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Agenerase - summary of medicine characteristics

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Summary of medicine characteristics - Agenerase

2. QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE COMPOSITION

Each capsule contains 50 mg of amprenavir.

Excipients:

d-sorbitol (E420)


For a full list of excipients, see section 6.1.

3. PHARMACEUTICAL FORM


Soft capsule.

Oblong, opaque, off-white to cream coloured, printed with ‘GX CC1’.

4. CLINICAL PARTICULARS




4.1 Therapeutic indications

Agenerase, in combination with other antiretroviral agents, is indicated for the treatment of protease inhibitor (PI) experienced HIV-1 infected adults and children above the age of 4 years. Agenerase capsules should normally be administered with low dose ritonavir as a pharmacokinetic enhancer of amprenavir (see sections 4.2 and 4.5). The choice of amprenavir should be based on individual viral resistance testing and treatment history of patients (see section 5.1).

The benefit of Agenerase boosted with ritonavir has not been demonstrated in PI naïve patients (see section 5.1)

4.2 Posology and method of administration

Therapy should be initiated by a physician experienced in the management of HIV infection.

The importance of complying with the full recommended dosing regimen should be stressed to all patients.

Ageneras


ministered orally and can be taken with or without food.

Agenerase is also available as an oral solution for use in children or adults unable to swallow capsules. Amprenavir is 14 % less bioavailable from the oral solution than from the capsules; therefore,

Agenerase capsules and Agenerase oral solution are not interchangeable on a milligram per milligram basis (see section 5.2).

Adults and adolescents of 12 years of age and older (greater than 50 kg body weight): the recommended dose of Agenerase capsules is 600 mg twice daily with ritonavir, 100 mg twice daily, in combination with other antiretroviral agents.

If Agenerase capsules are used without the boosting effect of ritonavir higher doses of Agenerase (1200 mg twice daily) should be used.

Children (4 to 12 years) and patients less than 50 kg body weight: the recommended dose of Agenerase capsules is 20 mg/kg body weight twice a day, in combination with other antiretroviral agents, without exceeding a total daily dose of 2400 mg (see section 5.1).

The pharmacokinetics, efficacy and safety of Agenerase in combination with low doses of ritonavir or other protease inhibitors have not yet been evaluated in children. Therefore, such combinations should be avoided in children.

Children less than 4 years of age: Agenerase is not recommended in children below 4 years due to lack of data on safety and efficacy (see section 5.2).

Elderly: the pharmacokinetics, efficacy and safety of amprenavir have not been studied in patients over 65 years of age (see section 5.2).

Renal impairment: no dose adjustment is considered necessary in patients with renal impairment (see section 5.2).

Hepatic impairment: the principal route of metabolism of amprenavir is via the liver. Agenerase capsules should be used with caution in patients with hepatic impairment. Clinical efficacy and safety have not been determined in this patient group. For subjects with hepatic impairment, pharmacokinetic data are available for the use of Agenerase capsules without the boosting effect of ritonavir. Based on pharmacokinetic data, the dose of Agenerase capsules should be reduced to 450 mg twice a day for adult patients with moderate hepatic impairment and to 300 mg twice a day for adult patients with severe hepatic impairment. No dose recommendation can be made in children with hepatic impairment (see section 5.2).

The use of amprenavir in combination with ritonavir has not been studied in patients with hepatic impairment. No dose recommendations can be made regarding this combination. Concomitant administration should be used with caution in patients with mild and moderate hepatic impairment and is contraindicated in patients with severe hepatic impairment (see section 4.3).

4.3 Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients.

Agenerase must not be administered concurrently with medicinal products with narrow therapeutic windows that are substrates of cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4). Co-administration may result in competitive inhibition of the metabolism of these medicinal products and create the potential for serious and/or life-threatening adverse events such as cardiac arrhythmia (e.g. amiodarone, bepridil, quinidine, terfenadine, astemizole, cisapride, pimozide), respiratory depression and /or prolonged sedation (e.g. oral triazolam and oral midazolam (for caution on parenterally administered midazolam, see section 4.5)) or peripheral vasospasm or ischaemia and ischaemia of other tissues, including cerebral or myocardial ischaemia (e.g. ergot derivatives).

Agenerase in combination with ritonavir is contraindicated in patients with severe hepatic impairment.

Combination of rifampicin with Agenerase with concomitant low-dose ritonavir is contraindicated. (see section 4.5).

Agenerase with ritonavir must not be co-administered with medicinal products with narrow therapeutic windows that are highly dependent on CYP2D6 metabolism, e.g. flecainide and propafenone (see section 4.5).

Herbal preparations containing St John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum ) must not be used while taking amprenavir due to the risk of decreased plasma concentrations and reduced clinical effects of amprenavir (see section 4.5).

4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use

Patients should be advised that Agenerase, or any other current antiretroviral therapy does not cure HIV and that they may still develop opportunistic infections and other complications of HIV infection. Current antiretroviral therapies, including Agenerase, have not been proven to prevent the risk of transmission of HIV to others through sexual contact or blood contamination. Appropriate precautions should continue to be taken.

On the basis of current pharmacodynamic data, amprenavir should be used in combination with at least two other antiretrovirals. When amprenavir is administered as monotherapy, resistant viruses rapidly emerge (see section 5.1). Agenerase capsules should normally be given in combination with low dose ritonavir and in combination with other antiretroviral agents (see section 4.2).

Liver Disease: The safety and efficacy of amprenavir has not been established in patients with significant underlying liver disorders. Agenerase capsules are contraindicated in patients with severe hepatic impairment when used in combination with ritonavir (see section 4.3). Patients with chronic hepatitis B or C and treated with combination antiretroviral therapy are at an increased risk of severe and potentially fatal hepatic adverse events. In case of concomitant antiviral therapy for hepatitis B or C, please refer also to the relevant product information for these medicinal products.

Patients with pre-existing liver dysfunction, including chronic active hepatitis, have an increased frequency of liver function abnormalities during combination antiretroviral therapy and should be monitored according to standard practice. If there is evidence of worsening liver disease in such patients, interruption or discontinuation of treatment must be considered.

Medicinal products – interactions

Concomitant use of Agenerase with ritonavir and fluticasone or other glucocorticoids that are metabolised by CYP3A4 is not recommended unless the potential benefit of treatment outweighs the risk of systemic corticosteroid effects, including Cushing’s syndrome and adrenal suppression (see section 4.5).

The HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors lovastatin and simvastatin are highly dependent on CYP3A4 for metabolism, thus concomitant use of Agenerase with simvastatin or lovastatin is not recommended due to an increased risk of myopathy, including rhabdomyolysis. Caution must also be exercised if Agenerase is used concurrently with atorvastatin, which is metabolized to a lesser extent by CYP3A4. In this situation, a reduced dose of atorvastatin should be considered. If treatment with a HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor is indicated, pravastatin or fluvastatin are recommended (see section 4.5).

