Drug Interaction Report

MONITOR: Coadministration with inducers of CYP450 3A4 may decrease the plasma concentrations of sunitinib and its pharmacologically active metabolite, both of which are substrates of the isoenzyme. In healthy volunteers, administration of a single dose of sunitinib with the potent CYP450 3A4 inducer, rifampin, decreased the combined (i.e., sunitinib plus its primary active metabolite) peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and systemic exposure (AUC) values by 23% and 46%, respectively, compared to administration of sunitinib alone. The extent to which other, less potent CYP450 3A4 inducers may interact with sunitinib is unknown.

MANAGEMENT: The potential for diminished pharmacologic effects of sunitinib should be considered during coadministration with CYP450 3A4 inducers. Alternative treatments or dose increase for sunitinib may be required if an interaction is suspected.

MONITOR: Isolated case reports have suggested that the ingestion of alcohol during griseofulvin therapy may rarely cause disulfiram-like reactions, flushing, tachycardia, or increased effects of alcohol. The mechanism is unknown.

MANAGEMENT: Patients should be advised of the possibility of increased adverse effects or a disulfiram-like reaction.

GENERALLY AVOID: Consumption of grapefruit or grapefruit juice during sunitinib therapy may increase the plasma concentrations of sunitinib. The proposed mechanism is inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated metabolism by certain compounds present in grapefruit.

MANAGEMENT: Although clinical data are lacking, it may be advisable to avoid the consumption of large amounts of grapefruit or grapefruit juice during sunitinib therapy.