Pioglitazone and Glimepiride

Pioglitazone and glimepiride tablets are indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus who are already treated with a thiazolidinedione and sulfonylurea or who have inadequate glycemic control on a thiazolidinedione alone or a sulfonylurea alone [see Clinical Studies (14) ] . Pioglitazone and glimepiride tablets are a thiazolidinedione and a sulfonylurea combination product indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus when treatment with both pioglitazone and glimepiride is appropriate. ( 1 ) Important Limitations of Use: Not for treatment of type 1 diabetes or diabetic ketoacidosis. ( 1 ) Important Limitations of Use Pioglitazone exerts its antihyperglycemic effect only in the presence of endogenous insulin. Pioglitazone and glimepiride tablets should not be used to treat type 1 diabetes or diabetic ketoacidosis, as it would not be effective in these settings. Use caution in patients with liver disease [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ].

30 mg/2 mg tablet: White to off-white, round, convex tablets, debossed with "4833G" on one side and "30/2" on the other 30 mg/4 mg tablet: White to off-white, round, convex tablets, debossed with "4833G" on one side and "30/4" on the other Tablets: 30 mg pioglitazone/2 mg glimepiride. ( 3 ) Tablets: 30 mg pioglitazone/4 mg glimepiride. ( 3 )

Initiation in patients with established NYHA Class III or IV heart failure [see Boxed Warning ] . Use in patients with known hypersensitivity to pioglitazone, glimepiride or any other component of pioglitazone and glimepiride tablets [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] . Use in patients with known history of an allergic reaction to sulfonamide derivatives. Reported hypersensitivity reactions with glimepiride include cutaneous eruptions with or without pruritus as well as more serious reactions (e.g., anaphylaxis, angioedema, Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, dyspnea) [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) and Adverse Reactions (6.2) ] Initiation in patients with established New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class III or IV heart failure [see Boxed Warning ] . ( 4 ) Use in patients with known hypersensitivity to pioglitazone, glimepiride or any other component of pioglitazone and glimepiride tablets. ( 4 ) Hypersensitivity to sulfonamide derivatives. ( 4 )

Congestive heart failure: Fluid retention may occur and can exacerbate or lead to congestive heart failure. Combination use with insulin and use in congestive heart failure NYHA Class I and II may increase risk. Monitor patients for signs and symptoms. ( 5.1 ) Hypoglycemia: May be severe. When insulin or an insulin secretagogue is used with pioglitazone, a lower dose of the insulin or insulin secretagogue may be needed to reduce the risk of hypoglycemia. ( 5.2 ) Hypersensitivity Reactions: Postmarketing reports for glimepiride, a component of pioglitazone and glimepiride tablets, include anaphylaxis, angioedema and Stevens-Johnson Syndrome. Promptly discontinue pioglitazone and glimepiride tablets, assess for other cases, institute appropriate monitoring and treatment, and initiate alternative treatment for diabetes. ( 5.3 ) Potential increased risk of cardiovascular mortality with sulfonylureas: Inform patients of risk, benefits, and treatment alternatives. ( 5.4 ) Hepatic effects: Postmarketing reports of hepatic failure, sometimes fatal. Causality cannot be excluded. If liver injury is detected, promptly interrupt pioglitazone and glimepiride tablets and assess patient for probable cause, then treat cause if possible, to resolution or stabilization. Do not restart pioglitazone and glimepiride tablets if liver injury is confirmed and no alternate etiology can be found. ( 5.5 ) Bladder cancer: May increase the risk of bladder cancer. Do not use in patients with active bladder cancer. Use caution when using in patients with a prior history of bladder cancer. ( 5.6 ) Edema: Dose-related edema may occur. ( 5.7 ) Fractures: Increased incidence in female patients. Apply current standards of care for assessing and maintaining bone health. ( 5.8 ) Hemolytic anemia: Can occur if glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (GP6D) deficient. Use with caution in patients with GP6D deficiency. ( 5.9 ) Macular edema: Postmarketing reports. Recommend regular eye exams in all patients with diabetes according to current standards of care with prompt evaluation for acute visual changes. ( 5.10 ) Macrovascular outcomes: There have been no clinical studies establishing conclusive evidence of macrovascular risk reduction with pioglitazone and glimepiride tablets. ( 5.11 )

5.1 Congestive Heart Failure Pioglitazone Pioglitazone, like other thiazolidinediones, can cause dose-related fluid retention when used alone or in combination with other antidiabetic medications and is most common when pioglitazone and glimepiride tablets are used in combination with insulin. Fluid retention may lead to or exacerbate congestive heart failure. Patients should be observed for signs and symptoms of congestive heart failure. If congestive heart failure develops, it should be managed according to current standards of care and discontinuation or dose reduction of pioglitazone and glimepiride tablets must be considered [see Boxed Warning , Contraindications (4) and Adverse Reactions (6.1) ] .

5.2 Hypoglycemia Glimepiride All sulfonylureas, including glimepiride, a component of pioglitazone and glimepiride tablets, can cause severe hypoglycemia [see Adverse Reactions (6.1) ] . The patient's ability to concentrate and react may be impaired as a result of hypoglycemia. These impairments may present a risk in situations where these abilities are especially important, such as driving or operating other machinery. Severe hypoglycemia can lead to unconsciousness or convulsions and may result in temporary or permanent impairment of brain function or death. Patients must be educated to recognize and manage hypoglycemia. Use caution when initiating and increasing pioglitazone and glimepiride tablet doses in patients who may be predisposed to hypoglycemia (e.g., the elderly, patients with renal impairment, patients on other antidiabetic medications). Debilitated or malnourished patients and those with adrenal, pituitary, or hepatic impairment are particularly susceptible to the hypoglycemic action of glucose-lowering medications. Hypoglycemia is also more likely to occur when caloric intake is deficient, after severe or prolonged exercise, or when alcohol is ingested. Early warning symptoms of hypoglycemia may be different or less pronounced in patients with autonomic neuropathy, the elderly, and in patients who are taking beta-adrenergic blocking medications or other sympatholytic agents. These situations may result in severe hypoglycemia before the patient is aware of the hypoglycemia.

5.3 Hypersensitivity Reactions Glimepiride There have been postmarketing reports of hypersensitivity reactions in patients treated with glimepiride, a component of pioglitazone and glimepiride tablets, including serious reactions such as anaphylaxis, angioedema, and Stevens-Johnson Syndrome. If a hypersensitivity reaction is suspected, promptly discontinue pioglitazone and glimepiride tablets, assess for other potential causes for the reaction, and institute alternative treatment for diabetes.

5.4 Potential Increased Risk of Cardiovascular Mortality with Sulfonylureas Glimepiride The administration of oral hypoglycemic drugs has been reported to be associated with increased cardiovascular mortality as compared to treatment with diet alone or diet plus insulin. This warning is based on the study conducted by the University Group Diabetes Program (UGDP), a long-term, prospective clinical trial designed to evaluate the effectiveness of glucose-lowering drugs in preventing or delaying vascular complications in patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes. The study involved 823 patients who were randomly assigned to one of four treatment groups. UGDP reported that patients treated for 5 to 8 years with diet plus a fixed dose of tolbutamide (1.5 grams per day) had a rate of cardiovascular mortality approximately 2.5 times that of patients treated with diet alone. A significant increase in total mortality was not observed, but the use of tolbutamide was discontinued based on the increase in cardiovascular mortality, thus limiting the opportunity for the study to show an increase in overall mortality. Despite controversy regarding the interpretation of these results, the findings of the UGDP study provide an adequate basis for this warning. The patient should be informed of the potential risks and advantages of glimepiride tablets and of alternative modes of therapy. Although only one drug in the sulfonylurea class (tolbutamide) was included in this study, it is prudent from a safety standpoint to consider that this warning may also apply to other oral hypoglycemic drugs in this class, in view of their close similarities in mode of action and chemical structure.

