Rivastigmine Tartrate

Rivastigmine tartrate capsules are an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor indicated for treatment of: Mild-to-moderate dementia of the Alzheimer’s type (AD) ( 1.1 ) Mild-to-moderate dementia associated with Parkinson’s disease (PD) ( 1.2 )

1.1 Alzheimer’s Disease Rivastigmine tartrate capsules are indicated for the treatment of mild-to-moderate dementia of the Alzheimer's type (AD).

1.2 Parkinson’s Disease Dementia Rivastigmine tartrate capsules are indicated for the treatment of mild-to-moderate dementia associated with Parkinson’s disease (PD).

Capsules: 1.5 mg, 3 mg, 4.5 mg, or 6 mg (3.1)

3.1 Rivastigmine Tartrate Capsules USP Capsules, containing rivastigmine tartrate USP equivalent to 1.5 mg, 3 mg, 4.5 mg, or 6 mg of rivastigmine base, are available as follows: 1.5 mg capsule – yellow cap and yellow body colored size ‘2’ capsules imprinted in black ink with ‘H’ on cap and ‘67’ on body, containing white to off-white granular powder. 3 mg capsule – orange cap and orange body colored size ‘2’ capsules imprinted in black ink with ‘H’ on cap and ‘68’ on body, containing white to off-white granular powder. 4.5 mg capsule – red cap and red body colored size ‘2’ capsules imprinted in black ink with ‘H’ on cap and ‘69’ on body, containing white to off-white granular powder. 6 mg capsule – red cap and orange body colored size ‘2’ capsules imprinted in black ink with ‘H’ on cap and ‘70’ on body, containing white to off-white granular powder.

Rivastigmine tartrate capsules are contraindicated in patients with: known hypersensitivity to rivastigmine, other carbamate derivatives or other components of the formulation [see Description ( 11 )] a previous history of application site reaction with rivastigmine transdermal patch suggestive of allergic contact dermatitis, in the absence of negative allergy testing [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)] Isolated cases of generalized skin reactions have been described in postmarketing experience [see Adverse Reactions ( 6.2 )] . Known hypersensitivity to rivastigmine, other carbamate derivatives or other components of the formulation. (4) History of application site reaction with rivastigmine transdermal patch suggestive of allergic contact dermatitis, in the absence of negative allergy testing. (4 , 5.2)

Gastrointestinal adverse reactions may include significant nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia/decreased appetite, and weight loss, and may necessitate treatment interruption. Dehydration may result from prolonged vomiting or diarrhea and can be associated with serious outcomes. ( 5.1 ) Discontinue rivastigmine in case of disseminated allergic dermatitis, which may occur after oral or transdermal administration ( 4 , 5.2 ). In patients with suspected allergic contact dermatitis after transdermal rivastigmine use, switch to oral rivastigmine only after negative allergy testing.

5.1 Gastrointestinal Adverse Reactions Rivastigmine tartrate can cause gastrointestinal adverse reactions, including significant nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia/decreased appetite, and weight loss. Dehydration may result from prolonged vomiting or diarrhea and can be associated with serious outcomes. The incidence and severity of these reactions are dose-related [see Adverse Reactions (6.1) ] . For this reason, patients should always be started at a dose of 1.5 mg twice a day and titrated to their maintenance dose. If treatment is interrupted for longer than 3 days, treatment should be reinitiated with the lowest daily dose [see Dosage and Administration (2.3) ] to reduce the possibility of severe vomiting and its potentially serious sequelae (e.g., there has been one postmarketing report of severe vomiting with esophageal rupture following inappropriate reinitiation of treatment with a 4.5 mg dose after 8 weeks of treatment interruption). Inform caregivers to monitor for gastrointestinal adverse reactions and to inform the physician if they occur. It is critical to inform caregivers that if therapy has been interrupted for more than 3 days because of intolerance, the next dose should not be administered without contacting the physician regarding proper retitration.

5.2 Allergic Dermatitis There have been isolated postmarketing reports of patients experiencing disseminated allergic dermatitis when administered rivastigmine irrespective of the route of administration (oral or transdermal). Treatment should be discontinued if disseminated allergic dermatitis occurs [see Contraindications (4) ] . Patients and caregivers should be instructed accordingly [see Patient Counseling Information (17) ] . In patients who develop application site reactions, suggestive of allergic contact dermatitis to rivastigmine tartrate patch and who still require rivastigmine, treatment should be switched to oral rivastigmine only after negative allergy testing and under close medical supervision. It is possible that some patients sensitized to rivastigmine by exposure to rivastigmine patch may not be able to take rivastigmine in any form.

