Corlanor Drug Information
Generic name: IVABRADINE
Uses of Corlanor
1. INDICATIONS AND USAGE Corlanor (ivabradine) is a hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated channel blocker indicated: To reduce the risk of hospitalization for worsening heart failure in adult patients with stable, symptomatic chronic heart failure with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction. For the treatment of stable symptomatic heart failure due to dilated cardiomyopathy in pediatric patients ages 6 months and older. 1.1 Heart Failure in Adult Patients Corlanor is indicated to reduce the risk of hospitalization for worsening heart failure in adult patients with stable, symptomatic chronic heart failure with left ventricular ejection fraction ≤ 35%, who are in sinus rhythm with resting heart rate ≥ 70 beats per minute and either are on maximally tolerated doses of beta-blockers or have a contraindication to beta-blocker use. 1.2 Heart Failure in Pediatric Patients Corlanor is indicated for the treatment of stable symptomatic heart failure due to dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in pediatric patients aged 6 months and older, who are in sinus rhythm with an elevated heart rate.
Dosage & Administration of Corlanor
2. DOSAGE AND ADMINIST R ATION Adult and pediatric patients greater than 40 kg Starting dose is 2.5 (pediatrics and vulnerable adults) or 5 mg twice daily with food. After 2 weeks of treatment, adjust dose based on heart rate.
The maximum dose is 7.5 mg twice daily. Pediatric patients less than 40 kg Starting dose is 0.05 mg/kg twice daily with food. Adjust dose at two-week intervals by 0.05 mg/kg based on heart rate.
Assess patient after two weeks and adjust dose to achieve a resting heart rate between 50 and 60 beats per minute (bpm) as shown in Table 1. Thereafter, adjust dose as needed based on resting heart rate and tolerability. In adult patients unable to swallow tablets, Corlanor oral solution can be used.
In patients with a history of conduction defects or other patients in whom bradycardia could lead to hemodynamic compromise, initiate therapy at 2.5 mg twice daily before increasing the dose based on heart rate. If a dose of Corlanor is missed or spit out, do not give another dose to make up for the missed or spit out dose. Give the next dose at the usual time.
Pediatric Patients Weighing 40 kg and Greater (Tablets) The recommended starting dose of Corlanor tablets in pediatric patients weighing more than 40 kg is 2.5 mg twice daily with food. Assess patient at two-week intervals and adjust dose by 2.5 mg to target a heart rate (HR) reduction of at least 20%, based on tolerability. Dose Reduction for Bradycardia If bradycardia develops, reduce the dose to the previous titration step.
In patients who develop bradycardia at the recommended initial dosage, consider reducing the dosage to 0.02 mg/kg twice daily. Oral Solution Preparation and Administration To administer Corlanor oral solution, empty the entire contents of the ampule(s) into a medication cup. With a calibrated oral syringe, measure the prescribed dose of Corlanor from the medication cup and administer the drug orally.
Corlanor oral solution is sterile and preservative-free. Discard the unused oral solution. Do not store or reuse any oral solution left in either the medication cup or an ampule.
| Heart Rate | Dose Adjustment |
|---|---|
| > 60 bpm | Increase dose by 2.5 mg (given twice daily) up to a maximum dose of 7.5 mg twice daily |
| 50-60 bpm | Maintain dose |
| < 50 bpm or signs and symptoms of bradycardia | Decrease dose by 2.5 mg (given twice daily); if current dose is 2.5 mg twice daily, discontinue therapy* |
Side Effects of Corlanor
6. ADVERSE REACTIONS Clinically significant adverse reactions that appear in other sections of the labeling include: Atrial Fibrillation Bradycardia and Conduction Disturbances Most common adverse reactions occurring in ≥ 1% of patients are bradycardia, hypertension, atrial fibrillation and luminous phenomena (phosphenes). To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Amgen Medical Information at 1-800-772-6436 (1-800-77-AMGEN) or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 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 practice.
