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Pimavanserin

FDA Drug Information • Also known as: Pimavanserin

Brand Names
Pimavanserin
Route
ORAL
Dosage Form
CAPSULE
Product Type
HUMAN PRESCRIPTION DRUG

⚠ Boxed Warning (Black Box)

WARNING: INCREASED MORTALITY IN ELDERLY PATIENTS WITH DEMENTIA-RELATED PSYCHOSIS Elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis treated with antipsychotic drugs are at an increased risk of death. Pimavanserin is not approved for the treatment of patients with dementia who experience psychosis unless their hallucinations and delusions are related to Parkinson’s disease [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)] . WARNING: INCREASED MORTALITY IN ELDERLY PATIENTS WITH DEMENTIA-RELATED PSYCHOSIS See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning. Elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis treated with antipsychotic drugs are at an increased risk of death. Pimavanserin capsule is not approved for the treatment of patients with dementia who experience psychosis unless their hallucinations and delusions are related to Parkinson’s disease. (5.1)

Description

11 DESCRIPTION Pimavanserin capsule contains pimavanserin, an atypical antipsychotic, which is present as pimavanserin tartrate salt with the chemical name, urea, N-[(4-fluorophenyl)methyl]-N-(1-methyl-4-piperidinyl)-N’-[[4-(2-methylpropoxy)phenyl]methyl]-,(2R,3R)-2,3-dihydroxybutanedioate (2:1). Pimavanserin tartrate is freely soluble in water, soluble in dichloromethane and practically insoluble in cyclohexane. Its molecular formula is (C 25 H 34 FN 3 O 2 ) 2 .C 4 H 6 O 6 and its molecular weight is 1005.20 (tartrate salt). The chemical structure is: The molecular formula of pimavanserin free base is C 25 H 34 FN 3 O 2 and its molecular weight is 427.55. Pimavanserin capsules are intended for oral administration only. Each capsule contains 40 mg of pimavanserin tartrate, which is equivalent to 34 mg of pimavanserin free base. Inactive ingredients include polyethylene glycol. Additionally, the following inactive ingredients are present as components of the capsule shell: FD&C blue #1, hypromellose, titanium dioxide, and yellow iron oxide. The printing ink contains shellac, propylene glycol, black iron oxide. pimavanserin-structure

What Is Pimavanserin Used For?

1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE Pimavanserin capsule is indicated for the treatment of hallucinations and delusions associated with Parkinson’s disease psychosis [see Clinical Studies (14) ]. Pimavanserin capsule is an atypical antipsychotic indicated for the treatment of hallucinations and delusions associated with Parkinson’s disease psychosis. (1)

Dosage and Administration

2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Recommended dose is 34 mg taken orally once daily, without titration. ( 2.1 ) Can be taken with or without food. ( 2.2 ) Capsules may be swallowed whole or opened and entire contents sprinkled over a tablespoon of certain types of soft food. ( 2.2 ) 2.1 Recommended Dosage The recommended dose of pimavanserin capsule is 34 mg taken orally once daily, without titration. 2.2 Administration Information Pimavanserin capsule can be taken with or without food [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)]. Pimavanserin capsules can be taken whole, or opened and the entire contents sprinkled over a tablespoon (15 mL) of applesauce, yogurt, pudding, or a liquid nutritional supplement. Consume the drug/food mixture immediately without chewing; do not store for future use. 2.3 Dosage Modifications for Concomitant Use with CYP3A4 Inhibitors and Inducers Coadministration with Strong CYP3A4 Inhibitors The recommended dose of pimavanserin capsules when coadministered with strong CYP3A4 inhibitors is 10 mg, taken orally as one tablet once daily [see Drug interactions (7.1) ]. Coadministration with Strong or Moderate CYP3A4 Inducers Avoid concomitant use of strong or moderate CYP3A4 inducers with pimavanserin capsules [see Drug Interactions (7.1) ].

