Drug Interaction Report

MONITOR: The risk of peripheral neuropathy may be increased during concurrent use of two or more agents that are associated with this adverse effect. Patient risk factors include diabetes and age older than 60 years. In some cases, the neuropathy may progress or become irreversible despite discontinuation of the medications.

MANAGEMENT: Caution is advised during concomitant use of agents with neurotoxic effects. Patients should be monitored closely for symptoms of neuropathy such as burning, tingling, pain, or numbness in the hands and feet. Since the development of peripheral neuropathy may be dose-related for many drugs, the recommended dosages should generally not be exceeded. Consideration should be given to dosage reduction or immediate discontinuation of these medications in patients who develop peripheral neuropathy to limit further damage. If feasible, therapy should generally be reinstituted only after resolution of neuropathy symptoms or return of symptoms to baseline status. In some cases, permanent dosage reductions may be required.

GENERALLY AVOID: Grapefruit juice may increase the plasma concentrations of crizotinib. The proposed mechanism is inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated first-pass metabolism in the gut wall by certain compounds present in grapefruits. Because crizotinib is associated with concentration-dependent prolongation of the QT interval, increased levels may potentiate the risk of ventricular arrhythmias such as torsade de pointes and sudden death.

Food has no significant effect on the gastrointestinal absorption of crizotinib. According to the product labeling, a high-fat meal reduced crizotinib peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and systemic exposure (AUC) by approximately 14%.

MANAGEMENT: Patients treated with crizotinib should avoid consumption of grapefruit, grapefruit juice, and any supplement containing grapefruit extract. Crizotinib may be taken without regards to food.

MONITOR: Concomitant use of statin medication with substantial quantities of alcohol may increase the risk of hepatic injury. Transient increases in serum transaminases have been reported with statin use and while these increases generally resolve or improve with continued therapy or a brief interruption in therapy, there have been rare postmarketing reports of fatal and non-fatal hepatic failure in patients taking statins. Patients who consume substantial quantities of alcohol and/or have a history of liver disease may be at increased risk for hepatic injury. Active liver disease or unexplained transaminase elevations are contraindications to statin use.

MANAGEMENT: Patients should be counseled to avoid substantial quantities of alcohol in combination with statin medications and clinicians should be aware of the increased risk for hepatotoxicity in these patients.