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Drug overview for BELSOMRA (suvorexant):
Generic name: SUVOREXANT (SOO-voe-REX-ant)
Drug class: Hypnotics
Therapeutic class: Central Nervous System Agents
Suvorexant, an orexin receptor antagonist, is a hypnotic agent.
No enhanced Uses information available for this drug.
Generic name: SUVOREXANT (SOO-voe-REX-ant)
Drug class: Hypnotics
Therapeutic class: Central Nervous System Agents
Suvorexant, an orexin receptor antagonist, is a hypnotic agent.
No enhanced Uses information available for this drug.
DRUG IMAGES
BELSOMRA 10 MG TABLET
BELSOMRA 20 MG TABLET
BELSOMRA 15 MG TABLET
The following indications for BELSOMRA (suvorexant) have been approved by the FDA:
Indications:
Insomnia
Professional Synonyms:
Agrypnia
Ahypnia
Indications:
Insomnia
Professional Synonyms:
Agrypnia
Ahypnia
The following dosing information is available for BELSOMRA (suvorexant):
The smallest effective dosage of suvorexant should be used.
For the management of insomnia, the recommended adult dosage of suvorexant is 10 mg no more than once per night. If the 10-mg dose is well tolerated but not effective, dosage may be increased but should not exceed 20 mg once per night.
When used concomitantly with a moderate cytochrome P-450 (CYP) 3A inhibitor, the recommended dosage of suvorexant is 5 mg no more than once per night; the dosage should generally not exceed 10 mg once per night. Concomitant use of strong CYP3A inhibitors is not recommended.
When used concomitantly with other CNS depressants, dosage adjustment of suvorexant or the other CNS depressant may be necessary because of potential additive effects.
For the management of insomnia, the recommended adult dosage of suvorexant is 10 mg no more than once per night. If the 10-mg dose is well tolerated but not effective, dosage may be increased but should not exceed 20 mg once per night.
When used concomitantly with a moderate cytochrome P-450 (CYP) 3A inhibitor, the recommended dosage of suvorexant is 5 mg no more than once per night; the dosage should generally not exceed 10 mg once per night. Concomitant use of strong CYP3A inhibitors is not recommended.
When used concomitantly with other CNS depressants, dosage adjustment of suvorexant or the other CNS depressant may be necessary because of potential additive effects.
Suvorexant is administered orally no more than once per night, within 30 minutes of bedtime and at least 7 hours before the planned time of awakening. Although suvorexant may be administered without regard to meals, administration with or immediately after a meal decreases the rate of drug absorption and may delay the onset of effect. (See Description.)
| DRUG LABEL | DOSING TYPE | DOSING INSTRUCTIONS |
|---|---|---|
| BELSOMRA 5 MG TABLET | Maintenance | Adults take 1 tablet (5 mg) by oral route once per night within 30 minutes of bedtime. (Only if at least 7 hrs remain before time of waking) |
| BELSOMRA 10 MG TABLET | Maintenance | Adults take 1 tablet (10 mg) by oral route once per night within 30 minutes of bedtime. (Only if at least 7 hrs remain before time of waking) |
| BELSOMRA 15 MG TABLET | Maintenance | Adults take 1 tablet (15 mg) by oral route once per night within 30 minutes of bedtime. (Only if at least 7 hrs remain before time of waking) |
| BELSOMRA 20 MG TABLET | Maintenance | Adults take 1 tablet (20 mg) by oral route once per night within 30 minutes of bedtime. (Only if at least 7 hrs remain before time of waking) |
No generic dosing information available.
The following drug interaction information is available for BELSOMRA (suvorexant):
There are 1 contraindications.
These drug combinations generally should not be dispensed or administered to the same patient. A manufacturer label warning that indicates the contraindication warrants inclusion of a drug combination in this category, regardless of clinical evidence or lack of clinical evidence to support the contraindication.
| Drug Interaction | Drug Names |
|---|---|
| Lemborexant (Greater Than 5 mg)/Weak CYP3A4 Inhibitors SEVERITY LEVEL: 1-Contraindicated Drug Combination: This drug combination is contraindicated and generally should not be dispensed or administered to the same patient. MECHANISM OF ACTION: Inhibitors of CYP3A4 may inhibit the metabolism of lemborexant.(1) CLINICAL EFFECTS: Concurrent use of an inhibitor of CYP3A4 may result in increased levels of and effects from lemborexant, including somnolence, fatigue, CNS depressant effects, daytime impairment, headache, and nightmare or abnormal dreams.(1) PREDISPOSING FACTORS: None determined. PATIENT MANAGEMENT: The maximum recommended dose of lemborexant with concurrent use of a weak CYP3A4 inhibitors should not exceed 5 mg per dose.(1) DISCUSSION: Lemborexant is a CYP3A4 substrate. In a PKPB model, concurrent use of lemborexant with itraconazole increased area-under-curve (AUC) and concentration maximum (Cmax) by 3.75-fold and 1.5-fold, respectively. Concurrent use of lemborexant with fluconazole increased AUC and Cmax by 4.25-fold and 1.75-fold, respectively.(1) Weak inhibitors of CYP3A4 include: alprazolam, amiodarone, amlodipine, asciminib, azithromycin, Baikal skullcap, belumosudil, berberine, bicalutamide, blueberry, brodalumab, cannabidiol, capivasertib, chlorzoxazone, cilostazol, cimetidine, ciprofloxacin, clotrimazole, cranberry, cyclosporine, daclatasvir, daridorexant, delavirdine, dihydroberberine, diosmin, everolimus, flibanserin, fosaprepitant, fostamatinib, gepotidacin, ginkgo, givinostat, glecaprevir/pibrentasvir, goldenseal, grazoprevir, isoniazid, istradefylline, ivacaftor, lacidipine, lapatinib, larotrectinib, lazertinib, leflunomide, levamlodipine, linagliptin, lomitapide, lurasidone, mavorixafor, olaparib, osilodrostat, palbociclib, pazopanib, peppermint oil, piperine, propiverine, propofol, ranitidine, ranolazine, remdesivir, resveratrol, roxithromycin, rucaparib, selpercatinib, simeprevir, sitaxsentan, skullcap, suvorexant, teriflunomide, ticagrelor, tolvaptan, trofinetide, viloxazine, and vonoprazan.(1,2) |
DAYVIGO |
There are 5 severe interactions.
These drug interactions can produce serious consequences in most patients. Actions required for severe interactions include, but are not limited to, discontinuing one or both agents, adjusting dosage, altering administration scheduling, and providing additional patient monitoring. Review the full interaction monograph for more information.
| Drug Interaction | Drug Names |
|---|---|
| Ramelteon; Suvorexant; Tasimelteon/Strong CYP3A4 Inducers SEVERITY LEVEL: 2-Severe Interaction: Action is required to reduce the risk of severe adverse interaction. MECHANISM OF ACTION: Strong CYP3A4 inducers may induce the metabolism of ramelteon, suvorexant or tasimelteon.(1-3) CLINICAL EFFECTS: Concurrent use with strong inducers of CYP3A4 may result in substantially lower systemic concentrations and decreased efficacy of ramelteon, suvorexant or tasimelteon.(1-3) PREDISPOSING FACTORS: Induction effects may be more likely with regular use of the inducer for longer than 1-2 weeks. PATIENT MANAGEMENT: Ramelteon: The manufacturer notes that ramelteon efficacy may be reduced when used in combination with a strong CYP3A4 inducer.(1) Suvorexant: If possible, use alternatives to strong CYP3A4 inducers in patients who require suvorexant therapy. Patients requiring concurrent therapy may need larger doses of suvorexant; however, the maximum daily dose of 20 mg should not be exceeded.(2) Tasimelteon: The manufacturer of tasimelteon recommends avoiding concurrent use with strong CYP3A4 inducers due to the potentially large decrease in tasimelteon exposure and reduced efficacy.(3) DISCUSSION: Rifampin (600 mg daily for 11 days) decreased both maximum concentration (Cmax) and total exposure (area-under-curve or AUC) to ramelteon by 80%.(1) In an interaction study, rifampin substantially decreased levels of suvorexant. Suvorexant AUC and Cmax decreased by approximately 90% and 70%, respectively.(2) Rifampin (600 mg daily for 11 days) decreased exposure to tasimelteon by 90%.(3) Strong inducers of CYP3A4 include apalutamide, barbiturates, carbamazepine, encorafenib, enzalutamide, fosphenytoin, ivosidenib, lumacaftor, mitotane, phenobarbital, phenytoin, primidone, rifampin, rifapentine and St. John's wort.(4-5) |
ASA-BUTALB-CAFFEINE-CODEINE, ASCOMP WITH CODEINE, BRAFTOVI, BUTALB-ACETAMINOPH-CAFF-CODEIN, BUTALBITAL, BUTALBITAL-ACETAMINOPHEN, BUTALBITAL-ACETAMINOPHEN-CAFFE, BUTALBITAL-ASPIRIN-CAFFEINE, CARBAMAZEPINE, CARBAMAZEPINE ER, CARBATROL, CEREBYX, DILANTIN, DILANTIN-125, DONNATAL, EPITOL, EQUETRO, ERLEADA, FIORICET, FIORICET WITH CODEINE, FOSPHENYTOIN SODIUM, LYSODREN, MITOTANE, MYSOLINE, ORKAMBI, PENTOBARBITAL SODIUM, PHENOBARBITAL, PHENOBARBITAL SODIUM, PHENOBARBITAL-BELLADONNA, PHENOBARBITAL-HYOSC-ATROP-SCOP, PHENOHYTRO, PHENYTEK, PHENYTOIN, PHENYTOIN SODIUM, PHENYTOIN SODIUM EXTENDED, PRIFTIN, PRIMIDONE, RIFADIN, RIFAMPIN, SEZABY, TEGRETOL, TEGRETOL XR, TENCON, TIBSOVO, XTANDI |
| Suvorexant (Greater Than 10 mg)/Moderate CYP3A4 Inhibitors SEVERITY LEVEL: 2-Severe Interaction: Action is required to reduce the risk of severe adverse interaction. MECHANISM OF ACTION: Moderate and strong inhibitors of CYP3A4 may inhibit the metabolism of suvorexant.(1) CLINICAL EFFECTS: Concurrent use of an agent that is a moderate or strong inhibitor of CYP3A4 may result in elevated levels of and clinical effects of suvorexant.(1) PREDISPOSING FACTORS: None determined. PATIENT MANAGEMENT: The US manufacturer of suvorexant recommends a starting dose of 5 mg daily and a maximum dose of 10 mg daily in patients receiving concomitant therapy with a moderate inhibitor of CYP3A4.(1) Concurrent use with strong inhibitors of CYP3A4 is not recommended.(1) DISCUSSION: Diltiazem, a moderate inhibitor of CYP3A4, increased suvorexant AUC and Cmax by approximately 2-fold and 1.25-fold, respectively.(1) Ketoconazole, a strong inhibitor of CYP3A4, increased suvorexant area-under-curve (AUC) and maximum concentration (Cmax) by approximately 2.75-fold and 1.25-fold, respectively.(1) Moderate inhibitors of CYP3A4 include: amprenavir, aprepitant, avacopan, berotralstat, clofazimine, conivaptan, crizotinib, diltiazem, dronedarone, duvelisib, erythromycin, fedratinib, fluconazole, fluvoxamine, fosamprenavir, fosnetupitant, imatinib, isavuconazonium, lenacapavir, letermovir, netupitant, nilotinib, schisandra, tofisopam, treosulfan and verapamil.(1-3) |
AKYNZEO, APONVIE, APREPITANT, CARDIZEM, CARDIZEM CD, CARDIZEM LA, CARTIA XT, CINVANTI, CLOFAZIMINE, CONIVAPTAN-D5W, COPIKTRA, CRESEMBA, DANZITEN, DIFLUCAN, DILT-XR, DILTIAZEM 12HR ER, DILTIAZEM 24HR ER, DILTIAZEM 24HR ER (CD), DILTIAZEM 24HR ER (LA), DILTIAZEM 24HR ER (XR), DILTIAZEM HCL, DILTIAZEM HCL-0.7% NACL, DILTIAZEM HCL-0.9% NACL, DILTIAZEM HCL-NACL, DILTIAZEM-D5W, E.E.S. 200, E.E.S. 400, EMEND, ERY-TAB, ERYPED 200, ERYPED 400, ERYTHROCIN LACTOBIONATE, ERYTHROCIN STEARATE, ERYTHROMYCIN, ERYTHROMYCIN ESTOLATE, ERYTHROMYCIN ETHYLSUCCINATE, ERYTHROMYCIN LACTOBIONATE, FLUCONAZOLE, FLUCONAZOLE-NACL, FLUVOXAMINE MALEATE, FLUVOXAMINE MALEATE ER, FOSAMPRENAVIR CALCIUM, GLEEVEC, GRAFAPEX, IMATINIB MESYLATE, IMKELDI, INREBIC, MATZIM LA, MULTAQ, NILOTINIB HCL, ORLADEYO, PREVYMIS, SUNLENCA, TASIGNA, TAVNEOS, TIADYLT ER, TIAZAC, TRANDOLAPRIL-VERAPAMIL ER, VAPRISOL-5% DEXTROSE, VERAPAMIL ER, VERAPAMIL ER PM, VERAPAMIL HCL, VERAPAMIL SR, XALKORI |
| Opioids (Cough and Cold)/Sleep Drugs SEVERITY LEVEL: 2-Severe Interaction: Action is required to reduce the risk of severe adverse interaction. MECHANISM OF ACTION: Concurrent use of opioids and sleep drugs or tranquilizers may result in additive CNS depression and sleep-related disorders.(1) CLINICAL EFFECTS: Concurrent use of opioids and other CNS depressants, such as sleep drugs or tranquilizers, may result in profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and/or death.(1) Concurrent use of opioids with eszopiclone, zaleplon, or zolpidem may increase the risk of sleep-related disorders including central sleep apnea and sleep-related hypoxemia, and complex sleep behaviors like sleepwalking, sleep driving, and other activities while not fully awake. Rarely, serious injuries or death have resulted from complex sleep behaviors.(2) PREDISPOSING FACTORS: Concurrent use of alcohol or other CNS depressants may increase the risk of adverse effects. PATIENT MANAGEMENT: Avoid prescribing opioid-including cough medications for patients taking CNS depressants such as sleep drugs or tranquilizers.(1) Respiratory depression can occur at any time during opioid therapy, especially during therapy initiation and following dosage increases. Consider this risk when using concurrently with other agents that may cause CNS depression.(3) If concurrent use is necessary, monitor patients for unusual dizziness or lightheadedness, extreme sleepiness, slowed or difficult breathing, or unresponsiveness.(1) Eszopiclone, zaleplon, and zolpidem are contraindicated in patients who have had a previous episode of complex sleep behavior.(2) Discuss naloxone with all patients when prescribing or renewing an opioid analgesic or medicine to treat opioid use disorder (OUD). Consider prescribing naloxone to patients prescribed medicines to treat OUD or opioid analgesics (such as those taking CNS depressants) who are at increased risk of opioid overdose and when a patient has household members/close contacts at risk for accidental overdose.(4) DISCUSSION: Between 2002 and 2014, the number of patients receiving an opioid analgesic increased 8%, from 75 million to 81 million patients, and the number of patients receiving a benzodiazepine increased 31%, from 23 million to 30 million patients. During this time, the proportion of patients receiving concurrent therapy increased 31%, from 23 million to 30 million patients.(5) From 2004 to 2011, the rate of nonmedical use-related emergency room visits involving both opioids and benzodiazepines increased from 11 to 34.2 per 100,000 and drug overdose deaths involving both opioids and benzodiazepines increased from 0.6 to 1.7 per 100,000. The proportion of prescription opioid analgesic deaths which also involved benzodiazepines increased from 18% to 31% during this time.(6) A prospective observational cohort study in North Carolina found that the rates of overdose death among patients co-dispensed opioid analgesics and benzodiazepines were 10 times higher than patients receiving opioid analgesics alone.(7) A case-cohort study of VA data from 2004-2009 found that the risk of death from overdose increased with concomitant opioid analgesics and benzodiazepines. Compared to patients with no history of benzodiazepines, patients with a history of benzodiazepine use (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.33) and patients with a current benzodiazepine prescription (HR=3.86) had an increased risk of fatal overdose.(8) A study found that opioid analgesics contributed to 77% of deaths in which benzodiazepines were determined to be a cause of death and that benzodiazepines contributed to 30% of deaths in which opioid analgesics were determined to be a cause of death. This study also found that other CNS depressants (including barbiturates, antipsychotic and neuroleptic drugs, antiepileptic and antiparkinsonian drugs, anesthetics, autonomic nervous system drugs, and muscle relaxants) were contributory to death in many cases where opioid analgesics were also implicated.(9) A study found that alcohol was involved in 18.5% of opioid analgesic abuse-related ED visits and 22.1 percent of opioid analgesic-related deaths.(10) As of April 2019, the FDA had identified 66 cases of complex sleep behaviors with eszopiclone, zaleplon, or zolpidem, of which 20 cases resulted in death and the remainder resulted in serious injuries. It was not reported how many of the cases involved concomitant use of other CNS depressants.(2) |
HYCODAN, HYDROCODONE-CHLORPHENIRAMNE ER, HYDROCODONE-HOMATROPINE MBR, HYDROMET, PROMETHAZINE-CODEINE, TUXARIN ER |
| Eliglustat/Weak CYP3A4 Inhibitors SEVERITY LEVEL: 2-Severe Interaction: Action is required to reduce the risk of severe adverse interaction. MECHANISM OF ACTION: Weak inhibitors of CYP3A4 may inhibit the metabolism of eliglustat. If the patient is also taking an inhibitor of CYP2D6, eliglustat metabolism can be further inhibited.(1) CLINICAL EFFECTS: Concurrent use of an agent that is a weak inhibitor of CYP3A4 may result in elevated levels of and clinical effects of eliglustat, including prolongation of the PR, QTc, and/or QRS intervals, which may result in life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias.(1) PREDISPOSING FACTORS: If the patient is also taking an inhibitor of CYP2D6, is a poor metabolizer of CYP2D6, and/or has hepatic impairment, eliglustat metabolism can be further inhibited.(1) The risk of QT prolongation or torsades de pointes may be increased in patients with cardiovascular disease (e.g. heart failure, myocardial infarction, history of torsades de pointes, congenital long QT syndrome), hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia, hypocalcemia, bradycardia, female gender, or advanced age.(2) Concurrent use of more than one drug known to cause QT prolongation or higher systemic concentrations of either QT prolonging drug are additional risk factors for torsades de pointes. Factors which may increase systemic drug concentrations include rapid infusion of an intravenous dose or impaired metabolism or elimination of the drug (e.g. coadministration with an agent which inhibits its metabolism or elimination, genetic impairment in drug metabolism or elimination, and/or renal/hepatic dysfunction).(2) PATIENT MANAGEMENT: The concurrent use of eliglustat with weak inhibitors of CYP3A4 in poor metabolizers of CYP2D6 should be avoided.(1) The dosage of eliglustat with weak inhibitors of CYP3A4 in extensive metabolizers of CYP2D6 with mild (Child-Pugh Class A) hepatic impairment should be limited to 84 mg daily.(1) If concurrent therapy is warranted, consider obtaining serum calcium, magnesium, and potassium levels and monitoring ECG at baseline and at regular intervals. Correct any electrolyte abnormalities. Instruct patients to report any irregular heartbeat, dizziness, or fainting. DISCUSSION: Ketoconazole (400 mg daily), a strong inhibitor of CYP3A4, increased eliglustat (84 mg BID) maximum concentration (Cmax) and area-under-curve (AUC) by 4-fold and 4.4-fold, respectively, in extensive metabolizers. Physiologically-based pharmacokinetic (PKPB) models suggested ketoconazole would increase eliglustat Cmax and AUC by 4.4-fold and 5.4-fold, respectively, in intermediate metabolizers. PKPB models suggested ketoconazole may increase the Cmax and AUC of eliglustat (84 mg daily) by 4.3-fold and 6.2-fold, respectively, in poor metabolizers.