Edarbyclor Drug Information
Generic name: AZILSARTAN KAMEDOXOMIL AND CHLORTHALIDONE
Thiazide-like Diuretic [EPC]
Uses of Edarbyclor
Edarbyclor is indicated for the treatment of hypertension, to lower blood pressure. Edarbyclor may be used in patients whose blood pressure is not adequately controlled on monotherapy. Edarbyclor may be used as initial therapy if a patient is likely to need multiple drugs to achieve blood pressure goals.
Lowering blood pressure reduces the risk of fatal and nonfatal cardiovascular events, primarily strokes and myocardial infarctions. These benefits have been seen in controlled trials of antihypertensive drugs from a wide variety of pharmacologic classes including thiazide-like diuretics such as chlorthalidone and ARBs such as azilsartan medoxomil. There are no controlled trials demonstrating risk reduction with Edarbyclor.
Control of high blood pressure should be part of comprehensive cardiovascular risk management, including, as appropriate, lipid control, diabetes management, antithrombotic therapy, smoking cessation, exercise, and limited sodium intake. Many patients will require more than one drug to achieve blood pressure goals. For specific advice on goals and management of high blood pressure, see published guidelines, such as those of the National High Blood Pressure Education Program's Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure (JNC). Numerous antihypertensive drugs, from a variety of pharmacologic classes and with different mechanisms of action, have been shown in randomized controlled trials to reduce cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, and it can be concluded that it is blood pressure reduction, and not some other pharmacologic property of the drugs, that is largely responsible for those benefits.
The largest and most consistent cardiovascular outcome benefit has been a reduction in the risk of stroke, but reductions in myocardial infarction and cardiovascular mortality also have been seen regularly. Elevated systolic or diastolic pressure causes increased cardiovascular risk, and the absolute risk increase per mmHg is greater at higher blood pressures, so that even modest reductions of severe hypertension can provide substantial benefit. Relative risk reduction from blood pressure reduction is similar across populations with varying absolute risk, so the absolute benefit is greater in patients who are at higher risk independent of their hypertension (for example, patients with diabetes or hyperlipidemia), and such patients would be expected to benefit from more aggressive treatment to a lower blood pressure goal.
Some antihypertensive drugs have smaller blood pressure effects (as monotherapy) in black patients; however, the blood pressure effect of Edarbyclor in blacks is similar to that in non-blacks. Many antihypertensive drugs have additional approved indications and effects (e.g., on angina, heart failure, or diabetic kidney disease). These considerations may guide selection of therapy. The choice of Edarbyclor as initial therapy for hypertension should be based on an assessment of potential benefits and risks including whether the patient is likely to tolerate the starting dose of Edarbyclor.
Patients with moderate-to-severe hypertension are at a relatively high risk of cardiovascular events (e.g., stroke, heart attack, and heart failure), kidney failure, and vision problems, so prompt treatment is clinically relevant. Consider the patient's baseline blood pressure, target goal and the incremental likelihood of achieving the goal with a combination product, such as Edarbyclor, versus a monotherapy product when deciding upon initial therapy. Individual blood pressure goals may vary based on the patient's risk.
Data from an 8-week, active-controlled, factorial trial provide estimates of the probability of reaching a target blood pressure with Edarbyclor compared with azilsartan medoxomil or chlorthalidone monotherapy . Figures 1.a-1.d provide estimates of the likelihood of achieving target clinic systolic and diastolic blood pressure control with Edarbyclor 40/25 mg tablets after 8 weeks, based on baseline systolic or diastolic blood pressure. The curve for each treatment group was estimated by logistic regression modeling and is more variable at the tails. Figure 1.a Probability of Achieving Systolic Blood Pressure <140 mmHg at Week 8 Figure 1.b Probability of Achieving Systolic Blood Pressure <130 mmHg at Week 8 Figure 1.c Probability of Achieving Diastolic Blood Pressure <90 mmHg at Week 8 Figure 1.d Probability of Achieving Diastolic Blood Pressure <80 mmHg at Week 8 For example, a patient with a baseline blood pressure of 170/105 mm Hg has approximately a 48% likelihood of achieving a goal of <140 mm Hg (systolic) and 48% likelihood of achieving <90 mm Hg (diastolic) on azilsartan medoxomil 80 mg.
