Duaklir Drug Information

Generic name: ACLIDINIUM BROMIDE AND FORMOTEROL FUMARATE

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Uses of Duaklir

DUAKLIR PRESSAIR is a combination of aclidinium bromide (an anticholinergic) and formoterol fumarate (a LABA) indicated for the maintenance treatment of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Limitations of Use: DUAKLIR PRESSAIR is not indicated for the relief of acute bronchospasm or for the treatment of asthma.

Dosage & Administration of Duaklir

  • The recommended dose of DUAKLIR PRESSAIR is one oral inhalation of 400 mcg/12 mcg, twice daily (once in the morning and once in the evening). Do not take more than one inhalation twice daily.
  • For oral inhalation only.
  • 400 mcg/12 mcg, twice daily (once in the morning and once in the evening).

Side Effects of Duaklir

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 with rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. A total of 1893 subjects have received at least 1 dose of DUAKLIR PRESSAIR. 24-Week Trials The frequency of common adverse reactions in Table 1 below is based upon pooled data from two, double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel group clinical trials (Trials 1 and 2, n=1729 and n=1669) in 3398 adult patients with moderate to severe COPD. Of these, 60% were male and 94% were Caucasian.

They had a mean age of 64 years and an average smoking history of 46 pack-years, with 49% identified as current smokers. Table 1 shows all adverse reactions that occurred with a frequency of greater than or equal to 3% in the DUAKLIR PRESSAIR group in the two 24-week placebo-controlled trials where the rates in the DUAKLIR PRESSAIR group exceeded placebo. Table 1: Adverse Reactions with DUAKLIR PRESSAIR ≥3% Incidence and More Common than with Placebo in Subjects with COPD Other adverse reactions reported in clinical studies with an incidence of >1% but less than 3% with DUAKLIR PRESSAIR but more common than with placebo were cough, sinusitis, influenza, tooth abscess, insomnia, dizziness, dry mouth, oropharyngeal pain, muscle spasms, musculoskeletal pain, arthralgia, pain in extremity, urinary tract infection, and blood creatine phosphokinase increased.

The adverse events reported in the 24-week active-controlled trial were consistent with those observed in 24-week placebo-controlled trials. Long-Term Safety Extension Trial In a 28-week safety extension trial, 918 subjects who successfully completed Trial 2 were treated for up to an additional 28 weeks for a total treatment period of up to 52 weeks with DUAKLIR PRESSAIR, aclidinium 400 mcg, formoterol fumarate 12 mcg administered twice daily or placebo. Because the subjects continued from Trial 2 into the safety extension trial, the demographic and baseline characteristics of the long-term safety extension trial were similar to those of the placebo-controlled efficacy trials described above.

The adverse reactions reported in the long-term safety trial were consistent with those observed in the 24-week placebo-controlled trials.

Table 1: Adverse Reactions with DUAKLIR PRESSAIR ≥3% Incidence and More Common than with Placebo in Subjects with COPD
Treatment
Adverse Reactions Preferred TermDUAKLIR PRESSAIR (N=720) %Aclidinium (N=722) %Formoterol (N=716) %Placebo (N=526) %
Upper respiratory tract infection Includes Viral Upper Respiratory Tract Infection and Upper Respiratory Tract Infection8.97.68.96.3
Headache6.36.67.75.1
Back pain3.83.33.53.4

Warnings & Cautions for Duaklir

Serious Asthma-Related Events-Hospitalizations, Intubations, Death • The safety and efficacy of DUAKLIR PRESSAIR in patients with asthma have not been established. DUAKLIR PRESSAIR is not indicated for the treatment of asthma. • Use of LABA as monotherapy for asthma is associated with an increased risk of asthma-related death. Available data from controlled clinical trials also suggest that use of LABA as monotherapy increases the risk of asthma-related hospitalization in pediatric and adolescent patients.

These findings are considered a class effect of LABA monotherapy. When LABA are used in fixed-dose combination with ICS, data from large clinical trials do not show a significant increase in the risk of serious asthma-related events (hospitalizations, intubations, death) compared with ICS alone. • A 28-week, placebo-controlled, U.S. trial comparing the safety of another LABA (salmeterol) with placebo, each added to usual asthma therapy, showed an increase in asthma-related deaths in subjects receiving salmeterol (13/13,176 in subjects treated with salmeterol vs 3/13,179 in subjects treated with placebo; relative risk: 4.37 ). The increased risk of asthma-related death is considered a class effect of LABAs, including formoterol fumarate, one of the active ingredients in DUAKLIR PRESSAIR. • No trial adequate to determine whether the rate of asthma-related deaths is increased in subjects treated with DUAKLIR PRESSAIR has been conducted. • Available data do not suggest an increased risk of death with use of LABA in patients with COPD.

