EFFIENT Film-coated tablet Ref.[11126] Active ingredients: Prasugrel

Prasugrel produces inhibition of platelet aggregation to 20 μM or 5 μM ADP, as measured by light transmission aggregometry. Following a 60-mg loading dose of Effient, approximately 90% of patients had at least 50% inhibition of platelet aggregation by 1 hour. Maximum platelet inhibition was about 80% (see Figure 2). Mean steady-state inhibition of platelet aggregation was about 70% following 3 to 5 days of dosing at 10-mg daily after a 60-mg loading dose of Effient.

Figure 2. Inhibition (Mean±SD) of 20 μM ADP-induced Platelet Aggregation (IPA) Measured by Light Transmission Aggregometry after Prasugrel 60-mg:

Platelet aggregation gradually returns to baseline values over 5-9 days after discontinuation of prasugrel, this time course being a reflection of new platelet production rather than pharmacokinetics of prasugrel. Discontinuing clopidogrel 75-mg and initiating a prasugrel 10-mg maintenance dose with or without a prasugrel 60-mg loading dose results in a decrease of 14 percentage points in maximum platelet aggregation (MPA) by Day 7. This decrease in MPA is not greater than that typically produced by a 10-mg maintenance dose of prasugrel alone. The relationship between inhibition of platelet aggregation and clinical activity has not been established.

5-mg in Low Body Weight Patients

In patients with stable coronary artery disease, mean platelet inhibition in subjects <60 kg taking 5-mg prasugrel was similar to that of subjects ≥60 kg taking 10-mg prasugrel. The relationship between inhibition of platelet aggregation and clinical activity has not been established.

Prasugrel is a prodrug and is rapidly metabolized to a pharmacologically active metabolite and inactive metabolites. The active metabolite has an elimination half-life of about 7 hours (range 2-15 hours). Healthy subjects, patients with stable atherosclerosis, and patients undergoing PCI show similar pharmacokinetics.

Absorption and Binding

Following oral administration, ≥79% of the dose is absorbed. The absorption and metabolism are rapid, with peak plasma concentrations (C_max) of the active metabolite occurring approximately 30 minutes after dosing. The active metabolite’s exposure (AUC) increases slightly more than proportionally over the dose range of 5 to 60-mg. Repeated daily doses of 10-mg do not lead to accumulation of the active metabolite. In a study of healthy subjects given a single 15-mg dose, the AUC of the active metabolite was unaffected by a high fat, high calorie meal, but C_max was decreased by 49% and T_max was increased from 0.5 to 1.5 hours. Effient can be administered without regard to food. The active metabolite is bound about 98% to human serum albumin.

Metabolism and Elimination

Prasugrel is not detected in plasma following oral administration. It is rapidly hydrolyzed in the intestine to a thiolactone, which is then converted to the active metabolite by a single step, primarily by CYP3A4 and CYP2B6 and to a lesser extent by CYP2C9 and CYP2C19. The estimates of apparent volume of distribution of prasugrel’s active metabolite ranged from 44 to 68 L and the estimates of apparent clearance ranged from 112 to 166 L/hr in healthy subjects and patients with stable atherosclerosis. The active metabolite is metabolized to two inactive compounds by S-methylation or conjugation with cysteine. The major inactive metabolites are highly bound to human plasma proteins. Approximately 68% of the prasugrel dose is excreted in the urine and 27% in the feces as inactive metabolites.

Specific Populations

Geriatric

In a study of 32 healthy subjects between the ages of 20 and 80 years, age had no significant effect on pharmacokinetics of prasugrel’s active metabolite or its inhibition of platelet aggregation. In TRITON-TIMI 38, the mean exposure (AUC) of the active metabolite was 19% higher in patients ≥75 years of age than in patients <75 years of age. In a study in subjects with stable atherosclerosis, the mean exposure (AUC) to the active metabolite of prasugrel in subjects ≥75 years old taking a 5-mg maintenance dose was approximately half that seen in subjects 45 to 64 years old taking a 10-mg maintenance dose. [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) and Use in Specific Populations (8.5)].

Body Weight

The mean exposure (AUC) to the active metabolite is approximately 30 to 40% higher in subjects with a body weight of <60 kg than in those weighing ≥60 kg. In a study in subjects with stable atherosclerosis, the AUC of the active metabolite on average was 38% lower in subjects <60 kg taking 5-mg (N=34) than in subjects ≥60 kg taking 10-mg (N=38) [see Dosage and Administration (2), Warnings and Precautions (5.1), Adverse Reactions (6.1), and Use in Specific Populations (8.6)].

