TREPROSTINIL TILLOMED 5 MG / ML SOLUTION FOR INFUSION - summary of medicine characteristics

Treprostinil Tillomed 5 mg/ml solution for infusion

2 QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE COMPOSITION

1 ml solution for infusion contains 5 mg treprostinil as treprostinil sodium Each 20 ml vial of infusion solution contains 100 mg of Treprostinil (sodium salt formed in situ during the preparation of the final product).

Excipient with known effect:

This medicinal product contains 78.16 mg sodium per vial.

For the full list of excipients, see section 6.1.

3 PHARMACEUTICAL FORM

Solution for infusion

Clear colorless to slightly yellow solution, practically free from visible particles.

pH: 6.0 – 7.2

Osmolality: 220 – 320 mOsmol/kg

4.1 Therapeutic indications

Treatment of idiopathic or heritable pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) to improve exercise tolerance and symptoms of the disease in patients classified as New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class III.

4.2 Posology and method of administration

Treprostinil Tillomed is administered by continuous subcutaneous or intravenous infusion. Due to the risks associated with chronic indwelling central venous catheters, including serious blood stream infections, subcutaneous infusion (undiluted) is the preferred mode of administration and continuous intravenous infusion should be reserved for patients stabilized with treprostinil subcutaneous infusion and who become intolerant of the subcutaneous route and in whom these risks are considered acceptable.

The treatment should be initiated and monitored only by clinicians experienced in the treatment of pulmonary hypertension.

Treatment initiation for patients new to prostacyclin therapy

Treatment should be initiated under close medical supervision in a medical setting able to provide intensive care.

The recommended initial infusion rate is 1.25 ng/kg/min. If this initial dose is poorly tolerated, the infusion rate should be reduced to 0.625 ng/kg/min. Dose adjustments

The infusion rate should be increased under medical supervision in increments of 1.25 ng/kg/min per week for the first four weeks of treatment and then 2.5 ng/kg/min per week.

The dose should be adjusted on an individual basis and under medical supervision in order to achieve a maintenance dose at which symptoms improve and which is tolerated by the patient. The maximum dose to be administered depends on the patient’s clinical condition and various comorbidities.

Efficacy in the main 12 week trials was only maintained if the dose was increased on average 3–4 times per month. The goal of chronic dosage adjustments is to establish a dose at which PAH symptoms are improved, whilst minimizing the excessive pharmacological effects of treprostinil. Adverse effects such as flushing, headache, hypotension, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea are generally dependent on the dose of treprostinil administered. They may disappear as treatment continues, but should they persist or become intolerable to the patient, the infusion rate may be reduced to diminish their intensity.

During follow-up phases of clinical trials the mean doses reached after 12 months were 26 ng/kg/min, after 24 months were 36 ng/kg/min and after 48 months were 42 ng/kg/min.

For patients with obesity (weighing > 30% more than ideal body weight) initial dose and following dose increments should be based on ideal body weight.

Abrupt withdrawal or sudden marked reductions in the dose of treprostinil may cause a rebound in pulmonary arterial hypertension. It is therefore recommended that interruption of treprostinil therapy is avoided and that the infusion is re-started as soon as possible after an abrupt accidental dose reduction or interruption. The optimal strategy for reintroducing the treprostinil infusion needs to be determined on a case by case basis by medically qualified personnel. In most cases, after an interruption of a few hours, restarting of treprostinil infusion can be done using the same dose rate; interruptions for longer periods may require the dose of treprostinil to be retitrated.

Clinical studies of treprostinil did not include sufficient numbers of patients aged 65 years and over to determine whether they respond differently from younger patients. In a population pharmacokinetic (PK) analysis, plasma clearance of treprostinil was reduced by 20%. In general, dose selection for an elderly patient should be cautious, reflecting the greater frequency of decreased hepatic, renal or cardiac function and of concomitant disease or other drug therapy.

There are few data in patients less than 18 years of age. Available clinical studies do not establish whether the efficacy and safety of the recommended posology scheme for adults can be extrapolated to children and adolescents.

