Raltegravir
FDA Drug Information • Also known as: Isentress
- Brand Names
- Isentress
- Route
- ORAL
- Dosage Form
- TABLET, FILM COATED
- Product Type
- HUMAN PRESCRIPTION DRUG
Description
11 DESCRIPTION ISENTRESS contains raltegravir potassium, a human immunodeficiency virus integrase strand transfer inhibitor. The chemical name for raltegravir potassium is N -[(4-Fluorophenyl) methyl]-1,6-dihydro-5-hydroxy-1-methyl-2-[1-methyl-1-[[(5-methyl-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl)carbonyl]amino]ethyl]-6-oxo-4-pyrimidinecarboxamide monopotassium salt. The empirical formula is C 20 H 20 FKN 6 O 5 and the molecular weight is 482.51. The structural formula is: Raltegravir potassium is a white to off-white powder. It is soluble in water, slightly soluble in methanol, very slightly soluble in ethanol and acetonitrile and insoluble in isopropanol. Each 400 mg film-coated tablet of ISENTRESS for oral administration contains 434.4 mg of raltegravir (as potassium salt), equivalent to 400 mg of raltegravir free phenol and the following inactive ingredients: calcium phosphate dibasic anhydrous, hypromellose 2208, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, poloxamer 407 (contains 0.01% butylated hydroxytoluene as antioxidant), sodium stearyl fumarate. In addition, the film coating contains the following inactive ingredients: black iron oxide, polyethylene glycol 3350, polyvinyl alcohol, red iron oxide, talc and titanium dioxide. Each 600 mg film-coated tablet of ISENTRESS HD for oral administration contains 651.6 mg of raltegravir (as potassium salt), equivalent to 600 mg of raltegravir free phenol and the following inactive ingredients: croscarmellose sodium, hypromellose 2910, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose. The film coating contains the following inactive ingredients: ferrosoferric oxide, hypromellose 2910, iron oxide yellow, lactose monohydrate, triacetin and titanium dioxide. The tablet may also contain trace amount of carnauba wax. Each 100 mg chewable tablet of ISENTRESS for oral administration contains 108.6 mg of raltegravir (as potassium salt), equivalent to 100 mg of raltegravir free phenol and the following inactive...
What Is Raltegravir Used For?
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE Adult Patients: ISENTRESS and ISENTRESS HD are human immunodeficiency virus integrase strand transfer inhibitors (HIV-1 INSTI) indicated in combination with other antiretroviral agents for the treatment of HIV-1 infection in adult patients ( 1 ). Pediatric Patients: ISENTRESS is indicated in combination with other antiretroviral agents for the treatment of HIV-1 infection in pediatric patients weighing at least 2 kg ( 1 ). ISENTRESS HD is indicated in combination with other antiretroviral agents for the treatment of HIV-1 infection in pediatric patients weighing at least 40 kg ( 1 ). Adult Patients: ISENTRESS ® and ISENTRESS ® HD are indicated in combination with other antiretroviral agents for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) infection in adult patients. Pediatric Patients: ISENTRESS is indicated in combination with other antiretroviral agents for the treatment of HIV-1 infection in pediatric patients weighing at least 2 kg. ISENTRESS HD is indicated in combination with other antiretroviral agents for the treatment of HIV-1 infection in pediatric patients weighing at least 40 kg.
