Drug Interaction Report

CONTRAINDICATED: The administration of live smallpox virus vaccine during immunosuppressant or intense antineoplastic therapy may be associated with a risk of disseminated infection due to enhanced replication of vaccine virus in the presence of diminished immune competence. Patients may be immunosuppressed if they have recently received or are receiving alkylating agents, antimetabolites, radiation, some antirheumatic agents, high dosages of corticosteroids or adrenocorticotropic agents, or long-term topical or inhaled corticosteroids. These patients may also have increased adverse reactions and decreased or suboptimal immunologic response to vaccines. Cases of generalized vaccinia and progressive vaccinia have been reported in HIV patients who received the smallpox vaccine.

MANAGEMENT: Routine, nonemergency smallpox vaccination is contraindicated in patients receiving immunosuppressive therapy or cancer chemotherapy. Vaccination should be deferred until after such therapy is discontinued for at least 3 months in most cases. A longer waiting period may be necessary following treatment with agents that have a prolonged elimination half-life (e.g., leflunomide, teriflunomide). In patients who have recently been vaccinated, such therapy should not be initiated for at least 2 weeks (may be longer in some cases; refer to individual product labeling). Household contacts of immunosuppressed patients should also not be vaccinated. However, there are no absolute contraindications to vaccination if a high-risk exposure has occurred. In an outbreak emergency, smallpox vaccine is recommended for all persons, regardless of medical conditions. The risk for experiencing serious complications from the vaccine should be weighed against the risk of acquiring a potentially fatal smallpox infection.

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Administration of trifluridine-tipiracil with a standardized high-fat, high-calorie meal has been shown to decrease trifluridine peak plasma concentration (Cmax) as well as tipiracil Cmax and systemic exposure (AUC) by approximately 40% compared to administration in a fasting state in patients with cancer given a single 35 mg/m2 dose. No change in trifluridine AUC was observed.

MANAGEMENT: Based on the observed correlation between increases in the Cmax of trifluridine and decreases in neutrophil counts, trifluridine-tipiracil should be taken within one hour after completion of the morning and evening meals.