US Pharm.
2007;32(10):26-38.
New molecular entities (NMEs), as defined by
the FDA, are new drug products that have as their active ingredient a chemical
substance marketed for the first time in the United States. The following
descriptions of the NMEs approved during the first half of 2007 detail the
pharmacotherapeutic design and mechanism of action of each new drug. Also
included is a summary of selected clinical data presented to the FDA in
support of the manufacturer's new drug application (NDA). The FDA classifies
NMEs on the basis of therapeutic potential (Table). NMEs classified as
priority review (P) represent significant improvement in comparison to
marketed products in the treatment, diagnosis, or prevention of a disease.
NMEs receiving standard review (S) are those that appear to have therapeutic
qualities similar to those of one or more already marketed drugs.
This review is intended to be objective
rather than evaluative in content. The information for each reviewed NME was
obtained primarily from sources published prior to FDA approval. Experience
clearly demonstrates that many aspects of a new drug's therapeutic profile,
not detected in premarketing studies, surface after the drug is used in large
numbers of patients. Studies have indicated the appearance of "new" adverse
reactions for many NMEs within two to three years of the drug becoming
available. Many of these drugs may eventually acquire at least one black box
warning for serious adverse drug reactions or are withdrawn from the market
for safety reasons that were not recognized at the time of approval. Hence,
while this review offers a starting point for learning about new drugs, it is
essential that practitioners be vigilant of changes in a drug's therapeutic
profile as reported by their own patients and in the pharmaceutical literature.
Aliskiren (Tekturna, Novartis)
Indication and Clinical
Profile:1,2 Hypertension is defined as a systolic blood
pressure (BP) ?140 mmHg or diastolic BP ?90 mmHg. Untreated
hypertension is a risk factor for heart attack, heart failure, stroke,
aneurysm, and chronic renal failure. An estimated 72 million Americans have
hypertension; the direct and indirect cost predicted for this disease in 2007
is $66.4 billion. Many patients, especially those with comorbid conditions,
will require two or more antihypertensive agents to achieve the goal BP of
<140/90 mmHg.
Aliskiren (Tekturna) was
approved in March 2007 as the first direct renin inhibitor for the treatment
of hypertension. It may be used as monotherapy or adjunctive therapy with
other antihypertensives. Six clinical trials involving about 2,730
hypertensive patients demonstrated that aliskiren monotherapy significantly
reduced BP in comparison to placebo. Clinical trials involving combination
therapy with aliskiren and either hydrochlorothiazide, valsartan, or
amlodipine demonstrated significantly greater BP reductions than with
aliskiren monotherapy.
Pharmacology and
Pharmacokinetics:2,3 The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system
(RAAS), a hormone system found in the kidneys, is involved in the regulation
of BP and electrolyte homeostasis. The enzyme renin cleaves angiotensinogen to
angiotensin I (Ang I), which is converted to angiotensin II (Ang II) by
angiotensinogen-converting enzyme (ACE). Ang II is a potent hormone that
causes vasoconstrictor, sodium reabsorption, and the release of aldosterone
and vasopressin, leading to increased BP. RAAS is regulated by negative
feedback in which the production of Ang II inhibits renin release. Aliskiren
is an orally active, potent direct renin inhibitor. The agent decreases plasma
renin activity (PRA) and inhibits the conversion of angiotensinogen to Ang I.
During aliskiren treatment, the Ang I, Ang II, and PRA levels are reduced,
resulting in lowered BP.
Aliskiren has poor oral
bioavailability (approximately 2.5%), with a half-life of 24 hours. Peak
plasma concentrations (Cmax) are reached in one to three hours, and
steady-state blood levels are reached in seven to eight days. High-fat meals
decrease the AUC (area under the curve) and Cmax by 71% and 85%, respectively.
An estimated 25% of the absorbed drug is found in the urine as parent drug.
The major enzyme responsible for metabolism is cytochrome P-450 (CYP) 3A4. The
amount of absorbed drug that is metabolized is unknown.
