Duloxetine 20 Mg Gastro-Resistant Capsules
SUMMARY OF PRODUCT CHARACTERISTICS
1 NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT
Duloxetine 20 mg Gastro-resistant Capsules, Hard
2 QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE COMPOSITION
Each gastro-resistant capsule, hard contains 20 mg of duloxetine (as hydrochloride).
Excipient(s) with known effect: Each gastro-resistant capsule, hard contains 27.37 mg of sucrose.
For the full list of excipients, see section 6.1
3 PHARMACEUTICAL FORM
Gastro-resistant capsule, hard
A hard gelatin size 4 capsule with blue opaque cap and blue opaque body, filled with off white to yellow coated pellets. Imprinting on body: 20.
4 CLINICAL PARTICULARS
4.1 Therapeutic indications
Duloxetine is indicated for women for the treatment of moderate to severe Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI).
Duloxetine is indicated in adults. For further information see section 5.1.
4.2 Posology and method of administration
Posology The recommended dose of Duloxetine is 40 mg twice daily without regard to meals. After 2-4 weeks of treatment, patients should be re-assessed in order to evaluate the benefit and tolerability of the therapy. Some patients may benefit from starting treatment at a dose of 20 mg twice daily for two weeks before increasing to the recommended dose of 40 mg twice daily. Dose escalation may decrease, though not eliminate, the risk of nausea and dizziness.
Limited data are available to support the efficacy of duloxetine 20 mg twice daily.
The efficacy of duloxetine has not been evaluated for longer than 3 months in placebo-controlled studies. The benefit of treatment should be re-assessed at regular intervals.
Combining Duloxetine with a pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) programme may be more effective than either treatment alone. It is recommended that consideration be given to concomitant PFMT.
Discontinuation of treatment
Abrupt discontinuation should be avoided. When stopping treatment with Duloxetine the dose should be gradually reduced over a period of at least one to two weeks in order to reduce the risk of withdrawal reactions (see sections 4.4 and 4.8). If intolerable symptoms occur following a decrease in the dose or upon discontinuation of treatment, then resuming the previously prescribed dose may be considered. Subsequently, the physician may continue decreasing the dose, but at a more gradual rate.
Special populations Elderly people
Caution should be exercised when treating the elderly people.
Hepatic impairment
Duloxetine must not be used in women with liver disease resulting in hepatic impairment (see sections 4.3 and 5.2).
Renal impairment
No dosage adjustment is necessary for patients with mild or moderate renal dysfunction (creatinine clearance 30 to 80 ml/min). Duloxetine must not be used in patients with severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance <30 ml/min; see section 4.3).
Paediatric population
The safety and efficacy of duloxetine for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence has not been studied. No data are available.
Method of administration For oral use.
4.3 Contraindications
Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1.
Liver disease resulting in hepatic impairment (see section 5.2).
Duloxetine should not be used in combination with nonselective, irreversible monoamine oxidase inhibitors - MAOIs (see section 4.5).
Duloxetine should not be used in combination with CYP1A2 inhibitors, like fluvoxamine, ciprofloxacin or enoxacin since the combination results in elevated plasma concentrations of duloxetine (see section 4.5).
Severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance <30 ml/min) (see section 4.4).
The initiation of treatment with Duloxetine is contraindicated in patients with uncontrolled hypertension that could expose patients to a potential risk of hypertensive crisis (see section and 4.8).
4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use
Mania and seizures
Duloxetine should be used with caution in patients with a history of mania or a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, and/or seizures.
Serotonin syndrome
Serotonin syndrome, a potentially life-threatening condition, may occur with duloxetine treatment, particularly with concomitant use of other serotonergic medicinal products (including SSRIs, SNRIs tricyclic antidepressants or triptans), with medicinal products that impair metabolism of serotonin such as MAOIs, or with antipsychotics or other dopamine antagonists that may affect the serotonergic neurotransmitter systems (see sections 4.3 and 4.5).
Serotonin syndrome symptoms may include mental status changes (e.g., agitation, hallucinations, coma), autonomic instability (e.g., tachycardia, labile blood pressure, hyperthermia), neuromuscular aberrations (e.g. hyperreflexia, incoordination) and/or gastrointestinal symptoms (e.g., nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea).
If concomitant treatment with duloxetine and other serotonergic medicinal products that may affect the serotonergic and/or dopaminergic neurotransmitter systems in clinically warranted, careful observation of the patient is advised, particularly during treatment initiation and dose increases.
St John’s wort
Adverse reactions may be more common during concomitant use of Duloxetine and herbal preparations containing St John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum).
Mydriasis
Mydriasis has been reported in association with duloxetine, therefore, caution should be used when prescribing duloxetine in patients with increased intraocular pressure, or those at risk of acute narrow-angle glaucoma.
Blood pressure and heart rate
Duloxetine has been associated with an increase in blood pressure and clinically significant hypertension in some patients. This may be due to the noradrenergic effect of duloxetine. Cases of hypertensive crisis have been reported with duloxetine, especially in patients with pre-existing hypertension. Therefore, in patients with known hypertension and/or other cardiac disease, blood pressure monitoring is recommended, especially during the first month of treatment. Duloxetine should be used with caution in patients whose conditions could be compromised by an increased heart rate or by an increase in blood pressure. Caution should also be exercised when duloxetine is used with medicinal products that may impair its metabolism (see section 4.5). For patients who experience a sustained increase in blood pressure while receiving duloxetine either dose reduction or gradual discontinuation should be considered (see section 4.8).
Renal impairment
Increased plasma concentrations of duloxetine occur in patients with severe renal impairment on haemodialysis (creatinine clearance <30 ml/min). For patients with severe renal impairment, see section 4.3. See section 4.2 for information on patients with mild or moderate renal dysfunction.
Haemorrhage
There have been reports of bleeding abnormalities, such as ecchymoses, purpura and gastrointestinal haemorrhage with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin/noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), including duloxetine. Caution is advised in patients taking anticoagulants and/or medicinal products known to affect platelet function (e.g. NSAIDs or acetylsalicylic acid (ASA)), and in patients with known bleeding tendencies.
Discontinuation of treatment
Withdrawal symptoms when treatment is discontinued are common, particularly if discontinuation is abrupt (see section 4.8). In a clinical trial, adverse events seen on abrupt treatment discontinuation occurred in approximately 44% of patients treated with duloxetine and 24% of patients taking placebo.
The risk of withdrawal symptoms seen with SSRI’s and SNRI’s may be dependent on several factors including the duration and dose of therapy and the rate of dose reduction. The most commonly reported reactions are listed in section 4.8. Generally these symptoms are mild to moderate, however, in some patients they may be severe in intensity. They usually occur within the first few days of discontinuing treatment, but there have been very rare reports of such symptoms in patients who have inadvertently missed a dose. Generally these symptoms are self-limiting and usually resolve within 2 weeks, though in some individuals they may be prolonged (2-3 months or more). It is therefore advised that duloxetine should be gradually tapered when discontinuing treatment over a period of no less than 2 weeks, according to the patient’s needs (see section 4.2).
Hyponatraemia
Hyponatraemia has been reported when administering duloxetine, including cases with serum sodium lower than 110 mmol/l. Hyponatraemia may be due to a syndrome of inappropriate anti-diuretic hormone secretion (SIADH). The majority of cases of hyponatraemia were reported in the elderly, especially when coupled with a recent history of, or condition pre-disposing to, altered fluid balance. Caution is required in patients at increased risk for hyponatraemia, such as elderly, cirrhotic, or dehydrated patients or patients treated with diuretics.
Depression, suicidal ideation and behaviour
Although Duloxetine is not indicated for the treatment of depression, its active substance (duloxetine) also exists as an antidepressant medicinal product. Depression is associated with an increased risk of suicidal thoughts, self harm and suicide (suicide-related events). This risk persists until significant remission occurs. As improvement may not occur during the first few weeks or more of treatment, patients should be closely monitored until such improvement occurs. It is general clinical experience that the risk of suicide may increase in the early stages of recovery. Patients with a history of suicide-related events or those exhibiting a significant degree of suicidal thoughts prior to commencement of treatment are known to be at a greater risk of suicidal thoughts or suicidal behaviour, and should receive careful monitoring during treatment. A metaanalysis of placebo-controlled clinical trials of antidepressant medicinal products in psychiatric disorders showed an increased risk of suicidal behaviour with antidepressants compared to placebo in patients less than 25 years old.