5.5 Hepatic Effects Pioglitazone There have been postmarketing reports of fatal and non-fatal hepatic failure in patients taking pioglitazone, although the reports contain insufficient information necessary to establish the probable cause. There has been no evidence of drug-induced hepatotoxicity in the pioglitazone-controlled clinical trial database to date [see Adverse Reactions (6.1) ]. Patients with type 2 diabetes may have fatty liver disease or cardiac disease with episodic congestive heart failure, both of which may cause liver test abnormalities, and they may also have other forms of liver disease, many of which can be treated or managed. Therefore, obtaining a liver test panel (serum alanine aminotransferase [ALT], aspartate aminotransferase [AST], alkaline phosphatase, and total bilirubin) and assessing the patient is recommended before initiating pioglitazone and glimepiride tablet therapy. In patients with abnormal liver tests, pioglitazone and glimepiride tablets should be initiated with caution. Measure liver tests promptly in patients who report symptoms that may indicate liver injury, including fatigue, anorexia, right upper abdominal discomfort, dark urine or jaundice. […]

The following serious adverse reactions are discussed elsewhere in the labeling: Congestive Heart Failure [see Boxed Warning and Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] Hypoglycemia [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] Edema [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7) ] Fractures [see Warnings and Precautions (5.8) ] Hemolytic Anemia [see Warnings and Precautions (5.9) ] Most common adverse reactions (≥5%) are upper respiratory tract infection, accidental injury, and combined edema/peripheral edema. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Takeda Pharmaceuticals at 1-877-825-3327 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.

6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. The adverse events reported in at least 5% of patients in the controlled 16 week clinical studies between placebo plus a sulfonylurea and pioglitazone (15 mg and 30 mg combined) plus sulfonylurea treatment arms were upper respiratory tract infection (15.5% and 16.6%), accidental injury (8.6% and 3.5%), and combined edema/peripheral edema (2.1% and 7.2%), respectively. The incidence and type of adverse events reported in at least 5% of patients in any combined treatment group from the 24 week study comparing pioglitazone 30 mg plus a sulfonylurea and pioglitazone 45 mg plus a sulfonylurea are shown in Table 1; the rate of adverse events resulting in study discontinuation between the two treatment groups was 6% and 9.7%, respectively. Table 1. Adverse Events that Occurred in ≥5% of Patients in Any Treatment Group During the 24 Week Study Adverse Event Pioglitazone 30 mg + Sulfonylurea N=351 n (%) Pioglitazone 45 mg + Sulfonylurea N=351 n (%) Hypoglycemia 47 (13.4) 55 (15.7) Upper Respiratory Tract Infection 43 (12.3) 52 (14.8) Weight Increased 32 (9.1) 47 (13.4) Edema Lower Limb 20 (5.7) 43 (12.3) Headache 25 (7.1) 14 (4.0) Urinary Tract Infection 20 (5.7) 24 (6.8) Diarrhea 21 (6.0) 15 (4.3) Nausea 18 (5.1) 14 (4.0) Pain in Limb 19 (5.4) 14 (4.0) In US double-blind studies, anemia was reported in ≤2% of patients treated with pioglitazone plus a sulfonylurea [see Warnings and Precautions (5.9) ] . Pioglitazone Over 8500 patients with type 2 diabetes have been treated with pioglitazone in randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trials, including 2605 patients with type 2 diabetes and macrovascular disease treated with pioglitazone in the PROactive clinical trial. In these trials, over 6000 patients have been treated with pioglitazone for six months or longer, over 4500 patients have been treated with pioglitazone for one year or longer, and over 3000 patients have been treated with pioglitazone for at least two years. In six pooled 16 to 26 week placebo-controlled monotherapy and 16 to 24 week add-on combination therapy trials, the incidence of withdrawals due to adverse events was 4.5% for patients treated with pioglitazone and 5.8% for comparator-treated patients. The most common adverse events leading to withdrawal were related to inadequate glycemic control, although the incidence of these events was lower (1.5%) with pioglitazone than with placebo (3.0%). In the PROactive trial, the incidence of withdrawals due to adverse events was 9.0% for patients treated with pioglitazone and 7.7% for placebo-treated patients. Congestive heart failure was the most common serious adverse event leading to withdrawal occurring in 1.3% of patients treated with pioglitazone and 0.6% of patients treated with placebo. Common Adverse Events: 16 to 26 Week Monotherapy Trials: A summary of the incidence and type of common adverse events reported in three pooled 16 to 26 week placebo-controlled monotherapy trials of pioglitazone is provided in Table 2. Terms that are reported represent those that occurred at an incidence of >5% and more commonly in patients treated with pioglitazone than in patients who received placebo. None of these adverse events were related to the pioglitazone dose. Table 2. Three Pooled 16 to 26 Week Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trials of Pioglitazone Monotherapy: Adverse Events Reported at an Incidence >5% and More Commonly in Patients Treated with Pioglitazone than in Patients Treated with Placebo % of Patients Placebo N=259 Pioglitazone N=606 Upper Respiratory Tract Infection 8.5

