Orgovyx (relugolix)

Concomitant use of relugolix with a combined P-gp and strong cytochrome P-450 isoenzyme 3A (CYP3A) inducer should be avoided. If concomitant use is unavoidable, relugolix dosage should be increased to 240 mg once daily. The recommended relugolix dosage of 120 mg once daily should be resumed after discontinuation of the combined P-gp and strong CYP3A inducer.

Concomitant use of relugolix with oral P-gp inhibitors should be avoided. If concomitant use is unavoidable, relugolix should be administered first and separated from the P-gp inhibitor by at least 6 hours. Relugolix therapy may be interrupted for up to 2 weeks if short-term therapy with a P-gp inhibitor is required.

Relugolix is administered orally with a loading dose on the first day followed by once daily dosing at approximately the same time each day without regard to food.

The tablets should be swallowed whole and not crushed or chewed.

If a dose is missed, the missed dose should be taken as soon as it is remembered. However, if a dose is missed by more than 12 hours, the missed dose should not be taken and therapy should be resumed with the next scheduled dose.

The tablets should be stored at room temperature (not above 30oC).

No dosing information is available for this tab.

There is no enhanced messaging for this drug.

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

Cyp3a4 Inducers/Zuranolone

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: Inducers of CYP3A4 may induce the metabolism of zuranolone.(1)

CLINICAL EFFECTS: Concurrent use of a CYP3A4 inducer may result in a loss of zuranolone efficacy.(1)

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

PATIENT MANAGEMENT: Avoid the concurrent use of zuranolone with CYP3A4 inducers.(1)

DISCUSSION: Coadministration of zuranolone with rifampin decreased the maximum concentration (Cmax) by 0.31-fold and area-under-curve (AUC) by 0.15-fold.(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. Moderate CYP3A4 inducers linked to this monograph include: belzutifan, bosentan, cenobamate, dabrafenib, dipyrone, efavirenz, elagolix, etravirine, fexinidazole, lesinurad, lorlatinib, mavacamten, mitapivat, modafinil, nafcillin, pacritinib, pexidartinib, repotrectinib, rifabutin, sotorasib, telotristat ethyl, thioridazine, and tovorafenib. Weak CYP3A4 inducers linked to this monograph include: armodafinil, aumolertinib, bexarotene, brigatinib, brivaracetam, clobazam, danshen, darolutamide, dexamethasone, dicloxacillin, echinacea, eslicarbazepine, flucloxacillin, garlic, genistein, ginseng, glycyrrhizin, methylprednisolone, mobocertinib, nevirapine, omaveloxolone, oritavancin, oxcarbazepine, pioglitazone, pitolisant, quercetin, relugolix, rufinamide, sarilumab, sulfinpyrazone, sunvozertinib, tazemetostat, tecovirimat, terbinafine, ticlopidine, topiramate, troglitazone, vemurafenib, vinblastine, and zanubrutinib.(2,3)

Severe Interaction: Action is required to reduce the risk of severe adverse interaction.

Cyp3a4 Inducers/Erlotinib

SEVERITY LEVEL: 2-Severe Interaction: Action is required to reduce the risk of severe adverse interaction.

MECHANISM OF ACTION: Inducers of CYP3A4 may induce the metabolism of erlotinib.(1)

CLINICAL EFFECTS: Concurrent or recent use of a CYP3A4 inducer may result in decreased levels and effectiveness of erlotinib.(1)

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

PATIENT MANAGEMENT: Avoid the concurrent use of CYP3A4 inducers in patients receiving therapy with erlotinib. Consider the use of alternative agents with less enzyme induction potential.(1) Consider increasing the dosage of erlotinib by 50 mg increments as tolerated at two week intervals (to a maximum of 450 mg) while closely monitoring the patient. The highest dosage studied with concurrent rifampin is 450 mg. If the dosage of erlotinib is increased, it will need to be decreased when the inducer is discontinued.(1)