Adverse Reactions:2,3
The most common adverse reaction in patients taking aliskiren during clinical
trials was dose-related diarrhea (2.3%). Other gastrointestinal symptoms
included abdominal pain, dyspepsia, and gastrointestinal reflux. A slight
increase in cough was seen in 1.1% of patients, and 1% of patients exhibited
increases in creatine kinase. Other adverse reactions occurring in ?1%
of patients included rash, elevated uric acid, gout, renal stones, and
hypotension. Increased serum potassium (>5.5 mEq/mL) was seen in 0.9% of
patients receiving aliskiren monotherapy. The frequency of hyperkalemia
increased by 5.5% when aliskiren was used concurrently with an ACE inhibitor
in diabetic patients. Angioedema occurred in two patients (0.06%), and single
episodes of tonic clonic seizures with loss of consciousness were reported in
two patients.
Drug Interactions:2,3
Aliskiren is metabolized by the CYP3A4 system. It is not an inducer of
CYP3A4, nor is it an inhibitor of isoenzymes 1A2, 2C8, 2C9, 2C19, 2D6, 2E1, or
3A. It is unlikely to have any significant drug interactions with agents
metabolized by the system. The coadministration of aliskiren with furosemide
reduced the furosemide AUC and Cmax by approximately 30% and 50%,
respectively. The concurrent multiple dosing of aliskiren with irbesartan
reduced the Cmax of aliskiren by 50%. The AUC and Cmax of aliskiren were
increased by about 50% with concurrent multiple dosing of aliskiren with
atorvastatin. Twice-daily dosing of ketoconazole 200 mg with aliskiren caused
an approximate 80% increase in aliskiren plasma levels. No study was conducted
with ketoconazole 400 mg, but further increases in aliskiren levels would be
expected.
Dosage and Administration:
2,3 Aliskiren is supplied as 150- and 300-mg tablets. The 150-mg
tablet is round, light pink, biconvex, and unscored. The 300-mg tablet is
light red, biconvex, and ovaloid. Aliskiren is available in bottles and
unit-dose blister packs and should be stored at room temperature. The
recommended initial dose of aliskiren is 150 mg once daily but may be
increased to 300 mg per day if BP is not adequately controlled. Aliskiren
should be taken regularly with regard to meals. The agent may be used as
monotherapy or in combination with other antihypertensive medications. Dosage
adjustment is not necessary in the elderly or in patients with renal or
hepatic impairment.
Precautions and Counseling
Points:2,3 Aliskiren is FDA pregnancy category C in the first
trimester and category D in the second and third trimesters. Treatment with
the agent should be discontinued as soon as possible in pregnant patients. It
is not known if aliskiren is excreted in human breast milk; therefore, nursing
is not advised during therapy. Patients taking aliskiren should be monitored
routinely for electrolytes and renal function. Caution should be exercised
when using the drug in patients with severe renal dysfunction due to potential
for increased serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen. Aliskiren may cause
angioedema and/or hypotension; patients should be counseled concerning signs
and symptoms.
Levocetirizine
Dihydrochloride (Xyzal, UCB, Inc.)
Indication and Clinical
Profile:4-6 As many as 50 million people in the U.S. suffer
from symptoms associated with common allergic conditions. In allergy disease
states, the immune system reacts to exposure to external substances in the
environment, leading to symptoms affecting the respiratory system, eyes,
and/or skin. Seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR), commonly referred to as hay
fever or outdoor allergies, is the most common form of allergic
rhinitis. SAR includes allergies to seasonal pollens like grass, trees, and
weeds, as well as mold. Perennial allergic rhinitis (PAR), referred to as
year-round allergy or indoor allergy, is characterized by allergic
symptoms lasting longer than four weeks. PAR is caused by house dust mites,
animal dander, and mold. Chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU), commonly known as
hives of unknown origin, is defined as the occurrence of daily (or almost
daily) wheals and itching for at least six weeks with no obvious cause.
Historically, these disease states have been treated by various antihistamines
(e.g., cetirizine, loratadine, desloratadine, and fexofenadine), mast cell
stabilizers, leukotriene antagonists, corticosteroids, and decongestants.