5.3 Other Adverse Reactions from Increased Cholinergic Activity Neurologic Effects Extrapyramidal Symptoms : Cholinomimetics, including rivastigmine may exacerbate or induce extrapyramidal symptoms. Worsening of parkinsonian symptoms, particularly tremor has been observed in patients with dementia associated with Parkinson’s disease who were treated with rivastigmine tartrate capsules. Seizures : Drugs that increase cholinergic activity are believed to have some potential for causing seizures. However, seizure activity also may be a manifestation of Alzheimer's disease. Peptic Ulcers/Gastrointestinal Bleeding Cholinesterase inhibitors, including rivastigmine, may be expected to increase gastric acid secretion due to increased cholinergic activity. Monitor patients using rivastigmine tartrate for symptoms of active or occult gastrointestinal bleeding, especially those at increased risk for developing ulcers, e.g., those with a history of ulcer disease or those receiving concurrent nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Clinical studies of rivastigmine have shown no significant increase, relative to placebo, in the incidence of either peptic ulcer disease or gastrointestinal bleeding. Use with Anesthesia Rivastigmine, as a cholinesterase inhibitor, is likely to exaggerate succinylcholine-type muscle relaxation during anesthesia. Cardiac Conduction Effects Because rivastigmine increases cholinergic activity, use of rivastigmine may have vagotonic effects on heart rate (e.g., bradycardia). The potential for this action may be particularly important in patients with sick sinus syndrome or other supraventricular cardiac conduction conditions. In clinical trials, rivastigmine was not associated with any increased incidence of cardiovascular adverse events, heart rate or blood pressure changes, or electrocardiogram (ECG) abnormalities. Syncopal episodes have been reported in 3% of patients receiving 6 mg to 12 mg per day of rivastigmine tartrate, compared to 2% of placebo patients. Genitourinary Effects Although not observed in clinical trials of rivastigmine, drugs that increase cholinergic activity may cause urinary obstruction. Pulmonary Effects Drugs that increase cholinergic activity, including rivastigmine, should be used with care in patients with a history of asthma or obstructive pulmonary disease.

5.4 Impairment in Driving or Use of Machinery Dementia may cause gradual impairment of driving performance or compromise the ability to use machinery. The administration of rivastigmine may also result in adverse reactions that are detrimental to these functions. During treatment with the rivastigmine tartrate, routinely evaluate the patient’s ability to continue driving or operating machinery.

