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as well as clinical and laboratory monitoring may be appropriate for some drugs whenever belzutifan is added to or withdrawn from therapy.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.

ADJUST DOSE: Coadministration with grapefruit juice may increase the plasma concentration of valbenazine. The mechanism is inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated first-metabolism in the gut wall by certain compounds present in grapefruits. The use of valbenazine has been associated with modest prolongation of the QT interval. However, clinically significant QT prolongation may occur in patients taking a strong CYP450 3A4 inhibitor due to increased concentrations of valbenazine and its active metabolite (+)-alfa-dihydrotetrabenazine. In general, the risk of an individual agent or a combination of 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). The extent of drug-induced QT prolongation is dependent on the particular drugs involved and dosages of the drugs.

MANAGEMENT: Pharmacologic response to valbenazine should be monitored more closely whenever a strong inhibitor of CYP450 3A4 is added to or withdrawn from therapy. Assessment of baseline QT interval and periodic monitoring during therapy may be considered. The manufacturer recommends reducing the dose of valbenazine to 40 mg once daily during concomitant administration with strong CYP450 3A4 inhibitors. 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. In addition, patients receiving CNS-active agents should be warned of this interaction and advised to avoid or limit consumption of alcohol. Ambulatory patients should be counseled 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.