Drug Interactions between sodium phenylbutyrate / taurursodiol and Targiniq ER

GENERALLY AVOID: Alcohol may potentiate the central nervous system (CNS) depressant effects of opioid analgesics including oxycodone. Concomitant use may result in additive CNS depression and impairment of judgment, thinking, and psychomotor skills. In more severe cases, hypotension, respiratory depression, profound sedation, coma, or even death may occur.

GENERALLY AVOID: Grapefruit juice may increase the plasma concentrations of oxycodone. The proposed mechanism is inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated metabolism of oxycodone by certain compounds present in grapefruit, resulting in decreased formation of metabolites noroxycodone and noroxymorphone and increased formation of oxymorphone due to a presumed shifting of oxycodone metabolism towards the CYP450 2D6-mediated route. In 12 healthy, nonsmoking volunteers, administration of a single 10 mg oral dose of oxycodone hydrochloride on day 4 of a grapefruit juice treatment phase (200 mL three times a day for 5 days) increased mean oxycodone peak plasma concentration (Cmax), systemic exposure (AUC) and half-life by 48%, 67% and 17% (from 3.5 to 4.1 hours), respectively, compared to administration during an equivalent water treatment phase. Grapefruit juice also decreased the metabolite-to-parent AUC ratio of noroxycodone by 44% and that of noroxymorphone by 45%. In addition, oxymorphone Cmax and AUC increased by 32% and 56%, but the metabolite-to-parent AUC ratio remained unchanged. Pharmacodynamic changes were modest and only self-reported performance was significantly impaired after grapefruit juice. Analgesic effects were not affected.

MANAGEMENT: Patients should not consume alcoholic beverages or use drug products that contain alcohol during treatment with oxycodone. Any history of alcohol or illicit drug use should be considered when prescribing oxycodone, and therapy initiated at a lower dosage if necessary. Patients should be closely monitored for signs and symptoms of sedation, respiratory depression, and hypotension. Due to a high degree of interpatient variability with respect to grapefruit juice interactions, patients treated with oxycodone may also want to avoid or limit the consumption of grapefruit and grapefruit juice.

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Coadministration with a high-fat meal may reduce the rate and extent of absorption of sodium phenylbutyrate. When a single 3 g-1 g dose of sodium phenylbutyrate-taurursodiol (sodium phenylbutyrate-ursodoxicoltaurine) was administered to healthy volunteers in the presence of a high-fat, high-calorie meal (approximately 800 to 1000 calories; 500 to 600 calories from fat, 250 calories from carbohydrate, 150 calories from protein), sodium phenylbutyrate peak plasma concentration (Cmax) decreased by 75% and systemic exposure (AUC) decreased by 55%. The Cmax for taurursodiol was not significantly affected, but AUC was increased by 46%. The clinical significance of these changes has not been established. In premarketing studies, patients were advised to take the drug before a meal.

MANAGEMENT: The prescribing information recommends administration of sodium phenylbutyrate-taurursodiol before a meal or snack, particularly in patients of low body weight (less than 70 kg).