Selexipag

FDA Drug Information • Also known as: Selexipag, Selexipag Titration Pack, Uptravi, Uptravi Titration Pack

Brand Names
Selexipag, Selexipag Titration Pack, Uptravi, Uptravi Titration Pack
Drug Class
Prostacyclin Receptor Agonist [EPC]
Dosage Form
KIT
Product Type
HUMAN PRESCRIPTION DRUG

Description

11 DESCRIPTION UPTRAVI contains selexipag, a prostacyclin receptor agonist. The chemical name of selexipag is 2-{4-[(5,6-diphenylpyrazin-2-yl)(isopropyl)amino]butoxy}- N -(methylsulfonyl) acetamide. It has a molecular formula of C 26 H 32 N 4 O 4 S and a molecular weight of 496.62. Selexipag has the following structural formula: Selexipag is a pale yellow crystalline powder that is practically insoluble in water. In the solid state selexipag is very stable, is not hygroscopic, and is not light sensitive. UPTRAVI ® (selexipag) tablets: depending on the dose strength, each round film-coated tablet for oral administration contains 200, 400, 600, 800, 1000, 1200, 1400, or 1600 mcg of selexipag. The tablets include the following inactive ingredients: corn starch, D-mannitol, hydroxypropyl cellulose, low substituted hydroxypropyl cellulose, and magnesium stearate. The tablets are film coated with a coating material containing carnauba wax, hypromellose, propylene glycol, titanium dioxide, along with mixtures of iron oxide black, iron oxide red or iron oxide yellow. UPTRAVI ® (selexipag) for injection: contains 1800 mcg of selexipag per vial. UPTRAVI for injection includes the following inactive ingredients: glycine (180 mg), phosphoric acid (3.53 mg), polysorbate 20 (10.8 mg) and sodium hydroxide (for pH adjustment). UPTRAVI for injection is provided in 10 mL Type I clear glass vials closed by a stopper and tear-off aluminum seal. Chemical Structure

What Is Selexipag Used For?

1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE UPTRAVI is a prostacyclin receptor agonist indicated for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH, WHO Group I) to delay disease progression and reduce the risk of hospitalization for PAH. ( 1.1 ) 1.1 Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension UPTRAVI is indicated for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH, WHO Group I) to delay disease progression and reduce the risk of hospitalization for PAH. Effectiveness of UPTRAVI tablets was established in a long-term study in PAH patients with WHO Functional Class II–III symptoms. Patients had idiopathic and heritable PAH (58%), PAH associated with connective tissue disease (29%), PAH associated with congenital heart disease with repaired shunts (10%) [see Clinical Studies (14.1) ] .

Dosage and Administration

2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION UPTRAVI tablets starting dose: 200 mcg twice daily. ( 2.1 ) Increase the dose by 200 mcg twice daily at weekly intervals to the highest tolerated dose up to 1600 mcg twice daily. ( 2.1 ) Maintenance dose is determined by tolerability. ( 2.1 ) Moderate hepatic impairment: Starting dose 200 mcg once daily, increase the dose by 200 mcg once daily at weekly intervals to the highest tolerated dose up to 1600 mcg. ( 2.5 ) UPTRAVI for injection dose is determined by the patient's current dose of UPTRAVI tablets. Administer UPTRAVI for injection by intravenous infusion, twice daily. ( 2.2 ) See Full Prescribing Information for instructions on preparation and administration. ( 2.3 ). 2.1 Recommended Dosage UPTRAVI Film-coated Tablets The recommended starting dosage of UPTRAVI tablets is 200 micrograms (mcg) given twice daily. Tolerability may be improved when taken with food [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . Increase the dose in increments of 200 mcg twice daily, usually at weekly intervals, to the highest tolerated dose up to 1600 mcg twice daily. If a patient reaches a dose that cannot be tolerated, the dose should be reduced to the previous tolerated dose. Do not split, crush, or chew tablets. UPTRAVI for Injection Use UPTRAVI for injection in patients who are temporarily unable to take oral therapy. Administer UPTRAVI for injection twice daily by intravenous infusion at a dose that corresponds to the patient's current dose of UPTRAVI tablets (see Table 1 ). Administer UPTRAVI for injection as an 80-minute intravenous infusion. 2.2 Preparation Instructions Reconstitute and further dilute UPTRAVI for injection prior to intravenous infusion following aseptic procedures. Determine the dose and total volume of reconstituted UPTRAVI solution required (see Table 1 ). Reconstitution Remove the carton of UPTRAVI for injection from the refrigerator and allow to stand for approximately 30 to 60 minutes to reach room temperature (20°C to 25°C [68°F to 77°F]). The vial needs to be protected from light at all times. Ensure the protective wrap around label is covering the entire vial. Peel back light protective wrap on vial to inspect the contents in the vial. It should appear white to almost white broken cake or powdered material. Immediately close the light protective wrap on the vial. Reconstitute UPTRAVI for injection using a polypropylene syringe with 8.6 mL of 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP and slowly inject into the UPTRAVI vial with the stream directed toward the inside wall of the vial to obtain a concentration of 225 mcg/mL of selexipag. Document date and time of first puncture. Complete infusion within 4 hours of first puncture. Gently invert the vial and repeat until powder is completely dissolved. Do not shake. Inspect the vial by peeling back the light protective wrap around label for discoloration. The reconstituted solution should appear clear, colorless and free from foreign material. Do not use if the...