Adult Patients with Heart Failure In SHIFT, safety was evaluated in 3,260 patients treated with Corlanor and 3,278 patients given placebo. The median duration of Corlanor exposure was 21.5 months. The most common adverse drug reactions in the SHIFT trial are shown in Table 2.
Table 2. Adverse Drug Reactions with Rates ≥ 1.0% Higher on Ivabradine than Placebo occurring in > 1% on Ivabradine in SHIFT Luminous P henomena (Phosphenes) Phosphenes are phenomena described as a transiently enhanced brightness in a limited area of the visual field, halos, image decomposition (stroboscopic or kaleidoscopic effects), colored bright lights, or multiple images (retinal persistency). Phosphenes are usually triggered by sudden variations in light intensity.
Corlanor can cause phosphenes, thought to be mediated through Corlanor’s effects on retinal photoreceptors. Onset is generally within the first 2 months of treatment, after which they may occur repeatedly. Phosphenes were generally reported to be of mild to moderate intensity and led to treatment discontinuation in < 1% of patients; most resolved during or after treatment.
Pediatric Patients with Heart Failure The safety of Corlanor in pediatric patients 6 months to less than 18 years of age is based on a clinical trial in symptomatic heart failure patients with dilated cardiomyopathy and elevated heart rate. This trial provides experience in 73 patients treated with Corlanor for a median duration of 397 days, and 42 patients given placebo. Bradycardia (symptomatic and asymptomatic) occurred at rates similar to those in adults.
Phosphenes were observed in pediatric patients treated with Corlanor. 6.2 Postmarketing Experience Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to estimate their frequency reliably or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. The following adverse reactions have been identified in adults during post-approval use of Corlanor: syncope, hypotension, torsade de pointes, ventricular fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia, angioedema, erythema, rash, pruritus, urticaria, vertigo, and diplopia, and visual impairment.
| Ivabradine N = 3,260 | Placebo N = 3,278 | |
|---|---|---|
| Bradycardia | 10% | 2.2% |
| Hypertension, blood pressure increased | 8.9% | 7.8% |
| Atrial fibrillation | 8.3% | 6.6% |
| Phosphenes, visual brightness | 2.8% | 0.5% |
Warnings & Cautions for Corlanor
5. WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Fetal toxicity: Females should use effective contraception. Monitor patients for atrial fibrillation.
Monitor heart rate decreases and bradycardia symptoms during treatment. Not recommended in patients with 2 nd degree AV block. 5.1 Fetal Toxicity Corlanor may cause fetal toxicity when administered to a pregnant woman based on findings in animal studies. Embryo-fetal toxicity and cardiac teratogenic effects were observed in fetuses of pregnant rats treated during organogenesis at exposures 1 to 3 times the human exposures (AUC 0-24hr ) at the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD).
Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception when taking Corlanor. 5.2 Atrial Fibrillation Corlanor increases the risk of atrial fibrillation. In the Systolic Heart Failure Treatment with the I f Inhibitor Ivabradine Trial (SHIFT), the rate of atrial fibrillation was 5.0% per patient-year in patients treated with Corlanor and 3.9% per patient-year in patients treated with placebo. Regularly monitor cardiac rhythm.
Discontinue Corlanor if atrial fibrillation develops. 5.3 Bradycardia and Conduction Disturbances Adult Patients Bradycardia, sinus arrest, and heart block have occurred with Corlanor. Risk factors for bradycardia include sinus node dysfunction, conduction defects (e.g., 1 st or 2 nd degree atrioventricular block, bundle branch block), ventricular dyssynchrony, and use of other negative chronotropes (e.g., digoxin, diltiazem, verapamil, amiodarone). Bradycardia may increase the risk of QT prolongation which may lead to severe ventricular arrhythmias, including torsade de pointes, especially in patients with risk factors such as use of QTc prolonging drugs.
