Risk of adverse events among older adults following co-prescription of clarithromycin and statins not metabolized by cytochrome P450 3A4.

BACKGROUND: The cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) inhibitor clarithromycin may also inhibit liver-specific organic anion-transporting polypeptides (OATP1B1 and OATP1B3). We studied whether concurrent use of clarithromycin and a statin not metabolized by CYP3A4 was associated with an increased frequency of serious adverse events. METHODS: Using large health care databases, we studied a population-based cohort of older adults (mean age 74 years) who were taking a statin not metabolized by CYP3A4 (rosuvastatin [76% of prescriptions], pravastatin [21%] or fluvastatin [3%]) between 2002 and 2013 and were newly prescribed clarithromycin (n=51,523) or azithromycin (n=52,518), the latter an antibiotic that inhibits neither CYP3A4 nor OATP1B1 and OATP1B3. Outcomes were hospital admission with a diagnostic code for rhabdomyolysis, acute kidney injury or hyperkalemia, and all-cause mortality. All outcomes were assessed within 30 days after co-prescription. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, patients co-prescribed clarithromycin and a statin not metabolized by CYP3A4 were at increased risk of hospital admission with acute kidney injury (adjusted relative risk [RR] 1.65, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.31 to 2.09), admission with hyperkalemia (adjusted RR 2.17, 95% CI 1.22 to 3.86) and all-cause mortality (adjusted RR 1.43, 95% CI 1.15 to 1.76). The adjusted RR for admission with rhabdomyolysis was 2.27 (95% CI 0.86 to 5.96). The absolute increase in risk for each outcome was small and likely below 1%, even after we considered the insensitivity of some hospital database codes. INTERPRETATION: Among older adults taking a statin not metabolized by CYP3A4, co-prescription of clarithromycin versus azithromycin was associated with a modest but statistically significant increase in the 30-day absolute risk of adverse outcomes.

Statin toxicity from macrolide antibiotic coprescription: a population-based cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Clarithromycin and erythromycin, but not azithromycin, inhibit cytochrome P450 isoenzyme 3A4 (CYP3A4), and inhibition increases blood concentrations of statins that are metabolized by CYP3A4. OBJECTIVE: To measure the frequency of statin toxicity after coprescription of a statin with clarithromycin or erythromycin. DESIGN: Population-based cohort study. SETTING: Ontario, Canada, from 2003 to 2010. PATIENTS: Continuous statin users older than 65 years who were prescribed clarithromycin (n = 72,591) or erythromycin (n = 3267) compared with those prescribed azithromycin (n = 68,478). MEASUREMENTS: The primary outcome was hospitalization with rhabdomyolysis within 30 days of the antibiotic prescription. RESULTS: Atorvastatin was the most commonly prescribed statin (73%) followed by simvastatin and lovastatin. Compared with azithromycin, coprescription of a statin with clarithromycin or erythromycin was associated with a higher risk for hospitalization with rhabdomyolysis (absolute risk increase, 0.02% [95% CI, 0.01% to 0.03%]; relative risk [RR], 2.17 [CI, 1.04 to 4.53]) or with acute kidney injury (absolute risk increase, 1.26% [CI, 0.58% to 1.95%]; RR, 1.78 [CI, 1.49 to 2.14]) and for all-cause mortality (absolute risk increase, 0.25% [CI, 0.17% to 0.33%]; RR, 1.56 [CI, 1.36 to 1.80]). LIMITATIONS: Only older adults were included in the study. The absolute risk increase for rhabdomyolysis may be underestimated because the codes used to identify it were insensitive. CONCLUSION: In older adults, coprescription of clarithromycin or erythromycin with a statin that is metabolized by CYP3A4 increases the risk for statin toxicity. PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE: Academic Medical Organization of Southwestern Ontario.

Calcium-channel blocker-clarithromycin drug interactions and acute kidney injury.