Gender

Pharmacokinetics of prasugrel’s active metabolite are similar in men and women.

Ethnicity

Exposure in subjects of African and Hispanic descent is similar to that in Caucasians. In clinical pharmacology studies, after adjusting for body weight, the AUC of the active metabolite was approximately 19% higher in Chinese, Japanese, and Korean subjects than in Caucasian subjects.

Smoking

Pharmacokinetics of prasugrel’s active metabolite are similar in smokers and nonsmokers.

Renal Impairment

Pharmacokinetics of prasugrel’s active metabolite and its inhibition of platelet aggregation are similar in patients with moderate renal impairment (CrCL=30 to 50 mL/min) and healthy subjects. In patients with end-stage renal disease, exposure to the active metabolite (both C_max and AUC(0-t_last)) was about half that in healthy controls and patients with moderate renal impairment [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) and Use in Specific Populations (8.7)].

Hepatic Impairment

Pharmacokinetics of prasugrel’s active metabolite and inhibition of platelet aggregation were similar in patients with mild to moderate hepatic impairment compared to healthy subjects. The pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of prasugrel’s active metabolite in patients with severe hepatic disease have not been studied [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) and Use in Specific Populations (8.8)].

Drug Interactions

Potential for Other Drugs to Affect Prasugrel

Inhibitors of CYP3A: Ketoconazole (400 mg daily), a selective and potent inhibitor of CYP3A4 and CYP3A5, did not affect prasugrel-mediated inhibition of platelet aggregation or the active metabolite’s AUC and T_max, but decreased the C_max by 34% to 46%. Therefore, CYP3A inhibitors such as verapamil, diltiazem, indinavir, ciprofloxacin, clarithromycin, and grapefruit juice are not expected to have a significant effect on the pharmacokinetics of the active metabolite of prasugrel [see Drug Interactions (7.4)].

Inducers of Cytochromes P450: Rifampicin (600 mg daily), a potent inducer of CYP3A and CYP2B6 and an inducer of CYP2C9, CYP2C19, and CYP2C8, did not significantly change the pharmacokinetics of prasugrel’s active metabolite or its inhibition of platelet aggregation. Therefore, known CYP3A inducers such as rifampicin, carbamazepine, and other inducers of cytochromes P450 are not expected to have significant effect on the pharmacokinetics of the active metabolite of prasugrel [see Drug Interactions (7.4)].

Drugs that Elevate Gastric pH: Daily coadministration of ranitidine (an H₂ blocker) or lansoprazole (a proton pump inhibitor) decreased the C_max of the prasugrel active metabolite by 14% and 29%, respectively, but did not change the active metabolite’s AUC and T_max. In TRITON-TIMI 38, Effient was administered without regard to coadministration of a proton pump inhibitor or H₂ blocker [see Drug Interactions (7.4)].

Statins: Atorvastatin (80 mg daily), a drug metabolized by CYP450 3A4, did not alter the pharmacokinetics of prasugrel’s active metabolite or its inhibition of platelet aggregation [see Drug Interactions (7.4)].

Heparin: A single intravenous dose of unfractionated heparin (100 U/kg) did not significantly alter coagulation or the prasugrel-mediated inhibition of platelet aggregation; however, bleeding time was increased compared with either drug alone [see Drug Interactions (7.4)].

Aspirin: Aspirin 150 mg daily did not alter prasugrel-mediated inhibition of platelet aggregation; however, bleeding time was increased compared with either drug alone [see Drug Interactions (7.4)].

Warfarin: A significant prolongation of the bleeding time was observed when prasugrel was coadministered with 15-mg of warfarin [see Drug Interactions (7.1)].

Potential for Prasugrel to Affect Other Drugs

In vitro metabolism studies demonstrate that prasugrel’s main circulating metabolites are not likely to cause clinically significant inhibition of CYP1A2, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, or CYP3A, or induction of CYP1A2 or CYP3A.

Drugs Metabolized by CYP2B6: Prasugrel is a weak inhibitor of CYP2B6. In healthy subjects, prasugrel decreased exposure to hydroxybupropion, a CYP2B6-mediated metabolite of bupropion, by 23%, an amount not considered clinically significant. Prasugrel is not anticipated to have significant effect on the pharmacokinetics of drugs that are primarily metabolized by CYP2B6, such as halothane, cyclophosphamide, propofol, and nevirapine.

Effect on Digoxin: The potential role of prasugrel as a Pgp substrate was not evaluated. Prasugrel is not an inhibitor of Pgp, as digoxin clearance was not affected by prasugrel coadministration [see Drug Interactions (7.4)].

Morphine: Co-administration of 5 mg intravenous morphine with 60 mg loading dose of prasugrel in healthy adults decreased the C_max of prasugrel’s active metabolite by 31% with no change in AUC, T_max, or inhibition of ADP-induced platelet aggregation. ADP induced platelet aggregation was higher up to 2 hours following 60 mg loading dose of prasugrel in stable patients more than 1 year after an ACS who were co-administered morphine. In the patients with a 2-hour delay in the onset of platelet aggregation (5 of 11), T_max was delayed and prasugrel active metabolite levels were significantly lower at 30 min (5 vs 120 ng/mL) following co-administration with morphine.

There is no relevant effect of genetic variation in CYP2B6, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, or CYP3A5 on the pharmacokinetics of prasugrel’s active metabolite or its inhibition of platelet aggregation.

Carcinogenesis

No compound-related tumors were observed in a 2-year rat study with prasugrel at oral doses up to 100 mg/kg/day (>100 times the recommended therapeutic exposures in humans [based on plasma exposures to the major circulating human metabolite]). There was an increased incidence of tumors (hepatocellular adenomas) in mice exposed for 2 years to high doses (>250 times the human metabolite exposure).

Mutagenesis

Prasugrel was not genotoxic in two in vitro tests (Ames bacterial gene mutation test, clastogenicity assay in Chinese hamster fibroblasts) and in one in vivo test (micronucleus test by intraperitoneal route in mice).

Impairment of Fertility

Prasugrel had no effect on fertility of male and female rats at oral doses up to 300 mg/kg/day (80 times the human major metabolite exposure at daily dose of 10-mg prasugrel).

The clinical evidence for the effectiveness of Effient is derived from the TRITON-TIMI 38 (TRial to Assess Improvement in Therapeutic Outcomes by Optimizing Platelet InhibitioN with Prasugrel) study, a 13,608-patient, multicenter, international, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group study comparing Effient to a regimen of clopidogrel, each added to aspirin and other standard therapy, in patients with ACS (UA, NSTEMI, or STEMI) who were to be managed with PCI. Randomization was stratified for UA/NSTEMI and STEMI.

Patients with UA/NSTEMI presenting within 72 hours of symptom onset were to be randomized after undergoing coronary angiography. Patients with STEMI presenting within 12 hours of symptom onset could be randomized prior to coronary angiography. Patients with STEMI presenting between 12 hours and 14 days of symptom onset were to be randomized after undergoing coronary angiography. Patients underwent PCI, and for both UA/NSTEMI and STEMI patients, the loading dose was to be administered anytime between randomization and 1 hour after the patient left the catheterization lab. If patients with STEMI were treated with thrombolytic therapy, randomization could not occur until at least 24 hours (for tenecteplase, reteplase, or alteplase) or 48 hours (for streptokinase) after the thrombolytic was given.

Patients were randomized to receive Effient (60-mg loading dose followed by 10-mg once daily) or clopidogrel (300-mg loading dose followed by 75-mg once daily), with administration and follow-up for a minimum of 6 months (actual median 14.5 months). Patients also received aspirin (75-mg to 325-mg once daily). Other therapies, such as heparin and intravenous glycoprotein IIb/IIIa (GPIIb/IIIa) inhibitors, were administered at the discretion of the treating physician. Oral anticoagulants, other platelet inhibitors, and chronic NSAIDs were not allowed.

The primary outcome measure was the composite of cardiovascular death, nonfatal MI, or nonfatal stroke in the UA/NSTEMI population. Success in this group allowed analysis of the same endpoint in the overall ACS and STEMI populations. Nonfatal MIs included both MIs detected solely through analysis of creatine kinase muscle-brain (CK-MB) changes and clinically apparent (investigator-reported) MIs.

The patient population was 92% Caucasian, 26% female, and 39% ≥65 years of age. The median time from symptom onset to study drug administration was 7 hours for patients with STEMI and 30 hours for patients with UA/NSTEMI. Approximately 99% of patients underwent PCI. The study drug was administered after the first coronary guidewire was placed in approximately 75% of patients.

