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Drug Interactions between Symdeko and tadalafil

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

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Interactions between your drugs

Moderate

tadalafil ivacaftor

Applies to: tadalafil and Symdeko (ivacaftor / tezacaftor)

MONITOR: Coadministration with inhibitors of CYP450 3A4 may increase the plasma concentrations of tadalafil, which is primarily metabolized by the isoenzyme. Ketoconazole (400 mg daily), a potent CYP450 3A4 inhibitor, increased the single-dose systemic exposure (AUC) of tadalafil (20 mg) by 312% and its peak plasma concentration (Cmax) by 22%. Similarly, ketoconazole (200 mg daily) increased the single-dose AUC of tadalafil (10 mg) (AUC) by 107% and its Cmax by 15% relative to the AUC and Cmax values for tadalafil alone. The possibility of prolonged and/or increased pharmacologic effects of tadalafil should be considered. Clinical data with other less potent inhibitors of CYP450 3A4 are not available.

MANAGEMENT: Caution is advised if tadalafil is prescribed with weak to moderate CYP450 3A4 inhibitors. In general, dosage adjustments may be appropriate for tadalafil whenever a CYP450 3A4 inhibitor is added to or withdrawn from therapy based on efficacy and side effects. However, recommendations vary according to the intended indication of tadalafil. The prescribing information for individual products should be consulted for specific guidance. Patients should be advised to promptly notify their doctor if they experience potential symptoms of PDE5 inhibitor toxicity such as pain or tightness in the chest or jaw, irregular heartbeat, nausea, shortness of breath, visual disturbances, syncope, or prolonged erection (greater than 4 hours).

References (7)
  1. (2024) "Product Information. Opsynvi (macitentan-tadalafil)." Actelion Pharmaceuticals US Inc
  2. (2023) "Product Information. Adcirca (tadalafil)." Eli Lilly and Company Ltd
  3. (2024) "Product Information. Opsynvi 10/40 (macitentan-tadalafil)." Janssen-Cilag Pty Ltd
  4. (2025) "Product Information. Opsynvi (macitentan-tadalafil)." Janssen Inc
  5. (2019) "Product Information. Tadalafil (tadalafil)." Amneal Pharmaceuticals LLC
  6. (2021) "Product Information. Ach-Tadalafil (tadalafil)." Accord Healthcare Inc
  7. (2024) "Product Information. Cialis (tadalafil)." Eli Lilly Australia Pty Ltd

Drug and food/lifestyle interactions

Moderate

tadalafil food/lifestyle

Applies to: tadalafil

GENERALLY AVOID: Coadministration with grapefruit juice is likely to increase the plasma concentrations of tadalafil, which is primarily metabolized by CYP450 3A4. However, the interaction has not been studied. The proposed mechanism is inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated first-pass metabolism in the gut wall by certain compounds present in grapefruit.

MONITOR: Additive hypotensive effects may occur when phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitors such as tadalafil are used with alcohol, as both are mild systemic vasodilators. In clinical pharmacology studies, more subjects administered alcohol at a dose of 0.7 g/kg (equivalent to approximately 6 ounces of 80-proof vodka in an 80-kg male; consumed within 10 minutes in study subjects, providing blood alcohol levels of 0.08%) in combination with tadalafil 10 or 20 mg single doses had clinically significant decreases in blood pressure than with alcohol alone. There were reports of postural dizziness, and orthostatic hypotension was observed in some. When tadalafil 20 mg was administered with alcohol at a lower dose of 0.6 g/kg (equivalent to approximately 4 ounces of 80-proof vodka in an 80-kg male), orthostatic hypotension was not observed, dizziness occurred with similar frequency relative to alcohol alone, and the hypotensive effects of alcohol were not potentiated. Neither tadalafil nor alcohol affected the plasma concentrations of the other.

MANAGEMENT: Caution is recommended with concurrent consumption of large amounts of alcohol in patients taking tadalafil as it may increase the potential for orthostatic signs and symptoms, such as increase in heart rate, decrease in standing blood pressure, dizziness, and headache. It may also be appropriate to avoid consuming large amounts of grapefruit juice.

