Source: European Medicines Agency (EU) Revision Year: 2023 Publisher: Vertex Pharmaceuticals (Ireland) Limited, Unit 49, Block F2, Northwood Court, Santry, Dublin 9, D09 T665, Ireland
Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1.
Only patients with CF who had a G551D, G1244E, G1349D, G178R, G551S, S1251N, S1255P, S549N, S549R gating (class III), G970R or R117H mutation in at least one allele of the CFTR gene were included in studies 1, 2, 5 and 6 (see section 5.1).
In study 5, four patients with the G970R mutation were included. In three of four patients the change in the sweat chloride test was <5 mmol/L and this group did not demonstrate a clinically relevant improvement in FEV1 after 8 weeks of treatment. Clinical efficacy in patients with the G970R mutation of the CFTR gene could not be established (see section 5.1).
Efficacy results from a phase 2 study in patients with CF who are homozygous for the F508del mutation in the CFTR gene showed no statistically significant difference in FEV1 over 16 weeks of ivacaftor treatment compared to placebo (see section 5.1). Therefore, use of ivacaftor as monotherapy in these patients is not recommended.
Less evidence of a positive effect of ivacaftor has been shown for patients with an R117H-7T mutation associated with less severe disease in study 6 (see section 5.1).
Ivacaftor in a combination regimen with tezacaftor/ivacaftor should not be prescribed in patients with CF who are heterozygous for the F508del mutation and have a second CFTR mutation not listed in section 4.1.
In a patient with cirrhosis and portal hypertension, liver failure leading to transplantation has been reported while receiving ivacaftor in a combination regimen with ivacaftor/tezacaftor/elexacaftor. Use with caution in patients with pre-existing advanced liver disease (e.g., cirrhosis, portal hypertension) and only if the benefits are expected to outweigh the risks. If used in these patients, they should be closely monitored after the initiation of treatment (see sections 4.2, 4.8 and 5.2).
Moderate transaminase (alanine transaminase [ALT] or aspartate transaminase [AST]) elevations are common in subjects with CF. Transaminase elevations have been observed in some patients treated with ivacaftor as monotherapy and in combination regimens with tezacaftor/ivacaftor or ivacaftor/tezacaftor/elexacaftor. In patients taking ivacaftor in a combination regimen with ivacaftor/tezacaftor/elexacaftor, these elevations have sometimes been associated with concomitant elevations in total bilirubin. Therefore, assessments of transaminases (ALT and AST) and total bilirubin are recommended for all patients prior to initiating ivacaftor, every 3 months during the first year of treatment and annually thereafter. For all patients with a history of liver disease or transaminase elevations, more frequent monitoring of liver function tests should be considered. In the event of significant elevations of transaminases (e.g., patients with ALT or AST >5 × the upper limit of normal (ULN), or ALT or AST >3 × ULN with bilirubin >2 × ULN), dosing should be interrupted, and laboratory tests closely followed until the abnormalities resolve. Following resolution of transaminase elevations, the benefits and risks of resuming treatment should be considered (see sections 4.2, 4.8 and 5.2).
Use of ivacaftor, either as monotherapy or in a combination regimen with tezacaftor/ivacaftor, is not recommended in patients with severe hepatic impairment unless the benefits are expected to outweigh the risks. Patients with severe hepatic impairment should not be treated with ivacaftor in a combination regimen with ivacaftor/tezacaftor/elexacaftor. (see Table 3 and sections 4.2, 4.8 and 5.2).
For patients with moderate hepatic impairment, use of ivacaftor in a combination regimen with ivacaftor/tezacaftor/elexacaftor is not recommended. Treatment should only be considered when there is a clear medical need and the benefits are expected to outweigh the risks. If used, it should be used with caution at a reduced dose (see Table 3 and sections 4.2, 4.8 and 5.2).
Caution is recommended while using ivacaftor, either as monotherapy or in a combination regimen with tezacaftor/ivacaftor or ivacaftor/tezacaftor/elexacaftor, in patients with severe renal impairment or end-stage renal disease (see sections 4.2 and 5.2).
Ivacaftor, either as monotherapy or in a combination regimen with tezacaftor/ivacaftor or ivacaftor/tezacaftor/elexacaftor, has not been studied in patients with CF who have undergone organ transplantation. Therefore, use in transplanted patients is not recommended. See section 4.5 for interactions with ciclosporin or tacrolimus.