IMPORTANCE: Calcium-channel blockers are metabolized by the cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4; EC 1.14.13.97) enzyme. Blood concentrations of these drugs may rise to harmful levels when CYP3A4 activity is inhibited. Clarithromycin is an inhibitor of CYP3A4 and azithromycin is not, which makes comparisons between these 2 macrolide antibiotics useful in assessing clinically important drug interactions. OBJECTIVE: To characterize the risk of acute adverse events following coprescription of clarithromycin compared with azithromycin in older adults taking a calcium-channel blocker. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Population-based retrospective cohort study in Ontario, Canada, from 2003 through 2012 of older adults (mean age, 76 years) who were newly coprescribed clarithromycin (n = 96,226) or azithromycin (n = 94,083) while taking a calcium-channel blocker (amlodipine, felodipine, nifedipine, diltiazem, or verapamil). MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Hospitalization with acute kidney injury (primary outcome) and hospitalization with hypotension and all-cause mortality (secondary outcomes examined separately). Outcomes were assessed within 30 days of a new coprescription. RESULTS: There were no differences in measured baseline characteristics between the clarithromycin and azithromycin groups. Amlodipine was the most commonly prescribed calcium-channel blocker (more than 50% of patients). Coprescribing clarithromycin vs azithromycin with a calcium-channel blocker was associated with a higher risk of hospitalization with acute kidney injury (420 patients of 96,226 taking clarithromycin [0.44%] vs 208 patients of 94,083 taking azithromycin [0.22%]; absolute risk increase, 0.22% [95% CI, 0.16%-0.27%]; odds ratio [OR], 1.98 [95% CI, 1.68-2.34]). In a subgroup analysis, the risk was highest with dihydropyridines, particularly nifedipine (OR, 5.33 [95% CI, 3.39-8.38]; absolute risk increase, 0.63% [95% CI, 0.49%-0.78%]). Coprescription with clarithromycin was also associated with a higher risk of hospitalization with hypotension (111 patients of 96,226 taking clarithromycin [0.12%] vs 68 patients of 94,083 taking azithromycin [0.07%]; absolute risk increase, 0.04% [95% CI, 0.02%-0.07%]; OR, 1.60 [95% CI, 1.18-2.16]) and all-cause mortality (984 patients of 96,226 taking clarithromycin [1.02%] vs 555 patients of 94,083 taking azithromycin [0.59%]; absolute risk increase, 0.43% [95% CI, 0.35%-0.51%]; OR, 1.74 [95% CI, 1.57-1.93]). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Among older adults taking a calcium-channel blocker, concurrent use of clarithromycin compared with azithromycin was associated with a small but statistically significant greater 30-day risk of hospitalization with acute kidney injury. These findings support current safety warnings regarding concurrent use of CYP3A4 inhibitors and calcium-channel blockers.

Severity of coeliac disease and clinical management study when using a non-metabolised medication: a phase I pharmacokinetic study.

OBJECTIVE: The non-metabolised antihistamine fexofenadine has oral absorption resulting from transporter activity. Uptake by enterocyte organic anion transporting polypeptides and efflux by an ATP-binding cassette transporter (P-glycoprotein) are primary determinants. Coeliac disease-mediated lesions to the small intestinal mucosa may alter oral absorption of the drug probe, fexofenadine. DESIGN: A phase I, open-label, single-dose, pharmacokinetic study SETTING: London, Ontario, Canada PARTICIPANTS: Patients with coeliac disease (n=41) with positive serology and healthy individuals (n=48). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Patients with coeliac disease-duodenal histology and oral fexofenadine pharmacokinetics within a 3-week period. Healthy individuals-oral fexofenadine pharmacokinetics with water and grapefruit juice. RESULTS: Patients with coeliac disease were stratified by disease severity: Group A (n=15, normal), B+C (n=14, intraepithelial lymphocytosis with/without mild villous blunting) and D (n=12, moderate to severe villous blunting). Patients with coeliac disease in groups A, B+C and D and healthy individuals receiving water had similar fexofenadine AUC0-8 (2038±304, 2259±367, 2128±410, 1954±138 ng.h/mL; p>0.05; mean±SEM) and Cmax (440±73, 513±96, 523±104, 453±32 ng/mL; p>0.05), respectively. These four groups all had higher fexofenadine AUC0-8 (1063±59; p<0.01) and Cmax (253±18; p<0.05) compared with those for healthy individuals receiving grapefruit juice. Coeliac groups had a positive linear trend between disease severity and fexofenadine Tmax (2.0±0.3, 2.7±0.4, 3.1±0.5 hours; p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Coeliac disease severity based on duodenal histopathology did not affect oral fexofenadine bioavailability. Increased Tmax suggested absorption distal to the duodenum (jejunum + ileum), where histology seems more normal which may be the key determinant. Patients with coeliac disease may not require consideration for alternative clinical drug management for a number of non-metabolised and transport-mediated medications.