Effient significantly reduced total endpoint events compared to clopidogrel (see Table 5 and Figure 3). The reduction of total endpoint events was driven primarily by a decrease in nonfatal MIs, both those occurring early (through 3 days) and later (after 3 days). Approximately 40% of MIs occurred peri-procedurally and were detected solely by changes in CK-MB. Administration of the clopidogrel loading dose in TRITON-TIMI 38 was delayed relative to the placebo-controlled trials that supported its approval for ACS. Effient produced higher rates of clinically significant bleeding than clopidogrel in TRITON-TIMI 38 [see Adverse Reactions (6.1)]. Choice of therapy requires balancing these differences in outcome.

The treatment effect of Effient was apparent within the first few days, and persisted to the end of the study (see Figure 3). The inset shows results over the first 7 days.

Figure 3. Time to first event of CV death, MI, or stroke (TRITON-TIMI 38):

The Kaplan-Meier curves (see Figure 3) show the primary composite endpoint of CV death, nonfatal MI, or nonfatal stroke over time in the UA/NSTEMI and STEMI populations. In both populations, the curves separate within the first few hours. In the UA/NSTEMI population, the curves continue to diverge throughout the 15 month follow-up period. In the STEMI population, the early separation was maintained throughout the 15 month follow-up period, but there was no progressive divergence after the first few weeks.

Effient reduced the occurrence of the primary composite endpoint compared to clopidogrel in both the UA/NSTEMI and STEMI populations (see Table 5). In patients who survived an on-study myocardial infarction, the incidence of subsequent events was also lower in the Effient group.

Table 5. Patients with Outcome Events (CV Death, MI, Stroke) in TRITON-TIMI 38:

^a RRR = (1-Hazard Ratio) x 100%. Values with a negative relative risk reduction indicate a relative risk increase.

The effect of Effient in various subgroups is shown in Figures 4 and 5. Results are generally consistent across pre-specified subgroups, with the exception of patients with a history of TIA or stroke [see Contraindications (4.2)]. The treatment effect was driven primarily by a reduction in nonfatal MI. The effect in patients ≥75 years of age was also somewhat smaller, and bleeding risk is higher in these individuals [see Adverse Reactions (6.1)]. See below for analyses of patients ≥75 years of age with risk factors.

Figure 4. Subgroup analyses for time to first event of CV death, MI, or stroke (HR and 95% CI; TRITON-TIMI 38) – UA/NSTEMI Patients:

Figure 5. Subgroup analyses for time to first event of CV death, MI, or stroke (HR and 95% CI; TRITON-TIMI 38) – STEMI Patients:

Effient is generally not recommended in patients ≥75 years of age, except in high-risk situations (diabetes mellitus or prior MI) where its effect appears to be greater and its use may be considered. These recommendations are based on subgroup analyses (see Table 6) and must be interpreted with caution, but the data suggest that Effient reduces ischemic events in such patients.

Table 6. Subgroup Analyses for Time to First Event of CV Death, MI, or Stroke: Patients < or ≥75 Years of Age, ± Diabetes, ± Prior History of MI, All ACS Patient Population:

There were 50% fewer stent thromboses (95% C.I. 32% - 64%; p<0.001) reported among patients randomized to Effient (0.9%) than among patients randomized to clopidogrel (1.8%). The difference manifested early and was maintained through one year of follow-up. Findings were similar with bare metal and drug-eluting stents.

In TRITON-TIMI 38, prasugrel reduced ischemic events (mainly nonfatal MIs) and increased bleeding events [see Adverse Reactions (6.1)] relative to clopidogrel. The findings are consistent with the intended greater inhibition of platelet aggregation by prasugrel at the doses used in the study [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.2)]. There is, however, an alternative explanation: both prasugrel and clopidogrel are pro-drugs that must be metabolized to their active moieties. Whereas the pharmacokinetics of prasugrel’s active metabolite are not known to be affected by genetic variations in CYP2B6, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, or CYP3A5, the pharmacokinetics of clopidogrel’s active metabolite are affected by CYP2C19 genotype, and approximately 30% of Caucasians are reduced-metabolizers. Moreover, certain proton pump inhibitors, widely used in the ACS patient population and used in TRITON-TIMI 38, inhibit CYP2C19, thereby decreasing formation of clopidogrel’s active metabolite. Thus, reduced-metabolizer status and use of proton pump inhibitors may diminish clopidogrel’s activity in a fraction of the population, and may have contributed to prasugrel’s greater treatment effect and greater bleeding rate in TRITON-TIMI 38. The extent to which these factors were operational, however, is unknown.