Pirfenidone: Package Insert and Label Information

PIRFENIDONE- pirfenidone tablet, coated
PIRFENIDONE — pirfenidone tablet, coated
Cipla USA Inc.

1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Pirfenidone is indicated for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).

2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION

2.1 Testing Prior to Pirfenidone Tablets Administration

Conduct liver function tests prior to initiating treatment with pirfenidone [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)].

2.2 Recommended Dosage

The recommended daily maintenance dosage of pirfenidone is 801 mg three times daily for a total of 2403 mg/day. Doses should be taken with food at the same time each day.

Upon initiation of treatment, titrate to the full dosage of 2403 mg/day over a 14-day period as follows:

Table 1. Dosage Titration for pirfenidone in Patients with IPF

Treatment days	Dosage
Days 1 through 7	267 mg three times daily (801 mg/day)
Days 8 through 14	534 mg three times daily (1602 mg/day)
Days 15 onward	801 mg three times daily (2403 mg/day)

Dosages above 2403 mg/day are not recommended for any patient. Patients should not take 2 doses at the same time to make up for a missed dose. Patients should not take more than 3 doses per day.

2.3 Dosage Modifications due to Adverse Reactions

Patients who miss 14 or more days of pirfenidone should re-initiate treatment by undergoing the initial 2-week titration regimen up to the full maintenance dosage [see Dosage and Administration (2.2)]. For treatment interruption of less than 14 days, the dosage prior to the interruption can be resumed.

If patients experience significant adverse reactions (i.e., gastrointestinal, photosensitivity reaction or rash), consider temporary dosage reductions or interruptions of pirfenidone to allow for resolution of symptoms [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1, 5.2, 5.3)].

Dosage Modification due to Elevated Liver Enzymes

Dosage modifications or interruptions may also be necessary when liver enzyme and bilirubin elevations are exhibited. For liver enzyme elevations, modify the dosage as follows:

If a patient exhibits >3 but ≤5 × the upper limit of normal (ULN) ALT and/or AST without symptoms or hyperbilirubinemia after starting pirfenidone therapy:

• Discontinue confounding medications, exclude other causes, and monitor the patient closely.
• Repeat liver chemistry tests as clinically indicated.
• The full daily dosage may be maintained, if clinically appropriate, or reduced or interrupted (e.g., until liver chemistry tests are within normal limits) with subsequent retitration to the full dosage as tolerated.

If a patient exhibits >3 but ≤5 × ULN ALT and/or AST accompanied by symptoms or hyperbilirubinemia:

• Permanently discontinue pirfenidone.
• Do not rechallenge patient with pirfenidone.

If a patient exhibits >5 × ULN ALT and/or AST:

• Permanently discontinue pirfenidone.
• Do not rechallenge patient with pirfenidone.

2.4 Dosage Modification due to Drug Interactions

Strong CYP1A2 Inhibitors (e.g., fluvoxamine, enoxacin)

Reduce pirfenidone to 267 mg three times a day (801 mg/day).

Moderate CYP1A2 Inhibitors (e.g., ciprofloxacin)

With use of ciprofloxacin at a dosage of 750 mg twice daily, reduce pirfenidone to 534 mg three times a day (1602 mg/day).

3 DOSAGE FORMS AND STRENGTHS

The 267 mg tablets are yellow, oval shape, film coated tablets debossed with “442″ on one side and plain on other side.

The 801 mg tablets are brown, oval shape film coated tablets debossed with “443” on one side and plain on other side.

4 CONTRAINDICATIONS

None.

5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

5.1 Elevated Liver Enzymes and Drug-Induced Liver Injury

Cases of drug-induced liver injury (DILI) have been observed with pirfenidone. In the postmarketing period, non-serious and serious cases of DILI, including severe liver injury with fatal outcome, have been reported. Patients treated with pirfenidone 2403 mg/day in three Phase 3 trials had a higher incidence of elevations in ALT or AST ≥3 × ULN than placebo patients (3.7% vs. 0.8%, respectively). Elevations ≥10 × ULN in ALT or AST occurred in 0.3% of patients in the pirfenidone 2403 mg/day group and in 0.2% of patients in the placebo group. Increases in ALT and AST ≥3 × ULN were reversible with dose modification or treatment discontinuation.

