Drug Interaction Report

ADJUST DOSE: Coadministration with inhibitors of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) may significantly increase the plasma concentrations of betrixaban, which is a substrate of the efflux transporter. When administered with the potent P-gp inhibitor verapamil, betrixaban peak plasma concentration (Cmax) increased by nearly 5-fold and systemic exposure (AUC) increased by approximately 3-fold compared to betrixaban administered alone. When given with ketoconazole, another P-gp inhibitor, betrixaban Cmax and AUC increased by a little more than 2-fold each. In the Acute Medically Ill Prevention with Extended Duration Betrixaban (APEX) Study, use of betrixaban at a 50% dosage reduction in combination with P-gp inhibitors or in the presence of severe renal impairment was associated with increased relative risks of bleeding, including major bleeding, compared to treatment with enoxaparin.

MANAGEMENT: When used with P-gp inhibitors, the recommended dosage of betrixaban is an initial single dose of 80 mg followed by 40 mg once daily. Patients should be routinely evaluated for signs and symptoms suggesting blood loss such as a drop in hemoglobin and/or hematocrit, hypotension, or fetal distress (in pregnant women). Concomitant use of betrixaban with P-gp inhibitors should be avoided in patients with severe renal impairment (CrCl<30 mL/min).

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Food reduces the oral bioavailability of betrixaban. When administered with a low-fat (900 calories; 20% fat) or high-fat (900 calories; 60% fat) meal, betrixaban peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and systemic exposure (AUC) decreased relative to administration in the fasting state by an average of 70% and 61%, respectively, with the low-fat meal and 50% and 48%, respectively, with the high-fat meal. The effect of food on betrixaban pharmacokinetics could be observed for up to 6 hours after meal intake.

MANAGEMENT: The manufacturer recommends taking betrixaban at the same time each day with food.

GENERALLY AVOID: Excessive use of alcohol or products containing alcohol together with ketoconazole or levoketoconazole may potentiate the risk of liver injury. Serious hepatotoxicity has been reported with levoketoconazole. Hepatotoxicity requiring liver transplantation has been reported with the use of oral ketoconazole, of which levoketoconazole is an enantiomer. Some patients had no obvious risk factors for liver disease. In addition, use of alcohol or products containing alcohol during ketoconazole or levoketoconazole therapy may result in a disulfiram-like reaction in some patients. Symptoms of disulfiram-like reaction include flushing, rash, peripheral edema, nausea, and headache.

GENERALLY AVOID: Coadministration with grapefruit juice may increase the plasma concentrations of ketoconazole or levoketoconazole. The mechanism is inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated first-pass metabolism in the gut wall by certain compounds present in grapefruits. Inhibition of hepatic CYP450 3A4 may also contribute. 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.

When administered to healthy volunteers with a high-fat meal (875 calories; 62% fat), levoketoconazole systemic exposure (AUC) increased by 30% while peak plasma concentration (Cmax) did not change and the time to reach Cmax (Tmax) was delayed from 2 to 4 hours, compared to fasted conditions.

MANAGEMENT: Levoketoconazole may be administered with or without food. Excessive consumption of alcohol should generally be avoided during ketoconazole or levoketoconazole therapy. Patients should preferably avoid or limit consumption of grapefruit, grapefruit juice, or any supplement containing grapefruit extract during ketoconazole or levoketoconazole therapy. Patients receiving ketoconazole or levoketoconazole should be instructed to contact their doctor immediately if they experience swelling, skin rash, itching, loss of appetite, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dark colored urine, light colored stools, and/or yellowing of the skin or eyes, as these may be signs and symptoms of liver damage.