Dosage and Administration
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION ISENTRESS and ISENTRESS HD can be administered with or without food ( 2.1 ). Do not substitute ISENTRESS chewable tablets or ISENTRESS for oral suspension for the ISENTRESS 400 mg or 600 mg film-coated tablet. See specific dosing guidance for chewable tablets and the formulation for oral suspension ( 2.1 ). Adults
Treatment-naïve patients or patients who are virologically suppressed on an initial regimen of ISENTRESS 400 mg twice daily: o 1200 mg (2 × 600 mg) film-coated tablet orally, once daily or o 400 mg film-coated tablet orally, twice daily ( 2.2 ). Treatment-experienced patients: o 400 mg film-coated tablet orally, twice daily ( 2.2 ). During coadministration with rifampin in adults, 800 mg (2 × 400 mg) twice daily ( 2.2 ). Pediatrics If weighing at least 40 kg, and either o treatment-naïve patients or o patients who are virologically suppressed on an initial regimen of ISENTRESS 400 mg twice daily: ▪ 1200 mg (2 × 600 mg) film-coated tablet orally, once daily or ▪ 400 mg film-coated tablet orally, twice daily or ▪ 300 mg (3 × 100 mg) chewable tablets, twice daily ( 2.3 ). If weighing at least 25 kg: One 400 mg film-coated tablet orally, twice daily. If unable to swallow a tablet, consider the chewable tablet, as specified in Table 2 ( 2.3 ). If weighing at least 3 kg to less than 25 kg: Weight-based dosing using the chewable tablet or oral suspension, as specified in Table 4 ( 2.3 ). For neonates (birth to 4 weeks [28 days] of age): Weight-based dosing of the oral suspension as specified in Table 5 ( 2.3 ). 2.1 General Dosing Recommendations Because the formulations have different pharmacokinetic profiles, do not substitute ISENTRESS chewable tablets or ISENTRESS for oral suspension for the ISENTRESS 400 mg film-coated tablet or the ISENTRESS HD 600 mg film-coated tablet. See specific dosing guidance for chewable tablets and the formulation for oral suspension. Because the extent to which ISENTRESS may be dialyzable is unknown, dosing before a dialysis session should be avoided [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . ISENTRESS film-coated tablets must be swallowed whole. ISENTRESS chewable tablets may be chewed or swallowed whole. Maximum daily dose is 300 mg taken by mouth twice daily. For children who have difficulty chewing the 25 mg chewable tablet, the tablet may be crushed. o Preparation of the crushed 25 mg chewable tablet: ▪ Place the tablet(s) in a small, clean cup. For each tablet, add a teaspoonful (~5 mL) of liquid (for example, water, juice, or breast milk). ▪ Within 2 minutes, the tablet(s) will absorb the liquid and fall apart. ▪ Using a spoon, crush any remaining pieces of the tablet(s). Immediately administer the entire dose orally. ▪ If any portion of the dose is left in the cup, add another teaspoonful (~5 mL) of liquid, swirl and administer immediately. ISENTRESS for oral suspension: o See Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. for details on preparation and...Side Effects (Adverse Reactions)
6 ADVERSE REACTIONS 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 most common adverse reactions of moderate to severe intensity (≥2%) are insomnia, headache, dizziness, nausea and fatigue ( 6.1 ). Creatine kinase elevations were observed in subjects who received ISENTRESS or ISENTRESS HD. Myopathy and rhabdomyolysis have been reported. Use with caution in patients at increased risk of myopathy or rhabdomyolysis, such as patients receiving concomitant medications known to cause these conditions and patients with a history of rhabdomyolysis, myopathy or increased serum creatine kinase ( 6.2 ). To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC at 1-877-888-4231 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Treatment-Naïve Adults The safety of ISENTRESS was evaluated in HIV-infected treatment-naïve subjects in 2 Phase III studies: STARTMRK evaluated ISENTRESS 400 mg twice daily versus efavirenz, both in combination with emtricitabine (+) tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF), and ONCEMRK evaluated ISENTRESS HD 1200 mg (2 × 600 mg) once daily versus ISENTRESS 400 mg twice daily, both in combination with emtricitabine (+) tenofovir disoproxil fumarate. Safety data from these two studies are presented side-by-side in Tables 6 and 7 to simplify presentation; direct comparisons