Cases of suicidal thoughts and suicidal behaviours have been reported during duloxetine therapy or early after treatment discontinuation (see section 4.8). Physicians should encourage patients to report any distressing thoughts or feelings or depressive symptoms at any time. If while on Duloxetine therapy, the patient develops agitation or depressive symptoms, specialised medical advice should be sought, as depression is a serious medical condition. If a decision to initiate antidepressant pharmacological therapy is taken, the gradual discontinuation of Duloxetine is recommended (see section 4.2).
Medicinal products containing duloxetine
Duloxetine is used under different trademarks in several indications (treatment of diabetic neuropathic pain, major depressive disorder, generalised anxiety disorder and stress urinary incontinence). The use of more than one of these products concomitantly should be avoided.
Hepatitis/increased liver enzymes Cases of liver injury, including severe elevations of liver enzymes (>10 times upper limit of normal), hepatitis and jaundice have been reported with duloxetine (see section 4.8). Most of them occurred during the first months of treatment. The pattern of liver damage was predominantly hepatocellular. Duloxetine should be used with caution in patients treated with other medicinal products associated with hepatic injury.
Akathisia/psychomotor restlessness
The use of duloxetine has been associated with the development of akathisia, characterised by a subjectively unpleasant or distressing restlessness and need to move often accompanied by an inability to sit or stand still. This is most likely to occur within the first few weeks of treatment. In patients who develop these symptoms, increasing the dose may be detrimental.
Sucrose
Duloxetine gastro-resistant capsules, hard contain sucrose. Patients with rare hereditary problems of fructose intolerance, glucose-galactose malabsorption or sucrose-isomaltase insufficiency should not take this medicinal product.
Use in children and adolescents under 18 years of age
Duloxetine should not be used in the treatment of children and adolescents under the age of 18 years. Suicide-related behaviours (suicide attempts and suicidal thoughts), and hostility (predominantly aggression, oppositional behaviour and anger), were more frequently observed in clinical trials among children and adolescents treated with antidepressants compared to those treated with placebo. If, based on clinical need, a decision to treat is nevertheless taken, the patient should be carefully monitored for the appearance of suicidal symptoms. In addition, long-term safety data in children and adolescents concerning growth, maturation and cognitive and behavioural development are lacking.
4.5 Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs): Due to the risk of serotonin syndrome, duloxetine should not be used in combination with nonselective irreversible monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), or within at least 14 days of discontinuing treatment with an MAOI. Based on the half-life of duloxetine, at least 5 days should be allowed after stopping Duloxetine before starting an MAOI (see section 4.3).
The concomitant use of Duloxetine with selective, reversible MAOIs, like moclobemide, is not recommended (see section 4.4). The antibiotic linezolid is a reversible non-selective MAOI and should not be given to patients treated with Duloxetine (see section 4.4).
Inhibitors of CYP1A2: Because CYP1A2 is involved in duloxetine metabolism, concomitant use of Duloxetine with potent inhibitors of CYP1A2 is likely to result in higher concentrations of duloxetine. Fluvoxamine (100 mg once daily), a potent inhibitor of CYP1A2, decreased the apparent plasma clearance of duloxetine by about 77% and increased AUC0-t 6-fold. Therefore Duloxetine should not be administered in combination with potent inhibitors of CYP1A2 like fluvoxamine (see section 4.3).
CNS medicinal products: Caution is advised when Duloxetine is taken in combination with other centrally acting medicinal products or substances, including alcohol and sedative medicinal products (e.g. benzodiazepines, morphinomimetics, antipsychotics, phenobarbital, sedative antihistamines).
Serotonergic medicinal products: In rare cases, serotonin syndrome has been reported in patients using SSRIs/SNRIs concomitantly with serotonergic medicinal products. Caution is advisable if Duloxetine is used concomitantly with serotonergic medicinal products like SSRIs, SNRIs, tricyclic antidepressants like clomipramine or amitriptyline, MOAIs like moclobemide or linezolid, St John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum) or triptans, tramadol, pethidine and tryptophan (see section 4.4).
Effect of duloxetine on other medicinal products
Medicinal products metabolised by CYP1A2: The pharmacokinetics of theophylline, a CYP1A2 substrate, were not significantly affected by co-administration with duloxetine (60 mg twice daily).
