Drug Interaction Report

ADJUST DOSE: Coadministration with potent inhibitors of CYP450 3A4 may significantly 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 potent CYP450 3A4 inhibitor ketoconazole (200 mg twice daily for four days) resulted in a 33% increase in ruxolitinib peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and a 91% increase in systemic exposure (AUC) compared to administration of ruxolitinib alone. The half-life was also prolonged from 3.7 to 6.0 hours in the presence of ketoconazole. The change in the pharmacodynamic marker, pSTAT3 inhibition, was consistent with the corresponding ruxolitinib AUC following concurrent administration with ketoconazole.

MANAGEMENT: Indication specific dose modifications should be made when ruxolitinib is coadministered with strong CYP450 3A4 inhibitors. Ruxolitinib 10 mg twice a day is the recommended starting dose for patients with myelofibrosis (MF) coadministered strong CYP450 3A4 inhibitors when the platelet count is at least 100 X 10(9)/L and 5 mg once a day when the platelet counts is at least 50 X 10(9)/L and less than 100 x 10(9)/L. The recommended starting dose for patients with Polycythemia vera (PV) coadministered potent CYP450 3A4 inhibitors is ruxolitinib 5 mg twice a day. For patients with MF or PV who are stabilized on ruxolitinib 10 mg twice a day or greater and starting a potent CYP450 3A4 inhibitor, the ruxolitinib dose should be reduced by 50% (rounded up to the closest available tablet strength). For patients with MF or PV stabilized on a dose of 5 mg twice a day and starting fluconazole (at a dose of 200 mg per day or less), the ruxolitinib dose should be reduced to 5 mg once a day. For patients with MF or PV stabilized on ruxolitinib 5 mg once a day, concomitant use of strong CYP450 3A4 inhibitors should be avoided or ruxolitinib therapy interrupted for the duration of strong CYP450 3A4 inhibitor use. For patients with for acute graft versus host disease (GVHD) coadministered strong CYP450 3A4 inhibitors, the ruxolitinib dose should be reduced to 5 mg once a day with concomitant ketoconazole use; however, no dose adjustments are necessary with other potent CYP450 3A4 inhibitors. For patients with GVHD receiving itraconazole, blood counts should be monitored more frequently for toxicity and ruxolitinib dose adjustments made, if necessary. Additional dosage modifications should be made with careful monitoring of safety and efficacy.

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: According to the manufacturer, coadministration with a meal high in calories, fat, and protein reduces the absorption of indinavir. In ten patients given indinavir in this manner, the peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) of indinavir decreased by an average of 84% and 77%, respectively. In contrast, grapefruit juice may have only minor effects on the oral bioavailability of indinavir. The manufacturer's package labeling states that administration of a single 400 mg dose of indinavir with 8 oz. of grapefruit juice decreased indinavir AUC by an average of 26%. Likewise, a study consisting of 14 HIV-infected subjects found no uniform nor significant changes in steady-state indinavir AUC during administration with double-strength grapefruit juice compared to water. There was, however, a delay in absorption (Tmax) due to grapefruit juice that is unlikely to be of clinical significance.

MANAGEMENT: To ensure maximal oral absorption, indinavir should be administered without food but with water 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal. Alternatively, indinavir may be administered with other liquids such as skim milk, juice, coffee, or tea, or with a light meal (e.g., dry toast with jelly, juice, and coffee with skim milk and sugar; corn flakes, skim milk and sugar).

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

MANAGEMENT: Patients treated with ruxolitinib should avoid consumption of grapefruit, grapefruit juice, and any supplement containing grapefruit extract. Ruxolitinib may be administered with or without food.