Fruit juice inhibition of uptake transport: a new type of food-drug interaction.

A new type of interaction in which fruit juices diminish oral drug bioavailability through inhibition of uptake transport is the focus of this review. The discovery was based on an opposite to anticipated finding when assessing the possibility of grapefruit juice increasing oral fexofenadine bioavailability in humans through inhibition of intestinal MDR1-mediated efflux transport. In follow-up investigations, grapefruit or orange juice at low concentrations potentially and selectively inhibited in vitro OATP1A2-mediated uptake compared with MDR1-caused efflux substrate transport. These juices at high volume dramatically depressed oral fexofenadine bioavailability. Grapefruit was the representative juice to characterize the interaction subsequently. A volume-effect relationship study using a normal juice amount halved average fexofenadine absorption. Individual variability and reproducibility data indicated the clinical interaction involved direct inhibition of intestinal OATP1A2. Naringin was a major causal component suggesting that other flavonoids in fruits and vegetables might also produce the effect. Duration of juice clinical inhibition of fexofenadine absorption lasted more than 2 h but less than 4 h indicating the interaction was avoidable with appropriate interval of time between juice and drug consumption. Grapefruit juice lowered the oral bioavailability of several medications transported by OATP1A2 (acebutolol, celiprolol, fexofenadine, talinolol, L-thyroxine) while orange juice did the same for others (atenolol, celiprolol, ciprofloxacin, fexofenadine). Juice clinical inhibition of OATP2B1 was unresolved while that of OATP1B1 seemed unlikely. The interaction between grapefruit juice and etoposide also seemed relevant. Knowledge of both affected uptake transporter and drug hydrophilicity assisted prediction of the clinical interaction with grapefruit or orange juice.

Severity of coeliac disease and clinical management study when using a CYP3A4 metabolised medication: a phase I pharmacokinetic study.

OBJECTIVE: Severity of coeliac disease depends in part on the extent of small intestinal mucosa injury. Patients with the most abnormal pathology have loss of duodenal villi CYP3A4, a drug-metabolising enzyme that inactivates many drugs. These patients are hypothesised to have greater systemic concentrations of felodipine, a drug which normally has low oral bioavailability secondary to intestinal CYP3A4-mediated metabolism. It serves as a representative for a class containing many medications. DESIGN: A phase I, open-label, single-dose, pharmacokinetic study. SETTING: London, Ontario, Canada. PARTICIPANTS: Patients with coeliac disease (n=47) with positive serology and healthy individuals (n=68). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Patients with coeliac disease-upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and oral felodipine pharmacokinetics study within a 3-week period. Healthy individuals-oral felodipine pharmacokinetics study with water and grapefruit juice. RESULTS: Coeliac stratification categories: Group A (n=15, normal), B+C (n=16, intraepithelial lymphocytosis with/without mild villous blunting) and D (n=16, moderate/severe villous blunting). Groups A, B+C and D had linear trends of increasing felodipine AUC0-8; mean±SEM, 14.4±2.1, 17.6±2.8, 25.7±5.0; p<0.05) and Cmax (3.5±0.5, 4.0±0.6, 6.4±1.1; p<0.02), respectively. Healthy subjects receiving water had lower felodipine AUC0-8 (11.9±0.9 vs 26.9±0.9, p=0.0001) and Cmax (2.9±0.2 vs 7.7±0.2, p=0.0001) relative to those receiving grapefruit juice. CONCLUSIONS: Increased felodipine concentrations in patients with coeliac disease were most probably secondary to decreased small intestinal CYP3A4 expression. Patients with severe coeliac disease and healthy individuals with grapefruit juice had equivalently enhanced effect. Thus, patients with severe coeliac disease would probably experience similarly altered drug response, including overdose toxicity, from many important medications known to be metabolised by CYP3A4. Patients with coeliac disease with severe disease should be considered for other clinical drug management, particularly when there is the potential for serious drug toxicity.

Coffee inhibition of CYP3A4 in vitro was not translated to a grapefruit-like pharmacokinetic interaction clinically.

