Drug Interaction Report

MONITOR CLOSELY: The use of droperidol has been associated with QT interval prolongation, torsade de pointes and other serious arrhythmias, and sudden death. The concurrent administration of agents that can produce bradycardia, a known risk factor for QT interval prolongation, such as benzodiazepines and opiates, particularly intravenous opiates, may increase the risk of QT interval prolongation. In addition, hypotensive effects and central nervous system- and/or respiratory-depressant effects may be additively or synergistically increased in patients taking droperidol with benzodiazepines or opiates, especially in elderly or debilitated patients.

MANAGEMENT: Extreme caution and close monitoring are recommended if droperidol must be administered concomitantly with other bradycardic drugs. The dosage of droperidol should be individualized and titrated to the desired effect. Routine vital sign and ECG monitoring is recommended. When droperidol is used in combination with benzodiazepines or opiates, patients should be monitored for potentially excessive or prolonged CNS or respiratory depression as well as severe hypotension. Ambulatory patients should be counseled to avoid hazardous activities requiring mental alertness and motor coordination until they know how these agents affect them, and to notify their doctor if they experience excessive or prolonged CNS effects that interfere with their normal activities.

MONITOR: It is uncertain whether asciminib causes clinically significant prolongation of the QT interval of the electrocardiogram. In clinical studies, prolongation of the Fridericia-corrected QT interval (QTcF) was reported in 3 of 356 (0.8%) of patients, with one report of QTcF greater than 500 msec together with more than 60 msec QTcF increase from baseline. Asciminib is not reported to prolong the corrected QT (QTc) interval by greater than 20 msec at the maximum recommended clinical dosage (200 mg twice daily); however, a prolongation of up to 10 msec cannot be excluded. 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, hypocalcemia). Moreover, the extent of drug-induced QT prolongation is dependent on the particular drug(s) involved and dosage(s) of the drug(s).

MANAGEMENT: Some authorities recommend caution and clinical monitoring when asciminib is used with drugs that are known to cause QT interval prolongation. An ECG should be obtained at baseline and during treatment as clinically indicated, particularly in patients with a history of cardiac arrhythmias, uncontrolled or significant cardiac disease (including bradycardia), or congenital or family history of long QT syndrome. Serum electrolytes, including potassium and magnesium should also be corrected prior to starting asciminib therapy and monitored during treatment as clinically indicated. Patients should be advised to seek prompt medical attention if they experience symptoms that indicate the occurrence of torsade de pointes such as dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, palpitation, irregular heart rhythm, shortness of breath, or syncope.

MONITOR: Coadministration with asciminib may increase the plasma concentrations of drugs that are primarily metabolized by the CYP450 3A4 isoenzyme. The mechanism is reduced clearance due to inhibition of CYP450 3A4 by asciminib. When midazolam, a sensitive CYP450 3A4 substrate, was coadministered with asciminib 40 mg twice daily, midazolam peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and systemic exposure (AUC) increased by 11% and 28%, respectively. Likewise, the Cmax and AUC of midazolam increased by 17% and 24%, respectively, following coadministration with asciminib at 80 mg once daily, but increased by 58% and 88%, respectively, following coadministration with asciminib at 200 mg twice daily. These results suggest weak inhibition of CYP450 3A4 by asciminib.

MANAGEMENT: Caution is advised when asciminib is used concomitantly with drugs that are substrates of CYP450 3A4, particularly sensitive substrates or those with a narrow therapeutic range. Dosage adjustments as well as clinical and laboratory monitoring may be appropriate for some drugs whenever asciminib is added to or withdrawn from therapy. The prescribing information recommends closely monitoring for the development of adverse reactions in patients receiving asciminib therapy at 80 mg total daily dose with certain CYP450 3A4 substrates where minimal concentration changes may lead to serious or life-threatening toxicities, and avoiding coadministration of these drugs with asciminib at the maximum recommended dosage of 200 mg twice daily. The prescribing information for concomitant medications should be consulted to assess the benefits versus risks of coadministration of a weak CYP450 3A4 inhibitor like asciminib and for any dosage adjustments that may be required.

GENERALLY AVOID: Alcohol may potentiate the central nervous system (CNS) depressant effects of opioid analgesics including fentanyl. Concomitant use may result in additive CNS depression and impairment of judgment, thinking, and psychomotor skills. In more severe cases, hypotension, respiratory depression, profound sedation, coma, or even death may occur.