Concurrent use of verapamil or diltiazem will increase Corlanor exposure, may themselves contribute to heart rate lowering, and should be avoided. Avoid use of Corlanor in patients with 2 nd degree atrioventricular block unless a functioning demand pacemaker is present. Pediatric Patients Bradycardia and first-degree heart block were observed in pediatric patients treated with Corlanor.
Asymptomatic and symptomatic bradycardia were observed in 6.8% and 4.1% of pediatric patients treated with Corlanor, respectively. In the placebo treatment arm, 2.4% of pediatric patients had asymptomatic bradycardia, but none had symptomatic bradycardia. Bradycardia was managed through dose titration but did not result in study drug discontinuation.
Drug Interactions with Corlanor
7. DRUG INTERACTIONS Avoid CYP3A4 inhibitors or inducers. Negative chronotropes increase risk of bradycardia; monitor heart rate. 7.1 Cytochrome P450-Based Interactions Corlanor is primarily metabolized by CYP3A4.
Concomitant use of CYP3A4 inhibitors increases ivabradine plasma concentrations and use of CYP3A4 inducers decreases them. Increased plasma concentrations may exacerbate bradycardia and conduction disturbances. The concomitant use of strong CYP3A4 inhibitors is contraindicated.
Examples of strong CYP3A4 inhibitors include azole antifungals (e.g., itraconazole), macrolide antibiotics (e.g., clarithromycin, telithromycin), HIV protease inhibitors (e.g., nelfinavir), and nefazodone. Avoid concomitant use of moderate CYP3A4 inhibitors when using Corlanor. Examples of moderate CYP3A4 inhibitors include diltiazem, verapamil, and grapefruit juice.
Avoid concomitant use of CYP3A4 inducers when using Corlanor. Examples of CYP3A4 inducers include St. John’s wort, rifampicin, barbiturates, and phenytoin. 7.2 Negative Chronotropes Most patients receiving Corlanor will also be treated with a beta-blocker.
The risk of bradycardia increases with concomitant administration of drugs that slow heart rate (e.g., digoxin, amiodarone, beta-blockers). Monitor heart rate in patients taking Corlanor with other negative chronotropes. 7.3 Pacemakers in Adults Corlanor dosing is based on heart rate reduction, targeting a heart rate of 50 to 60 beats per minute in adults. Patients with demand pacemakers set to a rate ≥ 60 beats per minute cannot achieve a target heart rate < 60 beats per minute, and these patients were excluded from clinical trials.
The use of Corlanor is not recommended in patients with demand pacemakers set to rates ≥ 60 beats per minute.
Pregnancy Safety for Corlanor
Pregnancy Risk Summary Based on findings in animals, Corlanor may cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies of Corlanor in pregnant women to inform any drug-associated risks. In animal reproduction studies, oral administration of ivabradine to pregnant rats during organogenesis at a dosage providing 1 to 3 times the human exposure (AUC 0-24hr ) at the MRHD resulted in embryo-fetal toxicity and teratogenicity manifested as abnormal shape of the heart, interventricular septal defect, and complex anomalies of primary arteries.
Increased post-natal mortality was associated with these teratogenic effects in rats. In pregnant rabbits, increased post-implantation loss was noted at an exposure (AUC 0-24hr ) 5 times the human exposure at the MRHD. Lower doses were not tested in rabbits.
The background risk of major birth defects for the indicated population is unknown. Advise a pregnant woman of the potential risk to the fetus. Clinical Considerations Disease-associated Maternal and/or Embryo - fetal Risk Stroke volume and heart rate increase during pregnancy, increasing cardiac output, especially during the first trimester.
Pregnant patients with left ventricular ejection fraction less than 35% on maximally tolerated doses of beta-blockers may be particularly heart rate dependent for augmenting cardiac output. Therefore, pregnant patients who are started on Corlanor, especially during the first trimester, should be followed closely for destabilization of their congestive heart failure that could result from heart rate slowing. Monitor pregnant women with chronic heart failure in 3 rd trimester of pregnancy for preterm birth.
