Mytesi (Crofelemer Delayed-release Tablets, for Oral Use): Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Interactions, Warning

PROFESSIONAL CONSUMER SIDE EFFECTS

Drug Description

What is Mytesi and how is it used?

Mytesi (crofelemer delayed-release tablets) is an anti-diarrheal indicated for the symptomatic relief of non-infectious diarrhea in adult patients with HIV/AIDS on antiretroviral therapy.

What are side effects of Mytesi?

Common side effects of Mytesi include:

upper respiratory tract infection,
bronchitis,
cough,
gas,
increased bilirubin,
nausea,
back pain,
joint pain,
urinary tract infection (UTI),
runny or stuffy nose,
musculoskeletal pain,
hemorrhoids,
giardiasis,
anxiety,
increased alanine aminotransferase, and
abdominal bloating.

DESCRIPTION

MYTESI (crofelemer) delayed-release tablets is an anti-diarrheal, enteric-coated drug product for oral administration. It contains 125 mg of crofelemer, a botanical drug substance that is derived from the red latex of Croton lechleri Mull. Arg. Crofelemer is an oligomeric proanthocyanidin mixture primarily composed of (+)– catechin, (–)–epicatechin, (+)–gallocatechin, and (–)–epigallocatechin monomer units linked in random sequence, as represented below. The average degree of polymerization for the oligomers ranges between 5 and 7.5, as determined by phloroglucinol degradation.

MYTESI® (crofelemer) - Structural Formula - Illustration

R = H or OH rangen =3 to 5.5

Inactive ingredients: colloidal silicon dioxide, croscarmellose sodium, magnesium stearate, and microcrystalline cellulose.

Coating ingredients: ethylacrylate and methylacrylate copolymer dispersion, talc, triethyl citrate, and white dispersion which contains xanthan gum, titanium dioxide, propyl paraben, and methyl paraben.

Indications & Dosage

INDICATIONS

MYTESI is indicated for symptomatic relief of non-infectious diarrhea in adult patients with HIV/AIDS on antiretroviral therapy.

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION

Before starting MYTESI, rule out infectious etiologies of diarrhea [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]. The recommended adult dosage of MYTESI is 125 mg taken orally two times a day, with or without food. Do not crush or chew MYTESI tablets. Swallow whole.

HOW SUPPLIED

Dosage Forms And Strengths

Delayed-Release Tablets

125 mg of crofelemer as a white, oval, delayed-release tablet printed on one side with 125SLXP.

Storage And Handling

MYTESI (crofelemer) 125 mg delayed-release tablets are white, oval tablets printed on one side with 125SLXP.

They are available in the following package size:

Bottles of 60: NDC 70564-802-60

Store at 20°C-25°C (68°F-77°F); excursions permitted between 15°C-30°C (59°F-86°F). See USP Controlled Room Temperature.

Manufactured by Patheon Pharmaceuticals Inc. for Napo Pharmaceuticals, Inc., San Francisco, CA 94105. Revised: Nov 2020

Side Effects & Drug Interactions

SIDE EFFECTS

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.

A total of 696 HIV-positive patients in three placebo-controlled trials received MYTESI for a mean duration of 78 days. Of the total population across the three trials, 229 patients received a dosage of 125 mg twice a day for a mean duration of 141 days, and 171 patients received one of four higher than recommended dosages for a mean duration of 139 days (N=69) 14 days (N=102), 146 days (N=54), and 14 days (N=242), respectively.

Adverse reactions in patients treated with MYTESI 125 mg twice daily that occurred in at least 2% of patients and at a higher incidence than placebo are provided in Table 1.

Table 1: Common Adverse Reactions* in HIV-Positive Patients in Three Placebo-Controlled Trials

Adverse Reaction	MYTESI 125 mg Twice Daily N = 229 n (%)	Placebo N = 274 n (%)
Upper respiratory tract infection	13 (6)	4 (2)
Bronchitis	9 (4)	0
Cough	8 (4)	3 (1)
Flatulence	7 (3)	3 (1)
Increased bilirubin	7 (3)	3 (1)
Nausea	6 (3)	4 (2)
Back pain	6 (3)	4 (2)
Arthralgia	6 (3)	0
Urinary tract infection	5 (2)	2 (1)
Nasopharyngitis	5 (2)	2 (1)
Musculoskeletal pain	5 (2)	1 (<1)
Hemorrhoids	5 (2)	0
Giardiasis	5 (2)	0
Anxiety	5 (2)	1 (<1)
Increased alanine aminotransferase	5 (2)	3 (1)
Abdominal distension	5 (2)	1 (<1)
* occurring in at least 2% of patients and at a higher incidence than placebo

