Drug Interaction Report

MONITOR: Coadministration with pralsetinib may alter the plasma concentrations of drugs that are substrates of CYP450 2C8, 2C9, 3A4, and/or 3A5. In vitro studies indicate that pralsetinib is both an inhibitor as well as an inducer of CYP450 2C8, 2C9, 3A4, and 3A5. Therefore, pralsetinib may decrease clearance via inhibition or increase clearance via induction of these isoenzymes, resulting in increased or decreased plasma concentrations of agents that are metabolized by one or more of these isoenzymes. Clinical and pharmacokinetic data are currently lacking.

MANAGEMENT: Caution is advised if pralsetinib is used concomitantly with drugs that are substrates of CYP450 2C8, 2C9, 3A4, and/or 3A5, particularly sensitive substrates or those with a narrow therapeutic range. Some authorities recommend avoiding coadministration of pralsetinib with CYP450 2C8, 2C9, 3A4, and/or 3A5 substrates for which minimal concentration changes may lead to therapeutic failure or serious toxicities. If coadministration is required, dosage adjustments as well as clinical and laboratory monitoring may be appropriate whenever pralsetinib is added to or withdrawn from therapy.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.

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Food significantly increases the oral bioavailability of pralsetinib. According to the product labeling, administration of pralsetinib (200 mg) with a high-fat meal (approximately 800 to 1000 calories; 50% to 60% from fat) increased mean pralsetinib peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and systemic exposure (AUC) by 104% and 122%, respectively. The median time to maximum concentration (Tmax) was delayed from 4 hours to 8.5 hours, when compared to the fasted state.

GENERALLY AVOID: The juice of grapefruit and/or Seville oranges may increase the plasma concentrations of pralsetinib. The proposed mechanism is inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated first-pass metabolism in the gut wall by certain compounds present in grapefruit and Seville oranges. In general, the effect of grapefruit juice is concentration-, dose- and preparation-dependent, and can vary widely among brands. Certain preparations of grapefruit juice (e.g., high dose, double strength) have sometimes demonstrated potent inhibition of CYP450 3A4, while other preparations (e.g., low dose, single strength) have typically demonstrated moderate inhibition. Increased exposure to pralsetinib may increase the risk of adverse effects such as interstitial lung disease/pneumonitis, liver transaminase elevations, hypertension, and hemorrhage. Some clinical trials have also observed prolongation of the QT interval in patients on pralsetinib, though this was not observed in a study of 34 patients with rearranged during transfection (RET)-altered solid tumors on pralsetinib at the recommended dosage.

MANAGEMENT: Pralsetinib should be administered on an empty stomach, with no food intake recommended for at least 2 hours before and at least 1 hour after taking the medication. Patients should avoid consumption of grapefruit, grapefruit juice, Seville oranges, or Seville orange juice during treatment with pralsetinib.

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.