Drug Interaction Report

GENERALLY AVOID: Coadministration with potent inducers of CYP450 3A4 may significantly decrease the plasma concentrations of maribavir, which is primarily metabolized by the isoenzyme. When maribavir (400 mg twice daily) was administered with the potent CYP450 3A4 inducer, rifampin (600 mg once daily), maribavir peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and systemic exposure (AUC) decreased by 39% and 60%, respectively. Reduced virologic response to maribavir may occur.

MANAGEMENT: Concomitant use of maribavir with potent CYP450 3A4 inducers is not recommended. Alternative agents with lesser or no CYP450 3A induction potential should be considered whenever possible. If coadministration with potent CYP450 3A inducers cannot be avoided, a dosage increase of maribavir up to 1,200 mg twice daily has been suggested by some authorities.

GENERALLY AVOID: An isolated case report suggests that foods containing large amounts of tyramine may precipitate a hypertensive crisis in patients treated with St. John's wort. The mechanism of interaction is unknown, as St. John's wort is not thought to possess monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibiting activity at concentrations achieved in vivo. The case patient was a 41-year-old man who had been taking St. John's wort for seven days prior to presentation at the emergency room with confusion and disorientation. The patient recalled last eating aged cheese and having a glass of red wine approximately 10 hours prior to admission. No other cause of delirium or hypertension could be identified. In addition, alcohol may potentiate some of the pharmacologic effects of St. John's wort. Use in combination may result in additive central nervous system depression and/or impairment of judgment, thinking, and psychomotor skills.

MANAGEMENT: Until further information is available, patients treated with St. John's wort should consider avoiding consumption of protein foods in which aging or breakdown of protein is used to increase flavor. These foods include cheese (particularly strong, aged or processed cheeses), sour cream, wine (particularly red wine), champagne, beer, pickled herring, anchovies, caviar, shrimp paste, liver (particularly chicken liver), dry sausage, figs, raisins, bananas, avocados, chocolate, soy sauce, bean curd, yogurt, papaya products, meat tenderizers, fava beans, protein extracts, and dietary supplements. Caffeine may also precipitate hypertensive crisis so its intake should be minimized as well. Patients should also be advised to avoid or limit consumption of alcohol.