Less common adverse reactions that occurred in between 1% and 2% of patients taking 125 mg twice daily of MYTESI were abdominal pain, acne, increased aspartate aminotransferase, increased conjugated bilirubin, increased unconjugated blood bilirubin, constipation, depression, dermatitis, dizziness, dry mouth, dyspepsia, gastroenteritis, herpes zoster, nephrolithiasis, pain in extremity, pollakiuria, sinusitis and decreased white blood cell count.

DRUG INTERACTIONS

Nelfinavir, Zidovudine, And Lamivudine

MYTESI administration did not have a clinically relevant interaction with nelfinavir, zidovudine, or lamivudine in a drug-drug interaction trial [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY].

Warnings & Precautions

WARNINGS

Included as part of the PRECAUTIONS section.

PRECAUTIONS

Risks Of Treatment In Patients With Infectious Diarrhea

Before starting MYTESI, rule out infectious etiologies of diarrhea. If infectious etiologies are not considered, and MYTESI is initiated based on a presumptive diagnosis of non-infectious diarrhea, then there is a risk that patients with infectious etiologies will not receive the appropriate treatments, and their disease may worsen. MYTESI is not indicated for the treatment of infectious diarrhea.

Nonclinical Toxicology

Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment Of Fertility

Carcinogenesis

Long-term studies in animals have not been performed to evaluate the carcinogenic potential of crofelemer.

Mutagenesis

Crofelemer was negative in the bacterial reverse mutation assay, chromosomal aberration assay, and rat bone marrow micronucleus assay.

Impairment Of Fertility

Crofelemer, at oral doses of up to 738 mg/kg/day (177 times the recommended human daily dose of 125 mg twice daily), had no effects on fertility or reproductive performance of male and female rats.

Use In Specific Populations

Pregnancy

Pregnancy Category C

Reproduction studies performed with crofelemer in rats at oral doses up to 177 times the recommended daily human dose of 250 mg (approximately 4.2 mg/kg) revealed no evidence of impaired fertility or harm to the fetus. In pregnant rabbits, crofelemer at an oral dose of about 96 times the recommended daily human dose of 4.2 mg/kg caused abortions and resorptions of fetuses. However, it is not clear whether these effects are related to the maternal toxicity observed. A pre-and postnatal development study performed with crofelemer in rats at oral doses of up to 177 times the recommended daily human dose of 4.2 mg/kg revealed no evidence of adverse pre-and postnatal effects in offspring. There are, however, no adequate, well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Because animal reproduction studies are not always predictive of human response, this drug should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed.

Nursing Mothers

It is not known whether crofelemer is excreted in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk and because of the potential for adverse reactions in nursing infants from MYTESI, a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or to discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother.

Pediatric Use

The safety and effectiveness of MYTESI have not been established in pediatric patients.

Geriatric Use

Clinical studies with MYTESI did not include sufficient numbers of patients aged 65 and over to determine whether they respond differently than younger patients.

Use In Patients With Low CD4 Counts And High Viral Loads

No dose modifications are recommended with respect to CD4 cell count and HIV viral load, based on the findings in subgroups of patients defined by CD4 cell count and HIV viral load.

The safety profile of MYTESI was similar in patients with baseline CD4 cell count less than 404 cells/microL (lower limit of normal range) (N=388) and patients with baseline CD4 cell counts greater than or equal to 404 cells/microL (N=289).

The safety profile of crofelemer was similar in patients with baseline HIV viral loads less than 400 copies/mL (N = 412) and patients with baseline HIV viral loads greater than or equal to 400 copies/mL (N = 278).

Overdosage & Contraindications

OVERDOSE

No Information provided

CONTRAINDICATIONS

None.

Clinical Pharmacology

CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY

Mechanism Of Action

Crofelemer is an inhibitor of both the cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)-stimulated cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) chloride ion (Cl‾) channel, and the calcium-activated Cl‾ channels (CaCC) at the luminal membrane of enterocytes. The CFTR Cl‾ channel and CaCC regulate Cl‾ and fluid secretion by intestinal epithelial cells. Crofelemer acts by blocking Cl‾ secretion and accompanying high volume water loss in diarrhea, normalizing the flow of Cl‾ and water in the gastrointestinal tract.