Grapefruit can augment oral medication bioavailability through irreversible (mechanism-based) inhibition of intestinal CYP3A4. Supplementary data from our recent coffee-drug interaction clinical study showed some subjects had higher area under the plasma drug concentration - time curve (AUC) and plasma peak drug concentration (Cmax) of the CYP3A4 probe felodipine compared to aqueous control. It was hypothesized that coffee might interact like grapefruit in responsive individuals. Beans from six geographical locations were consistently brewed into coffee that was separated chromatographically to a methanolic fraction for in vitro inhibition testing of CYP3A4 metabolism of felodipine at 1% coffee strength. The effect of simultaneous incubation and 10-min preincubation with coffee fractions determined whether coffee had direct and mechanism-based inhibitory activity. A subsequent five-way randomized balanced controlled crossover clinical study evaluated the clinical pharmacokinetic interaction with single-dose felodipine. Grapefruit juice, water, or three of the in vitro tested coffees were ingested at 300 mL alone 1 h before and then with felodipine. In vitro, all six coffees decreased felodipine metabolism for both simultaneous and preincubation exposure compared to corresponding control. Five coffees demonstrated mechanism-based inhibition. Grapefruit increased felodipine AUC0-8 (25 vs. 13 ng.h/mL, P < 0.001) and Cmax (5.8 vs. 2.7 ng/mL, P < 0.001) and decreased dehydrofelodipine/felodipine AUC0-8 ratio (0.84 vs. 1.29, P < 0.001), while the three coffees caused no change in these parameters compared to water. Despite high in vitro potency of CYP3A4 inhibition, the coffees did not cause a clinical pharmacokinetic interaction possibly from insufficient amount of inhibitor(s) in coffee reaching intestinal CYP3A4 during the absorption phase of felodipine. The results of this study highlight the need for follow-up clinical testing when in vitro results indicate the possibility of an interaction.

Coffee-Antihypertensive Drug Interaction: A Hemodynamic and Pharmacokinetic Study With Felodipine.

OBJECTIVES: A period of abstinence from coffee to permit caffeine elimination appears to enable increased blood pressure on subsequent exposure. We hypothesized that this would offset the antihypertensive effect of the dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker felodipine. METHODS: A randomized, single-dose, crossover study assessed hemodynamic and pharmacokinetic effects following 2 days without coffee and caffeine-containing foods. Consistently brewed black coffee (2×300ml), felodipine maximum recommended dose (10mg), and coffee plus felodipine were tested in middle-aged normotensive subjects. RESULTS: Pretreatment plasma caffeine concentrations were unquantifiable. After coffee, blood pressure changes (mm Hg) averaged over study hours 1-4 were increased for brachial systolic (7.6, P < 0.001) and diastolic (4.9, P < 0.001) and aortic systolic (7.4, P < 0.001), pulse (3.0, P < 0.05) and augmentation (1.4, P < 0.05) relative to baseline. After coffee plus felodipine, they were higher for brachial systolic (4.0, P < 0.05) and diastolic (3.9, P < 0.001) and aortic systolic (4.6, P < 0.05) compared to felodipine alone. The pressor effects of coffee and its modulation by felodipine were variable among individuals. Coffee containing caffeine (127mg) caused maximum pressor effect. Caffeine and felodipine pharmacokinetics were similar for coffee and felodipine given alone or in combination indicating an interaction having a pharmacodynamic basis. Plasma felodipine concentration-diastolic blood pressure reduction relationship shifted with coffee such that doubling the felodipine concentration would eliminate the pressor effect. However, this may increase the risk of adverse drug events particularly during the timeframe without coffee. CONCLUSION: Intermittent coffee ingestion might complicate hypertension diagnosis and management for many individuals.

