Drug Interaction Report

MONITOR: Coadministration with ritlecitinib may increase the plasma concentrations and effects of drugs that are primarily metabolized by the CYP450 3A4 isoenzyme. The mechanism is reduced clearance due to inhibition of CYP450 3A4 by ritlecitinib. When ritlecitinib (200 mg once daily for 11 days) was administered in combination with the sensitive CYP450 3A4 substrate midazolam, the mean peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and systemic exposure (AUC) of midazolam increased by 1.81- and 2.69-fold, compared to administration of midazolam alone. The interaction may be significant for sensitive CYP450 3A4 substrates or those that demonstrate a narrow therapeutic index.

MANAGEMENT: Caution is advised with the concomitant use of ritlecitinib with CYP450 3A4 substrates, particularly sensitive substrates or those that demonstrate a narrow therapeutic index (e.g., cisapride, ergot alkaloids, colchicine, fentanyl, macrolide immunosuppressants, midazolam, pimozide, triazolam, vinca alkaloids). If concomitant use is required, clinical and laboratory monitoring may be appropriate whenever ritlecitinib is added to or withdrawn from therapy. The prescribing information for concomitant medications should be consulted to assess the benefits versus risks of coadministration and for any dosage adjustments that may be required.

GENERALLY AVOID: Use of alcohol or products containing alcohol during nitroimidazole therapy may result in a disulfiram-like reaction in some patients. There have been a few case reports involving metronidazole, although data overall are not convincing. The presumed mechanism is inhibition of aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) by metronidazole in a manner similar to disulfiram. Following ingestion of alcohol, inhibition of ALDH results in increased concentrations of acetaldehyde, the accumulation of which can produce an unpleasant physiologic response referred to as the 'disulfiram reaction'. Symptoms include flushing, throbbing in head and neck, throbbing headache, respiratory difficulty, nausea, vomiting, sweating, thirst, chest pain, palpitation, dyspnea, hyperventilation, tachycardia, hypotension, syncope, weakness, vertigo, blurred vision, and confusion. Severe reactions may result in respiratory depression, cardiovascular collapse, arrhythmia, myocardial infarction, acute congestive heart failure, unconsciousness, convulsions, and death. However, some investigators have questioned the disulfiram-like properties of metronidazole. One study found neither elevations in blood acetaldehyde nor objective or subjective signs of a disulfiram-like reaction to ethanol in six subjects treated with metronidazole (200 mg three times a day for 5 days) compared to six subjects who received placebo.

MANAGEMENT: Because clear evidence is lacking concerning the safety of ethanol use during nitroimidazole therapy, patients should be apprised of the potential for interaction and instructed to avoid alcoholic beverages and products containing alcohol or propylene glycol while using oral, intravenous, or vaginal preparations of a nitroimidazole. Alcoholic beverages should not be consumed for up to 3 days after completion of systemic nitroimidazole therapy.