Drug Interaction Report

GENERALLY AVOID: Coadministration with proton pump inhibitors or H2-receptor antagonists may significantly decrease the oral bioavailability of neratinib. The solubility of neratinib is pH-dependent and increases as neratinib becomes protonated at acidic pH, thus an increase in pH may interfere with its absorption. According to the product labeling, neratinib is sparingly soluble at pH 1.2 (32.90 mg/mL) and insoluble at approximate pH 5.0 and above (0.08 mg/mL or less). When a single 240 mg dose of neratinib was administered to 15 healthy adult subjects on day 5 of treatment with lansoprazole 30 mg orally once daily for 7 days, mean neratinib peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and systemic exposure (AUC) decreased by 71% and 65%, respectively, compared to neratinib administered alone. In addition, the Cmax and AUC of neratinib were reduced by 55% and 47%, respectively, when neratinib was administered 2 hours after a 300 mg dose of ranitidine.

MANAGEMENT: Concomitant use of neratinib with proton pump inhibitors and H2-receptor antagonists should generally be avoided. According to some authorities, if H2-receptor antagonist therapy is required, neratinib should be administered at least 2 hours before or 10 hours after the H2-receptor antagonist. In addition, short-acting antacids could be considered if acid-suppression therapy is required, with neratinib dosing separated by at least three hours after antacid administration. If coadministered with a gastric acid reducing agent, increasing the dose of neratinib is unlikely to compensate for the loss of bioavailability.

GENERALLY AVOID: Theoretically, proton pump inhibitors may decrease the gastrointestinal absorption of enteric-coated naproxen, which requires an acidic environment for dissolution. The proposed mechanism is an increase in gastric pH (i.e. decreased gastric acidity) induced by proton pump inhibitors. In patients treated with proton pump inhibitors, the possibility of a reduced or subtherapeutic response to enteric-coated naproxen should be considered.

MANAGEMENT: Concomitant use of these drugs is generally not recommended.

GENERALLY AVOID: Grapefruit, grapefruit juice, grapefruit hybrids, pomelos, star-fruit, and Seville oranges may increase the plasma concentrations of neratinib. The proposed mechanism is inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated first-pass metabolism in the gut wall by certain compounds present in these fruits. Inhibition of hepatic CYP450 3A4 may also contribute. In a study consisting of 24 healthy subjects, neratinib peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and systemic exposure (AUC) increased by 3.2- and 4.8-fold, respectively, when a single 240 mg oral dose of neratinib was administered with the potent CYP450 3A4 inhibitor ketoconazole (400 mg once daily for 5 days). Also, mean apparent oral clearance of neratinib decreased by approximately 75% and mean elimination half-life increased by 54%. The interaction has not been studied with these fruits. In general, for example, the effect of grapefruit juice is concentration-, dose- and preparation-dependent, and can vary widely among brands. Certain preparations of grapefruit juice (e.g., high dose, double strength) have sometimes demonstrated potent inhibition of CYP450 3A4, while other preparations (e.g., low dose, single strength) have typically demonstrated moderate inhibition. Increased exposure to neratinib may increase adverse effects such as diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, stomatitis, anorexia, and hepatotoxicity.

Food with a high fat content enhances the oral bioavailability of neratinib. In healthy volunteers, administration of neratinib 240 mg with a high-fat meal (approximately 55% fat; 31% carbohydrate; 14% protein) increased neratinib peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and systemic exposure (AUC) by 1.7- and 2.2-fold, respectively, compared to administration under fasting conditions. By contrast, a standard breakfast (approximately 50% carbohydrate; 35% fat; 15% protein) increased the Cmax and AUC of neratinib by 1.2- and 1.1-fold, respectively.

MANAGEMENT: The manufacturer recommends administering neratinib with food at approximately the same time every day. Patients should avoid consumption of grapefruit, grapefruit juice, grapefruit hybrids, pomelos, star-fruit, and Seville oranges during treatment with neratinib.

GENERALLY AVOID: The concurrent use of aspirin or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and ethanol may lead to gastrointestinal (GI) blood loss. The mechanism may be due to a combined local effect as well as inhibition of prostaglandins leading to decreased integrity of the GI lining.

MANAGEMENT: Patients should be counseled on this potential interaction and advised to refrain from alcohol consumption while taking aspirin or NSAIDs.

MONITOR: Smoking cessation may lead to elevated plasma concentrations and enhanced pharmacologic effects of drugs that are substrates of CYP450 1A2 (and possibly CYP450 1A1) and/or certain drugs with a narrow therapeutic index (e.g., flecainide, pentazocine). One proposed mechanism is related to the loss of CYP450 1A2 and 1A1 induction by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in tobacco smoke; when smoking cessation agents are initiated and smoking stops, the metabolism of certain drugs may decrease leading to increased plasma concentrations. The mechanism by which smoking cessation affects narrow therapeutic index drugs that are not known substrates of CYP450 1A2 or 1A1 is unknown. The clinical significance of this interaction is unknown as clinical data are lacking.

MANAGEMENT: Until more information is available, caution is advisable if smoking cessation agents are used concomitantly with drugs that are substrates of CYP450 1A2 or 1A1 and/or those with a narrow therapeutic range. Patients receiving smoking cessation agents may require periodic dose adjustments and closer clinical and laboratory monitoring of medications that are substrates of CYP450 1A2 or 1A1.