Levocetirizine dihydrochloride
(Xyzal) is a new once-daily prescription antihistamine that delivers a rapid
and long-lasting effect for the relief of symptoms associated with SAR, PAR,
and the uncomplicated skin manifestations of CIU in adults and children 6
years and older. Clinical trials in patients with allergic rhinitis
demonstrated that levocetirizine significantly reduced the symptoms of
sneezing, itchy nose, runny nose, and itchy eyes by 48%, improved quality of
life, reduced absenteeism from work by 60%, and lowered the overall costs
associated with SAR. Studies in CIU patients showed that levocetirizine
significantly reduced the severity of itching and the number and size of
wheals.
Pharmacology and
Pharmacokinetics:5,6 Levocetirizine, the active enantiomer of
cetirizine, is a histamine-1 receptor antagonist with an affinity for the
human histamine-1 receptor that is twofold higher than that of cetirizine (Ki
= 3 nmol/L vs. 6 nmol/L, respectively). Levocetirizine 5 mg inhibited the
wheal and flare caused by intradermal injection of histamine in 14 pediatric
subjects (ages 6-11 years), and the activity persisted for at least 24 hours.
Levocetirizine is rapidly and
extensively absorbed following oral administration, reaching Cmax within one
hour. Administration of this drug with a high-fat meal delays time to maximum
plasma concentration (Tmax) by about 1.25 hours and decreases Cmax by about
36%. However, food has no effect on the extent of exposure (AUC); therefore,
levocetirizine can be administered with or without food. The drug is widely
distributed in body water, and mean plasma protein binding is about 90%. The
extent of metabolism of levocetirizine in humans is less than 14% of the dose.
Therefore, differences resulting from genetic polymorphism or concomitant
intake of hepatic drug-metabolizing enzyme inhibitors are expected to be
negligible. Metabolic pathways include aromatic oxidation, N- and
O-dealkylation, and taurine conjugation. Dealkylation pathways are mediated
primarily by CYP3A4, while aromatic oxidation involves multiple and/or
unidentified CYP isoforms. The major route of excretion of levocetirizine and
its metabolites is via urine, accounting for about 85% of the dose.
Levocetirizine is excreted both by glomerular filtration and active tubular
secretion. Renal clearance of levocetirizine correlates with that of
creatinine clearance (CrCl). Thus, in patients with renal impairment, the
clearance of levocetirizine is reduced. Excretion via feces accounts for only
13% of the dose.
Adverse Reactions:5,6
In clinical trials, the most common adverse reactions in ?2% of adult
and adolescent patients (12 years and older) taking levocetirizine 5 mg were
mild to moderate in intensity and included somnolence (6% vs. 2% placebo),
nasopharyngitis (4% vs. 3% placebo), fatigue (4% vs. 2% placebo), and dry
mouth (2% vs. 1% placebo). The most common adverse reactions in ?2% of
pediatric patients (6-12 years old) taking levocetirizine 5 mg included
pyrexia (4% vs. 2% placebo), cough (3% vs. <1% placebo), somnolence (3% vs.
<1% placebo), and epistaxis (2% vs. <1% placebo).
Drug Interactions:5,6 In vitro data on metabolite interaction indicate that levocetirizine is unlikely to produce, or be subject to, metabolic interactions. Levocetirizine at concentrations well above the Cmax level achieved within the therapeutic dose range is not an inhibitor of CYP isoenzymes 1A2, 2C9, 2C19, 2A1, 2D6, 2E1, or 3A4, and levocetirizine is not an inducer of UGT1A or CYP isoenzymes 1A2, 2C9, or 3A4. While studies have been performed with the racemic cetirizine, no formal in vivo drug interaction studies have been performed with levocetirizine.
Dosage and Administration:5,6 Levocetirizine tablets are white, film-coated, oval-shaped, scored, and contain 5 mg of levocetirizine. The daily dosage in adults and adolescents 12 years and older should not exceed 5 mg once daily in the evening. In children 6 to 11 years old, the recommended dosage is 2.5 mg once daily in the evening. Patients should be advised to not ingest more than the recommended dose of levocetirizine because of the increased risk of somnolence at higher doses.
