LUCEMYRA Film-coated tablet Ref.[10120] Active ingredients: Lofexidine

5.1 Risk of Hypotension, Bradycardia, and Syncope

LUCEMYRA can cause a decrease in blood pressure, a decrease in pulse, and syncope [see Adverse Reactions (6.1), Clinical Pharmacology (12.2)]. Monitor vital signs before dosing. Monitor symptoms related to bradycardia and orthostasis.

Patients being given LUCEMYRA in an outpatient setting should be capable of and instructed on self-monitoring for hypotension, orthostasis, bradycardia, and associated symptoms. If clinically significant or symptomatic hypotension and/or bradycardia occur, the next dose of LUCEMYRA should be reduced in amount, delayed, or skipped.

Inform patients that LUCEMYRA may cause hypotension and that patients moving from a supine to an upright position may be at increased risk for hypotension and orthostatic effects. Instruct patients to stay hydrated, on how to recognize symptoms of low blood pressure, and how to reduce the risk of serious consequences should hypotension occur (e.g., sit or lie down, carefully rise from a sitting or lying position). Instruct outpatients to withhold LUCEMYRA doses when experiencing symptoms of hypotension or bradycardia and to contact their healthcare provider for guidance on how to adjust dosing.

Avoid using LUCEMYRA in patients with severe coronary insufficiency, recent myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular disease, chronic renal failure, and in patients with marked bradycardia.

Avoid using LUCEMYRA in combination with medications that decrease pulse or blood pressure to avoid the risk of excessive bradycardia and hypotension.

5.2 Risk of QT Prolongation

LUCEMYRA prolongs the QT interval.

Avoid using LUCEMYRA in patients with congenital long QT syndrome.

Monitor ECG in patients with congestive heart failure, bradyarrhythmias, hepatic impairment, renal impairment, or patients taking other medicinal products that lead to QT prolongation (e.g., methadone). In patients with electrolyte abnormalities (e.g., hypokalemia or hypomagnesemia), correct these abnormalities first, and monitor ECG upon initiation of LUCEMYRA [see Dosing and Administration (2.1), Adverse Reactions (6.1), Special Populations (8.6)(8.7), Clinical Pharmacology (12.2)].

5.3 Increased Risk of Central Nervous System Depression with Concomitant use of CNS Depressant Drugs

LUCEMYRA potentiates the CNS depressive effects of benzodiazepines and can also be expected to potentiate the CNS depressive effects of alcohol, barbiturates, and other sedating drugs. Advise patients to inform their healthcare provider of other medications they are taking, including alcohol.

Advise patients using LUCEMYRA in an outpatient setting that, until they learn how they respond to LUCEMYRA, they should be careful or avoid doing activities such as driving or operating heavy machinery.

5.4 Increased Risk of Opioid Overdose after Opioid Discontinuation

LUCEMYRA is not a treatment for opioid use disorder. Patients who complete opioid discontinuation are likely to have a reduced tolerance to opioids and are at increased risk of fatal overdose should they resume opioid use. Use LUCEMYRA in patients with opioid use disorder only in conjunction with a comprehensive management program for the treatment of opioid use disorder and inform patients and caregivers of this increased risk of overdose.

5.5 Risk of Discontinuation Symptoms

Stopping LUCEMYRA abruptly can cause a marked rise in blood pressure. Symptoms including diarrhea, insomnia, anxiety, chills, hyperhidrosis, and extremity pain have also been observed with LUCEMYRA discontinuation. Instruct patients not to discontinue therapy without consulting their healthcare provider. When discontinuing therapy with LUCEMYRA tablets, gradually reduce the dose [see Dosing and Administration (2.1)].

Symptoms related to discontinuation can be managed by administration of the previous LUCEMYRA dose and subsequent taper.

The following serious adverse reactions are described elsewhere in labeling:

• Hypotension, Bradycardia, and Syncope [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)]
• QT Prolongation [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)]
• Central Nervous System Depression [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3)]
• Opioid Overdose [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4)]
• Discontinuation Symptoms [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5)]

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 adverse reaction rates observed for another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice.

The safety of LUCEMYRA was supported by three randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials, an open-label study, and clinical pharmacology studies with concomitant administration of either methadone, buprenorphine, or naltrexone.

The three randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials enrolled 935 subjects dependent on short-acting opioids undergoing abrupt opioid withdrawal. Patients were monitored before each dose in an inpatient setting.

Table 3 presents the incidence, rounded to the nearest percent, of adverse events that occurred in at least 10% of subjects treated with LUCEMYRA and for which the incidence in patients treated with LUCEMYRA was greater than the incidence in subjects treated with placebo in a study that tested two doses of LUCEMYRA, 2.16 mg per day and 2.88 mg per day, and placebo. The overall safety profile in the combined dataset was similar.