Special population

Hepatic impairment

Plasma treprostinil exposure (area under the plasma concentration-time curve, AUC) increases by 260% to 510% in mild to moderate hepatic impairment, Child-Pugh classes A and B, respectively. Plasma clearance of treprostinil was reduced up to 80% in subjects presenting with mild to moderate hepatic impairment. Caution is therefore advised when treating patients with hepatic impairment because of the risk of an increase in systemic exposure which may reduce tolerability and lead to an increase in dose-dependent adverse effects. The initial dose of treprostinil should be decreased to 0.625 ng/kg/min and incremental dose increases should be made cautiously.

Renal impairment

As no clinical studies have been carried out in patients with renal impairment, the treatment recommendations are not established for patients with renal impairment. As treprostinil and its metabolites are excreted mainly through the urinary route, caution is recommended when treating patients with renal impairment in order to prevent deleterious consequences related to the possible increase of systemic exposure.

When transition to intravenous epoprostenol is required, the transition phase should be carried out under strict medical supervision. It may be useful for guidance purposes to note the following suggested treatment transition scheme. Treprostinil infusions should first be decreased slowly by 2.5 ng/kg/min. After at least one hour at the new treprostinil dose, epoprostenol treatment can be initiated at a maximum dose of 2 ng/kg/min. The treprostinil dose should then be decreased at subsequent intervals of at least 2 hours, and at the same time the epoprostenol dose is gradually increased after maintaining the initial dose for at least one hour.

Treprostinil Tillomed is administered by continuous subcutaneous infusion via a subcutaneous catheter using an ambulatory infusion pump.

In order to avoid potential interruptions in drug delivery, the patient must have access to a backup infusion pump and subcutaneous infusion sets in the event that the administration equipment should suffer an accidental malfunction. The ambulatory infusion pump used to administer undiluted Treprostinil Tillomed subcutaneously should be: 1) small and lightweight,

2) capable of adjusting infusion rates in increments of approximately 0.002 ml/h,

3) fitted with occlusion, low battery, programming error and motor malfunction alarms,

4) accurate to within +/- 6% of the programmed delivery rate

5) positive pressure driven (continuous or pulsated).

The reservoir must be made of polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene or glass.

Patients must be thoroughly trained in the use and programming of the pump and the connection and care of the infusion set.

Flushing the infusion line whilst connected to the patient may lead to accidental overdose.

Infusion rates (ml/h) are calculated using the following formula:_________­_______

(ml/h) = D (ng/kg/min) x W (kg) x [0.00006/trepros­tinil concentration (mg/ml)]

D = prescribed dose expressed in ng/kg/min

W = body weight of the patient expressed in kg

Treprostinil Tillomed is available in the following concentrations: 1, 2.5, 5 and 10 mg/ml.

For subcutaneous infusion, Treprostinil Tillomed is delivered without further dilution at a calculated Subcutaneous Infusion Rate (ml/h) based on a patient's Dose (ng/kg/min), Weight (kg) and the Vial Strength (mg/ml) of Treprostinil Tillomed being used. During use, a single reservoir (syringe) of undiluted Treprostinil Tillomed can be administered up to 72 hours at 37°C. The Subcutaneous Infusion rate is calculated using the following formula:

* Conversion factor of0.00006 = 60 mi________­_________~ ■■■&■■&

Example calculations for Subcutaneous Infusion are as follows:

Example 1:

For a 60 kg person at the recommended initial dose of 1.25 ng/kg/min using the 1 mg/ml treprostinil Vial Strength, the infusion rate would be calculated as

For a 65 kg person at a dose of 40 ng/kg/min, using the 5 mg/ml treprostinil Vial Strength, the infusion rate would be calculated as follows:

40 ng/kg/min x 65 kg x 0.00006

For a 60 kg person at a dose of 5 ng/kg/min, with a predetermined intravenous infusion rate of 1 ml/h and a reservoir of 50 ml, the Diluted Intravenous Treprostinil Tillomed Solution Concentration would be calculated as follows: Step 1