For some medicinal products that can cause serious or life-threatening undesirable effects, such as carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, tricyclic antidepressants and warfarin (monitor International Normalised Ratio), concentration monitoring is available; this should minimise the risk of potential safety problems with concomitant use.

The use of Agenerase concomitantly with halofantrine or lidocaine (systemic) is not recommended (see section 4.5).

Anticonvulsants (carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin) should be used with caution. Agenerase may be less effective due to decreased amprenavir plasma concentrations in patients taking these medicinal products concomitantly (see section 4.5).

Therapeutic concentration monitoring is recommended for immunosuppressant medicinal products (cyclosporine, tacrolimus, rapamycin) when co-administered with Agenerase (see section 4.5).

Caution is advised when Agenerase is used concomitantly with PDE5 inhibitors (e.g. sildenafil and vardenafil) (see section 4.5).

Caution is advised when Agenerase is used concomitantly with delavirdine (see section 4.5).

A reduction of rifabutin dosage of at least 50 % is recommended when administered with Agenerase.

When ritonavir is co-administered further dose reduction may be necessary (see section 4.5).

Because of the potential for metabolic interactions with amprenavir, the efficacy of hormonal contraceptives may be modified, but there is insufficient information to predict the nature of the interactions. Therefore, alternative reliable methods of contraception are recommended for women of childbearing potential (see section 4.5).

Co-administration of amprenavir with methadone leads to a decrease of methadone concentrations. Therefore, when methadone is co-administered with amprenavir, patients should be monitored for opiate abstinence syndrome, in particular if low-dose ritonavir is also given. No recommendations can currently be made regarding adjustment of amprenavir dose when amprenavir is co-administered with methadone.

Agenerase capsules contain vitamin E (36 IU/50 mg capsule), therefore additional vitamin E supplementation is not recommended.

Agenerase capsules also contain sorbitol (E420). Patients with rare hereditary problems of fructose intolerance should not take this medicine.

Due to the potential risk of toxicity from the high propylene glycol content of Agenerase oral solution, this formulation is contraindicated in children below the age of four years and should be used with caution in certain other patient populations. The Summary of Product Characteristics of Agenerase oral solution should be consulted for full prescribing information.

Rash / cutaneous reactions

Most patients with mild or moderate rash can continue Agenerase. Appropriate antihistamines (e.g. cetirizine dihydrochloride) may reduce pruritus and hasten the resolution of rash. Agenerase should be permanently discontinued when rash is accompanied with systemic symptoms or allergic symptoms or mucosal involvement (see section 4.8).

Hyperglycaemia

New onset of diabetes mellitus, hyperglycaemia or exacerbations of existing diabetes mellitus have been reported in patients receiving antiretroviral therapy, including protease inhibitors. In some of these, the hyperglycaemia was severe and in some cases also associated with ketoacidosis. Many of the patients had confounding medical conditions, some of which required therapy with agents that have been associated with the development of diabetes mellitus or hyperglycaemia.

Lipodystrophy

Combination antiretroviral therapy has been associated with the redistribution of body fat (lipodystrophy) in HIV patients. The long-term consequences of these events are currently unknown. Knowledge about the mechanism is incomplete. A connection between visceral lipomatosis and protease inhibitors and lipoatrophy and nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors has been hypothesised. A higher risk of lipodystrophy has been associated with individual factors such as older age, and with drug related factors such as longer duration of antiretroviral treatment and associated metabolic disturbances. Clinical examination should include evaluation for physical signs of fat redistribution. Consideration should be given to the measurement of fasting serum lipids and blood glucose. Lipid disorders should be managed as clinically appropriate (see section 4.8).

Haemophiliac patients

There have been reports of increased bleeding, including spontaneous skin haematomas and haemarthroses, in haemophiliac patients type A and B treated with protease inhibitors. In some patients, additional factor VIII was given. In more than half of the reported cases, treatment with protease inhibitors was continued, or reintroduced if treatment had been discontinued. A causal relationship has been evoked, although the mechanism of action has not been elucidated. Haemophiliac patients should therefore be made aware of the possibility of increased bleeding.

Immune Reactivation Syndrome


In HIV-infected patients with severe immune deficiency at the time of institution of combination antiretroviral therapy (CART), an inflammatory reaction to asymptomatic or residual opportunist pathogens may arise and cause serious clinical conditions, or aggravation of symptoms. Typi such reactions have been observed within the first few weeks or months of initiation of CART. Relevant examples are cytomegalovirus retinitis, generalised and/or focal mycobacterium infections, and Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia. Any inflammatory symptoms should be evaluated and treatment instituted when necessary.


Osteonecrosis


Although the etiology is considered to be multifactorial (including co consumption, severe immunosuppression, higher body mass index) reported particularly in patients with advanced HIV-disease and antiretroviral therapy (CART). Patients should be advised to joint aches and pain, joint stiffness or difficulty in movement.

costeroid use, alcohol

of osteonecrosis have been

-term exposure to combination ical advice if they experience


4.5 Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction

4.5 Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction

Interaction studies have been performed with amprenavir as the sole protease inhibitor. When amprenavir and ritonavir are co-administered, the ritonavir metabolic drug interaction profile may predominate because ritonavir is a more potent CYP3A4 inhibitor. Ritonavir also inhibits CYP2D6 and induces CYP3A4, CYP1A2, CYP2C9 and glucuronosyl transferase. The full prescribing information for ritonavir must therefore be consulted prior to initiation of therapy with Agenerase and ritonavir.

Amprenavir and ritonavir are primarily metabolised in the liver by CYP3A4. Therefore, medicinal products that either share this metabolic pathway or modify CYP3A4 activity may modify the pharmacokinetics of amprenavir. Similarly, amprenavir and ritonavir might also modify the pharmacokinetics of other medicinal products that share this metabolic pathway.

Associations contraindicated (see section 4.3)

CYP3A4 substrates with narrow therapeutic index

Agenerase must not be administered concurrently with medicinal products with narrow therapeutic windows containing active substances that are substrates of cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4).

Co-administration may result in competitive inhibition of the metabolism of these active substances thus increasing their plasma level and leading to serious and / or life-threatening adverse reactions such as cardiac arrhythmia (e.g. amiodarone, astemizole, bepridil, cisapride, pimozide, quinidine, terfenadine) or peripheral vasospasm or ischaemia (e.g. ergotamine, dihydroergotamine).

CYP2D6 substrates with narrow therapeutic index

Agenerase with ritonavir must not be co-administered with medicinal products containing active substances that are highly dependent on CYP2D6 metabolism and for which elevated plasma concentrations are associated with serious and / or life-threatening adverse reactions. These active substances include flecainide and propafenone.

Rifampicin

Rifampicin is a strong CYP3A4 inducer and has been shown to cause an 82% decrease in amprenavir AUC, which can result in virological failure and resistance development. During attempts to overcome the decreased exposure by increasing the dose of other protease inhibitors with ritonavir, a high frequency of liver reactions was seen. The combination of rifampicin and Agenerase with concomitant low-dose ritonavir is contraindicated (see section 4.3).

