Remodulin
RxNorm 349407· TREPROSTINIL· INTRAVENOUS, SUBCUTANEOUS
Prostacycline Vasodilator [EPC] · United Therapeutics Corporation
Indications and usage
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE Remodulin is a prostacyclin mimetic indicated for: Treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH; WHO Group 1) to diminish symptoms associated with exercise. Studies establishing effectiveness included patients with NYHA Functional Class II-IV symptoms and etiologies of idiopathic or heritable PAH (58%), PAH associated with congenital systemic-to-pulmonary shunts (23%), or PAH associated with connective tissue diseases (19%). ( 1.1 ) Patients who require transition from epoprostenol, to reduce the rate of clinical deterioration. The risks and benefits of each drug should be carefully considered prior to transition. ( 1.2 ) 1.1 Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Remodulin is indicated for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH; WHO Group 1) to diminish symptoms associated with exercise. Studies establishing effectiveness included patients with NYHA Functional Class II-IV symptoms and etiologies of idiopathic or heritable PAH (58%), PAH associated with congenital systemic-to-pulmonary shunts (23%), or PAH associated with connective tissue diseases (19%) [see Clinical Studies (14.1) ] . 1.2 Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension in Patients Requiring Transition from Epoprostenol In patients with PAH requiring transition from epoprostenol, Remodulin is indicated to diminish the rate of clinical deterioration. Consider the risks and benefits of each drug prior to transition.
Dosage and administration
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION PAH WHO Group 1 in patients with NYHA Class II-IV symptoms : Initial dose for patients new to prostacyclin infusion therapy: 1.25 ng/kg/min; increase based on clinical response (increments of 1.25 ng/kg/min per week for the first 4 weeks of treatment, later 2.5 ng/kg/min per week). Avoid abrupt cessation. ( 2.2 , 2.4 ) Mild to moderate hepatic insufficiency: Decrease initial dose to 0.625 ng/kg/min. Severe hepatic insufficiency: No studies performed. ( 2.5 ) Transition from Epoprostenol : Increase the Remodulin dose gradually as the epoprostenol dose is decreased, based on constant observation of response. ( 2.7 ) Administration : Continuous subcutaneous infusion is the preferred mode. Use intravenous (IV) infusion if subcutaneous infusion is not tolerated. ( 2.1 , 2.6 ) 2.1 General Remodulin can be administered with or without further dilution with Sterile Diluent for Remodulin or similar approved high-pH glycine diluent (e.g., Sterile Diluent for Flolan or Sterile Diluent for Epoprostenol), Sterile Water for Injection, or 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection prior to administration. See Table 1 below for storage and administration time limits for the different diluents. Diluted Remodulin has been shown to be stable at ambient temperature when stored for up to 14 days using high-pH glycine diluent at concentrations as low as 0.004 mg/mL (4,000 ng/mL). Table 1: Selection of Diluent Diluent Storage Limits Administration Limits None See Section 16 16 weeks at 40°C Sterile Diluents for Remodulin, Flolan, or Epoprostenol 14 days at room temperature 48 hours at 40°C Sterile Water for Injection 0.9% Sodium Chloride for Injection 4 hours at room temperature or 24 hours refrigerated 48 hours at 40°C 2.2 Initial Dose for Patients New to Prostacyclin Infusion Therapy Remodulin is indicated for subcutaneous (SC) or intravenous (IV) use only as a continuous infusion. Remodulin is preferably infused subcutaneously, but can be administered by a central intravenous line if the subcutaneous route is not tolerated because of severe site pain or reaction. The infusion rate is initiated at 1.25 ng/kg/min. If this initial dose cannot be tolerated because of systemic effects, reduce the infusion rate to 0.625 ng/kg/min. 2.3 Initial Dose for Patients Transitioning to an Implantable Intravenous Infusion Pump The initial dose of Remodulin should be the same as the current dose the patient is receiving using the external infusion pump at the time of transition. 2.4 Dosage Adjustments The goal of chronic dosage adjustments is to establish a dose at which PAH symptoms are improved, while minimizing excessive pharmacologic effects of Remodulin (headache, nausea, emesis, restlessness, anxiety, and infusion site pain or reaction). The infusion rate should be increased in increments of 1.25 ng/kg/min per week for the first four weeks of treatment and then 2.5 ng/kg/min per week for the remaining duration of infusion, depending on clinical response. Dosage adjustments may be undertaken more often if tolerated. Avoid abrupt cessation of infusion [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] . Restarting a Remodulin infusion within a few hours after an interruption can be done using the same dose rate. Interruptions for longer periods may require the dose of Remodulin to be re-titrated. 2.5 Patients with Hepatic Insufficiency In patients with mild or moderate hepatic insufficiency, decrease the initial dose of Remodulin to 0.625 ng/kg/min ideal body weight. Remodulin has not been studied in patients with severe hepatic insufficiency [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) , Use in Specific Populations (8.6) , and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . 2.6 Administration Inspect parenteral drug products for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration whenever solution and container permit. If either particulate matter or discoloration is noted, do not use. Preparation Remodulin is administered by subcutaneous or intravenous infusion at a ca…
Warnings