Deterioration of Disease and Acute Episodes DUAKLIR PRESSAIR should not be initiated in patients with acutely deteriorating COPD, which may be a life-threatening condition. DUAKLIR PRESSAIR has not been studied in patients with acutely deteriorating COPD. The use of DUAKLIR PRESSAIR in this setting is inappropriate.

DUAKLIR PRESSAIR is intended as twice daily maintenance treatment for COPD and should not be used for the relief of acute symptoms, i.e., as rescue therapy for treatment of acute episodes of bronchospasm. DUAKLIR PRESSAIR has not been studied in the relief of acute symptoms and extra doses should not be used for that purpose. Acute symptoms should be treated with an inhaled short-acting beta 2 -agonist.

When beginning treatment with DUAKLIR PRESSAIR, patients who have been taking oral or inhaled, short-acting beta 2 -agonists on a regular basis (e.g., four times a day) should be instructed to discontinue the regular use of these drugs and use them only for symptomatic relief of acute respiratory symptoms. When prescribing DUAKLIR PRESSAIR, the healthcare provider should also prescribe an inhaled, short-acting beta 2 -agonist and instruct the patient on how it should be used. Increasing inhaled beta 2 -agonist use is a signal of deteriorating disease for which prompt medical attention is indicated.

COPD may deteriorate acutely over a period of hours or chronically over several days or longer. If DUAKLIR PRESSAIR no longer controls symptoms of bronchoconstriction; the patient’s inhaled, short-acting beta 2 -agonist becomes less effective; or the patient needs more short-acting beta 2 -agonist than usual, these may be markers of deterioration of disease. In this setting, a re-evaluation of the patient and the COPD treatment regimen should be undertaken at once.

Increasing the daily dose of DUAKLIR PRESSAIR beyond the recommended dose is not appropriate in this situation.

Excessive Use of DUAKLIR PRESSAIR and Use with Other Long-Acting Beta 2 Agonists As with other inhaled drugs containing beta-agonists, DUAKLIR PRESSAIR should not be used more often than recommended, at higher doses than recommended, or in conjunction with other medications containing LABAs, as an overdose may result. Clinically significant cardiovascular effects and fatalities have been reported in association with excessive use of inhaled sympathomimetic drugs. Patients using DUAKLIR PRESSAIR should not use another medicine containing a LABA for any reason.

Paradoxical Bronchospasm

Inhaled medicines, including DUAKLIR PRESSAIR, may cause paradoxical bronchospasm, which may be life threatening. If paradoxical bronchospasm occurs following dosing with DUAKLIR PRESSAIR, it should be treated immediately with an inhaled, short acting bronchodilator. DUAKLIR PRESSAIR should be discontinued immediately, and alternative therapies should be instituted.

Immediate Hypersensitivity Reactions

Immediate hypersensitivity reactions including anaphylaxis, angioedema (including swelling of the lips, tongue, or throat), urticaria, rash, bronchospasm, or itching, have occurred after administration of DUAKLIR PRESSAIR. If such a reaction occurs, therapy with DUAKLIR PRESSAIR should be stopped at once and alternative treatments should be considered.

Cardiovascular Effects

Formoterol fumarate, like other beta agonists, can produce a clinically significant cardiovascular effect in some patients as measured by increases in pulse rate, systolic or diastolic or blood pressure, or symptoms. If such effects occur, DUAKLIR PRESSAIR may need to be discontinued. In addition, beta-agonists have been reported to produce ECG changes, such as flattening of the T wave, prolongation of the QTc interval, and ST segment depression, although the clinical significance of these findings is unknown.

Therefore, DUAKLIR PRESSAIR should be used with caution in patients with severe cardiovascular disorders, especially coronary insufficiency, cardiac arrhythmias, and hypertension.

Coexisting Conditions DUAKLIR

PRESSAIR, like other medications containing sympathomimetic amines, should be used with caution in patients with convulsive disorders, thyrotoxicosis, and in those who are unusually responsive to sympathomimetic amines. Doses of the related beta-agonist albuterol, when administered intravenously, have been reported to aggravate pre-existing diabetes mellitus and ketoacidosis.