Conduct liver function tests (ALT, AST, and bilirubin) prior to the initiation of therapy with pirfenidone, monthly for the first 6 months, every 3 months thereafter, and as clinically indicated. Measure liver function tests promptly in patients who report symptoms that may indicate liver injury, including fatigue, anorexia, right upper abdominal discomfort, dark urine, or jaundice. Dosage modification or interruption may be necessary for liver enzyme elevations [see Dosage and Administration (2.1, 2.3)].

5.2 Photosensitivity Reaction or Rash

Patients treated with pirfenidone 2403 mg/day in the three Phase 3 studies had a higher incidence of photosensitivity reactions (9%) compared with patients treated with placebo (1%). The majority of the photosensitivity reactions occurred during the initial 6 months. Instruct patients to avoid or minimize exposure to sunlight (including sunlamps), to use a sunblock (SPF 50 or higher), and to wear clothing that protects against sun exposure. Additionally, instruct patients to avoid concomitant medications known to cause photosensitivity. Dosage reduction or discontinuation may be necessary in some cases of photosensitivity reaction or rash [see Dosage and Administration (2.3)].

5.3 Gastrointestinal Disorders

In the clinical studies, gastrointestinal events of nausea, diarrhea, dyspepsia, vomiting, gastro-esophageal reflux disease, and abdominal pain were more frequently reported by patients in the pirfenidone treatment groups than in those taking placebo. Dosage reduction or interruption for gastrointestinal events was required in 18.5% of patients in the 2403 mg/day group, as compared to 5.8% of patients in the placebo group; 2.2% of patients in the pirfenidone 2403 mg/day group discontinued treatment due to a gastrointestinal event, as compared to 1.0% in the placebo group. The most common (>2%) gastrointestinal events that led to dosage reduction or interruption were nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and dyspepsia. The incidence of gastrointestinal events was highest early in the course of treatment (with highest incidence occurring during the initial 3 months) and decreased over time. Dosage modifications may be necessary in some cases of gastrointestinal adverse reactions [see Dosage and Administration (2.3)].

6 ADVERSE REACTIONS

The following adverse reactions are discussed in greater detail in other sections of the labeling:

• Liver Enzyme Elevations and Drug-Induced Liver Injury [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)]
• Photosensitivity Reaction or Rash [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)]
• Gastrointestinal Disorders [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3)]

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 of pirfenidone has been evaluated in more than 1400 subjects with over 170 subjects exposed to pirfenidone for more than 5 years in clinical trials.

Pirfenidone was studied in 3 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials (Studies 1, 2, and 3) in which a total of 623 patients received 2403 mg/day of pirfenidone and 624 patients received placebo. Subjects ages ranged from 40 to 80 years (mean age of 67 years). Most patients were male (74%) and Caucasian (95%). The mean duration of exposure to pirfenidone was 62 weeks (range: 2 to 118 weeks) in these 3 trials.

At the recommended dosage of 2403 mg/day, 14.6% of patients on pirfenidone compared to 9.6% on placebo permanently discontinued treatment because of an adverse event. The most common (>1%) adverse reactions leading to discontinuation were rash and nausea. The most common (>3%) adverse reactions leading to dosage reduction or interruption were rash, nausea, diarrhea, and photosensitivity reaction.

The most common adverse reactions with an incidence of ≥10% and more frequent in the pirfenidone than placebo treatment group are listed in Table 2.

Table 2. Adverse Reactions Occurring in ≥10% of Pirfenidone -Treated Patients and More Commonly Than Placebo in Studies 1, 2, and 3

Adverse Reaction	% of Patients (0 to 118 Weeks)
	Pirfenidone 2403 mg/day (N = 623)	Placebo (N = 624)
* Includes abdominal pain, upper abdominal pain, abdominal distension, and stomach discomfort.
Nausea	36%	16%
Rash	30%	10%
Abdominal Pain *	24%	15%
Upper Respiratory Tract Infection	27%	25%
Diarrhea	26%	20%
Fatigue	26%	19%
Headache	22%	19%
Decreased Appetite	21%	8%
Dyspepsia	19%	7%
Dizziness	18%	11%
Vomiting	13%	6%
Gastro-esophageal Reflux Disease	11%	7%
Sinusitis	11%	10%
Insomnia	10%	7%
Weight Decreased	10%	5%
Arthralgia	10%	7%

Adverse reactions occurring in ≥5 to <10% of pirfenidone-treated patients and more commonly than placebo are photosensitivity reaction (9% vs. 1%), pruritus (8% vs. 5%), asthenia (6% vs. 4%), dysgeusia (6% vs. 2%), and non-cardiac chest pain (5% vs. 4%).