DISCUSSION: Pretreatment and concurrent therapy with rifampin increased erlotinib clearance by 3-fold and decreased the erlotinib area-under-curve (AUC) by 66% to 80%. This is equivalent to a dose of about 30 mg to 50 mg in NSCLC.(1) In a study, pretreatment with rifampin for 11 days decreased the AUC of a single 450 mg dose of erlotinib to 57.6% of the AUC observed with a single 150 mg dose of erlotinib.(1) In a case report, coadministration of phenytoin (180mg daily) and erlotinib (150mg daily) increased the phenytoin concentration from 8.2mcg/ml to 24.2mcg/ml and decreased the erlotinib concentration 12-fold (from 1.77mcg/ml to 0.15mcg/ml) and increased the erlotinib clearance by 10-fold (from 3.53 L/h to 41.7 L/h).(2) In a study, concurrent use of sorafenib (400 mg twice daily) and erlotinib (150 mg daily) decreased the concentration minimum (Cmin), concentration maximum (Cmax), and AUC of erlotinib.(3) In an animal study, concurrent use of dexamethasone and erlotinib decreased the AUC of erlotinib by 0.6-fold.(4) Strong inducers of CYP3A4 include: barbiturates, encorafenib, enzalutamide, fosphenytoin, ivosidenib, mitotane, phenobarbital, phenytoin, primidone, rifampin, and rifapentine.(5,6) Moderate inducers of CYP3A4 include: belzutifan, bosentan, cenobamate, dabrafenib, dipyrone, efavirenz, elagolix, etravirine, fexinidazole, lesinurad, lorlatinib, mavacamten, mitapivat, modafinil, nafcillin, pacritinib, pexidartinib, repotrectinib, sotorasib, telotristat, thioridazine, and tovorafenib.(5,6) Weak inducers of CYP3A4 include: amprenavir, armodafinil, aumolertinib, bexarotene, brigatinib, brivaracetam, clobazam, danshen, darolutamide, dicloxacillin, echinacea, eslicarbazepine, flucloxacillin, garlic, genistein, ginkgo, ginseng, glycyrrhizin, mobocertinib, nevirapine, omaveloxolone, oritavancin, oxcarbazepine, pioglitazone, pitolisant, quercetin, relugolix, rufinamide, sarilumab, sulfinpyrazone, sunvozertinib, tazemetostat, tecovirimat, terbinafine, ticlopidine, topiramate, troglitazone, vemurafenib, vinblastine, and zanubrutinib.(5,6)

Relugolix/P-Glycoprotein (P-Gp) Inhibitors

SEVERITY LEVEL: 2-Severe Interaction: Action is required to reduce the risk of severe adverse interaction.

MECHANISM OF ACTION: Relugolix is a substrate of the intestinal P-glycoprotein (P-gp) efflux transporter. Inhibitors of P-gp may increase the absorption of relugolix.(1)

CLINICAL EFFECTS: The concurrent administration of relugolix with an inhibitor of P-glycoprotein may result in elevated levels of relugolix and adverse effects, including hot flashes, skin flushing, musculoskeletal pain, hyperglycemia, acute renal injury, transaminitis, arrhythmias, and hemorrhage.(1)

PREDISPOSING FACTORS: None determined.

PATIENT MANAGEMENT: The US manufacturer of relugolix states that the coadministration of relugolix with P-gp inhibitors should be avoided. If the P-gp inhibitor is to be used short-term, relugolix may be held for up to 2 weeks. If treatment with relugolix is interrupted for longer than 7 days, resume relugolix with a loading dose of 360 mg on the first day, followed by 120 mg once daily.(1) If coadministration with a P-gp inhibitor cannot be avoided, relugolix should be taken at least 6 hours before the P-gp inhibitor. Monitor the patient more frequently for adverse events.(1) For patients on daraxonrasib, the manufacturer of daraxonrasib states that it should be taken at least 4 hours apart from P-gp substrates.(2)

DISCUSSION: Coadministration of relugolix with erythromycin (a P-gp and moderate CYP3A4 inhibitor) increased the area-under-curve (AUC) and maximum concentration (Cmax) of relugolix by 6.2-fold. Voriconazole (a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor) did not have a clinically significant effect on the pharmacokinetics of relugolix.(1) P-gp inhibitors linked to this monograph include: amiodarone, asunaprevir, aumolertinib, azithromycin, belumosudil, capmatinib, carvedilol, cimetidine, clarithromycin, cobicistat, conivaptan, curcumin, cyclosporine, daclatasvir, danicopan, daraxonrasib, daridorexant, deutivacaftor, diltiazem, diosmin, dronedarone, eliglustat, erythromycin, flibanserin, fluvoxamine, fostamatinib, ginkgo, ginseng, glecaprevir/pibrentasvir, indinavir, itraconazole, ivacaftor, josamycin, ketoconazole, lapatinib, lonafarnib, mavorixafor, mibefradil, mifepristone, neratinib, osimertinib, paroxetine, pirtobrutinib, posaconazole, propafenone, quinidine, quinine, ranolazine, ritonavir, sarecycline, schisandra, selpercatinib, simeprevir, sotorasib, telaprevir, telithromycin, tepotinib, tucatinib, valbenazine, velpatasvir, vemurafenib, venetoclax, vepdegestrant, verapamil, vimseltinib, and voclosporin.(3,4)