Data Animal Data In pregnant rats, oral administration of ivabradine during the period of organogenesis (gestation day 6-15) at doses of mg/kg/day resulted in fetal toxicity and teratogenic effects. Increased intrauterine and post-natal mortality and cardiac malformations were observed at doses ≥ 2.3 mg/kg/day (equivalent to the human exposure at the MRHD based on AUC 0- 24 hr ). Teratogenic effects including interventricular septal defect and complex anomalies of major arteries were observed at doses ≥ 4.6 mg/kg/day (approximately 3 times the human exposure at the MRHD based on AUC 0- 24 hr ).
Treatment with all doses ≥ 7 mg/kg/day (equivalent to the human exposure at the MRHD based on AUC 0- 24 hr ) caused an increase in post-implantation loss. Increased post-natal mortality associated with cardiac teratogenic findings was observed in the F1 pups delivered by dams treated at the high dose (approximately 15 times the human exposure at the MRHD based on AUC 0- 24 hr ).
Pediatric Use of Corlanor
Pediatric Use The safety and effectiveness of Corlanor have been established in pediatric patients (age 6 months to less than 18 years old) and are supported by pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic trials and evidence from adequate and well-controlled trials of Corlanor in adult patients. The safety and efficacy of Corlanor have not been established in patients less than 6 months of age. Animal Data Ivabradine given orally to juvenile rats from post-natal day (PND) 7 until PND mg/kg/day did not affect post-natal (pre-weaning) development and reproductive performance (post-weaning development).
Similar to adult animals, ivabradine decreased heart rate dose-dependently, and increased heart weights at the highest dose administered. Ivabradine also decreased white blood cell counts (lymphocytes) at the highest dose administered. The decrease in white blood cell counts partially reversed within a 3-week recovery period.
Exposures in male and female rats at the No Observed Adverse Effect Level (NOAEL) of 7.5 mg/kg/day, was approximately 3 and 8 times, respectively, steady state exposure associated with the highest received maintenance doses across age groups in pediatric patients (based on AUCs).
Contraindications for Corlanor
- 4. CONTRAINDICATIONS Corlanor is contraindicated in patients with:
- Acute decompensated heart failure
- Clinically significant hypotension
- Sick sinus syndrome, sinoatrial block or 3 rd degree AV block, unless a functioning demand pacemaker is present
- Clinically significant bradycardia
- Severe hepatic impairment
- Pacemaker dependence (heart rate maintained exclusively by the pacemaker)
- Concomitant use of strong cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) inhibitors Acute decompensated heart failure Clinically significant hypotension Sick sinus syndrome, sinoatrial block or 3 rd degree AV block, unless a functioning demand pacemaker is present Clinically significant bradycardia Severe hepatic impairment Heart rate maintained exclusively by the pacemaker In combination with strong cytochrome CYP3A4 inhibitors
Overdosage Information for Corlanor
10. OVERDOSAGE Overdose may lead to severe and prolonged bradycardia. In the event of bradycardia with poor hemodynamic tolerance, temporary cardiac pacing may be required.
Supportive treatment, including intravenous (IV) fluids, atropine, and intravenous beta-stimulating agents such as isoproterenol, may be considered.