13.2 Headache 6.9

9.1 Sinusitis 4.6

6.3 Myalgia 2.7

5.4 Pharyngitis 0.8 5.1 A summary of the overall incidence and types of common adverse events reported in the PROactive trial is provided in Table 3. Terms that are reported represent those that occurred at an incidence of >5% and more commonly in patients treated with pioglitazone than in patients who received placebo. Table 3. PROactive Trial: Incidence and Types of Adverse Events Reported in >5% of Patients Treated with Pioglitazone and More Commonly than Placebo % of Patients Placebo N=2633 Pioglitazone N=2605 Mean duration of patient follow-up was 34.5 months. Hypoglycemia 18.8

27.3 Edema 15.3

26.7 Cardiac Failure 6.1

8.1 Pain in Extremity 5.7

6.4 Back Pain 5.1

5.5 Chest Pain 5.0

5.1 Congestive Heart Failure A summary of the incidence of adverse events related to congestive heart failure is provided in Table 4 for the 16 to 24 week add-on to sulfonylurea trials, for the 16 to 24 week add-on to insulin trials, and for the 16 to 24 week add-on to metformin trials. None of the events were fatal. Table 4. Treatment-Emergent Adverse Events of Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) Patients Treated with Pioglitazone or Placebo Added on to a Sulfonylurea Number (%) of Patients Placebo-Controlled Trial (16 weeks) Non-Controlled Double Blind Trial (24 weeks) Placebo + Sulfonylurea N=187 Pioglitazone 15 mg + Sulfonylurea N=184 Pioglitazone 30 mg + Sulfonylurea N=189 Pioglitazone 30 mg + Sulfonylurea N=351 Pioglitazone 45 mg + Sulfonylurea N=351 At least one congestive heart failure event 2 (1.1%) 0 0 1 (0.3%) 6 (1.7%) Hospitalized 2 (1.1%) 0 0 0 2 (0.6%) Patients Treated with Pioglitazone or Placebo Added on to Insulin Number (%) of Patients Placebo-Controlled Trial (16 weeks) Non-Controlled Double Blind Trial (24 weeks) Placebo + Insulin N=187 Pioglitazone 15 mg + Insulin N=191 Pioglitazone 30 mg + Insulin N=188 Pioglitazone 30 mg + Insulin N=345 Pioglitazone 45 mg + Insulin N=345 At least one congestive heart failure event 0 2 (1.0%) 2 (1.1%) 3 (0.9%) 5 (1.4%) Hospitalized 0 2 (1.0%) 1 (0.5%) 1 (0.3%) 3 (0.9%) Patients Treated with Pioglitazone or Placebo Added on to Metformin Number (%) of Patients Placebo-Controlled Trial (16 weeks) Non-Controlled Double Blind Trial (24 weeks) Placebo + Metformin N=160 Pioglitazone 30 mg + Metformin N=168 Pioglitazone 30 mg + Metformin N=411 Pioglitazone 45 mg + Metformin N=416 At least one congestive heart failure event 0 1 (0.6%) 0 1 (0.2%) Hospitalized 0 1 (0.6%) 0 1 (0.2%) Patients with type 2 diabetes and NYHA class II or early class III congestive heart failure were randomized to receive 24 weeks of double-blind treatment with either pioglitazone at daily doses of 30 mg to 45 mg (n=262) or glyburide at daily doses of 10 mg to 15 mg (n=256). A summary of the incidence of adverse events related to congestive heart failure reported in this study is provided in Table 5. Table 5. […]

