Evaluation of Cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A4-Based Interactions of Levomilnacipran with Ketoconazole, Carbamazepine or Alprazolam in Healthy Subjects.

Article Details

Citation

Chen L, Boinpally R, Gad N, Greenberg WM, Wangsa J, Periclou A, Ghahramani P

Evaluation of Cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A4-Based Interactions of Levomilnacipran with Ketoconazole, Carbamazepine or Alprazolam in Healthy Subjects.

Clin Drug Investig. 2015 Oct;35(10):601-12. doi: 10.1007/s40261-015-0318-2.

PubMed ID
26315684 [ View in PubMed
]
Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Levomilnacipran is a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor with balanced potency for the reuptake inhibition of norepinephrine and serotonin, approved in the USA for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults. We conducted studies in healthy human subjects to investigate pharmacokinetic interactions when levomilnacipran extended-release (ER) is administered in combination with an inhibitor (ketoconazole), an inducer (carbamazepine), or a substrate (alprazolam) of cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A4. METHODS: Randomised, open-label studies were conducted in healthy volunteers (n = 34 ketoconazole, n = 34 carbamazepine, n = 30 alprazolam) and pharmacokinetic parameters were determined when levomilnacipran was administered alone or together with the relevant study drug. RESULTS: Co-administration of ketoconazole with levomilnacipran ER increased levomilnacipran maximum concentration (C max) by 39% [90% confidence interval (CI) 31-47%] and area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) by 57% (90% CI 47-67%), whereas carbamazepine reduced the C max and AUC of levomilnacipran by 26% (90% CI 22-30%) and 29% (90% CI 26-32%), respectively. Levomilnacipran at steady state had no significant effect on the pharmacokinetics of a single 1 mg dose of alprazolam extended release (XR); neither did single-dose alprazolam XR affect the steady-state pharmacokinetics of levomilnacipran. No new safety concerns were noted in these studies. CONCLUSIONS: Based on these results, the levomilnacipran ER dose should not exceed 80 mg once daily when used with ketoconazole, compared to 120 mg once daily in the absence of ketoconazole. No dose adjustment for levomilnacipran is suggested when levomilnacipran ER is co-administered with carbamazepine or other CYP3A4 inducers. Co-administration with levomilnacipran of drugs metabolised by CYP3A4, such as alprazolam, requires no dose adjustment due to pharmacokinetic considerations.

DrugBank Data that Cites this Article

Drug Enzymes
DrugEnzymeKindOrganismPharmacological ActionActions
CarbamazepineCytochrome P450 3A4ProteinHumans
Unknown
Substrate
Inducer
Details
Drug Interactions
DrugsInteraction
Levomilnacipran
Thalidomide
The metabolism of Levomilnacipran can be increased when combined with Thalidomide.
Levomilnacipran
Esketamine
The metabolism of Levomilnacipran can be increased when combined with Esketamine.
Levomilnacipran
Mifepristone
The metabolism of Levomilnacipran can be increased when combined with Mifepristone.
Levomilnacipran
Lorlatinib
The metabolism of Levomilnacipran can be increased when combined with Lorlatinib.
Levomilnacipran
Pegvisomant
The metabolism of Levomilnacipran can be increased when combined with Pegvisomant.