Antara is indicated as adjunctive therapy to diet: To reduce triglyceride (TG) levels in adults with severe hypertriglyceridemia (TG greater than or equal to 500 mg/dL). To reduce elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in adults with primary hyperlipidemia when use of recommended LDL-C lowering therapy is not possible. Limitations of Use Markedly elevated levels of serum triglycerides (e.g., > 2,000 mg/dL) may increase the risk of developing pancreatitis.
The effect of fenofibrate therapy on reducing this risk has not been determined [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.7 )] . Fenofibrate did not reduce coronary heart disease morbidity and mortality in two large, randomized controlled trials of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 ) and Clinical Studies ( 14.4 ) ]. Antara is a peroxisome proliferator receptor (PPAR) alpha agonist indicated as an adjunct to diet: To reduce triglyceride (TG) levels in adults with severe hypertriglyceridemia (TG greater than or equal to 500 mg/dL).
(1). To reduce elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in adults with primary hyperlipidemia when use of recommended LDL-C lowering therapy is not possible (1). Limitations of Use: Markedly elevated levels of serum triglycerides (e.g., > 2,000 mg/dL) may increase the risk of developing pancreatitis. The effect of fenofibrate therapy on reducing this risk has not been determined. (1) Fenofibrate did not reduce coronary heart disease morbidity and mortality in two large, randomized controlled trials of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
(1)
Contraindications
Severe renal impairment, including those with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and those receiving dialysis ( 4 ) Active liver disease, including those with unexplained persistent liver function abnormalities ( 4 ) Pre-existing gallbladder disease ( 4 ) Hypersensitivity to fenofibrate fenofibric acid, or any of the excipients in Antara ( 4 ) Antara is contraindicated in the following conditions: Severe renal impairment, including those with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and those receiving dialysis [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 ) ].
Active liver disease, including those with unexplained persistent liver function abnormalities [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 ) ]. Pre-existing gallbladder disease [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5 ) ]. Hypersensitivity to fenofibric acid, fenofibrate, or any of the excipients in Antara. Serious hypersensitivity reactions including anaphylaxis and angioedema have been reported with fenofibrate [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.9 ) ].
Hepatotoxicity : Serious drug-induced liver injury, including liver transplantation and death, has been reported with Antara. Monitor patient's liver function, including serum ALT, AST, and total bilirubin, at baseline and periodically for the duration of therapy. Discontinue if signs or symptoms of liver injury develop or if elevated enzyme levels persist ( 5.2 ). Myopathy and rhabdomyolysis : Have been reported in patients taking fenofibrate.
Risks are increased during co-administration with a statin, particularly in elderly patients and patients with diabetes, renal failure, or uncontrolled hypothyroidism. Discontinue Antara if markedly elevated CK levels occur or if myopathy is either diagnosed or suspected. Temporarily discontinue Antara in patients experiencing an acute or serious condition at high risk of developing renal failure secondary to rhabdomyolysis.
Inform patients of the risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis when starting or increasing the Antara dosage. Instruct patients to promptly report any unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, particularly if accompanied by malaise or fever ( 5.3 ). Serum creatinine: Increases in serum creatinine have been reported in patients on Antara. Monitor renal function in patients with renal impairment taking Antara. Consider monitoring renal function in patients at risk for renal impairment ( 5.4 ).
Cholelithiasis: Fenofibrate increases cholesterol excretion into the bile, leading to risk of cholelithiasis. If cholelithiasis is suspected, gallbladder studies are indicated. ( 5.5 ). Hypersensitivity Reactions: Acute hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis and angioedema, and delayed hypersensitivity reactions, including severe cutaneous adverse drug reactions have been reported postmarketing. Some cases were life-threatening and required emergency treatment.
Discontinue fenofibrate and treat patients appropriately if reactions occur ( 5.9 ).
5.1Mortality and Coronary Heart Disease Morbidity
Fenofibrate did not reduce cardiovascular disease morbidity or mortality in two large, randomized controlled trials of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus [see Clinical Studies ( 14.4 )] . Because of chemical, pharmacological, and clinical similarities between Antara, pemafibrate, clofibrate, and gemfibrozil, findings in 5 large randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials with these other fibrate drugs may also apply to Antara.
Pemafibrate did not reduce cardiovascular disease morbidity or mortality in a large, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus on background statin therapy [see Clinical Studies ( 14.4 )] . In the Coronary Drug Project, a large trial conducted from 1965 to 1985 in men post myocardial infarction, there was no difference in mortality or nonfatal myocardial infarction between the clofibrate group and the placebo group after 5 years of treatment (NCT00000482).
