Dosage & Administration
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Adempass Prescribing Information
Do not administer Adempas to a pregnant female because it may cause fetal harm [see Contraindications , Warnings and Precautions and Use in Specific Populations ].
Females of reproductive potential: Exclude pregnancy before the start of treatment, monthly during treatment, and 1 month after stopping treatment. To prevent pregnancy, females of reproductive potential must use effective forms of contraception during treatment and for one month after [see Dosage and Administration , Warnings and Precautions ,and Use in Specific Populations ].
For all female patients, Adempas is available only through a restricted program called the Adempas Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) Program [see Warnings and Precautions ].
Chronic-Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension
Adempas is indicated for the treatment of adults with persistent/recurrent chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH), (WHO Group 4) after surgical treatment, or inoperable CTEPH, to improve exercise capacity and WHO functional class [see Clinical Studies ].
Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
Adempas is indicated for the treatment of adults with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), (WHO Group 1), to improve exercise capacity, WHO functional class and to delay clinical worsening.
Efficacy was shown in patients on Adempas monotherapy or in combination with endothelin receptor antagonists or prostanoids. Studies establishing effectiveness included predominately patients with WHO functional class II–III and etiologies of idiopathic or heritable PAH (61%) or PAH associated with connective tissue diseases (25%) [see Clinical Studies ].
Recommended Dosage in Adult Patients
The recommended starting dosage is 1 mg taken 3 times a day. For patients who may not tolerate the hypotensive effect of Adempas, consider a starting dose of 0.5 mg taken three times a day. If systolic blood pressure remains greater than 95 mmHg and the patient has no signs or symptoms of hypotension, up-titrate the dose by 0.5 mg taken three times a day. Dose increases should be no sooner than 2 weeks apart. The dose can be increased to the highest tolerated dosage, up to a maximum of 2.5 mg taken three times a day. If at any time, the patient has symptoms of hypotension, decrease the dosage by 0.5 mg taken three times a day.
Crushed Tablets
For patients who are unable to swallow whole tablets, Adempas may be crushed and mixed with water or soft foods (such as applesauce) immediately before administration [see Clinical Pharmacology ].
Dosage Interruption
If a dose is missed, advise patients to continue with the next regularly scheduled dose.
In case Adempas is interrupted for 3 days or more, re-titrate Adempas.
Pregnancy Testing in Females of Reproductive Potential
Obtain pregnancy tests prior to start of treatment and monthly during treatment [see Use in Specific Populations ].
Use in Patients who Smoke
Consider titrating to dosages higher than 2.5 mg three times a day, if tolerated, in patients who smoke. A dose decrease may be required in patients who stop smoking [see Drug Interactions and Clinical Pharmacology ].
Strong CYP and P-gp/BCRP Inhibitors
Consider a starting dose of 0.5 mg, three times a day when initiating Adempas in patients receiving strong cytochrome P450 (CYP) and P-glycoprotein/breast cancer resistance protein (P-gp/BCRP) inhibitors such as azole antimycotics (for example, ketoconazole, itraconazole) or HIV protease inhibitors (for example, ritonavir). Monitor for signs and symptoms of hypotension on initiation and on treatment with strong CYP and P-gp/BCRP inhibitors [see Warnings and Precautions , Drug Interactions and Clinical Pharmacology ].
Transitioning to and from Adempas
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- Discontinue sildenafil at least 24 hours prior to administering Adempas [see Contraindications and Drug Interactions ].
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- Discontinue tadalafil at least 48 hours prior to administering Adempas [see Contraindications and Drug Interactions ]. Consider initiating Adempas at a starting dose of 0.5 mg in patients at risk of hypotension [see Dosage and Administration ]. Monitor for signs and symptoms of hypotension on initiation.
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- Discontinue Adempas at least 24 hours prior to administering a PDE5-inhibitor [see Dosage and Administration , Contraindications , and Drug Interactions ]. Monitor for signs and symptoms of hypotension on initiation.
Tablets: film-coated, round, bi-convex:
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- 0.5 mg, white, with “BAYER” cross on one side and “0.5” and “R” on the other side
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- 1 mg, pale-yellow, with “BAYER” cross on one side and “1” and “R” on the other side
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- 1.5 mg, yellow-orange, with “BAYER” cross on one side and “1.5” and “R” on the other side
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- 2 mg, pale orange, with “BAYER” cross on one side and “2” and “R” on the other side
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- 2.5 mg, red-orange, with “BAYER” cross on one side and “2.5” and “R” on the other side
Pregnancy
Risk Summary
Based on data from animal reproduction studies, Adempas may cause embryo-fetal toxicity and miscarriage when administered to a pregnant woman and is contraindicated during pregnancy [see Contraindications (4.1)]. There are limited available data with ADEMPAS use in pregnant women. In animal reproduction studies, oral administration of riociguat to pregnant rats during organogenesis was teratogenic and embryotoxic at exposures approximately 8 times and 2 times, respectively, the human exposure. In reproduction studies with pregnant rabbits, oral administration of riociguat during organogenesis caused abortions and fetal toxicity at exposures approximately 4 times and 13 times, respectively, the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD). Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus.