Relugolix/P-Gp And Strong Cyp3a4 Inducers

SEVERITY LEVEL: 2-Severe Interaction: Action is required to reduce the risk of severe adverse interaction.

MECHANISM OF ACTION: Relugolix is a substrate of the intestinal P-glycoprotein (P-gp) efflux transporter and is primarily metabolized by CYP3A4. Agents that induce both P-gp and CYP3A4 may reduce the plasma levels of relugolix.(1)

CLINICAL EFFECTS: Concurrent or recent use of P-gp and strong CYP3A4 inducers may result in decreased levels and effectiveness of relugolix.(1)

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

PATIENT MANAGEMENT: If possible, avoid the concurrent use of agents that are combined P-gp and strong CYP3A4 inducers in patients receiving relugolix.(1) If coadministration is necessary, increase the dose of relugolix to 240 mg daily. If the P-gp/CYP3A4 inducer is discontinued, resume the recommended dose of 120 mg once daily.(1)

DISCUSSION: Concurrent rifampin (combined P-gp and strong CYP3A4 inducer) decreased the area-under-curve (AUC) and maximum concentration (Cmax) of relugolix by 55% and 23%, respectively.(1) Dual P-gp and CYP3A4 inducers linked to this monograph include: apalutamide, carbamazepine, fosphenytoin, phenytoin, rifampin, rifapentine, and St. John's wort.(2,3)

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

Moderate And Weak Cyp3a4 Inducers/Tacrolimus

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

MECHANISM OF ACTION: Moderate or weak CYP3A4 inducers may accelerate the metabolism of tacrolimus.(1)

CLINICAL EFFECTS: Concurrent use of a moderate or weak CYP3A4 inducer may result in decreased levels and effectiveness of tacrolimus.(1)

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 tacrolimus recommends monitoring tacrolimus whole blood trough concentrations and adjusting tacrolimus dose if needed. Monitor clinical response closely.(1)

DISCUSSION: A 13-year-old cystic fibrosis patient with a history of liver transplant on stable doses of tacrolimus underwent 2 separate courses of nafcillin therapy (a moderate CYP3A4 inducer). During the 1st course of nafcillin, his tacrolimus levels started to fall 3 days after starting nafcillin, became undetectable at day 8, and recovered to therapeutic levels without a change in tacrolimus dose 5 days after discontinuation of nafcillin. During the 2nd course of nafcillin, tacrolimus level became undetectable 4 days after starting nafcillin and recovered 3 days after stopping nafcillin.(2) Moderate inducers of CYP3A4 would be expected to decrease the AUC of a sensitive 3A4 substrate by 50-80% and include: belzutifan, bosentan, cenobamate, dabrafenib, elagolix, etravirine, lesinurad, lorlatinib, mavacamten, modafinil, nafcillin, repotrectinib, telotristat, and tovorafenib.(3,4) Weak inducers of CYP3A4 would be expected to decrease the AUC of a sensitive 3A4 substrate by 20-50% and include: armodafinil, bexarotene, brigatinib, brivaracetam, clobazam, danshen, darolutamide, dexamethasone, dicloxacillin, echinacea, elafibranor, enasidenib, eslicarbazepine, floxacillin, garlic, genistein, ginseng, glycyrrhizin, meropenem-vaborbactam, nevirapine, oritavancin, omaveloxolone, oxcarbazepine, pioglitazone, relugolix, rufinamide, sulfinpyrazone, sunvozertinib, suzetrigine, tazemetostat, tecovirimat, terbinafine, ticlopidine, topiramate, troglitazone, vinblastine, and zanubrutinib.(3,4)

Moderate And Weak Cyp3a4 Inducers/Ubrogepant

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

MECHANISM OF ACTION: Moderate or weak CYP3A4 inducers may induce the metabolism of ubrogepant.(1)

