Drug Interaction Report

Coadministration with mild or moderate inhibitors of CYP450 3A4 may modestly increase the plasma concentrations of ruxolitinib, which is primarily metabolized by the isoenzyme. In healthy subjects, administration of a single 10 mg dose of ruxolitinib following pretreatment with the moderate CYP450 3A4 inhibitor erythromycin (500 mg twice daily for four days) resulted in an 8% increase in ruxolitinib peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and a 27% increase in systemic exposure (AUC) compared to administration of ruxolitinib alone. The change in the pharmacodynamic marker, pSTAT3 inhibition, was consistent with the corresponding exposure information. No dosage adjustment is recommended when ruxolitinib is coadministered with mild or moderate CYP450 3A4 inhibitors. However, clinical data for topical ruxolitinib are not available. Consultation with individual package labeling, as well as relevant institutional protocols, may be advisable for further guidance.

MONITOR CLOSELY: Smoking during treatment with topical ruxolitinib may increase the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and the risk of developing malignancies, including lymphomas. During clinical trials, patients who were current or past smokers and received oral Janus Kinase (JAK) inhibitors to treat inflammatory conditions had an additional increased risk of overall malignancies. Additionally, oral JAK inhibitors reportedly increase patients' risk of MACE, including cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, and stroke, particularly in patients who are current or past smokers or patients with other cardiovascular risk factors.

MANAGEMENT: The potential risks and benefits of topical ruxolitinib should be carefully weighed prior to initiating therapy, particularly in patients with cardiovascular risk factors, as well as those with a history of malignancy, those who develop a malignancy while on treatment, and/or patients who are current or past smokers. Patients should be informed about the symptoms of serious cardiovascular events and the steps to take if they occur. The manufacturer recommends discontinuing topical ruxolitinib in patients who have experienced a myocardial infarction or stroke.

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.