Drug Interaction Report

ADJUST DOSE: Coadministration with inhibitors of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) may increase the plasma concentrations of afatinib, which is a substrate of the efflux transporter. In study subjects, oral administration of the P-gp inhibitor ritonavir (200 mg twice daily) one hour before afatinib dosing resulted in a 48% increase in afatinib systemic exposure. There was no change in afatinib exposure when ritonavir was administered simultaneously with, or 6 hours after, the afatinib dose.

MANAGEMENT: Caution is advised if afatinib is used in combination with P-gp inhibitors. Patients should be monitored for potentially increased adverse effects such as diarrhea, which may lead to dehydration with or without renal impairment; cutaneous reactions including rash, erythema, and bullous, blistering, or exfoliating lesions; interstitial lung disease such as lung infiltration, pneumonitis, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and allergic alveolitis; hepatotoxicity, which may be life-threatening or fatal; keratitis characterized by acute or worsening eye inflammation, lacrimation, light sensitivity, blurred vision, eye pain, red eye, and/or ulceration; and left ventricular dysfunction. The manufacturer recommends reducing the daily dose of afatinib by 10 mg if not tolerated. The previous dose may be resumed after discontinuation of the P-gp inhibitor as tolerated.

GENERALLY AVOID: Theoretically, grapefruit and grapefruit juice may increase the plasma concentrations of hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine and the risk of toxicities such as QT interval prolongation and ventricular arrhythmias. The proposed mechanism is inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated first-pass metabolism in the gut wall induced by certain compounds present in grapefruit. Following coadministration with cimetidine, a weak to moderate CYP450 3A4 inhibitor, a 2-fold increase in chloroquine exposure occurred. Since chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine have similar structures and metabolic elimination pathways, a similar interaction may be observed with hydroxychloroquine. In general, the effect of grapefruit juice is concentration-, dose- and preparation-dependent, and can vary widely among brands. Certain preparations of grapefruit juice (e.g., high dose, double strength) have sometimes demonstrated potent inhibition of CYP450 3A4, while other preparations (e.g., low dose, single strength) have typically demonstrated moderate inhibition. Pharmacokinetic interactions involving grapefruit juice are also subject to a high degree of interpatient variability, thus the extent to which a given patient may be affected is difficult to predict.

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Administration with food or milk may reduce the incidence of hydroxychloroquine-related gastrointestinal adverse effects.

MANAGEMENT: Although clinical data are lacking, it may be advisable to avoid the consumption of grapefruit, grapefruit juice, and any supplement containing grapefruit extract during hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine therapy. Hydroxychloroquine should be administered with food or milk to reduce the occurrence of gastrointestinal upset.

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Food may reduce the oral bioavailability of afatinib. According to the product labeling, administration of afatinib with a high-fat meal decreased peak plasma concentration (Cmax) by 50% and systemic exposure (AUC) by 39% compared to administration in the fasted state.

MANAGEMENT: Afatinib should be taken at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal.