Tafenoquine
FDA Drug Information • Also known as: Arakoda, Kodatef
- Brand Names
- Arakoda, Kodatef
- Route
- ORAL
- Dosage Form
- TABLET, FILM COATED
- Product Type
- HUMAN PRESCRIPTION DRUG
Description
11 DESCRIPTION ARAKODA contains tafenoquine succinate, an antimalarial agent for oral administration. The structural formula of tafenoquine succinate is: Figure 1: Tafenoquine Succinate Structure The chemical name of tafenoquine succinate is (±)-8-[(4-amino-1-methylbutyl) amino]-2,6-dimethoxy-4-methyl-5-[3-(trifluoromethyl) phenoxy]quinoline succinate. The molecular formula of tafenoquine succinate is C 24 H 28 F 3 N 3 O 3 ∙C 4 H 6 O 4 and its molecular weight is 581.6 as the succinate salt (463.49 as free base). Each ARAKODA tablet contains 100 mg of tafenoquine (equivalent to 125.5 mg of tafenoquine succinate). Inactive ingredients include magnesium stearate, mannitol, and microcrystalline cellulose. The tablet film coating inactive ingredients include: hypromellose, iron oxide red, macrogol/polyethylene glycol and titanium dioxide. Figure 1: Tafenoquine Succinate Structure
What Is Tafenoquine Used For?
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE ARAKODA is indicated for the prophylaxis of malaria in patients aged 18 years and older. ARAKODA is an antimalarial indicated for the prophylaxis of malaria in patients aged 18 years and older. ( 1 )
Dosage and Administration
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION
All patients must be tested for glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency prior to prescribing ARAKODA. ( 2.1 ) Pregnancy testing is recommended for females of reproductive potential prior to initiating treatment with ARAKODA. ( 2.1 ) Regimen Name Timing Dosage Loading regimen For each of the 3 days before travel to a malarious area 200 mg (2 of the 100 mg tablets) once daily for 3 days Maintenance regimen While in the malarious area 200 mg (2 of the 100 mg tablets) once weekly – start 7 days after the last loading regimen dose Terminal prophylaxis regimen In the week following exit from the malarious area 200 mg (2 of the 100 mg tablets) one-time 7 days after the last maintenance dose Administer ARAKODA with food. ( 2.2 ) See full prescribing information for instructions on how to replace missed doses. ( 2.2 ) 2.1 Tests to be Performed Prior to ARAKODA Dose Initiation All patients must be tested for glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency prior to prescribing ARAKODA [see Contraindications ( 4 ), Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] . Pregnancy testing is recommended for females of reproductive potential prior to initiating treatment with ARAKODA [see Use in Specific Populations ( 8.1 and 8.3 )] . 2.2 Recommended Dosage and Administration Instructions The recommended dosage of ARAKODA is described in Table 1 below. ARAKODA can be administered for up to 6 months of continuous dosing. Table 1: Recommended Dosage of ARAKODA in Patients (18 Years of Age and Older) Regimen Name Timing Dosage Loading regimen For each of the 3 days before travel to a malarious area 200 mg (2 of the 100 mg tablets) once daily for 3 days Maintenance regimen While in the malarious area 200 mg (2 of the 100 mg tablets) once weekly – start 7 days after the last loading regimen dose Terminal prophylaxis regimen In the week following exit from the malarious area 200 mg (2 of the 100 mg tablets) taken one time, 7 days after the last maintenance dose Administer ARAKODA with food. [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] . Swallow the tablet whole. Do not break, crush or chew the tablets. Complete the full course of ARAKODA including the loading dose and the terminal dose. Table 2: How to Replace Missed Doses of ARAKODA Dose(s) Missed How to Replace Missed Dose(s): 1 Loading dose 1 dose of 200 mg (2 of the 100 mg tablets) so that a total of 3 daily loading doses have been taken. Begin maintenance dose 1 week after the last loading dose. 2 Loading doses 2 doses of 200 mg (2 of the 100 mg tablets) on 2 consecutive days so that a total of 3 daily loading doses have been taken. Begin maintenance dose 1 week after the last loading dose. 1 Maintenance (weekly) dose 1 dose of 200 mg (2 of the 100 mg tablets) on any day up to the time of the next scheduled weekly dose. 2 Maintenance (weekly) doses 1 dose of 200 mg (2 of the 100 mg tablets) on any day up to the time of the next scheduled weekly dose. 3 or more Maintenance (weekly)...Side Effects (Adverse Reactions)
6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following clinically significant adverse reactions observed with ARAKODA are discussed in detail in the Warnings and Precautions section:
