Drug Interaction Report

GENERALLY AVOID: Coadministration with potent inhibitors of CYP450 3A4 may significantly increase the plasma concentrations of eletriptan, which is primarily metabolized by the isoenzyme. According to the product labeling, eletriptan peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and systemic exposure (AUC) increased by nearly 3-fold and 6-fold, respectively, during coadministration with ketoconazole (400 mg). The half-life increased from 5 hours to 8 hours. Likewise, erythromycin (1000 mg) increased eletriptan Cmax by 2-fold and AUC by nearly 4-fold, while half-life increased from about 5 hours to 7 hours. Clinically, this interaction may result in increased risk of vasospastic reactions associated with the use of 5-HT1 receptor agonists, such as coronary artery vasospasm, peripheral vascular ischemia, and colonic ischemia.

MANAGEMENT: Eletriptan should not be used within at least 72 hours of treatment with potent CYP450 3A4 inhibitors. Alternatively, other 5-HT1 receptor agonists that are not metabolized by CYP450 3A4 may be considered, such as frovatriptan, naratriptan, rizatriptan, sumatriptan, and zolmitriptan.

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Food significantly increases the absorption of saquinavir.

MONITOR: Coadministration with grapefruit juice may increase the plasma concentrations of saquinavir. The primary mechanism is inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated first-pass metabolism in the gut wall by certain compounds present in grapefruits. In eight healthy volunteers, ingestion of 400 mL of grapefruit juice prior to administration of a 600 mg dose of saquinavir mesylate increased the area under the plasma concentration-time curve and oral bioavailability of saquinavir by 50% and 100%, respectively, compared to water; however, the increase is not considered clinically relevant. A high degree of intersubject variability in the grapefruit juice effect was also observed. The extent to which this interaction may occur with the saquinavir free base soft gelatin capsule is unknown. However, the saquinavir soft gelatin capsule formulation is no longer commercially available.

MANAGEMENT: Saquinavir mesylate should be taken with meals or within 2 hours after eating to enhance bioavailability. Patients should be advised to avoid the consumption of large amounts of grapefruit and grapefruit juice during saquinavir therapy unless otherwise directed by their doctor, as the interaction is unreliable and subject to a high degree of interpatient variation.