5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Chronic intravenous infusions delivered using an external infusion pump with an indwelling central venous catheter are associated with the risk of blood stream infections (BSIs) and sepsis, which may be fatal. ( 5.1 ) Do not abruptly lower the dose or withdraw dosing. ( 5.2 ) Remodulin may cause symptomatic hypotension. ( 5.4 ) Remodulin inhibits platelet aggregation and increases the risk of bleeding. ( 5.5 ) 5.1 Risk of Catheter-Related Bloodstream Infection Chronic intravenous infusions of Remodulin delivered using an external infusion pump with an indwelling central venous catheter are associated with the risk of blood stream infections (BSIs) and sepsis, which may be fatal. Therefore, continuous subcutaneous infusion is the preferred mode of administration. In an open-label study of IV treprostinil (n=47) using an external infusion pump, there were seven catheter-related line infections during approximately 35 patient years, or about 1 BSI event per 5 years of use. A CDC survey of seven sites that used IV treprostinil for the treatment of PAH found approximately 1 BSI (defined as any positive blood culture) event per 3 years of use. Administration of IV Remodulin with a high pH glycine diluent has been associated with a lower incidence of BSIs when compared to neutral diluents (sterile water, 0.9% sodium chloride) when used along with catheter care guidelines. In an open-label study of an implantable pump (n=60), there were two blood stream infections (BSIs) related to the implant procedure during approximately 265 patient years. 5.2 Worsening PAH upon Abrupt Withdrawal or Sudden Large Dose Reduction Avoid abrupt withdrawal or sudden large reductions in dosage of Remodulin, which may result in worsening of PAH symptoms. 5.3 Patients with Hepatic Insufficiency Titrate Remodulin slowly in patients with hepatic insufficiency, because such patients will likely be exposed to greater systemic concentrations relative to patients with normal hepatic function [see Dosage and Administration (2.5) , Use in Specific Populations (8.6) , and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . 5.4 Risk of Symptomatic Hypotension Treprostinil is a pulmonary and systemic vasodilator. In patients with low systemic arterial pressure, treatment with Remodulin may produce symptomatic hypotension. 5.5 Risk of Bleeding Remodulin inhibits platelet aggregation and increases the risk of bleeding.
Contraindications
4 CONTRAINDICATIONS None None
Drug interactions
7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Remodulin dosage adjustment may be necessary if inhibitors or inducers of CYP2C8 are added or withdrawn. ( 7.1 ) 7.1 Effect of CYP2C8 Inhibitors and Inducers on Treprostinil Dose adjustment of treprostinil may be necessary when co-administered with CYP2C8 inducers or inhibitors. Human pharmacokinetic studies with an oral formulation of treprostinil (treprostinil diolamine) indicated that co-administration of the cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2C8 enzyme inhibitor gemfibrozil increases exposure (both C max and AUC) to treprostinil. Co-administration of the CYP2C8 enzyme inducer rifampin decreases exposure to treprostinil. It has not been determined if the changes in exposure of treprostinil with inhibitors or inducers of CYP2C8 observed for the oral administration of treprostinil would be similar for treprostinil administered via the parenteral route [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ].
Pregnancy
8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary Limited case reports of treprostinil use in pregnant women are insufficient to inform a drug-associated risk of adverse developmental outcomes. However, there are risks to the mother and the fetus associated with pulmonary arterial hypertension (see Clinical Considerations ) . In animal studies, no adverse reproductive and developmental effects were seen in rats at about 123 and 48 times the human exposure based on C max and AUC, respectively. In rabbits, external fetal and soft tissue malformations and skeletal malformations were observed at about 7 and 5 times the human exposure based on C max and AUC, respectively ( see Data ). The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated populations is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2 to 4% and 15 to 20%, respectively. Clinical Considerations Disease-associated maternal and embryo-fetal risk Pulmonary arterial hypertension is associated with an increased risk of maternal and fetal mortality. Data Animal reproduction studies have been conducted with treprostinil via continuous subcutaneous administration and with treprostinil diolamine administered orally. In pregnant rats, continuous subcutaneous infusions of treprostinil during organogenesis and late gestational development, at doses as high as 900 ng treprostinil/kg/min (about 117 times the starting human subcutaneous infusion rate, on a ng/m 2 basis and about 16 times the average rate achieved in clinical trials), resulted in no evidence of harm to the fetus. In pregnant rabbits, effects of continuous subcutaneous infusions of treprostinil during organogenesis were limited to an increased incidence of fetal skeletal variations (bilateral full rib or right rudimentary rib on lumbar 1) associated with maternal toxicity (reduction in body weight and food consumption) at a dose of 150 ng treprostinil/kg/min (about 41 times the starting human subcutaneous infusion rate, on a ng/m 2 basis, and 5 times the average rate used in clinical trials). In rats, continuous subcutaneous infusion of treprostinil from implantation to the end of lactation, at doses of up to 450 ng treprostinil/kg/min, did not affect the growth and development of offspring. In studies with orally administered treprostinil diolamine, no adverse effect doses for fetal viability/growth, fetal development (teratogenicity), and postnatal development were determined in rats. In pregnant rats, no evidence of harm to the fetus was observed following oral administration of treprostinil diolamine at the highest dose tested (20 mg/kg/day), which represents about 123 and 48 times the human exposure, when based on C max and AUC of the average subcutaneous infusion rate achieved in clinical trials, respectively. In pregnant rabbits, external fetal and soft tissue malformations and fetal skeletal malformation occurred. The dose at which no adverse effects were seen (0.5 mg/kg/day) represents about 7 and 5 times the human exposure, when based on C max and AUC of the average subcutaneous infusion rate achieved in clinical trials, respectively. No treprostinil treatment-related effects on labor and delivery were seen in animal studies. Animal reproduction studies are not always predictive of human response.