References (8)
  1. (2009) "Product Information. Adcirca (tadalafil)." United Therapeutics Corporation
  2. (2024) "Product Information. Opsynvi (macitentan-tadalafil)." Actelion Pharmaceuticals US Inc
  3. (2023) "Product Information. Adcirca (tadalafil)." Eli Lilly and Company Ltd
  4. (2024) "Product Information. Opsynvi 10/40 (macitentan-tadalafil)." Janssen-Cilag Pty Ltd
  5. (2025) "Product Information. Opsynvi (macitentan-tadalafil)." Janssen Inc
  6. (2019) "Product Information. Tadalafil (tadalafil)." Amneal Pharmaceuticals LLC
  7. (2021) "Product Information. Ach-Tadalafil (tadalafil)." Accord Healthcare Inc
  8. (2024) "Product Information. Cialis (tadalafil)." Eli Lilly Australia Pty Ltd
Moderate

ivacaftor food/lifestyle

Applies to: Symdeko (ivacaftor / tezacaftor)

GENERALLY AVOID: Grapefruit juice may increase the plasma concentrations of ivacaftor. The proposed mechanism is inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated first-pass metabolism in the gut wall by certain compounds present in grapefruit. Elexacaftor and tezacaftor are also CYP450 3A4 substrates in vitro and may interact similarly with grapefruit juice, whereas lumacaftor is not expected to interact.

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: According to prescribing information, systemic exposure to ivacaftor increased approximately 2.5- to 4-fold, systemic exposure to elexacaftor increased approximately 1.9- to 2.5-fold, and systemic exposure to lumacaftor increased approximately 2-fold following administration with fat-containing foods relative to administration in a fasting state. Tezacaftor exposure is not significantly affected by administration of fat-containing foods.

MANAGEMENT: Patients treated with ivacaftor-containing medications should avoid consumption of grapefruit juice and any food that contains grapefruit or Seville oranges. All ivacaftor-containing medications should be administered with fat-containing foods such as eggs, avocados, nuts, meat, butter, peanut butter, cheese pizza, and whole-milk dairy products. A typical cystic fibrosis diet will satisfy this requirement.

References (4)
  1. (2012) "Product Information. Kalydeco (ivacaftor)." Vertex Pharmaceuticals
  2. (2015) "Product Information. Orkambi (ivacaftor-lumacaftor)." Vertex Pharmaceuticals
  3. (2022) "Product Information. Symdeko (ivacaftor-tezacaftor)." Vertex Pharmaceuticals
  4. (2019) "Product Information. Trikafta (elexacaftor/ivacaftor/tezacaftor)." Vertex Pharmaceuticals
Moderate

tezacaftor food/lifestyle

Applies to: Symdeko (ivacaftor / tezacaftor)

GENERALLY AVOID: Grapefruit juice may increase the plasma concentrations of tezacaftor, deutivacaftor, and vanzacaftor. The proposed mechanism is inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated first-pass metabolism in the gut wall by certain compounds present in grapefruit. 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. The risk and/or severity of serious side effects such as liver damage may be increased.

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Administration with fat-containing food may increase the oral bioavailability of vanzacaftor and deutivacaftor. Administration with a fat containing meal increased vanzacaftor systemic exposure (AUC) by 4- (low-fat meal) to 6- (high-fat meal) fold. While deutivacaftor AUC increased approximately 3- (low-fat meal) to 4- (high-fat meal) fold, relative to administration in a fasting state. Tezacaftor exposure is not significantly affected by administration of fat-containing foods.

MANAGEMENT: Patients treated with tezacaftor, deutivacaftor, vanzacaftor -containing medications should avoid consumption of grapefruit juice and any food that contains grapefruit. To improve absorption, patients should be advised to take vanzacaftor and/or deutivacaftor containing medications with fat-containing foods such as eggs, avocados, nuts, meat, butter, peanut butter, cheese pizza, and whole-milk dairy products at approximately the same time of the day. A typical cystic fibrosis diet will satisfy this requirement.

References (6)
  1. (2019) "Product Information. Trikafta (elexacaftor/ivacaftor/tezacaftor)." Vertex Pharmaceuticals
  2. (2020) "Product Information. KAFTRIO (elexacaftor/ivacaftor/tezacaftor)." VERTEX PHARMACEUTICALS (IRELAND) LIMITED
  3. (2023) "Product Information. Trikafta (elexacaftor/ivacaftor/tezacaftor)." Vertex Pharmaceuticals
  4. (2024) "Product Information. Trikafta (elexacaftor/ivacaftor/tezacaftor)." Vertex Pharmaceuticals Australia Pty Ltd
  5. (2023) "Product Information. Kaftrio (elexacaftor/ivacaftor/tezacaftor)." Vertex Pharmaceuticals (Europe) Ltd
  6. (2024) "Product Information. Alyftrek (deutivacaftor/tezacaftor/vanzacaftor)." Vertex Pharmaceuticals

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.