Drug Interaction Report

GENERALLY AVOID: Coadministration with potent inhibitors of CYP450 3A4 and P-glycoprotein may significantly increase the plasma concentrations of everolimus following oral administration. Everolimus is a substrate of both the CYP450 3A4 isoenzyme and P-glycoprotein drug efflux transporter, thus their inhibition in the intestine can enhance the absorption of everolimus. The risk of side effects such as pneumonitis, stomatitis, infection, dyspnea, diarrhea, anemia, leucopenia, thrombocytopenia, hyperglycemia, and hyperlipidemia may be increased.

MANAGEMENT: Concomitant use of everolimus with potent inhibitors of CYP450 3A4 and P-glycoprotein should generally be avoided. Some authorities recommend avoiding concomitant use of everolimus during and for 2 weeks after treatment with itraconazole.

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Food significantly increases the absorption of saquinavir.

MONITOR: Coadministration with grapefruit juice may increase the plasma concentrations of saquinavir. The primary mechanism is inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated first-pass metabolism in the gut wall by certain compounds present in grapefruits. In eight healthy volunteers, ingestion of 400 mL of grapefruit juice prior to administration of a 600 mg dose of saquinavir mesylate increased the area under the plasma concentration-time curve and oral bioavailability of saquinavir by 50% and 100%, respectively, compared to water; however, the increase is not considered clinically relevant. A high degree of intersubject variability in the grapefruit juice effect was also observed. The extent to which this interaction may occur with the saquinavir free base soft gelatin capsule is unknown. However, the saquinavir soft gelatin capsule formulation is no longer commercially available.

MANAGEMENT: Saquinavir mesylate should be taken with meals or within 2 hours after eating to enhance bioavailability. Patients should be advised to avoid the consumption of large amounts of grapefruit and grapefruit juice during saquinavir therapy unless otherwise directed by their doctor, as the interaction is unreliable and subject to a high degree of interpatient variation.

GENERALLY AVOID: Grapefruit juice may significantly increase the plasma concentrations of orally administered everolimus. The mechanism is inhibition of CYP450 3A4 and P-glycoprotein activity in the gut wall by certain compounds present in grapefruit.

MANAGEMENT: Patients treated with everolimus should avoid consumption of grapefruit and grapefruit juice.