Macitentan (macitentan)

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Macitentan is metabolized principally by cytochrome P-450 (CYP) isoenzyme 3A4, and to a lesser extent by CYP2C19. At clinically relevant concentrations, macitentan does not appear to inhibit or induce CYP enzymes. The drug and its active metabolite are not substrates or inhibitors of the P-glycoprotein (P-gp) efflux transporter or multi-drug resistance protein. Macitentan and its active metabolite are not expected to have significant interaction with the organic anion transport proteins (OATP) 1B1 and 1B3, multidrug and toxin extrusion protein (MATE-1, MATE-2K), bile salt export pump (BSEP), sodium-taurocholate co-transporting polypeptide (NTCP), organic cation transporter (OCT-1, OCT-3), organic anion transporter (OAT-1, OAT-3), or breast-cancer resistance protein (BCRP) at clinically relevant plasma concentrations.

Contraindicated Drug Combination: This drug combination is contraindicated and generally should not be dispensed or administered to the same patient.

Ace Inhibitors; Arbs; Eras; Aliskiren/Sparsentan

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: Sparsentan is an antagonist of the endothelin type A receptor and the angiotensin II type 1 receptor which are thought to contribute to the pathogenesis of IgA nephropathy.(1) Coadministration with renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) inhibitors and endothelin receptor antagonists (ERAs) may result in additive inhibition of angiotensin. RAAS inhibitors include ACE inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs), and aliskiren.

CLINICAL EFFECTS: Concurrent use of sparsentan with renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) inhibitors and endothelin receptor antagonists (ERAs) may result in hypotension, syncope, hyperkalemia, and changes in renal function (including renal failure).(1)

PREDISPOSING FACTORS: Patients with renal artery stenosis, chronic kidney disease, severe congestive heart failure, or volume depletion may be at risk of developing acute kidney injury on sparsentan.(1) Patients with advanced kidney disease or taking concomitant potassium-increasing drugs (e.g., potassium supplements, potassium-sparing diuretics), or using potassium-containing salt substitutes are at increased risk for developing hyperkalemia.(1)

PATIENT MANAGEMENT: Do not coadminister sparsentan with renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) inhibitors and endothelin receptor antagonists (ERAs). Prior to initiating treatment with sparsentan, discontinue use of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) inhibitors and endothelin receptor antagonists (ERAs).(1) RAAS inhibitors include ACE inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs), and aliskiren.

DISCUSSION: The US manufacturer of sparsentan states that concomitant use of sparsentan with renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) inhibitors and endothelin receptor antagonists (ERAs) is contraindicated.(1) RAAS inhibitors include ACE inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs), and aliskiren.

Macitentan/Dual Moderate Cyp2c9 & 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: Dual moderate inhibitors of CYP2C9 and CYP3A4 may inhibit the metabolism of macitentan.(1)

CLINICAL EFFECTS: Concurrent use of a dual moderate inhibitor of CYP2C9 and CYP3A4 may result in elevated levels and increased effects of macitentan.(1)

PREDISPOSING FACTORS: None determined.

PATIENT MANAGEMENT: The manufacturer of macitentan states that use of dual moderate inhibitors of CYP2C9 and CYP3A4 should be avoided. Concomitant use of both a moderate CYP3A4 inhibitor and a moderate CYP2C9 inhibit should also be avoided.(1) The Australian and Canadian manufacturers of macitentan state caution should be exercised when macitentan is administered concomitantly with moderate dual inhibitors of CYP3A4 and CYP2C9.(2,3)

DISCUSSION: Based on pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling, dual moderate inhibitors of CYP2C9 and CYP3A4 such as fluconazole are predicted to increase macitentan exposure by 4-fold.(1) Dual moderate inhibitors of CYP2C9 and CYP3A4 include: amiodarone and fluconazole.(4)

Macitentan/Strong Cyp3a4 Inducers

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: Strong CYP3A4 inducers may induce the metabolism of macitentan.(1) CYP3A4 is the primary metabolism pathway of macitentan to its less active metabolite.(1,2)

CLINICAL EFFECTS: Concurrent use of strong CYP3A4 inducers may decrease systemic levels and effectiveness of macitentan.(1,2)

PREDISPOSING FACTORS: Induction effects may be more likely with regular use of the inducer for longer than 1-2 weeks.

