Drug Interaction Report

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Coadministration of lopinavir-ritonavir and phenytoin may result in decreased plasma concentrations of both lopinavir and phenytoin. The proposed mechanism involves phenytoin induction of lopinavir metabolism via CYP450 3A4 and ritonavir induction of phenytoin metabolism via CYP450 2C9 and 2C19. In 12 healthy volunteers, administration of lopinavir-ritonavir (400 mg-100 mg twice daily for 22 days) with phenytoin (300 mg once daily on days 11 thru 22) decreased lopinavir peak plasma concentration (Cmax), systemic exposure (AUC) and trough plasma concentration (Cmin) by 24%, 33% and 46%, respectively. Ritonavir Cmax, AUC and Cmin were also reduced by 20%, 28% and 47%, respectively, although only the change in Cmin was statistically significant. In a different arm of the same study, Cmax, AUC and Cmin of phenytoin decreased by 28%, 31% and 34%, respectively, when phenytoin (300 mg once daily for 22 days) was coadministered with lopinavir-ritonavir (400 mg-100 mg twice daily on days 12 thru 22) in 8 healthy subjects.

MANAGEMENT: Given the risk of reduced viral susceptibility and resistance development associated with subtherapeutic antiretroviral drug levels, caution is advised if lopinavir-ritonavir is prescribed with phenytoin. Once-daily administration of lopinavir-ritonavir should be avoided when used concomitantly with phenytoin. An increase in the dosage of lopinavir-ritonavir may be necessary, although dosage adjustment has not been evaluated in clinical studies. Close clinical and laboratory monitoring of antiretroviral response is, therefore, recommended. Additionally, the potential for reduced therapeutic effects of phenytoin should be considered during coadministration with lopinavir-ritonavir. Phenytoin serum levels and pharmacologic effects should be closely monitored and the dosage adjusted accordingly.

GENERALLY AVOID: Coadministration with inducers of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) may decrease the oral bioavailability and plasma concentrations of tenofovir alafenamide (TAF), which is a substrate of the efflux transporter. In 26 healthy study subjects, administration of TAF (25 mg once daily) with the P-gp inducer carbamazepine (300 mg twice daily) decreased TAF plasma concentration (Cmax) and systemic exposure (AUC) by an average of 57% and 55%, respectively, compared to TAF administered alone. It is not known if, and to what extent, tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF), another prodrug of tenofovir, may interact with P-gp inducers. The interaction has not been studied with TDF, and no information is found in the labeling of various products containing TDF, although it has been reported to be a P-gp substrate also.

MANAGEMENT: Given the risk of reduced viral susceptibility and resistance development associated with subtherapeutic antiviral drug levels, concomitant use of tenofovir alafenamide fumarate with P-gp inducers is not recommended. Whether this also applies to tenofovir disoproxil fumarate has not been established.

MONITOR: Coadministration of ritonavir and phenytoin may result in decreased plasma concentrations of both drugs. The proposed mechanism involves ritonavir induction of phenytoin metabolism via CYP450 2C9 and, conversely, phenytoin induction of ritonavir metabolism via CYP450 3A4. Data are limited. In one case report, serum phenytoin levels in a patient receiving carbamazepine (1200 mg/day), phenytoin (500 mg/day), and phenobarbital (250 mg/day) declined 30% following initiation of antiretroviral therapy containing ritonavir (300 mg twice a day). In another case, a patient receiving carbamazepine (600 mg/day) and phenytoin (400 mg/day) was started on ritonavir (600 mg twice daily) with no apparent change in serum phenytoin levels. In a pharmacokinetic study of 8 healthy volunteers, administration of phenytoin (300 mg once daily for 22 days) in combination with lopinavir-ritonavir (400 mg-100 mg twice a day on days 12 thru 22) decreased phenytoin peak plasma concentration (Cmax), systemic exposure (AUC) and trough plasma concentration (Cmin) by 28%, 31% and 34%, respectively, compared to administration of phenytoin alone. In a different arm of the same study, Cmax, AUC and Cmin of lopinavir decreased by 24%, 33% and 46%, respectively, when lopinavir-ritonavir (400 mg-100 mg twice a day for 22 days) was coadministered with phenytoin (300 mg once daily on days 11 through 22) in 12 healthy subjects. Ritonavir Cmax, AUC and Cmin were also reduced by 20%, 28% and 47%, respectively, although only the change in Cmin was statistically significant.

MANAGEMENT: The potential for reduced therapeutic effects of phenytoin should be considered during coadministration with ritonavir. Phenytoin serum levels and pharmacologic effects should be closely monitored and the dosage adjusted accordingly, particularly following initiation or discontinuation of ritonavir in patients who are stabilized on their anticonvulsant regimen. In addition, it may be necessary to monitor patients for potentially reduced antiretroviral response due to decreased plasma levels of ritonavir and other antiretroviral agents induced by phenytoin.

MONITOR: Coadministration with ritonavir, with or without lopinavir, has been suggested in postmarketing reports to increase the proximal tubular intracellular concentrations of tenofovir and potentiate the risk of tenofovir-induced nephrotoxicity. The proposed mechanism is ritonavir inhibition of tenofovir renal tubular secretion into the urine via multidrug resistance protein MRP2. Analysis of data from a compassionate access study in which 271 patients with advanced HIV disease received the combination for a mean duration of 63 weeks revealed no clinically significant nephrotoxicity associated with coadministration. However, there have been case reports of renal failure associated with acute tubular necrosis, Fanconi's syndrome, and nephrogenic diabetes insipidus in patients treated with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate in combination with ritonavir. Some patients had incomplete recovery of renal function more than a year after cessation of tenofovir therapy. Ritonavir given in combination with lopinavir has also been reported to modestly increase the plasma concentrations of tenofovir. In contrast, both slight decreases and no change in lopinavir and ritonavir concentrations have been reported.

