FDA

Sunlenca

Approved 22 Dec 2022OralTablet

The FDA lists this product in 2 strengths and forms.

Indications

SUNLENCA, in combination with other antiretroviral(s), is indicated for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection in heavily treatment-experienced adults with multidrug resistant HIV-1 whose current antiretroviral regimen is failing due to resistance, intolerance, or safety considerations. SUNLENCA, a human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) capsid inhibitor, in combination with other antiretroviral(s), is indicated for the treatment of HIV-1 infection in heavily treatment-experienced adults with multidrug resistant HIV-1 whose current antiretroviral regimen is failing due to resistance, intolerance, or safety considerations.

( 1 )

Contraindications

Concomitant administration of SUNLENCA with strong CYP3A inducers is contraindicated due to decreased lenacapavir plasma concentrations, which may result in the loss of therapeutic effect and development of resistance to SUNLENCA [see Drug Interactions (7.1) ] . Concomitant administration of SUNLENCA is contraindicated with strong CYP3A inducers. ( 4 )

Warnings and precautions

Immune reconstitution syndrome: May necessitate further evaluation and treatment. ( 5.1 ) Residual concentrations of lenacapavir may remain in systemic circulation for up to 12 months or longer. Counsel patients regarding the dosing schedule; non-adherence could lead to loss of virologic response and development of resistance. ( 5.2 ) May increase exposure and risk of adverse reactions to drugs primarily metabolized by CYP3A initiated within 9 months after the last subcutaneous dose of SUNLENCA.

( 5.2 ) If discontinued, initiate an alternative, fully suppressive antiretroviral regimen where possible no later than 28 weeks after the final injection of SUNLENCA. If virologic failure occurs, switch to an alternative regimen if possible. ( 5.2 ) Injection site reactions may occur, and nodules and indurations may be persistent. Improper administration (intradermal injection) has been associated with serious injection site reactions.

( 5.3 )

5.1Immune Reconstitution Syndrome

Immune reconstitution syndrome has been reported in patients treated with combination antiretroviral therapy. During the initial phase of combination antiretroviral treatment, patients whose immune system responds may develop an inflammatory response to indolent or residual opportunistic infections [such as Mycobacterium avium infection, cytomegalovirus, Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PCP), or tuberculosis], which may necessitate further evaluation and treatment.

At a glance

Brand name: Sunlenca
Active substance: lenacapavir sodium
Route: Oral
Dosage form: Tablet
Applicant: Gilead Sciences Inc
Status: Prescription
FDA approval: 22 Dec 2022
Application: NDA215974-001

Indications

( 1 )

Contraindications

Warnings and precautions

( 5.3 )

5.1Immune Reconstitution Syndrome

Interactions

Consult the Full Prescribing Information prior to and during treatment for important drug interactions. ( 4 , 7 , 12.3 )

7.1Effect of Other Drugs on

SUNLENCA Lenacapavir is a substrate of P-gp, UGT1A1, and CYP3A. Strong or Moderate CYP3A Inducers Drugs that are strong or moderate inducers of CYP3A may significantly decrease plasma concentrations of lenacapavir [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] , which may result in loss of therapeutic effect of SUNLENCA and development of resistance. Concomitant administration of SUNLENCA with strong CYP3A inducers during SUNLENCA treatment is contraindicated [see Contraindications (4) ] .

Concomitant administration of SUNLENCA with moderate CYP3A inducers during SUNLENCA treatment is not recommended. Combined P-gp, UGT1A1, and Strong CYP3A Inhibitors Combined P-gp, UGT1A1, and strong CYP3A inhibitors may significantly increase plasma concentrations of SUNLENCA. Concomitant administration of SUNLENCA with these inhibitors is not recommended.

7.2Effect of

SUNLENCA on Other Drugs Lenacapavir is a moderate inhibitor of CYP3A. Due to the long half-life of lenacapavir following subcutaneous administration, SUNLENCA may increase the exposure of drugs primarily metabolized by CYP3A [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] initiated within 9 months after the last subcutaneous dose of SUNLENCA, which may increase the potential risk of adverse reactions. See the prescribing information of the sensitive CYP3A substrate for dosing recommendations with moderate inhibitors of CYP3A.

7.3Established and Other Potentially Significant Drug Interactions Table

5 provides a listing of clinically significant drug interactions with recommended prevention or management strategies, but is not all inclusive. The drug interactions described are based on studies conducted with SUNLENCA or are drug interactions that may occur with SUNLENCA [see Contraindications (4) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . Table 5 Drug Interactions with SUNLENCA Concomitant Drug Class: Drug Name Effect on Concentration ↑ = Increase, ↓ = Decrease.

Clinical Comment Antiarrhythmics: digoxin ↑ digoxin Use with caution and monitor digoxin therapeutic concentration. Anticoagulants: Direct Oral Anticoagulants (DOACs) rivaroxaban dabigatran edoxaban ↑ DOAC Refer to the DOAC prescribing information for concomitant administration with moderate CYP3A inhibitors and/or P-gp inhibitors. Anticonvulsants: carbamazepine oxcarbazepine phenobarbital phenytoin ↓ lenacapavir Concomitant administration of carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, phenobarbital, or phenytoin may result in loss of therapeutic effect and development of resistance.

