Drug Interaction Report

MONITOR: Coadministration with other myelosuppressive agents may potentiate and prolong the bone marrow toxicity associated with olaparib. Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) have been reported in patients treated with olaparib. The majority of cases were fatal, and the duration of therapy with olaparib in patients who developed secondary MDS/cancer-therapy related AML varied from less than 6 months to greater than 2 years. All patients had previous chemotherapy with platinum agents and/or other DNA-damaging agents.

MANAGEMENT: Caution is advised if olaparib is prescribed with other myelosuppressive agents. Complete blood counts should be performed at baseline and monthly thereafter. Do not start olaparib until patients have recovered from hematologic toxicity caused by previous chemotherapy. For prolonged hematologic toxicities, olaparib should be interrupted and blood counts monitored weekly until recovery. If the levels have not recovered to CTCAE Grade 1 or less after 4 weeks, a haematologist should be consulted for further investigations, including bone marrow analysis and blood sample for cytogenetics. If MDS/AML is confirmed, discontinue olaparib. Patients should be advised to contact their physician if they experience weakness, fatigue, fever, weight loss, infections, shortness of breath, unusual bleeding or bruising, or blood in urine or stool.

CONTRAINDICATED: Foods that contain large amounts of tyramine may precipitate a hypertensive crisis in patients treated with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). The mechanism is inhibition of MAO-A, the enzyme responsible for metabolizing exogenous amines such as tyramine in the gut and preventing them from being absorbed intact. Once absorbed, tyramine is metabolized to octopamine, a substance that is believed to displace norepinephrine from storage granules.

GENERALLY AVOID: Alcohol may potentiate some of the pharmacologic effects of MAOIs. Use in combination may result in additive central nervous system depression and/or impairment of judgment, thinking, and psychomotor skills.

MANAGEMENT: In general, patients treated with MAOIs or other agents that possess MAOI activity (e.g., furazolidone, linezolid, procarbazine) should avoid consumption of products that contain large amounts of amines and protein foods in which aging or breakdown of protein is used to increase flavor. These foods include cheese (particularly strong, aged or processed cheeses), sour cream, wine (particularly red wine), champagne, beer, pickled herring, anchovies, caviar, shrimp paste, liver (particularly chicken liver), dry sausage, salamis, figs, raisins, bananas, avocados, chocolate, soy sauce, bean curd, sauerkraut, yogurt, papaya products, meat tenderizers, fava bean pods, protein extracts, yeast extracts, and dietary supplements. Caffeine may also precipitate hypertensive crisis so its intake should be minimized as well. At least 14 days should elapse following discontinuation of MAOI therapy before these foods may be consumed. Specially designed reference materials and dietary consultation are recommended so that an appropriate and safe diet can be planned. Patients should be advised to promptly seek medical attention if they experience potential signs and symptoms of a hypertensive crisis such as severe headache, visual disturbances, difficulty thinking, stupor or coma, seizures, chest pain, unexplained nausea or vomiting, and stroke-like symptoms. Patients should also be counseled not to use MAOIs with alcohol, and to avoid hazardous activities requiring complete mental alertness and motor coordination until they know how these agents affect them.

GENERALLY AVOID: Grapefruit juice may significantly increase the plasma concentrations of olaparib. The proposed mechanism is inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated first-pass metabolism in the gut wall by certain compounds present in grapefruit. In a drug interaction study with 57 patients, mean olaparib systemic exposure (AUC) was increased approximately 2.7-fold by the potent CYP450 3A4 inhibitor itraconazole. Simulations using physiologically-based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) models suggest that a moderate inhibitor (fluconazole) may increase the AUC of olaparib by 2.2-fold. The interaction has not been studied with grapefruit juice. In general, 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 olaparib may increase the risk of adverse effects such as hematologic toxicity, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, dyspepsia, and abdominal pain or discomfort.

MANAGEMENT: Food containing grapefruit, grapefruit juice, Seville orange (a citrus relative of the grapefruit), or Seville orange juice should be avoided during treatment with olaparib. Some authorities also recommend avoiding starfruit (carambola) and pomegranate.