Side Effects (Adverse Reactions)

6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following serious adverse reactions are discussed elsewhere in the labeling: Increased Mortality in Elderly Patients with Dementia-Related Psychosis [see Boxed Warning and Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] QT Interval Prolongation [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] Most common adverse reactions (≥5% and twice the rate of placebo): peripheral edema and confusional state. (6.1) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Novadoz Pharmaceuticals LLC at 1-855-668-2369 or 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. The clinical trial database for pimavanserin consists of over 1200 subjects and patients exposed to one or more doses of pimavanserin. Of these, 616 were patients with hallucinations and delusions associated with Parkinson’s disease psychosis (PDP). In the placebo-controlled setting, the majority of experience in patients comes from studies evaluating once-daily pimavanserin doses of 34 mg (N=202) compared to placebo (N=231) for up to 6 weeks. In the controlled trial setting, the study population was approximately 64% male and 91% Caucasian, and the mean age was about 71 years at study entry. Additional clinical trial experience in patients with hallucinations and delusions associated with PDP comes from two open-label, safety extension studies (total N=497). The majority of patients receiving long-term treatment received 34 mg once-daily (N=459). Over 300 patients have been treated for more than 6 months; over 270 have been treated for at least 12 months; and over 150 have been treated for at least 24 months. The following adverse reactions are based on the 6-week, placebo-controlled studies in which pimavanserin was administered once daily to patients with hallucinations and delusions associated with PDP. Common Adverse Reactions (incidence ≥5% and at least twice the rate of placebo): peripheral edema (7% pimavanserin 34 mg vs. 2% placebo) and confusional state (6% pimavanserin 34 mg vs. 3% placebo). Adverse Reactions Leading to Discontinuation of Treatment A total of 8% (16/202) of pimavanserin 34 mg-treated patients and 4% (10/231) of placebo-treated patients discontinued because of adverse reactions. The adverse reactions that occurred in more than one patient and with an incidence at least twice that of placebo were hallucination (2% pimavanserin vs. <1% placebo), urinary tract infection (1% pimavanserin vs. <1% placebo), and fatigue (1% pimavanserin vs. 0% placebo). Adverse reactions that occurred in 6-week, placebo-controlled studies and that were reported at an incidence of ≥2% and >placebo are presented in Table 1 . Table 1 Adverse Reactions in Placebo-Controlled Studies of 6-Week Treatment Duration and Reported in ≥2% and >Placebo Percentage of Patients Reporting Adverse Reaction Pimavanserin 34 mg Placebo N=202 N=231 Gastrointestinal disorders Nausea 7% 4% Constipation 4% 3% General disorders Peripheral edema 7% 2% Gait disturbance 2% <1% Psychiatric disorders Hallucination 5% 3% Confusional state 6% 3% Adverse Reactions in Demographic Subgroups Examination of population subgroups in the 6-week, placebo-controlled studies did not reveal any differences in safety on the basis of age (≤75 vs. >75 years) or sex. Because the study population was predominantly Caucasian (91%; consistent with reported demographics for PD/PDP), racial or ethnic differences in the safety profile of pimavanserin could not be assessed. In addition, in the 6-week, placebo-controlled studies, no clinically relevant differences in the incidence of adverse reactions were observed among those with a Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score at entry of <25 versus those with scores ≥25. 6.2 Postmarketing Experience...

Drug Interactions

7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Strong CYP3A4 Inhibitors: Reduce pimavanserin dose to 10 mg once daily. ( 2.3 , 7.1 ) Strong or Moderate CYP3A4 Inducers: Avoid concomitant use of pimavanserin. ( 2.3 , 7.1 ) 7.1 Drugs Having Clinically Important Interactions with Pimavanserin Table 2 Clinically Important Drug Interactions with Pimavanserin QT Interval Prolongation Clinical Impact: Concomitant use of drugs that prolong the QT interval may add to the QT effects of pimavanserin and increase the risk of cardiac arrhythmia. Intervention: Avoid the use of pimavanserin in combination with other drugs known to prolong QT interval (e.g., Class 1A antiarrythmics, Class 3 antiarrythmics, certain antipsychotics or antibiotics) [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)] . Strong CYP3A4 Inhibitors Clinical Impact: Concomitant use of pimavanserin with a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor increases pimavanserin exposure [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)] . Intervention: If pimavanserin is used with a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor, reduce the dosage of pimavanserin [see Dosage and Administration (2.3) ]. Strong or Moderate CYP3A4 Inducers Clinical Impact: Concomitant use of pimavanserin with strong or moderate CYP3A4 inducers reduces pimavanserin exposure [ see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ]. Intervention: Avoid concomitant use of strong or moderate CYP3A4 inducers with pimavanserin [see Dosage and Administration (2.3) ] . 7.2 Drugs Having No Clinically Important Interactions with Pimavanserin Based on pharmacokinetic studies, no dosage adjustment of carbidopa/levodopa is required when administered concomitantly with pimavanserin [ see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] .

