Drug Interaction Report

MONITOR: Based on in vitro data, coadministration with inhibitors of CYP450 3A4 may increase the plasma concentrations of dutasteride, which is metabolized by the isoenzyme. No clinical drug interaction studies have been conducted. However, a population pharmacokinetic analysis found decreased clearance of dutasteride when it is coadministered with the moderate CYP450 3A4 inhibitors, verapamil and diltiazem (37% and 44%, respectively). In contrast, no decrease in dutasteride clearance was seen during coadministration with amlodipine, a calcium channel blocker that is not a CYP450 3A4 inhibitor.

MANAGEMENT: The possibility of prolonged and/or increased pharmacologic effects of dutasteride should be considered during concomitant therapy with CYP450 3A4 inhibitors, particularly potent ones like itraconazole, ketoconazole, posaconazole, voriconazole, conivaptan, nefazodone, cobicistat, delavirdine, protease inhibitors, and ketolide and certain macrolide antibiotics.

MONITOR: Based on in vitro data, coadministration with inhibitors of CYP450 3A4 may increase the plasma concentrations of dutasteride, which is metabolized by the isoenzyme. No clinical drug interaction studies have been conducted. However, a population pharmacokinetic analysis found decreased clearance of dutasteride when it is coadministered with the moderate CYP450 3A4 inhibitors, verapamil and diltiazem (37% and 44%, respectively). In contrast, no decrease in dutasteride clearance was seen during coadministration with amlodipine, a calcium channel blocker that is not a CYP450 3A4 inhibitor.

MANAGEMENT: The possibility of prolonged and/or increased pharmacologic effects of dutasteride should be considered during concomitant therapy with CYP450 3A4 inhibitors, particularly potent ones like itraconazole, ketoconazole, posaconazole, voriconazole, conivaptan, nefazodone, cobicistat, delavirdine, protease inhibitors, and ketolide and certain macrolide antibiotics.

Although some in vitro data indicate synergism between macrolide antibiotics and penicillins, other in vitro data indicate antagonism. When these drugs are given together, neither has predictable therapeutic efficacy. Data are available for erythromycin, although theoretically this interaction could occur with any macrolide. Except for monitoring of the effectiveness of antibiotic therapy, no special precautions appear to be necessary.

Grapefruit juice may delay the gastrointestinal absorption of clarithromycin but does not appear to affect the overall extent of absorption or inhibit the metabolism of clarithromycin. The mechanism of interaction is unknown but may be related to competition for intestinal CYP450 3A4 and/or absorptive sites. In an open-label, randomized, crossover study consisting of 12 healthy subjects, coadministration with grapefruit juice increased the time to reach peak plasma concentration (Tmax) of both clarithromycin and 14-hydroxyclarithromycin (the active metabolite) by 80% and 104%, respectively, compared to water. Other pharmacokinetic parameters were not significantly altered. This interaction is unlikely to be of clinical significance.