Ticagrelor

BRILINTA is a P2Y 12 platelet inhibitor indicated

• to reduce the risk of cardiovascular (CV) death, myocardial infarction (MI), and stroke in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) or a history of MI. For at least the first 12 months following ACS, it is superior to clopidogrel. BRILINTA also reduces the risk of stent thrombosis in patients who have been stented for treatment of ACS. (1.1)
• to reduce the risk of a first MI or stroke in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) at high risk for such events. While use is not limited to this setting, the efficacy of BRILINTA was established in a population with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). (1.2)
• to reduce the risk of stroke in patients with acute ischemic stroke (NIH Stroke Scale score ≤5) or high-risk transient ischemic attack (TIA). (1.3)

1.1 Acute Coronary Syndrome or a History of Myocardial Infarction BRILINTA is indicated to reduce the risk of cardiovascular (CV) death, myocardial infarction (MI), and stroke in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) or a history of MI. For at least the first 12 months following ACS, it is superior to clopidogrel. BRILINTA also reduces the risk of stent thrombosis in patients who have been stented for treatment of ACS [see Clinical Studies (14.1) ] .

1.2 Coronary Artery Disease but No Prior Stroke or Myocardial Infarction BRILINTA is indicated to reduce the risk of a first MI or stroke in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) at high risk for such events [see Clinical Studies (14.2) ] . While use is not limited to this setting, the efficacy of BRILINTA was established in a population with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

1.3 Acute Ischemic Stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) BRILINTA is indicated to reduce the risk of stroke in patients with acute ischemic stroke (NIH Stroke Scale score ≤5) or high-risk transient ischemic attack (TIA) [see Clinical Studies (14.3) ] .

BRILINTA (ticagrelor) 90 mg is supplied as a round, biconvex, yellow, film-coated tablet marked with a “90” above “T” on one side. BRILINTA (ticagrelor) 60 mg is supplied as a round, biconvex, pink, film-coated tablet marked with “60” above “T” on one side.

• 60 mg and 90 mg tablets (3)

• History of intracranial hemorrhage. (4.1)
• Active pathological bleeding. (4.2)
• Hypersensitivity to ticagrelor or any component of the product. (4.3)

4.1 History of Intracranial Hemorrhage BRILINTA is contraindicated in patients with a history of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) because of a high risk of recurrent ICH in this population [see Clinical Studies (14.1) , (14.2) ].

4.2 Active Bleeding BRILINTA is contraindicated in patients with active pathological bleeding such as peptic ulcer or intracranial hemorrhage [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) and Adverse Reactions (6.1) ] .

4.3 Hypersensitivity BRILINTA is contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity (e.g., angioedema) to ticagrelor or any component of the product.

• Dyspnea was reported more frequently with BRILINTA than with control agents in clinical trials. Dyspnea from BRILINTA is self-limiting. (5.3)
• Severe Hepatic Impairment: Likely increase in exposure to ticagrelor. (5.6)
• Laboratory Test Interference: False negative platelet functional test results have been reported for Heparin Induced Thrombocytopenia (HIT). BRILINTA is not expected to impact PF4 antibody testing for HIT. (5.8)

5.1 Risk of Bleeding Drugs that inhibit platelet function including BRILINTA increase the risk of bleeding [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) and Adverse Reactions (6.1) ]. Patients treated for acute ischemic stroke or TIA Patients at NIHSS >5 and patients receiving thrombolysis were excluded from THALES and use of BRILINTA in such patients is not recommended.

5.2 Discontinuation of BRILINTA in Patients Treated for Coronary Artery Disease Discontinuation of BRILINTA will increase the risk of myocardial infarction, stroke, and death in patients being treated for coronary artery disease. If BRILINTA must be temporarily discontinued (e.g., to treat bleeding or for significant surgery), restart it as soon as possible. When possible, interrupt therapy with BRILINTA for five days prior to surgery that has a major risk of bleeding. Resume BRILINTA as soon as hemostasis is achieved.

5.3 Dyspnea In clinical trials, about 14% (PLATO and PEGASUS) to 21% (THEMIS) of patients treated with BRILINTA developed dyspnea. Dyspnea was usually mild to moderate in intensity and often resolved during continued treatment but led to study drug discontinuation in 0.9% (PLATO), 1.0% (THALES), 4.3% (PEGASUS), and 6.9% (THEMIS) of patients. In a substudy of PLATO, 199 subjects underwent pulmonary function testing irrespective of whether they reported dyspnea. There was no indication of an adverse effect on pulmonary function assessed after one month or after at least 6 months of chronic treatment. If a patient develops new, prolonged, or worsened dyspnea that is determined to be related to BRILINTA, no specific treatment is required; continue BRILINTA without interruption if possible. In the case of intolerable dyspnea requiring discontinuation of BRILINTA, consider prescribing another antiplatelet agent.