Diluted              5 ng/kg/min x 60 kg x 0.00006      0.018 mg/ml

Intravenous =            1 ml/h              =   (18,000 ng/ml)

treprostinil

Concentration

(mg/ml)

The amount of Treprostinil Tillomed (using 1 mg/ml Vial Strength) needed for a total Diluted Treprostinil Tillomed Concentration of 0.018 mg/ml and a total volume of 50 ml would be calculated as follows:

Step 2

Amount of

0.018

x 50 ml = 0.9 ml

treprostinil (ml) = mg/ml 1 mg/ml

The Diluted intravenous Treprostinil Tillomed concentration for the person in Example 3 would thus be prepared by adding 0.9 ml of 1 mg/ml Treprostinil Tillomed to a suitable reservoir along with a sufficient volume of diluent to achieve a total volume of 50 ml in the reservoir. The pump flow rate for this example would be set at 1 ml/h.

The clinical team responsible for the therapy must ensure that the patient is fully trained and competent to use the chosen infusion device. A period of personal instruction and supervision should continue until the patient is judged competent to change infusions, alter flow rates/doses as instructed, and be able to deal with common device alarms. Patients must be trained in proper aseptic technique when preparing the treprostinil infusion reservoir and priming the infusion delivery tubing and connection. Written guidance, either from the pump manufacturer or a specifically tailored advice by the prescribing physician, must be made available to the patient. This would include the required normal drug delivery actions, advice on how to manage occlusions and other pump alarms and details of whom to contact in an emergency.

Particular attention must be given to the following to help minimize the risk of catheter related blood stream infections in patients that are receiving treprostinil via intravenous infusion (see section 4.4). This advice is in accordance with the current best practice guidelines for the prevention of catheter-related blood stream infections and includes:

General principles

– use of a cuffed and tunnelled central venous catheter (CVC) with a minimum number of ports.

– insertion of the CVC using sterile barrier techniques.

– use of proper hand hygiene and aseptic techniques when the catheter is inserted, replaced, accessed, repaired, or when the catheter insertion site is examined and/or dressed.

– a sterile gauze (replaced every two days) or sterile transparent semi-permeable dressing (replaced at least every seven days) should be used to cover the catheter insertion site.

– the dressing should be replaced whenever it becomes damp, loosened, or soiled or after examination of the site.

– topical antibiotic ointments or creams should not be applied as they may promote fungal infections and antimicrobial resistant bacteria.

Duration of use of diluted treprostinil solution

– the maximum duration of use of the diluted product should be no more than 24 hours.

Use of in-line 0.2 micron filter

– a 0.2 micron filter must be placed between the infusion tubing and the catheter hub and replaced every 24 hours at the time of changing the infusion reservoir.

Two further recommendations that are potentially important for the prevention of water-borne Gram negative blood stream infections, relate to management of the catheter hub. These include:

Use of a split septum closed hub system

– the use of a closed-hub system (preferably a split septum rather than a mechanical valve device), ensures that the lumen of the catheter is sealed each time the infusion system is disconnected. This prevents the risk of exposure to microbial contamination;

– the split-septum closed hub device should be replaced every 7 days.

Infusion system luer lock inter-connections

The risk of contamination with water-borne Gram negative organisms is likely to be increased if a luer lock inter-connection is wet at the time of exchanging either the infusion line or the closed hub. Therefore:

– swimming and submersion of the infusion system at the site of connection with the catheter hub should be discouraged.

– at the time of replacing the closed-hub device, there should not be any water visible in the luer lock connection threads.

– the infusion line should only be disconnected from the closed hub device once every 24 hours at the time of replacement.

