Ranolazine 500 mg Tablet, Film Coated, Extended Release, 60-count — NDC 29300-296-16 (Billing 29300-0296-16)

12 CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY

12.1Mechanism of Action The mechanism of action of ranolazine's antianginal effects has not been determined. Ranolazine has anti-ischemic and antianginal effects that do not depend upon reductions in heart rate or blood pressure. It does not affect the rate-pressure product, a measure of myocardial work, at maximal exercise.

Ranolazine at therapeutic levels can inhibit the cardiac late sodium current (I Na ). However, the relationship of this inhibition to angina symptoms is uncertain. The QT prolongation effect of ranolazine on the surface electrocardiogram is the result of inhibition of I Kr , which prolongs the ventricular action potential.

12.2Pharmacodynamics Hemodynamic Effects Patients with chronic angina treated with ranolazine in controlled clinical studies had minimal changes in mean heart rate (<2 bpm) and systolic blood pressure (<3 mm Hg). Similar results were observed in subgroups of patients with CHF NYHA Class I or II, diabetes, or reactive airway disease, and in elderly patients. Electrocardiographic Effects Dose and plasma concentration-related increases in the QTc interval [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )], reductions in T wave amplitude, and, in some cases, notched T waves, have been observed in patients treated with ranolazine.

These effects are believed to be caused by ranolazine and not by its metabolites. The relationship between the change in QTc and ranolazine plasma concentrations is linear, with a slope of about 2.6 msec/1000 ng/mL, through exposures corresponding to doses several-fold higher than the maximum recommended dose of 1000 mg twice daily. The variable blood levels attained after a given dose of ranolazine give a wide range of effects on QTc.

At T max following repeat dosing at 1000 mg twice daily, the mean change in QTc is about 6 msec, but in the 5% of the population with the highest plasma concentrations, the prolongation of QTc is at least 15 msec. In cirrhotic subjects with mild or moderate hepatic impairment, the relationship between plasma level of ranolazine and QTc is much steeper [see Contraindications ( 4 )] . Age, weight, gender, race, heart rate, congestive heart failure, diabetes, and renal impairment did not alter the slope of the QTc-concentration relationship of ranolazine.

No proarrhythmic effects were observed on 7-day Holter recordings in 3162 acute coronary syndrome patients treated with ranolazine. There was a significantly lower incidence of arrhythmias (ventricular tachycardia, bradycardia, supraventricular tachycardia, and new atrial fibrillation) in patients treated with ranolazine (80%) versus placebo (87%), including ventricular tachycardia ≥3 beats (52% versus 61%). However, this difference in arrhythmias did not lead to a reduction in mortality, a reduction in arrhythmia hospitalization, or a reduction in arrhythmia symptoms.

12.3Pharmacokinetics Ranolazine is extensively metabolized in the gut and liver and its absorption is highly variable. For example, at a dose of 1000 mg twice daily, the mean steady-state C max was 2600 ng/mL with 95% confidence limits of 400 and 6100 ng/mL. The pharmacokinetics of the (+) R- and (-) S-enantiomers of ranolazine are similar in healthy volunteers.

The apparent terminal half-life of ranolazine is 7 hours. Steady state is generally achieved within 3 days of twice-daily dosing with ranolazine. At steady state over the dose range of 500 to 1000 mg twice daily, C max and AUC 0-τ increase slightly more than proportionally to dose, 2.2- and 2.4-fold, respectively.

With twice-daily dosing, the trough:peak ratio of the ranolazine plasma concentration is 0.3 to 0.6. The pharmacokinetics of ranolazine is unaffected by age, gender, or food. Absorption and Distribution After oral administration of ranolazine, peak plasma concentrations of ranolazine are reached between 2 and 5 hours.

After oral administration of 14 C-ranolazine as a solution, 73% of the dose is systemically available as ranolazine or met… [Excerpted — this section continues on DailyMed.]