In a trial conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO) from 1965 to 1976, men without known coronary artery disease were treated with placebo or clofibrate for 5 years and followed for an additional one year. There was a statistically significant, higher age-adjusted all-cause mortality in the clofibrate group compared with the placebo group (5.70% vs. 3.96%, p≤0.01). Excess mortality was due to a 33% increase in non-cardiovascular causes, including malignancy, post-cholecystectomy complications, and pancreatitis.
The Helsinki Heart Study, conducted from 1982 to 1987, was a large (n=4,081) trial of middle-aged men without a history of coronary artery disease. Subjects received either placebo or gemfibrozil for 5 years, with a 3.5 year open extension afterward. Total mortality was numerically but not statistically higher in the gemfibrozil randomization group versus placebo [95% confidence interval (CI) of the hazard ratio (HR) 0.91 to 1.64].
A secondary prevention component of the Helsinki Heart Study treated middle-aged men with gemfibrozil or placebo for 5 years. The HR for cardiac deaths was 2.2, 95% CI, 0.94 to 5.05.
5.2Hepatotoxicity
Serious drug-induced liver injury (DILI), including liver transplantation and death, has been reported postmarketing with Antara. DILI has been reported within the first few weeks of treatment or after several months of therapy and in some cases has reversed with discontinuation of Antara treatment. Patients with DILI have experienced signs and symptoms including dark urine, abnormal stool, jaundice, malaise, abdominal pain, myalgia, weight loss, pruritus, and nausea.
Many patients had concurrent elevations of total bilirubin, serum alanine transaminase (ALT), and aspartate transaminase (AST). DILI has been characterized as hepatocellular, chronic active, and cholestatic hepatitis, and cirrhosis has occurred in association with chronic active hepatitis. In clinical trials, fenofibrate at dosages comparable to 30 mg or 90 mg of Antara per day has been associated with increases in serum AST or ALT.
The incidence of increases in transaminases may be dose related [see Adverse Reactions ( 6.1 )] . Antara is contraindicated in patients with active liver disease, including those with unexplained persistent liver function abnormalities [see Contraindications ( 4 )]. Monitor patient's liver function, including serum ALT, AST, and total bilirubin, at baseline and periodically for the duration of therapy with Antara. Discontinue Antara if signs or symptoms of liver injury develop or if elevated enzyme levels persist (ALT or AST > 3 times the upper limit of normal, or if accompanied by elevation of bilirubin).
Do not restart Antara in these patients if there is no alternative explanation for the liver injury.
5.3Myopathy and Rhabdomyolysis
Antara may cause myopathy [muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness associated with elevated creatine kinase (CK)] and rhabdomyolysis. Risk Factors for Myopathy Risk factors for myopathy include age 65 years or greater, uncontrolled hypothyroidism, renal impairment, and concomitant use with certain other drugs [see Drug Interaction ( 7 ) and Uses in Specific Populations ( 8.6 )] . Steps to Prevent or Reduce the Risk of Myopathy and Rhabdomyolysis Data from observational studies indicate that the risk for rhabdomyolysis is increased when fibrates are co-administered with a statin.
Avoid concomitant use unless the benefit of further alterations in TG levels is likely to outweigh the increased risk of this drug combination [see Drug Interactions ( 7 ) and Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 ) ]. Cases of myopathy, including rhabdomyolysis, have been reported with Antara co-administered with colchicine. Consider whether the benefit of using colchicine concomitantly with Antara outweighs the increased risk of myopathy [see Drug Interactions ( 7 ) ].
Discontinue Antara if markedly elevated CK levels occur or if myopathy is either diagnosed or suspected. Muscle symptoms and CK elevations may resolve if Antara is discontinued. Temporarily discontinue Antara in patients experiencing an acute or serious condition at high risk of developing renal failure secondary to rhabdomyolysis (e.g., sepsis; shock; severe hypovolemia; major surgery; trauma; severe metabolic, endocrine, or electrolyte disorders; or uncontrolled epilepsy).
Inform patients of the risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis when starting or increasing the Antara dosage. Instruct patients to promptly report any unexplained muscle pain, tenderness or weakness, particularly if accompanied by malaise or fever.