4.3 Contraindications

known hypersensitivity to treprostinil or to any of the excipients.

pulmonary arterial hypertension related to veno-occlusive disease.

congestive heart failure due to severe left ventricular dysfunction.

severe liver impairment (Child-Pugh Class C).

active gastrointestinal ulcer, intracranial hemorrhage, injury or other bleeding condition.

congenital or acquired valvular defects with clinically relevant myocardial dysfunction not related to pulmonary hypertension.

severe coronary heart disease or unstable angina; myocardial infarction within the last six months; decompensated cardiac failure if not under close medical supervision; severe arrhythmias; cerebrovascular events (e.g. transient ischemic attack, stroke) within the last three months.

4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use

The decision to initiate therapy with treprostinil should take into consideration the high probability that a continuous infusion will have to be continued for a prolonged period. Thus the patient’s ability to accept and to be responsible for an indwelling catheter and infusion device should be carefully considered.

Treprostinil is a potent pulmonary and systemic vasodilator. In subjects presenting with low systemic arterial pressure, treprostinil treatment may increase the risk of systemic hypotension. Treatment is not recommended for patients with systolic arterial pressure of less than 85 mmHg.

It is recommended to monitor systemic blood pressure and heart rate during any change in dose with instructions to stop the infusion if symptoms of hypotension develop, or a systolic blood pressure of 85 mmHg or lower is detected.

Abrupt withdrawal or sudden marked reductions in the dose of treprostinil may cause a rebound in pulmonary arterial hypertension (see section 4.2). If a patient contracts pulmonary edema while on treprostinil, the possibility of an associated pulmonary veno-occlusive disease should be considered. The treatment should be stopped.

Obese patients (BMI greater than 30 kg/m2) clear treprostinil more slowly.

The benefit of treprostinil subcutaneous treatment in patients with more severe pulmonary arterial hypertension (NYHA functional class IV) has not been established.

The efficacy/safety ratio of treprostinil has not been studied in pulmonary arterial hypertension associated with left-right cardiac shunt, portal hypertension, or HIV infection.

Patients with hepatic and renal impairment should be dosed cautiously (see section 4.2).

As treprostinil and its metabolites are excreted mainly through the urinary route, caution is recommended when treating patients with renal impairment in order to prevent deleterious consequences related to the possible increase of systemic exposure (see section 4.2).

Caution is advised in situations where treprostinil may increase the risk of bleeding by inhibiting platelet aggregation.

A 20 ml vial of treprostinil 2.5 mg/ml contains 78.16 mg of sodium, equivalent to 3.91% of the WHO recommended maximum daily intake of 2 g sodium for an adult. This must be considered in patients with a controlled sodium diet.

Co-administration of a cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2C8 enzyme inhibitor (e.g. gemfibrozil) may increase exposure (both Cmax and AUC) to treprostinil. Increased exposure is likely to increase adverse events associated with treprostinil administration. Treprostinil dose reduction should be considered (see section 4.5).

Co-administration of a CYP2C8 enzyme inducer (e.g. rifampicin) may decrease exposure to treprostinil. Decreased exposure is likely to reduce clinical effectiveness. Treprostinil dose increase should be considered (see section 4.5).

Adverse Events attributable to the Intravenous Drug Delivery System: Central venous catheter associated blood stream infections and sepsis have been reported in patients receiving treprostinil by intravenous infusion. These risks are attributable to the drug delivery system. A Centers for Disease Control retrospective survey of seven centres in the United States that used intravenous treprostinil for the treatment of PAH found an incidence rate for catheter-related bloodstream infections of 1.10 events per 1000 catheter days. Clinicians should be aware of the range of possible Gram-negative and Grampositive organisms that may infect patients with long-term central venous catheters, therefore, continuous subcutaneous infusion of undiluted treprostinil is the preferred mode of administration.

The clinical team responsible for the therapy must ensure that the patient is fully trained and competent to use the chosen infusion device (see section 4.2).

4.5 Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction Associations to consider

+ Diuretics, antihypertensive agents or other vasodilators Concomitant administration of treprostinil with diuretics, antihypertensive agents or other vasodilators increases the risk of systemic hypotension.