12.1Mechanism of Action The mechanism of action of ranolazine's antianginal effects has not been determined. Ranolazine has anti-ischemic and antianginal effects that do not depend upon reductions in heart rate or blood pressure. It does not affect the rate-pressure product, a measure of myocardial work, at maximal exercise.

Ranolazine at therapeutic levels can inhibit the cardiac late sodium current (I Na ). However, the relationship of this inhibition to angina symptoms is uncertain. The QT prolongation effect of ranolazine on the surface electrocardiogram is the result of inhibition of I Kr , which prolongs the ventricular action potential.

12.3Pharmacokinetics Ranolazine is extensively metabolized in the gut and liver and its absorption is highly variable. For example, at a dose of 1000 mg twice daily, the mean steady-state C max was 2600 ng/mL with 95% confidence limits of 400 and 6100 ng/mL. The pharmacokinetics of the (+) R- and (-) S-enantiomers of ranolazine are similar in healthy volunteers.

The apparent terminal half-life of ranolazine is 7 hours. Steady state is generally achieved within 3 days of twice-daily dosing with ranolazine. At steady state over the dose range of 500 to 1000 mg twice daily, C max and AUC 0-τ increase slightly more than proportionally to dose, 2.2- and 2.4-fold, respectively.

With twice-daily dosing, the trough:peak ratio of the ranolazine plasma concentration is 0.3 to 0.6. The pharmacokinetics of ranolazine is unaffected by age, gender, or food. Absorption and Distribution After oral administration of ranolazine, peak plasma concentrations of ranolazine are reached between 2 and 5 hours.

After oral administration of 14 C-ranolazine as a solution, 73% of the dose is systemically available as ranolazine or metabolites. The bioavailability of ranolazine from ranolazine extended-release tablets relative to that from a solution of ranolazine is 76%. Because ranolazine is a substrate of P-gp, inhibitors of P-gp may increase the absorption of ranolazine.

Food (high-fat breakfast) has no important effect on the C max and AUC of ranolazine. Therefore, ranolazine may be taken without regard to meals. Over the concentration range of 0.25 to 10 µg/mL, ranolazine is approximately 62% bound to human plasma proteins.

Metabolism and Excretion Ranolazine is metabolized mainly by CYP3A and, to a lesser extent, by CYP2D6. Following a single oral dose of ranolazine solution, approximately 75% of the dose is excreted in urine and 25% in feces. Ranolazine is metabolized rapidly and extensively in the liver and intestine; less than 5% is excreted unchanged in urine and feces.

The pharmacologic activity of the metabolites has not been well characterized. After dosing to steady state with 500 mg to 1500 mg twice daily, the four most abundant metabolites in plasma have AUC values ranging from about 5 to 33% that of ranolazine, and display apparent half-lives ranging from 6 to 22 hours. Drug Interactions Effect of Other Drugs on Ranolazine In vitro data indicate that ranolazine is a substrate of CYP3A and, to a lesser degree, of CYP2D6.

Ranolazine is also a substrate of P-glycoprotein. Strong CYP3A Inhibitors Plasma levels of ranolazine with ranolazine 1000 mg twice daily are increased by 220% when co-administered with ketoconazole 200 mg twice daily [see Contraindications ( 4 )]. Moderate CYP3A Inhibitors Plasma levels of ranolazine with ranolazine 1000 mg twice daily are increased by 50 to 130% by diltiazem 180 to 360 mg, respectively.

Plasma levels of ranolazine with ranolazine 750 mg twice daily are increased by 100% by verapamil 120 mg three times daily [see Drug Interactions ( 7.1 )]. Weak CYP3A Inhibitors The weak CYP3A inhibitors simvastatin (20 mg once daily) and cimetidine (400 mg three times daily) do not increase the exposure to ranolazine in healthy volunteers. CYP3A Inducers Rifampin 600 mg once daily decreases the plasma concentrations of ranolazine (1000 mg twice daily) by approximately 95% [see Contraindications ( 4 )].