Strong CYP2C8 inhibitors (e.g., gemfibrozil) increase pioglitazone concentrations. Limit pioglitazone dose to 15 mg daily. ( 2.3 , 7.1 ) CYP2C8 inducers (e.g., rifampin) may decrease pioglitazone concentrations. ( 7.2 ) Topiramate may decrease pioglitazone concentrations. ( 7.3 ) Certain medications may affect glucose metabolism, requiring pioglitazone and glimepiride tablet dose adjustment and close monitoring of blood glucose. ( 7.4 ) Miconazole: Severe hypoglycemia can occur when pioglitazone and glimepiride tablets and oral miconazole are used concomitantly. ( 7.5 ) CYP2C9 interactions: Inhibitors and inducers may affect glycemic control by altering glimepiride plasma concentrations. ( 7.6 ) Colesevelam: Coadministration may reduce glimepiride absorption. Pioglitazone and glimepiride tablets should be administered at least 4 hours prior to colesevelam. ( 2.4 , 7.7 )

7.1 Strong CYP2C8 Inhibitors Pioglitazone An inhibitor of CYP2C8 (e.g., gemfibrozil) significantly increases the exposure (area under the serum concentration-time curve or AUC) and half-life (t ½ ) of pioglitazone. Therefore, the maximum recommended dose of pioglitazone is 15 mg daily if used in combination with gemfibrozil or other strong CYP2C8 inhibitors. Since the minimum dose of pioglitazone in pioglitazone and glimepiride tablets exceeds 15 mg, patients taking concomitant strong CYP2C8 inhibitors should switch to individual components of pioglitazone and glimepiride tablets, unless the prescribing health care provider determines that the benefit of pioglitazone and glimepiride tablets clearly outweighs the risk of increased pioglitazone exposure [see Dosage and Administration (2.3) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . 7.2 CYP2C8 Inducers Pioglitazone An inducer of CYP2C8 (e.g., rifampin) may significantly decrease the exposure (AUC) of pioglitazone. Therefore, if an inducer of CYP2C8 is started or stopped during treatment with pioglitazone, changes in diabetes treatment may be needed based on clinical response without exceeding the maximum recommended daily dose of 45 mg for pioglitazone [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] .

7.3 Topiramate Pioglitazone A decrease in the exposure of pioglitazone and its active metabolites were noted with concomitant administration of pioglitazone and topiramate [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . The clinical relevance of this decrease is unknown; however, when pioglitazone and topiramate are used concomitantly, monitor patients for adequate glycemic control.