5.4Increases in Serum Creatinine Increases
in serum creatinine have been reported in patients on Antara. These increases tend to return to baseline following discontinuation of Antara. The clinical significance of this finding is unknown. Monitor renal function in patients with renal impairment taking Antara. Renal monitoring should also be considered for patients taking Antara at risk for renal insufficiency such as the elderly and patients wit
Our copy of this section ends here. The full text is in the official label at the FDA. Open Drugs@FDA
Interactions
Table 2. Clinically Important Drug Interactions with Antara Statins Clinical Impact: Fibrates may cause myopathy when given alone. The risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis is increased with concomitant use of fibrates with statins. Intervention: Consider if the benefit of using Antara concomitantly with statin therapy outweighs the increased risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis. If concomitant use is decided, monitor patients for signs and symptoms of myopathy, particularly during initiation of therapy and during upward dose titration of statin therapy.
Colchicine Clinical Impact: Cases of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis have been reported with concomitant use of colchicine with fenofibrates. Intervention: Consider if the benefit of using colchicine concomitantly with Antara outweighs the increased risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis. If concomitant use is decided, monitor patients for signs and symptoms of myopathy, particularly during initiation of therapy and during upward dosage titration of colchicine.
Coumarin Anticoagulants Clinical Impact: Fibrates may cause potentiation of coumarin-type anticoagulant effects with prolongation of the PT/INR. Intervention: Caution should be exercised when coumarin anticoagulants are given in conjunction with Antara. The dosage of the anticoagulants should be reduced to maintain the PT/INR at the desired level to prevent bleeding complications. Frequent PT/INR determinations are advisable until it has been definitely determined that the PT/INR has stabilized Immunosuppressants Clinical Impact: Immunosuppressants such as cyclosporine and tacrolimus can produce nephrotoxicity with decreases in creatinine clearance and rises in serum creatinine, and because renal excretion is the primary elimination route of fibrate drugs including Antara, there is a risk that an interaction will lead to deterioration of renal function.
Intervention: The benefits and risks of using Antara with immunosuppressants and other potentially nephrotoxic agents should be carefully considered, and the lowest effective dosage employed and renal function monitored. Bile-Acid Binding Resins Clinical Impact: Bile-acid binding resins may bind other drugs given concurrently. Intervention: In patients taking a bile acid resin, administer Antara at least 1 hour before or 4 to 6 hours after the bile acid resin to avoid impeding its absorption.
Consider if the benefit of concomitant use of statins or colchicine outweighs the increased risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis. Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of myopathy ( 7 ) Exercise caution in concomitant treatment with coumarin anticoagulants. Reduce the dosage of coumarin to maintain the PT/INR at the desired level to prevent bleeding complications ( 7 ). Consider the benefits and risks of concomitant use with immunosuppressants and other potentially nephrotoxic agents.
Use the lowest effective dosage and monitor renal function ( 7 ). Administer Antara at least 1 hour before or 4 to 6 hours after the bile acid resins to avoid impeding its absorption ( 7 ).
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
8.1Pregnancy Risk Summary
Limited available data with fenofibrate use in pregnant women are insufficient to determine a drug associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. In animal reproduction studies, no evidence of embryo-fetal toxicity was observed with oral administration of fenofibrate in rats and rabbits during organogenesis at doses less than or comparable to the maximum recommended clinical dose of 90 mg of Antara daily, based on body surface area (mg/m 2 ).
Adverse reproductive outcomes occurred at higher doses in the presence of maternal toxicity (see Data). Antara should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2% to 4% and 15% to 20%, respectively.
Data Animal Data In pregnant rats given oral dietary doses of 14 mg/kg/day, 127 mg/kg/day, and 361 mg/kg/day from gestation day 6 to 15 during the period of organogenesis, no adverse developmental findings were observed at 14 mg/kg/day (less than the clinical exposure at the maximum recommended human dose [MRHD] of 300 mg fenofibrate daily, comparable to 90 mg Antara daily, based on body surface area comparisons). Increased fetal skeletal malformations were observed at maternally toxic doses (361 mg/kg/day, corresponding to 12 times the clinical exposure at the MRHD) that significantly suppressed maternal body weight gain.
In pregnant rabbits given oral gavage doses of 15 mg/kg/day, 150 mg/kg/day, and 300 mg/kg/day from gestation day 6 to 18 during the period of organogenesis and allowed to deliver, no adverse developmental findings were observed at 15 mg/kg/day (a dose that approximates the clinical exposure at the MRHD, based on body surface area comparisons). Aborted litters were observed at maternally toxic doses (≥ 150 mg/kg/day, corresponding to ≥ 10 times the clinical exposure at the MRHD) that suppressed maternal body weight gain.