(1) PKPB models suggested fluconazole, a moderate inhibitor of CYP3A4, would increase eliglustat Cmax and AUC by 2.8-fold and 3.2-fold, respectively, in extensive metabolizers and by 2.5-fold and 2.9-fold, respectively in intermediate metabolizers. PKPB models suggest that concurrent eliglustat (84 mg BID), paroxetine (a strong inhibitor of CYP2D6), and ketoconazole would increase eliglustat Cmax and AUC by 16.7-fold and 24.2-fold, respectively, in extensive metabolizers. In intermediate metabolizers, eliglustat Cmax and AUC would be expected to increase 7.5-fold and 9.8-fold, respectively.(1) PKPB models suggest that concurrent eliglustat (84 mg BID), terbinafine (a moderate inhibitor of CYP2D6), and ketoconazole would increase eliglustat Cmax and AUC by 10.2-fold and 13.6-fold, respectively, in extensive metabolizers. In intermediate metabolizers, eliglustat Cmax and AUC would be expected to increase 4.2-fold and 5-fold, respectively.(1) Weak inhibitors of CYP3A4 include: alprazolam, amlodipine, asciminib, azithromycin, Baikal skullcap, belumosudil, berberine, bicalutamide, blueberry, brodalumab, cannabidiol, chlorzoxazone, cilostazol, cimetidine, ciprofloxacin, clotrimazole, cranberry, cyclosporine, daclatasvir, daridorexant, delavirdine, dihydroberberine, diosmin, everolimus, flibanserin, fosaprepitant, fostamatinib, gepotidacin, ginkgo, givinostat, glecaprevir/pibrentasvir, goldenseal, grazoprevir, isoniazid, istradefylline, ivacaftor, lacidipine, lapatinib, larotrectinib, lazertinib, leflunomide, levamlodipine, linagliptin, lomitapide, lurasidone, olaparib, osilodrostat, palbociclib, pazopanib, peppermint oil, piperine, propiverine, propofol, ranolazine, remdesivir, resveratrol, roxithromycin, rucaparib, selpercatinib, simeprevir, sitaxsentan, skullcap, suvorexant, teriflunomide, ticagrelor, tolvaptan, trofinetide, and vonoprazan.(3,4) |
CERDELGA |
| Suvorexant/Strong CYP3A4 Inhibitors; Atazanavir; Darunavir SEVERITY LEVEL: 2-Severe Interaction: Action is required to reduce the risk of severe adverse interaction. MECHANISM OF ACTION: Inhibitors of CYP3A4 impair the metabolism of suvorexant.(1) CLINICAL EFFECTS: Concurrent use of suvorexant with a CYP3A4 inhibitor may result in an increase in hypnotic levels and clinical adverse effects such as confusion, memory loss, sleep-walking or sleep-driving behaviors, thought or behavioral changes, or excessive daytime drowsiness, as well as toxic effects such as profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and/or death.(1) PREDISPOSING FACTORS: Systemic exposure may also be increased in patients with severe hepatic impairment. Elderly and debilitated patients are more likely to have impaired motor or cognitive performance when treated with hypnotics. PATIENT MANAGEMENT: The US manufacturer of suvorexant states that concurrent use with strong inhibitors of CYP3A4 is not recommended. Consider alternative agents with less CYP3A4 inhibition when possible.(1) The US Department of Health and Human Services HIV guidelines state that suvorexant should not be coadministered with protease inhibitors.(2) Patients requiring concurrent therapy will need a substantially lower dose of suvorexant. Patients should be counseled that concurrent use of a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor with suvorexant may result in an increase in side effects such as confusion, memory loss, sleep-walking or sleep-driving behaviors, or daytime drowsiness. With moderate inhibitors of CYP3A4, the manufacturer recommends a starting dose of 5 mg daily and a maximum dose of 10 mg daily.(1) DISCUSSION: Ketoconazole increased suvorexant AUC and Cmax by approximately 2.75-fold and 1.25-fold, respectively.(1) Strong inhibitors of CYP3A4 include: adagrasib, boceprevir, clarithromycin, cobicistat, elvitegravir, indinavir, itraconazole, josamycin, ketoconazole, lonafarnib, lopinavir/ritonavir, mibefradil, nefazodone, nelfinavir, nirmatrelvir/ritonavir, paritaprevir, posaconazole, ribociclib, saquinavir, telaprevir, telithromycin, tipranavir, and voriconazole.(3,4) |
APTIVUS, ATAZANAVIR SULFATE, CLARITHROMYCIN, CLARITHROMYCIN ER, DARUNAVIR, EVOTAZ, GENVOYA, ITRACONAZOLE, ITRACONAZOLE MICRONIZED, KALETRA, KETOCONAZOLE, KISQALI, KORLYM, KRAZATI, LANSOPRAZOL-AMOXICIL-CLARITHRO, LOPINAVIR-RITONAVIR, MIFEPREX, MIFEPRISTONE, NEFAZODONE HCL, NOXAFIL, OMECLAMOX-PAK, PAXLOVID, POSACONAZOLE, PREZCOBIX, PREZISTA, RECORLEV, REYATAZ, SPORANOX, STRIBILD, SYMTUZA, TOLSURA, TUKYSA, TYBOST, VFEND, VFEND IV, VIRACEPT, VOQUEZNA TRIPLE PAK, VORICONAZOLE, ZOKINVY, ZYDELIG, ZYKADIA |
There are 12 moderate interactions.
The clinician should assess the patient’s characteristics and take action as needed. Actions required for moderate interactions include, but are not limited to, discontinuing one or both agents, adjusting dosage, altering administration.
| Drug Interaction | Drug Names |
|---|---|
| Loperamide/CYP3A4; CYP2C8; P-glycoprotein (P-gp) Inhibitors SEVERITY LEVEL: 3-Moderate Interaction: Assess the risk to the patient and take action as needed. MECHANISM OF ACTION: Inhibitors of CYP3A4, CYP2C8, and/or P-gp may increase loperamide systemic absorption and facilitate entry into central nervous system (CNS).(1) CLINICAL EFFECTS: Concurrent use of inhibitors of CYP3A4, CYP2C8, and/or P-gp may increase levels of loperamide, resulting in respiratory depression.(1) PREDISPOSING FACTORS: None determined. PATIENT MANAGEMENT: Use loperamide with caution in patients receiving inhibitors of CYP3A4, CYP2C8, and/or P-gp. Consider lower doses of loperamide in these patients and monitor for adverse effects. The manufacturer of lonafarnib recommends starting loperamide at a dose of 1 mg and slowly increasing the dose as needed.(2) DISCUSSION: In a randomized, cross-over study in 12 healthy subjects, itraconazole (100 mg twice daily for 5 days - first dose 200 mg), gemfibrozil (600 mg twice daily), and the combination of itraconazole and gemfibrozil (same dosages) increased the area-under-curve (AUC) of single doses of loperamide (4 mg) by 2.9-fold, 1.6-fold, and 4.2-fold, respectively.(3) In a study of healthy subjects, lonafarnib (100 mg twice daily for 5 days) increased the AUC and maximum concentration (Cmax) of single dose loperamide (2 mg) by 299% and 214%, respectively.(3) In a study in 18 healthy males, quinidine increased the AUC of a single dose of loperamide by 2.2-fold and markedly decreased pupil size.(4) In a study in 8 healthy subjects, subjects experienced respiratory depression when a single dose of loperamide (16 mg) was administered with a single dose of quinidine (600 mg) but not when loperamide was administered alone.(6) Loperamide plasma levels increased 2-fold to 3-fold.(5) |
LOPERAMIDE |
| Suvorexant (Less Than or Equal To 10 mg)/Moderate CYP3A4 Inhibitors SEVERITY LEVEL: 3-Moderate Interaction: Assess the risk to the patient and take action as needed. MECHANISM OF ACTION: Moderate inhibitors of CYP3A4 may inhibit the metabolism of suvorexant.(1) CLINICAL EFFECTS: Concurrent use of an agent that is a moderate inhibitor of CYP3A4 may result in elevated levels of and clinical effects of suvorexant.(1) PREDISPOSING FACTORS: None determined. PATIENT MANAGEMENT: The US manufacturer of suvorexant recommends a starting dose of 5 mg daily and a maximum dose of 10 mg daily in patients receiving concurrent therapy with a moderate CYP3A4 inhibitor.(1) DISCUSSION: Diltiazem, a moderate inhibitor of CYP3A4, increased suvorexant AUC and Cmax by approximately 2-fold and 1.25-fold, respectively.(1) Moderate inhibitors of CYP3A4 include: amprenavir, aprepitant, avacopan, berotralstat, clofazimine, conivaptan, crizotinib, diltiazem, dronedarone, erythromycin, duvelisib, fedratinib, fluconazole, fluvoxamine, fosamprenavir, fosnetupitant, imatinib, isavuconazonium, ledipasvir, lenacapavir, letermovir, netupitant, nilotinib, schisandra, tofisopam, treosulfan and verapamil.(1-3) |
AKYNZEO, APONVIE, APREPITANT, CARDIZEM, CARDIZEM CD, CARDIZEM LA, CARTIA XT, CINVANTI, CLOFAZIMINE, CONIVAPTAN-D5W, COPIKTRA, CRESEMBA, DANZITEN, DIFLUCAN, DILT-XR, DILTIAZEM 12HR ER, DILTIAZEM 24HR ER, DILTIAZEM 24HR ER (CD), DILTIAZEM 24HR ER (LA), DILTIAZEM 24HR ER (XR), DILTIAZEM HCL, DILTIAZEM HCL-0.7% NACL, DILTIAZEM HCL-0.9% NACL, DILTIAZEM HCL-NACL, DILTIAZEM-D5W, E.E.S. 200, E.E.S. 400, EMEND, ERY-TAB, ERYPED 200, ERYPED 400, ERYTHROCIN LACTOBIONATE, ERYTHROCIN STEARATE, ERYTHROMYCIN, ERYTHROMYCIN ESTOLATE, ERYTHROMYCIN ETHYLSUCCINATE, ERYTHROMYCIN LACTOBIONATE, FLUCONAZOLE, FLUCONAZOLE-NACL, FLUVOXAMINE MALEATE, FLUVOXAMINE MALEATE ER, FOSAMPRENAVIR CALCIUM, GLEEVEC, GRAFAPEX, IMATINIB MESYLATE, IMKELDI, INREBIC, MATZIM LA, MULTAQ, NILOTINIB HCL, ORLADEYO, PREVYMIS, SUNLENCA, TASIGNA, TAVNEOS, TIADYLT ER, TIAZAC, TRANDOLAPRIL-VERAPAMIL ER, VAPRISOL-5% DEXTROSE, VERAPAMIL ER, VERAPAMIL ER PM, VERAPAMIL HCL, VERAPAMIL SR, XALKORI |
