Ibrutinib is primarily metabolised by cytochrome P450 enzyme 3A4 (CYP3A4).
Agents that may increase ibrutinib plasma concentrations: Concomitant use of IMBRUVICA and medicinal products that strongly or moderately inhibit CYP3A4 can increase ibrutinib exposure and strong CYP3A4 inhibitors should be avoided.
Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors: Co-administration of ketoconazole, a very strong CYP3A4 inhibitor, in 18 fasted healthy subjects, increased exposure (Cmax and AUC) of ibrutinib by 29- and 24-fold, respectively. Simulations using fasted conditions suggested that the strong CYP3A4 inhibitor clarithromycin may increase the AUC of ibrutinib by a factor of 14. In patients with B-cell malignancies taking IMBRUVICA with food, co-administration of the strong CYP3A4 inhibitor voriconazole increased Cmax by 6.7-fold and AUC by 5.7-fold. Strong inhibitors of CYP3A4 (e.g., ketoconazole, indinavir, nelfinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir, clarithromycin, telithromycin, itraconazole, nefazodone, cobicistat, voriconazole and posaconazole) should be avoided. If the benefit outweighs the risk and a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor must be used, reduce the IMBRUVICA dose to 140 mg for the duration of the inhibitor use or withhold IMBRUVICA temporarily (for 7 days or less). Monitor patient closely for toxicity and follow dose modification guidance as needed (see Dosage & Administration and Precautions).
Moderate CYP3A4 inhibitors: In patients with B-cell malignancies taking IMBRUVICA with food, co-administration of the CYP3A4 inhibitor erythromycin increased Cmax by 3.4-fold and AUC by 3.0-fold. If a moderate CYP3A4 inhibitor (e.g., fluconazole, erythromycin, amprenavir, aprepitant, atazanavir, ciprofloxacin, crizotinib, diltiazem, fosamprenavir, imatinib, verapamil, amiodarone and dronedarone) is indicated, reduce IMBRUVICA dose to 280 mg for the duration of the inhibitor use. Monitor patient closely for toxicity and follow dose modification guidance as needed (see Dosage & Administration and Precautions).
Mild CYP3A4 inhibitors: Simulations using fasted conditions suggested that the mild CYP3A4 inhibitors azithromycin and fluvoxamine may increase the AUC of ibrutinib by <2-fold. No dose adjustment is required in combination with mild inhibitors. Monitor patient closely for toxicity and follow dose modification guidance as needed.
Co-administration of grapefruit juice, containing CYP3A4 inhibitors, in eight healthy subjects, increased exposure (Cmax and AUC) of ibrutinib by approximately 4- and 2-fold, respectively. Grapefruit and Seville oranges should be avoided during IMBRUVICA treatment, as these contain moderate inhibitors of CYP3A4 (see Dosage & Administration).
Agents that may decrease ibrutinib plasma concentrations: Administration of IMBRUVICA with inducers of CYP3A4 can decrease ibrutinib plasma concentrations.
Co-administration of rifampicin, a strong CYP3A4 inducer, in 18 fasted healthy subjects, decreased exposure (Cmax and AUC) of ibrutinib by 92 and 90%, respectively. Avoid concomitant use of strong or moderate CYP3A4 inducers (e.g., carbamazepine, rifampicin, phenytoin). Preparations containing St. John's Wort are contraindicated during treatment with IMBRUVICA, as efficacy may be reduced. Consider alternative agents with less CYP3A4 induction. If the benefit outweighs the risk and a strong or moderate CYP3A4 inducer must be used, monitor patient closely for lack of efficacy (see Contraindications and Precautions). Mild inducers may be used concomitantly with IMBRUVICA, however, patients should be monitored for potential lack of efficacy.
Ibrutinib has a pH dependent solubility, with lower solubility at higher pH. A lower Cmax was observed in fasted healthy subjects administered a single 560 mg dose of ibrutinib after taking omeprazole at 40 mg once daily for 5 days (see Pharmacology: Pharmacokinetics under Actions). There is no evidence that the lower Cmax would have clinical significance, and medicinal products that increase stomach pH (e.g., proton pump inhibitors) have been used without restrictions in the pivotal clinical studies.
Agents that may have their plasma concentrations altered by ibrutinib: Ibrutinib is a P-gp and breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP) inhibitor in vitro. As no clinical data are available on this interaction, it cannot be excluded that ibrutinib could inhibit intestinal P-gp and BCRP after a therapeutic dose. To minimise the potential for an interaction in the GI tract, oral narrow therapeutic range, P-gp or BCRP substrates such as digoxin or methotrexate should be taken at least 6 hours before or after IMBRUVICA. Ibrutinib may also inhibit BCRP in the liver and increase the exposure of medicinal products that undergo BCRP-mediated hepatic efflux, such as rosuvastatin.
In a drug interaction study in patients with B-cell malignancies, a single 560 mg dose of ibrutinib did not have a clinically meaningful effect on the exposure of the CYP3A4 substrate midazolam. In the same study, 2 weeks of treatment with ibrutinib at 560 mg daily had no clinically relevant effect on the pharmacokinetics of oral contraceptives (ethinylestradiol and levonorgestrel), the CYP3A4 substrate midazolam, nor the CYP2B6 substrate bupropion.