St John’s wort ( Hypericum perforatum )

Serum levels of amprenavir can be reduced by concomitant use of the herbal preparation St John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum ). This is due to induction of drug metabolising enzymes by St John’s wort. Herbal preparations containing St John’s wort should therefore not be combined with Agenerase. If a patient is already taking St John’s wort, check amprenavir and if possible viral levels and stop St John’s wort. Amprenavir levels may increase on stopping St John’s wort. The dose of amprenavir may need adjusting. The inducing effect may persist for at least 2 weeks after cessation of treatment with St John’s wort.


Other combinations

Of note, the following interaction data was obtained in adults.

Antiretroviral agents

Protease inhibitors (PIs):

, 27 %, and 22 %, respectively, is unknown. The AUC, Cmin and vely. No dose adjustment is


Indinavir : the AUC, Cmin and Cmax of indinavir were decreased by 3 when given with amprenavir. The clinical relevance of these ch Cmax of amprenavir were increased by 33 %, 25 %, and 18 % necessary for either medicinal product when indinavir is amprenavir.

istered in combination with


Saquinavir : the AUC, Cmin and Cmax of saquinavir were decreased by 19 % and 48 % and increased by 21 %, respectively, when given with amprenavir. The clinical relevance of these changes is unknown. The AUC, Cmin and Cmax of amprenavir were decreased by 32 %, 14 %, and 37 %, respectively. No dose adjustment is necessary for either medicinal product when saquinavir is administered in combination with amprenavir.

Nelfinavir : the AUC, Cmin and Cmax of nelfinavir were increased by 15 %, 14 %, and 12 %, respectively, when given with amprenavir. The Cmax of amprenavir was decreased by 14 % whilst the AUC and Cmin were increased by 9 % and 189 %, respectively. No dose adjustment is necessary for either medicinal product when nelfinavir is administered in combination with amprenavir (see also efavirenz below).

Ritonavir: the


Cmax decr capsule ( ampren twic



UC and Cmin of amprenavir were increased by 64% and 508% respectively and the y 30% when ritonavir (100 mg twice daily) was co-administered with amprenavir twice daily) compared to values achieved after 1200 mg twice daily doses of apsules. In clinical trials, doses of amprenavir 600 mg twice daily and ritonavir 100 mg have been used; confirming the safety and efficacy of this regimen.

Lopinavir / ritonavir (Kaletra) : in an open-label, non-fasting pharmacokinetic study, the AUC, Cmax and Cmin of lopinavir were decreased by 38%, 28% and 52% respectively when amprenavir (750 mg twice daily) was given in combination with Kaletra (400 mg lopinavir + 100 mg ritonavir twice daily). In the same study, the AUC, Cmax, and Cmin of amprenavir were increased 72%, 12%, and 483%, respectively, when compared to values after standard doses of amprenavir (1200 mg twice daily).

The amprenavir plasma Cmin values achieved with the combination of amprenavir (600 mg twice daily) in combination with Kaletra (400 mg lopinavir + 100 mg ritonavir twice daily) are approximately 4050% lower than when amprenavir (600 mg twice daily) is given in combination with ritonavir 100 mg twice daily. Adding additional ritonavir to an amprenavir plus Kaletra regimen increase lopinavir Cmin values, but not amprenavir Cmin values. No dose recommendation can be given for the co-administration of amprenavir and Kaletra, but close monitoring is advised because the safety and efficacy of this combination is unknown.

  • • Nucleoside analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs):

Zidovudine : the AUC and Cmax of zidovudine were increased by 31 % and 40 %, respectively, when given with amprenavir. The AUC and the Cmax of amprenavir were unaltered. No dose adjustment for either medicinal product is necessary when zidovudine is administered in combination with amprenavir.

Lamivudine : the AUC and Cmax of lamivudine and amprenavir, respectively, were both unaltered when these two medicinal products were given concomitantly. No dose adjustment is necessary fo either medicinal product when lamivudine is administered in combination with amprenavir.

Abacavir : the AUC, Cmin and Cmax of abacavir were unaltered when given with amprenavir. The AUC, Cmin and Cmax of amprenavir were increased by 29 %, 27 %, and 47 %, respectively. No dose adjustment is necessary for either medicinal product when abacavir is administered in combination with amprenavir.

Didanosine : no pharmacokinetic study has been performed with Agenerase in combination with didanosine, however, due to its antacid component, it is recommended that didanosine and Agenerase should be administered at least one hour apart (see Antacids below).

  • • Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs):

Efavirenz : efavirenz has been seen to decrease the Cma d Cmin,ss of amprenavir by approximately 40 % in adults. When amprenavir is comb    with ritonavir, the effect of efavirenz is

compensated by the pharmacokinetic booster effect of ritonavir. Therefore, if efavirenz is given in combination with amprenavir (600 mg twice daily) and ritonavir (100 mg twice daily), no dose adjustment is necessary.

Further, if efavirenz is given in combination with amprenavir and nelfinavir, no dosage adjustment is necessary for any of the medicinal products.

Treatment with efavirenz in combination with amprenavir and saquinavir is not recommended, as the exposure to both protease inhibitors would be decreased.

No dose recommendation can be given for the co-administration of amprenavir with another protease inhibitor and efavirenz in children. Such combinations should be avoided in patients with hepatic impairment.

Nevirapine : The effect of nevirapine on other protease inhibitors and the limited evidence available suggest that nevirapine may decrease the serum concentrations of amprenavir.

Delavirdine : the AUC, Cmaxand Cminof delavirdine were decreased by 61%, 47% and 88% respectively when given with amprenavir. The AUC, Cmax and Cmin of amprenavir were increased by 130%, 40% and 125% respectively.

No dose recommendations can be given for the co-administration of amprenavir and delavirdine. If these medicinal products are used concomitantly care is advised, as delavirdine may be less effective due to decreased and potentially sub-therapeutic plasma concentrations.

No dose recommendations can be given for the co-administration of amprenavir and low dose ritonavir with delavirdine. If these medicinal products are used concomitantly care is advised, and close clinical and virological monitoring should be performed since it is difficult to predict the effect of the combination of amprenavir and ritonavir on delavirdine.

Antibiotics/antifungals

Rifabutin : co-administration of amprenavir with rifabutin resulted in a 193 % increase in rifabutin AUC and an increase of rifabutin-related adverse events. The increase in rifabutin plasma concentration is likely to result from inhibition of rifabutin CYP3A4 mediated metabolism by amprenavir. When it is clinically necessary to co-administer rifabutin with Agenerase, a dosage reduction of at least half the recommended dose of rifabutin is advised, although no clinical data are available. When ritonavir is co-administered a larger increase in rifabutin concentration may occur.

Clarithromycin : the AUC and Cmin of clarithromycin were unaltered and the Cmax decreased by 10 % when given with amprenavir. The AUC, Cmin and Cmax of amprenavir were increased by 18 %, 39 % and 15 %, respectively. No dose adjustment is necessary for either medicinal product when clarithromycin is administered in combination with amprenavir. When ritonavir is co-administered an increase in clarithromycin concentrations may occur.

Erythromycin : no pharmacokinetic study has been performed with Agenerase in combination with erythromycin, however, plasma levels of both medicinal products may be increased when co-administered.

Ketoconazole / Itraconazole : the AUC and Cmax of ketoconazole were increased by 44 % and 19 %, respectively when given with amprenavir alone. The AUC and Cmax of amprenavir were increased by 31 % and decreased by 16 %, respectively. Itraconazole concentrations are expected to increase in the same manner as ketoconazole. No dose adjustment for any of the medicinal products is necessary when either ketoconazole or itraconazole is administered in combination with amprenavir. Coadministration of fosamprenavir 700 mg with ritonavir 100 mg twice daily and ketoconazole 200 mg once daily increased plasma ketoconazole Cmax by 25 % and increased AUC(0-t) to values 2.69-fold those observed on administration of ketoconazole 200 mg once daily without concurrent fosamprenavir with ritonavir. The Cmax, AUC and Cmin of amprenavir were unchanged. When used with Agenerase with ritonavir, high doses (>200 mg/day) of ketoconazole or itraconazole are not recommended.

Other possible interactionsOther possible interactions

Other medicinal products, listed below, including examples of substrates, inhibitors or inducers of CYP3A4, may lead to interactions when administered with Agenerase. The clinical significance of these possible interactions is not known and has not been investigated. Patients should therefore be monitored for toxic reactions associated with these medicinal products when these are administered in combination with Agenerase.

Antacids : on the basis of the data for other protease inhibitors, it is advisable not to take antacids at the same time as Agenerase, since its absorption may be impaired. It is recommended that antacids and Agenerase should be administered at least one hour apart.

Anticonvulsant active substances : concomitant administration of anticonvulsant active substances known as enzymatic inductors (phenytoin, phenobarbital, carbamazepine) with amprenavir may lead to a decrease in the plasma concentrations of amprenavir. These combinations should be used with caution and therapeutic concentration monitoring is recommended (see section 4.4).

Calcium-channel blockers : amprenavir may lead to increased serum concentrations of calcium channel blockers such as amlodipine, diltiazem, felodipine, isradipine, nicardipine, nifedipine, nimodipine, nisoldipine and verapamil, possibly resulting in enhanced activity and toxicity of these medicinal products.

Erectile dysfunction agents : based on data for other protease inhibitors caution should be used when prescribing PDE5 inhibitors (e.g. sildenafil and vardenafil) to patients receiving Agenerase. Coadministration with Agenerase may substantially increase PDE5 inhibitor plasma concentrations and associated adverse events, including hypotension, visual changes and priapism (see section 4.4).

Fluticasone propionate (interaction with ritonavir) : in a clinical study where ritonavir 100 mg capsules bid were co-administered with 50 ^g intranasal fluticasone propionate (4 times daily) for 7 days in healthy subjects, the fluticasone propionate plasma levels increased significantly, whereas the intrinsic cortisol levels decreased by approximately 86 % (90 % confidence interval 82–89 %). Greater effects may be expected when fluticasone propionate is inhaled. Systemic corticosteroid effects including Cushing’s syndrome and adrenal suppression have been reported in patients receiving ritonavir and inhaled or intranasally administered fluticasone propionate; this could also occur with other corticosteroids metabolised via the P450 3A pathway e.g. budesonide. Consequently, concomitant administration of Agenerase with ritonavir and these glucocorticoids is not recommended unless the potential benefit of treatment outweighs the risk of systemic corticosteroid effects (see section 4.4). A dose reduction of the glucocorticoid should be considered with close monitoring of local and systemic effects or a switch to a glucocorticoid, which is not a substrate for CYP3A4 (e.g. beclomethasone). Moreover, in case of withdrawal of glucocorticoids progressive dose reduction may have to be performed over a longer period. The effects of high fluticasone systemic exposure on ritonavir plasma levels is yet unknown.

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HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors : HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors which are highly dependent on CYP3A4 for metabolism, such as lovastatin and simvastatin, are expected to have markedly increased plasma concentrations when co-administered with Agenerase. Since increased concentrations of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors may cause myopathy, including rhabdomyolysis, the combination of these medicinal products with Agenerase is not recommended. Atorvastatin is less dependent on CYP3A4 for metabolism. When used with Agenerase, the lowest possible dose of atorvastatin should be administered. The metabolism of pravastatin and fluvastatin is not dependent on CYP3A4, and interactions are not expected with protease inhibitors. If treatment with a HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor is indicated, pravastatin or fluvastatin is recommended.

Immunosuppres­sants : frequent therapeutic concentration monitoring of immunosuppresant levels is recommended until levels have stabilised as plasma concentrations of cyclosporin, rapamycin and tacrolimus may be increased when co-administered with amprenavir (see section 4.4).

Midazolam : midazolam is extensively metabolized by CYP3A4. Coadministration with Agenerase with or without ritonavir may cause a large increase in the concentration of this benzodiazepine. No drug interaction study has been performed for the co-administration of Agenerase with benzodiazepines. Based on data for other CYP3A4 inhibitors, plasma concentrations of midazolam are expected to be significantly higher when midazolam is given orally. Therefore Agenerase should not be co-administered with orally administered midazolam (see section 4.3), whereas caution should be used with co-administration of Agenerase and parenteral midazolam. Data from concomitant use of parenteral midazolam with other protease inhibitors suggest a possible 3–4 fold increase in midazolam plasma levels. If Agenerase with or without ritonavir is co-administered with parenteral midazolam, it should be done in an intensive care unit (ICU) or similar setting which ensures close clinical monitoring and appropriate medical management in case of respiratory depression and/or prolonged sedation. Dosage adjustment for midazolam should be considered, especially if more than a single dose of midazolam is administered.

Methadone and opiate derivatives : co-administration of methadone with amprenavir resulted in a decrease in the Cmax and AUC of the active methadone enantiomer (R-enantiomer) of 25% and 13% respectively, whilst the Cmax, AUC and Cmin of the inactive methadone enantiomer (S-enantiomer) were decreased by 48%, 40% and 23% respectively. When methadone is co-administered with amprenavir, patients should be monitored for opiate abstinence syndrome, in particular if low-dose ritonavir is also given.

As compared to a non-matched historical control group, co-administration of methadone and amprenavir resulted in a 30%, 27% and 25% decrease in serum amprenavir AUC, Cmax and Cmin respectively. No recommendations can currently be made regarding adjustment of amprenavir dose when amprenavir is co-administered with methadone due to the inherent low reliability of nonmatched historical controls.