Pharmacodynamics

Consistent with the mechanism of action of crofelemer (i.e., inhibition of CFTR and CaCC in the gastrointestinal lumen), data suggest stool chloride concentrations decreased in patients treated with crofelemer 500 mg four times daily (8-times the recommended daily dosage) (n=25) for four days relative to placebo (n=24); stool chloride concentrations decreased in both African American patients treated with crofelemer (n=3) relative to placebo (n=5) and non-African American patients treated with MYTESI (n=22) relative to placebo (n=19).

Cardiac Electrophysiology

At a dose 10 times the maximum recommended dose, crofelemer does not prolong the QTc interval to any clinically relevant extent.

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption

The absorption of crofelemer is minimal following oral dosing in healthy adults and HIV–positive patients and concentrations of crofelemer in plasma are below the level of quantitation (50 ng/mL). Therefore, standard pharmacokinetic parameters such as area under the curve, maximum concentration, and half-life cannot be estimated.

Effect of Food

Administration of crofelemer with a high-fat meal was not associated with an increase in systemic exposure of crofelemer in healthy subjects. In the clinical trial, a single 500 mg dose of crofelemer (4-times the recommended dose) was administered one-half hour before the morning and evening meals [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION].

Drug Interaction Studies

In vitro studies have shown that crofelemer has the potential to inhibit transporters MRP2 and OATP1A2 but not P-gp and BCRP at concentrations expected in the gut.

Due to the minimal absorption of crofelemer, crofelemer is unlikely to inhibit cytochrome P450 isoenzymes 1A2, 2A6, 2B6, 2C9, 2C19, 2D6, and 2E1 systemically.

Nelfinavir, Zidovudine, Lamivudine

Results of a crossover study in healthy subjects showed crofelemer 500 mg administered four times daily (8times the recommended daily dosage) for five days had no effect on the exposure of zidovudine and nelfinavir when administered as a single dose. A 20% decrease in lamivudine exposure was also observed in the same study but was not considered to be clinically important.

Midazolam

In vitro studies have shown that crofelemer has the potential to inhibit CYP3A4 enzymes at concentrations expected in the gut. The effects of crofelemer on the pharmacokinetics of a single oral dose of 2 mg midazolam, a sensitive CYP3A4 substrate, was evaluated in healthy subjects following crofelemer dosed orally at 500 mg twice daily (4-times the recommended dosage) for six consecutive days. No significant changes in the mean Cmax and AUC were observed for midazolam and its active metabolite, hydroxymidazolam after co-administration with crofelemer compared to that after administration of midazolam alone.

Clinical Studies

The efficacy of MYTESI was evaluated in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled (one month) and placebo-free (five month), multi-center study. The study enrolled 374 HIV-positive patients on stable antiretroviral therapy with a history of diarrhea for one month or more. Diarrhea was defined as either persistently loose stools despite regular use of anti-diarrheal medication (e.g., loperamide, diphenoxylate, and bismuth subsalicylate) or one or more watery bowel movements per day without regular anti-diarrheal medicine use.

Patients were excluded if they had a positive gastrointestinal biopsy, gastrointestinal culture, or stool test for multiple bacteria (Salmonella, Shigella, Campylobacter, Yersinia, Mycobacterium), bacterial toxin (Clostridium difficile), ova and parasites (Giardia, Entamoeba, Isospora, Cyclospora, Cryptosporidium, Microsporidium), or viruses (Cytomegalovirus). Patients were also excluded if they had a history of ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, celiac sprue (gluten-enteropathy), chronic pancreatitis, malabsorption, or any other gastrointestinal disease associated with diarrhea.

The study had a two-stage adaptive design. In both stages, patients received placebo for 10 days (screening period) followed by randomization to crofelemer or placebo for 31 days of treatment (double-blind period). Only patients with 1 or more watery bowel movements per day on at least 5 of the last 7 days in the screening period were randomized to the double-blind period. Each stage enrolled patients separately; the dose for the second stage was selected based on an interim analysis of data from the first stage. In the first stage, patients were randomized 1:1:1:1 to one of three crofelemer dosage regimens (125 mg twice daily, or one of two higher dosage regimens) or placebo. In the second stage, patients were randomized 1:1 to MYTESI 125 mg twice daily or placebo. The efficacy analysis was based on results from the double-blind portion of both stages.

