Sotalol Hydrochloride

Description

11 DESCRIPTION Sotalol Hydrochloride Tablets, USP contain sotalol hydrochloride, an antiarrhythmic drug with Class II (beta­ adrenoreceptor blocking) and Class III (cardiac action potential duration prolongation) properties. Sotalol Hydrochloride Tablets, USP are supplied as a light-blue, capsule-shaped tablet for oral administration. Sotalol hydrochloride is a white, crystalline solid with a molecular weight of 308.8. It is hydrophilic, soluble in water, propylene glycol and ethanol, but is only slightly soluble in chloroform. Chemically, sotalol hydrochloride is d,l-N-[4-[1-hydroxy-2-[(1-methylethyl) amino]ethyl]phenyl]methane-sulfonamide monohydrochloride. The molecular formula is C 12 H 20 N 2 O 3 S∙HCl and is represented by the following structural formula: Sotalol Hydrochloride Tablets, USP contain the following inactive ingredients: lactose monohydrate, microcrystalline cellulose, pregelatinized starch, FD&C Blue #2, colloidal silicon dioxide, stearic acid, magnesium stearate.

What Is Sotalol Hydrochloride Used For?

1. INDICATIONS AND USAGE Sotalol Hydrochloride Tablets are an antiarrhythmic indicated for: the treatment of life threatening ventricular arrhythmias ( 1.1 ) Limitations of Use Avoid use in patients with asymptomatic ventricular premature contraction ( 1.1 ) 1.1 Life-Threatening Ventricular Arrhythmias Sotalol Hydrochloride Tablets are indicated for the treatment of life-threatening, documented ventricular arrhythmias, such as sustained ventricular tachycardia (VT). Limitation of Use: Sotalol Hydrochloride Tablets may not enhance survival in patients with ventricular arrhythmias. Because of the proarrhythmic effects of Sotalol Hydrochloride Tablets, including a 1.5 to 2% rate of Torsade de Pointes (TdP) or new ventricular tachycardia/fibrillation (VT/VF) in patients with either non-sustained ventricular tachycardia (NSVT) or supraventricular arrhythmias (SVT), its use in patients with less severe arrhythmias, even if the patients are symptomatic, is generally not recommended. Avoid treatment of patients with asymptomatic ventricular premature contractions [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) .]

Dosage and Administration

2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Sotalol Hydrochloride Tablets: Initial dosage in adults is 80 mg twice daily. Increase the dose as needed in increments of 80 mg/day, every 3 days to a maximum 320 mg total daily dose ( 2.2 ) Pediatrics: Dosage depends on age ( 2.4 ) 2.1 General Safety Measures for Initiation of Oral Sotalol Therapy Withdraw other antiarrhythmic therapy before starting Sotalol Hydrochloride Tablets and monitor carefully for a minimum of 2 to 3 plasma half-lives if the patient's clinical condition permits [ see Drug Interactions (7) ]. Hospitalize patients initiated or re-initiated on sotalol for at least 3 days or until steady-state drug levels are achieved, in a facility that can provide cardiac resuscitation and continuous electrocardiographic monitoring. Initiate oral sotalol therapy in the presence of personnel trained in the management of serious arrhythmias. Perform a baseline ECG to determine the QT interval and measure and normalize serum potassium and magnesium levels before initiating therapy. Measure serum creatinine and calculate an estimated creatinine clearance in order to establish the appropriate dosing interval (insert cross ref to renal dosing). Continually monitor patients with each uptitration in dose, until they reach steady state. Determine QT c 2 to 4 hours after every dose. Discharge patients on sotalol therapy from an in-patient setting with an adequate supply of sotalol to allow uninterrupted therapy until the patient can fill a sotalol prescription. Advise patients who miss a dose to take the next dose at the usual time. Do not double the dose or shorten the dosing interval. 2.2 Adult Dose for Ventricular Arrhythmias The recommended initial dose is 80 mg twice daily. This dose may be increased in increments of 80 mg per day every 3 days provided the QT c <500 msec [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ]. Continually monitor patients until steady state blood levels are achieved. In most patients, a therapeutic response is obtained at a total daily dose of 160 to 320 mg/day, given in two or three divided doses (because of the long terminal elimination half- life of sotalol, dosing more than a two times a day is usually not necessary). Oral doses as high as 480-640 mg/day have been utilized in patients with refractory life-threatening arrhythmias. 2.4 Pediatric Dose for Ventricular Arrhythmias Use the same precautionary measures for children as you would use for adults when initiating and re-initiating sotalol treatment. For children aged about 2 years and older For children aged about 2 years and older, with normal renal function, doses normalized for body surface area are appropriate for both initial and incremental dosing. Since the Class III potency in children is not very different from that in adults, reaching plasma concentrations that occur within the adult dose range is an appropriate guide [ see Clinical Pharmacology (12.1 , 12.3 )] . From pediatric pharmacokinetic data the following is recommended:...