Precautions and Counseling Points:
5,6 The use of levocetirizine is contraindicated in patients with
end-stage renal disease (CrCl <10 mL/minute) and in patients undergoing
hemodialysis. Levocetirizine is also contraindicated in pediatric patients
ages 6 to 11 years with impaired renal function. Patients should be cautioned
against engaging in hazardous occupations that require complete mental
alertness and motor coordination, such as operating machinery or driving a
motor vehicle, after ingestion of levocetirizine. Concurrent use of
levocetirizine with alcohol or other central nervous system depressants should
be avoided because additional reductions in alertness and additional
impairment of central nervous system performance may occur. Since
levocetirizine is FDA pregnancy category B, use during nursing is not
recommended.
Lisdexamfetamine Dimesylate
(Vyvanse, Shire)
Indication and Clinical
Profile:7-9 The National Institute for Mental Health estimates
that between 3% and 5% of children have attention-deficit/hyperactivity
disorder (ADHD) in the U.S. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for
Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM–IV) recognizes three
different types of ADHD. These types are predominantly hyperactive-impulsive,
predominantly inattentive, and the combined type, which comprises both
inattentive and hyperactive symptoms. Patients who display
hyperactive-impulsive symptoms always seem to be "on the go," or they are
unable to curb their immediate reactions or think before they act.
Those that display the inattentive symptoms tend to have a hard time focusing
on one topic and get bored easily with tasks after a short period of time.
Diagnosis can be difficult due to the fact that children frequently
display symptoms consistent with either type of ADHD and could be improperly
diagnosed. In addition, symptoms can go unnoticed by parents and may be
brought to parents' attention by other caretakers. However, diagnosis should
ultimately be made by a qualified physician, such as a
developmental/behavioral pediatrician who has expertise in the differential
diagnosis of ADHD.
Lisdexamfetamine dimesylate
(Vyvanse) is a new once-daily treatment indicated for patients ages 6 to 12
years who are diagnosed with any type of ADHD. Two clinical trials were
conducted to support its FDA approval. In the first trial, 290 patients ages 6
to 12 years who met DSM-IV criteria for ADHD received 30-, 50-, or
70-mg doses of lisdexamfetamine versus placebo. Significant improvement was
achieved in the group receiving lisdexamfetamine as opposed to placebo. In the
second clinical trial, 52 patients were initially treated with
amphetamine-dextroamphetamine (Adderall XR) and then were randomly switched to
either lisdexamfetamine or placebo or continued treatment with
amphetamine-dextroamphetamine. Patients receiving lisdexamfetamine showed
significant improvement over placebo. A unique characteristic of
lisdexamfetamine is that it may have a reduced abuse potential. The
manufacturer (Shire) plans to continue to conduct studies that evaluate its
abuse potential.
Pharmacology and
Pharmacokinetics:7-9 Lisdexamfetamine is an amide prodrug of
dextroamphetamine. Lisdexamfetamine is rapidly absorbed from the
gastrointestinal tract and shortly after absorption is converted into the
active form of the drug (dextroamphetamine) and L-lysine by hydrolysis during
first-pass metabolism. Dextroamphetamine is thought to block the reuptake of
norepinephrine and dopamine, as well as to promote the release of these
monoamines from their presynaptic neurons, thereby increasing the
concentrations of monoamine in the extraneuronal space. Following oral
administration, the Tmax is approximately one hour for lisdexamfetamine and
3.5 hours for dextroamphetamine. The plasma half-life of lisdexamfetamine
itself is less than one hour. Food does not alter the Cmax or AUC; however, it
does postpone the Tmax by approximately one hour. Following oral
administration, 96% of the dose is recovered in the urine and 0.3% in the
feces over a 120-hour period. Only 2% of the recovered dose is intact
lisdexamfetamine. CYP isozymes are not thought to metabolize lisdexamfetamine
or its metabolites.
Adverse Reactions:7-9
Adverse reactions reported with the use of lisdexamfetamine were fairly
consistent with the use of any amphetamine or dextroamphetamine product. In
clinical trials (patient population, 218), the most commonly reported adverse
effects included a decrease in appetite (39% vs. 4% placebo) and insomnia (19%
vs. 3% placebo). Headache was also commonly reported (12%) but not as
statistically significant when compared to placebo (10%). Irritability was
reported at a rate of 10%, compared to no rate of irritability in the
population receiving placebo. Historically, amphetamines have been extensively
abused and associated with severe psychological dependence and disability. In
a human study, lisdexamfetamine was found less likely to produce
drug-liking effects than the corresponding dextroamphetamine.
