Drug Interaction Report

MONITOR: The use of topotecan with other cytotoxic agents is likely to result in greater myelosuppression due to additive or synergistic pharmacologic effects. Severe neutropenia and neutropenic sepsis resulting in death were reported with topotecan and cisplatin.

MANAGEMENT: Caution is advised if topotecan is used with other cytotoxic agents. Dosage reductions may be required, and bone marrow function should be closely monitored. Patients should be advised to contact their physician if they develop signs and symptoms of myelosuppression such as pallor, dizziness, fatigue, lethargy, fainting, easy bruising or bleeding, or signs of infection such as fever, chills, sore throat, body aches, and other influenza-like symptoms.

GENERALLY AVOID: Grapefruit juice may increase the plasma concentrations of ixabepilone. 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 ixabepilone should avoid the consumption of grapefruit or grapefruit juice.