5.4 Bradyarrhythmias BRILINTA can cause ventricular pauses [see Adverse Reactions (6.1) ]. Bradyarrhythmias including AV block have been reported in the postmarketing setting. Patients with a history of sick sinus syndrome, 2 nd or 3 rd degree AV block or bradycardia-related syncope not protected by a pacemaker were excluded from clinical studies and may be at increased risk of developing bradyarrhythmias with ticagrelor.

5.5 Severe Hepatic Impairment Avoid use of BRILINTA in patients with severe hepatic impairment. Severe hepatic impairment is likely to increase serum concentration of ticagrelor. There are no studies of BRILINTA patients with severe hepatic impairment [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)] .

5.6 Central Sleep Apnea Central sleep apnea (CSA) including Cheyne-Stokes respiration (CSR) has been reported in the post-marketing setting in patients taking ticagrelor, including recurrence or worsening of CSA/CSR following rechallenge. If central sleep apnea is suspected, consider further clinical assessment.

5.7 Laboratory Test Interferences False negative functional tests for Heparin Induced Thrombocytopenia (HIT) BRILINTA has been reported to cause false negative results in platelet functional tests (including the heparin-induced platelet aggregation (HIPA) assay) for patients with Heparin Induced Thrombocytopenia (HIT). This is related to inhibition of the P2Y 12 -receptor on the healthy donor platelets in the test by ticagrelor in the affected patient’s serum/plasma. Information on concomitant treatment with BRILINTA is required for interpretation of HIT functional tests. Based on the mechanism of BRILINTA interference, BRILINTA is not expected to impact PF4 antibody testing for HIT.

The following adverse reactions are also discussed elsewhere in the labeling:

• Bleeding [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ]
• Dyspnea [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] Most common adverse reactions (>5%) are bleeding and dyspnea. (5.1 , 5.3 , 6.1) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact AstraZeneca at 1-800-236-9933 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. BRILINTA has been evaluated for safety in more than 58,000 patients. Bleeding in PLATO (Reduction in risk of thrombotic events in ACS) Figure 1 is a plot of time to the first non-CABG major bleeding event. Figure 1 – Kaplan-Meier estimate of time to first non-CABG PLATO-defined major bleeding event (PLATO) Frequency of bleeding in PLATO is summarized in Tables 1 and 2. About half of the non-CABG major bleeding events were in the first 30 days. Table 1 – Non-CABG related bleeds (PLATO) BRILINTA 90 mg BID N=9235 Clopidogrel N=9186 n (%) patients with event n (%) patients with event PLATO Major + Minor 713 (7.7) 567 (6.2) Major 362 (3.9) 306 (3.3) Fatal/Life-threatening 171 (1.9) 151 (1.6) Fatal 15 (0.2) 16 (0.2) Intracranial hemorrhage (Fatal/Life-threatening) 26 (0.3) 15 (0.2) PLATO Minor bleed: requires medical intervention to stop or treat bleeding. PLATO Major bleed: any one of the following: fatal; intracranial; intrapericardial with cardiac tamponade; hypovolemic shock or severe hypotension requiring intervention; significantly disabling (e.g., intraocular with permanent vision loss); associated with a decrease in Hb of at least 3 g/dL (or a fall in hematocrit (Hct) of at least 9%); transfusion of 2 or more units. PLATO Major bleed, fatal/life-threatening: any major bleed as described above and associated with a decrease in Hb of more than 5 g/dL (or a fall in hematocrit (Hct) of at least 15%); transfusion of 4 or more units. Fatal: A bleeding event that directly led to death within 7 days. No baseline demographic factor altered the relative risk of bleeding with BRILINTA compared to clopidogrel. In PLATO, 1584 patients underwent CABG surgery. The percentages of those patients who bled are shown in Figure 2 and Table 2. Figure 2 – ‘Major fatal/life-threatening’ CABG-related bleeding by days from last dose of study drug to CABG procedure (PLATO) X-axis is days from last dose of study drug prior to CABG. The PLATO protocol recommended a procedure for withholding study drug prior to CABG or other major surgery without unblinding. If surgery was elective or non-urgent, study drug was interrupted temporarily, as follows: If local practice was to allow antiplatelet effects to dissipate before surgery, capsules (blinded clopidogrel) were withheld 5 days before surgery and tablets (blinded ticagrelor) were withheld for a minimum of 24 hours and a maximum of 72 hours before surgery. If local practice was to perform surgery without waiting for dissipation of antiplatelet effects capsules and tablets were withheld 24 hours prior to surgery and use of aprotinin or other hemostatic agents was allowed. If local practice was to use IPA monitoring to determine when surgery could be performed both the capsules and tablets were withheld at the same time and the usual monitoring procedures followed. T Ticagrelor; C Clopidogrel. Table 2 – CABG-related bleeding (PLATO) BRILINTA 90 mg BID N=770 Clopidogrel N=814 n (%) patients with event n (%) patients with event PLATO Total Major 626 (81.3) 666 (81.8) Fatal/Life-threatening 337 (43.8) 350 (43.0) Fatal 6 (0.8) 7 (0.9) PLATO Major bleed : any one of the following: fatal; intracranial; intrapericardial with cardiac tamponade; hypovolemic shock or severe hypotension requiring intervention; significantly disabling (e.g., intraocular with permanent vision loss); associated with a decrease in Hb of at least 3 g/dL (or a fall in hematocrit (Hct) of at least 9%); transfusion of 2 or more units. PLATO Major bleed, fatal/life-threatening : any major bleed as described above and associated with a decrease in Hb of more than 5 g/dL (or a fall in hematocrit (Hct) of at least 15%); transfusion of 4 or more units. When antiplatelet therapy was stopped 5 days before CABG, major bleeding occurred in 75% of BRILINTA treated patients and 79% on clopidogrel. Other Adverse Reactions in PLATO Adverse reactions that occurred at a rate of 4% or more in PLATO are shown in Table 3. Table 3 – Percentage of patients reporting non-hemorrhagic adverse reactions at least 4% or more in either group and more frequently on BRILINTA (PLATO) BRILINTA 90 mg BID N=9235 Clopidogrel N=9186 Dyspnea 13.8