+ Platelet aggregation inhibitors, including NSAIDs and anticoagulants Treprostinil may inhibit platelet function. Concomitant administration of treprostinil with platelet aggregation inhibitors, including NSAIDs, nitric oxide donors or anticoagulants may increase the risk of bleeding. Surveillance of patients taking anticoagulants should be closely maintained in accordance with conventional medical practice recommendations when monitoring such treatments. The concomitant use of other platelet inhibitors should be avoided in patients taking anticoagulants. Continuous subcutaneous infusion of treprostinil had no effect on pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of a single dose (25 mg) of warfarin. There are no data available on the potential interactions leading to increased risk of bleeding if treprostinil is co-prescribed with nitric oxide donors.

Treprostinil plasma clearance may be slightly reduced in patients treated with furosemide. This interaction is probably due to some common metabolic features shared by both compounds (carboxylate group glucuroconjuga­tion).

+ Cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2C8 Enzyme Inducers/Inhibitors

Gemfibrozil: Human pharmacokinetic studies with oral treprostinil diolamine indicated that co-administration of the cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2C8 enzyme inhibitor gemfibrozil doubles the exposure (both Cmax and AUC) to treprostinil. It has not been determined if the safety and efficacy of treprostinil by the parenteral (subcutaneous or intravenous) route are altered by inhibitors of CYP2C8. If a CYP2C8 inhibitor (e.g. gemfibrozil, trimethoprim and deferasirox) is added to or subtracted from the patient’s medi­cations after the titration period, treprostinil dose adjustment should be considered.

Rifampicin: Human pharmacokinetic studies with oral treprostinil diolamine indicated that co-administration of the CYP2C8 enzyme inducer rifampicin decreases exposure to treprostinil (by approximately 20%). It has not been determined if the safety and efficacy of treprostinil by the parenteral (subcutaneous or intravenous) route are altered by rifampicin. If rifampicin is added to or subtracted from the patient’s medi­cations after the titration period, treprostinil dose adjustment should be considered.

CYP2C8 inducers (e.g. phenytoin, carbamazepine, phenobarbital and St.

John's Wort) may reduce the exposure to treprostinil. If a CYP2C8 inducer is added to or subtracted from the patient’s medi­cations after the titration period, treprostinil dose adjustment should be considered.

+ Bosentan

In a human pharmacokinetic study conducted with bosentan (250 mg/day) and treprostinil diolamine (oral dose 2 mg/day), no pharmacokinetic interactions between treprostinil and bosentan were observed.

+ Sildenafil

In a human pharmacokinetic study conducted with sildenafil (60 mg/day) and treprostinil diolamine (oral dose 2 mg/day) no pharmacokinetic interactions between treprostinil and sildenafil were observed.

4.6 Fertility, pregnancy and lactation

Pregnancy

No adequate data on the use of treprostinil in pregnant women are available. Animal studies are insufficient with respect to effects on pregnancy (see section 5.3). The potential risk for humans is unknown. Treprostinil Tillomed should only be used during pregnancy if the potential benefit to the mother justifies the potential risk to the fetus.

Women of childbearing potential

Contraception is recommended during treprostinil therapy.

Breast-feeding

It is not known whether treprostinil is excreted in human milk. Breastfeeding women taking Treprostinil Tillomed should be advised to discontinue breastfeeding.

Fertility

No information regarding effect of treprostinil on fertility in humans is available currently. However, experimental studies in rodents demonstrated no effect on the fertility or mating performance of males with treprostinil sodium.

4.7 Effects on ability to drive and use machines

The initiation of treatment or dosage adjustments may be accompanied by undesirable effects such as symptomatic systemic hypotension or dizziness which may impair ability to drive and operate machinery.

4.8 Undesirable effects

Adverse reactions observed in placebo-controlled studies and post-marketing experience with treprostinil are ranked according to frequency using the following convention:

very common (>1/10), common (>1/100 to <1/10), uncommon (>1/1,000 to <1/100), rare (>1/10,000 to <1/1,000), very rare (<1/10,000), not known (cannot be estimated from the available data).

