Aprepitant Drug Information

• Aprepitant is a substance P/neurokinin 1 (NK1) receptor antagonist. Aprepitant capsules are indicated
• In combination with other antiemetic agents, in patients 12 years of age and older for prevention of: o acute and delayed nausea and vomiting associated with initial and repeat courses of highly emetogenic cancer chemotherapy (HEC) including high-dose cisplatin o nausea and vomiting associated with initial and repeat courses of moderately emetogenic cancer chemotherapy (MEC)
• For prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in adults Limitations of Use:
• Aprepitant has not been studied for treatment of established nausea and vomiting.
• Chronic continuous administration of aprepitant is not recommended.

Prevention of Chemotherapy Induced Nausea and Vomiting (CINV) Adults and Pediatric Patients 12 Years of Age and Older The recommended oral dosage of aprepitant capsules, dexamethasone, and a 5-HT 3 antagonist in adults and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older who can swallow oral capsules, for the prevention of nausea and vomiting associated with administration of HEC or MEC is shown in Table 1 or Table 2, respectively. Table 1: Recommended Dosing for the Prevention of Nausea and Vomiting Associated with HEC If a corticosteroid, such as dexamethasone, is co-administered, administer 50% of the recommended corticosteroid dose on Days 1 through 4. Table 2: Recommended Dosing for the Prevention of Nausea and Vomiting Associated with MEC If a corticosteroid, such as dexamethasone, is co-administered, administer 50% of the recommended corticosteroid dose on Days 1 through 4.

Prevention of Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting (PONV)

The recommended oral dosage of aprepitant capsules is 40 mg within 30 hours prior to induction of anesthesia.

Administration Instructions

Aprepitant capsules can be administered with or without food Aprepitant capsules Swallow capsules whole

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 to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in clinical practice. The overall safety of aprepitant was evaluated in approximately 6,800 individuals. Adverse Reactions in Adults in the Prevention of Nausea and Vomiting Associated with HEC and MEC In 2 active-controlled, double-blind clinical trials in patients receiving highly emetogenic chemotherapy (HEC) (Studies 1 and 2), aprepitant in combination with ondansetron and dexamethasone (aprepitant regimen) was compared to ondansetron and dexamethasone alone standard therapy.

In 2 active-controlled clinical trials in patients receiving moderately emetogenic chemotherapy (MEC) (Studies 3 and 4), aprepitant in combination with ondasetron and dexamethasone (aprepitant regimen) was compared to ondansetron and dexamethasone alone (standard therapy). The most common adverse reactions reported in patients who received HEC and MEC in pooled Studies are listed in Table 5. Table 5: Most Common Adverse Reactions in Patients Receiving HEC and MEC from a Pooled Analysis of HEC and MEC Studies* In a pooled analysis of the HEC and MEC studies, less common adverse reactions reported in patients with the aprepitant regimen are listed in Table 6.

Table 6: Less Common Adverse Reactions in Aprepitant-Treated Patients from a Pooled Analysis of HEC and MEC Studies* In additional active-controlled clinical study 1,169 patients receiving aprepitant and HEC, the adverse reactions were generally similar to that seen in the other HEC studies with aprepitant. In another CINV study, Stevens-Johnson syndrome was reported as a serious adverse reaction in a patient receiving the aprepitant regimen with cancer chemotherapy. Adverse reactions in the Multiple-Cycle extensions of HEC and MEC studies for up to 6 cycles of chemotherapy were generally similar to that observed in Cycle 1.

Adverse Reactions in Pediatric Patients 6 Months to 17 Years of Age in the Prevention of Nausea and Vomiting Associated with HEC or MEC In a pooled analysis of 2 active-controlled clinical trials in pediatric patients aged 6 months to 17 years who received highly or moderately emetogenic cancer chemotherapy (Study 5 and a safety study, Study 6), aprepitant in combination with ondansetron with or without dexamethasone (aprepitant regimen) was compared to ondansetron with or without dexamethasone (control regimen). Table 7: Most Common Adverse Reactions in Aprepitant-Treated Pediatric Patients in HEC and MEC Pooled Studies 5 and 6* Forty-nine patients were treated with ifosfamide chemotherapy in each arm. Two of the patients treated with ifosfamide in the aprepitant are developed behavioral changes (agitation = 1; abnormal behavior = 1), whereas no patient treatesd with ifosfamide in the control arm developed behavioral changes.

