Drug Interaction Report

MONITOR: The use of fumaric acid esters in combination with medications that can cause nephrotoxicity (e.g., aminoglycosides, diuretics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, cyclosporine, lithium, methotrexate) may increase the potential for adverse renal reactions. In clinical trials in patients with multiple sclerosis treated with dimethyl fumarate, a fumaric acid ester that is converted to the active metabolite monomethyl fumarate, adverse events of proteinuria were reported at slightly higher frequencies than in patients receiving placebo. The clinical significance of these observations is unknown. Cases of Fanconi syndrome have been reported for a medicinal product containing dimethyl fumarate in combination with other fumaric acid esters. Renal toxicity, including tubular changes and/or interstitial fibrosis, has been observed in animal studies with dimethyl fumarate and diroximel fumarate.

MANAGEMENT: The use of fumaric acid esters in patients who receive concomitant treatment with potentially nephrotoxic agents, particularly for longer durations, has not been evaluated and should be approached with caution. Assessment of renal function (e.g., serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, urinalysis) is recommended prior to initiating treatment with fumaric acid esters and as clinically indicated during treatment.

GENERALLY AVOID: Grapefruit juice may significantly increase the plasma concentrations of orally administered amiodarone. The proposed mechanism is inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated first-pass metabolism in the gut wall by certain compounds present in grapefruits. In 11 nonsmoking, healthy volunteers, grapefruit juice (300 mL with drug administration, then 3 hours and 9 hours later) increased the mean peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) of amiodarone (17 mg/kg single dose) by 84% and 50%, respectively, compared to water. Formation of the pharmacologically active metabolite, N-desethylamiodarone (N-DEA), was completely inhibited. Clinically, this interaction can lead to altered efficacy of amiodarone, since antiarrhythmic properties of amiodarone and N-DEA appear to differ. In the study, mean increases in PR and QTc intervals of 17.9% and 11.3%, respectively, were observed 6 hours postdose with water, while increases of 10.2% and 3.3%, respectively, were observed after administration with grapefruit juice.

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Food increases the rate and extent of absorption of amiodarone. The mechanism appears to involve the effect of food-induced physiologic changes on drug release from its formulation. In 30 healthy volunteers, administration of a single 600 mg dose of amiodarone following a high-fat meal resulted in a Cmax and AUC that were 3.8 and 2.4 times the respective values under fasting conditions. The time to reach peak plasma concentration (Tmax) was decreased by 37%, indicating an increased rate of absorption. Mean Cmax and AUC for the active metabolite, N-DEA, also increased by 32% and 55%, respectively, but there was no change in the Tmax.

MANAGEMENT: Patients treated with oral amiodarone should avoid consumption of grapefruits and grapefruit juice. In addition, oral amiodarone should be administered consistently with regard to meals.