Vol. 40 No. 9 • September 2015 • P&T® 567

Sacubitril/Valsartan (Entresto)Manufacturer: Novartis, East Hanover, New JerseyDate of Approval: July 7, 2015Indication: Sacubitril/valsartan is indicated to reduce the

risk of cardiovascular death and hospitalization for heart failure in patients with chronic heart failure (New York Heart Association Class II–IV) and reduced ejection fraction.

Drug Class: This combination product comprises sacubitril, a neprilysin inhibitor, and valsartan, an angiotensin II receptor blocker.

Uniqueness of Drug: Sacubitril inhibits neprilysin (neutral endopeptidase, NEP), an enzyme responsible for the breakdown of natriuretic peptides that can help to counteract many of the physiological and struc-tural changes associated with heart failure. Valsartan blocks the vasoconstrictor and aldosterone-secreting effects of angiotensin II.

Warnings and Precautions:Fetal toxicity. Sacubitril/valsartan can cause fetal harm

when administered to a pregnant woman. When pregnancy is detected, consider alternative drug treatments and discontinue this treatment. However, if there is no appropriate alternative to therapy and if the drug is considered lifesaving for the mother, advise a pregnant woman of the potential risk to the fetus.

Angioedema. Sacubitril/valsartan should not be used in patients with a known history of angioedema related to previ-ous therapy with an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB).

Hypotension. Correct volume or salt depletion prior to treatment administration or start at a lower dose. If hypoten-sion occurs, consider dose adjustment of diuretics, concomi-tant antihypertensive drugs, and treatment of other causes of hypotension (e.g., hypovolemia). If hypotension persists despite such measures, reduce the dosage or temporarily discontinue treatment. Permanent discontinuation of therapy is usually not required.

Impaired renal function. Closely monitor serum creati-nine, and down-titrate or interrupt treatment in patients who develop a clinically significant decrease in renal function.

Hyperkalemia. Monitor serum potassium periodically and treat appropriately, especially in patients with risk factors for hyperkalemia such as severe renal impairment, diabetes, hypoaldosteronism, or a high-potassium diet. Dosage reduc-tion or interruption may be required.

Dosage and Administration: The recommended starting dose of sacubitril/valsartan is 49/51 mg orally twice daily. The dose should be doubled after two to four weeks to the target maintenance dose of 97/103 mg twice daily, as tolerated by the patient.

Commentary: Heart failure (HF) is a leading cause of death and disability among U.S. adults, affecting approximately

5.1 million people. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of Entresto is a monumental milestone for the treat-ment of HF because it is the first drug that reduces the strain on the failing heart. The drug was given a fast-track designa-tion and approved through the FDA’s priority review program

several weeks ahead of the anticipated action date.Sources: www.fda.gov, www.novartis.com, Entresto

prescribing information

Brexpiprazole (Rexulti)Manufacturer: Otsuka Pharmaceutical Company

Ltd., Tokyo, JapanDate of Approval: July 10, 2015Indications: Brexpiprazole is indicated for:

•Adjunctive treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD)•Treatment of schizophrenia

Drug Class: Brexpiprazole is a second-generation anti-psychotic.

Uniqueness of Drug: The drug’s mechanism of action in the treatment of MDD or schizophrenia is unknown. However, the efficacy of brexpiprazole may be mediated through a combination of partial agonist activity at serotonin 5HT1A and dopamine D2 receptors, and antagonist activity at serotonin 5HT2A receptors.

Warnings and Precautions:Increased mortality in elderly patients with dementia-

related psychosis. Elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis treated with antipsychotic drugs are at an increased risk of death. Brexpiprazole is not approved for the treatment of patients with dementia-related psychosis.

Suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children, ado-lescents, and young adults. Monitor all treated patients for clinical worsening and emergence of suicidal thoughts and behaviors, especially during the initial few months of drug therapy and at times of dosage changes. Counsel family members or caregivers of patients to monitor for changes in behavior and to alert the health care provider. Consider chang-ing the therapeutic regimen, including possibly discontinuing treatment, in patients whose depression is persistently worse or who are experiencing emergent suicidal thoughts or behaviors.

Cerebrovascular adverse reactions, including stroke, in elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis. Brexpiprazole is not approved for the treatment of patients with dementia-related psychosis.

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS). If a patient requires antipsychotic drug treatment after recovery from NMS, the potential reintroduction of drug therapy should be considered carefully. The patient should be monitored closely, since recurrences of NMS have been reported.

Tardive dyskinesia. If signs and symptoms of tardive dyskine-sia appear in a patient, drug discontinuation should be considered.

Metabolic changes. Second-generation antipsychotic drugs have been associated with metabolic changes that include hyperglycemia/diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, and weight gain.