Orthostatic hypotension, bradycardia, hypotension, dizziness, somnolence, sedation, and dry mouth were notably more common in subjects treated with LUCEMYRA than subjects treated with placebo.

Table 3. Adverse Reactions Reported by ≥10% of LUCEMYRA-Treated Patients and More Frequently than Placebo:

* Assigned dose; mean average daily dose received was 79% of assigned dose due to dose-holds for out-of-range vital signs.

Other notable adverse reactions associated with the use of LUCEMYRA but reported in <10% of patients in the LUCEMYRA group included:

• Syncope: 0.9%, 1.4% and 0% for LUCEMYRA 2.16 mg/day and 2.88 mg/day and placebo, respectively
• Tinnitus: 0.9%, 3.2% and 0% for LUCEMYRA 2.16 mg/day and 2.88 mg/day and placebo, respectively

Blood pressure changes and adverse reactions after LUCEMYRA cessation

Elevations in blood pressure above normal values (≥140 mmHg systolic) and above a subject’s pre-treatment baseline are associated with discontinuing LUCEMYRA, and peaked on the second day after discontinuation, as shown in Table 4. Blood pressure values were evaluated for 3 days following the last dose of a 5-day course of LUCEMYRA 2.88 mg/day.

Table 4. Blood Pressure Elevations after Stopping Treatment:

Blood pressure elevations of a similar magnitude and incidence were observed in a small number of patients (N=10) that had a one-day, 50% dose reduction prior to discontinuation.

After stopping treatment, subjects that were taking LUCEMYRA also had a higher incidence of diarrhea, insomnia, anxiety, chills, hyperhidrosis, and extremity pain compared to subjects who were taking placebo.

Sex-specific adverse event findings

Four out of 101 females (4%) had serious cardiovascular adverse events compared to 3 out of 289 (1%) of males assigned to receive LUCEMYRA 2.88 mg per day.

Discontinuations and dose holds due to bradycardia and orthostatic hypotension, which are the most common adverse reactions associated with LUCEMYRA, occurred with a greater incidence in females assigned to receive the highest studied dose of LUCEMYRA, 2.88 mg per day as shown in Table 5.

Table 5. Discontinuations and Dose Holds for Bradycardia and Orthostatic Hypotension by LUCEMYRA Dose and Sex:

Lofexidine is marketed in other countries for relief of opioid withdrawal symptoms. The following events have been identified during postmarketing use of lofexidine. 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.

Since lofexidine’s initial market introduction in 1992, the most frequently reported postmarketing adverse event with lofexidine has been hypotension [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)]. There has been one report of QT prolongation, bradycardia, torsades de pointes, and cardiac arrest with successful resuscitation in a patient that received lofexidine and three reports of clinically significant QT prolongation in subjects concurrently receiving methadone with lofexidine.

7.1 Methadone

LUCEMYRA and methadone both prolong the QT interval. ECG monitoring is recommended in patients receiving methadone and LUCEMYRA [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2), Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].

7.2 Oral Naltrexone

Coadministration of LUCEMYRA and oral naltrexone resulted in statistically significant differences in the steady-state pharmacokinetics of naltrexone. It is possible that oral naltrexone efficacy may be reduced if used concomitantly within 2 hours of LUCEMYRA. This interaction is not expected if naltrexone is administered by non-oral routes [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].

7.3 CNS Depressant Drugs

LUCEMYRA potentiates the CNS depressant effects of benzodiazepines and may potentiate the CNS depressant effects of alcohol, barbiturates, and other sedating drugs. Advise patients to inform their healthcare provider of other medications they are taking, including alcohol [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3)].

7.4 CYP2D6 Inhibitor – Paroxetine

Coadministration of LUCEMYRA and paroxetine resulted in 28% increase in the extent of absorption of LUCEMYRA. Monitor for orthostatic hypotension and bradycardia when an inhibitor of CYP2D6 is used concomitantly with LUCEMYRA [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].

Risk Summary

The safety of LUCEMYRA in pregnant women has not been established. In animal reproduction studies, oral administration of lofexidine during organogenesis to pregnant rats and rabbits caused a reduction in fetal weights, increases in fetal resorptions, and litter loss at exposures below that in humans. When oral lofexidine was administered from the beginning of organogenesis through lactation, increased stillbirths and litter loss were noted along with decreased viability and lactation indices. The offspring exhibited delays in sexual maturation, auditory startle, and surface righting. These effects occurred at exposures below that in humans [see Animal Data].