CLINICAL EFFECTS: Concurrent use of a moderate or weak CYP3A4 inducer may result in decreased levels and effectiveness of ubrogepant.(1)

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

PATIENT MANAGEMENT: The manufacturer recommends a dosage adjustment of ubrogepant when coadministered with moderate or weak CYP3A4 inducers. Initial dose of ubrogepant should be 100 mg. If a second dose is needed, the dose of ubrogepant should be 100 mg.(1)

DISCUSSION: Coadministration of ubrogepant with rifampin, a strong CYP3A4 inducer, resulted in an 80% reduction in ubrogepant exposure. No dedicated drug interaction studies were conducted to assess concomitant use with moderate or weak CYP3A4 inducers. Dose adjustment for concomitant use of ubrogepant with moderate or weak CYP3A4 inducers is recommended based on a conservative prediction of 50% reduction in exposure of ubrogepant.(1) Moderate inducers of CYP3A4 would be expected to decrease the AUC of a sensitive 3A4 substrate by 50-80% and include: belzutifan, bosentan, cenobamate, dabrafenib, dipyrone, efavirenz, elagolix, etravirine, fexinidazole, lesinurad, lorlatinib, mavacamten, mitapivat, modafinil, nafcillin, pexidartinib, rifabutin, telotristat, thioridazine, and tovorafenib.(2,3) Weak inducers of CYP3A4 would be expected to decrease the AUC of a sensitive 3A4 substrate by 20-50% and include: armodafinil, bexarotene, brigatinib, brivaracetam, clobazam, danshen, dexamethasone, dicloxacillin, echinacea, elafibranor, eslicarbazepine, floxacillin, garlic, genistein, ginseng, glycyrrhizin, meropenem-vaborbactam, methylprednisolone, nevirapine, omaveloxolone, oritavancin, oxcarbazepine, pioglitazone, pitolisant, relugolix, repotrectinib, rufinamide, sarilumab, sulfinpyrazone, sunvozertinib, suzetrigine, tazemetostat, tecovirimat, terbinafine, ticlopidine, topiramate, troglitazone, vemurafenib, vinblastine, and zanubrutinib.(2,3)

Selected Moderate-Weak Cyp3a4 Inducers/Exemestane

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

MECHANISM OF ACTION: CYP3A4 inducers may induce the metabolism of exemestane.(1)

CLINICAL EFFECTS: Concurrent use of a CYP3A4 inducer may result in decreased levels and effectiveness of exemestane.(1)

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

PATIENT MANAGEMENT: The US manufacturer of exemestane recommends that patients receiving concurrent therapy with a strong CYP3A4 inducer receive 50 mg of exemestane daily after a meal.(1) It may be prudent to consider a dosage increase for patients receiving weaker CYP3A4 inducers.

DISCUSSION: In a study in 10 healthy postmenopausal subjects, pretreatment with rifampin (a strong CYP3A4 inducer, 600 mg daily for 14 days) decreased the area-under-curve (AUC) and maximum concentration (Cmax) of a single dose of exemestane (25 mg) by 54% and 41%, respectively.(1) Strong inducers of CYP3A4 would be expected to decrease the AUC of a sensitive 3A4 substrate by 80% or more and include: carbamazepine, enzalutamide, mitotane, phenobarbital, phenytoin, rifabutin, rifampin, and St. John's wort.(1-3) Moderate inducers of CYP3A4 would be expected to decrease the AUC of a sensitive 3A4 substrate by 50-80% and include: belzutifan, bosentan, cenobamate, dabrafenib, dipyrone, efavirenz, elagolix, etravirine, fexinidazole, lesinurad, mavacamten, mitapivat, modafinil, nafcillin, pacritinib, pexidartinib, repotrectinib, rifabutin, sotorasib, telotristat ethyl, thioridazine, and tovorafenib.(2,3) Weak inducers of CYP3A4 would be expected to decrease the AUC of a sensitive 3A4 substrate by 20-50% and include: armodafinil, aumolertinib, bexarotene, brigatinib, brivaracetam, clobazam, danshen, darolutamide, dexamethasone, dicloxacillin, echinacea, elafibranor, enasidenib, eslicarbazepine, floxacillin, garlic, gingko, ginseng, glycyrrhizin, lorlatinib, meropenem-vaborbactam, methylprednisolone, nevirapine, omaveloxolone, oritavancin, oxcarbazepine, pioglitazone, pitolisant, quercetin, relugolix, rufinamide, sarilumab, sulfinpyrazone, sunvozertinib, suzetrigine, tazemetostat, tecovirimat, terbinafine, ticlopidine, topiramate, troglitazone, vemurafenib, vinblastine, and zanubrutinib.(2,3)