Adverse events
Most frequently reported events (FDA FAERS). Report frequency does not imply causation.
- dyspnoea20,801
- headache16,726
- diarrhoea13,424
- nausea12,105
- cough11,035
- dizziness9,165
- fatigue9,103
- death8,880
- vomiting6,197
- infusion site pain5,599
- hypotension5,563
- pneumonia5,520
- malaise5,493
- fluid retention5,022
- pain in extremity4,830
- oxygen saturation decreased4,747
Adverse reactions (label)
6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following adverse reactions are discussed elsewhere in labeling: Infections associated with intravenous administration [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] . Most common adverse reactions (incidence >3%) reported in clinical studies with Remodulin: subcutaneous infusion site pain and reaction, headache, diarrhea, nausea, jaw pain, vasodilatation, edema, and hypotension. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact United Therapeutics Corp. at 1-866-458-6479 or contact FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. Adverse Events with Subcutaneously Administered Remodulin Patients receiving Remodulin as a subcutaneous infusion reported a wide range of adverse events, many potentially related to the underlying disease (dyspnea, fatigue, chest pain, right ventricular heart failure, and pallor). During clinical trials with subcutaneous infusion of Remodulin, infusion site pain and reaction were the most common adverse events among those treated with Remodulin. Infusion site reaction was defined as any local adverse event other than pain or bleeding/bruising at the infusion site and included symptoms such as erythema, induration, or rash. Infusion site reactions were sometimes severe and could lead to discontinuation of treatment. Table 3: Percentages of Subjects Reporting Subcutaneous Infusion Site Adverse Events Reaction Pain Placebo Remodulin Placebo Remodulin Severe 1 38 2 39 Requiring narcotics based on prescriptions for narcotics, not actual use NA medications used to treat infusion site pain were not distinguished from those used to treat site reactions NA 1 32 Leading to discontinuation 0 3 0 7 Other adverse events included diarrhea, jaw pain, edema, vasodilatation, and nausea, and these are generally considered to be related to the pharmacologic effects of Remodulin, whether administered subcutaneously or intravenously. Adverse Reactions during Chronic Dosing Table 4 lists adverse reactions that occurred at a rate of at least 3% more frequent in patients treated with subcutaneous Remodulin than with placebo in controlled trials in PAH. Table 4: Adverse Reactions in Controlled 12-Week Studies of Subcutaneous Remodulin and at least 3% more frequent than on Placebo Adverse Reaction Remodulin (N=236) Percent of Patients Placebo (N=233) Percent of Patients Infusion Site Pain 85 27 Infusion Site Reaction 83 27 Headache 27 23 Diarrhea 25 16 Nausea 22 18 Rash 14 11 Jaw Pain 13 5 Vasodilatation 11 5 Edema 9 3 Reported adverse reactions (at least 3% more frequent on drug than on placebo) are included with the exception of those too general to be informative, and those not plausibly attributable to the use of the drug, because they were associated with the condition being treated or are very common in the treated population. While hypotension occurred in both groups, the event was experienced twice as frequently in the Remodulin group as compared to the placebo group (4% in Remodulin treatment group versus 2% in placebo-controlled group). As a potent vasodilator, hypotension is possible with the administration of Remodulin. The safety of Remodulin was also studied in a long-term, open-label extension study in which 860 patients were dosed for a mean duration of 1.6 years, with a maximum exposure of 4.6 years. Twenty-nine (29%) percent achieved a dose of at least 40 ng/kg/min (max: 290 ng/kg/min). The safety profile during this chronic dosing study was similar to that observed in the 12-week placebo-controlled study except for the following suspected adverse drug reactions (occurring in at least 3% of patients): anorexia, vomiting, infusion site infection, asthenia, and abdominal pain. Adverse Events Attributab…
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