Drug Interaction Report

GENERALLY AVOID: Coadministration with moderate inhibitors of CYP450 3A4 may significantly increase the plasma concentrations of tolvaptan. According to the prescribing information, tolvaptan is extensively metabolized in the liver almost exclusively by CYP450 3A4. Tolvaptan peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and systemic exposure (AUC) increased by 80% and 200%, respectively, when the moderate CYP450 3A4 inhibitor fluconazole was given in a 400 mg dose one day prior and a 200 mg dose concomitantly with tolvaptan.

MANAGEMENT: Concomitant use of tolvaptan with moderate CYP450 3A4 inhibitors should generally be avoided. A 50% reduction of the total daily tolvaptan dosage is recommended when used in the treatment of adults at risk of rapidly progressing autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), along with close monitoring of serum sodium and volume status. The prescribing information for both the specific tolvaptan product and the concomitant medication should be consulted for more detailed guidance.

CONTRAINDICATED: Coadministration with potent inhibitors of CYP450 3A4 may significantly increase the plasma concentrations of vasopressin receptor antagonists conivaptan and tolvaptan, both of which are almost exclusively metabolized by the isoenzyme. According to the product labeling, administration of oral conivaptan 10 mg in combination with 200 mg of the potent CYP450 3A4 inhibitor ketoconazole resulted in 4- and 11-fold increases in conivaptan peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and systemic exposure (AUC), respectively, compared to administration alone. Similarly, when a single 30 mg oral dose of tolvaptan was administered to 19 healthy volunteers following pretreatment with ketoconazole 200 mg/day for 3 days, tolvaptan Cmax increased by 3.5-fold and AUC increased by 5.4-fold, although 24-hour urine output increased by just 1.3-fold due to the saturable nature of tolvaptan's effect on urinary excretion rate.

MANAGEMENT: Concomitant use of conivaptan or tolvaptan with potent CYP450 3A4 inhibitors is considered contraindicated. Some authorities recommend avoiding concomitant use of conivaptan or tolvaptan during and for 2 weeks after treatment with itraconazole.

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Administration of atazanavir with food enhances oral bioavailability and reduces pharmacokinetic variability. According to the manufacturer, administration with a light meal increased the peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) of a single 400 mg dose of atazanavir by 57% and 70%, respectively, relative to the fasting state. Administration with a high-fat meal resulted in a mean increase of 35% in atazanavir AUC and no change in Cmax compared to fasting. The coefficient of variation of AUC and Cmax decreased by approximately one-half when given with either a light or high-fat meal compared to the fasting state.

MANAGEMENT: To ensure maximal oral absorption, atazanavir should be administered with or immediately after a meal.

GENERALLY AVOID: Grapefruit juice may significantly increase the plasma concentrations of tolvaptan. The proposed mechanism is inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated first-pass metabolism in the gut wall by certain compounds present in grapefruits. According to the product labeling, administration of tolvaptan with grapefruit juice resulted in a 1.8-fold increase in tolvaptan systemic exposure. The clinical significance is unknown, although increased pharmacologic effects may be expected. Too rapid correction of hyponatremia increases the risk of osmotic demyelination syndrome, which is associated with dysarthria, mutism, dysphagia, lethargy, affective changes, spastic quadriparesis, seizures, coma, and death.

MANAGEMENT: Patients treated with tolvaptan should avoid consumption of grapefruits and grapefruit juice.