6.2 Postmarketing Experience

In addition to adverse reactions identified from clinical trials the following adverse reactions have been identified during post-approval use of pirfenidone. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency.

Blood and Lymphatic System Disorders
Agranulocytosis

Immune System Disorders
Angioedema

Hepatobiliary Disorders
Drug-induced liver injury [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)]

7 DRUG INTERACTIONS

7.1 CYP1A2 Inhibitors

Pirfenidone is metabolized primarily (70 to 80%) via CYP1A2 with minor contributions from other CYP isoenzymes including CYP2C9, 2C19, 2D6 and 2E1.

Strong CYP1A2 Inhibitors

The concomitant administration of pirfenidone and fluvoxamine or other strong CYP1A2 inhibitors (e.g., enoxacin) is not recommended because it significantly increases exposure to pirfenidone [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)]. Use of fluvoxamine or other strong CYP1A2 inhibitors should be discontinued prior to administration of pirfenidone and avoided during pirfenidone treatment. In the event that fluvoxamine or other strong CYP1A2 inhibitors are the only drug of choice, dosage reductions are recommended. Monitor for adverse reactions and consider discontinuation of pirfenidone as needed [ see Dosage and Administration (2.4)].

Moderate CYP1A2 Inhibitors

Concomitant administration of pirfenidone and ciprofloxacin (a moderate inhibitor of CYP1A2) moderately increases exposure to pirfenidone [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)]. If ciprofloxacin at the dosage of 750 mg twice daily cannot be avoided, dosage reductions are recommended [see Dosage and Administration (2.4)]. Monitor patients closely when ciprofloxacin is used at a dosage of 250 mg or 500 mg once daily.

Concomitant CYP1A2 and other CYP Inhibitors

Agents or combinations of agents that are moderate or strong inhibitors of both CYP1A2 and one or more other CYP isoenzymes involved in the metabolism of pirfenidone (i.e., CYP2C9, 2C19, 2D6, and 2E1) should be discontinued prior to and avoided during pirfenidone treatment.

7.2 CYP1A2 Inducers

The concomitant use of pirfenidone and a CYP1A2 inducer may decrease the exposure of pirfenidone and this may lead to loss of efficacy. Therefore, discontinue use of strong CYP1A2 inducers prior to pirfenidone treatment and avoid the concomitant use of pirfenidone and a strong CYP1A2 inducer [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].

8 USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS

8.1 Pregnancy

Risk Summary

The data with pirfenidone use in pregnant women are insufficient to inform on drug associated risks for major birth defects and miscarriage. In animal reproduction studies, pirfenidone was not teratogenic in rats and rabbits at oral doses up to 3 and 2 times, respectively, the maximum recommended daily dose (MRDD) in adults [see Data].

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.

Data

Animal Data

Animal reproductive studies were conducted in rats and rabbits. In a combined fertility and embryofetal development study, female rats received pirfenidone at oral doses of 0, 50, 150, 450, and 1000 mg/kg/day from 2 weeks prior to mating, during the mating phase, and throughout the periods of early embryonic development from gestation days (GD) 0 to 5 and organogenesis from GD 6 to 17. In an embryofetal development study, pregnant rabbits received pirfenidone at oral doses of 0, 30, 100, and 300 mg/kg/day throughout the period of organogenesis from GD 6 to 18. In these studies, pirfenidone at doses up to 3 and 2 times, respectively, the maximum recommended daily dose (MRDD) in adults (on mg/m² basis at maternal oral doses up to 1000 mg/kg/day in rats and 300 mg/kg/day in rabbits, respectively) revealed no evidence of impaired fertility or harm to the fetus due to pirfenidone. In the presence of maternal toxicity, acyclic/irregular cycles (e.g., prolonged estrous cycle) were seen in rats at doses approximately equal to and higher than the MRDD in adults (on a mg/m² basis at maternal doses of 450 mg/kg/day and higher). In a pre- and post-natal development study, female rats received pirfenidone at oral doses of 0, 100, 300, and 1000 mg/kg/day from GD 7 to lactation day 20. Prolongation of the gestation period, decreased numbers of live newborn, and reduced pup viability and body weights were seen in rats at an oral dosage approximately 3 times the MRDD in adults (on a mg/m² basis at a maternal oral dose of 1000 mg/kg/day).