Effect of grapefruit juice volume on the reduction of fexofenadine bioavailability: possible role of organic anion transporting polypeptides.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to elucidate the potential clinical relevance and mechanism(s) of action of 2 different volumes of grapefruit juice on the reduction of bioavailability of fexofenadine, a substrate of organic anion transporting polypeptides. METHODS: Grapefruit juice or water at normal (300 mL) or high (1200 mL) volume was ingested concomitantly with 120 mg fexofenadine by 12 healthy volunteers in a randomized 4-way crossover study, and fexofenadine pharmacokinetics were determined over a period of 8 hours. RESULTS: The 300-mL volume of grapefruit juice decreased the mean area under the plasma drug concentration-time curve (AUC) and the peak plasma drug concentration of fexofenadine to 58% (P < .001) and 53% (P < .001), respectively, of those with the corresponding volume of water, and 1200 mL grapefruit juice reduced these parameters to 36% ( P < .001) and 33% ( P < .001), respectively, of those with the corresponding volume of water. The 300-mL volume of grapefruit juice diminished the AUC of fexofenadine variably among individuals. This decline correlated with baseline AUC of fexofenadine with water at equivalent volume (r(2) = 0.97, P < .0001). The 1200-mL volume of grapefruit juice decreased the AUC of fexofenadine more than the 300-mL volume of grapefruit juice compared with the corresponding volume of water in each subject by a constant amount. Grapefruit juice, 300 mL and 1200 mL, reduced the coefficient of variation of the AUC of fexofenadine by 2-fold compared with that with a matching volume of water. CONCLUSIONS: Grapefruit juice at a commonly consumed volume diminished the oral bioavailability of fexofenadine sufficiently to be pertinent clinically, likely by direct inhibition of uptake by intestinal organic anion transporting polypeptide A (OATP-A; new nomenclature, OATP1A2). A much higher volume caused an additional modest effect, possibly from reduced intestinal concentration and transit time of fexofenadine. This food-drug interaction appears to be novel and may be relevant to other fruit juices and drugs.

Grapefruit juice ingestion significantly reduces talinolol bioavailability.

OBJECTIVES: Our objectives were to evaluate the effect of single and repeated grapefruit juice ingestion relative to water on the oral pharmacokinetics of the nonmetabolized and P-glycoprotein-transported drug talinolol in humans and to assess the potential impact of grapefruit juice ingestion on P-glycoprotein and intestinal uptake transporters. METHODS: The oral pharmacokinetics of 50 mg talinolol was determined with water, with 1 glass of grapefruit juice (300 mL), and after 6 days of repeated grapefruit juice ingestion (900 mL/d) in 24 healthy white volunteers. MDR1 messenger ribonucleic acid and P-glycoprotein levels were measured in duodenal biopsy specimens obtained from 3 individuals before and after ingestion of grapefruit juice. Three commonly occurring polymorphisms in the MDR1 gene were also assessed. RESULTS: A single glass of grapefruit juice decreased the talinolol area under the serum concentration-time curve (AUC), peak serum drug concentration (Cmax), and urinary excretion values to 56% (P < .001), 57% (P < .001), and 56% (P < .001), respectively, of those with water. Repeated ingestion of grapefruit juice had a similar effect (44% to 65% reduction; P < .01). Single or repeated juice ingestion did not affect renal clearance, elimination half-life, or time to reach Cmax (tmax). MDR1 messenger ribonucleic acid and P-glycoprotein levels in duodenal biopsy specimens were not affected by grapefruit juice. MDR1 genotypes (C1236T, G2677T/A, and C3435T) were not associated with altered talinolol pharmacokinetics. CONCLUSION: Because both single and repeated ingestion of grapefruit juice lowered rather than increased talinolol AUC, our findings suggest that constituents in grapefruit juice preferentially inhibited an intestinal uptake process rather than P-glycoprotein. Moreover, grapefruit juice did not alter intestinal P-glycoprotein expression.

Bergamottin, lime juice, and red wine as inhibitors of cytochrome P450 3A4 activity: comparison with grapefruit juice.

OBJECTIVES: Our objective was to assess the importance of bergamottin in drug interactions through comparisons between grapefruit juice and lime juice and the potential for drug interactions with red wine. METHODS: Bergamottin content and in vitro reversible/irreversible inhibition of cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A4 monooxygenase activities were determined for grapefruit and lime juices. The oral pharmacokinetics of felodipine and its primary metabolite (dehydrofelodipine) were determined with 250 mL of grapefruit juice, one quarter-strength lime juice, red wine, or water in a randomized crossover study. RESULTS: Bergamottin concentrations in grapefruit and lime juices were 25 and 100 micromol/L, respectively. For reversible inhibition, log volume-residual CYP3A4 activity relationships for grapefruit and lime juices had negative linear slopes that were parallel. The curve for grapefruit juice was 4.0-fold right-shifted, as compared with that for lime juice. For irreversible inhibition, the curves for grapefruit and lime juices were 4.0- and 1.4-fold left-shifted, as compared with those for reversible inhibition, respectively. Grapefruit juice increased the mean felodipine area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) (mean +/- SE, 55 +/- 9 nmol. h/L versus 29 +/- 6 nmol. h/L; P <.05) and the plasma peak drug concentration (16 +/- 3 nmol/L versus 8 +/- 2 nmol/L, P <.05) and decreased the dehydrofelodipine/felodipine AUC ratio compared with those of water. One quarter-strength lime juice did not alter mean values. However, the changes in individual felodipine AUC after grapefruit juice and lime juice correlated (r(2) = 0.95) with a low slope (0.36). One quarter-strength lime juice more than doubled felodipine AUC and plasma peak drug concentration in 2 subjects. Red wine prolonged mean felodipine time to plasma peak drug concentration. Felodipine concentrations were low and peaked abruptly in 4 subjects. Adverse effects occurred in 1 subject. CONCLUSIONS: Bergamottin and reversible inhibition are not the primary substance and mechanism responsible for inhibition of CYP3A4 activity clinically. Red wine can cause dose dumping of extended-release felodipine in certain individuals.