The following adverse reactions are described below and elsewhere in the labeling: Gastrointestinal Adverse Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] Allergic Dermatitis [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] Other Adverse Reactions from Increased Cholinergic Activity [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] Most common adverse reactions (greater than 5% and 2 times greater than placebo): nausea, vomiting, anorexia, dyspepsia, and asthenia ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Aurobindo Pharma USA, Inc. at 1-866-850-2876 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. Rivastigmine tartrate has been administered to over 5,297 individuals during clinical trials worldwide. Of these, 4,326 patients have been treated for at least 3 months, 3,407 patients have been treated for at least 6 months, 2,150 patients have been treated for 1 year, 1,250 patients have been treated for 2 years, and 168 patients have been treated for over 3 years. With regard to exposure to the highest dose, 2,809 patients were exposed to doses of 10 mg to 12 mg, 2,615 patients treated for 3 months, 2,328 patients treated for 6 months, 1,378 patients treated for 1 year, 917 patients treated for 2 years, and 129 patients treated for over 3 years. Mild-to-Moderate Alzheimer’s Disease Most Common Adverse Reactions The most common adverse reactions, defined as those occurring at a frequency of at least 5% and twice the placebo rate, are largely predicted by rivastigmine tartrate's cholinergic effects. These include nausea, vomiting, anorexia, dyspepsia, and asthenia. Gastrointestinal Adverse Reactions Rivastigmine tartrate use is associated with significant nausea, vomiting, and weight loss [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)] . Discontinuation Rates The rate of discontinuation due to adverse events in controlled clinical trials of rivastigmine tartrate was 15% for patients receiving 6 mg to 12 mg per day compared to 5% for patients on placebo during forced weekly dose titration. While on a maintenance dose, the rates were 6% for patients on rivastigmine tartrate compared to 4% for those on placebo. The most common adverse reactions leading to discontinuation, defined as those occurring in at least 2% of patients and at twice the incidence seen in placebo patients, are shown in Table 1. Table 1: Most Frequent Adverse Reactions Leading to Withdrawal from Clinical Trials During Titration and Maintenance in Patients Receiving 6 mg to 12 mg per day Rivastigmine Tartrate Using a Forced-Dose Titration Study Phase Titration Maintenance Overall Rivastigmine Tartrate ≥ 6 to 12 mg/day (n = 1,189) Placebo (n = 868) Rivastigmine Tartrate ≥ 6 to 12 mg/day (n = 987) Placebo (n = 788) Rivastigmine Tartrate ≥ 6 to 12 mg/day (n = 1,189) Placebo (n = 868) Event/% Discontinuing Nausea 8 < 1 1 < 1 8 1 Vomiting 4 < 1 1 < 1 5 < 1 Anorexia 2 0 1 < 1 3 < 1 Dizziness 2 < 1 1 < 1 2 < 1 Adverse Reactions Observed at an Incidence of at Least 2% Table 2 lists adverse reactions that occurred in at least 2% of patients in placebo-controlled trials, and for which the rate of occurrence was greater for patients treated with rivastigmine tartrate doses of 6 mg to 12 mg per day than for those treated with placebo. In general, adverse reactions were less frequent later in the course of treatment. No systematic effect of race or age could be determined from the incidence of adverse reactions in the controlled studies. Nausea, vomiting and weight loss were more frequent in women than men. Table 2: Proportion of Adverse Reactions Observed with a Frequency of Greater Than or Equal to 2% and at a Rate Greater than Placebo in Clinical Trials Body System/Adverse Reaction Rivastigmine Tartrate (6 to 12 mg/day) (n = 1,189) Placebo (n = 868) Percent of Patients with any Adverse Event 92 79 Autonomic Nervous System Increased Sweating 4 1 Syncope 3 2 Body as a Whole Fatigue 9 5 Asthenia 6 2 Malaise 5 2 Decreased Weight** 3 < 1 Cardiovascular Disorders, General Hypertension 3 2 Central and Peripheral Nervous System Dizziness 21 11 Headache 17 12 Somnolence 5 3 Tremor 4 1 Gastrointestinal System Nausea* 47 12 Vomiting* 31 6 Diarrhea 19 11 Anorexia*** 17 3 Abdominal Pain 13 6 Dyspepsia 9 4 Psychiatric Disorders Insomnia 9 7 Confusion 8 7 Depression 6 4 Anxiety 5 3 Hallucination 4 3 Aggressive Reaction 3 2 Resistance Mechanism Disorders Urinary Tract Infection 7 6 *Nausea and Vomiting: In the controlled clinical trials, 47% of the patients treated with a rivastigmine tartrate dose in the therapeutic range of 6 mg to 12 mg per day (n = 1189) developed nausea (compared with 12% in placebo). A total of 31% of rivastigmine tartrate-­treated patients developed at least 1 episode of vomiting (compared with 6% for placebo). The rate of vomiting was higher during the titration phase (24% versus 3% for placebo) than in the maintenance phase (14% versus 3% for placebo). The rates were higher in women than men. Five percent of patients discontinued for vomiting, compared to less than 1% for patients on placebo. Vomiting was severe in 2% of rivastigmine tartrate-treated patients and was rated as mild or moderate each in 14% of patients. The rate of nausea was higher during the titration phase (43% versus 9% for placebo) than in the maintenance phase (17% versus 4% for placebo). **Weight Decreased: In the controlled trials, approximately 26% of women on high doses of rivastigmine tartrate (greater than 9 mg per day) had weight loss equal to or greater than 7% of their baseline weight compared to 6% in the placebo-treated patients. About 18% of the males in the high-dose group experienced a similar degree of weight loss compared to 4% in placebo-treated patients. It is not clear how much of the weight loss was associated with anorexia, nausea, vomiting, and the diarrhea associated with the drug. ***Anorexia: In the controlled clinical trials, of the patients treated with a rivastigmine tartrate dose of 6 mg to 12 mg per day, 17% developed anorexia compared to 3% of the placebo patients. Neither the time course nor the severity of the anorexia is known. Mild-to-Moderate Parkinson’s Disease Dementia Rivastigmine tartrate has been administered to 779 individuals during clinical trials worldwide. Of these, 663 patients have been treated for at least 3 months, 476 patients have been treated for at least 6 months, and 313 patients have been treated for 1 year. Most Common Adverse Reactions The most common adverse reactions, defined as those occurring at a frequency of at least 5% and twice the placebo rate, are largely predicted by rivastigmine tartrate's cholinergic effects. These include nausea, vomiting, tremor, anorexia, and dizziness. Discontinuation Rates The rate of discontinuation due to adverse events in the single placebo-controlled trial of rivastigmine tartrate was 18% for patients receiving 3 mg to 12 mg per day compared to 11% for patients on placebo during the 24-week study. The most frequent adverse reactions that led to discontinuation from this study, defined as those occurring in at least 1% of patients receiving rivastigmine tartrate and more frequent than those receiving placebo, were nausea (3.6% rivastigmine tartrate versus 0.6% placebo), vomiting (1.9% rivastigmine tartrate versus 0.6% placebo), and tremor (1.7% rivastigmine tartrate versus 0% placebo). […]