7.8 Dizziness 4.5

3.9 Nausea 4.3

3.8 Bleeding in PEGASUS (Secondary Prevention in Patients with a History of Myocardial Infarction) Overall outcome of bleeding events in the PEGASUS study are shown in Table 4. Table 4 – Bleeding events (PEGASUS) BRILINTA 60 mg BID N=6958 Placebo N=6996 Events / 1000 patient years Events / 1000 patient years TIMI Major 8 3 Fatal 1 1 Intracranial hemorrhage 2 1 TIMI Major or Minor 11 5 TIMI Major : Fatal bleeding, OR any intracranial bleeding, OR clinically overt signs of hemorrhage associated with a drop in hemoglobin (Hgb) of ≥5 g/dL, or a fall in hematocrit (Hct) of ≥15%. Fatal : A bleeding event that directly led to death within 7 days. TIMI Minor : Clinically apparent with 3-5 g/dL decrease in hemoglobin. The bleeding profile of BRILINTA 60 mg compared to aspirin alone was consistent across multiple pre-defined subgroups (e.g., by age, gender, weight, race, geographic region, concurrent conditions, concomitant therapy, stent, and medical history) for TIMI Major and TIMI Major or Minor bleeding events. Other Adverse Reactions in PEGASUS Adverse reactions that occurred in PEGASUS at rates of 3% or more are shown in Table 5. Table 5 – Non-hemorrhagic adverse reactions reported in >3.0% of patients in the ticagrelor 60 mg treatment group (PEGASUS) BRILINTA 60 mg BID N=6958 Placebo N=6996 Dyspnea 14.2% 5.5% Dizziness 4.5% 4.1% Diarrhea 3.3% 2.5% Bleeding in THEMIS (Prevention of major CV events in patients with CAD and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus) The Kaplan-Meier curve of time to first TIMI Major bleeding event is presented in Figure 3. Figure 3 – Time to first TIMI Major bleeding event (THEMIS) T = Ticagrelor; P = Placebo; N = Number of patients The bleeding events in THEMIS are shown below in Table 6. Table 6 – Bleeding events (THEMIS) BRILINTA N=9562 Placebo N=9531 Events / 1000 patient years Events / 1000 patient years TIMI Major 9 4 TIMI Major or Minor 12 5 TIMI Major or Minor or Requiring medical attention 46 18 Fatal bleeding 1 0 Intracranial hemorrhage 3 2 Bleeding in THALES (Reduction in risk of stroke in patients with acute ischemic stroke or TIA) The Kaplan-Meier curve of time course of GUSTO severe bleeding events is presented in Figure 4. Figure 4 – Time course of GUSTO severe bleeding events KM%: Kaplan-Meier percentage evaluated at Day 30; T = Ticagrelor; P = placebo; N = Number of patients GUSTO Severe: Any one of the following: fatal bleeding, intracranial bleeding (excluding asymptomatic hemorrhagic transformations of ischemic brain infarctions and excluding microhemorrhages < 10 mm evident only on gradient-echo magnetic resonance imaging), bleeding that caused hemodynamic compromise requiring intervention (e.g., systolic blood pressure <90 mg Hg that required blood or fluid replacement, or vasopressor/inotropic support, or surgical intervention). Intracranial bleeding and fatal bleeding in THALES: In total, there were 21 intracranial hemorrhages (ICHs) for BRILINTA and 6 ICHs for placebo. Fatal bleedings, almost all ICH, occurred in 11 for BRILINTA and in 2 for placebo. […]

