Drug Interaction Report

GENERALLY AVOID: Alcohol can potentiate the effect of metformin on lactate metabolism and increase the risk of lactic acidosis. In addition, alcohol may cause hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia in patients with diabetes. Although hypoglycemia rarely occurs during treatment with metformin alone, the risk may increase with acute consumption of alcohol. Even modest amounts can lower blood sugar significantly, especially when the alcohol is ingested on an empty stomach or following exercise. The mechanism involves inhibition of both gluconeogenesis as well as the counter-regulatory response to hypoglycemia. Episodes of hypoglycemia may last for 8 to 12 hours after ethanol ingestion. By contrast, chronic alcohol abuse can cause impaired glucose tolerance and hyperglycemia. Moderate alcohol consumption generally does not affect blood glucose levels in patients with well controlled diabetes.

Food may have varying effects on the absorption of metformin from immediate-release versus extended-release formulations. When a single 850 mg dose of immediate-release metformin was administered with food, mean peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and systemic exposure (AUC) decreased by 40% and 25%, respectively, and time to peak plasma concentration (Tmax) increased by 35 minutes compared to administration under fasting conditions. By contrast, administration of extended-release metformin with food increased AUC by 50% without affecting Cmax or Tmax, and both high- and low-fat meals had the same effect. These data may not be applicable to formulations that contain metformin with other oral antidiabetic agents.

MANAGEMENT: Metformin should be taken with meals, and excessive alcohol intake should be avoided during treatment. Diabetes patients in general should avoid consuming alcohol if their blood glucose is not well controlled, or if they have hypertriglyceridemia, neuropathy, or pancreatitis. Alcohol should not be consumed on an empty stomach or following exercise, as it may increase the risk of hypoglycemia. Patients should contact their physician immediately if they experience potential signs and symptoms of lactic acidosis such as malaise, myalgia, respiratory distress, increasing somnolence, and nonspecific abdominal distress (especially after stabilization of metformin therapy, when gastrointestinal symptoms are uncommon). With more marked acidosis, there may also be associated hypothermia, hypotension, and resistant bradyarrhythmias. Metformin should be withdrawn promptly if lactic acidosis is suspected. Serum electrolytes, ketones, blood glucose, blood pH, lactate levels, and blood metformin levels may be useful in establishing a diagnosis. Lactic acidosis should be suspected in any diabetic patient with metabolic acidosis lacking evidence of ketoacidosis (ketonuria and ketonemia).

GENERALLY AVOID: Grapefruit juice may increase the plasma concentrations of pemigatinib, which is primarily metabolized by CYP450 3A4 in vitro. The proposed mechanism is inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated first-pass metabolism in the gut wall by certain compounds present in grapefruit. Inhibition of hepatic CYP450 3A4 may also contribute. The interaction has not been studied with grapefruit juice but has been reported for other CYP450 3A4 inhibitors. When itraconazole, a potent CYP450 3A4 inhibitor, was administered following a single oral pemigatinib dose of 4.5 mg, pemigatinib peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and systemic exposure (AUC) increased by 17% and 88%, respectively. Concomitant use of moderate CYP450 3A4 inhibitors is predicted to increase pemigatinib exposure by approximately 50% to 80%. 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 pemigatinib may increase the incidence and severity of serious adverse reactions such as hyperphosphatemia (which can cause precipitation of calcium-phosphate crystals over time that can lead to hypocalcemia, soft tissue mineralization such as cutaneous calcification and calcinosis, secondary hyperparathyroidism, anemia, muscle cramps, seizures, QT prolongation, and arrhythmias), serous retinal detachment (which may cause symptoms such as blurred vision, visual floaters, or photopsia), palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia syndrome (hand-foot syndrome), arthralgia, stomatitis, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and constipation.

Pemigatinib pharmacokinetics were not significantly affected by coadministration of a high-fat, high-calorie meal (approximately 1000 calories; 500 to 600 calories from fat).

MANAGEMENT: Pemigatinib may be administered with or without food. Patients should avoid consumption of grapefruit, grapefruit juice, or supplements that contain grapefruit extract during treatment with pemigatinib.