Hemolytic Anemia [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] Methemoglobinemia [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )] Psychiatric Effects [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 )] Hypersensitivity Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5 )] The most common adverse reactions (incidence ≥1%) were: headache, dizziness, back pain, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, increased alanine aminotransferase (ALT), motion sickness, insomnia, depression, abnormal dreams, anxiety. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact 60 Degrees Pharmaceuticals at 1-888-834-0225 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 with rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. The safety of tafenoquine was studied in clinical trials at various doses and regimens in 3,184 subjects. The recommended ARAKODA regimen was evaluated in 825 subjects in 5 controlled clinical trials (Trials 1, Trial 2, Trial 3, Trial 4 and Trial 5). The mean duration of exposure to ARAKODA in these five clinical trials was 21 weeks (range 10-29 weeks). Trial 1, 2 and 4 were conducted in healthy semi-immune volunteers in Ghana or Kenya and were placebo-controlled; a mefloquine arm was included in Trials 2 and 4 as a benchmark. Trial 3, an active comparator (mefloquine) controlled trial was conducted in healthy soldiers deployed in East Timor (Timor Leste). A placebo-controlled Trial 5 was conducted in healthy volunteers in the United States and United Kingdom. The mean age of the subjects included in the five trials was 29 years (range 17 to 69 years); 84% were male. Adverse Reactions Reported with ARAKODA in Trial 3 and Pooled Trials 1, 2, 4, and 5 Adverse reactions occurring in ≥1% of subjects in the ARAKODA group in the placebo-controlled pooled Trials 1, 2, 3, and 4 are presented in Table 3 . Table 3: Selected Adverse Reactions Occurring in ≥1% of Subjects Receiving ARAKODA in Pooled Trials 1, 2, 4, and 5 (Non-Deployed Subjects) Adverse Reaction ARAKODA 1 (n=333) % Placebo (n=295) % Mefloquine 2 (n=147) % 1 ARAKODA was administered as 200 mg daily for 3 days, then 200 mg weekly 2 Mefloquine was administered as 250 mg daily for 3 days, then 250 mg weekly 3 Includes headache, sinus headache, migraine and tension headache. 4 Includes dizziness and dizziness postural 5 Includes abnormal dreams, insomnia, nightmares, sleep disorder, and somnambulism. Nervous system Disorders 35 34 47 Headache 3 32 32 44 Dizziness 4 5 3 10 Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders 27 26 37 Back pain 14 9 11 Gastrointestinal disorders 31 33 46 Diarrhea 5 3 1 Nausea 5 2 2 Vomiting 2 2 1 Investigations 8 7 11 Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) increased/abnormal 4 2 3 Psychiatric disorders 2 1 2 Any sleep symptom 5 1 1 0 Insomnia 1 1 0 Depression/depressed mood 1 0 0 Adverse reactions occurring in ≥1% of subjects in the ARAKODA group in the active-control Trial 3 conducted in military personnel deployed to malaria endemic areas are presented in Table 4 . Table 4: Selected Adverse Reactions Occurring in ≥1% of Subjects Receiving ARAKODA in Trial 3 (Deployed Subjects) Adverse Reaction ARAKODA 1 (n=492) % Mefloquine 2 (n=162) % 1 ARAKODA was administered as 200 mg daily for 3 days, then 200 mg weekly 2 Mefloquine was administered as 250 mg daily for 3 days, then 250 mg weekly 3 Includes headache, sinus headache, migraine and tension headache. 4 Includes dizziness and dizziness postural 5 Includes motion sickness, vertigo and vertigo positional. 6 Includes abnormal dreams, insomnia, nightmares, sleep disorder, and somnambulism. 7 Includes abnormal dreams, nightmares 8 Includes anxiety...Drug Interactions
7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Avoid co-administration with drugs that are substrates of organic cation transporter-2 (OCT2) or multidrug and toxin extrusion (MATE) transporters ( 7.1 ) 7.1 Effect of ARAKODA on Organic Cation Transporter-2 (OCT2) and Multidrug and Toxin Extrusion (MATE) Substrates The effect of coadministration of tafenoquine on the pharmacokinetics of OCT2 and MATE substrates in humans is unknown. However, in vitro observations suggest the potential for increased concentrations of these substrates [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] which may increase the risk of toxicity of these drugs. Avoid coadministration of ARAKODA with OCT2 and MATE substrates (e.g., dofetilide, metformin). If coadministration cannot be avoided, monitor for drug-related toxicities and consider dosage reduction if needed based on approved product labeling of the coadministered drug.
