Drug Interaction Report

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.

MONITOR: Two cases have been reported in which patients on sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim therapy, after consuming beer, reported flushing, heart palpitations, dyspnea, headache, and nausea (disulfiram - alcohol type reactions). First-generation sulfonylureas have been reported to cause facial flushing when administered with alcohol by inhibiting acetaldehyde dehydrogenase and subsequently causing acetaldehyde accumulation. Since sulfamethoxazole is chemically related to first-generation sulfonylureas, a disulfiram-like reaction with products containing sulfamethoxazole is theoretically possible. However, pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic data are lacking and in addition, the two reported cases cannot be clearly attributed to the concomitant use of sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim and alcohol.

MANAGEMENT: Patients should be alerted to the potential for this interaction and although the risk for this interaction is minimal, caution is recommended while taking sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim concomitantly with alcohol.