Tabulated list of adverse reactions

§ See section "Description of selected adverse events

Description of selected adverse events

Bleeding events

Bleeding events were common as expected in this patient population with a high proportion of patients treated with anticoagulants. Due to its effects on platelet aggregation, treprostinil may increase the risk of bleeding, as observed by an increased incidence of epistaxis and gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding (including gastrointestinal hemorrhage, rectal hemorrhage, gum haemorrhage, and melaena) in controlled clinical trials. There were also reports of hemoptysis, hematemesis and hematuria, but these occurred with the same or lower frequency than in the placebo group.

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions

Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important.

It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via Yellow Card Scheme Website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.

4.9 Overdose

Symptoms of overdose with treprostinil are similar to the effects likely to limit dose increases; they include flushing, headache, hypotension, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Patients experiencing symptoms of overdose should immediately reduce or discontinue their dose of treprostinil depending on the severity of the symptoms until the symptoms of overdose have resolved. Dosing should be recommenced with caution under medical control and patients monitored closely for recurrence of unwanted symptoms.

No antidote is known.

5 PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES

5.1 Pharmacodynamic properties

Pharmacotherapeutic group:

PLATELET AGGREGATION INHIBITORS, EXCLUDING HEPARIN, ATC code:

B01A C21

Mechanism of action

Treprostinil is a prostacyclin analogue.

It exerts a direct vasodilation effect on the pulmonary and systemic arterial circulation and inhibits platelet aggregation.

In animals, the vasodilatory effects reduce right and left ventricular afterload and increase cardiac output and stroke volume. The effect of treprostinil on heart rate in animals varies with the dose. No major effects on cardiac conduction have been observed.

Data on efficacy in adults with pulmonary arterial hypertension:

Studies with subcutaneously administered treprostinil

Two phase III randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials have been conducted with treprostinil administered by subcutaneous continuous infusion in subjects with stable pulmonary arterial hypertension. A total of 469 adults were included in the two trials: 270 presented with idiopathic or heritable pulmonary arterial hypertension (treprostinil group = 134 patients, placebo group = 136 patients), 90 patients presented with pulmonary arterial hypertension associated with connective tissue disease (mainly scleroderma) (treprostinil group = 41 patients, placebo group = 49 patients) and 109 patients presented with pulmonary arterial hypertension associated with congenital cardiopathy with left-right shunt (treprostinil = 58 patients, placebo = 51 patients). At baseline, the mean 6-minute walking distance was 326 meters ± 5 in the group receiving treprostinil through subcutaneous infusion and 327 meters ± 6 in the group receiving placebo. The dose of both treatments being compared was progressively increased during the study according to pulmonary arterial hypertension symptoms and clinical tolerance. The mean dose achieved after 12 weeks was 9.3 ng/kg/min in the treprostinil group and 19.1 ng/kg/min in the placebo group. After 12 weeks of treatment, the mean variation in the 6-minute walk test compared to baseline, calculated on the global population from both trials was –2 meters ± 6.61 meters in the patients receiving treprostinil and –21.8 meters ± 6.18 meters in the placebo group. These results reflected a mean treatment effect assessed by the 6-minute walk test of 19.7 meters (p = 0.0064) compared to placebo for the global population from both trials. Mean changes compared to baseline values in hemodynamic parameters (mean pulmonary arterial pressure (PAPm), right atrial pressure (RAP), pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR), cardiac index (CI), and venous oxygen saturation (SvO2)) showed treprostinil to be superior to placebo. The improvement in signs and symptoms of pulmonary hypertension (syncope, dizziness, chest pain, fatigue and dyspnea) was statistically significant (p <0.0001). In addition, the Dyspnea-Fatigue rating and Borg Dyspnea Score were improved in patients treated with treprostinil after 12 weeks (p <0.0001). Analysis of a combined criterion associating the improvement of exercise capacity (6-minute walk test) of at least 10% compared to the baseline after 12 weeks, an improvement by at least one NYHA class compared to baseline after 12 weeks and absence of deterioration in pulmonary hypertension together with lack of death reported before week 12 for the global population of both studies showed the number of subjects responding to treprostinil to be 15.9% (37/233), while 3.4% (8/236) of subjects in the placebo group responded. Sub-group analysis of the global population showed a statistically significant treatment effect of treprostinil compared to placebo on the 6-minute walk test in the sub-population of subjects with idiopathic or heritable pulmonary arterial hypertension (p = 0.043), but not in the sub-population of subjects with pulmonary arterial hypertension associated with scleroderma or congenital cardiopathy.

