Drug Interaction Report

MONITOR CLOSELY: Coadministration of ramucirumab and drugs that interfere with platelet function or coagulation may potentiate the risk of bleeding complications. Ramucirumab can cause bleeding, including severe and sometimes fatal hemorrhagic complications. In one clinical study, the incidence of severe bleeding was 3.4% for ramucirumab versus 2.6% for placebo.

MANAGEMENT: Concomitant use of ramucirumab and medications that interfere with platelet function or coagulation should be approached cautiously. Close clinical and laboratory observation for bleeding complications is recommended. Patients should be advised to promptly report any signs of bleeding to their physician, including pain, swelling, headache, dizziness, weakness, prolonged bleeding from cuts, increased menstrual flow, vaginal bleeding, nosebleeds, bleeding of gums from brushing, unusual bleeding or bruising, red or brown urine, or red or black stools. Ramucirumab should be permanently discontinued in patients who experience severe bleeding.

GENERALLY AVOID: Consumption of grapefruit or grapefruit juice during tazemetostat therapy may significantly increase the plasma concentrations of tazemetostat. The proposed mechanism is inhibition of the CYP450 3A4-mediated metabolism of tazemetostat by certain compounds in grapefruit. Because grapefruit juice inhibits primarily intestinal rather than hepatic CYP450 3A4, the magnitude of interaction is greatest for those drugs that undergo significant presystemic metabolism by CYP450 3A4 (i.e., drugs with low oral bioavailability). According to the product labeling, coadministration of tazemetostat (400 mg twice daily) with the moderate CYP450 3A4 inhibitor fluconazole increased the tazemetostat steady state exposure (AUC 0 to 8 hours) by 3.1-fold and peak plasma concentration by 2.3-fold. 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. Clinically, this interaction may result in an increased risk of the frequency or severity of adverse reactions due to tazemetostat such as hemorrhage, pleural effusion, skin infection, dyspnea, pain, and respiratory distress.

MANAGEMENT: The manufacturer advises that patients treated with tazemetostat should avoid consumption of grapefruit or grapefruit juice.