Concomitant administration of SUNLENCA with carbamazepine or phenytoin is contraindicated. Concomitant administration of SUNLENCA with oxcarbazepine or phenobarbital is not recommended. Consider use of alternative anticonvulsants. Antiretroviral Agents: atazanavir/cobicistat Drug-drug interaction study was conducted. atazanavir/ritonavir ↑ lenacapavir (atazanavir/cobicistat, atazanavir/ritonavir) Concomitant administration of efavirenz, nevirapine, or tipranavir/ritonavir may result in loss of therapeutic effect and development of resistance. efavirenz nevirapine tipranavir/ritonavir ↓ lenacapavir (efavirenz, nevirapine, tipranavir/ritonavir) Concomitant administration with atazanavir/cobicistat, atazanavir/ritonavir, efavirenz, nevirapine, or tipranavir/ritonavir is not recommended.

Antimycobacterials: rifabutin rifampin rifapentine ↓ lenacapavir Concomitant administration of rifabutin, rifampin and rifapentine may result in loss of therapeutic effect and development of resistance. Concomitant administration of SUNLENCA with rifampin is contraindicated [see Contraindications (4) ] . Concomitant administration of SUNLENCA with rifabutin or rifapentine is not recommended. Corticosteroids (systemic): cortisone/hydrocortisone dexamethasone ↑ corticosteroids (systemic) Concomitant administration with systemic corticosteroids whose exposures are significantly increased by CYP3A inhibitors can increase the risk for Cushing's syndrome and adrenal suppression.

Initiate with the lowest starting dose and titrate carefully while monitoring for safety. ↓ lenacapavir (dexamethasone) Concomitant administration of systemic dexamethasone may result in loss of therapeutic effect of lenacapavir and development of resistance. Alternative corticosteroids to dexamethasone should be considered, particularly for long-term use. Ergot derivatives: dihydroergotamine ergotamine methylergonovine ↑ dihydroergotamine ↑ ergotamine ↑ methylergonovine Concomitant administration of SUNLENCA with dihydroergotamine, ergotamine or methylergonovine is not recommended.

Herbal Products: St. John's wort The induction potency of St. John's wort may vary widely based on preparation. (Hypericum perforatum) ↓ lenacapavir Concomitant administration of St. John's wort may result in loss of therapeutic effect and development of resistance. Concomitant administration of SUNLENCA with St. John's wort is contraindicated. HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors: lovastatin simvastatin ↑ lovastatin ↑ simvastatin Initiate lovastatin and simvastatin with the lowest starting dose and titrate carefully while monitoring for safety (e.g., myopathy).

Narcotic analgesics metabolized by CYP3A: e.g., fentanyl, oxycodone ↑ fentanyl ↑ oxycodone Careful monitoring of therapeutic effects and adverse reactions associated with CYP3A-metabolized narcotic analgesics (including potentially fatal respiratory depression) is recommended with co-administration. tramadol ↑ tramadol A decrease in dose may be needed for tramadol with concomitant use. Narcotic analgesic for treatment of opioid dependence: buprenorphine, methadone buprenorphine: effects unknown methadone: effects unknown Initiation of buprenorphine or methadone in patients taking SUNLENCA: Carefully titrate the dose of buprenorphine or methadone to the desired effect; use the lowest feasible initial or maintenance dose.

Initiation of SUNLENCA in patients taking buprenorphine or methadone: A dose adjustment for buprenorphine or methadone may be needed. Monitor clinical signs and symptoms. Opioid Antagonist: naloxegol ↑ naloxegol Avoid use with SUNLENCA; if unavoidable, decrease the dosage of naloxegol and monitor for adverse reactions. Phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) Inhibitors: sildenafil tadalafil vardenafil ↑ PDE-5 inhibitors Use of PDE-5 inhibitors for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH): Concomitant administration of SUNLENCA with tadalafil for the treatment of PAH is not recommended.

Use of PDE-5 inhibitors for erectile dysfunction (ED): Refer to the prescribing information of PDE-5 inhibitors for dose recommendations. Sedatives/Hypnotics: midazolam (oral) triazolam ↑ midazolam (oral) ↑ triazolam Use with caution when midazolam or triazolam is concomitantly administered with SUNLENCA

7.4Drugs without Clinically Significant Interactions with

SUNLENCA Based on drug interaction studies conducted with SUNLENCA, no clinically significant drug interactions have been observed with: darunavir/cobicistat, cobicistat, famotidine, pitavastatin, rosuvastatin, tenofovir alafenamide, and voriconazole.

Adverse reactions

The following adverse reactions are discussed in other sections of the labeling: Immune Reconstitution Syndrome [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] Injection Site Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ]. Most common adverse reactions (incidence greater than or equal to 3%, all grades) are nausea and injection site reactions. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Gilead Sciences, Inc. at 1-800-GILEAD-5 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.