CYP2D6 Inhibitors Paroxetine 20 mg once daily increased ranolazine concentrations by 20% in healthy volunteers receiving ranolazine 1000 mg twice daily. No dose adjustment of ranolazine is required in patients treated with CYP2D6 inhibitors. Digoxin Plasma concentrations of ranolazine are not significantly altered by concomitant digoxin at 0.125 mg once daily.

Effect of Ranolazine on Other Drugs In vitro ranolazine and its O-demethylated metabolite are weak inhibitors of CYP3A and moderate inhibitors of CYP2D6 and P-gp. In vitro ranolazine is an inhibitor of OCT2. CYP3A Substrates The plasma levels of simvastatin, a CYP3A… [Excerpted — this section continues on DailyMed.]

12.2Pharmacodynamics Hemodynamic Effects Patients with chronic angina treated with ranolazine in controlled clinical studies had minimal changes in mean heart rate (<2 bpm) and systolic blood pressure (<3 mm Hg). Similar results were observed in subgroups of patients with CHF NYHA Class I or II, diabetes, or reactive airway disease, and in elderly patients. Electrocardiographic Effects Dose and plasma concentration-related increases in the QTc interval [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )], reductions in T wave amplitude, and, in some cases, notched T waves, have been observed in patients treated with ranolazine.

These effects are believed to be caused by ranolazine and not by its metabolites. The relationship between the change in QTc and ranolazine plasma concentrations is linear, with a slope of about 2.6 msec/1000 ng/mL, through exposures corresponding to doses several-fold higher than the maximum recommended dose of 1000 mg twice daily. The variable blood levels attained after a given dose of ranolazine give a wide range of effects on QTc.

At T max following repeat dosing at 1000 mg twice daily, the mean change in QTc is about 6 msec, but in the 5% of the population with the highest plasma concentrations, the prolongation of QTc is at least 15 msec. In cirrhotic subjects with mild or moderate hepatic impairment, the relationship between plasma level of ranolazine and QTc is much steeper [see Contraindications ( 4 )] . Age, weight, gender, race, heart rate, congestive heart failure, diabetes, and renal impairment did not alter the slope of the QTc-concentration relationship of ranolazine.

No proarrhythmic effects were observed on 7-day Holter recordings in 3162 acute coronary syndrome patients treated with ranolazine. There was a significantly lower incidence of arrhythmias (ventricular tachycardia, bradycardia, supraventricular tachycardia, and new atrial fibrillation) in patients treated with ranolazine (80%) versus placebo (87%), including ventricular tachycardia ≥3 beats (52% versus 61%). However, this difference in arrhythmias did not lead to a reduction in mortality, a reduction in arrhythmia hospitalization, or a reduction in arrhythmia symptoms.

14 CLINICAL STUDIES

14.1Chronic Stable Angina CARISA (Combination Assessment of Ranolazine In Stable Angina) was a study in 823 chronic angina patients randomized to receive 12 weeks of treatment with twice-daily ranolazine 750 mg, 1000 mg, or placebo, who also continued on daily doses of atenolol 50 mg, amlodipine 5 mg, or diltiazem CD 180 mg. Sublingual nitrates were used in this study as needed. In this trial, statistically significant (p <0.05) increases in modified Bruce treadmill exercise duration and time to angina were observed for each ranolazine dose versus placebo, at both trough (12 hours after dosing) and peak (4 hours after dosing) plasma levels, with minimal effects on blood pressure and heart rate.

The changes versus placebo in exercise parameters are presented in Table 1. Exercise treadmill results showed no increase in effect on exercise at the 1000 mg dose compared to the 750 mg dose. Table 1 Exercise Treadmill Results (CARISA ) a p-value ≤0.05 b p-value ≤0.005 Mean Difference from Placebo (sec) Study CARISA (N=791) Ranolazine Twice-daily Dose 750 mg 1000 mg Exercise Duration Trough 24 a 24 a Peak 34 b 26 a Time to Angina Trough 30 a 26 a Peak 38 b 38 b Time to 1 mm ST-Segment Depression Trough 20 21 Peak 41 b 35 b The effects of ranolazine on angina frequency and nitroglycerin use are shown in Table 2.