Contraindications

4 CONTRAINDICATIONS Pimavanserin is contraindicated in patients with a history of a hypersensitivity reaction to pimavanserin or any of its components. Rash, urticaria, and reactions consistent with angioedema (e.g., tongue swelling, circumoral edema, throat tightness, and dyspnea) have been reported [ see Adverse Reactions (6.2) ] . Known hypersensitivity to pimavanserin or any of its components. (4)

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary There are no data on pimavanserin use in pregnant women that would allow assessment of the drug-associated risk of major congenital malformations or miscarriage. In animal reproduction studies, no adverse developmental effects were seen when pimavanserin was administered orally to rats or rabbits during the period of organogenesis at doses up to 10- or 12-times the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD) of 34 mg/day, respectively. Administration of pimavanserin to pregnant rats during pregnancy and lactation resulted in maternal toxicity and lower pup survival and body weight at doses which are 2-times the MRHD of 34 mg/day [see Data] . The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2-4% and 15-20%, respectively. Data Animal Data Pimavanserin was not teratogenic in pregnant rats when administered during the period of organogenesis at oral doses of 0.9, 8.5, and 51 mg/kg/day, which are 0.2- and 10-times the MRHD of 34 mg/day based on AUC at mid and high doses, respectively. Maternal toxicity included reduction in body weight and food consumption at the highest dose. Administration of pimavanserin to pregnant rats during pregnancy and lactation at oral doses of 8.5, 26, and 51 mg/kg/day, which are 0.14- to 14-times the MRHD of 34 mg/day based on AUC, caused maternal toxicity, including mortality, clinical signs including dehydration, hunched posture, and rales, and decreases in body weight, and/or food consumption at doses ≥26 mg/kg/day (2-times the MRHD based on AUC). At these maternally toxic doses there was a decrease in pup survival, reduced litter size, and reduced pup weights, and food consumption. Pimavanserin had no effect on sexual maturation, neurobehavioral function including learning and memory, or reproductive function in the...

Overdosage

10 OVERDOSAGE 10.1 Human Experience The pre-marketing clinical trials involving pimavanserin in approximately 1200 subjects and patients do not provide information regarding symptoms with overdose. In healthy subject studies, dose-limiting nausea and vomiting were observed. 10.2 Management of Overdose There are no known specific antidotes for pimavanserin. In managing overdose, cardiovascular monitoring should commence immediately and should include continuous ECG monitoring to detect possible arrhythmias [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] . If antiarrhythmic therapy is administered, disopyramide, procainamide, and quinidine should not be used, as they have the potential for QT-prolonging effects that might be additive to those of pimavanserin [ see Drug Interactions (7.1) ] . Consider the long plasma half-life of pimavanserin (about 57 hours) and the possibility of multiple drug involvement. Consult a Certified Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222) for up-to-date guidance and advice.

How Supplied

16 HOW SUPPLIED/STORAGE AND HANDLING Pimavanserin capsules are available as: 34 mg Capsule: Size 4 HPMC capsule having light green opaque cap, printed "m" in black ink and white opaque body, printed "106" in black ink. Capsule contains White to off white powder. Bottle of 30: 72205-055-30 Storage 34 mg Capsule: Store at 20°C to 25°C (68ºF to 77°F); excursions permitted between 15°C and 30°C (59°F and 86°F) [See USP Controlled Room Temperature].

About This Information

This drug information is sourced from FDA-approved labeling via the openFDA database. It is intended for educational and reference purposes only. This is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making decisions about medication. Drug information may be updated by the FDA; check with your pharmacist for the most current information.

What are side effects?

Side effects are unwanted reactions that can occur when taking a medication. They range from mild (headache, nausea) to severe (allergic reactions, organ damage). Not everyone experiences side effects, and severity varies. Report any concerning side effects to your doctor.

What are drug interactions?

Drug interactions occur when a medication is affected by another drug, food, or supplement. Interactions can make medications less effective or cause dangerous side effects. Always tell your doctor about all medications and supplements you take.