Risk factors for suboptimal drug concentration of posaconazole oral suspension in patients with hematologic malignancy

Absorption of posaconazole oral suspension is influenced by several factors including diet, medications, and mucosal integrity. However, there are few prospective data about which is the most important modifiable factor in routine clinical practice. We prospectively analyzed clinical risk factors associated with low posaconazole trough concentrations in 114 patients receiving anticancer chemotherapy due to acute myeloid leukemia or myelodysplastic syndrome who received posaconazole oral suspension. In multivariate analyses, risk factors for drug level < 500 ng/mL included low calorie intake, mucositis ≥ grade 2, H2 blocker famotidine and proton-pump inhibitor. The only significant risk factor for drug level < 700 ng/mL was famotidine use (adjusted relative risk, 3.18; 95% confidence interval, 1.07-9.11; P = 0.038). In conclusion, medication of H2 blocker famotidine should be cautious in patients with hematologic malignancy receiving posaconazole suspension.