Drug Interaction Report

MONITOR: Coadministration of temsirolimus with inhibitors of CYP450 3A4 may increase the plasma concentrations of sirolimus, a major active metabolite of temsirolimus and known substrate of CYP450 3A4. According to the product labeling, administration of temsirolimus in combination with the potent CYP450 3A4 inhibitor ketoconazole resulted in a 2.2-fold and 3.1-fold increase in sirolimus peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and systemic exposure (AUC), respectively, compared to administration of temsirolimus alone. No significant effect on the pharmacokinetics of temsirolimus was reported.

MANAGEMENT: Caution is advised if temsirolimus is prescribed in combination with CYP450 3A4 inhibitors. Pharmacologic response to temsirolimus should be monitored more closely whenever a CYP450 3A4 inhibitor is added to or withdrawn from therapy, and the temsirolimus dosage adjusted as necessary. Patients should be advised to contact their physician if they experience increased adverse effects of temsirolimus such as hyperglycemia (e.g., excessive thirst; increased volume and/or frequency of urination), infections, fever, dyspnea, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and bloody stools.

GENERALLY AVOID: Coadministration of temsirolimus with grapefruit juice may increase the plasma concentrations of sirolimus, a major active metabolite of temsirolimus and known substrate of CYP450 3A4. The proposed mechanism is inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated metabolism by certain compounds present in grapefruits.

MANAGEMENT: Patients treated with temsirolimus should preferably avoid the consumption of grapefruit or grapefruit juice.

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.