The likelihood of achieving these same goals on chlorthalidone 25 mg is approximately 51% (systolic) and 40% (diastolic). These likelihoods rise to 85% (systolic) and 85% (diastolic) with Edarbyclor 40/25 mg. Edarbyclor is a combination of azilsartan medoxomil, an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) and chlorthalidone, a thiazide-like diuretic combination product indicated for the treatment of hypertension, to lower blood pressure: In patients not adequately controlled with monotherapy As initial therapy in patients likely to need multiple drugs to help achieve blood pressure goals Lowering blood pressure reduces the risk of fatal and nonfatal cardiovascular events, primarily strokes and myocardial infarctions Figure 1.a Figure 1.b Figure 1.c Figure 1.d
Dosage & Administration of Edarbyclor
Dosing Information
The recommended starting dose of Edarbyclor is 40/12.5 mg taken orally once daily. Most of the antihypertensive effect is apparent within 1 to 2 weeks. The dosage may be increased to 40/25 mg after 2 to 4 weeks as needed to achieve blood pressure goals.
Edarbyclor doses above 40/25 mg are probably not useful. Patients titrated to the individual components (azilsartan medoxomil and chlorthalidone) may instead receive the corresponding dose of Edarbyclor. Edarbyclor may be administered with other antihypertensive agents as needed.
Prior to Dosing Correct any volume depletion prior to administration of Edarbyclor
particularly in patients with impaired renal function or those treated with high doses of diuretics. Patients who experience dose-limiting adverse reactions on chlorthalidone may be switched to Edarbyclor, initially with a lower dose of chlorthalidone.
Handling Instructions Do not repackage Edarbyclor. Dispense and store Edarbyclor in its
original container to protect Edarbyclor from light and moisture.
Side Effects of Edarbyclor
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. Edarbyclor has been evaluated for safety in more than 3900 patients with hypertension; more than 700 patients were treated for at least 6 months and more than 280 for at least 1 year. Adverse reactions have generally been mild and transient in nature.
Common adverse reactions that occurred in the 8-week factorial design trial in at least 2% of Edarbyclor-treated patients and greater than azilsartan medoxomil or chlorthalidone are presented in Table 1. Table 1. Adverse Reactions Occurring at an Incidence of ≥2% of Edarbyclor-treated Patients and > Azilsartan medoxomil or Chlorthalidone Preferred Term Azilsartan medoxomil 20, 40, 80 mg (N=470) Chlorthalidone 12.5, 25 mg (N=316) Edarbyclor 40 / 12.5, 40 / 25 mg (N=302) Dizziness 1.7% 1.9% 8.9% Fatigue 0.6% 1.3% 2.0% Hypotension and syncope were reported in 1.7% and 0.3%, respectively, of patients treated with Edarbyclor. Study discontinuation because of adverse reactions occurred in 8.3% of patients treated with the recommended doses of Edarbyclor compared with 3.2% of patients treated with azilsartan medoxomil and 3.2% of patients treated with chlorthalidone. The most common reasons for discontinuation of therapy with Edarbyclor were serum creatinine increased (3.6%) and dizziness (2.3%). The adverse reaction profile obtained from 52 weeks of open-label combination therapy with azilsartan medoxomil plus chlorthalidone or Edarbyclor was similar to that observed during the double-blind, active controlled trials.
In 3 double-blind, active controlled, titration studies, in which Edarbyclor was titrated to higher doses in a step-wise manner, adverse reactions and discontinuations for adverse events were less frequent than in the fixed-dose factorial trial. Azilsartan medoxomil A total of 4814 patients were evaluated for safety when treated with azilsartan medoxomil at doses of 20, 40 or 80 mg in clinical trials. This includes 1704 patients treated for at least 6 months, of these, 588 were treated for at least 1 year.
Generally, adverse reactions were mild, not dose related and similar regardless of age, gender and race. Adverse reactions with a plausible relationship to treatment that have been reported with an incidence of ≥0.3% and greater than placebo in more than 3300 patients treated with azilsartan medoxomil in controlled trials are listed below: Gastrointestinal Disorders: diarrhea, nausea General Disorders and Administration Site Conditions: asthenia, fatigue Musculoskeletal and Connective Tissue Disorders: muscle spasm Nervous System Disorders: dizziness, dizziness postural Respiratory, Thoracic and Mediastinal Disorders: cough Chlorthalidone The following adverse reactions have been observed in clinical trials of chlorthalidone: rash, headache, dizziness, GI upset, and elevations of uric acid and cholesterol. Clinical Laboratory Findings with Edarbyclor In the factorial design trial, clinically relevant changes in standard laboratory parameters were uncommon with administration of the recommended doses of Edarbyclor.
Renal parameters: The incidence of consecutive increases of creatinine ≥50% from baseline and >ULN was 2.0% in patients treated with the recommended doses of Edarbyclor compared with 0.4% and 0.3% with azilsartan medoxomil and chlorthalidone, respectively. Mean increases in blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were observed with Edarbyclor (5.3 mg/dL) compared with azilsartan medoxomil (1.5 mg/dL) and with chlorthalidone (2.5 mg/dL).
Postmarketing Experience
The following adverse reactions have been identified during the postmarketing use of EDARBYCLOR. 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. Loss of consciousness Pruritus Angioedema
Warnings & Cautions for Edarbyclor
Fetal Toxicity Azilsartan medoxomil Edarbyclor can cause fetal harm when administered to
a pregnant woman. Use of drugs that act on the renin-angiotensin system during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy reduces fetal renal function and increases fetal and neonatal morbidity and death. Resulting oligohydramnios can be associated with fetal lung hypoplasia and skeletal deformations.
Potential neonatal adverse effects include skull hypoplasia, anuria, hypotension, renal failure, and death. When pregnancy is detected, discontinue Edarbyclor as soon as possible. Chlorthalidone Thiazides cross the placental barrier and appear in cord blood.
Adverse reactions include fetal or neonatal jaundice and thrombocytopenia.
Hypotension in Volume- or Salt-Depleted Patients
In patients with an activated renin-angiotensin system, such as volume- or salt-depleted patients (e.g., those being treated with high doses of diuretics), symptomatic hypotension may occur after initiation of treatment with Edarbyclor. Such patients are probably not good candidates to start therapy with more than one drug; therefore, correct volume prior to administration of Edarbyclor. If hypotension does occur, the patient should be placed in the supine position and, if necessary, given an intravenous infusion of normal saline.
A transient hypotensive response is not a contraindication to further treatment, which usually can be continued without difficulty once the blood pressure has stabilized.
Impaired Renal Function Edarbyclor
Monitor for worsening renal function in patients with renal impairment. Consider withholding or discontinuing Edarbyclor if progressive renal impairment becomes evident. Azilsartan medoxomil As a consequence of inhibiting the renin-angiotensin system, changes in renal function may be anticipated in susceptible individuals treated with Edarbyclor.
In patients whose renal function may depend on the activity of the renin-angiotensin system (e.g., patients with severe congestive heart failure, renal artery stenosis, or volume depletion), treatment with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers has been associated with oliguria or progressive azotemia and rarely with acute renal failure and death. Similar results may be anticipated in patients treated with Edarbyclor. In studies of ACE inhibitors in patients with unilateral or bilateral renal artery stenosis, increases in serum creatinine or blood urea nitrogen have been reported.
There has been no long-term use of azilsartan medoxomil in patients with unilateral or bilateral renal artery stenosis, but similar results are expected. Chlorthalidone In patients with renal disease, chlorthalidone may precipitate azotemia. If progressive renal impairment becomes evident, as indicated by increased blood urea nitrogen, consider withholding or discontinuing diuretic therapy.
Serum Electrolyte Imbalances Thiazide diuretics can cause hyponatremia and hypokalemia. Drugs that
inhibit the renin angiotensin system can cause hyperkalemia. Hypokalemia is a dose-dependent adverse reaction that may develop with chlorthalidone. Co-administration of digitalis may exacerbate the adverse effects of hypokalemia.
Monitor serum electrolytes periodically. Edarbyclor attenuates chlorthalidone-associated hypokalemia. In patients with normal potassium levels at baseline, 1.7% of Edarbyclor-treated patients, 0.9% of azilsartan medoxomil-treated patients, and 13.4% of chlorthalidone-treated patients shifted to low potassium values (less than 3.4 mmol/L).
Hyperuricemia Chlorthalidone Hyperuricemia may occur or frank gout may be precipitated in
certain patients receiving chlorthalidone or other thiazide diuretics.
Drug Interactions with Edarbyclor
Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Agents including Selective Cyclooxygenase-2 Inhibitors (COX-2 Inhibitors)
In patients who are elderly, volume-depleted (including those on diuretic therapy), or who have compromised renal function, co-administration of NSAIDs, including selective COX-2 inhibitors, with angiotensin II receptor antagonists, including azilsartan, may result in deterioration of renal function, including possible acute renal failure. These effects are usually reversible. Monitor renal function periodically in patients receiving Edarbyclor and NSAID therapy.
The antihypertensive effect of Edarbyclor may be attenuated by NSAIDs, including selective COX-2 inhibitors.
Dual Blockade of the Renin-Angiotensin System (RAS) Dual blockade of the
RAS with angiotensin receptor blockers, ACE inhibitors, or aliskiren is associated with increased risks of hypotension, hyperkalemia, and changes in renal function (including acute renal failure) compared to monotherapy. Most patients receiving the combination of two RAS inhibitors do not obtain any additional benefit compared to monotherapy. In general, avoid combined use of RAS inhibitors.
Closely monitor blood pressure, renal function and electrolytes in patients on Edarbyclor and other agents that affect the RAS. Do not coadminister aliskiren with Edarbyclor in patients with diabetes. Avoid use of aliskiren with Edarbyclor in patients with renal impairment (GFR <60 mL/min).
Lithium Increases in serum lithium concentrations and lithium toxicity have been reported
during concomitant administration of lithium with angiotensin II receptor agonists. Lithium renal clearance is reduced by diuretics, such as chlorthalidone. Monitor serum lithium levels during concomitant use.
Pregnancy Safety for Edarbyclor
Pregnancy Risk Summary Edarbyclor can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Use of drugs that act on the renin-angiotensin system during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy reduces fetal renal function and increases fetal and neonatal morbidity and death ( see Clinical Considerations ). Most epidemiologic studies examining fetal abnormalities after exposure to antihypertensive use in the first trimester have not distinguished drugs affecting the renin-angiotensin system from other antihypertensive agents. When pregnancy is detected, discontinue Edarbyclor as soon as possible.
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.
Clinical Considerations Disease-associated maternal and/or embryo/fetal risk Hypertension in pregnancy increases the maternal risk for pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, premature delivery, and delivery complications (e.g., need for cesarean section, and post-partum hemorrhage). Hypertension increases the fetal risk for intrauterine growth restriction and intrauterine death. Pregnant women with hypertension should be carefully monitored and managed accordingly. Fetal/Neonatal adverse reactions Oligohydramnios in pregnant women who use drugs affecting the renin-angiotensin system in the second and third trimesters can result in the following: reduced fetal renal function leading to anuria and renal failure, fetal lung hypoplasia, skeletal deformations, including skull hypoplasia, hypotension and death.
Perform serial ultrasound examinations to assess the intra-amniotic environment. Fetal testing may be appropriate, based on the week of pregnancy. Patients and physicians should be aware, however, that oligohydramnios may not appear until after the fetus has sustained irreversible injury.