7.4 Drugs Affecting Glucose Metabolism Glimepiride A number of medications affect glucose metabolism and may require pioglitazone and glimepiride tablet dose adjustment and particularly close monitoring for hypoglycemia or worsening glycemic control. The following are examples of medications that may increase the glucose-lowering effect of sulfonylureas including glimepiride, a component of pioglitazone and glimepiride tablets, increasing the susceptibility to and/or intensity of hypoglycemia: oral anti-diabetic medications, pramlintide acetate, insulin, angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, H2 receptor antagonists, fibrates, propoxyphene, pentoxifylline, somatostatin analogs, anabolic steroids and androgens, cyclophosphamide, phenyramidol, guanethidine, fluconazole, sulfinpyrazone, tetracyclines, clarithromycin, disopyramide, quinolones, and those drugs that are highly protein-bound, such as fluoxetine, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, salicylates, sulfonamides, chloramphenicol, coumarins, probenecid and monoamine oxidase inhibitors. When these medications are administered to a patient receiving pioglitazone and glimepiride tablets, monitor the patient closely for hypoglycemia. When these medications are withdrawn from a patient receiving pioglitazone and glimepiride tablets, monitor the patient closely for worsening glycemic control. The following are examples of medications that may reduce the glucose-lowering effect of sulfonylureas including glimepiride, leading to worsening glycemic control: danazol, glucagon, somatropin, protease inhibitors, atypical antipsychotic medications (e.g., olanzapine and clozapine), barbiturates, diazoxide, laxatives, rifampin, thiazides and other diuretics, corticosteroids, phenothiazines, thyroid hormones, estrogens, oral contraceptives, phenytoin, nicotinic acid, sympathomimetics (e.g., epinephrine, albuterol, terbutaline), and isoniazid. When these medications are administered to a patient receiving pioglitazone and glimepiride tablets, monitor the patient closely for worsening glycemic control. When these medications are withdrawn from a patient receiving pioglitazone and glimepiride tablets, monitor the patient closely for hypoglycemia. Beta-blockers, clonidine, and reserpine may lead to either potentiation or weakening of pioglitazone and glimepiride tablets glucose-lowering effect. Both acute and chronic alcohol intake may potentiate or weaken the glucose-lowering action of pioglitazone and glimepiride tablets in an unpredictable fashion. The signs of hypoglycemia may be reduced or absent in patients taking sympatholytic drugs such as beta-blockers, clonidine, guanethidine, and reserpine.

7.5 Miconazole Glimepiride A potential interaction between oral miconazole and sulfonylureas leading to severe hypoglycemia has been reported. Whether this interaction also occurs with other dosage forms of miconazole is not known. 7.6 CYP2C9 Interactions Glimepiride There may be an interaction between glimepiride and inhibitors (e.g., fluconazole) and inducers (e.g., rifampin) of CYP2C9. Fluconazole may inhibit the metabolism of glimepiride, causing increased plasma concentrations of glimepiride which may lead to hypoglycemia. Rifampin may induce the metabolism of glimepiride, causing decreased plasma concentrations of glimepiride which may lead to worsening glycemic control.

7.7 Concomitant Administration of Colesevelam Glimepiride Colesevelam can reduce the maximum plasma concentrations and total exposure of glimepiride when the two are coadministered. However, absorption is not reduced when glimepiride is administered four hours prior to colesevelam. Therefore, pioglitazone and glimepiride tablets should be administered at least four hours prior to colesevelam [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] .

Females and Males of Reproductive Potential: Advise premenopausal females of the potential for an unintended pregnancy. ( 8.3 ) Pediatrics: Not recommended for use in pediatric patients. ( 8.4 ) Geriatric or renally impaired patients: At risk for hypoglycemia with pioglitazone and glimepiride tablets. Use caution in dose selection and titration, and monitor closely. ( 8.5 , 8.6 )

