Drug Interaction Report

GENERALLY AVOID: The use of alefacept with other immunosuppressive or myelosuppressive agents may increase the risk of infections. Agents that may be significantly myelo- or immunosuppressive include antineoplastic agents, radiation, zidovudine, linezolid, some antirheumatic agents, high dosages of corticosteroids or adrenocorticotropic agents (greater than 10 mg/day to 1 mg/kg/day, whichever is less, of prednisone or equivalent for more than 2 weeks), and long-term topical or inhaled corticosteroids.

MANAGEMENT: Patients receiving other immunosuppressive or myelosuppressive agents or phototherapy should not be treated with alefacept because of the possibility of excessive immunosuppression. The duration of the period following treatment with alefacept before one should consider starting other immunosuppressive therapy has not been evaluated.

GENERALLY AVOID: Grapefruit juice may increase the plasma concentrations and systemic effects of orally administered budesonide. The proposed mechanism is inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated first-pass metabolism in the gut wall by certain compounds present in grapefruits. According to the manufacturer, the systemic exposure of oral budesonide approximately doubles after extensive intake of grapefruit juice.

MANAGEMENT: Patients receiving budesonide should avoid the regular consumption of grapefruits and grapefruit juice to prevent undue increases in plasma budesonide levels and systemic effects.