Drug Interaction Report

MONITOR: Coadministration with lenacapavir may increase the plasma concentrations of drugs that are substrates of the CYP450 3A4 isoenzyme. According to the manufacturer, lenacapavir is a moderate inhibitor of CYP450 3A4 and due to its long half-life after subcutaneous administration, it may increase the exposure to and risk of adverse reactions to drugs primarily metabolized by CYP450 3A4 that are initiated within 9 months after the last subcutaneous lenacapavir dose. In pharmacokinetic studies in fed subjects without HIV, coadministration of oral lenacapavir (600 mg twice daily for 2 days, then a single 600 mg dose) with the sensitive CYP450 3A4 substrate midazolam (single 2.5 mg dose orally at the same time as the single lenacapavir dose) led to an increase in midazolam peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and systemic exposure (AUC) by 1.9-fold and 3.6-fold, respectively.

MANAGEMENT: Caution is advised if lenacapavir is coadministered with drugs that are substrates of CYP450 3A4, particularly sensitive substrates or those with a narrow therapeutic index. Due to its long half-life, the effect may persist for up to 9 months after the last subcutaneous dose, so caution and monitoring for adverse effects are also advised during this time. The prescribing information for the coadministered drug should also be consulted for specific dosing recommendations.

Although some in vitro data indicate synergism between macrolide antibiotics and penicillins, other in vitro data indicate antagonism. When these drugs are given together, neither has predictable therapeutic efficacy. Data are available for erythromycin, although theoretically this interaction could occur with any macrolide. Except for monitoring of the effectiveness of antibiotic therapy, no special precautions appear to be necessary.

Grapefruit juice may delay the gastrointestinal absorption of clarithromycin but does not appear to affect the overall extent of absorption or inhibit the metabolism of clarithromycin. The mechanism of interaction is unknown but may be related to competition for intestinal CYP450 3A4 and/or absorptive sites. In an open-label, randomized, crossover study consisting of 12 healthy subjects, coadministration with grapefruit juice increased the time to reach peak plasma concentration (Tmax) of both clarithromycin and 14-hydroxyclarithromycin (the active metabolite) by 80% and 104%, respectively, compared to water. Other pharmacokinetic parameters were not significantly altered. This interaction is unlikely to be of clinical significance.