The incidence of rash events with ivacaftor in a combination regimen with ivacaftor/tezacaftor/elexacaftor was higher in females than in males, particularly in females taking hormonal contraceptives. A role for hormonal contraceptives in the occurrence of rash cannot be excluded. For patients taking hormonal contraceptives who develop rash, interrupting treatment with ivacaftor in a combination regimen with ivacaftor/tezacaftor/elexacaftor and hormonal contraceptives should be considered. Following the resolution of rash, it should be considered if resuming ivacaftor in a combination regimen with ivacaftor/tezacaftor/elexacaftor without hormonal contraceptives is appropriate. If rash does not recur, resumption of hormonal contraceptives can be considered (see section 4.8).
Exposure to ivacaftor is significantly decreased and exposures to elexacaftor and tezacaftor are expected to decrease by the concomitant use of CYP3A inducers, potentially resulting in the loss of ivacaftor efficacy; therefore, co-administration of ivacaftor (as monotherapy or in a combination regimen with tezacaftor/ivacaftor or ivacaftor/tezacaftor/elexacaftor) with strong CYP3A inducers is not recommended (see section 4.5).
Exposure to ivacaftor, tezacaftor and elexacaftor are increased when co-administered with strong or moderate CYP3A inhibitors. The dose of ivacaftor (as monotherapy or in a combination regimen with tezacaftor/ivacaftor or ivacaftor/tezacaftor/elexacaftor) must be adjusted when used concomitantly with strong or moderate CYP3A inhibitors (see Table 2 and sections 4.2 and 4.5).
Cases of non-congenital lens opacities/cataracts without impact on vision have been reported in paediatric patients treated with ivacaftor and ivacaftor-containing regimens. Although other risk factors were present in some cases (such as corticosteroid use and exposure to radiation), a possible risk attributable to treatment with ivacaftor cannot be excluded. Baseline and follow-up ophthalmological examinations are recommended in paediatric patients initiating ivacaftor treatment, either as monotherapy or in a combination regimen with tezacaftor/ivacaftor or ivacaftor/tezacaftor/elexacaftor (see section 5.3).
Kalydeco contains lactose. Patients with rare hereditary problems of galactose intolerance, total lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption should not take this medicinal product.
This medicinal product contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per dose, that is to say essentially ‘sodium-free’.
Ivacaftor is a substrate of CYP3A4 and CYP3A5. It is a weak inhibitor of CYP3A and P-gp and a potential inhibitor of CYP2C9. In vitro studies showed that ivacaftor is not a substrate for P-gp.
Co-administration of ivacaftor with rifampicin, a strong CYP3A inducer, decreased ivacaftor exposure (AUC) by 89% and decreased hydroxymethyl ivacaftor (M1) to a lesser extent than ivacaftor. Co-administration of ivacaftor (as monotherapy or in a combination regimen with tezacaftor/ivacaftor or ivacaftor/tezacaftor/elexacaftor) with strong CYP3A inducers, such as rifampicin, rifabutin, phenobarbital, carbamazepine, phenytoin and St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum), is not recommended (see section 4.4).
No dose adjustment is recommended when ivacaftor (as monotherapy or in a combination regimen with tezacaftor/ivacaftor or ivacaftor/tezacaftor/elexacaftor) is used with moderate or weak CYP3A inducers.
Ivacaftor is a sensitive CYP3A substrate. Co-administration with ketoconazole, a strong CYP3A inhibitor, increased ivacaftor exposure (measured as area under the curve [AUC]) by 8.5-fold and increased M1 to a lesser extent than ivacaftor. A reduction of the ivacaftor dose (as monotherapy or in a combination regimen with tezacaftor/ivacaftor or ivacaftor/tezacaftor/elexacaftor) is recommended for co-administration with strong CYP3A inhibitors, such as ketoconazole, itraconazole, posaconazole, voriconazole, telithromycin and clarithromycin (see Table 2 and sections 4.2 and 4.4).
Co-administration with fluconazole, a moderate inhibitor of CYP3A, increased ivacaftor exposure by 3-fold and increased M1 to a lesser extent than ivacaftor. A reduction of the ivacaftor dose (as monotherapy or in a combination regimen with tezacaftor/ivacaftor or ivacaftor/tezacaftor/elexacaftor) is recommended for patients taking concomitant moderate CYP3A inhibitors, such as fluconazole, erythromycin, and verapamil (see Table 2 and sections 4.2 and 4.4).
