Drug Interaction Report

MONITOR: Coadministration with CYP450 3A4 and/or 2B6 inhibitors may increase plasma concentrations of thiotepa and decrease concentrations of its active metabolite triethylenephosphoramide (TEPA). Thiotepa is a prodrug that is primarily converted to TEPA by these isoenzymes. A pharmacokinetic study evaluating six breast cancer patients receiving high-dose chemotherapy (cyclophosphamide 1,500 mg/m2/day, thiotepa 120 mg/m2/day, and carboplatin AUC 5 mg min/mL/day) with the moderate CYP450 3A4 inhibitor aprepitant (125 mg one day before chemotherapy, then 80 mg daily during and for three days after) showed a 15% increase in total thiotepa exposure, a 33% decrease in TEPA formation, and 20% reduction in TEPA exposure.

MANAGEMENT: Caution and closer monitoring for decreased efficacy and adverse effects are advised when thiotepa is used concurrently with CYP450 3A4 and/or 2B6 inhibitors. Patients should be more closely monitored for thiotepa-related toxicities such as myelosuppression, cutaneous toxicity, and neurotoxicity.

Concurrent use of cimetidine and ethanol may result in increased ethanol concentrations. The mechanism appears to be due to inhibition of gastric alcohol dehydrogenase by cimetidine, leading to increased bioavailability of the alcohol and inhibition of hepatic metabolism of alcohol. The clinical significance of this interaction is limited. More importantly, patients requiring cimetidine for gastrointestinal disease should be counseled to avoid alcohol to prevent worsening of their disease. The other H-2 receptor antagonists appear to have minimal effects on the concentrations of alcohol.

Caffeine effects may be increased in patients also taking cimetidine. The mechanism may be due to decreased caffeine metabolism induced by cimetidine. Although adequate clinical data are lacking, a reduction in dose or elimination of caffeine may be needed if excess CNS stimulation is observed.

H2 antagonists may reduce the clearance of nicotine. Cimetidine, 600 mg given twice a day for two days, reduced clearance of an intravenous nicotine dose by 30%. Ranitidine, 300 mg given twice a day for two days, reduced clearance by 10%. The clinical significance of this interaction is not known. Patients should be monitored for increased nicotine effects when using the patches or gum for smoking cessation and dosage adjustments should be made as appropriate.