Medicinal products metabolised by CYP2D6: Duloxetine is a moderate inhibitor of CYP2D6. When duloxetine was administered at a dose of 60 mg twice daily with a single dose of desipramine, a CYP2D6 substrate, the AUC of desipramine increased 3-fold. The co-administration of duloxetine (40 mg twice daily) increases steady state AUC of tolterodine (2 mg twice daily) by 71 %, but does not affect the pharmacokinetics of its active 5-hydroxyl metabolite and no dosage adjustment is recommended. Caution is advised if Duloxetine is co-administered with medicinal products that are predominantly metabolised by CYP2D6 (risperidone, tricyclic antidepressants [TCAs] such as nortriptyline, amitriptyline, and imipramine) particularly if they have a narrow therapeutic index (such as flecainide, propafenone and metoprolol).
Oral contraceptives and other steroidal medicinal products: Results of in vitro studies demonstrate that duloxetine does not induce the catalytic activity of CYP3A. Specific in vivo drug interaction studies have not been performed.
Anticoagulants and antiplatelet medicinal products: Caution should be exercised when duloxetine is combined with oral anticoagulants or antiplatelet agents due to a potential increased risk of bleeding attributable to a pharmacodynamic interaction. Furthermore, increases in INR values have been reported when duloxetine was coadministered to patients treated with warfarin. However, concomitant administration of duloxetine with warfarin under steady state conditions, in healthy volunteers, as part of a clinical pharmacology study, did not result in a clinically significant change in INR from baseline or in the pharmacokinetics of R- or S-warfarin.
Effects of other medicinal products on duloxetine
Antacids andH2 antagonists: Co-administration of Duloxetine with aluminium- and magnesium-containing antacids or with famotidine had no significant effect on the rate or extent of duloxetine absorption after administration of a 40 mg oral dose.
Inducers of CYP1A2: Population pharmacokinetic studies analyses have shown that smokers have almost 50% lower plasma concentrations of duloxetine compared with non-smokers.
4.6 Fertility, pregnancy and lactation
Fertility
Duloxetine had no effect on male fertility, and effects in females were only evident at doses that caused maternal toxicity.
Pregnancy
There are no adequate data on the use of duloxetine in pregnant women. Studies in animals have shown reproductive toxicity at systemic exposure levels (AUC) of duloxetine lower than the maximum clinical exposure (see section 5.3).
The potential risk for humans is unknown.
Epidemiological data have suggested that the use of SSRIs in pregnancy, particularly in late pregnancy, may increase the risk of persistent pulmonary hypertension in the newborn (PPHN). Although no studies have investigated the association of PPHN to SNRI treatment, this potential risk cannot be ruled out with duloxetine taking into account the related mechanism of action (inhibition of the re-uptake of serotonin).
Discontinuation symptoms may occur in the newborn infant after maternal duloxetine use near term. Discontinuation symptoms seen with duloxetine may include hypotonia, tremor, jitteriness, feeding difficulty, respiratory distress and seizures. The majority of cases have occurred either at birth or within a few days of birth.
Duloxetine should be used in pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the foetus. Women should be advised to notify their physician if they become pregnant, or intend to become pregnant, during therapy.
Breast feeding
Duloxetine is very weakly excreted into human milk based on a study of 6 lactating patients, who did not breast feed their children. The estimated daily infant dose on a mg/kg basis is approximately 0.14% of the maternal dose (see section 5.2). As the safety of duloxetine in infants is not known, the use of Duloxetine while breastfeeding is not recommended.
4.7 Effects on ability to drive and use machines
No studies on the effects on the ability to drive and use machines have been performed. Duloxetine may be associated with sedation and dizziness. Patients should be instructed that if they experience sedation or dizziness they should avoid potentially hazardous tasks such as driving or operating machinery.
4.8 Undesirable effects
a. Summary of the safety profile
The most commonly reported adverse events in patients treated with duloxetine in clinical trials in SUI and other lower urinary tract disorders were nausea, dry mouth fatigue and constipation. The data analysis of four 12-week, placebo-controlled
clinical trials in patients with SUI, including 958 duloxetine-treated and 955 placebo-treated patients, showed that the onset of the reported adverse events typically occurred in the first week of therapy. However, the majority of the most frequent adverse events were mild to moderate and resolved within 30 days of occurrence (e.g. nausea).
b. Tabulated summary of adverse reactions
Table 1 gives the adverse reactions observed from spontaneous reporting and in placebo-controlled clinical trials (comprising a total of 8241 patients, 4504 on duloxetine and 3737 on placebo) in SUI and other lower urinary tract disorders.
