Amprenavir + Rifabutin = Precautionary

Effect on Concentration

Amprenavir
Unknown
Applies within class?
No
Rifabutin
Increase
Applies within class?
No

Pharmacologic Effects

Effect
N/A
Applies within class?
No
Effect
N/A
Applies within class?
No

Interaction History

N/A

Last Updated 02-Jul-2018

Summary

Sources

Study Design

Twenty-four healthy male subjects were randomized to one of two cohorts. All subjects received amprenavir (1,200 mg twice a day) for 4 days, followed by a 7-day washout period, followed by either rifabutin (300 mg once a day [QD]) (cohort 1) or rifampin (600 mg QD) (cohort 2) for 14 days. Cohort 1 then received amprenavir plus rifabutin for 10 days, and cohort 2 received amprenavir plus rifampin for 4 days. Serial plasma and urine samples for measurement of amprenavir, rifabutin, and rifampin and their 25-O-desacetyl metabolites, were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography.

Study Results

Rifabutin did not significantly affect amprenavir's pharmacokinetics. Amprenavir significantly increased the area under the curve at steady state (AUCss) of rifabutin by 2.93-fold and the AUCss of 25-O-desacetylrifabutin by 13.3-fold. Rifampin significantly decreased the AUCss of amprenavir by 82%, but amprenavir had no effect on rifampin pharmacokinetics. Amprenavir decreased the results of the ERMBT by 83%. The results of the ERMBT after 2 weeks of rifabutin and rifampin therapy were increased 187 and 156%, respectively.

Study Conclusions

Amprenavir plus rifampin was well tolerated. Amprenavir plus rifabutin was poorly tolerated, and 5 of 11 subjects discontinued therapy. Rifampin markedly increases the metabolic clearance of amprenavir, and coadministration is contraindicated. Amprenavir significantly decreases clearance of rifabutin and 25-O-desacetylrifabutin, and the combination is poorly tolerated. Amprenavir inhibits the ERMBT, and rifampin and rifabutin are equipotent inducers of the ERMBT.

References

Polk RE, Brophy DF, Israel DS, Patron R, Sadler BM, Chittick GE, Stein DS. Pharmacokinetic interaction between amprenavir and rifabutin or rifampin in healthy males. Antimicrobial Agents And Chemotherapy. 2001; 2: 502-508.