Drug Interaction Report

MONITOR: Coadministration with inhibitors of CYP450 3A4 may increase the plasma concentrations of lapatinib, which is primarily metabolized by the isoenzyme. In healthy subjects, administration of lapatinib in combination with the potent inhibitor ketoconazole (200 mg twice daily for 7 days) resulted in lapatinib systemic exposure (AUC) and half-life that were approximately 3.6- and 1.7-fold, respectively, of the control values.

MANAGEMENT: Caution is advised when lapatinib is prescribed with CYP450 3A4 inhibitors. Pharmacologic response to lapatinib should be monitored more closely whenever a CYP450 3A4 inhibitor is added to or withdrawn from therapy, and the lapatinib dosage adjusted as necessary. Patients should be advised to contact their physician if they experience increased adverse effects of lapatinib such as diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, dyspepsia, and fatigue.

GENERALLY AVOID: Alcohol may potentiate some of the pharmacologic effects of CNS-active agents. Use in combination may result in additive central nervous system depression and/or impairment of judgment, thinking, and psychomotor skills.

MANAGEMENT: Patients receiving CNS-active agents should be warned of this interaction and advised to avoid or limit consumption of alcohol. Ambulatory patients should be counseled to avoid hazardous activities requiring complete mental alertness and motor coordination until they know how these agents affect them, and to notify their physician if they experience excessive or prolonged CNS effects that interfere with their normal activities.

GENERALLY AVOID: Grapefruit juice may increase the plasma concentrations of lapatinib. The proposed mechanism is inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated first-pass metabolism in the gut wall by certain compounds present in grapefruits.

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Food can significantly increase the oral bioavailability of lapatinib. According to the manufacturer, lapatinib peak plasma concentration (Cmax) was approximately 2.5- and 3-fold higher and systemic exposure (AUC) 3- and 4-fold higher when administered with a low fat meal (5% fat; 500 calories) or with a high-fat meal (50% fat; 1000 calories), respectively, compared to fasting. Dividing the daily dose also resulted in an approximately 2-fold higher systemic exposure at steady state compared to the same total dose administered once daily.

MANAGEMENT: Patients treated with lapatinib should preferably avoid the consumption of grapefruit or grapefruit juice. The manufacturer recommends that lapatinib be administered at least one hour before or one hour after a meal. The lapatinib dose is administered once daily and should not be divided.