Table 1: Adverse reactions
Frequency estimate: 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).
Within each frequency grouping, undesirable effects are presented in order of decreasing seriousness.
|
Very Common |
Common |
Uncommon |
Rare |
Very Rare |
|
Infections and infestations | ||||
|
Laryngitis | ||||
|
Immune system disorders | ||||
|
Hyper sensitivity disorder |
Anaphylactic reaction | |||
|
Endocrine disorders | ||||
|
Hypo thyroidism | ||||
|
Metabolism and nutrition disorders | ||||
|
Appetite decreased |
Dehydration |
Hyperglycaemia (reported especially in diabetic patients) Hyponatraemia SIADH6 | ||
|
Psychiatric disorders | ||||
|
Insomnia Agitation Libido decreased Anxiety Sleep disorder |
Bruxism Disorientation Apathy Orgasm abnormal Abnormal dreams |
Suicidal behaviour5,6 Suicidal 5 7 ideation , Mania6 Hallucinations Aggression and 4,6 anger’ | ||
|
Nervous system disorders | ||||
|
Headache Dizziness Lethargy Somnolence Tremor Paraesthesia |
Nervousness Disturbance in attention Dysgeusia Poor quality sleep |
Serotonin syndrome6 Convulsions1,6 Myoclonus Akathisia6 Psychomotor restlessness6 | ||
|
Extra-pyramidal symptoms6 Dyskinesia Restless legs syndrome | ||||
|
Eye disorders | ||||
|
Blurred vision |
Mydriasis Visual impairment Dry eye |
Glaucoma | ||
|
Ear and labyrinth disorders | ||||
|
Vertigo |
Tinnitus1 Ear pain | |||
|
Cardiac disorders | ||||
|
Palpitations Tachycardia |
Supra-ventricular arrhythmia, mainly atrial fibrillation6 | |||
|
Vascular disorders | ||||
|
Hypertension3,7 Flushing |
Syncope2 Blood pressure increase3 |
Hypertensive crisis3 Orthostatic hypotension2 Peripheral coldness | ||
|
Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders | ||||
|
Yawning |
Throat tightness Epistaxis | |||
|
Gastrointestinal disorders | ||||
|
Nausea Dry mouth Constipation |
Diarrhoea Abdominal pain Vomiting Dyspepsia |
Gastrointestinal 7 haemorrhage Gastroenteritis Stomatitis Eructation Gastritis Dysphagia Flatulence Breath odour |
Haematochezia | |
|
Hepato-biliary disorders | ||||
|
Hepatitis3 Elevated liver enzymes (ALT, AST, alkaline phosphatase) Acute liver injury |
Hepatic failure6 Jaundice6 | |||
|
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders | ||||
|
Sweating increased |
Rash Night sweats Urticaria Dermatitis contact |
Stevens-Johnson Syndrome6 Angio-neurotic oedema6 Photo-sensitivity | ||
|
Cold sweat Increased tendency to bruise |
reactions | |||
|
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders | ||||
|
Musculoskeletal pain Muscle tightness Muscle spasm Trismus |
Muscle twitching | |||
|
Renal and urinary disorders | ||||
|
Urinary hesitation Dysuria Nocturia Pollakiuia Urine odour abnormal |
Urinary retention6 Polyuria Urine flow decreased | |||
|
Reproductive system and breast disorders | ||||
|
Gynaecological haemorrhage Menopausal symptoms |
Menstrual disorder Galactorrhoea Hyperprolactinae mia | |||
|
General disorders and administration site conditions | ||||
|
Fatigue |
Asthenia Chills |
Chest pain7 Falls8 Feeling abnormal Feeling cold Thirst Malaise Feeling hot |
Gait disturbance | |
|
Investigations | ||||
|
Weight decrease Weight increase Blood cholesterol increased Blood creatine phosphokinase increased |
Blood potassium increased | |||
1 Cases of convulsion and cases of tinnitus have also been reported after treatment discontinuation.
Cases of orthostatic hypotension and syncope have been reported especially at the initiation of treatment.