Side Effects (Adverse Reactions)

6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The most common adverse reactions (≥2%) for Sotalol Hydrochloride Tablets are: fatigue 4%, bradycardia (less than 50 bpm) 3%, dyspnea 3%, proarrhythmia 3%, asthenia 2%, and dizziness 2%. ( 6 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Beximco Pharmaceuticals USA Inc. at 877-372-6093 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. Adverse reactions that are clearly related to sotalol are those which are typical of its Class II (beta-blocking) and Class III (cardiac action potential duration prolongation) effects and are dose related. Ventricular Arrhythmias Serious Adverse Reactions In patients with a history of sustained ventricular tachycardia, the incidence of Torsade de Pointes during oral sotalol treatment was 4% and worsened VT was about 1%; in patients with other less serious ventricular arrhythmias the incidence of Torsade de Pointes was 1% and new or worsened VT was about 0.7%. Incidence of Torsade de Pointes arrhythmias in patients with VT/VF are shown in Table 3 below. Table 3: Percent Incidence of Torsade de Pointes and Mean QTc Interval by Dose For Patients With Sustained VT/VF Daily Dose (mg) Torsade de Pointes Incidence Mean QTc highest on-therapy value (msec) 80 0 (69) 463 (17) 160 0.5 (832) 467 (181) 320 1.6 (835) 473 (344) 480 4.4 (459) 483 (234) 640 3.7 (324) 490 (185) >640 5.8 (103) 512 (62) ( ) Number of patients assessed Table 4 below relates the incidence of Torsade de Pointes to on-therapy QT c and change in QT c from baseline in patients with ventricular arrhythmias. It should be noted, however, that the highest on-therapy QT c was in many cases the one obtained at the time of the Torsade de Pointes event, so that the table overstates the predictive value of a high QT c . Table 4: Relationship Between QTc Interval Prolongations and Torsade de Pointes On-Therapy QT c Interval (msec) Incidence of Torsade de Pointes Change from Baseline in QT c (msec) Incidence of Torsade de Pointes <500 1.3% (1787) <65 1.6% (1516) 500-525 3.4% (236) 65-80 3.2% (158) 525-550 5.6% (125) 80-100 4.1% (146) >550 10.8% (157) 100-130 5.2% (115) >130 7.1% (99) ( ) Number of patients assessed Table 5: Incidence (%) of Common Adverse Reactions (2% in the Placebo group and less frequent than Sotalol Hydrochloride Tablets groups) in a Placebo-controlled Parallel-group Comparison Study of Patients with Ventricular Ectopy Body System/Adverse Reaction (Preferred Term) Placebo Sotalol Hydrochloride Total Daily Dose N=37 (%) 320 mg N=38 (%) 640 mg N=39 (%) CARDIOVASCULAR Chest Pain 5.4 7.9 15.4 Dyspnea 2.7 18.4 20.5 Palpitation 2.7 7.9 5.4 Vasodilation 2.7 0.0 5.1 NERVOUS SYSTEM Asthenia 8.1 10.5 20.5 Dizziness 5.4 13.2 17.9 Fatigue 10.8 26.3 25.6 Headache 5.4 5.3 7.7 Lightheaded 8.1 15.8 5.1 Sleep Problem 2.7 2.6 7.7 RESPIRATORY Upper Respiratory Tract Problem 2.7 2.6 12.8 SPECIAL SENSES Visual Problem 2.7 5.3 0.0 The most common adverse reactions leading to discontinuation of Sotalol Hydrochloride Tablets in trials of patients with ventricular arrhythmias are: fatigue 4%, bradycardia (less than 50 bpm) 3%, dyspnea 3%, proarrhythmia 3%, asthenia 2%, and dizziness 2%. Incidence of discontinuation for these adverse reactions was dose related. One case of peripheral neuropathy that resolved on discontinuation of Sotalol Hydrochloride Tablets and recurred when the patient was rechallenged with the drug was reported in an early dose tolerance study. Pediatric Patients In an unblinded multicenter trial of 25 pediatric patients with SVT and/or VT receiving daily doses of 30, 90 and 210 mg/m 2 with dosing every 8 ours for a total of 9 doses, no Torsade de Pointes or other serious new arrhythmias were observed. One (1) patient,...