Pharmaceutical Approval UpdateKunj Gohil, PharmD, RPh

Dr. Gohil is Central Services Manager with Medical Services at Medi Media Managed Markets in Yardley, Pennsylvania. His email address is kgohil@medimedia.com.

Kunj Gohil, PharmD, RPh

568 P&T® • September 2015 • Vol. 40 No. 9

Leukopenia, neutropenia, and agranulocytosis. Monitor patients with clinically significant neutropenia for fever or other symptoms or signs of infection and treat promptly if such symptoms or signs occur. Discontinue brexpiprazole in patients with severe neutropenia (absolute neutrophil count less than 1,000/mm3).

Orthostatic hypotension and syncope. Consider using a lower starting dosage and slower titration in patients with an increased risk of developing adverse events associated with orthostatic hypotension and syncope; be sure to monitor orthostatic vital signs.

Seizures. Brexpiprazole should be used cautiously in patients with a history of seizures or with conditions that potentially lower the seizure threshold.

Body temperature dysregulation. Appropriate care is advised when prescribing brexpiprazole for patients who will be experiencing conditions that may contribute to an elevation in core body temperature.

Dysphagia. Antipsychotic drugs, including brexpiprazole, should be used cautiously in patients at risk for aspiration pneumonia.

Potential for cognitive and motor impairment. Patients should be cautioned about operating hazardous machinery, including motor vehicles, until they are certain that therapy does not affect them adversely.

Dosage and Administration: The recommended starting dosage for MDD as adjunctive treatment is 0.5 mg or 1 mg orally once daily. Titrate to 1 mg once daily, then up to the target dosage of 2 mg once daily.

The recommended starting dosage for schizophrenia is 1 mg once daily on days 1 to 4; titrate to 2 mg once daily on days 5 through 7, then to 4 mg on day 8 based on the patient’s clinical response and tolerability. The recommended target dosage for schizophrenia is 2 mg to 4 mg once daily; the maximum recommended daily dosage is 4 mg.

Commentary: Schizophrenia and MDD, also known as depression, are severe brain disorders. Schizophrenia is char-acterized by symptoms such as hearing voices, believing people are reading one’s mind, or being withdrawn. Depression is characterized by mood changes and other symptoms that may interfere with a person’s ability to live a normal life, such as loss of interest in pleasurable activities, loss of appetite, pessimism, and suicidal thoughts. Clinical trials showed a reduction in the occurrence of symptoms of schizophrenia and depression, leading to the drug’s approval in these two indications.

Sources: www.fda.gov, Rexulti prescribing information

Lumacaftor/Ivacaftor (Orkambi)Manufacturer: Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc., Boston,

Massachusetts

Date of Approval: July 2, 2015Indication: Lumacaftor/ivacaftor is indicated for the treat-

ment of cystic fibrosis (CF) in patients 12 years of age and older who are homozygous for the F508del mutation in the CFTR gene.

Drug Class: Orkambi is a combination of lumacaftor and ivacaftor, a CFTR potentiator.

Uniqueness of Drug: Lumacaftor improves the confor-mational stability of F508del-CFTR, resulting in increased processing and trafficking of mature protein to the cell surface. Ivacaftor facilitates increased chloride transport by potentiating the channel-open probability (or gating) of the CFTR protein at the cell surface.

Warnings and Precautions:Use in patients with advanced liver disease. Use with

caution in patients with advanced liver disease and only if the benefits are expected to outweigh the risks. If the drug is used in these patients, they should be closely monitored after the initiation of treatment and the dose should be reduced.

Liver-related events. It is recommended that alanine ami-notransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and bilirubin be assessed prior to initiation, every three months during the first year of treatment, and annually thereafter. For patients with a history of ALT, AST, or bilirubin elevations, more frequent monitoring should be considered. Patients who develop increased ALT, AST, or bilirubin should be closely monitored until the abnormalities resolve.

Respiratory events. Additional monitoring of patients with percent predicted forced expiratory volume in one second (ppFEV1) of less than 40 is recommended during initiation of therapy.

Drug interactions. Lumacaftor is a strong inducer of CYP3A. Administration may decrease systemic exposure of medicinal products that are substrates of CYP3A and in turn decrease their therapeutic effect. Coadministration with sen-sitive CYP3A substrates or CYP3A substrates with a narrow therapeutic index is not recommended.

Cataracts. Baseline and follow-up ophthalmological examinations are recommended in pediatric patients initiating treatment.

Dosage and Administration: Adults and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older should take two tablets (each contain-ing lumacaftor 200 mg/ivacaftor 125 mg) orally every 12 hours.

Commentary: Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disorder resulting in thick mucus buildup in various parts of the body that leads to life-threatening complications. Orkambi received breakthrough and orphan drug designations and was approved through the priority review program.

Sources: www.fda.gov and Orkambi prescribing information n

Pharmaceutical Approval Update