3
See section 4.4.
4 Cases of aggression and anger have been reported particularly early in treatment or after treatment discontinuation.
5 Cases of suicidal ideation and suicidal behaviours have been reported during duloxetine therapy or early after treatment discontinuation (see section 4.4).
6 Estimated frequency of post-marketing surveillance reported adverse reactions; not observed in placebo-controlled clinical trials.
7 Not statistically significantly different from placebo.
8 Falls were more common in the elderly (>65 years old)
c. Description of selected adverse reactions
Discontinuation of duloxetine (particularly when abrupt) commonly leads to withdrawal symptoms. Dizziness, sensory disturbances (including paraesthesia or electric shock-like sensations, particularly in the head), sleep disturbances (including insomnia and intense dreams), fatigue, somnolence, agitation or anxiety, nausea and/or vomiting, tremor, headache, myalgia, irritability, diarrhoea, hyperhydrosis and vertigo are the most commonly reported reactions.
Generally, for SSRIs and SNRIs, these events are mild to moderate and selflimiting, however, in some patients they may be severe and/or prolonged. It is therefore advised that when duloxetine treatment is no longer required, gradual discontinuation by dose tapering should be carried out (see sections 4.2 and 4.4).
The heart rate-corrected QT interval in duloxetine-treated patients did not differ from that seen in placebo-treated patients. No clinically significant differences were observed for QT, PR, QRS, or QTcB measurements between duloxetine-treated and placebo-treated patients.
In the 12 week acute phase of three clinical trials of duloxetine in patients with diabetic neuropathic pain, small but statistically significant increases in fasting blood glucose were observed in duloxetine-treated patients. HbA1c was stable in both duloxetine-treated and placebo-treated patients. In the extension phase of these studies, which lasted up to 52 weeks, there was an increase in HbA1c in both the duloxetine and routine care groups, but the mean increase was 0.3% greater in the duloxetine-treated group. There was also a small increase in fasting blood glucose and in total cholesterol in duloxetine-treated patients while those laboratory tests showed a slight decrease in the routine care group.
Reporting of suspected adverse reactions
Reporting of 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 the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard.
4.9 Overdose
Cases of overdoses, alone or in combination with other medicinal products, with duloxetine doses of 5400 mg were reported. Some fatalities have occurred, primarily with mixed overdoses, but also with duloxetine alone at a dose of approximately 1000 mg. Signs and symptoms of overdose (duloxetine alone or in combination with other medicinal products) included somnolence, coma, serotonin syndrome, seizures, vomiting and tachycardia.
No specific antidote is known for duloxetine but if serotonin syndrome ensues, specific treatment (such as with cyproheptadine and/or temperature control) may be considered. A free airway should be established. Monitoring of cardiac and vital signs is recommended, along with appropriate symptomatic and supportive measures. Gastric lavage may be indicated if performed soon after ingestion or in symptomatic patients. Activated charcoal may be useful in limiting absorption. Duloxetine has a large volume of distribution and forced diuresis, haemoperfusion, and exchange perfusion are unlikely to be beneficial.
5 PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES
5.1 Pharmacodynamic properties
Pharmacotherapeutic group: Psychoanaleptics; Other antidepressants, ATC code: N06AX21
Mechanism of action
Duloxetine is a combined serotonin (5-HT) and noradrenaline (NA) reuptake inhibitor. It weakly inhibits dopamine reuptake with no significant affinity for histaminergic, dopaminergic, cholinergic and adrenergic receptors.
Pharmacodynamic effects
In animal studies, increased levels of 5-HT and NE in the sacral spinal cord, lead to increased urethral tone via enhanced pudendal nerve stimulation to the urethral striated sphincter muscle only during the storage phase of the micturition cycle. A similar mechanism in women is believed to result in stronger urethral closure during urine storage with physical stress that could explain the efficacy of duloxetine in the treatment of women with SUI.
Clinical efficacy and safety
The efficacy of duloxetine 40 mg given twice daily in the treatment of SUI was established in four double-blind, placebo-controlled studies that randomised 1913 women (22 to 83 years) with SUI; of these, 958 patients were randomised to duloxetine and 955 to placebo. The primary efficacy measures were Incontinence Episode Frequency (IEF) from diaries and an incontinence specific quality of life questionnaire score (I-QOL).