Drug Interactions

7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Class I or III Antiarrhythmics or other drugs that prolong the QT interval: Avoid concomitant use ( 7.1 ) Digoxin, calcium channel blocker: increased risk of bradycardia, hypotension, heart failure ( 7.2 ) Dosage of insulin or antidiabetic drugs may need adjustment ( 7.5 ) Aluminum or magnesium-based antacids reduce sotalol exposure ( 7.7 ) 7.1 Antiarrhythmics and other QT Prolonging Drugs Sotalol has not been studied with other drugs that prolong the QT interval such as antiarrhythmics, some phenothiazines, tricyclic antidepressants, certain oral macrolides and certain quinolone antibiotics. Discontinue Class I or Class III antiarrhythmic agents for at least three half-lives prior to dosing with sotalol. Class Ia antiarrhythmic drugs, such as disopyramide, quinidine and procainamide and other Class III drugs (for example, amiodarone) are not recommended as concomitant therapy with Sotalol Hydrochloride Tablets, because of their potential to prolong refractoriness [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ]. There is only limited experience with the concomitant use of Class Ib or Ic antiarrhythmics. Additive Class II effects would also be anticipated with the use of other beta-blocking agents concomitantly with Sotalol Hydrochloride Tablets. 7.2 Digoxin Proarrhythmic events were more common in sotalol treated patients also receiving digoxin; it is not clear whether this represents an interaction or is related to the presence of CHF, a known risk factor for proarrhythmia, in the patients receiving digoxin. Both digitalis glycosides and beta-blockers slow atrioventricular conduction and decrease heart rate. Concomitant use can increase the risk of bradycardia. 7.3 Calcium-Channel Blocking Drugs Sotalol and calcium-blocking drugs can be expected to have additive effects on atrioventricular conduction or ventricular function. Monitor such patients for evidence of bradycardia and hypotension. 7.4 Catecholamine-Depleting Agents Concomitant use of catecholamine-depleting drugs, such as reserpine and guanethidine, with a beta-blocker may produce an excessive reduction of resting sympathetic nervous tone. Monitor such patients for evidence of hypotension and/or marked bradycardia which may produce syncope. 7.5 Insulin and Oral Antidiabetics Hyperglycemia may occur, and the dosage of insulin or antidiabetic drugs may require adjustment [ see Warnings and Precautions 5.7) ]. 7.6 Clonidine Concomitant use with sotalol increases the risk of bradycardia. Because beta-blockers may potentiate the rebound hypertension sometimes observed after clonidine discontinuation, withdraw sotalol several days before the gradual withdrawal of clonidine to reduce the risk of rebound hypertension. 7.7 Antacids Avoid administration of oral sotalol within 2 hours of antacids containing aluminum oxide and magnesium hydroxide.

