Drug Interaction Report

MONITOR: Coadministration with inhibitors of CYP450 1A2 and/or 3A4 may increase the plasma concentrations of levobupivacaine, which is primarily metabolized by these isoenzymes. Although no clinical studies have been conducted, the possibility of prolonged and/or increased pharmacologic effects of levobupivacaine should be considered.

MANAGEMENT: Caution may be advisable if levobupivacaine is administered to patients receiving inhibitors of CYP450 1A2 (e.g., quinolones, deferasirox, mexiletine, propafenone, ticlopidine, zileuton) or CYP450 3A4 (e.g., azole antifungals, macrolide antibiotics, protease inhibitors, kinase inhibitors, aprepitant, conivaptan, cyclosporine, delavirdine, diltiazem, nefazodone, verapamil). Particular caution and dosage adjustment of levobupivacaine may be warranted during concomitant use of both a CYP450 1A2 inhibitor and a CYP450 3A4 inhibitor, or a drug that inhibits both isoenzymes (e.g., fluvoxamine). Patients should be monitored for early signs and symptoms of central nervous system toxicity such as dizziness, drowsiness, lightheadedness, anxiety, restlessness, incoherent speech, tremors, twitching, numbness and tingling of the mouth and lips, metallic taste, tinnitus, and blurred vision, as well as more serious reactions including convulsions, hypotension, arrhythmias, and cardiorespiratory depression.

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Food significantly increases the absorption of posaconazole from the oral suspension but only modestly from the delayed-release tablet. Following single-dose administration, posaconazole mean peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and systemic exposure (AUC) are approximately 2.5 to 3 times higher when the oral suspension is given with a nonfat meal or a nutritional supplement (14 grams of fat) than when given under fasting conditions, and approximately 3.5 to 4 times higher when given during or 20 minutes after a high-fat meal (50 grams of fat) than under fasting conditions. Acidic beverages may also increase posaconazole absorption. In 12 healthy volunteers, administration of a single 400 mg dose of posaconazole suspension with 12 ounces of ginger ale increased posaconazole Cmax by 92% and AUC by 70% compared to administration after fasting. In contrast, the Cmax and AUC of posaconazole increased by just 16% and 51%, respectively, when posaconazole tablets were given as a single 300 mg dose to healthy volunteers after a high-fat meal relative to a fasted state.

GENERALLY AVOID Concomitant use of alcohol and posaconazole administered in the form of delayed-release oral suspension may lead to a faster release of posaconazole. An in vitro dissolution study determined a potential for alcohol-induced dose-dumping with the delayed-release oral suspension of posaconazole.

MONITOR: In 5 study subjects, posaconazole Cmax decreased by 27% to 53% and AUC decreased by 33% to 51% when the oral suspension was administered via a nasogastric tube as opposed to orally.

MANAGEMENT: Posaconazole tablets should be taken with food, whereas posaconazole oral suspension should be administered during or immediately (i.e., within 20 minutes) following a full meal to enhance bioavailability. Patients who cannot eat a full meal should take the suspension with a liquid nutritional supplement or an acidic carbonated beverage such as ginger ale. In patients who cannot eat a full meal or tolerate an oral nutritional supplement or an acidic carbonated beverage and who do not have the option of taking another formulation of posaconazole, alternative antifungal therapy should be considered; otherwise, monitor patients closely for breakthrough fungal infections. Patients receiving posaconazole via a nasogastric tube should also be closely monitored due to increased risk of treatment failure associated with lower plasma exposure. Administration of alcohol with posaconazole from the delayed-release oral suspension formulation is not recommended.