Evaluation of peppermint oil and ascorbyl palmitate as inhibitors of cytochrome P4503A4 activity in vitro and in vivo.

OBJECTIVES: Our study was designed to determine the effect of peppermint oil and ascorbyl palmitate on cytochrome P4503A4 (CYP3A4) activity in vitro and oral bioavailability of felodipine in humans. METHODS: Reversible and mechanism-based inhibitions of nifedipine oxidation were studied in human liver microsomes. The oral pharmacokinetics of felodipine and its dehydrofelodipine metabolite were determined in 12 healthy volunteers after administration of felodipine, 10-mg extended-release tablet, with grapefruit juice (300 mL), peppermint oil (600 mg), ascorbyl palmitate (500 mg), or water in a randomized 4-way crossover study. RESULTS: Peppermint oil (inhibition constant [K(i)] = 35.9 +/- 3.3 microg/mL, mean +/- SEM) and 2 constituents, menthol (K(i) = 87.0 +/- 7.0 micromol/L), and menthyl acetate (K(i) = 124.0 +/- 7.0 micromol/L), produced reversible inhibition of nifedipine oxidation. Ascorbyl palmitate was more potent (K(i) = 12.3 +/- 0.5 micromol/L). None of these substances were mechanism-based inhibitors. Grapefruit juice and peppermint oil increased the area under the curve (AUC) values of felodipine to 173% (range, 94%-280%; P <.01) and 140% (range, 77%-262%; P <.05), respectively, of those with water. They augmented the peak plasma concentration (C(max)) of felodipine and the AUC and C(max) of dehydrofelodipine but did not alter the half-life (t(1/2)) of either substance. Grapefruit juice decreased the dehydrofelodipine/felodipine AUC ratio, but peppermint oil did not. Ascorbyl palmitate did not change the pharmacokinetics of felodipine or dehydrofelodipine compared with water. CONCLUSIONS: Peppermint oil, menthol, menthyl acetate, and ascorbyl palmitate were moderately potent reversible inhibitors of in vitro CYP3A4 activity. Grapefruit juice increased the oral bioavailability of felodipine by inhibition of CYP3A4-mediated presystemic drug metabolism. Peppermint oil may also have acted by this mechanism. However, this requires further investigation. Ascorbyl palmitate did not inhibit CYP3A4 activity in vivo.

Fruit juices inhibit organic anion transporting polypeptide-mediated drug uptake to decrease the oral availability of fexofenadine.

OBJECTIVES: Our objective was to examine the effect of different fruits and their constituents on P-glycoprotein and organic anion transporting polypeptide (OATP) activities in vitro and on drug disposition in humans. METHODS: P-glycoprotein-mediated digoxin or vinblastine efflux was determined in polarized epithelial cell monolayers. OATP-mediated fexofenadine uptake was measured in a transfected cell line. The oral pharmacokinetics of 120 mg fexofenadine was assessed with water, 25%-strength grapefruit juice, or normal-strength grapefruit, orange, or apple juices (1.2 L over 3 hours) in a randomized 5-way crossover study in 10 healthy subjects. RESULTS: Grapefruit juice and segments and apple juice at 5% of normal strength did not alter P-glycoprotein activity. Grapefruit extract reduced transport. 6',7'-Dihydroxybergamottin had modest inhibitory activity (50% inhibitory concentration [IC(50)], 33 micromol/L). In contrast, grapefruit, orange, and apple juices at 5% of normal strength markedly reduced human OATP and rat oatp activity. 6',7'-Dihydroxybergamottin potently inhibited rat oatp3 and oatp1 (IC(50), 0.28 micromol/L). Other furanocoumarins and bioflavonoids also reduced rat oatp3 activity. Grapefruit, orange, and apple juices decreased the fexofenadine area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC), the peak plasma drug concentration (C(max)), and the urinary excretion values to 30% to 40% of those with water, with no change in the time to reach C(max), elimination half-life, renal clearance, or urine volume in humans. Change in fexofenadine AUC with juice was variable among individuals and inversely dependent on value with water. CONCLUSIONS: Fruit juices and constituents are more potent inhibitors of OATPs than P-glycoprotein activities, which can reduce oral drug bioavailability. Results support a new model of intestinal drug absorption and mechanism of food-drug interaction.