Co-administration of ivacaftor with grapefruit juice, which contains one or more components that moderately inhibit CYP3A, may increase exposure to ivacaftor. Food or drink containing grapefruit should be avoided during treatment with ivacaftor (as monotherapy or in a combination regimen with tezacaftor/ivacaftor or ivacaftor/tezacaftor/elexacaftor, see section 4.2).
In vitro studies showed that ivacaftor is not a substrate for OATP1B1 or OATP1B3. Ivacaftor and its metabolites are substrates of BCRP in vitro. Due to its high intrinsic permeability and low likelihood of being excreted intact, co-administration of BCRP inhibitors is not expected to alter exposure of ivacaftor and M1-IVA, while any potential changes in M6-IVA exposures are not expected to be clinically relevant.
Co-administration of ciprofloxacin with ivacaftor did not affect the exposure of ivacaftor. No dose adjustment is required when ivacaftor (as monotherapy or in a combination regimen with tezacaftor/ivacaftor or ivacaftor/tezacaftor/elexacaftor) is co-administered with ciprofloxacin.
Administration of ivacaftor may increase systemic exposure of medicinal products that are sensitive substrates of CYP2C9, and/or P-gp, and/or CYP3A which may increase or prolong their therapeutic effect and adverse reactions.
Ivacaftor may inhibit CYP2C9. Therefore, monitoring of the international normalised ratio (INR) is recommended during co-administration of warfarin with ivacaftor (as monotherapy or in a combination regimen with tezacaftor/ivacaftor or ivacaftor/tezacaftor/elexacaftor). Other medicinal products for which exposure may be increased include glimepiride and glipizide; these medicinal products should be used with caution.
Co-administration with digoxin, a sensitive P-gp substrate, increased digoxin exposure by 1.3-fold, consistent with weak inhibition of P-gp by ivacaftor. Administration of ivacaftor (as monotherapy or in a combination regimen with tezacaftor/ivacaftor or ivacaftor/tezacaftor/elexacaftor) may increase systemic exposure of medicinal products that are sensitive substrates of P-gp, which may increase or prolong their therapeutic effect and adverse reactions. When used concomitantly with digoxin or other substrates of P-gp with a narrow therapeutic index, such as ciclosporin, everolimus, sirolimus or tacrolimus, caution and appropriate monitoring should be used.
Co-administration with (oral) midazolam, a sensitive CYP3A substrate, increased midazolam exposure 1.5-fold, consistent with weak inhibition of CYP3A by ivacaftor. No dose adjustment of CYP3A substrates, such as midazolam, alprazolam, diazepam or triazolam, is required when these are co-administered with ivacaftor (as monotherapy or in a combination regimen with tezacaftor/ivacaftor or ivacaftor/tezacaftor/elexacaftor).
Ivacaftor (as monotherapy or in a combination regimen with tezacaftor/ivacaftor or ivacaftor/tezacaftor/elexacaftor) has been studied with an oestrogen/progesterone oral contraceptive and was found to have no significant effect on the exposures of the oral contraceptive. Therefore, no dose adjustment of oral contraceptives is necessary.
Interaction studies have only been performed in adults.
There are no or limited amount of data (less than 300 pregnancy outcomes) from the use of ivacaftor in pregnant women. Animals studies do not indicate direct or indirect harmful effects with respect to reproductive toxicity (see section 5.3). As a precautionary measure, it is preferable to avoid the use of ivacaftor during pregnancy.
It is unknown whether ivacaftor and/or its metabolites are excreted in human milk. Available pharmacokinetic data in animals have shown excretion of ivacaftor in milk of lactating female rats. As such, a risk to the newborns/infants cannot be excluded. A decision must be made whether to discontinue breast-feeding or to discontinue/abstain from ivacaftor therapy taking into account the benefit of breast-feeding for the child and the benefit of therapy for the woman.
There are no data available on the effect of ivacaftor on fertility in humans. Ivacaftor had an effect on fertility in rats (see section 5.3).
Ivacaftor has minor influence on the ability to drive and use machines. Ivacaftor may cause dizziness (see section 4.8) and, therefore, patients experiencing dizziness should be advised not to drive or use machines until symptoms abate.
The most common adverse reactions experienced by patients aged 6 years and older who received ivacaftor are headache (23.9%), oropharyngeal pain (22.0%), upper respiratory tract infection (22.0%), nasal congestion (20.2%), abdominal pain (15.6%), nasopharyngitis (14.7%), diarrhoea (12.8%), dizziness (9.2%), rash (12.8%) and bacteria in sputum (12.8%). Transaminase elevations occurred in 12.8% of ivacaftor-treated patients versus 11.5% of placebo-treated patients.