Hypokalemia and Hyperglycemia

Beta-agonist medications may produce significant hypokalemia in some patients, possibly through intracellular shunting, which has the potential to produce adverse cardiovascular effects. The decrease in serum potassium is usually transient, not requiring supplementation. Beta-agonist medications may produce transient hyperglycemia in some patients.

In 4 clinical trials of 24 to 52 weeks duration evaluating DUAKLIR PRESSAIR in patients with COPD, there was no evidence of a treatment effect on serum glucose or potassium.

Worsening of Narrow-Angle Glaucoma DUAKLIR PRESSAIR should be used with caution in patients with narrow-angle glaucoma. Prescribers and patients should be alert for signs and symptoms of acute narrow-angle glaucoma (e.g., eye pain or discomfort, blurred vision, visual halos, or colored images in association with red eyes from conjunctival congestion and corneal edema). Instruct patients to consult a physician immediately should any of these signs or symptoms develop.

Worsening of Urinary Retention DUAKLIR PRESSAIR should be used with caution in patients with urinary retention or bladder neck obstruction. Prescribers and patients should be alert for signs and symptoms of urinary retention (e.g., difficulty passing urine, painful urination), especially in patients with prostatic hyperplasia or bladder neck obstruction.

Drug Interactions with Duaklir

Adrenergic Drugs

If additional adrenergic drugs are to be administered by any route, they should be used with caution because the sympathetic effects of formoterol, a component of DUAKLIR PRESSAIR, may be potentiated.

Xanthine Derivatives, Steroids

Concomitant treatment with xanthine derivatives, or steroids may potentiate any hypokalemic effect of beta-adrenergic agonists such as formoterol, a component of DUAKLIR PRESSAIR.

Non-Potassium Sparing Diuretics

The electrocardiographic changes and/or hypokalemia that may result from the administration of non-potassium-sparing diuretics (such as loop or thiazide diuretics) can be acutely worsened by beta-agonists, especially when the recommended dose of the beta-agonist is exceeded. Although the clinical significance of these effects is not known, caution is advised in the coadministration of beta-agonists with non–potassium-sparing diuretics.

Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors and Tricyclic Antidepressants, QTc Prolonging Drugs DUAKLIR PRESSAIR, as with other drugs containing beta 2 -agonists, should be administered with caution to patients being treated with monoamine oxidase inhibitors, tricyclic antidepressants, or other drugs known to prolong the QTc interval, because the action of adrenergic agonists on the cardiovascular system may be potentiated by these agents. Drugs that are known to prolong the QTc interval have an increased risk of ventricular arrhythmias.

Beta-Blockers

Beta-adrenergic receptor antagonists (beta-blockers) and DUAKLIR PRESSAIR may inhibit the effect of each other when administered concurrently. Beta-blockers not only block the therapeutic effects of beta 2 -agonists, such as formoterol, a component of DUAKLIR PRESSAIR, but may produce severe bronchospasm in COPD patients. Therefore, patients with COPD should not normally be treated with beta-blockers.

However, under certain circumstances, e.g., as prophylaxis after myocardial infarction, there may be no acceptable alternatives to the use of beta-blockers in patients with COPD. In this setting, cardioselective beta-blockers could be considered, although they should be administered with caution.

Anticholinergics There is a potential for an additive interaction with concomitantly used anticholinergic medications. Therefore, avoid coadministration of DUAKLIR PRESSAIR with other anticholinergic-containing drugs as this may lead to an increase in anticholinergic effects.

Pregnancy Safety for Duaklir

Pregnancy Risk Summary There are no adequate and well-controlled studies of DUAKLIR PRESSAIR or its individual components, formoterol fumarate or aclidinium bromide, in pregnant women to inform drug-associated risks. No adverse developmental effects were seen with inhalation administration of aclidinium bromide to pregnant rats and rabbits during organogenesis at 15 or 20 times, respectively, the maximum recommended human daily inhaled dose (MRHDID). However, reduced pup weights were seen when pregnant rats continued inhalation administration through lactation at 5 times the MRHDID of aclidinium bromide.

Adverse developmental effects occurred when rabbits were orally dosed with aclidinium bromide at approximately 1,400 times the MRHDID. Formoterol fumarate alone, administered by the oral route, was teratogenic in rats and rabbits at 1,200 and 49,000 times the MRHDID, respectively. Formoterol fumarate was also embryocidal, increased pup loss at birth and during lactation, and decreased pup weight in rats at 85 times the MRHDID.

