Tiered approach to evaluate the CYP3A victim and perpetrator drug–drug interaction potential for vonoprazan using PBPK modeling and clinical data to inform labeling

Vonoprazan is metabolized extensively through CYP3A and is an in vitro time‐dependent inhibitor of CYP3A. A tiered approach was applied to understand the CYP3A victim and perpetrator drug–drug interaction (DDI) potential for vonoprazan. Mechanistic static modeling suggested vonoprazan is a potential clinically relevant CYP3A inhibitor. Thus, a clinical study was conducted to evaluate the impact of vonoprazan on the exposure of oral midazolam, an index substrate for CYP3A. A physiologically‐based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model for vonoprazan was also developed using in vitro data, drug‐ and system‐specific parameters, and clinical data and observations from a [(14)C] human absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion study. The PBPK model was refined and verified using data from a clinical DDI study with the strong CYP3A inhibitor, clarithromycin, to confirm the fraction metabolized by CYP3A, and the oral midazolam clinical DDI data assessing vonoprazan as a time‐dependent inhibitor of CYP3A. The verified PBPK model was applied to simulate the anticipated changes in vonoprazan exposure due to moderate and strong CYP3A inducers (efavirenz and rifampin, respectively). The clinical midazolam DDI study indicated weak inhibition of CYP3A, with a less than twofold increase in midazolam exposure. PBPK simulations projected a 50% to 80% reduction in vonoprazan exposure when administered concomitantly with moderate or strong CYP3A inducers. Based on these results, the vonoprazan label was revised and states that lower doses of sensitive CYP3A substrates with a narrow therapeutic index should be used when administered concomitantly with vonoprazan, and co‐administration with moderate and strong CYP3A inducers should be avoided.