Table 2 Angina Frequency and Nitroglycerin Use (CARISA) a Twice daily Placebo RANOLAZINE 750 mg a RANOLAZINE 1000 mg a Angina Frequency (attacks / week) N 258 272 261 Mean 3.3 2.5

2.1P-value vs placebo --- 0.006 <0.001 Nitroglycerin Use (doses / week) N 252 262 244 Mean 3.1 2.1

1.8P-value vs placebo --- 0.016 <0.001 Tolerance to ranolazine did not develop after 12 weeks of therapy. Rebound increases in angina, as measured by exercise duration, have not been observed following abrupt discontinuation of ranolazine. Ranolazine has been evaluated in patients with chronic angina who remained symptomatic despite treatment with the maximum dose of an antianginal agent.

In the ERICA (Efficacy of Ranolazine In Chronic Angina) trial, 565 patients were randomized to receive an initial dose of ranolazine 500 mg twice daily or placebo for 1 week, followed by 6 weeks of treatment with ranolazine 1000 mg twice daily or placebo, in addition to concomitant treatment with amlodipine 10 mg once daily. In addition, 45% of the study population also received long-acting nitrates. Sublingual nitrates were used as needed to treat angina episodes.

Results are shown in Table 3. Statistically significant decreases in angina attack frequency (p=0.028) and nitroglycerin use (p=0.014) were observed with ranolazine compared to placebo. These treatment effects appeared consistent across age and use of long-acting nitrates.

Table 3 Angina Frequency and Nitroglycerin Use (ERICA) a 1000 mg twice daily Placebo Ranolazine a Angina Frequency (attacks / week) N 281 277 Mean 4.3

3.3Median 2.4

2.2Nitroglycerin Use (doses / week) N 281 277 Mean 3.6

2.7Median 1.7

1.3Gender Effects on angina frequency and exercise tolerance were considerably smaller in women than in men. In CARISA, the improvement in Exercise Tolerance Test (ETT) in females was about 33% of that in males at the 1000 mg twice-daily dose level. In ERICA, where the primary endpoint was angina attack frequency, the mean reduction in weekly angina attacks was 0.3 for females and 1.3 for males.

Race There were insufficient numbers of non-Caucasian patients to allow for analyses of efficacy or safety by racial subgroup.

14.2Lack of Benefit in Acute Coronary Syndrome In a large (n=6560) placebo-controlled trial (MERLIN-TIMI 36) in patients with acute coronary syndrome, there was no benefit shown on outcome measures. However, the study is somewhat reassuring regarding proarrhythmic risks, as ventricular arrhythmias were less common on ranolazine [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.2 )] , and there was no difference between ranolazine and placebo in the risk of all-cause mortality (relative… [Excerpted — this section continues on DailyMed.]

13 NONCLINICAL TOXICOLOGY

13.1Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility Ranolazine tested negative for genotoxic potential in the following assays: Ames bacterial mutation assay, Saccharomyces assay for mitotic gene conversion, chromosomal aberrations assay in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, mammalian CHO/HGPRT gene mutation assay, and mouse and rat bone marrow micronucleus assays. There was no evidence of carcinogenic potential in mice or rats. The highest oral doses used in the carcinogenicity studies were 150 mg/kg/day for 21 months in rats (900 mg/m 2 /day) and 50 mg/kg/day for 24 months in mice (150 mg/m 2 /day).

These maximally tolerated doses are 0.8 and 0.1 times, respectively, the daily maximum recommended human dose (MRHD) of 2000 mg on a surface area basis. A published study reported that ranolazine promoted tumor formation and progression to malignancy when given to transgenic APC (min/+) mice at a dose of 30 mg/kg twice daily [see References ( 15 )]. The clinical significance of this finding is unclear.

In male and female rats, oral administration of ranolazine that produced exposures (AUC) approximately 3-fold or 5-fold higher, respectively, than the MRHD had no effect on fertility.