Aprepitant has the potential for increasing ifosfamide-mediated neurotoxicity through induction of CYP3A4. Adverse Reactions in Adult Patients in the Prevention of PONV In 2 active-controlled, double-blind clinical studies in patients receiving general anesthesia (Studies 7 and 8), 40 mg-oral aprepitant was compared to 4-mg intravenous ondansetron. There were 564 patients treated with aprepitant and 538 patients treated with ondansetron.

The most common adverse reactions reported in patients treated with aprepitant for PONV in pooled Studies 7 and 8 are listed in Table 8. Table 9: Less Common Adverse Reactions in Aprepitant-Treated Patients in a Pooled Analysis of PONV Studies* In addition, two serious adverse reactions were reported in PONV clinical studies in patients taking a higher than recommended dose of aprepitant: one case of constipation, and one case of sub-ileus. Other Studies Angioedema and urticaria were reported as serious adverse reactions in a patient receiving aprepitant in a non-CINV/non-PONV study (aprepitant is only approved in the CINV and PONV populations).

Postmarketing Experience

The following adverse reactions have been identified during post-approval use of aprepitant. 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. Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders: pruritus, rash, urticaria, Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis.

Immune system disorders: hypersensitivity reactions including anaphylactic reactions. Nervous system disorders: ifosfamide-induced neurotoxicity reported after aprepitant and ifosfamide coadministration.

Effect of Aprepitant on the Pharmacokinetics of Other Drugs Aprepitant is a substrate, a weak-to-moderate (dose-dependent) inhibitor, and an inducer of CYP3A4. Aprepitant is also an inducer of CYP2C9. Aprepitant acts as a moderate inhibitor of CYP3A4 when administered as a 3-day regimen (125mg/80-mg/80-mg) and can increase plasma concentrations of concomitant drugs that are substrates for CYP3A4.

Aprepitant acts as a weak inhibitor when administered as a single 40-mg dose and has not been shown to alter the plasma concentrations of concomitant drugs that are primarily metabolized through CYP3A4. Some substrates of CYP3A4 are contraindicated with aprepitant. Dosage adjustment of some CYP3A4 and CYP2C9 substrates may be warranted, as shown in Table 10.

Table 10: Effects of Aprepitant on the Pharmacokinetics of Increased exposure to midazolam or other benzodiazepines metabolized via CYP3A4 (alprazolam, triazolam) may increase the risk of adverse reactions. Intervention 3-day aprepitant regimen Monitor for benzodiazepine-related adverse reactions. Depending on the clinical situation (e.g., elderly patients) and degree of monitoring available, reduce the dose of intravenous midazolam Single 40 mg dose of aprepitant No dosage adjustment of the benzodiazepine needed Dexamethasone Clinical Impact Increased dexamethasone exposure.

Intervention 3-day aprepitant regimen Reduce the dose of oral dexamethasone by approximately 50%. Single 40 mg dose of aprepitant No dosage adjustment of oral dexamethasone needed Methylprednisolone Clinical Impact Increased methylprednisolone exposure. Intervention Vinblastine, vincristine, or ifosfamide or other chemotherapeutic agents Monitor for chemotherapeutic-related adverse reactions.

Hormonal Contraceptives Clinical Impact Decreased hormonal exposure during administration of and for 28 days after administration of the last dose of aprepitant. Decreased warfarin exposure and decreased prothrombin time (INR). Intervention In patients on chronic warfarin therapy, monitor the prothrombin time (INR) in the 2-week period, particularly at 7 to 10 days, following initiation of the 3-day aprepitant regimen with each chemotherapy cycle, or following administration of a single 40-mg dose of aprepitant.