8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary Limited data with pioglitazone and glimepiride tablets or pioglitazone in pregnant women are not sufficient to determine a drug-associated risk for major birth defects or miscarriage. There are clinical considerations related to fetal and neonatal adverse reactions and drug discontinuation if glimepiride is used during pregnancy. There are risks to the mother and fetus associated with poorly controlled diabetes in pregnancy [see Clinical Considerations ]. No adverse developmental effects were observed when pioglitazone was administered to pregnant rats and rabbits during organogenesis at exposures up to 5 and 35 times the 45 mg clinical dose, respectively, based on the body surface area. Administration of glimepiride to pregnant rats and rabbits during organogenesis induced maternal hypoglycemia and also increased fetal mortality at doses 50 (rats) and 0.1 times (rabbits) the 8 mg clinical dose, respectively, based on body surface area [see Data ] . The estimated background risk of major birth defects is 6-10% in women with pre-gestational diabetes with a HbA1c >7 and has been reported to be as high as 20-25% in women with a HbA1c >10. The estimated background risk of miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2-4% and 15-20% respectively. Clinical Considerations Disease-associated maternal and/or embryo/fetal risk Poorly controlled diabetes in pregnancy increases the maternal risk for diabetic ketoacidosis, pre-eclampsia, spontaneous abortions, preterm delivery, still birth and delivery complications. Poorly controlled diabetes increases the fetal risk for major birth defects, still birth, and macrosomia related morbidity. Fetal/Neonatal Adverse Reaction Neonates of women with gestational diabetes, who are treated with sulfonylureas during pregnancy, may be at increased risk for neonatal intensive care unit admission, and may develop respiratory distress, hypoglycemia, birth injury, and be large for gestational age. Prolonged severe hypoglycemia, lasting 4-10 days, has been reported in neonates born to mothers receiving a sulfonylurea at the time of delivery and has been reported with the use of agents with a prolonged half-life. Observe newborns for symptoms of hypoglycemia and respiratory distress and manage accordingly. Dose adjustments during pregnancy and the postpartum period Due to reports of prolonged severe hypoglycemia in neonates born to mothers receiving a sulfonylurea at the time of delivery, pioglitazone and glimepiride should be discontinued at least two weeks before expected delivery [see Fetal/Neonatal Adverse Reaction ]. Data Animal Data Pioglitazone and Glimepiride Animal reproduction studies were not conducted with the combined products in pioglitazone and glimepiride tablets. The following data are based on studies conducted with the individual components of pioglitazone and glimepiride tablets. Pioglitazone Pioglitazone administered to pregnant rats during organogenesis did not cause adverse developmental effects at a dose of 20 mg/kg (~5 times the 45 mg clinical dose), but delayed parturition and reduced embryofetal viability at 40 and 80 mg/kg, or ≥9 times the 45 mg clinical dose, by body surface area. In pregnant rabbits administered pioglitazone during organogenesis, no adverse developmental effects were observed at 80 mg/kg (~35 times the 45 mg clinical dose), but reduced embryofetal viability at 160 mg/kg, or ~69 times the 45 mg clinical dose, by body surface area. When pregnant rats received pioglitazone during late gestation and lactation, delayed postnatal development, attributed to decreased body weight occurred in offspring at maternal doses of 10 mg/kg and above or ≥2 times the 45 mg clinical dose, by body surface area. Glimepiride Fetal deaths occurred in rats and rabbits administered glimepiride during the period of organogenesis at doses 50 times (rats) and 0.1 times (rabbits) the 8 mg clinical dose, based on body surface area. This fetotoxicity, observed only at doses inducing maternal hypoglycemia, is believed to be directly related to the pharmacologic (hypoglycemic) action of glimepiride and has been similarly noted with other sulfonylureas.

8.2 Lactation Risk Summary There is no information regarding the presence of pioglitazone or glimepiride in human milk, the effects on the breastfed infant, or the effects on milk production. Pioglitazone and glimepiride are present in rat milk; however, due to species-specific differences in lactation physiology, animal data may not reliably predict drug levels in human milk [see Data ]. The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother's clinical need for pioglitazone and glimepiride tablets and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed infant from pioglitazone and glimepiride or from the underlying maternal condition. Data During pre- and postnatal studies in rats, glimepiride was present in lactational milk and in serum of nursing rat pups. Offspring exposed to high levels of glimepiride during lactation developed skeletal abnormalities (shortening, thickening and bending of the humerus) during the postnatal period.