Clinical Studies of Corlanor
- 14. CLINICAL STUDIES Figure 3. SHIFT: Time to First Event of Primary Composite Endpoint Figure 4. Effect of Treatment on Primary Composite Endpoint in Subgroups 14.1 Heart Failure in Adult Patients SHIFT The Systolic Heart Failure Treatment with the I f Inhibitor Ivabradine Trial (SHIFT) was a randomized, double-blind trial comparing Corlanor and placebo in 6,558 adult patients with stable New York Heart Association (NYHA) class II to IV heart failure, left ventricular ejection fraction ≤ 35%, and resting heart rate ≥ 70 bpm. Patients had to have been clinically stable for at least 4 weeks on an optimized and stable clinical regimen, which included maximally tolerated doses of beta-blockers and, in most cases, ACE inhibitors or ARBs, spironolactone, and diuretics, with fluid retention and symptoms of congestion minimized. Patients had to have been hospitalized for heart failure within 12 months prior to study entry. The underlying cause of CHF was coronary artery disease in 68% of patients. At baseline, approximately 49% of randomized patients were NYHA class II, 50% were NYHA class III, and 2% were NYHA class IV. The mean left ventricular ejection fraction was 29%. All patients were initiated on Corlanor 5 mg (or matching placebo) twice daily and the dose was increased to 7.5 mg twice daily or decreased to 2.5 mg twice daily to maintain the resting heart rate between 50 and 60 bpm, as tolerated. The primary endpoint was a composite of the first occurrence of either hospitalization for worsening heart failure or cardiovascular death. Most patients (89%) were taking beta-blockers, with 26% on guideline-defined target daily doses. For the 11% of patients not receiving any beta-blocker at baseline, the main reasons were chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, hypotension, and asthma. Most patients were also taking ACE inhibitors and/or angiotensin II antagonists (91%), diuretics (83%), and anti-aldosterone agents (60%). Few patients had an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) (3.2%) or a cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) device (1.1%). Median follow-up was 22.9 months. The treatment effect reflected only a reduction in the risk of hospitalization for worsening heart failure; there was no favorable effect on the mortality component of the primary endpoint. In the overall treatment population, Corlanor had no statistically significant benefit on cardiovascular death. Table 3. SHIFT – Incidence of the Primary Composite The Kaplan-Meier curve (Figure 3) shows time to first occurrence of the primary composite endpoint of hospitalization for worsening heart failure or cardiovascular death in the overall study. Figure 3. SHIFT: Time to First Event of Primary Composite Endpoint A wide range of demographic characteristics, baseline disease characteristics, and baseline concomitant medications were examined for their influence on outcomes. Many of these results are shown in Figure 4. Such analyses must be interpreted cautiously, as differences can reflect the play of chance among a large number of analyses. Most of the results show effects consistent with the overall study result. Corlanor’s benefit on the primary endpoint in SHIFT appeared to decrease as the dose of beta-blockers increased, with little if any benefit demonstrated in patients taking guideline-defined target doses of beta-blockers. Figu re 4. Effect of T reatment on Primary Composite E ndpoint in S ubgroups Note: The figure above presents effects in various subgroups, all of which are baseline characteristics. The 95% confidence limits that are shown do not take into account the number of comparisons made and may not reflect the effect of a particular factor after adjustment for all other factors. Apparent homogeneity or heterogeneity among groups should not be over-interpreted.
- BEAUTIFUL and SIGNIFY: No benefit in stable coronary artery disease with or without stable heart failure The Morbidity-mortality Evaluation of the I f Inhibitor Ivabradine in Patients with Coronary Disease and Left Ventricular Dysfunction Trial (BEAUTIFUL) was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in 10,917 adult patients with coronary artery disease, impaired left ventricular systolic function (ejection fraction < 40%) and resting heart rate ≥ 60 bpm. Patients had stable symptoms of heart failure and/or angina for at least 3 months and were receiving conventional cardiovascular medications at stable doses for at least 1 month. Beta-blocker therapy was not required, nor was there a protocol mandate to achieve any specific dosing targets for patients who were taking beta-blockers.
