than 2-fold compared to administration of tofacitinib alone. Side effects including lymphopenia, neutropenia, anemia, serious infections, and hyperlipidemia may be increased.

MANAGEMENT: The dosage of tofacitinib should be reduced by 50% when used with potent CYP450 3A4 inhibitors. For example, the dose for patients receiving 10 mg twice daily should be reduced to 5 mg twice daily and the dose for patients receiving 5 mg twice daily should be reduced to 5 mg once daily. For patients receiving 11 mg once daily of the extended-release formulation, the dose should be reduced to 5 mg once daily of the immediate-release formulation. The dose for patients receiving 3.2 mg twice daily should be reduced to 3.2 mg once daily and the dose for patients receiving 4 mg twice daily should be reduced to 4 mg once daily.

References (3)
  1. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics."
  2. Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information."
  3. (2012) "Product Information. Xeljanz (tofacitinib)." Pfizer U.S. Pharmaceuticals Group

Drug and food interactions

Moderate

saquinavir food

Applies to: saquinavir

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Food significantly increases the absorption of saquinavir.

MONITOR: Coadministration with grapefruit juice may increase the plasma concentrations of saquinavir. The primary mechanism is inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated first-pass metabolism in the gut wall by certain compounds present in grapefruits. In eight healthy volunteers, ingestion of 400 mL of grapefruit juice prior to administration of a 600 mg dose of saquinavir mesylate increased the area under the plasma concentration-time curve and oral bioavailability of saquinavir by 50% and 100%, respectively, compared to water; however, the increase is not considered clinically relevant. A high degree of intersubject variability in the grapefruit juice effect was also observed. The extent to which this interaction may occur with the saquinavir free base soft gelatin capsule is unknown. However, the saquinavir soft gelatin capsule formulation is no longer commercially available.

MANAGEMENT: Saquinavir mesylate should be taken with meals or within 2 hours after eating to enhance bioavailability. Patients should be advised to avoid the consumption of large amounts of grapefruit and grapefruit juice during saquinavir therapy unless otherwise directed by their doctor, as the interaction is unreliable and subject to a high degree of interpatient variation.

References (6)
  1. (2001) "Product Information. Invirase (saquinavir)." Roche Laboratories
  2. Kupferschmidt HHT, Fattinger KE, Ha HR, Follath F, Krahenbuhl S (1998) "Grapefruit juice enhances the bioavailability of the HIV protease inhibitor saquinavir in man." Br J Clin Pharmacol, 45, p. 355-9
  3. Bailey DG, Malcolm J, Arnold O, Spence JD (1998) "Grapefruit juice-drug interactions." Br J Clin Pharmacol, 46, p. 101-10
  4. Eagling VA, Profit L, Back DJ (1999) "Inhibition of the CYP3A4-mediated metabolism and P-glycoprotein-mediated transport of the HIV-I protease inhibitor saquinavir by grapefruit juice components." Br J Clin Pharmacol, 48, p. 543-52
  5. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics."
  6. Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information."
Moderate

tofacitinib food

Applies to: tofacitinib

MONITOR: Grapefruit juice may increase the plasma concentrations of tofacitinib. The proposed mechanism is inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated first-pass metabolism in the gut wall by certain compounds present in grapefruits. The extent and clinical significance are unknown. Moreover, pharmacokinetic alterations associated with interactions involving grapefruit juice are often subject to a high degree of interpatient variability.

MANAGEMENT: Until more information is available, some authorities recommend avoiding consumption of grapefruit juice during tofacitinib therapy (Canada). Patients receiving tofacitinib therapy who ingest grapefruits or grapefruit juice should be monitored for adverse effects and undue fluctuations in plasma drug levels.

References (1)
  1. (2024) "Product Information. Xeljanz (tofacitinib)." Pfizer Canada ULC

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.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.