Closely observe infants with histories of in utero exposure to Edarbyclor for hypotension, oliguria, and hyperkalemia. In neonates with a history of in utero exposure to Edarbyclor, if oliguria or hypotension occurs, support blood pressure and renal perfusion. Exchange transfusions or dialysis may be required as a means of reversing hypotension and/or substituting for disordered renal function.
Chlorthalidone Thiazides cross the placenta, and use of thiazides during pregnancy is associated with a risk of fetal or neonatal jaundice, thrombocytopenia, and possible other adverse reactions that have occurred in adults. Data Animal Data Edarbyclor The safety profiles of azilsartan medoxomil and chlorthalidone monotherapy have been individually established. To characterize the toxicological profile for Edarbyclor, a 13-week repeat-dose toxicity study was conducted in rats.
The results of this study indicated that the combined administration of azilsartan medoxomil, M-II, and chlorthalidone resulted in increased exposures to chlorthalidone. Pharmacologically-mediated toxicity, including suppression of body weight gain and decreased food consumption in male rats, and increases in blood urea nitrogen in both sexes, was enhanced by coadministration of azilsartan medoxomil, M-II, and chlorthalidone. With the exception of these findings, there were no toxicologically synergistic effects in this study.
In an embryo-fetal developmental study in rats, there was no teratogenicity or increase in fetal mortality in the litters of dams receiving azilsartan medoxomil, M-II and chlorthalidone concomitantly at maternally toxic doses. Azilsartan medoxomil Reproductive Toxicology: In peri- and postnatal rat development studies, adverse effects on pup viability, delayed incisor eruption and dilatation of the renal pelvis along with hydronephrosis were seen when azilsartan medoxomil was administered to pregnant and nursing rats at 1.2 times the MRHD on a mg/m 2 basis. Reproductive toxicity studies indicated that azilsartan medoxomil was not teratogenic when administered at oral doses up to 1000 mg azilsartan medoxomil/kg/day to pregnant rats (122 times the MRHD on a mg/m 2 basis) or up to 50 mg azilsartan medoxomil/kg/day to pregnant rabbits (12 times the MRHD on a mg/m 2 basis). M-II also was not teratogenic in rats or rabbits at doses up to 3000 mg M-II/kg/day.
Azilsartan crossed the placenta and was found in the fetuses of pregnant rats and was excreted into the milk of lactating rats. Chlorthalidone Reproductive toxicology: Reproduction studies have been performed in the rat and the rabbit at doses up to 420 times the human dose and have revealed no evidence of harm to the fetus. Thiazides cross the placental barrier and appear in cord blood.
Pediatric Use of Edarbyclor
Pediatric Use Safety and effectiveness of Edarbyclor in pediatric patients under 18 years of age have not been established.
Contraindications for Edarbyclor
Edarbyclor is contraindicated in patients with anuria. Do not coadminister aliskiren-containing products with Edarbyclor in patients with diabetes . Anuria Do not coadminister aliskiren-containing products with Edarbyclor in patients with diabetes
Overdosage Information for Edarbyclor
Limited data are available related to overdosage in humans. Azilsartan medoxomil Limited data are available related to overdosage in humans. During controlled clinical trials in healthy subjects, once daily doses up to 320 mg of azilsartan medoxomil were administered for 7 days and were well tolerated.
In the event of an overdose, supportive therapy should be instituted as dictated by the patient's clinical status. Azilsartan is not dialyzable. Chlorthalidone Symptoms of acute overdosage include nausea, weakness, dizziness, and disturbances of electrolyte balance.
The oral LD50 of the drug in the mouse and the rat is more than 25,000 mg/kg body weight. The minimum lethal dose (MLD) in humans has not been established. There is no specific antidote, but gastric lavage is recommended, followed by supportive treatment.
Where necessary, this may include intravenous dextrose-saline with potassium, administered with caution.