across trials should not be made due to differing duration of follow-up and study design. STARTMRK (ISENTRESS 400 mg twice daily) In STARTMRK, subjects received ISENTRESS 400 mg twice daily (N=281) or efavirenz (EFV) 600 mg at bedtime (N=282) both in combination with emtricitabine (+) tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, (N=282). During double-blind treatment, the total follow-up for subjects receiving ISENTRESS 400 mg twice daily + emtricitabine (+) tenofovir disoproxil fumarate was 1104 patient-years and 1036 patient-years for subjects receiving efavirenz 600 mg at bedtime + emtricitabine (+) tenofovir disoproxil fumarate. In STARTMRK, the rate of discontinuation of therapy due to adverse events through Week 240 was 5% in subjects receiving ISENTRESS + emtricitabine (+) tenofovir disoproxil fumarate and 10% in subjects receiving efavirenz + emtricitabine (+) tenofovir disoproxil fumarate. ONCEMRK (ISENTRESS HD 1200 mg [2 × 600 mg] once daily) In ONCEMRK, subjects received ISENTRESS HD 1200 mg once daily (n=531) or ISENTRESS 400 mg twice daily (n=266) both in combination with emtricitabine (+) tenofovir disoproxil fumarate. During double-blind treatment, the total follow-up for subjects with ISENTRESS HD 1200 mg once daily was 913 patient-years and for ISENTRESS 400 mg twice daily was 450 patient-years. In ONCEMRK, the rate of discontinuation of therapy due to adverse events through Week 96 was 1% in subjects receiving ISENTRESS HD 1200 mg (2 × 600 mg) once daily and 2% in subjects receiving ISENTRESS 400 mg twice daily. Clinical adverse reactions of moderate to severe intensity occurring in ≥2% of treatment-naïve subjects treated with ISENTRESS 400 mg twice daily or efavirenz in STARTMRK through Week 240 or ISENTRESS HD 1200 mg once daily or ISENTRESS 400 mg twice daily in ONCEMRK through Week 96 are presented in Table 6. In STARTMRK, clinical adverse reactions of all intensities (mild, moderate and severe) occurring in ≥2% of subjects on ISENTRESS 400 mg twice daily through Week 240 also include diarrhea, flatulence, asthenia, decreased appetite, abnormal dreams, depression and nightmare. In ONCEMRK, clinical adverse reactions of all intensities (mild, moderate and severe) occurring in ≥2% of subjects on ISENTRESS HD or ISENTRESS 400 mg twice daily through Week 96 also include abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, and decreased appetite. Table 6: Adverse Reactions Includes adverse...Drug Interactions
7 DRUG INTERACTIONS
Coadministration of ISENTRESS or ISENTRESS HD and other drugs may alter the plasma concentration of raltegravir. The potential for drug-drug interactions must be considered prior to and during therapy ( 7 ). Coadministration of ISENTRESS or ISENTRESS HD with drugs that are strong inducers of UGT1A1, such as rifampin, may result in reduced plasma concentrations of raltegravir ( 2.1 , 7.1 ). 7.1 Effect of Other Agents on the Pharmacokinetics of Raltegravir Raltegravir is not a substrate of cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes. Based on in vivo and in vitro studies, raltegravir is eliminated mainly by metabolism via a UGT1A1-mediated glucuronidation pathway. Coadministration of ISENTRESS with drugs that inhibit UGT1A1 may increase plasma levels of raltegravir and coadministration of ISENTRESS with drugs that induce UGT1A1, such as rifampin, may reduce plasma levels of raltegravir (see Table 11 ). Selected drug interactions are presented in Table 11 [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . In some cases, recommendations differ for ISENTRESS versus ISENTRESS HD. Table 11: Selected Drug Interactions in Adults Concomitant Drug Class: Drug Name Effect on Concentration of Raltegravir Clinical Comment for ISENTRESS Clinical Comment for ISENTRESS HD Metal-Containing Antacids Aluminum and/or magnesium-containing antacids ↓ Coadministration or staggered administration is not recommended. Calcium carbonate antacid ↓ No dose adjustment Co-administration is not recommended Other Agents Rifampin ↓ The recommended dosage is 800 mg twice daily during coadministration with rifampin. There are no data to guide co-administration of ISENTRESS with rifampin in patients below 18 years of age [see Dosage and Administration (2.1) ]. Coadministration is not recommended. Tipranavir/ritonavir No dose adjustment Coadministration is not recommended Etravirine ↓ No dose adjustment Coadministration is not recommended. Strong inducers of drug metabolizing enzymes not mentioned above e.g., Carbamazepine Phenobarbital Phenytoin ↓↔ The impact of other strong inducers of drug metabolizing enzymes on raltegravir is unknown. Coadministration is not recommended. 