| Opioids (Extended Release)/Sleep Drugs SEVERITY LEVEL: 3-Moderate Interaction: Assess the risk to the patient and take action as needed. MECHANISM OF ACTION: Concurrent use of opioids and sleep drugs may result in additive CNS depression and sleep-related disorders.(1) CLINICAL EFFECTS: Concurrent use of opioids and other CNS depressants, such as sleep drugs, may result in profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and/or death.(1) Concurrent use of opioids with eszopiclone, zaleplon, or zolpidem may increase the risk of sleep-related disorders including central sleep apnea and sleep-related hypoxemia and complex sleep behaviors like sleepwalking, sleep driving, and other activities while not fully awake. Rarely, serious injuries or death have resulted from complex sleep behaviors.(2) PREDISPOSING FACTORS: Concurrent use of alcohol or other CNS depressants may increase the risk of adverse effects. PATIENT MANAGEMENT: Limit prescribing opioid analgesics with CNS depressants such as sleep drugs to patients for whom alternatives are inadequate.(1) If concurrent use is necessary, limit the dosages and duration of each drug to the minimum possible while achieving the desired clinical effect. If starting a CNS depressant (for an indication other than epilepsy) with an opioid analgesic, prescribe a lower initial dose of the CNS depressant than indicated in the absence of an opioid and titrate based upon clinical response. If an opioid analgesic is indicated in a patient already taking a CNS depressant, prescribe a lower dose of the opioid and titrate based upon clinical response.(1) Respiratory depression can occur at any time during opioid therapy, especially during therapy initiation and following dosage increases. Consider this risk when using concurrently with other agents that may cause CNS depression.(3) Monitor patients receiving concurrent therapy for unusual dizziness or lightheadedness, extreme sleepiness, slowed or difficult breathing, or unresponsiveness.(1) Eszopiclone, zaleplon, and zolpidem are contraindicated in patients who have had a previous episode of complex sleep behavior.(2) Discuss naloxone with all patients when prescribing or renewing an opioid analgesic or medicine to treat opioid use disorder (OUD). Consider prescribing naloxone to patients prescribed medicines to treat OUD or opioid analgesics (such as those taking CNS depressants) who are at increased risk of opioid overdose and when a patient has household members/close contacts at risk for accidental overdose.(4) DISCUSSION: Between 2002 and 2014, the number of patients receiving an opioid analgesic increased 8%, from 75 million to 81 million patients, and the number of patients receiving a benzodiazepine increased 31%, from 23 million to 30 million patients. During this time, the proportion of patients receiving concurrent therapy increased 31%, from 23 million to 30 million patients.(5) From 2004 to 2011, the rate of nonmedical use-related emergency room visits involving both opioids and benzodiazepines increased from 11 to 34.2 per 100,000 and drug overdose deaths involving both opioids and benzodiazepines increased from 0.6 to 1.7 per 100,000. The proportion of prescription opioid analgesic deaths which also involved benzodiazepines increased from 18% to 31% during this time.(6) A prospective observational cohort study in North Carolina found that the rates of overdose death among patients co-dispensed opioid analgesics and benzodiazepines were 10 times higher than patients receiving opioid analgesics alone.(7) A case-cohort study of VA data from 2004-2009 found that the risk of death from overdose increased with concomitant opioid analgesics and benzodiazepines. Compared to patients with no history of benzodiazepines, patients with a history of benzodiazepine use (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.33) and patients with a current benzodiazepine prescription (HR=3.86) had an increased risk of fatal overdose.(8) A study found that opioid analgesics contributed to 77% of deaths in which benzodiazepines were determined to be a cause of death and that benzodiazepines contributed to 30% of deaths in which opioid analgesics were determined to be a cause of death. This study also found that other CNS depressants (including barbiturates, antipsychotic and neuroleptic drugs, antiepileptic and antiparkinsonian drugs, anesthetics, autonomic nervous system drugs, and muscle relaxants) were contributory to death in many cases where opioid analgesics were also implicated.(9) A study found that alcohol was involved in 18.5% of opioid analgesic abuse-related ED visits and 22.1 percent of opioid analgesic-related deaths.(10) As of April 2019, the FDA had identified 66 cases of complex sleep behaviors with eszopiclone, zaleplon, or zolpidem, of which 20 cases resulted in death and the remainder resulted in serious injuries. It was not reported how many of the cases involved concomitant use of other CNS depressants.(2) |
BUPRENORPHINE, BUTRANS, CONZIP, FENTANYL, HYDROCODONE BITARTRATE ER, HYDROMORPHONE ER, HYSINGLA ER, MORPHINE SULFATE ER, MS CONTIN, NUCYNTA ER, OXYCODONE HCL ER, OXYCONTIN, OXYMORPHONE HCL ER, TRAMADOL HCL ER, XTAMPZA ER |
| Opioids (Immediate Release)/Sleep Drugs SEVERITY LEVEL: 3-Moderate Interaction: Assess the risk to the patient and take action as needed. MECHANISM OF ACTION: Concurrent use of opioids and sleep drugs may result in additive CNS depression and sleep-related disorders.(1) CLINICAL EFFECTS: Concurrent use of opioids and other CNS depressants, such as sleep drugs, may result in profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and/or death.(1) Concurrent use of opioids with eszopiclone, zaleplon, or zolpidem may increase the risk of sleep-related disorders including central sleep apnea and sleep-related hypoxemia and complex sleep behaviors like sleepwalking, sleep driving, and other activities while not fully awake. Rarely, serious injuries or death have resulted from complex sleep behaviors.(2) PREDISPOSING FACTORS: Concurrent use of alcohol or other CNS depressants may increase the risk of adverse effects. PATIENT MANAGEMENT: Limit prescribing opioid analgesics with CNS depressants such as sleep drugs to patients for whom alternatives are inadequate.(1) If concurrent use is necessary, limit the dosages and duration of each drug to the minimum possible while achieving the desired clinical effect. If starting a CNS depressant (for an indication other than epilepsy) with an opioid analgesic, prescribe a lower initial dose of the CNS depressant than indicated in the absence of an opioid and titrate based upon clinical response. If an opioid analgesic is indicated in a patient already taking a CNS depressant, prescribe a lower dose of the opioid and titrate based upon clinical response.(1) Respiratory depression can occur at any time during opioid therapy, especially during therapy initiation and following dosage increases. Consider this risk when using concurrently with other agents that may cause CNS depression.(3) Monitor patients receiving concurrent therapy for unusual dizziness or lightheadedness, extreme sleepiness, slowed or difficult breathing, or unresponsiveness.(1) Eszopiclone, zaleplon, and zolpidem are contraindicated in patients who have had a previous episode of complex sleep behavior.(2) Discuss naloxone with all patients when prescribing or renewing an opioid analgesic or medicine to treat opioid use disorder (OUD). Consider prescribing naloxone to patients prescribed medicines to treat OUD or opioid analgesics (such as those taking CNS depressants) who are at increased risk of opioid overdose and when a patient has household members/close contacts at risk for accidental overdose.(4) DISCUSSION: Between 2002 and 2014, the number of patients receiving an opioid analgesic increased 8%, from 75 million to 81 million patients, and the number of patients receiving a benzodiazepine increased 31%, from 23 million to 30 million patients. During this time, the proportion of patients receiving concurrent therapy increased 31%, from 23 million to 30 million patients.(5) From 2004 to 2011, the rate of nonmedical use-related emergency room visits involving both opioids and benzodiazepines increased from 11 to 34.2 per 100,000 and drug overdose deaths involving both opioids and benzodiazepines increased from 0.6 to 1.7 per 100,000. The proportion of prescription opioid analgesic deaths which also involved benzodiazepines increased from 18% to 31% during this time.(6) A prospective observational cohort study in North Carolina found that the rates of overdose death among patients co-dispensed opioid analgesics and benzodiazepines were 10 times higher than patients receiving opioid analgesics alone.(7) A case-cohort study of VA data from 2004-2009 found that the risk of death from overdose increased with concomitant opioid analgesics and benzodiazepines. Compared to patients with no history of benzodiazepines, patients with a history of benzodiazepine use (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.33) and patients with a current benzodiazepine prescription (HR=3.86) had an increased risk of fatal overdose.(8) A study found that opioid analgesics contributed to 77% of deaths in which benzodiazepines were determined to be a cause of death and that benzodiazepines contributed to 30% of deaths in which opioid analgesics were determined to be a cause of death. This study also found that other CNS depressants (including barbiturates, antipsychotic and neuroleptic drugs, antiepileptic and antiparkinsonian drugs, anesthetics, autonomic nervous system drugs, and muscle relaxants) were contributory to death in many cases where opioid analgesics were also implicated.(9) A study found that alcohol was involved in 18.5% of opioid analgesic abuse-related ED visits and 22.1 percent of opioid analgesic-related deaths.(10) As of April 2019, the FDA had identified 66 cases of complex sleep behaviors with eszopiclone, zaleplon, or zolpidem, of which 20 cases resulted in death and the remainder resulted in serious injuries. It was not reported how many of the cases involved concomitant use of other CNS depressants.(2) |