In patients aged 2 to less than 6 years the most common adverse reactions were nasal congestion (26.5%), upper respiratory tract infection (23.5%), transaminase elevations (14.7%), rash (11.8%), and bacteria in sputum (11.8%).
Serious adverse reactions in patients who received ivacaftor included abdominal pain and transaminase elevations (see section 4.4).
Table 4 reflects the adverse reactions observed with ivacaftor monotherapy in clinical trials (placebocontrolled and uncontrolled studies) in which the length of exposure to ivacaftor ranged from 16 weeks to 144 weeks. Additional adverse reactions observed with ivacaftor in a combination regimen with tezacaftor/ivacaftor and/or in a combination regimen with ivacaftor/tezacaftor/elexacaftor are also provided in Table 4. The frequency of adverse reactions is defined as follows: very common (≥1/10); common (≥1/100 to <1/10); uncommon (≥1/1,000 to <1/100); rare (≥1/10,000 to <1/1,000); very rare (<1/10,000); not known (cannot be estimated from the available data). Within each frequency grouping, adverse reactions are presented in order of decreasing seriousness.
Table 4. Adverse reactions:
| System organ class | Adverse reactions | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Infections and infestations | Upper respiratory tract infection | very common |
| Nasopharyngitis | very common | |
| Influenza† | common | |
| Rhinitis | common | |
| Metabolism and nutrition disorders | Hypoglycaemia† | common |
| Nervous system disorders | Headache | very common |
| Dizziness | very common | |
| Ear and labyrinth disorders | Ear pain | common |
| Ear discomfort | common | |
| Tinnitus | common | |
| Tympanic membrane hyperaemia | common | |
| Vestibular disorder | common | |
| Ear congestion | uncommon | |
| Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders | Oropharyngeal pain | very common |
| Nasal congestion | very common | |
| Abnormal breathing† | common | |
| Rhinorrhoea† | common | |
| Sinus congestion | common | |
| Pharyngeal erythema | common | |
| Wheezing† | uncommon | |
| Gastrointestinal disorders | Abdominal pain | very common |
| Diarrhoea | very common | |
| Abdominal pain upper† | common | |
| Flatulence† | common | |
| Nausea* | common | |
| Hepatobiliary disorders | Transaminase elevations | very common |
| Alanine aminotransferase increased† | common | |
| Aspartate aminotransferase increased† | common | |
| Liver injury^ | not known | |
| Total bilirubin elevations^ | not known | |
| Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders | Rash | very common |
| Acne† | common | |
| Pruritus† | common | |
| Reproductive system and breast disorders | Breast mass | common |
| Breast inflammation | uncommon | |
| Gynaecomastia | uncommon | |
| Nipple disorder | uncommon | |
| Nipple pain | uncommon | |
| Investigations | Bacteria in sputum | very common |
| Blood creatine phosphokinase increased† | common | |
| Blood pressure increased† | uncommon |
* Adverse reaction and frequency reported from clinical studies with ivacaftor in combination with tezacaftor/ivacaftor.
† Adverse reaction and frequency reported from clinical studies with ivacaftor in combination with ivacaftor/tezacaftor/elexacaftor.
^ Liver injury (ALT and AST and total bilirubin elevations) reported from post-marketing data with ivacaftor in combination with ivacaftor/tezacaftor/elexacaftor. This also included liver failure leading to transplantation in a patient with pre-existing cirrhosis and portal hypertension. Frequency cannot be estimated from the available data.
During the 48-week placebo-controlled studies 1 and 2 of ivacaftor as monotherapy in patients aged 6 years and older, the incidence of maximum transaminase (ALT or AST) >8, >5 or >3 × ULN was 3.7%, 3.7% and 8.3% in ivacaftor-treated patients and 1.0%, 1.9% and 8.7% in placebo-treated patients, respectively. Two patients, one on placebo and one on ivacaftor permanently discontinued treatment for elevated transaminases, each >8 × ULN. No ivacaftor-treated patients experienced a transaminase elevation >3 × ULN associated with elevated total bilirubin >1.5 × ULN. In ivacaftor-treated patients, most transaminase elevations up to 5 × ULN resolved without treatment interruption. Ivacaftor dosing was interrupted in most patients with transaminase elevations >5 × ULN. In all instances where dosing was interrupted for elevated transaminases and subsequently resumed, ivacaftor dosing was able to be resumed successfully (see section 4.4).