Other 5-HT 3 Antagonists Clinical Impact No change in the exposure of the 5-HT 3 antagonist. Intervention No dosage adjustment needed Examples ondansetron, granisetron, dolasetron

Co-administration of aprepitant with drugs that are inhibitors or inducers of CYP3A4 may result in increased or decreased plasma concentrations of aprepitant, respectively, as shown in Table 11. Table 11: Effects of Other Drugs on Pharmacokinetics of Aprepitant Moderate to Strong CYP3A4 Inhibitors Clinical Impact Significantly increased exposure of aprepitant may increase the risk of adverse reactions associated with aprepitant. Substantially decreased exposure of aprepitant in patients chronically taking a strong CYP3A4 inducer may decrease the efficacy of aprepitant.

Intervention Avoid concomitant use of aprepitant Examples rifampin, carbamazepine, phenytoin

Risk Summary There are insufficient data on use of aprepitant in pregnant women to inform a drug associated risk. In animal reproduction studies, no adverse developmental effects were observed in rats or rabbits exposed during the period of organogenesis to systemic drug levels (AUC) approximately 1.5 times the adult human exposure at the 125-mg/80-mg/ 80-mg aprepitant regimen. The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated populations is unknown.

In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is respectively. Data Animal Data In embryofetal development studies in rats and rabbits, aprepitant was administered during the period of organogenesis at oral doses up to 1,000 mg/kg twice daily in rats and up to the maximum tolerated dose of 25 mg/kg/day in rabbits. No embryofetal lethality or malformations were observed at any dose level in either species.

The exposures (AUC) in pregnant rats at 1,000 mg/kg twice daily and in pregnant rabbits at 125 mg/kg/day were approximately 1.5 times the adult exposure at the 125-mg/80mg/80-mg aprepitant regimen. Aprepitant crosses the placenta in rats and rabbits.

Pediatric Use Prevention of Nausea and Vomiting Associated with HEC or MEC The safety and effectiveness of aprepitant capsules in pediatric patients 12 years of age and older for the prevention of acute and delayed nausea and vomiting associated with initial and repeat courses of HEC, including high-dose cisplatin, and MEC. Aprepitant was studied in combination with ondansetron with or without dexamethasone (at the discretion of the physician). Adverse reactions were similar to those reported in adult patients.

The safety and effectiveness of aprepitant for the prevention of nausea and vomiting associated with HEC or MEC have not been established in patients less than 6 months. Prevention of Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting (PONV) The safety and effectiveness of aprepitant have not been established for the prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting in pediatric patients. Juvenile Animal Study A study was conducted in young rats to evaluate the effects of aprepitant on growth and on neurobehavioral and sexual development.

Rats were treated at oral doses up to the maximum feasible dose of 1,000 mg/kg twice daily (providing exposure in male rats lower than the exposure at the recommended pediatric human dose and exposure in female rats equivalent to the pediatric human exposure) from the early postnatal period (Postnatal Day 10) through Postnatal Day 58. Slight changes in the onset of sexual maturation were observed in female and male rats; however, there were no effects on mating, fertility, embryonic-fetal survival, or histomorphology of the reproductive organs. There were no effects in neurobehavioral tests of sensory function, motor function, and learning and memory.

• Aprepitant is contraindicated in patients:
• Who are hypersensitive to any component of the product. Hypersensitivity reactions including anaphylactic reactions have been reported.
• Taking pimozide. Inhibition of CYP3A4 by aprepitant could result in elevated plasma concentrations of this drug which is a CYP3A4 substrate, potentially causing serious or life-threatening reactions, such as QT prolongation, a known adverse reaction of pimozide.
• Known hypersensitivity to any component of this drug.
• Concurrent use with pimozide.

No specific information is available on the treatment of overdosage. Drowsiness and headache were reported in one patient who ingested 1,440 mg of aprepitant (approximately 11 times the maximum recommended single dose). In the event of overdose, aprepitant should be discontinued and general supportive treatment and monitoring should be provided.

Because of the antiemetic activity of aprepitant, drug-induced emesis may not be effective in cases of aprepitant overdosage. Aprepitant is not removed by hemodialysis.