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concomitant use is required, clinical and laboratory monitoring may be appropriate whenever ritlecitinib is added to or withdrawn from therapy.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.

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.