Weak Cyp3a4 Inducers/Atogepant

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

MECHANISM OF ACTION: Weak CYP3A4 inducers may increase the metabolism of atogepant by CYP3A4.(1)

CLINICAL EFFECTS: The concurrent use of weak CYP3A4 inducers with atogepant may result in decreased levels and clinical effectiveness of atogepant.(1)

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 atogepant recommends that patients on concomitant weak CYP3A4 inducers receive atogepant 30 mg or 60 mg once daily for prevention of episodic migraines and receive atogepant 60 mg once daily for prevention of chronic migraines.(1) Patients receiving concurrent therapy with CYP3A4 inducers and atogepant should be observed for decreased clinical effectiveness.

DISCUSSION: In a study of healthy subjects, rifampin, a strong CYP3A4 inducer, decreased the area-under-curve (AUC) and maximum concentration (Cmax) of atogepant by 60% and 30%, respectively. Topiramate, a weak CYP3A4 inducer, decreased atogepant AUC and Cmax by 25% and 24%, respectively.(1) Weak CYP3A4 inducers linked to this monograph include: armodafinil, aumolertinib, bexarotene, brigatinib, brivaracetam, clobazam, danshen, darolutamide, dexamethasone, dicloxacillin, echinacea, eslicarbazepine, floxacillin, garlic, genistein, ginseng, glycyrrhizin, methylprednisolone, mobocertinib, nevirapine, omaveloxolone, oritavancin, oxcarbazepine, pioglitazone, pitolisant, quercetin, relugolix, rufinamide, sarilumab, sulfinpyrazone, tazemetostat, tecovirimat, terbinafine, ticlopidine, topiramate, troglitazone, vemurafenib, vinblastine, and zanubrutinib.(1,2)

*Severe hypersensitivity to relugolix or any of its components.

There are no contraindication contraindications for this drug.

• Pregnancy

There are no moderate contraindications for this drug.

Adverse effects reported in 10% or more of patients receiving relugolix include hot flush, musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, constipation, and diarrhea. Laboratory abnormalities reported in 15% or more of patients receiving the drug include increased glucose concentrations, increased triglyceride concentrations, decreased hemoglobin, and increased ALT and AST concentrations.

More Frequent

• Anemia
• Increased alanine transaminase
• Increased aspartate transaminase

Rare or Very Rare

• Acute myocardial infarction
• Anaphylaxis
• Angioedema
• Cardiac arrhythmia
• Hemorrhage
• Hypersensitivity drug reaction
• Kidney disease with reduction in glomerular filtration rate (GFr)
• Urticaria

More Frequent

• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Drug-induced hot flash
• Hyperglycemia
• Hypertriglyceridemia
• Musculoskeletal pain

Less Frequent

• Depression
• Gynecomastia
• Hyperhidrosis
• Insomnia
• Libido changes
• Weight gain

Rare or Very Rare

• Urinary tract infection

No enhanced messaging available.

Safety and efficacy of relugolix in pediatric patients have not been established.

Safety and efficacy of relugolix have not been established in females. There are no data on use of relugolix in pregnant women to inform the drug-associated risk; however, based on animal findings and the drug's mechanism of action, relugolix can cause fetal harm.

Safety and efficacy of relugolix at the recommended dosage of 120 mg daily have not been established in females. It is not known whether relugolix distributes into human milk, affects breast-fed infants, or affects milk production. Relugolix and/or its metabolites are distributed into milk in rats at concentrations up to 10 times higher than 2-hour postdose plasma concentrations.

In the primary efficacy study of relugolix for treatment of prostate cancer, 81% of patients receiving relugolix were 65 years of age or older, while 35% were 75 years of age or older. No overall differences in safety or efficacy were observed between geriatric patients and younger adults. Population pharmacokinetic and pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic analyses in men 45-91 years of age revealed no clinically important effects of age on the pharmacokinetics of relugolix or on testosterone response to therapy.