Drug Interaction Report

GENERALLY AVOID: Coadministration of temsirolimus with potent inhibitors of CYP450 3A4 may significantly increase the plasma concentrations of sirolimus, a major active metabolite of temsirolimus and known substrate of CYP450 3A4. According to the product labeling, administration of temsirolimus in combination with the CYP450 3A4 inhibitor ketoconazole resulted in a 2.2-fold and 3.1-fold increase in sirolimus peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and systemic exposure (AUC), respectively, compared to administration of temsirolimus alone. No significant effect on the pharmacokinetics of temsirolimus was reported.

MANAGEMENT: Concomitant use of temsirolimus with potent CYP450 3A4 inhibitors should generally be avoided. Some authorities recommend avoiding concomitant use of intravenous temsirolimus during and for 2 weeks after treatment with itraconazole (US). If coadministration is required, the manufacturer recommends reducing the temsirolimus dosage to 12.5 mg once a week. Based on pharmacokinetic studies, this dosage is predicted to adjust the sirolimus systemic exposure (AUC) to the range observed without inhibitors. However, clinical data are lacking. Following discontinuation of the potent CYP450 3A4 inhibitor, a washout period of approximately one week should be allowed before the temsirolimus dosage is adjusted upward to the normally recommended dosage (i.e., 25 mg once a week) or the dosage used prior to initiation of the CYP450 3A4 inhibitor.

Although some in vitro data indicate synergism between macrolide antibiotics and penicillins, other in vitro data indicate antagonism. When these drugs are given together, neither has predictable therapeutic efficacy. Data are available for erythromycin, although theoretically this interaction could occur with any macrolide. Except for monitoring of the effectiveness of antibiotic therapy, no special precautions appear to be necessary.

Clarithromycin may increase and prolong the omeprazole plasma concentration. The mechanism may be related to clarithromycin inhibition of hepatic cytochrome P450 enzymes responsible for omeprazole metabolism. Coadministration of omeprazole may result in an increase in clarithromycin and 14-(R)-hydroxyclarithromycin plasma concentrations. These increases may be due to the effect of omeprazole on gastric pH.

GENERALLY AVOID: Coadministration of temsirolimus with grapefruit juice may increase the plasma concentrations of sirolimus, a major active metabolite of temsirolimus and known substrate of CYP450 3A4. The proposed mechanism is inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated metabolism by certain compounds present in grapefruits.

MANAGEMENT: Patients treated with temsirolimus should preferably avoid the consumption of grapefruit or grapefruit juice.

Grapefruit juice may delay the gastrointestinal absorption of clarithromycin but does not appear to affect the overall extent of absorption or inhibit the metabolism of clarithromycin. The mechanism of interaction is unknown but may be related to competition for intestinal CYP450 3A4 and/or absorptive sites. In an open-label, randomized, crossover study consisting of 12 healthy subjects, coadministration with grapefruit juice increased the time to reach peak plasma concentration (Tmax) of both clarithromycin and 14-hydroxyclarithromycin (the active metabolite) by 80% and 104%, respectively, compared to water. Other pharmacokinetic parameters were not significantly altered. This interaction is unlikely to be of clinical significance.