Clinical Studies of Edarbyclor
The antihypertensive effects of Edarbyclor have been demonstrated in a total of 5 randomized controlled studies, which included 4 double-blind, active-controlled studies and 1 open-label, long-term active-controlled study. The studies ranged from 8 weeks to 12 months in duration, at doses ranging from 20/12.5 mg to 80/25 mg once daily. A total of 5310 patients (3082 given Edarbyclor and 2228 given active comparator) with moderate or severe hypertension were studied.
Overall, randomized patients had a mean age of 57 years, and included 52% males, 72% whites, 21% blacks, 15% with diabetes, 70% with mild or moderate renal impairment, and a mean BMI of 31.6 kg/m 2. An 8-week, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, active-controlled, parallel group factorial trial in patients with moderate to severe hypertension compared the effect on blood pressure of Edarbyclor with the respective monotherapies. The trial randomized 1714 patients with baseline systolic blood pressure between 160 and 190 mm Hg (mean 165 mm Hg) and a baseline diastolic blood pressure <119 mm Hg (mean 95 mm Hg) to one of the 11 active treatment arms. The 6 treatment combinations of azilsartan medoxomil 20, 40, or 80 mg and chlorthalidone 12.5 or 25 mg resulted in statistically significant reduction in systolic and diastolic blood pressure as determined by ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) (Table 2) and clinic measurement (Table 3) at trough compared with the respective individual monotherapies.
The clinic blood pressure reductions appear larger than those observed with ABPM, because the former include a placebo effect, which was not directly measured. Most of the antihypertensive effect of Edarbyclor occurs within 1-2 weeks of dosing. The blood pressure lowering effect was maintained throughout the 24-hour period (Figure 3). Table 2. Mean Change from Baseline in Systolic/Diastolic Blood Pressure (mm Hg) as Measured by ABPM at Trough (22-24 Hours Post-Dose) at Week 8: Combination Therapy vs Monotherapy Chlorthalidone, mg Azilsartan Medoxomil, mg 0 20 40 80 0 N/A -12 / -8 -13 / -7 -15 / -9 12.5 -13 / -7 -23 / -13 -24 / -14 -26 / -17 25 -16 / -8 -26 / -15 -30 / -17 -28 / -16 Table 3. Mean Change from Baseline in Clinic Systolic/Diastolic Blood Pressure (mm Hg) at Week 8: Combination Therapy vs Monotherapy Chlorthalidone, mg Azilsartan Medoxomil, mg 0 20 40 80 0 N/A -20 / -7 -23 / -9 -24 / -10 12.5 -21 / -7 -34 / -14 -37 / -16 -37 / -17 25 -27 / -9 -37 / - 16 -40 / -17 -40 / -19 Figure 3. Mean Change from Baseline at Week 8 in Ambulatory Systolic Blood Pressure (mm Hg) by Treatment and Hour Edarbyclor was effective in reducing blood pressure regardless of age, gender, or race.
Edarbyclor was effective in treating black patients (usually a low-renin population). In a 12-week, double-blind forced-titration trial, Edarbyclor 40/25 mg was statistically superior (P<0.001) to olmesartan medoxomil – hydrochlorothiazide (OLM/HCTZ) 40/25 mg in reducing systolic blood pressure in patients with moderate to severe hypertension (Table 4). Similar results were observed in all subgroups, including age, gender, or race of patients. Table 4. Mean Change in Systolic/Diastolic Blood Pressure (mm Hg) at Week 12 Edarbyclor 40/25 mg N=355 OLM/HCTZ 40/25 mg N=364 Clinic (Mean Baseline 165/96 mm Hg) -43 / -19 -37 / -16 Trough by ABPM (22-24 hours) (Mean Baseline 153/92 mm Hg) -33 / -20 -26 / -16 Edarbyclor lowered blood pressure more effectively than OLM/HCTZ at each hour of the 24-hour interdosing period as measured by ABPM. Figure 3 Cardiovascular Outcomes There are no trials of Edarbyclor demonstrating reductions in cardiovascular risk in patients with hypertension; however, trials with chlorthalidone and at least one drug pharmacologically similar to azilsartan medoxomil have demonstrated such benefits.
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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