ACETAMIN-CAFF-DIHYDROCODEINE, ACETAMINOPHEN-CODEINE, APADAZ, ASA-BUTALB-CAFFEINE-CODEINE, ASCOMP WITH CODEINE, BELBUCA, BELLADONNA-OPIUM, BENZHYDROCODONE-ACETAMINOPHEN, BUPRENORPHINE HCL, BUTALB-ACETAMINOPH-CAFF-CODEIN, BUTORPHANOL TARTRATE, CARISOPRODOL-ASPIRIN-CODEINE, CODEINE PHOSPHATE, CODEINE SULFATE, DEMEROL, DIHYDROCODEINE BITARTRATE, DILAUDID, DSUVIA, DURAMORPH, ENDOCET, FENTANYL CITRATE, FENTANYL CITRATE-0.9% NACL, FENTANYL CITRATE-D5W, FENTANYL CITRATE-STERILE WATER, FENTANYL CITRATE-WATER, FENTANYL-BUPIVACAINE-0.9% NACL, FENTANYL-BUPIVACAINE-NACL, FENTANYL-ROPIVACAINE-0.9% NACL, FENTANYL-ROPIVACAINE-NACL, FIORICET WITH CODEINE, HYDROCODONE BITARTRATE, HYDROCODONE-ACETAMINOPHEN, HYDROCODONE-IBUPROFEN, HYDROMORPHONE HCL, HYDROMORPHONE HCL-0.9% NACL, HYDROMORPHONE HCL-D5W, HYDROMORPHONE HCL-NACL, HYDROMORPHONE HCL-WATER, INFUMORPH, LEVORPHANOL TARTRATE, MEPERIDINE HCL, MEPERIDINE HCL-0.9% NACL, MITIGO, MORPHINE SULFATE, MORPHINE SULFATE-0.9% NACL, MORPHINE SULFATE-NACL, NALBUPHINE HCL, NALOCET, NUCYNTA, OLINVYK, OPIUM TINCTURE, OXYCODONE HCL, OXYCODONE HYDROCHLORIDE, OXYCODONE-ACETAMINOPHEN, OXYMORPHONE HCL, PENTAZOCINE-NALOXONE HCL, PERCOCET, PRIMLEV, PROLATE, QDOLO, REMIFENTANIL HCL, ROXICODONE, ROXYBOND, SUFENTANIL CITRATE, TRAMADOL HCL, TRAMADOL HCL-ACETAMINOPHEN, TREZIX, ULTIVA |
| Selected Opioids for MAT/Sleep Drugs SEVERITY LEVEL: 3-Moderate Interaction: Assess the risk to the patient and take action as needed. MECHANISM OF ACTION: Concurrent use of buprenorphine or diacetylmorphine and sleep drugs may result in additive CNS depression and sleep-related disorders.(1-3) CLINICAL EFFECTS: Concurrent use of buprenorphine or diacetylmorphine and other CNS depressants, such as sleep drugs, may result in profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and/or death.(1-3) Concurrent use of opioids with eszopiclone, zaleplon, or zolpidem may increase the risk of sleep-related disorders including central sleep apnea and sleep-related hypoxemia, and complex sleep behaviors like sleepwalking, sleep driving, and other activities while not fully awake. Rarely, serious injuries or death have resulted from complex sleep behaviors.(4) PREDISPOSING FACTORS: Concurrent use of alcohol or other CNS depressants may increase the risk of adverse effects. PATIENT MANAGEMENT: Medication assisted treatment (MAT) with buprenorphine or diacetylmorphine is not contraindicated in patients taking CNS depressants; however, discontinuation of CNS depressants is preferred in most cases. In some cases, monitoring at a higher level of care may be appropriate. In others, gradual tapering or decreasing to the lowest effective dose of the CNS depressant is appropriate. Consider other medications and nonpharmacologic treatments to address anxiety or insomnia. Ensure that other health care providers prescribing other CNS depressants are aware of the patient's buprenorphine or diacetylmorphine treatment.(2) Respiratory depression can occur at any time during opioid therapy, especially during therapy initiation and following dosage increases. Consider this risk when using concurrently with other agents that may cause CNS depression.(5) Monitor patients receiving concurrent therapy for unusual dizziness or lightheadedness, extreme sleepiness, slowed or difficult breathing, or unresponsiveness.(1) Eszopiclone, zaleplon, and zolpidem are contraindicated in patients who have had a previous episode of complex sleep behavior.(4) Discuss naloxone with all patients when prescribing or renewing an opioid analgesic or medicine to treat opioid use disorder (OUD). Consider prescribing naloxone to patients prescribed medicines to treat OUD or opioid analgesics (such as those taking CNS depressants) who are at increased risk of opioid overdose and when a patient has household members/close contacts at risk for accidental overdose.(6) DISCUSSION: Between 2002 and 2014, the number of patients receiving an opioid analgesic increased 8%, from 75 million to 81 million patients, and the number of patients receiving a benzodiazepine increased 31%, from 23 million to 30 million patients. During this time, the proportion of patients receiving concurrent therapy increased 31%, from 23 million to 30 million patients.(7) From 2004 to 2011, the rate of nonmedical use-related emergency room visits involving both opioids and benzodiazepines increased from 11 to 34.2 per 100,000 and drug overdose deaths involving both opioids and benzodiazepines increased from 0.6 to 1.7 per 100,000. The proportion of prescription opioid analgesic deaths which also involved benzodiazepines increased from 18% to 31% during this time.(8) A prospective observational cohort study in North Carolina found that the rates of overdose death among patients co-dispensed opioid analgesics and benzodiazepines were 10 times higher than patients receiving opioid analgesics alone.(9) A case-cohort study of VA data from 2004-2009 found that the risk of death from overdose increased with concomitant opioid analgesics and benzodiazepines. Compared to patients with no history of benzodiazepines, patients with a history of benzodiazepine use (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.33) and patients with a current benzodiazepine prescription (HR=3.86) had an increased risk of fatal overdose.(10) A study found that opioid analgesics contributed to 77% of deaths in which benzodiazepines were determined to be a cause of death and that benzodiazepines contributed to 30% of deaths in which opioid analgesics were determined to be a cause of death. This study also found that other CNS depressants (including barbiturates, antipsychotic and neuroleptic drugs, antiepileptic and antiparkinsonian drugs, anesthetics, autonomic nervous system drugs, and muscle relaxants) were contributory to death in many cases where opioid analgesics were also implicated.(11) A study found that alcohol was involved in 18.5% of opioid analgesic abuse-related ED visits and 22.1 percent of opioid analgesic-related deaths.(12) While concomitant use of MAT with CNS depressants increases the risk of adverse reactions, barriers to MAT can pose a greater risk of morbidity and mortality due to opioid use disorder.(2) As of April 2019, the FDA had identified 66 cases of complex sleep behaviors with eszopiclone, zaleplon, or zolpidem, of which 20 cases resulted in death and the remainder resulted in serious injuries. It was not reported how many of the cases involved concomitant use of other CNS depressants.(4) |
BRIXADI, BUPRENORPHINE HCL, BUPRENORPHINE-NALOXONE, SUBLOCADE, SUBOXONE, ZUBSOLV |
| Tacrolimus/Moderate and Weak CYP3A4 Inhibitors SEVERITY LEVEL: 3-Moderate Interaction: Assess the risk to the patient and take action as needed. MECHANISM OF ACTION: Moderate and weak inhibitors of CYP3A4 may inhibit the metabolism of tacrolimus.(1) CLINICAL EFFECTS: Concurrent use of a CYP3A4 inhibitor may result in elevated levels of and toxicity from tacrolimus, including nephrotoxicity, neurotoxicity, and prolongation of the QTc interval and life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias, including torsades de pointes.(1) PREDISPOSING FACTORS: The risk of QT prolongation or torsade de pointes may be increased in patients with cardiovascular disease (e.g. heart failure, myocardial infarction, history of torsade de pointes, congenital long QT syndrome), hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia, hypocalcemia, bradycardia, female gender, or advanced age.(2) Concurrent use of more than one drug known to cause QT prolongation or higher systemic concentrations of either QT prolonging drug are additional risk factors for torsade de pointes. Factors which may increase systemic drug concentrations include rapid infusion of an intravenous dose or impaired metabolism or elimination of the drug (e.g. coadministration with an agent which inhibits its metabolism or elimination, and/or renal/hepatic dysfunction).(2) PATIENT MANAGEMENT: The US manufacturer of tacrolimus recommends monitoring tacrolimus whole blood trough concentrations and reducing tacrolimus dose if needed.(1) Consider obtaining serum calcium, magnesium, and potassium levels and monitoring ECG at baseline and at regular intervals. Correct any electrolyte abnormalities. Instruct patients to report any irregular heartbeat, dizziness, or fainting. DISCUSSION: In a study of 26 renal transplant recipients, conjugated estrogens 3.75 mg daily increased the tacrolimus dose-corrected concentration of tacrolimus by 85.6%. Discontinuation of the conjugated estrogens led to a decrease in tacrolimus concentration of 46.6%.(3) A case report describes a 65-year-old kidney transplant recipient who was stable on tacrolimus 9 mg per day with trough levels of 5 to 7.5 ng/mL. Ten days after starting on estradiol gel 0.5 mg per day, her tacrolimus level rose to 18.3 ng/mL and serum creatinine (Scr) rose from 1.1 mg/dL at baseline to 2 mg/dL. Tacrolimus dose was reduced by 60%, and trough levels and Scr normalized after two weeks.(4) A study of 16 healthy volunteers found that elbasvir 50 mg/grazoprevir 200 mg daily increased the area-under-curve (AUC) of tacrolimus by 43%, while the maximum concentration (Cmax) of tacrolimus was decreased by 40%.(5) An analysis of FAERS data from 2004-2017, found a significant assoc ation between transplant rejection and concurrent use of tacrolimus and clotrimazole (reporting odds ration 1.92, 95% CI). A retrospective study of 7 heart transplant patients on concurrent tacrolimus and clotrimazole troche showed a significant correlation between tacrolimus trough concentration and AUC after clotrimazole discontinuation. Tacrolimus clearance and bioavailability after clotrimazole discontinuation was 2.2-fold greater (0.27 vs. 0.59 L/h/kg) and the trough concentration decreased from 6.5 ng/mL at 1 day to 5.3 ng/mL at 2 days after clotrimazole discontinuation.(7) A retrospective study of 26 heart transplant patients found that discontinuation of concurrent clotrimazole with tacrolimus in the CYP3A5 expresser group had a 3.3-fold increase in apparent oral clearance and AUC of tacrolimus (0.27 vs. 0.89 L/h/kg) compared to the CYP3A5 non expresser group with a 2.2-fold mean increase (0.18 vs. 0.39 L/h/kg).(8) A study of 6 adult kidney transplant recipients found that clotrimazole (5-day course) increased the tacrolimus AUC 250% and the blood trough concentrations doubled (27.7 ng/ml versus 27.4 ng/ml). Tacrolimus clearance decreased 60% with coadministration of clotrimazole.(9) A case report describes a 23-year-old kidney transplant recipient who was stable on tacrolimus 5 mg twice daily, mycophenolate mofetil 30 mg daily, prednisone (30 mg daily tapered over time to 5 mg), and clotrimazole troche 10 mg four times daily. Discontinuation of clotrimazole resulted in a decrease in tacrolimus trough levels from 13.7 ng/ml to 5.4 ng/ml over a period of 6 days. Clotrimazole was restarted with tacrolimus 6 mg resulting in an increased tacrolimus level of 19.2 ng/ml.(10) A retrospective study in 95 heart transplant recipients on concurrent clotrimazole and tacrolimus found a median tacrolimus dose increase of 66.7% was required after clotrimazole discontinuation. Tacrolimus trough concentration was found to have decreased 42.5% after clotrimazole discontinuation.(11) A retrospective study in 65 pancreas transplant patients on concurrent tacrolimus, clotrimazole, cyclosporine, and prednisone found that clotrimazole discontinuation at 3 months after transplantation may cause significant tacrolimus trough level reductions.(12) Moderate CYP3A4 inhibitors linked to this monograph include: aprepitant, berotralstat, clofazimine, conivaptan, fluvoxamine, lenacapavir, letermovir, netupitant, nirogacestat, and tofisopam.(6) Weak CYP3A4 inhibitors linked to this monograph include: alprazolam, avacopan, baikal skullcap, berberine, bicalutamide, blueberry, brodalumab, chlorzoxazone, cimetidine, cranberry juice, daclatasvir, daridorexant, delavirdine, diosmin, estrogens, flibanserin, fosaprepitant, fostamatinib, ginkgo biloba, givinostat, glecaprevir/pibrentasvir, goldenseal, grazoprevir, isoniazid, istradefylline, ivacaftor, lacidipine, lazertinib, linagliptin, lomitapide, lumateperone, lurasidone, peppermint oil, piperine, propiverine, ranitidine, remdesivir, resveratrol, rimegepant, simeprevir, sitaxsentan, skullcap, suvorexant, ticagrelor, tolvaptan, trofinetide, viloxazine, and vonoprazan-amoxicillin.(6) |
ASTAGRAF XL, ENVARSUS XR, PROGRAF, TACROLIMUS, TACROLIMUS XL |
| Lemborexant (Less Than or Equal To 5 mg)/Weak CYP3A4 Inhibitors SEVERITY LEVEL: 3-Moderate Interaction: Assess the risk to the patient and take action as needed. MECHANISM OF ACTION: Inhibitors of CYP3A4 may inhibit the metabolism of lemborexant.(1) CLINICAL EFFECTS: Concurrent use of an inhibitor of CYP3A4 may result in increased levels of and effects from lemborexant, including somnolence, fatigue, CNS depressant effects, daytime impairment, headache, and nightmare or abnormal dreams.(1) PREDISPOSING FACTORS: None determined. PATIENT MANAGEMENT: The maximum recommended dose of lemborexant with concurrent use of a weak CYP3A4 inhibitors should not exceed 5 mg per dose.(1) DISCUSSION: Lemborexant is a CYP3A4 substrate. In a PKPB model, concurrent use of lemborexant with itraconazole increased area-under-curve (AUC) and concentration maximum (Cmax) by 3.75-fold and 1.5-fold, respectively. Concurrent use of lemborexant with fluconazole increased AUC and Cmax by 4.25-fold and 1.75-fold, respectively.(1) Weak inhibitors of CYP3A4 include: alprazolam, amiodarone, amlodipine, asciminib, azithromycin, Baikal skullcap, belumosudil, berberine, bicalutamide, blueberry, brodalumab, cannabidiol, capivasertib, chlorzoxazone, cilostazol, cimetidine, ciprofloxacin, clotrimazole, cranberry, cyclosporine, daclatasvir, daridorexant, delavirdine, dihydroberberine, diosmin, everolimus, flibanserin, fosaprepitant, fostamatinib, gepotidacin, ginkgo, givinostat, glecaprevir/pibrentasvir, goldenseal, grazoprevir, isoniazid, istradefylline, ivacaftor, lacidipine, lapatinib, larotrectinib, lazertinib, leflunomide, levamlodipine, linagliptin, lomitapide, lurasidone, mavorixafor, olaparib, osilodrostat, palbociclib, pazopanib, peppermint oil, piperine, propiverine, propofol, ranitidine, ranolazine, remdesivir, resveratrol, roxithromycin, rucaparib, selpercatinib, simeprevir, sitaxsentan, skullcap, suvorexant, teriflunomide, ticagrelor, tolvaptan, trofinetide, viloxazine, and vonoprazan.(1,2) |
DAYVIGO |
| Ubrogepant/Weak CYP3A4 Inhibitors SEVERITY LEVEL: 3-Moderate Interaction: Assess the risk to the patient and take action as needed. MECHANISM OF ACTION: Weak inhibitors of CYP3A4 may inhibit the metabolism of ubrogepant.(1) CLINICAL EFFECTS: Concurrent use of ubrogepant with weak CYP3A4 inhibitors may result in an increase in exposure of ubrogepant.(1) PREDISPOSING FACTORS: None determined. PATIENT MANAGEMENT: The manufacturer recommends a dosage adjustment of ubrogepant when used concomitantly with weak CYP3A4 inhibitors. Initial dose of ubrogepant should not exceed 50 mg when used concomitantly with weak inhibitors of CYP3A4. A second dose may be given within 24 hours but should not exceed 50 mg when used concurrently with weak CYP3A4 inhibitors.(1) DISCUSSION: Coadministration of ubrogepant with verapamil, a moderate CYP3A4 inhibitor, resulted in a 3.5-fold and 2.8-fold increase in area-under-curve (AUC) and concentration maximum (Cmax), respectively. No dedicated drug interaction study was conducted to assess concomitant use with weak CYP3A4 inhibitors. The conservative prediction of the maximal potential increase in ubrogepant exposure with weak CYP3A4 inhibitors is not expected to be more than 2-fold.(1) Weak inhibitors of CYP3A4 include: alprazolam, amiodarone, amlodipine, asciminib, azithromycin, Baikal skullcap, berberine, bicalutamide, blueberry, brodalumab, cannabidiol, capivasertib, chlorzoxazone, cilostazol, cimetidine, ciprofloxacin, clotrimazole, cranberry, cyclosporine, daclatasvir, delavirdine, dihydroberberine, diosmin, elagolix, everolimus, flibanserin, fosaprepitant, fostamatinib, gepotidacin, givinostat, glecaprevir/pibrentasvir, goldenseal, grazoprevir, isoniazid, istradefylline, ivacaftor, lacidipine, lapatinib, larotrectinib, lazertinib, leflunomide, levamlodipine, linagliptin, lomitapide, lurasidone, maribavir, mavorixafor, osilodrostat, palbociclib, pazopanib, peppermint oil, piperine, propiverine, propofol, ranitidine, ranolazine, remdesivir, resveratrol, roxithromycin, simeprevir, sitaxsentan, skullcap, suvorexant, teriflunomide, ticagrelor, tolvaptan, trofinetide, viloxazine, and vonoprazan.(2,3) |
UBRELVY |
| Sirolimus Protein-Bound/Slt Moderate and Weak CYP3A4 Inhibit SEVERITY LEVEL: 3-Moderate Interaction: Assess the risk to the patient and take action as needed. MECHANISM OF ACTION: Moderate and weak CYP3A4 inhibitors may inhibit the metabolism of sirolimus by CYP3A4.(1) CLINICAL EFFECTS: Concurrent use of moderate or weak CYP3A4 inhibitors may result in elevated levels of and side effects from sirolimus.(1) PREDISPOSING FACTORS: None determined. PATIENT MANAGEMENT: The US manufacturer of sirolimus protein-bound injection (Fyarro) states a dose reduction to 56 mg/m2 is recommended when used concurrently with moderate or weak CYP3A4 inhibitors. Concurrent use with strong CYP3A4 inhibitors should be avoided.(1) DISCUSSION: In an open, randomized, cross-over trial in 18 healthy subjects, concurrent single doses of diltiazem (120 mg) and sirolimus (10 mg) increased sirolimus area-under-curve (AUC) and maximum concentration (Cmax) by 60% and by 43%, respectively. Sirolimus apparent oral clearance and volume of distribution decreased by 38% and 45%, respectively. There were no effects on diltiazem pharmacokinetics or pharmacodynamics.(2) In a study in 26 healthy subjects, concurrent sirolimus (2 mg daily) with verapamil (180 mg twice daily) increased sirolimus AUC and Cmax by 2.2-fold and 2.3-fold, respectively. The AUC and Cmax of the active S-enantiomer of verapamil each increased by 1.5-fold. Verapamil time to Cmax (Tmax) was increased by 1.2 hours.(2) Moderate and weak CYP3A4 inhibitors linked to this monograph include: alprazolam, amlodipine, aprepitant, avacopan, azithromycin, berberine, berotralstat, bicalutamide, blueberry, brodalumab, chlorzoxazone, cilostazol, cimetidine, ciprofloxacin, clofazimine, conivaptan, daclatasvir, daridorexant, delavirdine, diosmin, entrectinib, erythromycin, estrogen, flibanserin, fluvoxamine, fosaprepitant, fosnetupitant, fostamatinib, ginkgo, givinostat, glecaprevir/pibrentasvir, goldenseal, grazoprevir, isoniazid, istradefylline, ivacaftor, lacidipine, lazertinib, lenacapavir, levamlodipine, linagliptin, lomitapide, lumateperone, lurasidone, mavorixafor, netupitant, omeprazole, osilodrostat, peppermint oil, piperine, propiverine, propofol, ranitidine, ranolazine, remdesivir, resveratrol, rimegepant, roxithromycin, scutellarin, simeprevir, sitaxsentan, suvorexant, ticagrelor, tofisopam, tolvaptan, trofinetide and vonoprazan.(3,4) |