PATIENT MANAGEMENT: The manufacturer of macitentan recommends avoiding concurrent use of macitentan and strong CYP3A4 inducers.(2) If concurrent therapy is warranted, monitor closely for loss of efficacy and adjust macitentan dose or dosing interval if needed. Note the onset of induction is gradual; maximal induction may not occur for 2 or more weeks. When concurrent treatment with rifampin is stopped, induction will gradually wane and systemic concentrations of macitentan will gradually increase over 2 or more weeks. Monitor for toxicity and adjust dose as required.

DISCUSSION: An interaction study in 10 healthy male subjects evaluated the effect of rifampin on macitentan and active metabolite pharmacokinetics. Although less potent, the active metabolite was evaluated as its longer half-life leads to a 3-fold higher systemic exposure than macitentan. About 40% of macitentan pharmacologic activity is thought due to this metabolite.(2) Subjects received a 30 mg macitentan loading dose followed by 10 mg daily for four more days. Beginning on day 6, rifampin 600 mg and macitentan 10 mg were co-administered daily for 7 days. Macitentan area-under-curve (AUC) and concentration minimum (Cmin) were measured on days 5 and 12. Co-administration decreased macitentan AUC 79% and trough concentration 93%. The AUC and Cmin of the macitentan active metabolite was unchanged and decreased 17% respectively.(1) Strong CYP3A4 inducers linked to this monograph include: apalutamide, barbiturates, carbamazepine, encorafenib, enzalutamide, fosphenytoin, ivosidenib, lumacaftor, mitotane, phenobarbital, phenytoin, primidone, rifampin, rifapentine, and St. John's Wort.(3)

Macitentan/Strong 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: Strong inhibitors of CYP3A4 may inhibit the metabolism of macitentan.(1)

CLINICAL EFFECTS: Concurrent use of a strong inhibitor of CYP3A4 may result in elevated levels and increased effects of macitentan.(1)

PREDISPOSING FACTORS: None determined.

PATIENT MANAGEMENT: The manufacturer of macitentan states that use of strong inhibitors of CYP3A4 should be avoided. When strong CYP3A4 inhibitors are required (e.g. protease inhibitors in the treatment of HIV), use other treatment options for pulmonary arterial hypertension.(1) The Journal of American College of Cardiology (JACC) states concurrent use of macitentan and nirmatrelvir-ritonavir is not advised. JACC recommends discontinuing macitentan for at least 36 hours before initiation of nirmatrelvir-ritonavir.(2)

DISCUSSION: Pretreatment with ketoconazole increased the area-under-curve (AUC) and maximum concentration (Cmax) of macitentan approximately 2.3 and 1.3-fold respectively.(1) Strong inhibitors of CYP3A4 include: adagrasib, boceprevir, ceritinib, clarithromycin, cobicistat, ensitrelvir, idelalisib, indinavir, itraconazole, josamycin, ketoconazole, levoketoconazole, lonafarnib, lopinavir/ritonavir, mibefradil, mifepristone, nefazodone, nelfinavir, nirmatrelvir/ritonavir, paritaprevir, posaconazole, relacorilant, ribociclib, saquinavir, telaprevir, telithromycin, tipranavir, troleandomycin, tucatinib, and voriconazole.(3)

There are no severe interactions for this drug.

Moderate Interaction: Assess the risk to the patient and take action as needed.

Macitentan/Moderate Cyp3a4 Inhibitors

SEVERITY LEVEL: 3-Moderate Interaction: Assess the risk to the patient and take action as needed.