Side Effects (Adverse Reactions)

6 ADVERSE REACTIONS Adverse reactions occurring more frequently (≥5%) on UPTRAVI compared to placebo are headache, diarrhea, jaw pain, nausea, myalgia, vomiting, pain in extremity, and flushing. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Janssen at 1-800-526-7736 (1-800-JANSSEN) or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trial 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. UPTRAVI Tablets The safety of UPTRAVI tablets has been evaluated in a long-term, placebo-controlled study enrolling 1,156 patients with symptomatic PAH (GRIPHON study) [see Clinical Studies (14) ] . The exposure to UPTRAVI in this trial was up to 4.2 years with median duration of exposure of 1.4 years. Table 2 presents adverse reactions more frequent on UPTRAVI tablets than on placebo by ≥3%. Table 2: Adverse Reactions UPTRAVI Placebo Adverse Reaction N=575 N=577 Headache 65% 32% Diarrhea 42% 18% Jaw pain 26% 6% Nausea 33% 18% Myalgia 16% 6% Vomiting 18% 9% Pain in extremity 17% 8% Flushing 12% 5% Arthralgia 11% 8% Anemia 8% 5% Decreased appetite 6% 3% Rash 11% 8% These adverse reactions are more frequent during the dose titration phase. Hyperthyroidism was observed in 1% (n=8) of patients on UPTRAVI tablets and in none of the patients on placebo. UPTRAVI for Injection Infusion-site reactions (infusion site erythema/redness, pain and swelling) were reported with UPTRAVI for Injection. Laboratory Test Abnormalities Hemoglobin In a Phase 3 placebo-controlled study in patients with PAH, mean absolute changes in hemoglobin at regular visits compared to baseline ranged from −0.34 to −0.02 g/dL in the UPTRAVI group compared to −0.05 to 0.25 g/dL in the placebo group. A decrease in hemoglobin concentration to below 10 g/dL was reported in 8.6% of patients treated with UPTRAVI tablets and 5.0% of placebo-treated patients. Thyroid Function Tests In a Phase 3 placebo-controlled study in patients with PAH, a reduction (up to −0.3 MU/L from a baseline median of 2.5 MU/L) in median thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) was observed at most visits in the UPTRAVI group. In the placebo group, little change in median values was apparent. There were no mean changes in triiodothyronine or thyroxine in either group. 6.2 Postmarketing Experience The following adverse reactions have been identified during post approval use of UPTRAVI. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. Vascular disorders: symptomatic hypotension

Drug Interactions

7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Moderate CYP2C8 inhibitors (e.g., clopidogrel, deferasirox and teriflunomide) increase exposure to the active metabolite of UPTRAVI. Reduce the dosing of UPTRAVI to once daily ( 2.6 , 7.1 , 12.3 ). CYP2C8 inducers (e.g., rifampin) decrease exposure to the active metabolite. Increase up to twice the dose of UPTRAVI ( 7.2 , 12.3 ) 7.1 CYP2C8 Inhibitors Concomitant administration with gemfibrozil, a strong inhibitor of CYP2C8, doubled the exposure to selexipag and increased exposure to the active metabolite by approximately 11-fold. Concomitant administration of UPTRAVI with strong inhibitors of CYP2C8 (e.g., gemfibrozil) is contraindicated [see Contraindications (4) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . Concomitant administration of UPTRAVI tablets with clopidogrel, a moderate inhibitor of CYP2C8, had no relevant effect on the exposure to selexipag and increased the exposure to the active metabolite by approximately 2.7-fold [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . Reduce the dosing of UPTRAVI to once daily in patients on a moderate CYP2C8 inhibitor [see Dosage and Administration (2.6) ] . 7.2 CYP2C8 Inducers Concomitant administration with an inducer of CYP2C8 and UGT 1A3 and 2B7 enzymes (rifampin) halved exposure to the active metabolite. Increase dose up to twice of UPTRAVI when co-administered with rifampin. Reduce UPTRAVI when rifampin is stopped [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] .