FYARRO |
| Levomethadone;Methadone (Immediate Release)/Sleep Drugs; Tranquilizers SEVERITY LEVEL: 3-Moderate Interaction: Assess the risk to the patient and take action as needed. MECHANISM OF ACTION: Concurrent use of methadone and sleep drugs or tranquilizers may result in additive CNS depression and sleep-related disorders.(1) Levomethadone is an enantiomer of methadone.(2) CLINICAL EFFECTS: Concurrent use of methadone and other CNS depressants, such as sleep drugs or tranquilizers, may result in profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and/or death.(1) Concurrent use of opioids with eszopiclone, zaleplon, or zolpidem may increase the risk of sleep-related disorders including central sleep apnea and sleep-related hypoxemia, and complex sleep behaviors like sleepwalking, sleep driving, and other activities while not fully awake. Rarely, serious injuries or death have resulted from complex sleep behaviors.(3) PREDISPOSING FACTORS: Concurrent use of alcohol or other CNS depressants may increase the risk of adverse effects. PATIENT MANAGEMENT: Limit prescribing opioid analgesics with CNS depressants such as sleep drugs or tranquilizers to patients for whom alternatives are inadequate.(1) If concurrent use is necessary, limit the dosages and duration of each drug to the minimum possible while achieving the desired clinical effect. If starting a CNS depressant (for an indication other than epilepsy) with an opioid analgesic, prescribe a lower initial dose of the CNS depressant than indicated in the absence of an opioid and titrate based upon clinical response. If an opioid analgesic is indicated in a patient already taking a CNS depressant, prescribe a lower dose of the opioid and titrate based upon clinical response.(1) Respiratory depression can occur at any time during opioid therapy, especially during therapy initiation and following dosage increases. Consider this risk when using concurrently with other agents that may cause CNS depression.(4) Monitor patients receiving concurrent therapy for unusual dizziness or lightheadedness, extreme sleepiness, slowed or difficult breathing, or unresponsiveness.(1) Eszopiclone, zaleplon, and zolpidem are contraindicated in patients who have had a previous episode of complex sleep behavior.(3) Discuss naloxone with all patients when prescribing or renewing an opioid analgesic or medicine to treat opioid use disorder (OUD). Consider prescribing naloxone to patients prescribed medicines to treat OUD or opioid analgesics (such as those taking CNS depressants) who are at increased risk of opioid overdose and when a patient has household members/close contacts at risk for accidental overdose.(5) DISCUSSION: Between 2002 and 2014, the number of patients receiving an opioid analgesic increased 8%, from 75 million to 81 million patients, and the number of patients receiving a benzodiazepine increased 31%, from 23 million to 30 million patients. During this time, the proportion of patients receiving concurrent therapy increased 31%, from 23 million to 30 million patients.(6) From 2004 to 2011, the rate of nonmedical use-related emergency room visits involving both opioids and benzodiazepines increased from 11 to 34.2 per 100,000 and drug overdose deaths involving both opioids and benzodiazepines increased from 0.6 to 1.7 per 100,000. The proportion of prescription opioid analgesic deaths which also involved benzodiazepines increased from 18% to 31% during this time.(7) A prospective observational cohort study in North Carolina found that the rates of overdose death among patients co-dispensed opioid analgesics and benzodiazepines were 10 times higher than patients receiving opioid analgesics alone.(8) A case-cohort study of VA data from 2004-2009 found that the risk of death from overdose increased with concomitant opioid analgesics and benzodiazepines. Compared to patients with no history of benzodiazepines, patients with a history of benzodiazepine use (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.33) and patients with a current benzodiazepine prescription (HR=3.86) had an increased risk of fatal overdose.(9) A study found that opioid analgesics contributed to 77% of deaths in which benzodiazepines were determined to be a cause of death and that benzodiazepines contributed to 30% of deaths in which opioid analgesics were determined to be a cause of death. This study also found that other CNS depressants (including barbiturates, antipsychotic and neuroleptic drugs, antiepileptic and antiparkinsonian drugs, anesthetics, autonomic nervous system drugs, and muscle relaxants) were contributory to death in many cases where opioid analgesics were also implicated.(10) A study found that alcohol was involved in 18.5% of opioid analgesic abuse-related ED visits and 22.1 percent of opioid analgesic-related deaths.(11) As of April 2019, the FDA had identified 66 cases of complex sleep behaviors with eszopiclone, zaleplon, or zolpidem, of which 20 cases resulted in death and the remainder resulted in serious injuries. It was not reported how many of the cases involved concomitant use of other CNS depressants.(2) |
METHADONE HCL, METHADONE HCL-0.9% NACL, METHADONE HCL-NACL |
| Levomethadone; Methadone for MAT/Sleep Drugs; Tranquilizers SEVERITY LEVEL: 3-Moderate Interaction: Assess the risk to the patient and take action as needed. MECHANISM OF ACTION: Concurrent use of methadone and sleep drugs or tranquilizers may result in additive CNS depression and sleep-related disorders.(1,2) Levomethadone is an enantiomer of methadone.(3) CLINICAL EFFECTS: Concurrent use of methadone and other CNS depressants, such as sleep drugs or tranquilizers, may result in profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and/or death.(1,2) Concurrent use of opioids with eszopiclone, zaleplon, or zolpidem may increase the risk of sleep-related disorders including central sleep apnea and sleep-related hypoxemia, and complex sleep behaviors like sleepwalking, sleep driving, and other activities while not fully awake. Rarely, serious injuries or death have resulted from complex sleep behaviors.(4) PREDISPOSING FACTORS: Concurrent use of alcohol or other CNS depressants may increase the risk of adverse effects. PATIENT MANAGEMENT: Medication assisted treatment (MAT) with methadone is not contraindicated in patients taking CNS depressants; however, discontinuation of CNS depressants is preferred in most cases. In some cases, monitoring at a higher level of care may be appropriate. In others, gradual tapering or decreasing to the lowest effective dose of the CNS depressant is appropriate. Consider other medications and nonpharmacologic treatments to address anxiety or insomnia. Ensure that other health care providers prescribing other CNS depressants are aware of the patient's buprenorphine or methadone treatment.(2) Monitor patients receiving concurrent therapy for unusual dizziness or lightheadedness, extreme sleepiness, slowed or difficult breathing, or unresponsiveness.(1) Eszopiclone, zaleplon, and zolpidem are contraindicated in patients who have had a previous episode of complex sleep behavior.(4) Discuss naloxone with all patients when prescribing or renewing an opioid analgesic or medicine to treat opioid use disorder (OUD). Consider prescribing naloxone to patients prescribed medicines to treat OUD or opioid analgesics (such as those taking CNS depressants) who are at increased risk of opioid overdose and when a patient has household members/close contacts at risk for accidental overdose.(5) DISCUSSION: Between 2002 and 2014, the number of patients receiving an opioid analgesic increased 8%, from 75 million to 81 million patients, and the number of patients receiving a benzodiazepine increased 31%, from 23 million to 30 million patients. During this time, the proportion of patients receiving concurrent therapy increased 31%, from 23 million to 30 million patients.(6) From 2004 to 2011, the rate of nonmedical use-related emergency room visits involving both opioids and benzodiazepines increased from 11 to 34.2 per 100,000 and drug overdose deaths involving both opioids and benzodiazepines increased from 0.6 to 1.7 per 100,000. The proportion of prescription opioid analgesic deaths which also involved benzodiazepines increased from 18% to 31% during this time.(7) A prospective observational cohort study in North Carolina found that the rates of overdose death among patients co-dispensed opioid analgesics and benzodiazepines were 10 times higher than patients receiving opioid analgesics alone.(8) A case-cohort study of VA data from 2004-2009 found that the risk of death from overdose increased with concomitant opioid analgesics and benzodiazepines. Compared to patients with no history of benzodiazepines, patients with a history of benzodiazepine use (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.33) and patients with a current benzodiazepine prescription (HR=3.86) had an increased risk of fatal overdose.(9) A study found that opioid analgesics contributed to 77% of deaths in which benzodiazepines were determined to be a cause of death and that benzodiazepines contributed to 30% of deaths in which opioid analgesics were determined to be a cause of death. This study also found that other CNS depressants (including barbiturates, antipsychotic and neuroleptic drugs, antiepileptic and antiparkinsonian drugs, anesthetics, autonomic nervous system drugs, and muscle relaxants) were contributory to death in many cases where opioid analgesics were also implicated.(10) A study found that alcohol was involved in 18.5% of opioid analgesic abuse-related ED visits and 22.1 percent of opioid analgesic-related deaths.(11) While concomitant use of MAT with CNS depressants increases the risk of adverse reactions, barriers to MAT can pose a greater risk of morbidity and mortality due to opioid use disorder.(2) As of April 2019, the FDA had identified 66 cases of complex sleep behaviors with eszopiclone, zaleplon, or zolpidem, of which 20 cases resulted in death and the remainder resulted in serious injuries. It was not reported how many of the cases involved concomitant use of other CNS depressants.(4) |