The background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. All pregnancies carry some risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. The background risk of major birth defects in the U.S. general population is 2% to 4% and of miscarriage is 15% to 20% of clinically recognized pregnancies.

Data

Animal Data

Increased incidence of resorptions, decreased number of implantations, and a concomitant reduction in the number of fetuses were observed when pregnant rabbits were orally administered lofexidine hydrochloride during organogenesis (from gestation day [GD] 7 to 19) at a daily dose of 5.0 mg/kg/day (approximately 0.08 times the maximum recommended human dose [MRHD] of 2.88 mg lofexidine base on an AUC basis). Maternal toxicity evidenced by increased mortality was noted at the highest tested dose of 15 mg/kg/day (approximately 0.4 times the MRHD on an AUC basis).

Decreased implantations per dam and decreased mean fetal weights were noted in a study in which pregnant rats were treated with oral lofexidine hydrochloride during organogenesis (from GD 7 to 16) at a daily dose of 3.0 mg/kg/day (approximately 0.9 times the MRHD on an AUC basis). This dose was associated with maternal toxicity (decreased body weight gain and mortality). No malformations or evidence of developmental toxicity were evident at 1.0 mg/kg/day (approximately 0.2 times the MRHD on an AUC basis).

A dose-dependent increase in pup mortality was noted in all doses of lofexidine hydrochloride administered orally to pregnant rats from GD 6 through lactation at an exposure less than the human exposure based on AUC comparisons. Doses higher than 1.0 mg/kg/day (approximately 0.2 times the MRHD on an AUC basis) resulted in incidences of total litter loss and maternal toxicity (piloerection and decreased body weight gain). The highest dose tested of 2.0 mg/kg/day (approximately 0.6 times the MRHD on an AUC basis), increased stillbirths as well as decreased viability and lactation indices were reported. Surviving offspring exhibited lower body weights, developmental delays, and increased delays in auditory startle at doses of 1.0 mg/kg/day or higher. Sexual maturation was delayed in male offspring (preputial separation) at 2.0 mg/kg/day and in female offspring (vaginal opening) at 1.0 mg/kg/day or higher.

Risk Summary

There is no information regarding the presence of LUCEMYRA or its metabolites in human milk, the effects on the breastfed infant, or the effects on milk production. Caution should be exercised when LUCEMYRA is administered to a nursing woman.

The developmental and health benefits should be considered along with the mother’s clinical need for LUCEMYRA and any other potential adverse effects on breastfed children from LUCEMYRA or from the underlying maternal condition.

In animal studies that included some fertility endpoints, lofexidine decreased breeding rate and increased resorptions at exposures below human exposures. The impact of lofexidine on male fertility has not been adequately characterized in animal studies [see Impairment of Fertility (13.1)].

The safety and effectiveness of LUCEMYRA have not been established in pediatric patients.

No studies have been performed to characterize the pharmacokinetics of LUCEMYRA or establish its safety and effectiveness in geriatric patients. Caution should be exercised when it is administered to patients over 65 years of age. Dosing adjustments similar to those recommended in patients with renal impairment should be considered [see Dosage and Administration (2.3), Use in Specific Populations (8.7)].

Renal impairment slows the elimination of LUCEMYRA but exhibits less effect on the peak plasma concentration than on AUC values following a single dose. Dosage adjustments are recommended based on the degree of renal impairment [see Dosage and Administration (2.3), Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].

Only a negligible fraction of the LUCEMYRA dose is removed during a typical dialysis session, so no additional dose needs to be administered after a dialysis session; LUCEMYRA may be administered without regard to the timing of dialysis [see Dosage and Administration (2.3), Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].

Clinically relevant QT prolongation may occur in subjects with renal impairment [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2), Clinical Pharmacology (12.2)].

Hepatic impairment slows the elimination of LUCEMYRA but exhibits less effect on the peak plasma concentration than on AUC values following a single dose. Dosage adjustments are recommended based on the degree of hepatic impairment [see Dosage and Administration (2.2), Clinical Pharmacology (12.2)].

Clinically relevant QT prolongation may occur in subjects with hepatic impairment [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2), Clinical Pharmacology (12.2)].

8.8 CYP2D6 Poor Metabolizers

Although the pharmacokinetics of LUCEMYRA have not been systematically evaluated in patients who do not express the drug metabolizing enzyme CYP2D6, it is likely that the exposure to LUCEMYRA would be increased similarly to taking strong CYP2D6 inhibitors (approximately 28%). Monitor adverse events such as orthostatic hypotension and bradycardia in known CYP2D6 poor metabolizers. Approximately 8% of Caucasians and 3–8% of Black/African Americans cannot metabolize CYP2D6 substrates and are classified as poor metabolizers (PM) [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].