Drug Interaction Report

ADDITIONAL CONTRACEPTION RECOMMENDED: Coadministration with tipiracil-trifluridine may reduce the efficacy of contraceptive hormones. The mechanism has not been established. Trifluridine is an antineoplastic agent and may cause fetal harm when administered during pregnancy. Data evaluating the interaction are not available.

MANAGEMENT: Because trifluridine may cause fetal harm, it is particularly important that patients not become pregnant during tipiracil-trifluridine treatment. Female patients of childbearing potential using hormonal contraceptives should be advised of the risk of breakthrough bleeding and unintended pregnancy during concomitant tipiracil-trifluridine treatment. The manufacturer recommends use of additional barrier contraceptive methods during and for up to 6 months after tipiracil-trifluridine therapy. No recommendations are available for women using hormone-release intrauterine systems or injectable progestin-only contraceptives. Input from a gynecologist or similar expert on adequate contraception, including emergency contraception, should be sought as needed.

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Administration of trifluridine-tipiracil with a standardized high-fat, high-calorie meal has been shown to decrease trifluridine peak plasma concentration (Cmax) as well as tipiracil Cmax and systemic exposure (AUC) by approximately 40% compared to administration in a fasting state in patients with cancer given a single 35 mg/m2 dose. No change in trifluridine AUC was observed.

MANAGEMENT: Based on the observed correlation between increases in the Cmax of trifluridine and decreases in neutrophil counts, trifluridine-tipiracil should be taken within one hour after completion of the morning and evening meals.

MONITOR: Coadministration of ethinyl estradiol may increase the plasma concentrations of drugs that are primarily metabolized by CYP450 1A2. In a study of 30 healthy volunteers administered the CYP450 1A2 substrate tizanidine, the systemic exposure (AUC) of tizanidine was 3.9 times greater in women using an oral contraceptive containing ethinyl estradiol.

MANAGEMENT: Patients should be monitored for increased adverse effects of the CYP450 1A2 substrate during concomitant use with ethinyl estradiol. Product labeling for the specific CYP450 1A2 substrate should be consulted for additional recommendations.

Coadministration with grapefruit juice may increase the bioavailability of oral estrogens. The proposed mechanism is inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated first-pass metabolism in the gut wall induced by certain compounds present in grapefruits. In a small, randomized, crossover study, the administration of ethinyl estradiol with grapefruit juice (compared to herbal tea) increased peak plasma drug concentration (Cmax) by 37% and area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) by 28%. Based on these findings, grapefruit juice is unlikely to affect the overall safety profile of ethinyl estradiol. However, as with other drug interactions involving grapefruit juice, the pharmacokinetic alterations are subject to a high degree of interpatient variability. Also, the effect on other estrogens has not been studied.

The central nervous system effects and blood levels of ethanol may be increased in patients taking oral contraceptives, although data are lacking and reports are contradictory. The mechanism may be due to enzyme inhibition. Consider counseling women about this interaction which is unpredictable.