Contraindications

4 CONTRAINDICATIONS Sotalol Hydrochloride Tablets are contraindicated in patients with: Sinus bradycardia, sick sinus syndrome, second and third degree AV block, unless a functioning pacemaker is present Congenital or acquired long QT syndromes Cardiogenic shock or decompensated heart failure Serum potassium <4 mEq/L Bronchial asthma or related bronchospastic conditions Hypersensitivity to sotalol For the treatment of ventricular arrythmias Sinus bradycardia, 2nd or 3rd degree AV block, sick sinus syndrome ( 4 ) Congenital or acquired long QT syndrome, ( 4 ) Serum potassium <4 mEq/L( 4 ) Cardiogenic shock, decompensated heart failure ( 4 ) Bronchial asthma or related bronchospastic conditions ( 4 ) Hypersensitivity to sotalol ( 4 )

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

8.1 Pregnancy Pregnancy Category B There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Sotalol has been shown to cross the placenta, and is found in amniotic fluid. In animal studies there was no increase in congenital anomalies, but an increase in early resorptions occurred at sotalol doses 18 times the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD, based on surface area). Animal reproductive studies are not always predictive of human response. Reproduction studies in rats and rabbits during organogenesis at 9 and 7 times the MRHD (based on surface area), respectively, did not reveal any teratogenic potential associated with sotalol. In rabbits, a dose of sotalol 6 times the MRHD produced a slight increase in fetal death as well as maternal toxicity. This effect did not occur at sotalol dose 3 times the MRHD. In rats a sotalol dose 18 times the MRHD increased the number of early resorptions, while a dose 2.5 times the MRHD, produced no increase in early resorptions.

8.3 Nursing Mothers Sotalol is excreted in the milk of laboratory animals and has been reported to be present in human milk. Discontinue nursing on Sotalol Hydrochloride Tablets.

Overdosage

10 OVERDOSAGE Intentional or accidental overdosage with sotalol has resulted in death. Symptoms and Treatment of Overdosage The most common signs to be expected are bradycardia, congestive heart failure, hypotension, bronchospasm and hypoglycemia. In cases of massive intentional overdosage (2–16 grams) of sotalol the following clinical findings were seen: hypotension, bradycardia, cardiac asystole, prolongation of QT interval, Torsade de Pointes, ventricular tachycardia, and premature ventricular complexes. If overdosage occurs, therapy with sotalol should be discontinued and the patient observed closely. Because of the lack of protein binding, hemodialysis is useful for reducing sotalol plasma concentrations. Patientsshould be carefully observed until QT intervals are normalized and the heart rate returns to levels >50 bpm. The occurrence of hypotension following an overdose may be associated with an initial slow drug elimination phase (half-life of 30 hours) thought to be due to a temporary reduction of renal function caused by the hypotension. In addition, if required, the following therapeutic measures are suggested: Bradycardia or Cardiac Asystole: Atropine, another anticholinergic drug, a beta-adrenergic agonist or transvenous cardiac pacing. Heart Block: (second and third degree) transvenous cardiac pacemaker. Hypotension: (depending on associated factors) epinephrine rather than isoproterenol or norepinephrine may be useful. Bronchospasm: Aminophylline or aerosol beta-2-receptor stimulant. Higher than normal doses of beta-2 receptor stimulants may be required. Torsade de Pointes: DC cardioversion, transvenous cardiac pacing, epinephrine, magnesium sulfate.

How Supplied

16 HOW SUPPLIED/STORAGE AND HANDLING Sotalol Hydrochloride Tablets, USP; capsule-shaped light-blue scored tablets, imprinted with the strength and “B104”, “B105”, and “B106” are available as follows: NDC: 71335-1189-1: 60 Tablets in a BOTTLE NDC: 71335-1189-2: 30 Tablets in a BOTTLE NDC: 71335-1189-3: 100 Tablets in a BOTTLE NDC: 71335-1189-4: 90 Tablets in a BOTTLE Store at 25°C (77°F); excursions permitted to 15-30°C (59-86°F) [See USP Controlled Room Temperature]. Repackaged/Relabeled by: Bryant Ranch Prepack, Inc. Burbank, CA 91504