8.3 Females and Males of Reproductive Potential Discuss the potential for unintended pregnancy with premenopausal women as therapy with pioglitazone, like other thiazolidinediones, may result in ovulation in some anovulatory women.

8.4 Pediatric Use Safety and effectiveness of pioglitazone and glimepiride tablets in pediatric patients have not been established. Pioglitazone and glimepiride tablets are not recommended for use in pediatric patients based on adverse effects observed in adults, including fluid retention and congestive heart failure, fractures, and urinary bladder tumors [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1 , 5.6 , 5.7 , 5.8) ]. Glimepiride The pharmacokinetics, efficacy and safety of glimepiride have been evaluated in pediatric patients with type 2 diabetes as described below. Glimepiride is not recommended in pediatric patients because of its adverse effects on body weight and hypoglycemia. The pharmacokinetics of a 1 mg single dose of glimepiride was evaluated in 30 patients with type 2 diabetes (male = 7; female = 23) between ages 10 and 17 years. The mean (±SD) AUC (0-last) (339±203 ng∙hr/mL), C max (102±48 ng/mL) and t 1/2 (3.1±1.7 hours) for glimepiride were comparable to historical data from adults (AUC (0-last) 315±96 ng∙hr/mL, C max 103±34 ng/mL and t 1/2 5.3±4.1 hours). The safety and efficacy of glimepiride in pediatric patients was evaluated in a single-blind, 24 week trial that randomized 272 patients (8 to 17 years of age) with type 2 diabetes to glimepiride (n=135) or metformin (n=137). Both treatment-naïve patients (those treated with only diet and exercise for at least two weeks prior to randomization) and previously treated patients (those previously treated or currently treated with other oral antidiabetic medications for at least three months) were eligible to participate. Patients who were receiving oral antidiabetic agents at the time of study entry discontinued these medications before randomization without a washout period. Glimepiride was initiated at 1 mg, and then titrated up to 2, 4 or 8 mg (mean last dose 4 mg) through Week 12, targeting a self monitored fasting fingerstick blood glucose <126 mg/dL. […]

Pioglitazone and glimepiride tablets combine 2 antihyperglycemic agents with different mechanisms of action to improve glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes: pioglitazone, a member of the thiazolidinedione class, and glimepiride, a member of the sulfonylurea class. Thiazolidinediones are insulin-sensitizing agents that act primarily by enhancing peripheral glucose utilization, whereas sulfonylureas are insulin secretagogues that act primarily by stimulating release of insulin from functioning pancreatic beta cells. Pioglitazone Pioglitazone is a thiazolidinedione that depends on the presence of insulin for its mechanism of action. Pioglitazone decreases insulin resistance in the periphery and in the liver resulting in increased insulin-dependent glucose disposal and decreased hepatic glucose output. Pioglitazone is not an insulin secretagogue. Pioglitazone is an agonist for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPARγ). PPAR receptors are found in tissues important for insulin action such as adipose tissue, skeletal muscle, and liver. Activation of PPARγ nuclear receptors modulates the transcription of a number of insulin responsive genes involved in the control of glucose and lipid metabolism. In animal models of diabetes, pioglitazone reduces the hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, and hypertriglyceridemia characteristic of insulin-resistant states such as type 2 diabetes. The metabolic changes produced by pioglitazone result in increased responsiveness of insulin-dependent tissues and are observed in numerous animal models of insulin resistance. Because pioglitazone enhances the effects of circulating insulin (by decreasing insulin resistance), it does not lower blood glucose in animal models that lack endogenous insulin. Glimepiride Glimepiride primarily lowers blood glucose by stimulating the release of insulin from pancreatic beta cells. Sulfonylureas bind to the sulfonylurea receptor in the pancreatic beta cell plasma membrane, leading to closure of the ATP-sensitive potassium channel, thereby stimulating the release of insulin.