The effect seen on the primary endpoint (i.e., change in six minute walk distance after 12 weeks treatment) was smaller than that seen in historical controls with bosentan, iloprost and epoprostenol.

No study directly comparing treprostinil and epoprostenol intravenous infusion has been conducted.

No specific study has been conducted in children with pulmonary hypertension (PAH).

There are no data from clinical studies conducted with active comparator in patients with PAH.

5.2 Pharmacokinetic properties

Absorption

In humans, steady state plasma concentrations are usually achieved within 15 to 18 hours of the initiation of either subcutaneous or intravenous infusion of treprostinil. Steady state plasma concentrations of treprostinil are doseproportional at infusion rates of 2.5 up to 125 ng/kg/min.

Subcutaneous and intravenous administration of treprostinil demonstrated bioequivalence at steady state at a dose of 10 ng/kg/min.

Distribution

The mean volume of distribution for treprostinil ranged from 1.11 to 1.22 l/kg. Biotransformation and Elimination

The mean apparent elimination half-life following subcutaneous administration ranged from 1.32 to 1.42 hours after infusions over 6 hours, 4.61 hours after infusions over 72 hours, and 2.93 hours after infusions lasting at least three weeks and plasma clearance ranged from 586.2 to 646.9 ml/kg/h. Clearance is lower in obese patients (BMI > 30 kg/m2).

In a study conducted on healthy volunteers using [14C] radioactive treprostinil, 78.6% and 13.4% of the subcutaneous radioactive dose were recovered in the urine and feces respectively over a period of 224 hours. No single major metabolite was observed. Five metabolites were detected in the urine ranging from 10.2% to 15.5% of the dose administered. These five metabolites accounted for a combined total of 64.4%. Three are products of oxidation of the 3-hydroxyoctyl side chain, one is a glucuroconjugated derivative (treprostinil glucuronide) and one is unidentified. Only 3.7% of the dose was recovered in the urine as unchanged parent drug.

In a seven-day chronic pharmacokinetic study in 14 healthy volunteers with treprostinil doses ranging from 2.5 to 15 ng/kg/min administered by subcutaneous infusion, steady-state plasma treprostinil concentrations reached peak levels twice (at 1 a.m. and 10 a.m. respectively) and trough levels twice (at 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. respectively). The peak concentrations were approximately 20% to 30% higher than the trough concentrations.

An in vitro study demonstrated no inhibitory potential of treprostinil to human hepatic microsomal cytochrome P450 isoenzymes (CYP1A2, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, CYP2E1 and CYP3A).

Moreover, administration of treprostinil had no inducing effect on hepatic microsomal protein, total cytochrome (CYP) P 450 content or on the activities of the isoenzymes CYP1A, CYP2B and CYP3A. Drug interaction studies have been carried out with paracetamol (4 g/day) and warfarin (25 mg/day) in healthy volunteers. These studies did not show a clinically significant effect on the pharmacokinetics of treprostinil. A study conducted with warfarin found no apparent pharmacodynamic nor pharmacokinetic interaction between treprostinil and warfarin.

The metabolism of treprostinil mainly involves CYP2C8.

Hepatic impairment:

In patients with portopulmonary hypertension and mild (n = 4) or moderate (n = 5) hepatic insufficiency, treprostinil at a subcutaneous dose of 10 ng/kg/min for 150 minutes had an AUC 0–24 h that was increased 260 % and 510 %, respectively, compared to healthy subjects. Clearance in patients with hepatic insufficiency was reduced by up to 80% compared to healthy adults (see section 4.2).

