Drug Interaction Report

MONITOR: Coadministration with inducers of CYP450 3A4 may decrease the plasma concentrations of sirolimus and tacrolimus, both of which are primarily metabolized by the isoenzyme.

MANAGEMENT: Given the risk of organ rejection associated with inadequate immunosuppressant drug levels, caution is advised during concomitant therapy with CYP450 3A4 inducers. Sirolimus and tacrolimus blood levels should be checked frequently and the dosage adjusted accordingly whenever a CYP450 3A4 inducer is added to or withdrawn from therapy.

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Certain penicillins may exhibit reduced gastrointestinal absorption in the presence of food. The therapeutic effect of the antimicrobial may be reduced.

MANAGEMENT: The interacting penicillin should be administered one hour before or two hours after meals. Penicillin V and amoxicillin are not affected by food and may be given without regard to meals.

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.