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 2–4% and 15–20%, respectively.
Data
Animal Data
In rats administered riociguat orally (1, 5, and 25 mg/kg/day) throughout organogenesis, an increased rate of cardiac ventricular-septal defect was observed at the highest dose tested. The highest dose produced evidence of maternal toxicity (reduced body weight). Post-implantation loss was statistically significantly increased from the mid-dose of 5 mg/kg/day. Plasma exposure at the lowest dose in which no adverse effects were observed is approximately 0.4 times that in humans at the maximally recommended human dose (MRHD) of 2.5 mg three times a day based on area under the time-concentration curve (AUC) for unbound drug in rat and humans. Plasma exposure at the highest dose (25 mg/kg/day) is approximately 8 times that in humans at the MRHD while exposure at the mid-dose (5 mg/kg/day) is approximately 2 times that in humans at the MRHD. In rabbits given doses of 0.5, 1.5 and 5 mg/kg/day, an increase in spontaneous abortions was observed starting at the middle dose of 1.5 mg/kg, and an increase in resorptions was observed at 5 mg/kg/day. Plasma exposures at these doses were 4 times and 13 times, respectively, the human exposure at the MRHD.
Lactation
Risk Summary
There are no data on the presence of riociguat in human milk, the effects on the breastfed infant, or the effect on milk production. Riociguat is present in rat milk. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions from ADEMPAS, such as hypotension, in breastfed infants, advise women not to breastfeed during treatment with ADEMPAS.
Females and Males of Reproductive Potential
Pregnancy Testing
Female patients of reproductive potential must have a negative pregnancy test prior to starting treatment with Adempas, monthly during treatment, and one month after discontinuation of treatment with Adempas. Advise patients to contact their healthcare provider if they become pregnant or suspect they may be pregnant. Counsel patients on the risk to the fetus [see Boxed Warning, Dosage and Administration and Use in Specific Populations ].
Contraception
Females
Female patients of reproductive potential must use acceptable methods of contraception during treatment with Adempas and for 1 month after treatment with Adempas. Patients may choose one highly effective form of contraception (intrauterine devices [IUD], contraceptive implants or tubal sterilization) or a combination of methods (hormone method with a barrier method or two barrier methods). If a partner’s vasectomy is the chosen method of contraception, a hormone or barrier method must be used along with this method. Counsel patients on pregnancy planning and prevention, including emergency contraception, or designate counseling by another healthcare provider trained in contraceptive counseling [see Boxed Warning].
Pediatric Use
Safety and effectiveness of Adempas in pediatric patients have not been established [see Nonclinical Toxicology ].
Geriatric Use
Of the total number of subjects in clinical studies of Adempas, 23% were 65 and over, and 6% were 75 and over [see Clinical Studies (14)]. No overall differences in safety or effectiveness were observed between these subjects and younger subjects, and other reported clinical experience has not identified differences in responses between the elderly and younger patients, but greater sensitivity of some older individuals cannot be ruled out.
Elderly patients showed a higher exposure to Adempas [see Clinical Pharmacology ].
Renal Impairment
Safety and efficacy have not been demonstrated in patients with creatinine clearance <15 mL/min or on dialysis [see Clinical Pharmacology ].
Hepatic Impairment
Safety and efficacy have not been demonstrated in patients with severe hepatic impairment (Child Pugh C) [see Clinical Pharmacology ].
Pregnancy
Based on data from animal reproduction studies, Adempas may cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman and is contraindicated in females who are pregnant. Adempas was consistently shown to have teratogenic effects when administered to animals. If this drug is used during pregnancy, or if the patient becomes pregnant while taking this drug, the patient should be apprised of the potential hazard to the fetus [see Use in Specific Populations ].
Nitrates and Nitric Oxide Donors
Co-administration of Adempas with nitrates or nitric oxide donors (such as amyl nitrite) in any form is contraindicated [see Drug Interactions (7.1) and Clinical Pharmacology ].
Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors
Concomitant administration of Adempas with specific PDE-5 inhibitors (such as sildenafil, tadalafil, or vardenafil) or nonspecific PDE 5 inhibitors (such as dipyridamole or theophylline) is contraindicated [see Dosage and Administration (2.6), Drug Interactions and Clinical Pharmacology ]. Do not administer within 24 hours of sildenafil. Do not administer 24 hours before or within 48 hours after tadalafil.
Soluble Guanylate Stimulators
Adempas is contraindicated in patients with concomitant use of other soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) stimulators [see Drug Interactions ].
Pulmonary Hypertension Associated with Idiopathic Interstitial Pneumonias (PH-IIP)
Adempas is contraindicated in patients with pulmonary hypertension associated with idiopathic interstitial pneumonias (PH-IIP).