MANAGEMENT: Caution is advised if tenofovir disoproxil fumarate is prescribed with ritonavir. Renal function should be monitored regularly, including surveillance for signs of tubulopathy such as glycosuria, acidosis, increases in serum creatinine level, electrolyte disturbances (e.g., hypokalemia, hypophosphatemia), and proteinuria. The same precaution may be applicable during therapy with other protease inhibitors based on their similar pharmacokinetic profile, although clinical data are lacking. Nelfinavir reportedly does not alter the pharmacokinetics of tenofovir, or vice versa. Tenofovir administration should be discontinued promptly if nephropathy develops.

MONITOR: Coadministration with ritonavir, with or without lopinavir, has been suggested in postmarketing reports to increase the proximal tubular intracellular concentrations of tenofovir and potentiate the risk of tenofovir-induced nephrotoxicity. The proposed mechanism is ritonavir inhibition of tenofovir renal tubular secretion into the urine via multidrug resistance protein MRP2. Analysis of data from a compassionate access study in which 271 patients with advanced HIV disease received the combination for a mean duration of 63 weeks revealed no clinically significant nephrotoxicity associated with coadministration. However, there have been case reports of renal failure associated with acute tubular necrosis, Fanconi's syndrome, and nephrogenic diabetes insipidus in patients treated with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate in combination with ritonavir. Some patients had incomplete recovery of renal function more than a year after cessation of tenofovir therapy. Ritonavir given in combination with lopinavir has also been reported to modestly increase the plasma concentrations of tenofovir. In contrast, both slight decreases and no change in lopinavir and ritonavir concentrations have been reported.

MANAGEMENT: Caution is advised if tenofovir disoproxil fumarate is prescribed with ritonavir. Renal function should be monitored regularly, including surveillance for signs of tubulopathy such as glycosuria, acidosis, increases in serum creatinine level, electrolyte disturbances (e.g., hypokalemia, hypophosphatemia), and proteinuria. The same precaution may be applicable during therapy with other protease inhibitors based on their similar pharmacokinetic profile, although clinical data are lacking. Nelfinavir reportedly does not alter the pharmacokinetics of tenofovir, or vice versa. Tenofovir administration should be discontinued promptly if nephropathy develops.

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Administration with food may modestly affect the bioavailability of ritonavir from the various available formulations. When the oral solution was given under nonfasting conditions, peak ritonavir concentrations decreased 23% and the extent of absorption decreased 7% relative to fasting conditions. Dilution of the oral solution (within one hour of dosing) with 240 mL of chocolate milk or a nutritional supplement (Advera or Ensure) did not significantly affect the extent and rate of ritonavir absorption. When a single 100 mg dose of the tablet was administered with a high-fat meal (907 kcal; 52% fat, 15% protein, 33% carbohydrates), approximately 20% decreases in mean peak concentration (Cmax) and systemic exposure (AUC) were observed relative to administration after fasting. Similar decreases in Cmax and AUC were reported when the tablet was administered with a moderate-fat meal. In contrast, the extent of absorption of ritonavir from the soft gelatin capsule formulation was 13% higher when administered with a meal (615 KCal; 14.5% fat, 9% protein, and 76% carbohydrate) relative to fasting.

MANAGEMENT: Ritonavir should be taken with meals to enhance gastrointestinal tolerability.

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Food significantly increases the bioavailability of lopinavir from the oral solution formulation of lopinavir-ritonavir. Relative to fasting, administration of lopinavir-ritonavir oral solution with a moderate-fat meal (500 to 682 Kcal; 23% to 25% calories from fat) increased lopinavir peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and systemic exposure (AUC) by 54% and 80%, respectively, whereas administration with a high-fat meal (872 Kcal; 56% from fat) increased lopinavir Cmax and AUC by 56% and 130%, respectively. No clinically significant changes in Cmax and AUC were observed following administration of lopinavir-ritonavir tablets under fed conditions versus fasted conditions. Relative to fasting, administration of a single 400 mg-100 mg dose (two 200 mg-50 mg tablets) with a moderate-fat meal (558 Kcal; 24.1% calories from fat) increased lopinavir Cmax and AUC by 17.6% and 26.9%, respectively, while administration with a high-fat meal (998 Kcal; 51.3% from fat) increased lopinavir AUC by 18.9% but not Cmax. Relative to fasting, ritonavir Cmax and AUC also increased by 4.9% and 14.9%, respectively, with the moderate-fat meal and 10.3% and 23.9%, respectively, with the high-fat meal.

MANAGEMENT: Lopinavir-ritonavir oral solution should be taken with meals to enhance bioavailability and minimize pharmacokinetic variability. Lopinavir-ritonavir tablets may be taken without regard to meals.

Food enhances the oral absorption and bioavailability of tenofovir, the active entity of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate. According to the product labeling, administration of the drug following a high-fat meal increased the mean peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) of tenofovir by approximately 14% and 40%, respectively, compared to administration in the fasting state. However, administration with a light meal did not significantly affect the pharmacokinetics of tenofovir compared to administration in the fasting state. Food delays the time to reach tenofovir Cmax by approximately 1 hour. Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate may be administered without regard to meals.