6.1Clinical 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 primary safety assessment of SUNLENCA was based on data from heavily treatment-experienced adult participants with HIV who received SUNLENCA in a Phase 2/3 trial (CAPELLA; N=72) through Week 52 (median duration on study of 71 weeks) [see Clinical Studies (14) ] , as well as supportive data in treatment-naïve adult participants with HIV who received SUNLENCA in a Phase 2 trial (CALIBRATE; N=157) through Week 54 (median duration of exposure of 66 weeks).

The most common adverse reactions (all Grades) reported in at least 3% of participants in CAPELLA were nausea and injection site reactions. The proportion of participants in CAPELLA who discontinued treatment with SUNLENCA due to adverse events, regardless of severity, was 1% (Grade 1 injection site nodule in 1 participant). Table 3 displays the frequency of adverse reactions (all Grades) greater than or equal to 3% in the SUNLENCA group.

Table 3 Adverse Reactions (All Grades) Reported in ≥ 3% Frequencies of adverse reactions are based on all adverse events attributed to trial drug by the investigator, based on all participants (cohorts 1 and 2) in CAPELLA. of Heavily Treatment Experienced Adults with HIV-1 Receiving SUNLENCA in CAPELLA (Week 52 Analysis) Adverse Reactions SUNLENCA + Background Regimen (N=72) Injection Site Reactions 65% Nausea 4% The majority (96%) of all adverse reactions associated with SUNLENCA were mild or moderate in severity.

Injection-Associated Adverse Reactions Local Injection Site Reactions (ISRs) : The most frequent adverse reactions were ISRs. Of the 72 participants in CAPELLA, 65% had experienced an ISR attributed to study drug through at least the Week 52 visit. Most participants had mild (Grade 1, 44%) or moderate (Grade 2, 17%) ISRs. Four percent of participants experienced a severe (Grade 3) ISR (erythema, pain, swelling) that resolved within 15 days.

The ISRs reported in more than 1% of participants were swelling (36%), pain (31%), erythema (31%), nodule (25%), induration (15%), pruritus (6%), extravasation (3%) and mass (3%). ISRs reported in 1% of participants included discomfort, hematoma, edema, and ulcer. Nodules and indurations at the injection site took longer to resolve than other ISRs. The median time to resolution of all ISRs, excluding nodules and indurations, was 5 days (range: 1 to 183).

The median time to resolution of nodules and indurations associated with the first injections of SUNLENCA was 148 (range: 41 to 727) and 70 (range: 3 to 252) days, respectively. After a median follow up of 553 days, 30% of nodules and 13% of indurations (in 10% and 1% of participants, respectively) associated with the first injections of SUNLENCA had not fully resolved. Qualitative descriptions of injection site nodules and indurations were not routinely reported, but, where reported, the majority of injection site nodules and indurations were palpable but not visible.

Measurements of injection site nodules and indurations were not routinely performed or standardized, but where measurements were reported, the maximum size for the majority of injection site nodules and indurations was approximately 1 to 4 cm [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] . Laboratory Abnormalities The frequency of laboratory abnormalities (Grades 3 to 4) occurring in at least 2% of participants in CAPELLA are presented in Table 4.

A causal association between SUNLENCA and these laboratory abnormalities has not been established. Table 4 Selected Laboratory Abnormalities (Grades 3 to 4) Reported in ≥ 2% of Participants Receiving SUNLENCA in CAPELLA (Week 52 Analysis) Laboratory Parameter Abnormality SUNLENCA + Background Regimen (N=72) Frequencies are based on treatment-emergent laboratory abnormalities in all participants (cohorts 1 and 2) in CAPELLA.

Percentages were calculated based on the number of participants with post-baseline toxicity grades for each laboratory parameter (n=72 for all parameters except hyperglycemia fasting n=57). ALT= alanine aminotransferase; AST= aspartate aminotransferase; ULN = upper limit of normal Creatinine ( >1.8 × ULN or ≥1.5 × baseline) 13% Glycosuria (>2+) Grade 3 only (no Grade 4 values reported). 6% Hyperglycemia (fasting) (>250 mg/dL) 5% Proteinuria (>2+) 4% ALT (≥5 × ULN) 3% AST (≥5 × ULN) 3% Direct Bilirubin (>ULN) 3%

6.2Postmarketing Experience

In addition to adverse reactions reported from clinical trials, the following adverse reactions have been identified during postmarketing use. 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. General disorders and administration site conditions Injection site necrosis [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] .

Sunlenca

Indications

Contraindications

Warnings and precautions

5.1Immune Reconstitution Syndrome

At a glance

Two medicines in one question?

Sunlenca

Indications

Contraindications

Warnings and precautions

5.1Immune Reconstitution Syndrome

At a glance

Two medicines in one question?

5.2Long-Acting Properties and Potential Associated Risks with

5.3Injection Site Reactions Administration of

Interactions

7.1Effect of Other Drugs on

7.2Effect of

7.3Established and Other Potentially Significant Drug Interactions Table

7.4Drugs without Clinically Significant Interactions with

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

8.1Pregnancy Pregnancy Exposure Registry

Adverse reactions

6.1Clinical Trials Experience

6.2Postmarketing Experience

Composition

Strengths and forms

Official product information