In pregnant rats given oral dietary doses of 15 mg/kg/day, 75 mg/kg/day, and 300 mg/kg/day from gestation day 15 through lactation day 21 (weaning), no adverse developmental effects were observed at 15 mg/kg/day (less than the clinical exposure at the MRHD, based on body surface area comparisons), despite maternal toxicity (decreased weight gain). Post-implantation loss was observed at ≥ 75 mg/kg/day (≥ 2 times the clinical exposure at the MRHD) in the presence of maternal toxicity (decreased weight gain).
Decreased pup survival was noted at 300 mg/kg/day (10 times the clinical exposure at the MRHD), which was associated with decreased maternal body weight gain/maternal neglect.
Adverse reactions
The following serious adverse reactions are described below and elsewhere in the labeling: Mortality and coronary heart disease morbidity [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] Hepatoxicity [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] Myopathy and Rhabdomyolysis [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )] Increases in Serum Creatinine [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 )] Cholelithiasis [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5 )] Increased Bleeding Risk with Coumarin Anticoagulants [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.6 )] Pancreatitis [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.7 )] Hematologic Changes [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.8 )] Hypersensitivity reactions [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.9 )] Venothromboembolic disease [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.10 )] Most common adverse reactions (> 2% and greater than 1% in placebo) are abnormal liver tests, increased AST, increased ALT, increased CPK, and rhinitis ( 6.1 ).
To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Lupin Pharmaceuticals, Inc. at 1-800-399-2561 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch .
6.1Clinical Trials Experience
Because clinical studies are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical studies of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical studies of another drug and may not reflect rates observed in clinical practice. The Safety of Antara has been established in adults with hypertriglyceridemia or primary hyperlipidemia based on adequate and well-controlled trials of other formulations of fenofibrate, referenced below as "fenofibrate" [see Clinical Studies ( 14 )].
Dosages of fenofibrate used in these trials were comparable to Antara 90 mg per day [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )]. Adverse events reported by 2% or more of patients treated with fenofibrate (and greater than placebo) during double-blind, placebo-controlled trials are listed in Table 1. Adverse reactions led to discontinuation of treatment in 5% of patients treated with fenofibrate and in 3% treated with placebo.
Increases in liver function tests were the most frequent events, causing discontinuation of fenofibrate treatment in 1.6% of patients in double-blind trials. Table 1 Adverse Reactions Reported by 2% or More of Patients Treated with Fenofibrate and Greater than Placebo During the Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trials Adverse Reaction Placebo (N=365) Fenofibrate (N=439) Abnormal Liver Tests 1% 8% Abdominal Pain 4% 5% Increased ALT 2% 3% Increased AST 1% 3% Increased Creatine Phosphokinase 1% 3% Constipation 1% 2% Rhinitis 1% 2% Other Adverse Reactions Urticaria Urticaria was seen in 1.1 vs. 0%, and rash in 1.4 vs. 0.8% of fenofibrate and placebo patients, respectively, in controlled trials.
Increases in Liver Enzymes In a pooled analysis of 10 placebo-controlled trials, increases to >3 times the upper limit of normal in ALT occurred in 5.3% of patients taking fenofibrate at doses comparable to 90 mg Antara daily versus 1.1% of patients treated with placebo. In an 8-week study, the incidence of ALT or AST elevations ≥ 3 times the upper limit of normal was 13% in patients receiving dosages comparable to 60 mg to 90 mg Antara daily and was 0% in those receiving dosages comparable to 30 mg or less Antara daily or placebo.
6.2Postmarketing Experience
The following adverse reactions have been identified during post approval use of fenofibrate. 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. Blood Disorders: Anemia Gastrointestinal Disorders: Pancreatitis General Disorder: Asthenia Hepatobiliary Disorders: Increased total bilirubin, hepatitis, cirrhosis Immune System Disorders: Anaphylaxis, angioedema Lipid Disorders: Severely depressed HDL-cholesterol levels Musculoskeletal Disorders: Myalgia, muscle spasms, rhabdomyolysis, arthralgia Renal and Urinary Disorders: Acute renal failure Respiratory Disorders: Interstitial lung disease Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders: Photosensitivity reactions.
This may occur in patients who report a prior photosensitivity reaction to ketoprofen.
Composition
Active ingredients
FENOFIBRATE 90MG **Federal Register determination that product was not discontinued or withdrawn for safety or effectiveness reasons**
Strengths and forms
The FDA lists each strength of a product separately; these pages share one label.
FENOFIBRATE 90MG **Federal Register determination that product was not discontinued or withdrawn for safety or effectiveness reasons** · CapsuleThis page
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