GENERALLY AVOID: Consumption of grapefruit juice during treatment with oral transmucosal formulations of fentanyl may result in increased plasma concentrations of fentanyl, which is primarily metabolized by CYP450 3A4 isoenzyme in the liver and intestine. Certain compounds present in grapefruit are known to inhibit CYP450 3A4 and may increase the bioavailability of swallowed fentanyl (reportedly up to 75% of a dose) and/or decrease its systemic clearance. The clinical significance is unknown. In 12 healthy volunteers, consumption of 250 mL regular-strength grapefruit juice the night before and 100 mL double-strength grapefruit juice one hour before administration of oral transmucosal fentanyl citrate (600 or 800 mcg lozenge) did not significantly affect fentanyl pharmacokinetics, overall extent of fentanyl-induced miosis (miosis AUC), or subjective self-assessment of various clinical effects compared to control. However, pharmacokinetic alterations associated with interactions involving grapefruit juice are often subject to a high degree of interpatient variability. The possibility of significant interaction in some patients should be considered.

MANAGEMENT: Patients should not consume alcoholic beverages or use drug products that contain alcohol during treatment with fentanyl. Any history of alcohol or illicit drug use should be considered when prescribing fentanyl, and therapy initiated at a lower dosage if necessary. Patients should be closely monitored for signs and symptoms of sedation, respiratory depression, and hypotension. Due to a high degree of interpatient variability with respect to grapefruit juice interactions, patients treated with fentanyl should preferably avoid the consumption of grapefruit and grapefruit juice. In addition, patients receiving transdermal formulations of fentanyl should be cautioned that drug interactions and drug effects may be observed for a prolonged period beyond removal of the patch, as significant amounts of fentanyl are absorbed from the skin for 17 hours or more after the patch is removed.

MONITOR CLOSELY: The use of droperidol has been associated with QT interval prolongation, torsade de pointes and other serious arrhythmias, and sudden death. The concurrent administration of agents that can produce hypokalemia and/or hypomagnesemia (e.g., potassium-wasting diuretics, amphotericin B, cation exchange resins), drugs known to increase the QT interval (e.g., phenothiazines, tricyclic antidepressants, antiarrhythmic agents, etc.), certain other drugs (benzodiazepines, volatile anesthetics, intravenous opiates), or alcohol abuse may increase the risk of prolonged QT syndrome. In addition, central nervous system- and/or respiratory-depressant effects may be additively or synergistically increased in patients taking droperidol with certain other drugs that cause these effects, especially in elderly or debilitated patients.

MANAGEMENT: The manufacturer recommends extreme caution if droperidol must be given concomitantly with these agents. The dosage of droperidol should be individualized and titrated to the desired effect. Routine vital sign and ECG monitoring is recommended. When droperidol is used in combination with other drugs that cause CNS and/or respiratory depression, patients should be monitored for potentially excessive or prolonged CNS and respiratory depression. Ambulatory patients should be counseled to avoid hazardous activities requiring mental alertness and motor coordination until they know how these agents affect them, and to notify their doctor if they experience excessive or prolonged CNS effects that interfere with their normal activities.

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Food may reduce the oral bioavailability of asciminib. When a single 40 mg dose of asciminib was administered with a low-fat meal (400 calories; 25% fat) in healthy volunteers, asciminib peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and systemic exposure (AUC) decreased by 35% and 30%, respectively, compared to asciminib administered in the fasted state. Administration with a high-fat meal (1000 calories; 50% fat) decreased the Cmax and AUC of asciminib by 68% and 62%, respectively.

MANAGEMENT: To ensure adequate asciminib exposures, food consumption should be avoided for at least 2 hours before and 1 hour after taking asciminib.

MONITOR: Smoking cessation may lead to elevated plasma concentrations and enhanced pharmacologic effects of drugs that are substrates of CYP450 1A2 (and possibly CYP450 1A1) and/or certain drugs with a narrow therapeutic index (e.g., flecainide, pentazocine). One proposed mechanism is related to the loss of CYP450 1A2 and 1A1 induction by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in tobacco smoke; when smoking cessation agents are initiated and smoking stops, the metabolism of certain drugs may decrease leading to increased plasma concentrations. The mechanism by which smoking cessation affects narrow therapeutic index drugs that are not known substrates of CYP450 1A2 or 1A1 is unknown. The clinical significance of this interaction is unknown as clinical data are lacking.

MANAGEMENT: Until more information is available, caution is advisable if smoking cessation agents are used concomitantly with drugs that are substrates of CYP450 1A2 or 1A1 and/or those with a narrow therapeutic range. Patients receiving smoking cessation agents may require periodic dose adjustments and closer clinical and laboratory monitoring of medications that are substrates of CYP450 1A2 or 1A1.