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.

GENERALLY AVOID: In a small, randomized, crossover study, the administration of quinidine with grapefruit juice (compared to water) to healthy volunteers significantly prolonged the time to reach peak plasma quinidine concentrations and decreased the plasma concentrations of its major metabolite, 3-hydroxyquinidine. These changes were associated pharmacodynamically with both a delay and a reduction in the maximal effect on QTc interval. The proposed mechanism is delay of gastric emptying as well as inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated first-pass metabolism in the gut wall induced by certain compounds present in grapefruits.

MANAGEMENT: Given the drug's narrow therapeutic index, patients receiving quinidine therapy should avoid the consumption of grapefruits and grapefruit juice to prevent any undue fluctuations in plasma drug levels.