Drug Interactions:7-9
In vitro lisdexamfetamine is not metabolized by any of the cytochrome
isozymes; therefore, little risk for interaction exists with other drugs
metabolized by these enzymes. However, certain medications can
interact pharmacokinetically with lisdexamfetamine. Patients already receiving
tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) should not be coadministered lisdexamfetamine
due to the possibility of enhancing the activity of both the TCA and
lisdexamfetamine. The use of monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) is
contraindicated during or within 14 days of lisdexamfetamine therapy because
MAOIs reduce the metabolism of amphetamines, thereby potentiating their
effects. In addition, adrenergic blockers can interact competitively since
lisdexamfetamine promotes extraneuronal catecholamines.
Dosage and Administration:7
Lisdexamfetamine is supplied as 30-, 50-, and 70-mg capsules designed for
once-daily oral administration. It may be taken with or without food with a
full glass of water. It is recommended that the initial dose (30 mg) be
initiated and then titrated to 20 mg/day in weekly intervals until the
patients' ADHD symptoms are controlled. The maximum daily dose, however,
should not exceed 70 mg/day.
Precautions and Counseling
Points:7-9 Lisdexamfetamine should not be administered to
patients concurrently with MAOIs due to the risk of detrimental cardiovascular
or psychological side effects. Patients who already have a diagnosis of
hypertension or any congenital heart defect should not receive
lisdexamfetamine. Some possible side effects that do not require the immediate
discontinuation of lisdexamfetamine are loss of appetite, irritability, and
insomnia. Other possible side effects that may require the immediate
discontinuation of lisdexamfetamine include a hypersensitivity reaction
directly due to lisdexamfetamine administration, heart palpitations, or a
severe increase in blood pressure. If patients taking lisdexamfetamine miss
their dose and it is already in the afternoon or late evening, they should be
counseled to skip that dose and take the next day's dose as they would
normally.
Rotigotine Transdermal
System (Neupro, Schwarz Pharma)
Indication and Clinical
Profile:10-13 The Parkinson's Disease Foundation
estimates that approximately 1 million Americans suffer from Parkinson's
disease, with the risk increasing with age. Primary symptoms of Parkinson's
disease include tremor of the extremities, jaw, and face, dystonia of the
extremities and trunk, and bradykinesia during movement--all of which lead to
postural instability and lack of balance and movement coordination. These
pathologies result when dopamine-producing cells in the substantia nigra
region of the brain no longer function and ultimately die. This brain region
is responsible for initiating and coordinating movement. Parkinson's disease
currently has no cure but is treated by medications that potentiate the
remaining dopamine of the substantia nigra. It is not uncommon for Parkinson's
patients to receive many medications with different mechanisms of action in
order to produce a synergistic effect.
Rotigotine transdermal system
(Neupro) is a new once-daily nonergolinic dopamine agonist indicated for the
treatment of the early signs and symptoms of idiopathic Parkinson's disease.
Compared to the other dopamine agonist available, rotigotine is supplied as a
continuous-release patch, whereas the oral dosage forms must be taken three
times daily.
Three clinical trials were
performed to support rotigotine's approval by the FDA. The evaluating criteria
used were symptomatic improvements based on the Unified Parkinson's Disease
Rating Scale (UPDRS). The first trial evaluated efficacy related to four
doses--a range of 2 to 8 mg/24 hours. From baseline, statistically significant
outcomes (-4.5, -6.3, and -6.3) were achieved at the three highest doses (4,
6, and 8 mg), compared to placebo (-1.4). In the North American Study,
patients who received 2, 4, or 6 mg/24 hours of rotigotine also showed
statistically significant improvement from baseline (-4.0), compared to
placebo (+1.39), according to the UPDRS scale. In a third multinational study,
similar dosage ranges were compared to placebo and an active oral comparator.
From baseline, there was a -6.83 change for rotigotine, compared to -2.33 for
placebo, based on the UPDRS scale.
Pharmacology and
Pharmacokinetics:10 Rotigotine is a non-ergolinic agonist at
dopamine receptor types 1, 2, and 3. Although rotigotine's utility in
parkinsonism is thought to be related to the D2 receptor stimulation located
within the substantia nigra of the brain, the exact mechanism is unknown.
