Drug Interaction Report

MONITOR: Coadministration with belzutifan may decrease the plasma concentrations and therapeutic effects of drugs that are substrates of CYP450 3A4. The extent of the decrease in concentration and effects may be more pronounced in patients who are dual uridine diphosphate glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) 2B17 and CYP450 2C19 poor metabolizers. The proposed mechanism is increased clearance due to belzutifan-mediated induction of CYP450 3A4. Concomitant use of belzutifan (120 mg once daily) with midazolam (a sensitive CYP450 3A4 substrate) decreased the midazolam systemic exposure (AUC) and peak plasma concentration (Cmax) by 40% and 34%, respectively. In patients with higher belzutifan concentrations (e.g., dual UGT 2B17 and CYP450 2C19 poor metabolizers) the AUC of midazolam is predicted to decrease by up to 70%.

MANAGEMENT: Caution is advised when belzutifan is used concomitantly with drugs that undergo metabolism by CYP450 3A4. Dosage adjustments as well as clinical and laboratory monitoring may be appropriate for some drugs whenever belzutifan is added to or withdrawn from therapy. Patients should be monitored for diminished therapeutic effects.

GENERALLY AVOID: Alcohol may potentiate the central nervous system and cardiovascular effects of centrally-acting appetite suppressants. In one study, concurrent administration of methamphetamine (30 mg intravenously) and ethanol (1 gm/kg orally over 30 minutes) increased heart rate by 24 beats/minute compared to methamphetamine alone. This increases cardiac work and myocardial oxygen consumption, which may lead to more adverse cardiovascular effects than either agent alone. Subjective effects of ethanol were diminished in the eight study subjects, but those of methamphetamine were not affected. The pharmacokinetics of methamphetamine were also unaffected except for a decrease in the apparent volume of distribution at steady state.

MANAGEMENT: Concomitant use of centrally-acting appetite suppressants and alcohol should be avoided if possible, especially in patients with a history of cardiovascular disease. Patients should be counselled to avoid hazardous activities requiring complete mental alertness and motor coordination until they know how these agents affect them, and to notify their physician if they experience excessive or prolonged CNS effects that interfere with their normal activities.