Incontinence Episode Frequency: In all four studies the duloxetine-treated group had a 50% or greater median decrease in IEF compared with 33% in the placebo-treated group. Differences were observed at each visit after 4 weeks (duloxetine 54% and placebo 22%), 8 weeks (52% and 29%), and 12 weeks (52% and 33%) of medication.
In an additional study limited to patients with severe SUI, all responses with duloxetine were achieved within 2 weeks.
The efficacy of duloxetine has not been evaluated for longer than 3 months in placebo-controlled studies. The clinical benefit of duloxetine compared with placebo has not been demonstrated in women with mild SUI, defined in randomised trials as those with IEF < 14 per week. In these women, duloxetine may provide no benefit beyond that afforded by more conservative behavioural interventions.
Quality of Life: Incontinence Quality of Life (I-QOL) questionnaire scores were significantly improved in the duloxetine-treated patient group compared with the placebo-treated group (9.2 versus 5.9 score improvement, p<0.001). Using a global improvement scale (PGI), significantly more women using duloxetine considered their symptoms of stress incontinence to be improved with treatment compared with women using placebo (64.6% versus 50.1%, p<0.001).
Duloxetine and Prior Continence Surgery: There are limited data that suggest that the benefits of duloxetine are not diminished in women with stress urinary incontinence who have previously undergone continence surgery.
Duloxetine and Pelvic Floor Muscle Training (PFMT): During a 12-week blinded, randomised, controlled study, duloxetine demonstrated greater reductions in IEF compared with either placebo treatment or with PFMT alone. Combined therapy (duloxetine + PFMT) showed greater improvement in both pad use and condition-specific quality of life measures than duloxetine alone or PFMT alone.
Paediatric population
The European Medicines Agency has waived the obligation to submit the results of studies with the reference medicinal product containing duloxetine in all subsets of the paediatric population in the treatment of stress urinary incontinence. See section 4.2 for information on paediatric use.
5.2 Pharmacokinetic properties
Duloxetine is administered as a single enantiomer. Duloxetine is extensively metabolised by oxidative enzymes (CYP1A2 and the polymorphic CYP2D6), followed by conjugation. The pharmacokinetics of duloxetine demonstrate large intersubject variability (generally 50-60%), partly due to gender, age, smoking status and CYP2D6 metaboliser status.
Absorption: Duloxetine is well absorbed after oral administration with a Cmax occurring 6 hours post dose. The absolute oral bioavailability of duloxetine ranged from 32% to 80% (mean of 50%). Food delays the time to reach the peak concentration from 6 to 10 hours and it marginally decreases the extent of absorption (approximately 11 %). These changes do not have any clinical significance.
Distribution: Duloxetine is approximately 96% bound to human plasma proteins. Duloxetine binds to both albumin and alpha-l acid glycoprotein. Protein binding is not affected by renal or hepatic impairment.
Biotransformation: Duloxetine is extensively metabolised and the metabolites are excreted principally in urine. Both cytochromes P450-2D6 and 1A2 catalyse the formation of the two major metabolites glucuronide conjugate of 4-hydroxy duloxetine and sulphate conjugate of 5-hydroxy 6-methoxy duloxetine. Based upon in vitro studies, the circulating metabolites of duloxetine are considered pharmacologically inactive. The pharmacokinetics of duloxetine in patients who are poor metabolisers with respect to CYP2D6 has not been specifically investigated. Limited data suggest that the plasma levels of duloxetine are higher in these patients.
Elimination: The elimination half-life of duloxetine ranges from 8 to 17 hours (mean of 12 hours). After an intravenous dose the plasma clearance of duloxetine ranges from 22 l/hr to 46 l/hr (mean of 36 l/hr). After an oral dose the apparent plasma clearance of duloxetine ranges from 33 to 261 l/hr (mean 101 l/hr).
Special populations Gender: Pharmacokinetic differences have been identified between males and females (apparent plasma clearance is approximately 50% lower in females). Based upon the overlap in the range of clearance, gender-based pharmacokinetic differences do not justify the recommendation for using a lower dose for female patients.
Age: Pharmacokinetic differences have been identified between younger and elderly females (>65 years) (AUC increases by about 25% and half-life is about 25% longer in the elderly), although the magnitude of these changes is not sufficient to justify adjustments to the dose. As a general recommendation, caution should be exercised when treating elderly people (see sections 4.2 and 4.4).