Concomitant use with metoclopramide, beta-blockers, or cholinomimetic and anticholinergic drugs is not recommended ( 7.1 , 7.2 , 7.3 )

7.1 Metoclopramide Due to the risk of additive extrapyramidal adverse reactions, the concomitant use of metoclopramide and rivastigmine tartrate is not recommended.

7.2 Cholinomimetic and Anticholinergic Medications Rivastigmine tartrate may increase the cholinergic effects of other cholinomimetic medications and may also interfere with the activity of anticholinergic medications (e.g., oxybutynin, tolterodine). Concomitant use of rivastigmine tartrate with medications having these pharmacologic effects is not recommended unless deemed clinically necessary [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] .

7.3 Beta-blockers Additive bradycardic effects resulting in syncope may occur when rivastigmine tartrate is used concomitantly with beta-blockers, especially cardioselective beta-blockers (including atenolol). Concomitant use of rivastigmine tartrate with beta-blockers is not recommended.

8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary There are no adequate data on the developmental risks associated with the use of rivastigmine tartrate in pregnant women. In animals, no adverse effects on embryo-fetal development were observed at oral doses 2 to 4 times the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD) (see Data) . The background risk of major birth defects and 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% to 4% and 15% to 20%, respectively. Data Animal Data Oral administration of rivastigmine to pregnant rats and rabbits throughout organogenesis produced no adverse effects on embryo-fetal development up to the highest dose tested (2.3 mg/kg/day), which is 2 and 4 times, respectively, the MRHD of 12 mg per day on a body surface area (mg/m 2 ) basis.

8.2 Lactation Risk Summary There are no data on the presence of rivastigmine in human milk, the effects on the breastfed infant, or the effects of rivastigmine on milk production. Rivastigmine and its metabolites are excreted in rat milk following oral administration of rivastigmine; levels of rivastigmine plus metabolites in rat milk are approximately 2 times that in maternal plasma. The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother’s clinical need for rivastigmine tartrate and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed infant from rivastigmine tartrate or from the underlying maternal condition.

8.4 Pediatric Use Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients have not been established. The use of rivastigmine tartrate in pediatric patients (below 18 years of age) is not recommended.

8.5 Geriatric Use Of the total number of patients in clinical studies of rivastigmine tartrate, 86% were 65 years and older while 46% were 75 years and older. No overall differences in safety or effectiveness were observed between these patients and younger patients, and other reported clinical experience has not identified differences in responses between the elderly and younger patients, but greater sensitivity of some older individuals cannot be ruled out.

8.6 Renal Impairment Patients with moderate to severe renal impairment may be able to only tolerate lower doses [see Dosage and Administration (2.4) , Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] .

8.7 Hepatic Impairment Patients with mild or moderate hepatic impairment may be able to only tolerate lower doses [see Dosage and Administration (2.4) , Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . No data are available on the use of rivastigmine tartrate in patients with severe hepatic impairment.

8.8 Low or High Body Weight Because rivastigmine blood levels vary with weight, careful titration and monitoring should be performed in patients with low or high body weights [see Dosage and Administration (2.4) , Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] .

Although the precise mechanism of action of rivastigmine is unknown, it is thought to exert its therapeutic effect by enhancing cholinergic function. This is accomplished by increasing the concentration of acetylcholine through reversible inhibition of its hydrolysis by cholinesterase. Therefore, the effect of rivastigmine may lessen as the disease process advances and fewer cholinergic neurons remain functionally intact. There is no evidence that rivastigmine alters the course of the underlying dementing process.