These adverse effects generally occurred at large multiples of the MRHDID when formoterol fumarate was administered by the oral route to achieve high systemic exposures. No teratogenic, embryocidal, or developmental effects were seen in rats that received inhalation doses up to 280 times the MRHDID. The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage of 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. Clinical Considerations Labor or Delivery There are no well-controlled human studies that have investigated the effects of DUAKLIR PRESSAIR during labor and delivery. Because of the potential for beta-agonist interference with uterine contractility, use of DUAKLIR PRESSAIR during labor should be restricted to those patients in whom the benefits clearly outweigh the risk.

Data Animal Data Aclidinium bromide In an embryo-fetal development study in pregnant rats dosed during the period of organogenesis from gestation days 6-17, no evidence of structural alterations was observed at approximately 15 times the maximum recommended human daily inhaled dose (MRHDID). However, in a pre- and post-natal development study, decreased pup weights were observed when pregnant rats were exposed from gestation day 6 and continuing during the lactation period at approximately 5 times the MRHDID. Maternal toxicity was also observed at inhaled doses greater than or equal to 0.2 mg/kg/day.

In an embryo-fetal development study in pregnant Himalayan rabbits administered inhaled doses of aclidinium bromide during the period of organogenesis from gestation days 6-19, no evidence of structural alterations was observed at approximately 20 times the MRHDID. However, in another embryo-fetal development study in pregnant Himalayan rabbits dosed orally from gestation days 6-19, increased incidences of additional liver lobes (3-5%), as compared to 0% in the control group, were observed at approximately 1,400 times the MRHDID, and decreased fetal body weights were observed at approximately 2,300 times the MRHDID. These fetal findings were observed in the presence of maternal toxicity.

Formoterol fumarate In a fertility and reproduction study, male rats were orally dosed for 9 weeks and females for 2 weeks prior to pairing and throughout the mating period. Females were either dosed up to gestation day 19 or up until weaning of their offspring. Males were dosed up to 25 weeks.

Umbilical hernia was observed in rat fetuses at oral doses 1,200 times and greater than the MRHDID (on a mg/m 2 basis at maternal oral doses of 3 mg/kg/day and higher). Brachygnathia, abnormal shortness of the mandible, was observed in rat fetuses at a dose 6,000 times the MRHDID (on a mg/m 2 basis at a maternal oral dose of 15 mg/kg/day). Fetal and pup deaths occurred at doses approximately 1,200 times the MRHDID and higher (on a mg/m 2 basis at oral doses of 3 mg/kg/day and higher) during gestation.

In an embryo-fetal development study in pregnant rabbits dosed during the period of organogenesis from gestation days 6-18, subcapsular cysts on the liver were observed in the fetuses at a dose 49,000 times the MRHDID (on a mg/m 2 basis with a maternal oral dose of 60 mg/kg/day). No teratogenic effects were observed at doses up to 2,800 times the MRHDID (on a mg/m 2 basis at maternal oral doses up to 3.5 mg/kg/day). In a pre- and post-natal development study, pregnant female rats received formoterol at oral doses of mg/kg/day from gestation day 6 through the lactation period.

Pup survival was decreased from birth to postpartum day 26 at doses 85 times the MRHDID and higher (on a mg/m 2 basis at maternal oral doses of 0.21 mg/kg/day and higher), although there was no evidence of a dose-response relationship. There were no treatment-related effects on the physical, functional, and behavioral development of rat pups.

Pediatric Use of Duaklir

Pediatric Use DUAKLIR PRESSAIR is not indicated for use in children. The safety and effectiveness of DUAKLIR PRESSAIR in the pediatric population have not been established.

Contraindications for Duaklir

  • Use of a long-acting beta 2 -adrenergic agonist (LABA), including formoterol fumarate, one of the active ingredients in DUAKLIR PRESSAIR, without an inhaled corticosteroid is contraindicated in patients with asthma. DUAKLIR PRESSAIR is not indicated for the treatment of asthma. DUAKLIR PRESSAIR is contraindicated in patients with:
  • Severe hypersensitivity to milk proteins.
  • Hypersensitivity to aclidinium bromide, formoterol fumarate, or to any component of the product.