5.3 Preclinical safety data

In 13 and 26 week studies continuous subcutaneous infusions of treprostinil sodium caused infusion site reactions in rats and dogs (oedema/erythema, masses/swellings, pain/sensitivity to touch). In dogs severe clinical effects (hypoactivity, emesis, loose stool and infusion site edema) and death (associated with intestinal intussusceptions and rectal prolapse) were observed in animals administered > 300 ng/kg/min. Mean steady state plasma treprostinil levels of 7.85 ng/ml were measured in these animals. Plasma levels of this order may be achieved in humans treated with treprostinil infusions at > 50 ng/kg/min.

As a continuously sufficient exposure to treprostinil had not been proven for any dosage tested in the reproduction studies in rats, these studies might be insufficient regarding possible effects on fertility, prenatal and postnatal development.

No long-term animal studies have been performed to evaluate treprostinil’s car­cinogenic potential. In vitro and in vivo mutagenicity studies did not show treprostinil to have any mutagenic or clastogenic effect.

In summary, preclinical data reveal no special hazard for humans based on conventional studies of safety pharmacology, repeated dose toxicity, genotoxicity and toxicity to reproduction.

6.1

Sodium chloride

Metacresol

Sodium citrate

Sodium hydroxide for pH adjustment

Hydrochloric acid, concentrated for pH adjustment

Water for injection

6.2 Incompatibilities

Not applicable.

6.3 Shelf life

Unopened: 2 years

After initial opening: 30 days

Shelf life during continuous subcutaneous administration

Chemical and physical in-use stability has been demonstrated for 72 hours at 37°C. From a microbiological point of view, unless the method of opening precludes the risk of microbial contamination, the product should be used immediately. If not used immediately, in-use storage times and conditions are the responsibility of the user.

During continuous subcutaneous infusion, a single reservoir (syringe) of undiluted treprostinil must be used within 72 hours.

Shelf life during continuous IV administration

After dilution:

Chemical and physical in-use stability for diluted Treprostinil has been demonstrated for 48 hours at 2–8°C, 20–25°C and 40°C. From a microbiological point of view, unless the method of dilution precludes the risk of microbial contamination, the product should be used immediately. If not used immediately, in-use storage times and conditions are the responsibility of the user and would normally not be longer than 24 hours at 2 to 8°C, unless dilution has taken place in controlled and validated aseptic conditions.

During continuous intravenous infusion, to minimise the risk of blood stream infections the maximum duration of use of a single reservoir (syringe) of the diluted Treprostinil should be no more than 24 hours.

6.4 Special precautions for storage

This medicinal product does not require any special temperature storage conditions.

Store in the original outer packaging in order to protect from light.

For storage conditions after first opening of the medicinal product, see section 6.3.

6.5 Nature and contents of containerTreprostinil Tillomed 5 mg/mL solution for infusion

20 mL clear glass vial stoppered with 20 mm dark grey bromobutyl rubber stopper with four marks equally spaced 900 apart and with ring at the centre and sealed with 20 mm green matte finish flip-off seal.

The vials are packaged in an outer carton.

Each carton contains 1 vial.

6.6 Special precautions for disposal

Treprostinil Tillomed should be used undiluted when administered as continuous subcutaneous infusion (see section 4.2).

Treprostinil Tillomed solution should be diluted with sterile water for injection or with 0.9% (w/v) sodium chloride for injection when administered as continuous intravenous infusion (see section 4.2).

Unused product or waste material should be disposed of in accordance with national requirements

7 MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER

Tillomed Laboratories Limited

220 Butterfield, Great Marlings,

Luton, LU2 8DL

United Kingdom

8 MARKETING AUTHORISATION NUMBER(S)

PL 11311/0654

9 DATE OF FIRST AUTHORISATION/RENEWAL OF THE AUTHORISATION

09/07/2020