Drug Interaction Report

MONITOR: Famotidine may cause QTc prolongation. Theoretically, coadministration with other agents that can prolong the QT interval may result in additive effects and increased risk of ventricular arrhythmias including torsade de pointes and sudden death. According to the manufacturer, prolongation of the QT interval has been reported very rarely in patients with impaired renal function whose dose/dosing interval of famotidine may not have been adjusted appropriately. In general, the risk of an individual agent or a combination of these agents causing ventricular arrhythmia in association with QT prolongation is largely unpredictable but may be increased by certain underlying risk factors such as congenital long QT syndrome, cardiac disease, and electrolyte disturbances (e.g., hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia). In addition, the extent of drug-induced QT prolongation is dependent on the particular drug(s) involved and dosage(s) of the drug(s).

MANAGEMENT: Caution and clinical monitoring are recommended if famotidine is used in combination with other drugs that can prolong the QT interval. Patients should be advised to seek prompt medical attention if they experience symptoms that could indicate the occurrence of torsade de pointes such as dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, palpitation, irregular heart rhythm, shortness of breath, or syncope.

GENERALLY AVOID: Grapefruit juice and Seville oranges may increase the plasma concentrations of entrectinib. The proposed mechanism is inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated first-pass metabolism in the gut wall by certain compounds present in grapefruit and Seville oranges Inhibition of hepatic CYP450 3A4 may also contribute. The interaction has not been studied with grapefruit juice, but pharmacokinetic data are available for the potent CYP450 3A4 inhibitor, itraconazole. When a single 100 mg dose of entrectinib was administered with itraconazole, entrectinib peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and systemic exposure (AUC) increased by 1.7- and 6-fold, respectively. Coadministration of entrectinib with a moderate CYP450 3A4 inhibitor is predicted to increase entrectinib Cmax and AUC by 2.9- and 3-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 entrectinib may increase the risk and/or severity of adverse effects such as cognitive impairment, mood disorders, dizziness, sleep disturbances, liver enzyme elevations, hyperuricemia, congestive heart failure, edema, myocarditis, QT prolongation, vision problems, anemia, and neutropenia.

MANAGEMENT: Patients should avoid consumption of grapefruit, grapefruit juice, and Seville oranges during treatment with entrectinib.

H2 antagonists may reduce the clearance of nicotine. Cimetidine, 600 mg given twice a day for two days, reduced clearance of an intravenous nicotine dose by 30%. Ranitidine, 300 mg given twice a day for two days, reduced clearance by 10%. The clinical significance of this interaction is not known. Patients should be monitored for increased nicotine effects when using the patches or gum for smoking cessation and dosage adjustments should be made as appropriate.