Contraindications

4 CONTRAINDICATIONS Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients. Concomitant use of strong inhibitors of CYP2C8 (e.g., gemfibrozil) [see Drug Interactions (7.1) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . Concomitant use with strong CYP2C8 inhibitors. ( 4 , 7.1 , 12.3 ) Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients. ( 4 )

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary There are no adequate and well-controlled studies with UPTRAVI in pregnant women. Animal reproduction studies performed with selexipag showed no clinically relevant effects on embryofetal development and survival. A slight reduction in maternal as well as in fetal body weight was observed when pregnant rats were administered selexipag during organogenesis at a dose producing an exposure to the active metabolite approximately 47 times that in humans at the maximum recommended human dose. No adverse developmental outcomes were observed with oral administration of selexipag to pregnant rabbits during organogenesis at exposures to the active metabolite up to 50 times the human exposure at the maximum recommended human dose. 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 Pregnant rats were treated with selexipag using oral doses of 2, 6, and 20 mg/kg/day (up to 47 times the exposure to the active metabolite at the maximum recommended human oral dose of 1600 mcg twice daily on an area under the curve [AUC] basis) during the period of organogenesis (gestation days 7 to 17). Selexipag did not cause adverse developmental effects to the fetus in this study. A slight reduction in fetal body weight was observed in parallel with a slight reduction in maternal body weight at the high dose. Pregnant rabbits were treated with selexipag using oral doses of 3, 10, and 30 mg/kg (up to 50 times the exposure to the active metabolite at the maximum recommended human oral dose of 1600 mcg twice daily on an AUC basis) during the period of organogenesis (gestation days 6 to 18). Selexipag did not cause adverse developmental effects to the fetus in this study. In a pre- and post-natal development study, pregnant rats...

Overdosage

10 OVERDOSAGE Isolated cases of overdose with UPTRAVI tablets up to 3200 mcg were reported. Mild, transient nausea was the only reported consequence. In the event of overdose, supportive measures must be taken as required. Dialysis is unlikely to be effective because selexipag and its active metabolite are highly protein-bound.

How Supplied

16 HOW SUPPLIED/STORAGE AND HANDLING UPTRAVI ® (selexipag) film-coated, round tablets are supplied in the following configurations: Strength (mcg) Color Debossing NDC-XXX Bottle of 60 NDC-XXX Bottle of 140 200 Light yellow 2 66215-602-06 66215-602-14 400 Red 4 66215-604-06 Not Available 600 Light violet 6 66215-606-06 Not Available 800 Green 8 66215-608-06 Not Available 1000 Orange 10 66215-610-06 Not Available 1200 Dark violet 12 66215-612-06 Not Available 1400 Dark yellow 14 66215-614-06 Not Available 1600 Brown 16 66215-616-06 Not Available UPTRAVI ® (selexipag) tablets are also supplied in a Titration Pack [NDC 66215-628-20] that includes a 140-count bottle of 200-mcg tablets and a 60-count bottle of 800-mcg tablets. Store at 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F). Excursions are permitted between 15°C and 30°C (59°F and 86°F) [see USP Controlled Room Temperature]. Keep out of reach of children. UPTRAVI ® (selexipag) for injection, for intravenous use, is supplied in a 10 mL Type I glass vial closed by a stopper and sealed with an aluminum flip-off button, containing 1800 mcg of selexipag [NDC 66215-718-01]. UPTRAVI (selexipag) for injection is available in cartons containing 1 single-dose vial. Storage conditions for UPTRAVI for injection: Store the original carton containing glass vial in a refrigerator at 2°C to 8°C (36ºF to 46ºF) until use in order to protect from light.

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.