DISKETS, METHADONE HCL, METHADONE INTENSOL, METHADOSE |
| Mavacamten/Weak CYP3A4 Inhibitors SEVERITY LEVEL: 3-Moderate Interaction: Assess the risk to the patient and take action as needed. MECHANISM OF ACTION: Weak CYP3A4 inhibitors may decrease the metabolism of mavacamten.(1) CLINICAL EFFECTS: Concurrent use of weak CYP3A4 inhibitors may increase the plasma levels and the incidence and severity of adverse reactions of mavacamten.(1) PREDISPOSING FACTORS: CYP2C19 poor metabolizers may experience an increased incidence or severity of adverse effects.(1) PATIENT MANAGEMENT: The UK manufacturer of mavacamten states no dose adjustment is necessary when starting mavacamten in patients on weak CYP3A4 inhibitors or in intermediate, normal, rapid, or ultra-rapid CYP2C19 metabolizers already on mavacamten and starting a weak CYP3A4 inhibitor. In poor CYP2C19 metabolizers already on mavacamten and starting a weak CYP3A4 inhibitor, reduce mavacamten 5 mg to 2.5 mg or if on 2.5 mg pause treatment for 4 weeks. If CYP2C19 phenotype is unknown, consider a mavacamten starting dose of 2.5 mg daily.(1) DISCUSSION: In a PBPK model, concomitant use of mavacamten (15 mg daily) with cimetidine 400 mg twice daily, a weak CYP3A4 inhibitor, was predicted to increase mavacamten area-under-curve (AUC) by 6% and maximum concentration (Cmax) by 4% in poor CYP2C19 metabolizers and by 3% and 2%, respectively, in both intermediate and normal CYP2C19 metabolizers.(2) Weak CYP3A4 inhibitors include: alprazolam, amiodarone, amlodipine, asciminib, azithromycin, Baikal skullcap, belumosudil, berberine, bicalutamide, blueberry, brodalumab, chlorzoxazone, cilostazol, ciprofloxacin, clotrimazole, cranberry, cyclosporine, delavirdine, dihydroberberine, diosmin, everolimus, flibanserin, fosaprepitant, fostamatinib, gepotidacin, ginkgo, givinostat, glecaprevir/pibrentasvir, goldenseal, istradefylline, ivacaftor, lacidipine, lapatinib, leflunomide, levamlodipine, linagliptin, lomitapide, lurasidone, mavorixafor, pazopanib, peppermint oil, propiverine, propofol, ranitidine, remdesivir, resveratrol, roxithromycin, sitaxsentan, skullcap, suvorexant, teriflunomide, ticagrelor, tolvaptan, trofinetide, and viloxazine.(4,5) |
CAMZYOS |
The following contraindication information is available for BELSOMRA (suvorexant):
Drug contraindication overview.
*Patients with narcolepsy.
*Patients with narcolepsy.
There are 2 contraindications.
Absolute contraindication.
| Contraindication List |
|---|
| Alcohol use disorder |
| Narcolepsy syndrome |
There are 2 severe contraindications.
Adequate patient monitoring is recommended for safer drug use.
| Severe List |
|---|
| Depression |
| Suicidal ideation |
There are 2 moderate contraindications.
Clinically significant contraindication, where the condition can be managed or treated before the drug may be given safely.
| Moderate List |
|---|
| Acute cognitive impairment |
| Complex sleep behavior |
The following adverse reaction information is available for BELSOMRA (suvorexant):
Adverse reaction overview.
The most common adverse effect of suvorexant reported in >=5% of patients receiving the drug in clinical studies was somnolence.
The most common adverse effect of suvorexant reported in >=5% of patients receiving the drug in clinical studies was somnolence.
There are 2 severe adverse reactions.
| More Frequent | Less Frequent |
|---|---|
| None. | None. |
| Rare/Very Rare |
|---|
|
Complex sleep behavior Suicidal ideation |
There are 26 less severe adverse reactions.
| More Frequent | Less Frequent |
|---|---|
|
Drowsy Headache disorder |
Cough Diarrhea Dizziness Dream disorder Upper respiratory infection Xerostomia |
| Rare/Very Rare |
|---|
|
Accidental fall Acute cognitive impairment Behavioral disorders Cataplexy Concentration difficulty Depression Gait abnormality Hypercholesterolemia Hypnagogic hallucination Memory impairment Nausea Palpitations Paresthesia Pruritus of skin Sleep paralysis Symptoms of anxiety Tachycardia Vomiting |
The following precautions are available for BELSOMRA (suvorexant):
Safety and efficacy of suvorexant have not been established in pediatric patients.
Contraindicated
Severe Precaution
Management or Monitoring Precaution
Contraindicated
| None |
Severe Precaution
| None |
Management or Monitoring Precaution
| None |
There are no adequate data on the use of suvorexant in pregnant women to evaluate the risk of adverse developmental effects or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. In animal reproduction studies, decreased maternal weight gain was observed at dosages resulting in 30 and 28 times the exposures achieved with the maximum recommended human dosage in rats and rabbits, respectively. Decreased fetal weight was observed in rats at dose exposure levels >=86 times the maximum recommended human dosage.
In rats administered suvorexant during pregnancy and lactation, no adverse fetal or developmental effects were observed at dosages resulting in up to 25 times the exposures achieved with the maximum recommended human dosage. In rabbits administered suvorexant during pregnancy, no adverse fetal toxicities were observed at dosages resulting in up to 28 times the exposures achieved with the maximum recommended human dosage.
In rats administered suvorexant during pregnancy and lactation, no adverse fetal or developmental effects were observed at dosages resulting in up to 25 times the exposures achieved with the maximum recommended human dosage. In rabbits administered suvorexant during pregnancy, no adverse fetal toxicities were observed at dosages resulting in up to 28 times the exposures achieved with the maximum recommended human dosage.
Suvorexant and a hydroxyl metabolite are distributed into milk in rats; it is not known whether the drug is distributed into human milk. The effects of the drug on the breast-fed infant or on milk production also are unknown. Consider the developmental and health benefits of breast-feeding along with the mother's clinical need for the drug and any potential adverse effects on the breast-fed infant from the drug or from the underlying maternal condition. The manufacturer states that infants exposed to suvorexant through breast milk should be monitored for excessive sedation.
In clinical studies, 46% of patients who received suvorexant were >=65 years of age, while 9% were >=75 years of age. No substantial differences in safety and efficacy relative to younger adults were observed at recommended dosages of the drug. In a small, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial in healthy geriatric individuals 65-80 years of age, administration of a single 30-mg dose of suvorexant at bedtime resulted in impairment of balance (body sway area) compared with placebo when individuals were awakened 90 minutes after the dose.
In this study, memory impairment was not observed when individuals were awakened 4 hours after the dose. Because of the CNS depressant effects of suvorexant, geriatric patients in particular are at higher risk of falls.
In this study, memory impairment was not observed when individuals were awakened 4 hours after the dose. Because of the CNS depressant effects of suvorexant, geriatric patients in particular are at higher risk of falls.
The following prioritized warning is available for BELSOMRA (suvorexant):
No warning message for this drug.
No warning message for this drug.
The following icd codes are available for BELSOMRA (suvorexant)'s list of indications:
| Insomnia | |
| F51.0 | Insomnia not due to a substance or known physiological condition |
| F51.01 | Primary insomnia |
| F51.02 | Adjustment insomnia |
| F51.03 | Paradoxical insomnia |
| F51.04 | Psychophysiologic insomnia |
| F51.05 | Insomnia due to other mental disorder |
| F51.09 | Other insomnia not due to a substance or known physiological condition |
| G47.0 | Insomnia |
| G47.00 | Insomnia, unspecified |
| G47.01 | Insomnia due to medical condition |
| G47.09 | Other insomnia |
Formulary Reference Tool