Drug Interaction Report

MONITOR: Coadministration with lapatinib may increase the plasma concentrations of drugs that are substrates of the CYP450 2C8 isoenzyme, CYP450 3A4 isoenzyme, and/or P-glycoprotein (P-gp) efflux transporter. The mechanism is decreased clearance via these routes due to inhibition by lapatinib. In cancer patients treated with lapatinib and paclitaxel, a CYP450 2C8 and P-gp substrate, 24-hour systemic exposure (AUC) of paclitaxel was increased by 23%. This increase may have been underestimated from the in vivo evaluation due to study design limitations. Lapatinib also increased the 24-hour AUC of midazolam, a CYP450 3A4 probe substrate, by 45% when midazolam was administered orally and 22% when administered intravenously. Likewise, lapatinib increased the AUC of single-dose digoxin, a P-gp probe substrate, by approximately 2.8-fold.

MANAGEMENT: Caution is advised if lapatinib must be used concurrently with medications that are substrates of the CYP450 2C8 isoenzyme, CYP450 3A4 isoenzyme, and/or P-gp efflux transporter, particularly those with a narrow therapeutic range. Dosage adjustments as well as clinical and laboratory monitoring may be appropriate for some drugs whenever lapatinib is added to or withdrawn from therapy.

GENERALLY AVOID: Grapefruit juice may increase the plasma concentrations of lapatinib. The proposed mechanism is inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated first-pass metabolism in the gut wall by certain compounds present in grapefruits.

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Food can significantly increase the oral bioavailability of lapatinib. According to the manufacturer, lapatinib peak plasma concentration (Cmax) was approximately 2.5- and 3-fold higher and systemic exposure (AUC) 3- and 4-fold higher when administered with a low fat meal (5% fat; 500 calories) or with a high-fat meal (50% fat; 1000 calories), respectively, compared to fasting. Dividing the daily dose also resulted in an approximately 2-fold higher systemic exposure at steady state compared to the same total dose administered once daily.

MANAGEMENT: Patients treated with lapatinib should preferably avoid the consumption of grapefruit or grapefruit juice. The manufacturer recommends that lapatinib be administered at least one hour before or one hour after a meal. The lapatinib dose is administered once daily and should not be divided.

GENERALLY AVOID: Acute ethanol ingestion may potentiate the CNS effects of many benzodiazepines. Tolerance may develop with chronic ethanol use. The mechanism may be decreased clearance of the benzodiazepines because of CYP450 hepatic enzyme inhibition. Also, it has been suggested that the cognitive deficits induced by benzodiazepines may be increased in patients who chronically consume large amounts of alcohol.

MANAGEMENT: Patients should be advised to avoid alcohol during benzodiazepine therapy.