During the placebo-controlled phase 3 studies (up to 24 weeks) of tezacaftor/ivacaftor, the incidence of maximum transaminase (ALT or AST) >8, >5, or >3 × ULN were 0.2%, 1.0%, and 3.4% in tezacaftor/ivacaftor treated patients, and 0.4%, 1.0%, and 3.4% in placebo-treated patients. One patient (0.2%) on therapy and 2 patients (0.4%) on placebo permanently discontinued treatment for elevated transaminases. No patients treated with tezacaftor/ivacaftor experienced a transaminase elevation >3 × ULN associated with elevated total bilirubin >2 × ULN.
During the 24-week, placebo-controlled, phase 3 study of ivacaftor/tezacaftor/elexacaftor, these figures were 1.5%, 2.5%, and 7.9% in ivacaftor/tezacaftor/elexacaftor-treated patients and 1.0%, 1.5%, and 5.5% in placebo-treated patients. The incidence of adverse reactions of transaminase elevations was 10.9% in ivacaftor in a combination regimen with ivacaftor/tezacaftor/elexacaftor treated patients and 4.0% in placebo-treated patients. Post-marketing cases of treatment discontinuation due to elevated transaminases have been reported (see section 4.4).
Rash events, generally mild to moderate in severity, have been observed with the use of ivacaftor in a combination regimen with ivacaftor/tezacaftor/elexacaftor and occurred more frequently in femaletreated patients (16.3%) and in those taking hormonal contraceptives (20.5%). See section 4.4.
Generally transient and asymptomatic increases in creatine phosphokinase were observed in patients treated with ivacaftor in a combination regimen with ivacaftor/tezacaftor/elexacaftor, which did not lead to treatment discontinuation.
An increase from baseline in mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure of 3.5 mmHg and 1.9 mmHg, respectively was observed in patients treated with ivacaftor in a combination regimen with ivacaftor/tezacaftor/elexacaftor.
The safety data of ivacaftor as monotherapy were evaluated in 6 patients between 4 months to less than 6 months of age, 11 patients between 6 months to less than 12 months of age, 19 patients between 12 months to less than 24 months of age, 34 patients between 2 to less than 6 years of age, 61 patients between 6 to less than 12 years of age and 94 patients between 12 to less than 18 years of age.
The safety profile of ivacaftor (as monotherapy or in a combination regimen) is generally consistent among paediatric patients and is also consistent with adult patients.
The incidence of transaminase elevations (ALT or AST) observed in studies 2, 5 and 6 (patients aged 6 to less than 12 years), study 7 (patients aged 2 to less than 6 years), and study 8 (patients aged 6 to less than 24 months) are described in Table 5. In the placebo-controlled studies, the incidence of transaminase elevations were similar between treatment with ivacaftor (15.0%) and placebo (14.6%). Peak LFT elevations were generally higher in paediatric patients than in older patients. Across all populations, peak LFT elevations returned to baseline levels following interruption, and in almost all instances where dosing was interrupted for elevated transaminases and subsequently resumed, ivacaftor dosing was able to be resumed successfully (see section 4.4). Cases suggestive of positive rechallenge were observed. In study 7 ivacaftor was permanently discontinued in one patient. In study 8 no patients had elevations in total bilirubin or discontinued ivacaftor treatment due to transaminase elevations in either age cohort (see section 4.4 for management of elevated transaminases).
Table 5. Transaminase elevations in patients 4 months to <12 years treated with ivacaftor as monotherapy:
| n | % of Patients >3 × ULN | % of Patients >5 × ULN | % of Patients >8 × ULN | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 to <12 years | 40 | 15.0% (6) | 2.5% (1) | 2.5% (1) |
| 2 to <6 years | 34 | 14.7% (5) | 14.7% (5) | 14.7% (5) |
| 12 to <24 months | 18 | 27.8% (5) | 11.1% (2) | 11.1% (2) |
| 6 to <12 months | 11 | 9.1% (1) | 0.0% (0) | 0.0% (0) |
| 4 to <6 months | 6 | 0.0% (0) | 0.0% (0) | 0.0% (0) |
Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the national reporting system listed in Appendix V.
Not applicable.
© All content on this website, including data entry, data processing, decision support tools, "RxReasoner" logo and graphics, is the intellectual property of RxReasoner and is protected by copyright laws. Unauthorized reproduction or distribution of any part of this content without explicit written permission from RxReasoner is strictly prohibited. Any third-party content used on this site is acknowledged and utilized under fair use principles.