- Patients were randomized 1: 1 to Corlanor or placebo at an initial dose of 5 mg twice daily with the dose increased to 7.5 mg twice daily depending on resting heart rate and tolerability. The primary endpoint was the composite of time to first cardiovascular death, hospitalization for acute myocardial infarction, or hospitalization for new-onset or worsening heart failure. Most patients were NYHA class II (61.4%) or class III (23.2%) - none were class IV. The Study Assessing the Morbi-mortality Benefits of the I f Inhibitor Ivabradine in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease Trial (SIGNIFY) was a randomized, double-blind trial administering Corlanor or placebo to 19,102 adult patients with stable coronary artery disease but without clinically evident heart failure (NYHA class I). Beta-blocker therapy was not required. Corlanor was initiated at a dose of 7.5 mg twice daily and the dose could be increased to as high as 10 mg twice daily or down-titrated to 5.0 mg twice daily to achieve a target heart rate of 55 to 60 bpm. The primary endpoint was a composite of the first occurrence of either cardiovascular death or myocardial infarction. Through a median follow-up of 24.1 months, Corlanor did not significantly affect the primary composite endpoint (HR 1.08, 95% CI = 0.96, 1.20). 14.2 Heart Failure in Pediatric Patients Because Corlanor was effective in improving outcomes in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in SHIFT, the effect on heart rate was considered a reasonable basis to infer clinical benefits in pediatric patients with DCM. Thus, Corlanor was evaluated for its effect on heart rate in a multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in children with symptomatic DCM. The study collected data from 116 patients aged 6 months to less than 18 years with DCM in sinus rhythm, NYHA/Ross class II to IV heart failure, and left ventricular ejection fraction ≤ 45%. Patients had to be clinically stable for at least 4 weeks and on optimized medical therapy with a resting heart rate (HR) complying with the following criteria: HR ≥ 105 bpm in the age-subset 6–12 months. HR ≥ 95 bpm in the age-subset 1–3 years. HR ≥ 75 bpm in the age-subset 3–5 years. HR ≥ 70 bpm in the age-subset 5–18 years.
- Patients were randomized in a 2: 1 ratio to receive Corlanor or placebo. Doses of study medication were titrated over a 2- to 8-week period to achieve a 20% heart rate reduction without inducing bradycardia. The target heart rate reduction was obtained at the end of the titration period in a significantly higher proportion of patients with Corlanor vs. placebo (72% vs. 16% respectively; Odds Ratio = 15; 95% CI = ).
| Corlanor (N = 3,241) | Placebo (N = 3,264) | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Endpoint | n | % | % PY | n | % | % PY | Hazard Ratio | [95% CI] | p-value |
| Primary composite endpoint: Time to first hospitalization for worsening heart failure or cardiovascular death a | 793 | 24.5 | 14.5 | 937 | 28.7 | 17.7 | 0.82 | [0.75, 0.90] | < 0.0001 |
| Hospitalization for worsening heart failure | 505 | 15.6 | 9.2 | 660 | 20.2 | 12.5 | |||
| Cardiovascular death as first event | 288 | 8.9 | 4.8 | 277 | 8.5 | 4.7 | |||
| Patients with events at any time | |||||||||
| Hospitalization for worsening heart failure b | 514 | 15.9 | 9.4 | 672 | 20.6 | 12.7 | 0.74 | [0.66, 0.83] | |
| Cardiovascular death b | 449 | 13.9 | 7.5 | 491 | 15.0 | 8.3 | 0.91 | [0.80, 1.03] | |
| a Patients who died on the same calendar day as their first hospitalization for worsening heart failure are counted under cardiovascular death. b Analyses of the components of the primary composite endpoint were not prospectively planned to be adjusted for multiplicity. N: number of patients at risk; n: number of patients having experienced the endpoint; %: incidence rate = (n/N) × 100; % PY: annual incidence rate = (n/number of patient-years) × 100; CI: confidence interval The hazard ratio between treatment groups (ivabradine/placebo) was estimated based on an adjusted Cox proportional hazards model with beta-blocker intake at randomization (yes/no) as a covariate; p-value: Wald test | |||||||||
Drug information sourced from the FDA. This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional before making any medication decisions.
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