Drug Interaction Report

MONITOR: Coadministration with inducers of CYP450 3A4 may decrease the plasma concentrations of ruxolitinib, which is primarily metabolized by the isoenzyme. In healthy subjects, administration of a single 50 mg dose of ruxolitinib following pretreatment with the potent CYP450 3A4 inducer rifampin (600 mg once daily for ten days) resulted in a 32% decrease in ruxolitinib peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and a 61% decrease in systemic exposure (AUC) compared to administration of ruxolitinib alone. In addition, the relative exposure to ruxolitinib's active metabolites increased approximately 100%. This increase may partially explain the reported disproportionate 10% reduction in the pharmacodynamic marker, pSTAT3 inhibition.

MANAGEMENT: No dosage adjustment is recommended when ruxolitinib is coadministered with a CYP450 3A4 inducer. However, patients should be closely monitored and the dose titrated based on safety and efficacy.

GENERALLY AVOID: Concurrent use of rifampin in patients who ingest alcohol daily may result in an increased incidence of hepatotoxicity. The increase in hepatotoxicity may be due to an additive risk as both alcohol and rifampin are individually associated with this adverse reaction. However, the exact mechanism has not been established.

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Administration with food may reduce oral rifampin absorption, increasing the risk of therapeutic failure or resistance. In a randomized, four-period crossover phase I study of 14 healthy male and female volunteers, the pharmacokinetics of single dose rifampin 600 mg were evaluated under fasting conditions and with a high-fat meal. Researchers observed that administration of rifampin with a high-fat meal reduced rifampin peak plasma concentration (Cmax) by 36%, nearly doubled the time to reach peak plasma concentration (Tmax) but reduced overall exposure (AUC) by only 6%.

MANAGEMENT: The manufacturer of oral forms of rifampin recommends administration on an empty stomach, 30 minutes before or 2 hours after meals. Patients should be encouraged to avoid alcohol or strictly limit their intake. Patients who use alcohol and rifampin concurrently or have a history of alcohol use disorder may require additional monitoring of their liver function during treatment with rifampin.

GENERALLY AVOID: Grapefruit juice may increase the plasma concentrations of ruxolitinib. The proposed mechanism is inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated first-pass metabolism in the gut wall by certain compounds present in grapefruits.

MANAGEMENT: Patients treated with ruxolitinib should avoid consumption of grapefruit, grapefruit juice, and any supplement containing grapefruit extract. Ruxolitinib may be administered with or without food.