Overdosage Information for Duaklir

DUAKLIR PRESSAIR contains both aclidinium and formoterol fumarate; therefore, the risks associated with overdosage for the individual components described below apply to DUAKLIR PRESSAIR. The most common symptoms are blurred vision, dry mouth, nausea, muscle spasms, tremor, headache, palpitations, and systolic hypertension. Treatment of overdosage consists of discontinuation of DUAKLIR PRESSAIR together with institution of appropriate symptomatic and/or supportive therapy.

Clinical Studies of Duaklir

Dose-Ranging Trials

Dose selection for DUAKLIR PRESSAIR for COPD was primarily based on data for the individual components, aclidinium bromide and formoterol fumarate, in COPD patients. The results supported the selection of 400 mcg of aclidinium bromide twice daily in the confirmatory COPD trials. Formoterol Dose selection for formoterol was supported by a randomized, double-blind, placebo and active comparator (open-label) controlled, 5-period incomplete unbalanced crossover trial evaluating 3 doses of formoterol fumarate (24, 12, and 6 mcg) administered twice daily and an open-label active comparator in 132 subjects with COPD.

The results supported the evaluation of 12 mcg of formoterol twice daily in the confirmatory COPD trials.

Confirmatory Trials

The clinical development program for DUAKLIR PRESSAIR included two placebo-controlled and one active-controlled randomized, double-blind, parallel-group 24-week trials in subjects with moderate to very severe COPD, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema, designed to evaluate the efficacy of DUAKLIR PRESSAIR on lung function. Trials 1 and 2 included a placebo arm, and Trial 3 included an active, blinded, control arm. In Trial 3, serial spirometric evaluations were performed throughout the 24-hour dosing interval in a subset of subjects (n=563) at Day 1 and Week 24.

Results from Trial 3 are shown in Figures 1 and 2. In Trials 1 and 2, patients treated with DUAKLIR PRESSAIR used less rescue medication compared to patients treated with placebo. The St.

George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) was assessed in Trials 1, 2, and 3. In Trial 1, the SGRQ responder rate (defined as an improvement in score of 4 or more as threshold) was for DUAKLIR PRESSAIR, aclidinium, formoterol fumarate, and placebo, respectively, with odds ratios of for DUAKLIR PRESSAIR vs. aclidinium, for DUAKLIR PRESSAIR vs. formoterol fumarate, and for DUAKLIR PRESSAIR vs. placebo. In Trial 3, the odds ratios were for DUAKLIR PRESSAIR vs. aclidinium, DUAKLIR PRESSAIR vs. formoterol fumarate, respectively.

Exacerbations A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of up to 36 months evaluated the efficacy of aclidinium bromide 400 mcg on COPD exacerbations in patients with moderate to very severe COPD with and without a history of exacerbations. The majority of patients had moderate (45.1%) or severe (40.2%) airflow obstruction. The primary efficacy endpoint was the rate of moderate to severe exacerbations during the first year of treatment, defined as worsening of COPD symptoms (dyspnea, cough, sputum) for at least 2 consecutive days that required treatment with antibiotics and/or systemic corticosteroids or resulted in hospitalization or lead to death.

Aclidinium bromide demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in the rate of on-study moderate to severe COPD exacerbations by 17% compared to placebo (rate ratio p=0.003). figure_1 figure_2

Table 2: Least Squares (LS) Mean Change from Baseline in 1-hour Morning Post dose FEV 1 and Trough FEV 1 at 24 weeks
1-hour Post-dose FEV 1 (L)Trough FEV 1 (L)
Difference fromDifference from
TreatmentPlacebo The placebo, aclidinium and formoterol fumarate comparators used the same inhaler and excipients as DUAKLIR PRESSAIR. (95% CI)Aclidinium Bromide 400 mcg (95% CI)Placebo (95% CI)Formoterol Fumarate 12 mcg (95% CI)
Trial 1
DUAKLIR PRESSAIR 400 mcg/12 mcg n=385n=194 0.299 L (0.255, 0.343)n=383 0.125 L (0.090, 0.160)n=194 0.143 L (0.101, 0.185)n=383 0.085 L (0.051, 0.119)
Trial 2
DUAKLIR PRESSAIR 400 mcg/12 mcg n=335n=331 0.284 L (0.247, 0.320)n=337 0.108 L (0.073, 0.144)n=331 0.130 L (0.095, 0.165)n=332 0.045 L (0.011, 0.079)
Trial 3
DUAKLIR PRESSAIR 400 mcg/12 mcg n=314n=475 0.084 L (0.051, 0.117)n=319 0.055 L (0.023, 0.088)
n = Number in the intent to treat population

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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