Each study stage also had a five month period (placebo-free period) that followed the double-blind period. Patients treated with MYTESI continued the same dose in the placebo-free period. In the first stage, patients that received placebo were re-randomized 1:1:1 to one of the three crofelemer dosage regimens (125 mg twice daily, or one of the two higher dosage regimens) in the placebo-free period. In the second stage, patients that received placebo were treated with MYTESI 125 mg twice daily in the placebo-free period.

The median time since diagnosis of HIV was 12 years. The percentage of patients with a CD4 cell count of less than 404 was 39%. The percentage of patients with a HIV viral load greater than or equal to 1000, 400 to 999, and less than 400 HIV copies/mL was 7%, 3%, and 9%, respectively; the remainder had a viral load that was not detectable. The median time since diarrhea started was 4 years. The median number of daily watery bowel movements was 2.5 per day.

Most patients were male (85%). The percentage of patients that were Caucasian was 46%; the percentage of patients that were African-American was 32%. The median age was 45 years with a range of 21 to 68 years.

In the double-blind period of the study, 136 patients received MYTESI 125 mg twice daily, 101 patients received one of the two higher dosage regimens and 138 patients received placebo. The percentages of patients that completed the double-blind period were 92% in the MYTESI 125 mg group and 94% in the placebo arm.

Most patients received concomitant protease inhibitors during the double-blind period (Table 2). The most frequently used anti-retroviral therapies in the MYTESI 125 mg and placebo groups were tenofovir/emtricitabine, ritonavir, and lopinavir/ritonavir.

Table 2: Concomitant Anti-Retroviral Therapy Used in the Double-Blind Period in Patients with HIV

	MYTESI 125 mg twice daily (N = 136) n (%)	Placebo N = 138 n (%)
Any antiretroviral therapy	135 (99)	134 (97)
Any protease inhibitor	87 (64)	97 (70)
Tenofovir/Emtricitabine	45 (33)	52 (38)
Ritonavir	46 (34)	49 (36)
Lopinavir/Ritonavir	30 (22)	40 (29)
Efavirenz/Tenofovir/Emtricitabine	30 (22)	21 (15)
Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate	18 (13)	14 (10)
Atazanavir sulfate	19 (14)	22 (16)
Abacavir w/ lamivudine	17 (13)	18 (13)
Darunavir	19 (14)	14 (10)
Raltegravir	16 (12)	11 (8)
Valaciclovir hydrochloride	12 (9)	16 (12)
Fosamprenavir	12 (9)	13 (9)
Zidovudine w/lamivudine	12 (9)	15 (11)
Lamivudine	7 (5)	6 (4)
Nevirapine	8 (6)	9 (7)
Atazanavir	5 (4)	2 (1)

The primary efficacy endpoint was the proportion of patients with a clinical response, defined as less than or equal to 2 watery bowel movements per week during at least 2 of the 4 weeks of the placebo-controlled phase. Patients who received concomitant anti-diarrheal medications or opiates were counted as clinical non-responders.

A significantly larger proportion of patients in the MYTESI 125 mg twice daily group experienced clinical response compared with patients in the placebo group (18% vs. 8%, 1–sided p < 0.01). In the randomized clinical study, examination of duration of diarrhea, baseline number of daily watery bowel movements, use of protease inhibitors, CD4 cell count and age subgroups did not identify differences in the consistency of the crofelemer treatment effect among these subgroups. There were too few female patients and patients with an HIV viral load > 400 copies/mL to adequately assess differences in effects in these populations. Among race subgroups, there were no differences in the consistency of the crofelemer treatment effect except for the subgroup of African-Americans; crofelemer was less effective in African-Americans than non-African-Americans.

Although the CD4 cell count and HIV viral load did not appear to change over the one month placebo-controlled period, the clinical significance of this finding is unknown because of the short duration of the placebo-controlled period.

Of the 24 clinical responders to MYTESI 125 mg twice daily, 22 entered the placebo-free period; 16 were responding at the end of month 3, and 14 were responding at the end of month 5.

Medication Guide

PATIENT INFORMATION

Instruct patients that MYTESI tablets may be taken with or without food.

Instruct patients to swallow MYTESI tablets whole and not to crush or chew the tablets.

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