Oral anticoagulants : a reinforced monitoring of the International Normalised Ratio is recommended in case of administration of Agenerase with warfarin or other oral anticoagulants, due to a possible decrease or increase of their antithrombotic effect (see section 4.4).

Steroids : oestrogens and progestogens may interact with amprenavir. However, the information currently available is not sufficient for determining the nature of the interaction. Co-administration of 0.035 mg ethinyl estradiol plus 1.0 mg norethindrone resulted in a decrease of the amprenavir AUC and Cmin of 22% and 20% respectively, Cmax being unchanged. The Cmin of ethinyl estradiol was increased by 32%, whilst the AUC and Cmin of norethindrone were increased by 18% and 45% respectively. Alternative methods of contraception are recommended for women of childbearing potential. When ritonavir is co-administered, the effect on hormonal contraceptive concentrations cannot be predicted, therefore, alternative methods of contraception are also recommended.

Tricyclic antidepressants : careful monitoring of the therapeutic and adverse reactions of tricyclic antidepressants is recommended when they (for example desipramine and n< ortriptyline) are concomitantly administered with Agenerase (see section 4.4).

Paroxetine : plasma concentrations of paroxetine may be significantly decreased when co-administered with amprenavir and ritonavir. The mechanism of this interaction remains unknown. Based on historical comparison, amprenavir pharmacokinetic parameters were not altered by paroxetine.

Therefore, if paroxetine is co-administered with Agenerase and ritonavir, the recommended approach is a dose titration of paroxetine based on a clinical assessment of antidepressant response. In addition, patients on stable dose of paroxetine who start treatment with Agenerase and ritonavir should be monitored for antidepressant response.

Other substances : plasma concentrations of other substances may be increased by amprenavir. These include substances such as: clozapine, cimetidine, dapsone and loratadine.

Some substances (e.g. lidocaine (by systemic route) and halofantrine) given with Agenerase may cause serious adverse reactions. Concomitant use is not recommended (see section 4.4).

4.6 Pregnancy and lactation

4.6 Pregnancy and lactation

Pregnancy: there are no adequate data from the use of amprenavir in pregnant women. Studies in animals have shown reproductive toxicity (see section 5.3). The potential risk for humans is unknown.

This medicinal product should be used during pregnancy only after careful weighing of the potential benefits compared to the potential risk to the foetus.

Lactation: amprenavir-related material was found in rat milk, but it is not known whether amprenavir is excreted in human milk. A reproduction study in pregnant rats dosed from the time of uterine implantation through lactation showed reduced body weight gains in the offspring during the nursing period. The systemic exposure to the dams associated with this finding was similar to exposure in humans, following administration of the recommended dose. The subsequent development of the offspring, including fertility and reproductive performance, was not affected by the maternal administration of amprenavir.

It is therefore recommended that mothers being treated with Agenerase do not breast-feed their infants. Additionally, it is recommended that HIV infected women do not breast feed their infants in order to avoid transmission of HIV.

4.7 Effects on ability to drive and use machines

No studies on the effects on ability to drive and use machines have been performed (see section 4.8).

4.8 Undesirable effects

The safety of Agenerase has been studied in adults and children at least 4 years of age, in controlled clinical trials, in combination with various other antiretroviral agents. Adverse events considered associated with the use of Agenerase are gastro-intestinal symptoms, rash and oral/peri-oral paraesthesia. Most undesirable effects associated with Agenerase therapy were mild to moderate in severity, early in onset, and rarely treatment limiting. For many of these events, it is unclear whether they are related to Agenerase, to concomitant treatment used in the management of HIV disease or to the disease process.

In children, the nature of the safety profile is similar to that seen in adults.

Adverse reactions are listed below by MedDRA body system organ class and by frequency. The frequency categories used are:


Very common Common Uncommon Rare


>

1

in

10

>

1

in

100 and < 1 in 10

>

1

in

1,000 and < 1 in 100

>1 in 10,000 and < 1 in 1,000


Frequency categories for the events below have been based on clinical trials and postmarketing data.

Most of the adverse events below come from two clinical trials (PROAB3001, PROAB3006) involving PI naïve subjects receiving Agenerase 1200mg twice daily. Events (grade 2–4) reported by study investigators as attributable to study medication and occurring in >1% of patients, are included as well as grade 3–4 treatment emergent laboratory abnormalities. Note that the background rates in comparator groups were not taken into account.


Metabolism and nutrition disorders

Common:              E­levated triglycerides, elevated amylase, abnormal fat redistribution, anorexia

Uncommon:          Hyper­glycaemia, hypercholeste­rolaemia

Elevated triglycerides, elevated amylase and hyperglycaemia (grade 3–4) were reported primarily in patients with abnormal values at baseline.

Elevations in cholesterol were of grade 3–4 intensity.

Combination antiretroviral therapy has been associated with redistribution of body fat (lipodystrophy) in HIV patients including the loss of peripheral and facial subcutaneous fat, increased intra-abdominal and visceral fat, breast hypertrophy and dorsocervical fat accumulation (buffalo hump).

Symptoms of abnormal fat redistribution were infrequent in PROAB3001 with amprenavir. Only one case (a buffalo hump) was reported in 113 (< 1 %) antiretroviral naive subjects treated with amprenavir in combination with lamivudine/zi­dovudine for a median duration of 36 weeks. In study PROAB3006, seven cases (3 %) were reported in 245 NRTI-experienced subjects treated with amprenavir and in 27 (11 %) of 241 subjects treated with indinavir, in combination with various NRTIs for a median duration of 56 weeks (p< 0.001).

Combination antiretroviral therapy has been associated with metabolic abnormalities such as hypertriglyce­ridaemia, hypercholeste­rolaemia, insulin resistance, hyperglycaemia and hyperlactataemia (see section 4.4).

Psychiatric disorders

Common:


Mood disorders, depressive disorders

Nervous system disorders

Very Common:

Common:


Headache

Oral/perioral paraesthesia, tremors, sleep disorders


Gastrointestinal disorders


Very Common:

Common:


Diarrhoea, nausea, flatulence, vomiting

Abdominal pain, abdominal discomfort, dyspeptic symptoms, loose stools


Hepatobiliary disorders


Common:

Uncommon:


Elevated transaminases

Hyperbilirubinaemia


Elevated transaminases and hyperbilirubinaemia (grade 3–4) were reported primarily in patients with abnormal values at baseline. Almost all subjects with abnormal liver function tests were co-infected with Hepatitis B or C virus.


Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders


Very Common:

Uncommon:

Rare:


Rash

Angioedema

Stevens Johnson syndrome



Rashes were usually mild to moderate, erythematous or maculop


cutaneous eruptions, with or


without pruritus, occurring during the second week of therapy and resolving spontaneously within two


weeks, without discontinuation of treatment with amprenavir. A higher incidence of rash was reported in patients treated with amprenavir in combination with efavirenz. Severe or life-threatening skin reactions have also occurred in patients treated with amprenavir (see section 4.4).


Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders


Increased CPK, myalgia, myositis, and rarely rhabdomyolysis have been reported with protease inhibitors, particularly in combination with nucleoside analogues.


Cases of osteonecrosis have been reported, particularly in patients with generally acknowledged risk


factors, advanced HIV disease or long-term exposure to combination antiretroviral therapy (CART). The frequency of this is unknown (see section 4.4).


General disorders and administration site conditions


Very Common:

Fatigue


In HIV-infected patients with severe immune deficiency at the time of initiation of combination antiretroviral therapy (CART), an inflammatory reaction to asymptomatic or residual opportunistic infections may arise (see section 4.4).

In PI experienced patients receiving Agenerase capsules 600 mg twice daily and low dose ritonavir, 100 mg twice daily, the nature and frequency of adverse events (grade 2–4) and Grade 3/4 laboratory abnormalities were similar to those observed with Agenerase alone, with the exception of elevated triglyceride levels, and elevated CPK levels which were very common in patients receiving Agenerase and low dose ritonavir.

4.9 Overdose

There are limited reports of overdose with Agenerase. If overdose occurs, the patient should be monitored for evidence of toxicity (see section 4.8) and standard supportive treatment provided as necessary. Since amprenavir is highly protein bound, dialysis is unlikely to be helpful in reducing blood levels of amprenavir.

5. PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES5.1 Pharmacodynamic properties

5. PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES5.1 Phar­macodynamic properties

Pharmacotherapeutic group; protease inhibitor; ATC Code: J05A E05


Mechanism of Action

Amprenavir is a competitive inhibitor of HIV-1 protease. Amprenavir binds to the active site protease and thereby prevents the processing of viral gag and gag-pol polyprotein precursors, lting in the formation of immature non-infectious viral particles. The in vitro antiviral activity observed with fosamprenavir is due to the presence of trace amounts of amprenavir.


Antiviral activity in vitro

The in vitro antiviral activity of amprenavir was evaluated against HIV-1 IIIB in both acutely and chronically infected lymphoblastic cell lines (MT-4, CEM-CCRF, H9) and in peripheral blood lymphocytes. The 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of amprenavir ranged from 0.012 to 0.08 ^M in acutely infected cells and was 0.41 ^M in chronically infected cells (1 ^M = 0.50 ^g/ml). The

the inhibition of HIV-1 replication


relationship between in vitro anti-HIV-1 activity of ampre in humans has not been defined.


Resistance

In vitro

HIV-1 isolates with decreased susceptibility to amprenavir have been selected during in vitro serial passage experiments. Reduced susceptibility to amprenavir was associated with virus that had

developed I50V or I84V or V32

or I54M mutations.

In vivo

  • a) ART-naïve or PI-naïve patients (Note: Agenerase is not approved in ART-naive or PI-naive patients).

Various regimens have been assessed in the amprenavir/fo­samprenavir development programs with and without co-administration of ritonavir. Analysis of the virological failure samples across these regimens defined four main resistance pathways: V32I+I47V, I50V, I54L/M and I84V. Additional mutations observed which may contribute to resistance were: L10V/F/R, I13V, K20R/T, L33F/V, M36I, M46I/L, I47V/L Q58E, I62V, L63P, V77I, I85V, and I93L.

When ART naïve patients were treated with the currently approved doses of fosamprenavir/ri­tonavir, as for other ritonavir boosted PI regimens, the mutations described were infrequently observed.

Sixteen of 434 ART-naïve patients who received fosamprenavir 700mg/ritonavir 100mg twice daily in ESS100732 experienced virological failure by Week 48 with 14 isolates genotyped. Three of 14 isolates had protease resistance mutations. One resistance mutation was observed in each of 3 isolates: K20K/R, I54I/L and I93I/L respectively.

Genotypic analysis of isolates from 13 of 14 paediatric patients exhibiting virological failure among the 59 PI-naïve patients enrolled, demonstrated resistance patterns similar to those observed in adults.

  • b) PI-experienced patients

Amprenavir

In the studies of PI-experienced patients, PRO30017 (amprenavir 600 mg / ritonavir 100 mg twice daily in sub-study A and B with 80 and 37 patients respectively), the following mutations emerged in patients with virological failure: L10F/I/V, V11I, I13V, K20R, V32I, L33F, E34Q, M36I, M46I/L, I47V, G48V, I50V, I54L/M/T/V, Q58E, D60E, I62V, A71V, V77I, V82A/I, I84V, I85V, L90M and I93L/M.

Fosamprenavir

In the studies of PI-experienced patients, APV30003 and its extension, APV30005 (fosamprenavir 700 mg / ritonavir 100 mg twice daily: n=107), the following mutations emerged in patients experiencing virological failure through 96 weeks: L10F/I, L24I, V32I, L33F, M36I, M46I/L, I47V, I50V, I54L/M/S, A71I/T/V, G73S, V82A, I84V, and L90M.

In the paediatric studies APV20003 and APV29005, 67 PI-experienced patients were treated with fosamprenavir / ritonavir and of 22 virological failure isolates genotyped, nine patients were found with treatment-emergent protease mutations. The mutational profiles were similar to those described for PI-experienced adults treated with fosamprenavir / ritonavir.

Analyses based on genotypic resistance testing.

Genotypic interpretation systems may be used to estimate the activity of amprenavir / ritonavir or fosamprenavir / ritonavir in subjects with PI-resistant isolates. The current (July 2006) ANRS AC-11 algorithm for fosamprenavir / ritonavir defines resistance as the presence of the mutations V32I+I47A/V, or I50V, or at least four mutations among: L10F/I/V, L33F, M36I, I54A/L/M/S/T/V, I62V, V82A/C/F/G, I84V and L90M and is associated with increased phenotypic resistance to fosamprenavir with ritonavir as well as reduced likelihood of virological response (resistance). Conclusions regarding the relevance of particular mutations or mutational patterns are subject to change with additional data, and it is recommended to always consult current interpretation systems for analysing resistance test results.

Analyses based on phenotypic resistance testing.

Clinically validated phenotypic interpretation systems may be used in association with the genotypic data to estimate the activity of amprenavir / ritonavir or fosamprenavir / ritonavir in patients with PI-resistant isolates. Resistance testing diagnostic companies have developed clinical phenotypic cut-offs for FPV/RTV that can be used to interpret resistance test results.

