Drug Interaction Report

MONITOR: Coadministration with inhibitors of the CYP450 3A4 isoenzyme and/or P-glycoprotein efflux transporter may increase the plasma concentrations of maraviroc, which is a substrate of both. According to the product labeling, administration of maraviroc (100 mg twice a day) with the potent CYP450 3A4/P-glycoprotein inhibitor ketoconazole (400 mg once a day) increased the mean maraviroc peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and systemic exposure (AUC) by approximately 3.5- and 5-fold, respectively, compared to administration alone. When the same dosage of maraviroc was administered with ritonavir (100 mg twice a day), maraviroc Cmax increased by nearly 1.3-fold and AUC by 2.6-fold. An even greater increase of nearly 5-fold in Cmax and 10-fold in AUC was observed during coadministration of maraviroc and saquinavir/ritonavir (1000 mg/100 mg twice a day). At 300 mg twice a day, mean maraviroc Cmax increased by approximately 2-fold and AUC by 3.6-fold during coadministration with atazanavir (400 mg once a day). When the same dosage of maraviroc was given with atazanavir/ritonavir (300 mg/100 mg once a day), maraviroc Cmax increased by 2.7-fold and AUC increased by nearly 5-fold. During coadministration with lopinavir/ritonavir (400 mg/100 mg twice a day), maraviroc Cmax and AUC increased by 2-fold and 4-fold, respectively.

MANAGEMENT: Caution is advised when maraviroc is used with inhibitors of CYP450 3A4 and/or P-glycoprotein. Dosage adjustment for maraviroc may be necessary if an interaction is suspected.

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.

GENERALLY AVOID: The potential exists for pharmacodynamic interactions and/or toxicities between fexinidazole and herbal medicines and supplements. In addition, grapefruit and grapefruit juice may, theoretically, increase the plasma concentrations of fexinidazole and the risk of adverse effects. The mechanism is decreased clearance of fexinidazole due to inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated first-pass metabolism in the gut wall by certain compounds present in grapefruits. 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.

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Food significantly increases the oral absorption and bioavailability of fexinidazole. Compared with the fasted state, the systemic exposure (AUC) of fexinidazole and its metabolites (fexinidazole sulfoxide [M1], fexinidazole sulfone [M2]) were 4- to 5-fold higher following administration with food.

MANAGEMENT: To ensure maximal oral absorption, fexinidazole should be administered with food each day at about the same time of day (e.g., during or immediately after the main meal of the day). Coadministration of fexinidazole with grapefruit, grapefruit juice, or herbal medicines or supplements should be avoided. 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 at least 48 hours after completion of fexinidazole therapy.

Administration with food may reduce the bioavailability of maraviroc. According to the product labeling, coadministration of a 300 mg dose of maraviroc with a high-fat breakfast reduced maraviroc peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and systemic exposure (AUC) by 33% in healthy volunteers. However, no food restrictions were used in the clinical studies that demonstrated the safety and efficacy of maraviroc. Therefore, maraviroc can be taken with or without food at the recommended dosage.