Bergamottin contribution to the grapefruit juice-felodipine interaction and disposition in humans.

OBJECTIVES: Our objectives were to evaluate the contribution of bergamottin to the grapefruit juice-felodipine interaction and to characterize bergamottin disposition. METHODS: In this study 250 mL grapefruit juice; 2-, 6-, or 12-mg capsules of bergamottin plus water; or water was administered with 5 mg extended-release felodipine to 11 volunteers in a partially randomized, 5-way crossover study. Plasma concentrations of felodipine, its primary metabolite (dehydrofelodipine), bergamottin, and 6',7'-dihydroxybergamottin were determined. RESULTS: Grapefruit juice (containing 1.7 mg bergamottin) increased peak plasma concentration (C max ) and area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) of felodipine by 89% (P < .025) and 54% (P < .025), respectively, compared with water. With 2 mg bergamottin, felodipine C max increased by 33% (P < .05). The increase by bergamottin was markedly variable among individuals (range, -33% to 125%). With 6 mg bergamottin, felodipine C max was enhanced by 35% (P < .025), and with 12 mg bergamottin, felodipine C max increased by 40% (P < .05) and AUC increased by 37% (P < .05) compared with water. Bergamottin measured in plasma after administration of 6 and 12 mg produced C max values of 2.1 and 5.9 ng/mL, respectively, and times to reach C max of 0.8 and 1.1 hours, respectively. The bergamottin metabolite 6',7'-dihydroxybergamottin was detected in plasma of some subjects after bergamottin administration. CONCLUSIONS: Bergamottin enhanced the oral bioavailability of felodipine and may cause a clinically relevant drug interaction in susceptible individuals. Grapefruit juice-drug interactions likely also involve other furanocoumarins, possibly acting in combination by additive or synergistic mechanisms. Bergamottin has systemic availability and is metabolized in vivo to 6',7'-dihydroxybergamottin.

Interactions between grapefruit juice and cardiovascular drugs.

Grapefruit juice can alter oral drug pharmacokinetics by different mechanisms. Irreversible inactivation of intestinal cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A4 is produced by commercial grapefruit juice given as a single normal amount (e.g. 200-300 mL) or by whole fresh fruit segments. As a result, presystemic metabolism is reduced and oral drug bioavailability increased. Enhanced oral drug bioavailability can occur 24 hours after juice consumption. Inhibition of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) is a possible mechanism that increases oral drug bioavailability by reducing intestinal and/or hepatic efflux transport. Recently, inhibition of organic anion transporting polypeptides by grapefruit juice was observed in vitro; intestinal uptake transport appeared decreased as oral drug bioavailability was reduced. Numerous medications used in the prevention or treatment of coronary artery disease and its complications have been observed or are predicted to interact with grapefruit juice. Such interactions may increase the risk of rhabdomyolysis when dyslipidemia is treated with the HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors atorvastatin, lovastatin, or simvastatin. Potential alternative agents are pravastatin, fluvastatin, or rosuvastatin. Such interactions might also cause excessive vasodilatation when hypertension is managed with the dihydropyridines felodipine, nicardipine, nifedipine, nisoldipine, or nitrendipine. An alternative agent could be amlodipine. In contrast, the therapeutic effect of the angiotensin II type 1 receptor antagonist losartan may be reduced by grapefruit juice. Grapefruit juice interacting with the antidiabetic agent repaglinide may cause hypoglycemia, and interaction with the appetite suppressant sibutramine may cause elevated BP and HR. In angina pectoris, administration of grapefruit juice could result in atrioventricular conduction disorders with verapamil or attenuated antiplatelet activity with clopidrogel. Grapefruit juice may enhance drug toxicity for antiarrhythmic agents such as amiodarone, quinidine, disopyramide, or propafenone, and for the congestive heart failure drug, carvediol. Some drugs for the treatment of peripheral or central vascular disease also have the potential to interact with grapefruit juice. Interaction with sildenafil, tadalafil, or vardenafil for erectile dysfunction, may cause serious systemic vasodilatation especially when combined with a nitrate. Interaction between ergotamine for migraine and grapefruit juice may cause gangrene or stroke. In stroke, interaction with nimodipine may cause systemic hypotension. If a drug has low inherent oral bioavailability from presystemic metabolism by CYP3A4 or efflux transport by P-gp and the potential to produce serious overdose toxicity, avoidance of grapefruit juice entirely during pharmacotherapy appears mandatory. Although altered drug response is variable among individuals, the outcome is difficult to predict and avoiding the combination will guarantee toxicity is prevented. The elderly are at particular risk, as they are often prescribed medications and frequently consume grapefruit juice.

