Drug Interaction Report

MONITOR: Coadministration with inhibitors of CYP450 2D6 and/or 3A4 may increase the plasma concentrations of darifenacin, which is a substrate of these isoenzymes. According to the product labeling, coadministration of darifenacin (30 mg once daily) with the mixed CYP450 inhibitor cimetidine resulted in a 42% increase in the mean darifenacin steady-state peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and a 34% increase in the systemic exposure (AUC) compared to administration of darifenacin alone. The potent CYP450 2D6 inhibitor paroxetine (20 mg) increased steady-state AUC of darifenacin (30 mg once daily) by 33%. Erythromycin, a CYP450 3A4 inhibitor, increased the mean steady-state Cmax and AUC of darifenacin (30 mg once daily) by 128% and 95%, respectively. Fluconazole, another 3A4 inhibitor, increased these values by 88% and 84%, respectively.

MANAGEMENT: Pharmacologic response to darifenacin should be monitored more closely whenever a CYP450 2D6 and/or 3A4 inhibitor is added to or withdrawn from therapy, and the darifenacin dosage adjusted if necessary. Patients should be advised to contact their physician if they experience undue adverse effects of darifenacin such as severe abdominal pain or constipation for 3 or more days.

GENERALLY AVOID: In a small, randomized, crossover study, the administration of quinidine with grapefruit juice (compared to water) to healthy volunteers significantly prolonged the time to reach peak plasma quinidine concentrations and decreased the plasma concentrations of its major metabolite, 3-hydroxyquinidine. These changes were associated pharmacodynamically with both a delay and a reduction in the maximal effect on QTc interval. The proposed mechanism is delay of gastric emptying as well as inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated first-pass metabolism in the gut wall induced by certain compounds present in grapefruits.

MANAGEMENT: Given the drug's narrow therapeutic index, patients receiving quinidine therapy should avoid the consumption of grapefruits and grapefruit juice to prevent any undue fluctuations in plasma drug levels.

The consumption of grapefruit juice may be associated with increased plasma concentrations of darifenacin. The mechanism is inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated first-pass metabolism in the gut wall by certain compounds present in grapefruits. The clinical significance is unknown.