Cross-Resistance

HIV-1 isolates with a decreased susceptibility to amprenavir have been selected during in vitro serial passage experiments. Reduced susceptibility to amprenavir was associated with virus that had developed I50V or I84V or V32I+I47V or I54M mutations. Each of these four genetic patterns associated with reduced susceptibility to amprenavir produces some cross-resistance to ritonavir but susceptibility to indinavir, nelfinavir and saquinavir is generally retained. There are currently data on cross-resistance between amprenavir and other protease inhibitors for all 4 fosamprenavir resistance pathways, either alone or in combination with other mutations. Based on data from twenty-five antiretroviral naïve patients failing a fosamprenavir containing regimen (one of whom showed Baseline resistance to lopinavir and saquinavir and another to tipranavir) the resistance pathways associated with amprenavir produce limited cross-resistance to atazanavir/ri­tonavir (three of 25

isolates), darunavir/ritonavir (four of 25 isolates), indinavir/ritonavir (one of 25 isolates), lopinavir/ritonavir (three of 24 isolates), saquinavir (three of 24 isolates) and tipranavir/ri­tonavir (four of 24 isolates).. Conversely amprenavir retains activity against some isolates with resistance to other PIs and this retained activity would depend on the number and type of protease resistance mutations present in the isolates


The number of key PI-resistance mutations increases markedly the longer a failing PI-containing regimen is continued. Early discontinuation of failing therapies is recommended in order to limit the accumulation of multiple mutations, which may be detrimental to a subsequent rescue regimen.


Cross resistance between amprenavir and reverse transcriptase inhibitors is unlikely to occur because the enzyme targets are different.


Agenerase is not recommended for use as monotherapy, due to the rapid emergence of resistant virus.


Clinical experience:


Pl-experienced adults, boosted Agenerase capsules



The evidence of efficacy of Agenerase in combination with ritonavir 100 mg twice daily is based on study PRO30017, a randomized, open-label study, in which PI-experienced adults experiencing virological failure (viral load >1000 copies/ml) received either Agenerase (600 mg twice daily) in combination with ritonavir (100 mg twice daily) and nucleoside analogues (NRTI) or a standard of care (SOC) PI, predominantly boosted with low-dose RTV.



One hundred and sixty-three (163) patients with virus sensiti at least one NRTI were included in PRO30017 substud


o Agenerase, at least one other PI, and e primary analysis assessed the non-


inferiority of APV/r to the SOC PI group with respect to time-weighted average change from baseline


(AAUCMB) in plasma viral load (HIV-1 RNA) copies/ml.



16 using a non-inferiority margin of 0.4 log10



Results at week 16

Amprenavir / ritonavir (n = 80)

SOC PI (n = 83): Indinavir / RTV (29%) Lopinavir / RTV (36%) Saquinavir / RTV(20%)

Treatment difference

Baseline characteristics

Median HIV-1 RNA (log10 copies/ml) (range)

4.11 (2.51–5.97)

4.10 (2.34–6.07)

X

Median CD4 (cells/ml) (range)

265 (8–837)

322 (36–955)

Prior number of PIs taken [n (%)] 1 2 > 3

27 (34)

18 (23)

35 (44)

25 (30)

29 (35)

29 (35)

Median number of PI

  • •                        i­.•           i

primary mutations

1.0 (range 0–2)

1.0 (range 0–2)

Prior number of NRTIs taken [n (%)] > 4

49 (61)

40 (48)

Outcomes a

Mean plasma HIV-1 RNA AAUCMB (log10 copies/ml)

– 1.315

– 1.343

P

0.043b (-0.250, 0.335)c

Plasma HIV-1 RNA below 400 copies/ml (%)

66

A

70

6 (-21, 9)c

a Intent To Treat (Exposed) Population: Observed analysis

b Mean stratified difference

c 95% confidence interval

1 Primary mutations were as defined by the IAS USA at the time of the original analysis, 2002 D30N, M46I/L, G48V, I50V, V82A/F/T/S, I84V, L90M.

Heavily pre-treated children, unboosted Agenerase

The evidence of efficacy of unboosted Agenerase was based on two uncontrolled clinical studies involving 288 HIV infected children aged between 2 and 18 years, 152 of whom were PI experienced.

The studies evaluated Agenerase oral solution and capsules at doses of 15 mg/kg three times daily, 20 mg/kg three times daily, 20 mg/kg twice daily and 22.5 mg/kg twice daily although the majority received 20 mg/kg twice daily. Those of at least 13 years of age and weighing at least 50 kg received 1200 mg Agenerase twice daily. Concomitant low dose ritonavir was not administered and the majority of the PI experienced subjects had prior exposure to at least one (78 %) or two (42 %) of the NRTIs co-administered with Agenerase. At Week 48, approximately 25 % of those enrolled had plasma HIV-1 RNA < 10,000 copies/ml and 9 % < 400 copies/ml with a median change from baseline in CD4+ cells of 26 cells/mm3 (n=74).

Based on these data, careful consideration should be given to the expected benefit of unboosted Agenerase when optimising therapy for PI experienced children.

There is no data on the efficacy of boosted Agenerase in children.

5.2 Pharmacokinetic properties

Absorption: after oral administration, amprenavir is rapidly and well absorbed. The absolute bioavailability is unknown due to the lack of an acceptable intravenous formulation for use in man. Approximately 90 % of an orally administered radiolabelled amprenavir dose was recovered in the urine and the faeces, primarily as amprenavir metabolites. Following oral administration, the mean time (tmax) to maximal serum concentrations of amprenavir is between 1–2 hours for the capsule and 0.5 to 1 hour for the oral solution. A second peak is observed after 10 to 12 hours and may represent either delayed absorption or enterohepatic recirculation.

At therapeutic dosages (1200 mg twice daily), the mean maximum steady state concentration (Cmax,ss) of amprenavir capsules is 5.36 pg/ml (0.92–9.81) and the minimum steady state concentration (Cmin,ss) is 0.28 pg/ml (0.12–0.51). The mean AUC over a dosing interval of 12 hours is 18.46 pg.h/ml (3.02

32.95). The 50 mg and 150 mg capsules have been shown to be bioequivalent. The bioavailability of the oral solution at equivalent doses is lower than that of the capsules, with an AUC and Cmax approximately 14 % and 19 % lower, respectively (see section 4.2).

The AUC and Cmin of amprenavir were increased by 64% and 508% respectively and the Cmax

decreased by 30% when ritonavir (100 mg twice daily) was coadministered twice daily) compared to values achieved after 1200 mg twice daily doses o

with amprenavir (600 mg f amprenavir.


While administration of amprenavir with food results in a 25 % reduction in AUC, it had no effect on the concentration of amprenavir 12 hours after dosing (C12). Therefore, although food affects the extent and rate of absorption, the steady-state trough concentration (Cmin,ss) was not affected by food intake.

Distribution: the apparent volume of distribution is approximately 430 litres (6 l/kg assuming a 70 kg body weight), suggesting a large volume of distribution, with penetration of amprenavir freely into tissues beyond the systemic circulation. The concentration of amprenavir in the cerebrospinal fluid is less than 1 % of plasma concentration.