After transdermal application, approximately 45% (0.2 mg/cm2) of
rotigotine is released from the patch within 24 hours. Bioavailability is
highly variable (1-64%) depending on the location of the patch. After
application, there is a lag time of about three hours before detectable plasma
levels are achieved; Tmax is typically achieved between 15 to 18 hours
postdose but can vary from four to 27 hours. Food does not affect the kinetic
profile of rotigotine due to its transdermal delivery. Rotigotine shows a
biphasic elimination profile, with an initial half-life of three hours and a
terminal half-life of five to seven hours. The majority of the absorbed dose
is renally eliminated (~71%) primarily as inactive conjugates and N-desalkyl
metabolites. Rotigotine undergoes extensive metabolism via
oxidative N-dealkylation and conjugative pathways to form rotigotine sulfate
(16-22%), rotigotine glucuronide (11-15%), N-despropyl-rotigotine sulfate
(14-20%), and N-desthienylethyl-rotigotine sulfate (10-21%), which are
excreted primarily in the urine. A smaller proportion of metabolites are
excreted into the feces (~11%). After repeated dosing, the apparent volume of
distribution (Vd/F) is approximately 84 L/kg, with 92% of rotigotine being
bound to plasma proteins in vitro.
Adverse Reactions:10,13
In the three placebo-controlled studies with durations of three to nine
months, the most common adverse reactions (incidence >5%) that occurred more
frequently than in the placebo-controlled group were nausea, application site
irritation, somnolence, excessive drowsiness, dizziness, headache, vomiting,
and insomnia. The frequency at which adverse events caused discontinuation of
rotigotine was approximately 13%, compared to 6% of the patients receiving
placebo. Reactions causing discontinuation were site irritation (5%
vs. 0% placebo), nausea (2% vs. 0% placebo), and vomiting (1% vs. 0% placebo).
Many of the adverse reactions were more common with the higher dosages
of rotigotine (8 mg/24 hours) and during the titration period.
Drug Interactions:10,13
Rotigotine undergoes cytochrome-mediated metabolism by many CYP isoforms.
Therefore, when coincubated with specific inhibitors of cytochrome isozymes,
no extensive inhibition of rotigotine occurred due to the ability of other
isozymes to catalyze metabolism. Additionally, due to rotigotine's ability to
be conjugated via numerous pathways, sulfotransferases and UDP
glucuronosyltransferases (UGT1A9 and UGT2B15), inhibition of a single
metabolic pathway is unlikely to alter rotigotine serum concentrations
significantly. When analyzing any of the metabolites of rotigotine
(e.g., 5-O-glucuronide, desalkyl and monohydroxy metabolites), it was
determined that there was no risk for inhibition of CYP1A2, CYP2C9, and CYP3A4.
When tested in vitro in human hepatocytes, there was no apparent risk
for enzyme induction of CYP1A2, CYP2B6, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, or 3A4.
Dosage and Administration:
10 Rotigotine is supplied as a transdermal delivery patch that is to
be replaced daily. These patches were designed to deliver three different
doses (2, 4, and 6 mg) in 24 hours. Patients should be titrated from a
starting dosage of 2 mg/day, then the dosage should increase by 2 mg per week.
The 4 mg/24 hours dosage was found to be the lowest effective dosage for
patients with Parkinson's disease, but dosages can be titrated to the highest
recommended dosage of 6 mg/24 hours by 2-mg increases weekly. If rotigotine is
to be discontinued, it is suggested to be done gradually in 2 mg/24 hour
increments, reducing the dosage every other day. Rotigotine can be
applied any time of the day, but once a regimen has been started, rotigotine
should be applied at the same time routinely. Rotation of sites is an
important issue with rotigotine patches. Similar regions should be used due to
bioavailability concerns; however, the same site should not be used again for
14 days.
Precautions and Patient
Counseling Points:10-13Rotigotine can cause excessive
drowsiness; thus, patients should be counseled to use caution while completing
daily activities, such as driving and using power equipment, until they know
how the drug is going to affect them. Patients should also be counseled on
avoiding the application of heat to the area where the patch is located, as
this may cause an amount of rotigotine higher than prescribed to reach
systemic circulation. In addition, if patients miss a dose, they should apply
the patch as soon as they remember but should never apply more than one patch
at a time to make up for missed doses.