Contraindications
4 CONTRAINDICATIONS ARAKODA is contraindicated in:
patients with G6PD deficiency or unknown G6PD status due to the risk of hemolytic anemia [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] . breastfeeding by a lactating woman when the infant is found to be G6PD deficient or if the G6PD status of the infant is unknown [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 ), Use in Specific Populations ( 8.2 )] . patients with a history of psychotic disorders or current psychotic symptoms (i.e., hallucinations, delusions, and/or grossly disorganized behavior) [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 )] patients with known hypersensitivity reactions to tafenoquine, other 8-aminoquinolines, or any component of ARAKODA [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5 )] . G6PD deficiency or unknown G6PD status ( 4 ) Breastfeeding by a lactating woman when the infant is found to be G6PD deficient or if G6PD status is unknown ( 4 , 8.2 ) Patients with a history of psychotic disorders or current psychotic symptoms ( 4 , 5.4 ) Known hypersensitivity reactions to tafenoquine, other 8-aminoquinolines, or any component of ARAKODA. ( 4 )Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary The use of ARAKODA during pregnancy may cause hemolytic anemia in a fetus who is G6PD-deficient. Treatment with ARAKODA during pregnancy is not recommended. If a pregnancy is detected during ARAKODA use, discontinue ARAKODA as soon as possible and switch to an alternative prophylactic drug for malaria during pregnancy [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] . Available data with use of ARAKODA in pregnant women are insufficient to establish a drug-associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. In animal studies, there were increased abortions, with and without maternal toxicity when tafenoquine was given orally to pregnant rabbits at and above doses equivalent to about 0.4 times the clinical exposure based on body surface area comparisons. No fetotoxicity was observed at doses about 1.5 times the clinical exposure (based on body surface area comparisons) in a similar study in rats. The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population 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/or Embryo/Fetal Risk: Malaria during pregnancy increases the risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes, including maternal anemia, prematurity, spontaneous abortion and stillbirth. Data Animal Data: Tafenoquine resulted in dose-related abortions when given orally to pregnant rabbits during organogenesis (Gestation Days 6 to 18), at doses of 7 mg/kg (about 0.4 times the clinical exposure based on body surface area comparisons) and above. Doses higher than 7 mg/kg were also associated with maternal toxicity (mortality and reduced body weight gain). In a similar study in rats, doses of 3, 10, or 30...
Overdosage
10 OVERDOSAGE There were no reported cases of ARAKODA overdose. Hemoglobin decline and methemoglobinemia may be encountered in an overdose with ARAKODA. Treatment of overdosage consists of institution of appropriate symptomatic and/or supportive therapy.
How Supplied
16 HOW SUPPLIED/STORAGE AND HANDLING How Supplied ARAKODA tablets contain 100 mg of tafenoquine (equivalent to 125.5 mg of tafenoquine succinate) and are dark pink, film-coated, capsule-shaped, and debossed with ‘TQ100’ on one side. ARAKODA tablets are packed in blister packs or bottles. For the blister pack presentation, ARAKODA tablets are packed in polyamide aluminum and PVC formable laminate backed blisters with a polyethylene terephthalate aluminum foil cover. Each blister card contains 8 tablets. Each package contains 2 blister cards (16 tablets) housed in a contiguous outer paperboard child-resistant carton component (NDC 71475-257-01). For the bottle presentation, ARAKODA tablets are packed in 40 cc, 33 mm white high-density polyethylene bottles with a 33 mm polypropylene screw-top child resistant cap with an induction seal liner. Each bottle contains 8 tablets (NDC 71475-257-02). Storage Store at less than 30°C (86°F). Protect from moisture. Dispense only in the original carton or bottle.
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.