Drug Interaction Report

One study has reported that coadministration of caffeine and aspirin lead to a 25% increase in the rate of appearance and 17% increase in maximum concentration of salicylate in the plasma. A significantly higher area under the plasma concentration time curve of salicylate was also reported when both drugs were administered together. The exact mechanism of this interaction has not been specified. Physicians and patients should be aware that coadministration of aspirin and caffeine may lead to higher salicylate levels faster.

GENERALLY AVOID: Grapefruit juice may increase the plasma concentrations of abemaciclib. The proposed mechanism is inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated first-pass metabolism in the gut wall by certain compounds present in grapefruit. Inhibition of hepatic CYP450 3A4 may also contribute. The interaction has not been studied with grapefruit juice, but has been reported for other CYP450 3A4 inhibitors. According to the product labeling, abemaciclib systemic exposure (AUC) is predicted to increase by up to 16-fold when administered with the potent CYP450 3A4 inhibitor ketoconazole. Itraconazole, another potent inhibitor, is predicted to increase the relative potency-adjusted unbound AUC of abemaciclib plus its active metabolites by 2.2-fold. In cancer patients, administration of a single 50 mg dose of abemaciclib (one-third the approved recommended dose of 150 mg) with clarithromycin 500 mg twice daily increased the relative potency-adjusted unbound AUC of abemaciclib plus its active metabolites by 2.5-fold relative to abemaciclib administered alone. The moderate CYP450 3A4 inhibitors, diltiazem and verapamil, are predicted to increase the relative potency-adjusted unbound AUC of abemaciclib plus its active metabolites by 2.4-fold and 1.6-fold, respectively. 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. Increased exposure to abemaciclib may increase adverse effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomatitis, venous thromboembolism, hepatotoxicity, anemia, neutropenia, and thrombocytopenia.

Food has modest effects on the pharmacokinetics of abemaciclib. A high-fat, high-calorie meal (800 to 1000 calories; 150 calories from protein, 250 calories from carbohydrate, and 500 to 600 calories from fat) administered to healthy subjects increased the Cmax and AUC of abemaciclib plus its active metabolites by 26% and 9%, respectively.

MANAGEMENT: Abemaciclib may be administered with or without food. Patients should avoid consumption of grapefruit and grapefruit juice during treatment with abemaciclib.

GENERALLY AVOID: The concurrent use of aspirin or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and ethanol may lead to gastrointestinal (GI) blood loss. The mechanism may be due to a combined local effect as well as inhibition of prostaglandins leading to decreased integrity of the GI lining.

MANAGEMENT: Patients should be counseled on this potential interaction and advised to refrain from alcohol consumption while taking aspirin or NSAIDs.

The effect of grapefruit juice on the pharmacologic activity of caffeine is controversial. One report suggests that grapefruit juice increases the effect of caffeine. The proposed mechanism is inhibition of cytochrome P-450 metabolism of caffeine. However, a well-conducted pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic study did not demonstrate this effect. The clinical significance of this potential interaction is unknown.

One study has reported that coadministration of caffeine and aspirin lead to a 25% increase in the rate of appearance and 17% increase in maximum concentration of salicylate in the plasma. A significantly higher area under the plasma concentration time curve of salicylate was also reported when both drugs were administered together. The exact mechanism of this interaction has not been specified. Physicians and patients should be aware that coadministration of aspirin and caffeine may lead to higher salicylate levels faster.