Retapamulin Ointment
(Altabax, GlaxoSmithKline)
Indication and
Clinical Profile:14-16 Impetigo is a highly contagious
infection of the top layers of the skin that is caused most commonly by
Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus pyogenes. It is most
prevalent among infants and children ages 2 to 6 years, since their immune
systems are still developing, but the infection also occurs in adults.
Impetigo spreads easily in schools and child care settings, as well as in any
location where groups of people are in close contact. Retapamulin is indicated
specifically for use in adults and pediatric patients ages 9 months and older
for the topical treatment of impetigo due to Staphylococcus aureus
(methicillin-susceptible isolates only) or Streptococcus pyogenes.
Retapamulin represents the first new class of prescription topical
antibacterials to be approved by the FDA in nearly two decades. Retapamulin is
indicated for use twice daily for a five-day period, while other prescription
topical antibacterials are used as much as three times daily for up to 12 days.
FDA approval was based on
results obtained from a randomized, double-blind, multicenter,
placebo-controlled study that enrolled 210 adults and children with impetigo,
of which 139 received topical retapamulin. Culture-proven pathogens were seen
in 82% of these patients, and the most common bacteria causing these
infections were S aureus and S pyogenes. In this trial, the
rates of clinical success--defined as the response of impetigo at the end of
five days of therapy wherein no further antibacterial treatment was
needed--were greater in the retapamulin group (85.6%) than in the placebo group
(52.1%). Microbiological success rates were also greater in the retapamulin
group (91.2%) than in the placebo group (50.9%). Retapamulin was generally
well tolerated throughout the study.
Pharmacology and
Pharmacokinetics:14 Retapamulin is a bacterial protein
synthesis inhibitor belonging to a class of compounds called pleuromutilins
. These compounds act by inhibiting the initiation of protein synthesis at the
level of bacterial 50S ribosome. This binding site involves ribosomal protein
L3 and is in the region of the ribosomal P site and peptidyl transferase
center. By virtue of binding to this site, pleuromutilins inhibit peptidyl
transfer, block P-site interactions, and prevent the normal formation of
active 50S ribosomal subunits required for bacterial protein biosynthesis.
Adverse Reactions and Drug
Interactions:14-16 The most common drug-related adverse event
in adults and pediatric patients treated with retapamulin was application site
irritation (1.4%). Headache, nausea, diarrhea, and nasopharyngitis were also
reported infrequently (<2%). Due to low systemic exposure to retapamulin
following topical application in patients, dosage adjustments for retapamulin
are unnecessary when coadministered with CYP3A4 inhibitors, such as
ketoconazole, and drug interactions are unlikely to affect the metabolism of
other P450 substrates. The effect of concurrent application of retapamulin and
other topical products to the same area of skin has not been studied.
Dosage and Administration:
14 Retapamulin is supplied as a gel in 5-, 10-, and 15-g tubes for
topical administration. The recommended initial dose of the drug is a thin
layer over the infected area (up to 100 cm2 in total area in adults
or 2% total body surface area in pediatric patients ages 9 months or older)
twice daily for five days. The treated area may be covered with a sterile
bandage or gauze dressing if desired. This may also be helpful for infants and
young children who accidentally touch or lick the lesion site. A bandage will
also avoid accidental transfer of ointment to the eyes or other areas. Hands
should be washed after application (if the hands are not the area intended for
treatment).
Counseling Points and
Precautions:14-16 Retapamulin is for external use only and
should not be applied to the eyes, mouth, inside of the nose, or inside the
female genital area. The health care provider should be contacted if the area
of application worsens in irritation, redness, itching, burning, swelling,
blistering, or oozing. The medication should be used for the length of time
recommended, even if symptoms have improved. If symptoms do not improve within
three to four days after starting use, a health care practitioner should be
notified. Retapamulin is FDA pregnancy category B drug; thus, it should be
used in pregnancy only when the potential benefits outweigh the potential
risks. It is not known if this drug distributes to breast milk; thus, caution
should be exercised when it is administered while nursing.
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