Cyclosporine CYP3A4/5/7 substrate

Posaconazole is the newest triazole to be licensed in the USA. It is available only in a liquid oral formulation and is used at a dosage of 800 mg/d, divided into two or three doses. Absorption is improved when taken with meals high in fat. Posaconazole is rapidly distributed to the tissues, resulting in high tissue levels but relatively low blood levels. Visual changes have not been reported, but drug interactions with increased levels of CYP3A4 substrates such as tacrolimus and cyclosporine have been documented. 

Not all predicted drug interactions are expected to be clinically significant. For example, nifedipine and cyclosporine are both CYP3A4 substrates, but there is no clinically important drug interaction noticed.To predict the drug interaction, several parameters are expected to be important. These include notably ... 

Telithromycin has several clinically significant drug interactions similar to those for erythromycin. It is both a substrate and a strong inhibitor of CYP3A4. Coadministration of rifampin, a potent inducer of CYP, decreases the serum concentrations of telithromycin by 80%. CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g., itraconazole) increase peak serum concentrations of telithromycin. Serum concentrations of CYP3A4 substrates (e.g., pimozide, cisapride, midazolam, statins, cyclosporine, phenytoin) are increased by telithromycin. Telithromycin also increases peak serum concentrations of metoprolol and digoxin. 

The co-administration of drugs which induce the metabolic enzymes in the liver or small intestine can reduce the plasma concentrations of drugs which are substrates of the enzyme, leading to reduced drug effects. For example, the plasma concentrations of many drugs which are substrates of the enzyme CYP3A4, such as cyclosporine, are decreased by coadministration of rifampicin, which is an inducer of CYP3A4. 

Substrates of the CYP3A4 isozyme will compete with cyclosporine, tacrolimus, and sirolimus for metabolism therefore, concentrations of both medications may be increased (usually by less than or equal to 20%). bnducers of the CYP3A4 isozyme will enhance the metabolism of cyclosporine, tacrolimus, and sirolimus therefore, concentrations of these medications may be decreased. 

The enzyme is the principal participant in N-demethylation reactions where the substrate is a tertiary amine. The list of substrates includes erythromycin, ethylmor-phine, lidocaine, diltiazem, tamoxifen, toremifene, verapamil, cocaine, amiodarone, alfentanil and terfenadine. Carbon atoms in the allylic and benzylic positions, such as those present in quinidine, steroids and cyclosporin A, are also particularly prone to oxidation by CYP3A4, a range of substrates is illustrated in Figure 7.10. 

The available case reports in the FDA AERS support the published literature that there are pharmacokinetic interactions between St. John s wort and CYP3A4 and/or p-glycoprotein substrates, such as cyclosporine, levonorgestrel/estradiol and sildenafil, and pharmacodynamic interactions with the SSRIs or MAOI. Subsequent clinical studies including those conducted via a CDER clinical pharmacology research cooperative agreement (14—16) provided mechanistic basis of many of these interactions (refer to Chapter 4). 

Sirolimus is metabolized by CYP2A4 and is a substrate of the P-glycoprotein drug efflux pump drugs like voriconazole, itraconazole, fluconazole and erythromycin increase its blood concentration. Conversely, the inducers of CYP3A4 will decrease blood levels of sirolimus. Cyclosporine increases the bioavailability of sirolimus, possibly due to P-GP inhibition and competition for CYP3A4. The bioavailability is more than 30-40% when the two drugs are administered 4 h apart and is more than... 

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