7.2 Drugs without Clinically Significant Interactions with ISENTRESS or ISENTRESS HD ISENTRESS In drug interaction studies performed using ISENTRESS film-coated tablets 400 mg twice daily dose, raltegravir did not have a clinically meaningful effect on the pharmacokinetics of the following: ethinyl estradiol/norgestimate, methadone, midazolam, lamivudine, tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, etravirine, darunavir/ritonavir, or boceprevir. Moreover, atazanavir, atazanavir/ritonavir, boceprevir, calcium carbonate antacids, darunavir/ritonavir, efavirenz, etravirine, omeprazole, or tipranavir/ritonavir did not have a clinically meaningful effect on the pharmacokinetics of 400 mg twice daily raltegravir. No dose adjustment is required when ISENTRESS 400 mg twice daily is coadministered with these drugs. There is no predicted...Contraindications
4 CONTRAINDICATIONS None None ( 4) .
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
8.1 Pregnancy Pregnancy Exposure Registry There is a pregnancy exposure registry that monitors pregnancy outcomes in women. Healthcare providers are encouraged to register patients by calling the Antiretroviral Pregnancy Registry (APR) at 1-800-258-4263. Risk Summary Available data from the APR show no difference in the rate of overall birth defects for raltegravir compared to the background rate for major birth defects of 2.7% in the U.S. reference population of the Metropolitan Atlanta Congenital Defects Program (MACDP) (see Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. ) . The rate of miscarriage is not reported in the APR. The estimated background rate of miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies in the U.S. general population is 15-20%. The background risk for major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. Methodological limitations of the APR include the use of MACDP as the external comparator group. The MACDP population is not disease-specific, evaluates women and infants from a limited geographic area, and does not include outcomes for births that occurred at <20 weeks gestation (see Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. ) . In animal reproduction studies in rats and rabbits, no evidence of adverse developmental outcomes was observed with oral administration of raltegravir during organogenesis at doses that produced exposures up to approximately 4 times the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD) of 1200 mg (see Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. ) . Data Human Data Based on prospective reports from the APR of over 850 exposures to raltegravir during pregnancy resulting in live births (including over 450 exposures in the first trimester), there was no difference between the overall risk of birth defects for raltegravir compared with the background birth defect rate of 2.7% in the U.S. reference population of the MACDP. The prevalence of defects in live births was 3.1% (95% CI: 1.7% to 5.1%) following first trimester exposure to...
Overdosage
10 OVERDOSAGE In the event of an overdose, it is reasonable to employ the standard supportive measures, e.g., remove unabsorbed material from the gastrointestinal tract, employ clinical monitoring (including obtaining an electrocardiogram), and institute supportive therapy if required. The extent to which ISENTRESS may be dialyzable is unknown.
How Supplied
16 HOW SUPPLIED/STORAGE AND HANDLING ISENTRESS tablets 400 mg are pink, oval-shaped, film-coated tablets with "227" on one side. They are supplied as follows: NDC 71205-777-06 unit-of-use bottles of 6. NDC 71205-777-14 unit-of-use bottles of 14. NDC 71205-777-30 unit-of-use bottles of 30. NDC 71205-777-60 unit-of-use bottles of 60. NDC 71205-777-90 unit-of-use bottles of 90. Storage and Handling 400 mg Film-coated Tablets Store at 20-25°C (68-77°F); excursions permitted to 15-30°C (59-86°F). See USP Controlled Room Temperature. 400 mg Film-coated Tablets Store in the original package with the bottle tightly closed. Keep the desiccant in the bottle to protect from moisture
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.