Drug Interaction Report

MONITOR: Coadministration with fostamatinib may increase the plasma concentrations of drugs that are substrates of the CYP450 3A4 isoenzyme and/or P-glycoprotein (P-gp) transporter. The proposed mechanism is decreased clearance in the intestine and/or liver due to inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated metabolism and P-gp-mediated efflux by fostamatinib. According to the product labeling, administration of a single 40 mg dose of the CYP450 3A4 substrate simvastatin with fostamatinib 100 mg twice daily increased simvastatin peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and systemic exposure (AUC) by 113% and 64%, respectively. In addition, simvastatin acid Cmax increased by 83% and AUC increased by 64%. When the P-gp substrate digoxin (0.25 mg once daily) was administered with fostamatinib (100 mg twice daily), digoxin Cmax and AUC increased by 70% and 37%, respectively.

MANAGEMENT: Caution is advised when fostamatinib is used concurrently with drugs that are known substrates of CYP450 3A4 and/or P-gp, particularly those with a narrow therapeutic range. Dosage adjustments as well as clinical and laboratory monitoring may be appropriate for some drugs whenever fostamatinib is added to or withdrawn from therapy.

GENERALLY AVOID: Use of alcohol or products containing alcohol during nitroimidazole therapy may result in a disulfiram-like reaction in some patients. There have been a few case reports involving metronidazole, although data overall are not convincing. The presumed mechanism is inhibition of aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) by metronidazole in a manner similar to disulfiram. Following ingestion of alcohol, inhibition of ALDH results in increased concentrations of acetaldehyde, the accumulation of which can produce an unpleasant physiologic response referred to as the 'disulfiram reaction'. Symptoms include flushing, throbbing in head and neck, throbbing headache, respiratory difficulty, nausea, vomiting, sweating, thirst, chest pain, palpitation, dyspnea, hyperventilation, tachycardia, hypotension, syncope, weakness, vertigo, blurred vision, and confusion. Severe reactions may result in respiratory depression, cardiovascular collapse, arrhythmia, myocardial infarction, acute congestive heart failure, unconsciousness, convulsions, and death. However, some investigators have questioned the disulfiram-like properties of metronidazole. One study found neither elevations in blood acetaldehyde nor objective or subjective signs of a disulfiram-like reaction to ethanol in six subjects treated with metronidazole (200 mg three times a day for 5 days) compared to six subjects who received placebo.

MANAGEMENT: Because clear evidence is lacking concerning the safety of ethanol use during nitroimidazole therapy, patients should be apprised of the potential for interaction and instructed to avoid alcoholic beverages and products containing alcohol or propylene glycol while using oral, intravenous, or vaginal preparations of a nitroimidazole. Alcoholic beverages should not be consumed for up to 3 days after completion of systemic nitroimidazole therapy.