Drug Interactions between siponimod and Symbyax

GENERALLY AVOID: Due to its significant bradycardic effects, the risk of QT prolongation and torsade de pointes arrhythmia may be increased during initiation of siponimod treatment in patients receiving drugs that prolong the QT interval. Siponimod can cause a decrease in heart rate during initiation of therapy that is apparent within an hour of the first dose, and the day 1 decline is maximal at approximately 3 to 4 hours. The maximal decrease in heart rate from baseline was seen between day 5 and 6. After day 6, heart rate starts increasing and reaches placebo levels within 10 days after treatment initiation. The highest daily postdose-dose decrease in absolute hourly mean heart rate is observed on day 1, with a decrease of 5 to 6 bpm. Following day 1, decreases in heart rate are less pronounced. Heart rates below 40 bpm were rarely observed. In controlled clinical trials, bradycardia (including sinus bradycardia and decreased heart rate) occurred in 6% of siponimod-treated patients compared to 3% of patients receiving placebo. Initiation of siponimod treatment has also resulted in transient AV conduction delays. First-degree AV block (prolonged PR interval on ECG) occurred in 5.1% of siponimod-treated patients and 1.9% of patients receiving placebo. Second-degree AV blocks, usually Mobitz type I (Wenckebach), have been observed at the time of siponimod initiation in less than 1.7% of patients. Bradycardia and conduction abnormalities were usually transient and asymptomatic, and resolved within the first 24 hours, but they occasionally required treatment with atropine. In a study evaluating the effect on QT interval of siponimod 2 or 10 mg at steady-state, siponimod treatment resulted in maximum prolongations of the QTc of 7.8 and 7.2 msec, respectively, with upper bounds of the 90% confidence interval of 9.93 and 9.72 msec, respectively. In general, the risk of an individual agent or a combination of agents causing ventricular arrhythmia in association with QT prolongation is largely unpredictable but may be increased by certain underlying risk factors such as congenital long QT syndrome, cardiac disease, and electrolyte disturbances (e.g., hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia). In addition, the extent of drug-induced QT prolongation is dependent on the particular drug(s) involved and dosage(s) of the drug(s).

MANAGEMENT: Siponimod has not been studied in patients receiving drugs that can prolong the QT interval. Because bradycardia and AV block are recognized risk factors for QT prolongation and torsade de pointes arrhythmia, treatment with siponimod should generally not be initiated in patients who are concurrently treated with QT prolonging drugs with known arrhythmogenic properties. Advice from a cardiologist should be sought if treatment with siponimod is considered in patients on concurrent therapy with QT prolonging drugs with a known risk of torsades de pointes or drugs that slow heart rate or AV conduction.

MONITOR: It is uncertain whether olanzapine causes clinically significant prolongation of the QT interval. In pooled studies of adults as well as pooled studies of adolescents, there were no significant differences between olanzapine and placebo in the proportion of patients experiencing potentially important changes in ECG parameters, including QT, QTcF (Fridericia-corrected), and PR intervals. In clinical trials, clinically meaningful QTc prolongations (QTcF >=500 msec at any time post-baseline in patients with baseline QTcF <500 msec) occurred in 0.1% to 1% of patients treated with olanzapine, with no significant differences in associated cardiac events compared to placebo. Published studies have generally reported no significant effect of olanzapine on QTc interval, although both QTc prolongation and QTc shortening have also been reported. There have been a few isolated case reports of QT prolongation in patients receiving olanzapine. However, causality is difficult to establish due to confounding factors such as concomitant use of drugs that cause QT prolongation and underlying conditions that may predispose to QT prolongation (e.g., hypokalemia, congenital long QT syndrome, preexisting conduction abnormalities).

MANAGEMENT: Some authorities recommend caution when olanzapine is used with drugs that are known to cause QT prolongation. ECG monitoring may be advisable in some cases, such as in patients with a history of cardiac arrhythmias or congenital or family history of long QT syndrome. Patients should be advised to seek prompt medical attention if they experience symptoms that could indicate the occurrence of torsade de pointes such as dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, palpitation, irregular heart rhythm, shortness of breath, or syncope.

MONITOR: It is uncertain whether olanzapine causes clinically significant prolongation of the QT interval. In pooled studies of adults as well as pooled studies of adolescents, there were no significant differences between olanzapine and placebo in the proportion of patients experiencing potentially important changes in ECG parameters, including QT, QTcF (Fridericia-corrected), and PR intervals. In clinical trials, clinically meaningful QTc prolongations (QTcF >=500 msec at any time post-baseline in patients with baseline QTcF <500 msec) occurred in 0.1% to 1% of patients treated with olanzapine, with no significant differences in associated cardiac events compared to placebo. Published studies have generally reported no significant effect of olanzapine on QTc interval, although both QTc prolongation and QTc shortening have also been reported. There have been a few isolated case reports of QT prolongation in patients receiving olanzapine. However, causality is difficult to establish due to confounding factors such as concomitant use of drugs that cause QT prolongation and underlying conditions that may predispose to QT prolongation (e.g., hypokalemia, congenital long QT syndrome, preexisting conduction abnormalities).

MANAGEMENT: Some authorities recommend caution when olanzapine is used with drugs that are known to cause QT prolongation. ECG monitoring may be advisable in some cases, such as in patients with a history of cardiac arrhythmias or congenital or family history of long QT syndrome. Patients should be advised to seek prompt medical attention if they experience symptoms that could indicate the occurrence of torsade de pointes such as dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, palpitation, irregular heart rhythm, shortness of breath, or syncope.