Drug Interaction Report

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Food enhances the oral absorption and bioavailability of cinacalcet. According to the product labeling for cinacalcet, administration with a high-fat meal increased the peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) of cinacalcet by 82% and 68%, respectively, compared to administration in the fasting state. The Cmax and AUC were increased 65% and 50%, respectively, when cinacalcet was administered with a low-fat meal compared to fasting.

MANAGEMENT: To ensure maximal oral absorption, cinacalcet should be administered with or immediately after a meal. The tablets should be taken whole and not divided or crushed.

MONITOR: Two cases have been reported in which patients on sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim therapy, after consuming beer, reported flushing, heart palpitations, dyspnea, headache, and nausea (disulfiram - alcohol type reactions). First-generation sulfonylureas have been reported to cause facial flushing when administered with alcohol by inhibiting acetaldehyde dehydrogenase and subsequently causing acetaldehyde accumulation. Since sulfamethoxazole is chemically related to first-generation sulfonylureas, a disulfiram-like reaction with products containing sulfamethoxazole is theoretically possible. However, pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic data are lacking and in addition, the two reported cases cannot be clearly attributed to the concomitant use of sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim and alcohol.

MANAGEMENT: Patients should be alerted to the potential for this interaction and although the risk for this interaction is minimal, caution is recommended while taking sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim concomitantly with alcohol.