A basic conceptual and practical overview of interactions with highly prescribed drugs.

Drug interactions are frequently the result of altered activity of the mechanism(s) responsible for drug elimination. These include drug metabolism mediated by a select group of cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYP3A4, CYP2D6, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP1A2) and drug transporters (P-glycoprotein). Adverse drug interactions can result from induction (loss of therapeutic benefit) or inhibition (increased toxicity from excessive effect) of drug elimination. CYPs and P-glycoprotein are discussed individually with regards to their characteristics, frequently prescribed drug substrates, inducers and inhibitors, and important adverse drug events. The potential for important drug interactions can be predicted based on the properties of the causative agent (oral bioavailability, mechanism of elimination, seriousness of adverse event) and the interacting agent. Consequently, drug interactions can be prevented by avoiding concomitant administration of interacting substances or possibly implementing alternative therapeutic strategies. Furthermore, susceptibility to adverse events depends not only on the interacting substances, but also on the patient and the method of drug administration. Commonly prescribed drugs that are unlikely to cause a drug interaction involving CYPs or P-glycoprotein are also discussed.

Comparing two types of macrolide antibiotics for the purpose of assessing population-based drug interactions.

OBJECTIVE: Clarithromycin strongly inhibits enzyme cytochrome P450 3A4, preventing the metabolism of some other drugs, while azithromycin is a weak inhibitor. Accordingly, blood concentrations of other drugs increase with clarithromycin coprescription leading to adverse events. These macrolide antibiotics also differ on other properties that may impact outcomes. In this study, we compared outcomes in two groups of macrolide antibiotic users in the absence of potentially interacting drugs. DESIGN: Population-based retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Ontario, Canada, from 2003 to 2010. PATIENTS: Patients (mean 74 years) prescribed clarithromycin (n=52 251) or azithromycin (referent group, n=46 618). MAIN OUTCOMES: The primary outcomes were hospital admission within 30 days of a new antibiotic prescription with any of the 12 conditions examined separately (acute kidney injury, acute myocardial infarction, neuroimaging (proxy for delirium), hypotension, syncope, hyperkalaemia, hyponatraemia, hyperglycaemia, arrhythmia, ischaemic stroke, gastrointestinal bleeding and sepsis). The secondary outcome was mortality. RESULTS: The baseline characteristics of the two groups, including patient demographics, comorbid conditions, infection type and prescribing physician specialty, were nearly identical. The median daily dose was 1000 mg for clarithromycin and 300 mg for azithromycin and the median duration of dispensing antibiotics was 10 and 5 days, respectively. There was no difference between the groups in the risk of hospitalisation for any condition studied (relative risk ranged from 0.67 to 1.23). Compared with azithromycin, clarithromycin was associated with a slightly higher risk of all-cause mortality (0.46% vs 0.37%, relative risk 1.25, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.52). CONCLUSIONS: Clarithromycin can be used to assess drug interactions in population-based studies with azithromycin serving as a control group. However, any differences in mortality observed between the two antibiotic groups in the setting of other drug use may be partially attributable to factors beyond the inhibition of drug metabolising enzymes and transporters, as the difference for this outcome was significant.