Riociguat: uses, dosing, side effects & brands

The following serious adverse reactions are discussed elsewhere in the labeling: • Embryo-Fetal Toxicity [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] • Hypotension [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )] • Bleeding [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 )] Adverse reactions occurring more frequently (≥3%) on Adempas compared to placebo are headache, dyspepsia/gastritis, dizziness, nausea, diarrhea, hypotension, vomiting, anemia, gastroesophageal reflux, and constipation. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc. at 1-888-842-2937 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. The safety data described below reflect exposure to Adempas in two, randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled trials in patients with inoperable or recurrent/persistent CTEPH (CHEST-1) and treatment naive or pre-treated PAH patients (PATENT-1). The population (Adempas: n = 490; Placebo: n = 214) was between the age of 18 and 80 years [see Clinical Studies ( 14.1 , 14.2 )]. The safety profile of Adempas in patients with inoperable or recurrent/persistent CTEPH (CHEST-1)…

Pregnancy ( 4.1 ) • Use with nitrates or nitric oxide donors in any form ( 4.2 , 7.1 ) • Use with PDE inhibitors ( 2.6 , 4.3 , 7.1 ) • Patients with concomitant use of other soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) stimulators. ( 4.4 , 7.1 ) • • Pulmonary hypertension associated with idiopathic interstitial pneumonias (PH-IIP) ( 4.4 ) 4.1 Pregnancy Based on data from animal reproduction studies, Adempas may cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman and is contraindicated in females who are pregnant. Adempas was consistently shown to have teratogenic effects when administered to animals. If this drug is used during pregnancy, or if the patient becomes pregnant while taking this drug, the patient should be apprised of the potential hazard to the fetus [see Use in Specific Populations ( 8.1 )] . 4.2 Nitrates and Nitric Oxide Donors Co-administration of Adempas with nitrates or nitric oxide donors (such as amyl nitrite) in any form is contraindicated [see Drug Interactions (7.1) and Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.2 )] . 4.3 Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors Concomitant administration of Adempas with specific PDE-5 inhibitors (such as sildenafil, tadalafil, or vardenafil) or nonspecific PDE 5 inhibitors (such as dipyridamole or theophylline) is contraindicated [see Dosage and Administration (2.6), Drug Interactions ( 7.1 ) and Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.2 )]. Do not administer within 24 hours of sildenafil. Do not administer 24 hours before or within 48 hours after tadalafil. 4.4 Soluble Guanylate Stimulators Adempas is contraindicated in patients with concomitant use of other soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) stimulators [see Drug Interactions ( 7.1 )]. 4.5 Pulmonary Hypertension Associated with Idiopathic Interstitial Pneumonias (PH-IIP) Adempas is contraindicated in patients with pulmonary hypertension associated with idiopathic interstitial pneumonias (PH-IIP).

Strong CYP and P-gp/BCRP inhibitors: For patients receiving strong CYP and P-gp/BCRP inhibitors, consider a starting dose of 0.5 mg three times a day. Monitor for hypotension. (7.2 ) • Antacids: Separate administration by at least 1 hour. ( 7.2 ) 7.1 Pharmacodynamic Interactions with Adempas Other Soluble Guanylate Cyclase Stimulators: Co-administration of Adempas is contraindicated in patients with use of other soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) stimulators [see Contraindications ( 4.4 )]. Nitrates: Co-administration of Adempas with nitrates or nitric oxide donors (such as amyl nitrite) in any form is contraindicated because of hypotension [see Contraindications ( 4.2 ) and Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.2 )] . PDE Inhibitors: Co-administration of Adempas with specific PDE-5 inhibitors (such as sildenafil, tadalafil, or vardenafil) and nonspecific PDE inhibitors (such as dipyridamole or theophylline), is contraindicated because of hypotension. Do not administer within 24 hours of sildenafil. Do not administer 24 hours before or within 48 hours after tadalafil [see Dosage and Administration (2.6)]. Clinical experience with co-administration of Adempas and other phosphodiesterase inhibitors (for example, milrinone, cilostazole, roflumilast) is limited. 7.2 Pharmacokinetic Interactions with Adempas Smoking: Plasma concentrations in smokers are reduced by 50% to 60% compared to nonsmokers. Based on pharmacokinetic modeling, for patients who are smokers, doses higher than 2.5 mg three times a day may be considered in order to match exposure seen in nonsmoking patients. Safety and effectiveness of Adempas doses higher than 2.5 mg three times a day have not been established. A dose reduction should be considered in patients who stop smoking [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.4 ) and Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )]. Strong CYP and P-gp/BCRP inhibitors: Concomitant use of riociguat with strong cytochrome CYP inhibitors and P-gp/BCRP inhibitors such as azole antimycotics (for example, ketoconazole, itraconazole) or HIV protease inhibitors (such as ritonavir) increase riociguat exposure and may result in hypotension. Consider a starting dose of 0.5 mg 3 times a day when initiating Adempas in patients receiving strong CYP and P-gp/BCRP inhibitors. Monitor for signs and symptoms of hypotension on initiation and on treatment with strong CYP and P-gp/BCRP inhibitors. A dose reduction should be considered in patients who may not tolerate the hypotensive effect of riociguat [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.5 ), Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 ) and Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] . Strong CYP3A inducers: Strong inducers of CYP3A (for example, rifampin, phenytoin, carbamazepine, phenobarbital or St. John’s Wort) may significantly reduce riociguat exposure. Data are not available to guide dosing of riociguat when strong CYP3A inducers are co-administered. [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )]. Antacids: Antacids such as aluminum hydroxide/magnesium hydroxide decrease riociguat absorption and should not be taken within 1 hour of taking Adempas [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )].