Drug Interaction Report

GENERALLY AVOID: The safety and efficacy of live, attenuated cholera vaccine have not been established in patients receiving immunosuppressive therapies, including alkylating agents, antimetabolites, radiation, some antirheumatic agents, high dosages of corticosteroids or adrenocorticotropic agents, and long-term topical or inhaled corticosteroids. It is not known whether immunosuppressed patients may have an increased risk of adverse reactions or a decreased or suboptimal immunologic response to the vaccine.

MANAGEMENT: The safety and efficacy of live, attenuated cholera vaccine have not been established in patients receiving immunosuppressive therapies. Some authorities consider coadministration of live, attenuated oral cholera vaccine with immunosuppressant therapies contraindicated. Administration of live attenuated vaccines in severely immunocompromised persons is generally considered a contraindication. The risks of adverse reactions or a decreased or suboptimal immunologic response should be weighed against the benefits of vaccination. Current local immunization guidelines and individual product labeling for the prescribed immunosuppressive therapy should be consulted for further information.

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Consumption of food has led to a 27% decrease in the bioavailability of orally administered tacrolimus.

MANAGEMENT: Tacrolimus should be administered at least one hour before or two hours after meals.

GENERALLY AVOID: Grapefruit juice has been reported to increase tacrolimus trough concentrations. Data are limited, but inhibition of the CYP450 enzyme system appears to be involved.

MANAGEMENT: The clinician may want to recommend that the patient avoid ingesting large amounts of grapefruit juice while taking tacrolimus.

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Coadministration of oral cholera vaccine with food or an oral beverage may impair its efficacy. The formulations of both the inactivated and live, attenuated oral cholera vaccines (Dukoral and Vaxchora, respectively) are acid-labile, and must be administered with a buffer. According to the manufacturer, eating and drinking may interfere with the protective effect of the buffer. However, clinical data are not available.

MANAGEMENT: It is recommended that patients avoid eating or drinking for 60 minutes before and after administration of either Dukoral or Vaxchora oral cholera vaccines.