Drug Interaction Report

GENERALLY AVOID: Moderate-to-high dietary intake of potassium, especially salt substitutes, may increase the risk of hyperkalemia in some patients who are using angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs). ARBs can promote hyperkalemia through inhibition of angiotensin II-induced aldosterone secretion. Patients with diabetes, heart failure, dehydration, or renal insufficiency have a greater risk of developing hyperkalemia.

MANAGEMENT: Patients should receive dietary counseling and be advised to not use potassium-containing salt substitutes or over-the-counter potassium supplements without consulting their physician. If salt substitutes are used concurrently, regular monitoring of serum potassium levels is recommended. Patients should also be advised to seek medical attention if they experience symptoms of hyperkalemia such as weakness, irregular heartbeat, confusion, tingling of the extremities, or feelings of heaviness in the legs.

MONITOR: Grapefruit juice may modestly decrease and delay the conversion of losartan to its active metabolite, E3174. The proposed mechanism is inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated first-pass metabolism in the gut wall by certain compounds present in grapefruits. The clinical significance is unknown. Moreover, pharmacokinetic alterations associated with interactions involving grapefruit juice are often subject to a high degree of interpatient variability.

MANAGEMENT: Patients who regularly consume grapefruits and grapefruit juice should be monitored for altered efficacy of losartan. Grapefruits and grapefruit juice should be avoided if an interaction is suspected. Orange juice is not expected to interact.

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Lixisenatide slows gastric emptying, which may impact the absorption of concomitantly administered oral medications. The interaction has been studied with various medications, which demonstrated primarily an effect on the rate rather than the overall extent of absorption.

Acetaminophen: When acetaminophen 1000 mg was administered 1 hour and 4 hours after lixisenatide 10 mcg injection, acetaminophen peak plasma concentration (Cmax) was decreased by 29% and 31%, respectively; and median time to peak plasma concentration (Tmax) was delayed by 2 hours and 1.75 hours, respectively. The Cmax and Tmax of acetaminophen were not significantly altered when acetaminophen was given one hour before lixisenatide injection, and systemic exposure (AUC) was not affected whether administered before or after lixisenatide administration. Based on these results, no dose adjustment for acetaminophen is required; however, it may be advisable to take acetaminophen at least one hour before lixisenatide if a rapid onset of action is required.

Oral Contraceptives: When an oral contraceptive containing ethinyl estradiol 0.03 mg and levonorgestrel 0.15 mg was administered 1 hour and 4 hours after lixisenatide 10 mcg injection, ethinyl estradiol Cmax was decreased by 52% and 39%, respectively, while levonorgestrel Cmax was decreased by 46% and 20%, respectively. Median Tmax values were delayed by 1 to 3 hours, but overall exposure (AUC) and mean terminal half-life (T1/2) of ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel were not significantly altered. Administration of the oral contraceptive 1 hour before or 11 hours after lixisenatide had no effect on any of the measured pharmacokinetic parameters of either ethinyl estradiol or levonorgestrel. Based on these results, no dose adjustment for oral contraceptives is required; however, some authorities recommend that oral contraceptives be administered at least 1 hour before or 11 hours after lixisenatide.

Atorvastatin: When atorvastatin 40 mg and lixisenatide 20 mcg were coadministered in the morning for 6 days, atorvastatin Cmax was decreased by 31% and Tmax was delayed by 3.25 hours, but AUC was not affected. When atorvastatin was administered in the evening and lixisenatide in the morning, the AUC and Cmax of atorvastatin were increased by 27% and 66%, respectively, but there was no change in Tmax. Based on these results, no dose adjustment for atorvastatin is required; however, some authorities recommend that atorvastatin be administered at least 1 hour before lixisenatide.

Warfarin: When warfarin 25 mg was coadministered with repeated dosing of lixisenatide 20 mcg, warfarin Cmax was decreased by 19% and Tmax was delayed by 7 hours, but there were no effects on AUC or International Normalized Ratio (INR). Based on these results, no dose adjustment for warfarin is required; however, closer monitoring of INR may be appropriate following initiation or discontinuation of lixisenatide treatment.

Digoxin: When digoxin 0.25 mg and lixisenatide 20 mcg were coadministered at steady state, digoxin Cmax was decreased by 26% and Tmax was delayed by 1.5 hours, but AUC was not affected. Based on these results, no dose adjustment for digoxin is required.

Ramipril: When ramipril 5 mg and lixisenatide 20 mcg were coadministered for 6 days, ramipril Cmax was decreased by 63% and AUC was increased by 21%, while Cmax and AUC of the active metabolite (ramiprilat) were not affected. The Tmax values of ramipril and ramiprilat were delayed by approximately 2.5 hours. Based on these results, no dose adjustment for ramipril is required.

MANAGEMENT: Caution is advised during concomitant use of lixisenatide with oral medications that have a narrow therapeutic index or that require careful clinical monitoring. These medications should be administered on a consistent schedule relative to lixisenatide, and blood levels and/or pharmacologic effects should be closely monitored. In addition, if they are to be administered with food, patients should be advised to take them with a meal or snack when lixisenatide is not administered. Oral medications that are particularly dependent on threshold concentrations for efficacy, such as antibiotics, or medications for which a delay in effect is undesirable, such as acetaminophen, should be administered at least 1 hour before lixisenatide. Gastro-resistant formulations containing substances sensitive to stomach degradation should be administered 1 hour before or 4 hours after lixisenatide. Patients taking oral contraceptives should be advised to take them at least 1 hour before or 11 hours after lixisenatide.