Renal impairment: End stage renal disease (ESRD) patients receiving dialysis had 2fold higher duloxetine Cmax and AUC values compared with healthy subjects. Pharmacokinetic data on duloxetine is limited in patients with mild or moderate renal impairment.
Hepatic impairment: Moderate liver disease (Child Pugh Class B) affected the pharmacokinetics of duloxetine. Compared with healthy subjects, the apparent plasma clearance of duloxetine was 79% lower, the apparent terminal half-life was 2.3 times longer, and the AUC was 3.7 times higher in patients with moderate liver disease.
The pharmacokinetics of duloxetine and its metabolites have not been studied in patients with mild or severe hepatic insufficiency.
Breast-feeding mothers: The disposition of duloxetine was studied in 6 lactating women who were at least 12-weeks postpartum. Duloxetine is detected in breast milk, and steady-state concentrations in breast milk are about one-fourth those in plasma. The amount of duloxetine in breast milk is approximately 7 frg/day while on 40 mg twice daily dosing. Lactation did not influence duloxetine pharmacokinetics.
5.3 Preclinical safety data
Duloxetine was not genotoxic in a standard battery of tests and was not carcinogenic in rats. Multinucleated cells were seen in the liver in the absence of other histopathological changes in the rat carcinogenicity study. The underlying mechanism and the clinical relevance are unknown. Female mice receiving duloxetine for 2 years had an increased incidence of hepatocellular adenomas and carcinomas at the high dose only (144 mg/kg/day), but these were considered to be secondary to hepatic microsomal enzyme induction. The relevance of this mouse data to humans is unknown. Female rats receiving duloxetine before and during mating and early pregnancy had a decrease in maternal food consumption and body weight, oestrous cycle disruption, decreased live birth indices and progeny survival, and progeny growth retardation at systemic exposure levels estimated to be at the most at maximum clinical exposure (AUC). In an embryotoxicity study in the rabbit, a higher incidence of cardiovascular and skeletal malformations was observed at systemic exposure levels below the maximum clinical exposure (AUC). No malformations were observed in another study testing a higher dose of a different salt of duloxetine. In pre/postnatal toxicity study in the rat, duloxetine induced adverse behavioural effects in the offspring at systemic exposure levels below maximum clinical exposure (AUC).
Studies in juvenile rats reveal transient effects on neurobehaviour, as well as significantly decreased body weight and food consumption; hepatic enzyme induction; and hepatocellular vacuolation at 45 mg/kg/day. The general toxicity profile of duloxetine in juvenile rats was similar to that in adult rats. The no-adverse effect level was determined to be 20 mg/kg/day.
PHARMACEUTICAL PARTICULARS
6
6.1 List of excipients
Capsule content:
Sugar spheres (sucrose, maize starch) Povidone (K-30)
Sodium laurilsulfate Talc
Hypromellose Sucrose Triethyl citrate
Hypromellose acetate succinate Titanium dioxide (E171)
Capsule shell:
Titanium dioxide (E171)
Iron oxide red (E172)
Indigo carmine (E132)
Gelatin
Printing ink:
Shellac
Propylene glycol
Ammonium hydroxide 28 per cent Potassium hydroxide Iron oxide black (E172)
6.2 Incompatibilities
Not applicable.
6.3 Shelf life 22 months
6.4 Special precautions for storage
Do not store above 30°C. Store in the original package in order to protect from moisture.
6.5 Nature and contents of container
PVC/ACLAR/PVC-aluminum blister packs containing or PVC/ACLAR/PVdC/PVC-aluminum blister packs containing 14, 28, 56, 84 or 98 capsules. HDPE bottles with a child-resistant PP closure with or without silica gel desiccant canister containing 100 capsules.
Not all pack sizes may be marketed.
6.6 Special precautions for disposal
No special requirements.
7 MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER
Teva UK Limited,
Brampton Road Hampden Park Eastbourne East Sussex BN22 9AG United Kingdom
8 MARKETING AUTHORISATION NUMBER(S)
PL 00289/1921
9 DATE OF FIRST AUTHORISATION/RENEWAL OF THE AUTHORISATION
28/04/2015
10 DATE OF REVISION OF THE TEXT
24/06/2015