In in vitro studies, the protein binding of amprenavir is approximately 90 %. Amprenavir is primarily bound to the alpha-1-acid glycoprotein (AAG), but also to albumin. Concentrations of AAG have been shown to decrease during the course of antiretroviral therapy. This change will decrease the total active substance concentration in the plasma, however the amount of unbound amprenavir, which is the active moiety, is likely to be unchanged. While absolute free active substance concentrations remain constant, the percent of free active substance will fluctuate directly with total active substance concentrations at steady-state go from Cmax,ss to Cmin,ss over the course of the dosing interval. This will result in a fluctuation in the apparent volume of distribution of total active substance, but the volume of distribution of free active substance does not change.

Clinically significant binding displacement interactions involving medicinal products primarily bound to AAG are generally not observed. Therefore, interactions with amprenavir due to protein binding displacement are highly unlikely.

Metabolism: amprenavir is primarily metabolised by the liver with less than 3 % excreted unchanged in the urine. The primary route of metabolism is via the cytochrome P450 CYP3A4 enzyme. Amprenavir is a substrate of and inhibits CYP3A4. Therefore, medicinal products that are inducers, inhibitors or substrates of CYP3A4 must be used with caution when administered concurrently with Agenerase (see sections 4.3, 4.4 and 4.5).

Elimination: the plasma elimination half-life of amprenavir ranges from 7.1 to 10.6 hours. The plasma amprenavir half-life is increased when Agenerase capsules are co-administered with ritonavir.

Following multiple oral doses of amprenavir (1200 mg twice a day), there is no significant active substance accumulation. The primary route of elimination of amprenavir is via hepatic metabolism with less than 3 % excreted unchanged in the urine. The metabolites and unchanged amprenavir account for approximately 14 % of the administered amprenavir dose in the urine, and approximately 75 % in the faeces.

Special populations:Special populations:

Paediatrics: the pharmacokinetics of amprenavir in children (4 years of age and above) are similar to those in adults. Dosages of 20 mg/kg twice a day and 15 mg/kg three times a day with Agenerase capsules provided similar daily amprenavir exposure to 1200 mg twice a day in adults. Amprenavir is 14 % less bioavailable from the oral solution than from the capsules; therefore, Agenerase capsules and Agenerase oral solution are not interchangeable on a milligram per milligram basis.

Elderly: the pharmacokinetics of amprenavir have not been studied in patients over 65 years of ag

Renal impairment: patients with renal impairment have not been specifically studied. Less than 3 of the therapeutic dose of amprenavir is excreted unchanged in the urine. The impact of renal impairment on amprenavir elimination should be minimal therefore, no initial dose adjustment is considered necessary. Renal clearance of ritonavir is also negligible; therefore the impact of renal impairment on amprenavir and ritonavir elimination should be minimal.


Hepatic impairment: the pharmacokinetics of amprenavir are significantly altered in patients with moderate to severe hepatic impairment. The AUC increased nearly three-fold in patients with moderate impairment and four fold in patients with severe hepatic impairment. Clearance also decreased in a corresponding manner to the AUC. The dosage should therefore be reduced in these patients (see section 4.2). These dosing regimens will provide plasma amprenavir levels comparable to those achieved in healthy subjects given a 1200 mg dose twice daily without concomitant administration of ritonavir.

5.3 Preclinical safety data

In long-term carcinogenicity studies with amprenavir in mice and rats, there were benign hepatocellular adenomas in males at exposure levels equivalent to 2.0-fold (mice) or 3.8-fold (rats) those in humans given 1200 mg twice daily of amprenavir alone. In male mice altered hepatocellular foci were seen at doses that were at least 2.0 times human therapeutic exposure.

A higher incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma was seen in all amprenavir male mouse treatment groups. However, this increase was not statistically significantly different from male control mice by appropriate tests. The mechanism for the hepatocellular adenomas and carcinomas found in these studies has not been elucidated and the significance of the observed effects for humans is uncertain. However, there is little evidence from the exposure data in humans, both in clinical trials and from marketed use, to suggest that these findings are of clinical significance.

Amprenavir was not mutagenic or genotoxic in a battery of in vivo and in vitro genetic toxicity assays, including bacterial reverse mutation (Ames Test), mouse lymphoma, rat micronucleus, and chromosome aberration in human peripheral lymphocytes.

In toxicological studies with mature animals, the clinically relevant findings were mostly confined to the liver and gastrointestinal disturbances. Liver toxicity consisted of increases in liver enzymes, liver weights and microscopic findings including hepatocyte necrosis. This liver toxicity can be monitored for and detected in clinical use, with measurements of AST, ALT and alkaline phosphatase activity. However, significant liver toxicity has not been observed in patients treated in clinical studies, either during administration of Agenerase or after discontinuation.

Amprenavir did not affect fertility.

Local toxicity and sensitising potential was absent in animal studies, but slight irritating properties to the rabbit eye were identified.

Toxicity studies in young animals, treated from four days of age, resulted in high mortality in both the control animals and those receiving amprenavir. These results imply that young animals lack fully developed metabolic pathways enabling them to excrete amprenavir or some critical components of the formulation (e.g. propylene glycol, PEG 400). However, the possibility of anaphylactic reaction related to PEG 400 cannot be excluded. In clinical studies, the safety and efficacy of amprenavir have not yet been established in children below four years of age.

In pregnant mice, rabbits and rats there were no major effects on embryo-foetal development. However, at systemic plasma exposures significantly below (rabbits) or not significantly higher (rat) than the expected human exposures during therapeutic dosing, a number of minor changes, including thymic elongation and minor skeletal variations were seen, indicating developmental delay. A dosedependent increase in placental weight was found in the rabbit and rat which may indicate effects on placental function. It is therefore recommended that women of child-bearing potential taking Agenerase should practice effective contraception (e.g. barrier methods).


6. PHARMACEUTICAL PARTICULARS6.1 List of excipients

Capsule shell :

gelatin,

glycerol,

d-sorbitol (E420) and sorbitans solution, titanium dioxide, red printing ink.

Capsule contents:

d-alpha tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate (TPGS), macrogol 400 (PEG 400), propylene glycol.

6.2 Incompatibilities


3 years.


Not applicable.

6.3 Shelf life

6.4 Special precautions for storage


Do not store above 30°C.

Keep the container tightly closed.

6.5 Nature and contents of container

White High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) bottles containing 480 capsules.

6.6 Special precautions for disposal

Any unused product should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements.

7. MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER

Glaxo Group Ltd

Glaxo Wellcome House

Berkeley Avenue

Greenford

Middlesex UB6 0NN

United Kingdom

8. MARKETING AUTHORISATION NUMBER

EU/1/00/148/001


9. DATE OF FIRST AUTHORISATION/RENEWAL OF THE AUTHORISATION

9. DATE OF FIRST AUTHORISATION/RE­NEWAL OF THE AUTHORISATION

Date of first authorisation: 20 October 2000

Date of last renewal: 17 November 2005

10. DATE OF THE REVISION OF THE TEXT


Detailed information on this medicinal product is available on t Agency (EMEA).

ite of the European Medicines