Drug Interaction Report

MONITOR: Coadministration with deferasirox may decrease the plasma concentrations of drugs that are substrates of the CYP450 3A4 isoenzyme. The mechanism may involve induction of CYP450 3A4 activity by deferasirox, although in vitro, the drug has been shown to inhibit CYP450 3A4. In healthy volunteers, administration of the CYP450 3A4 probe substrate midazolam in combination with deferasirox resulted in a reduction of midazolam peak concentration by 23% and systemic exposure by 17%. In the clinical setting, this effect may be more pronounced.

MANAGEMENT: Caution is advised if deferasirox must be used concomitantly with medications that undergo metabolism by CYP450 3A4, particularly those with a narrow therapeutic range. Dosage adjustments as well as clinical and laboratory monitoring may be appropriate for some drugs whenever deferasirox is added to or withdrawn from therapy.

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: According to product labeling, the bioavailability of deferasirox was variably increased when taken with a meal.

MANAGEMENT: To ensure consistent plasma drug levels, deferasirox should be taken on an empty stomach 30 minutes before eating preferably at the same time everyday.

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Coadministration with food increases the oral bioavailability of etravirine. The mechanism is unknown. Compared to administration following a meal, the systemic exposure (AUC) to etravirine was decreased by about 50% when the drug was administered under fasting conditions. The types of meal studied (ranging from 345 kilocalories containing 17 grams fat to 1160 kilocalories containing 70 grams fat) did not appear to make a difference with respect to impact on etravirine bioavailability.

MANAGEMENT: Etravirine should always be administered following a meal.