MECHANISM OF ACTION: Macitentan is primarily metabolized by CYP3A4, with minor contributions from CYP2C8, CYP2C9, and CYP2C19. Moderate inhibitors of CYP3A4 may inhibit the metabolism of macitentan.(1)

CLINICAL EFFECTS: Concurrent use of a moderate inhibitor of CYP3A4 may result in elevated levels and increased effects of macitentan, including hepatotoxicity and fluid retention.(1)

PREDISPOSING FACTORS: Concomitant use of a moderate CYP2C9 inhibitor increases the magnitude of this interaction and the risk of adverse events.

PATIENT MANAGEMENT: The US manufacturer of macitentan states that concurrent use of both a moderate CYP2C9 inhibitor and a moderate CYP3A4 inhibitor should be avoided.(1) The Australian and Canadian manufacturers of macitentan state caution should be exercised when macitentan is administered concomitantly with a moderate CYP3A4 inhibitor.(2,3) While the manufacturer does not provide recommendations for concurrent use of a moderate CYP3A4 inhibitor alone, it would be prudent to use caution and monitor for adverse effects.

DISCUSSION: Based on pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling, dual moderate inhibitors of CYP2C9 and CYP3A4 such as fluconazole are predicted to increase macitentan exposure by 4-fold.(1) Pretreatment with ketoconazole increased the area-under-curve (AUC) and maximum concentration (Cmax) of macitentan by approximately 2.3 and 1.3-fold, respectively.(1) Moderate CYP3A4 inhibitors linked to this monograph include: amprenavir, aprepitant, atazanavir, avacopan, berotralstat, clofazimine, conivaptan, crizotinib, darunavir, diltiazem, dronedarone, duvelisib, erythromycin, fedratinib, fluvoxamine, fosamprenavir, fosnetupitant, imatinib, isavuconazonium, oral lefamulin, lenacapavir, letermovir, netupitant, nilotinib, rilzabrutinib, schisandra, stiripentol, tofisopam, treosulfan, verapamil, and voxelotor.(4)

*Pregnancy.

*History of hypersensitivity reaction to macitentan or any component.

• Pregnancy

• Anemia
• Chronic heart failure
• Pulmonary veno-occlusive disease

There are no moderate contraindications for this drug.

The most common adverse effects reported with macitentan in clinical trials and occurring at least 3% more frequently with the drug than with placebo include anemia, nasopharyngitis/pharyngitis, bronchitis, headache, influenza, and urinary tract infection.

More Frequent

• Anemia

Less Frequent

• Abnormal hepatic function tests

Rare or Very Rare

• Angioedema
• Drug-induced hepatitis
• Heart failure
• Hepatic failure
• Hyperbilirubinemia
• Hypotension

More Frequent

• Bronchitis
• Headache disorder
• Influenza
• Pharyngitis
• Urinary tract infection

Less Frequent

• Acute abdominal pain
• Back pain
• Palpitations

Rare or Very Rare

• Body fluid retention
• Edema
• Flushing
• Nasal congestion
• Oligospermia
• Pruritus of skin
• Skin rash

No enhanced messaging available.

Safety and efficacy of macitentan have not been established in pediatric patients for the treatment of PAH.

In an open-label, randomized trial with an extension period, 148 pediatric patients 2 to 17 years of age with PAH were evaluated. Results revealed that macitentan did not demonstrate a clinical benefit compared with standard of care PAH treatment. Adverse reactions in the trial were similar in nature to those seen in clinical trials in adults.

Based on data from animal reproduction studies, macitentan may cause embryofetal toxicity, including birth defects and fetal death, when administered to pregnant females and is contraindicated during pregnancy. Available data from postmarketing reports and published literature over decades of use with ERAs in the same class as macitentan have not identified an increased risk of major birth defects; however, these data are limited. If macitentan is used during pregnancy, or if the patient becomes pregnant while taking macitentan, clinicians should advise the patient of the fetal risk.

It is not known whether macitentan is distributed into human milk or has effects on the breastfed infant or on milk production. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions to macitentan in nursing infants, advise women not to breastfeed during treatment with macitentan.

The manufacturer makes no specific dosage recommendations for geriatric patients.

In the principal clinical study of macitentan in patients with PAH, 14% of the patients were 65 years of age or older. No overall differences in safety or efficacy were observed between these geriatric patients and younger individuals.