• Avoid use with strong CYP3A inhibitors or CYP3A inducers. (7.1 , 7.2)
• Opioids: Decreased exposure to ticagrelor. Consider use of parenteral anti-platelet agent. ( 7.3 )
• Patients receiving more than 40 mg per day of simvastatin or lovastatin may be at increased risk of statin-related adverse effects. ( 7.4 )
• Rosuvastatin plasma concentrations may increase. Monitor for statin-related adverse effects. ( 7.4 )
• Monitor digoxin levels with initiation of or any change in BRILINTA. ( 7.5 )

7.1 Strong CYP3A Inhibitors Strong CYP3A inhibitors substantially increase ticagrelor exposure and so increase the risk of dyspnea, bleeding, and other adverse events. Avoid use of strong inhibitors of CYP3A (e.g., ketoconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole, clarithromycin, nefazodone, ritonavir, saquinavir, nelfinavir, indinavir, atazanavir and telithromycin) [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] .

7.2 Strong CYP3A Inducers Strong CYP3A inducers substantially reduce ticagrelor exposure and so decrease the efficacy of ticagrelor. Avoid use with strong inducers of CYP3A (e.g., rifampin, phenytoin, carbamazepine and phenobarbital) [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] .

7.3 Opioids As with other oral P2Y 12 inhibitors, co-administration of opioid agonists delay and reduce the absorption of ticagrelor and its active metabolite presumably because of slowed gastric emptying [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . Consider the use of a parenteral anti-platelet agent in acute coronary syndrome patients requiring co-administration of morphine or other opioid agonists.

7.4 Simvastatin, Lovastatin, Rosuvastatin BRILINTA increases serum concentrations of simvastatin and lovastatin because these drugs are metabolized by CYP3A4. Avoid simvastatin and lovastatin doses greater than 40 mg [ see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ]. Brilinta increases serum concentration of rosuvastatin because rosuvastatin is a BCRP substrate [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ].

7.5 Digoxin BRILINTA inhibits the P-glycoprotein transporter; monitor digoxin levels with initiation of or change in BRILINTA therapy [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] .

• Lactation: Breastfeeding not recommended. (8.2)

8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary Available data from case reports with BRILINTA use in pregnant women have not identified a drug-associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage, or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. Ticagrelor given to pregnant rats and pregnant rabbits during organogenesis caused structural abnormalities in the offspring at maternal doses about 5 to 7 times the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD) based on body surface area. When ticagrelor was given to rats during late gestation and lactation, pup death and effects on pup growth were seen at approximately 10 times the MRHD ( see Data ). The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. 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 In reproductive toxicology studies, pregnant rats received ticagrelor during organogenesis at doses from 20 to 300 mg/kg/day. 20 mg/kg/day is approximately the same as the MRHD of 90 mg twice daily for a 60 kg human on a mg/m 2 basis. Adverse outcomes in offspring occurred at doses of 300 mg/kg/day (16.5 times the MRHD on a mg/m 2 basis) and included supernumerary liver lobe and ribs, incomplete ossification of sternebrae, displaced articulation of pelvis, and misshapen/misaligned sternebrae. At the mid-dose of 100 mg/kg/day (5.5 times the MRHD on a mg/m 2 basis), delayed development of liver and skeleton was seen. When pregnant rabbits received ticagrelor during organogenesis at doses from 21 to 63 mg/kg/day, fetuses exposed to the highest maternal dose of 63 mg/kg/day (6.8 times the MRHD on a mg/m 2 basis) had delayed gall bladder development and incomplete ossification of the hyoid, pubis and sternebrae occurred. In a prenatal/postnatal study, pregnant rats received ticagrelor at doses of 10 to 180 mg/kg/day during late gestation and lactation. Pup death and effects on pup growth were observed at 180 mg/kg/day (approximately 10 times the MRHD on a mg/m 2 basis). Relatively minor effects such as delays in pinna unfolding and eye opening occurred at doses of 10 and 60 mg/kg (approximately one-half and 3.2 times the MRHD on a mg/m 2 basis).

8.2 Lactation Risk Summary There are no data on the presence of ticagrelor or its metabolites in human milk, the effects on the breastfed infant, or the effects on milk production. Ticagrelor and its metabolites were present in rat milk at higher concentrations than in maternal plasma. When a drug is present in animal milk, it is likely that the drug will be present in human milk. Breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment with BRILINTA.

8.4 Pediatric Use The safety and effectiveness of BRILINTA have not been established in pediatric patients. Effectiveness was not demonstrated in an adequate and well-controlled study conducted in 101 BRILINTA-treated pediatric patients, aged 2 to <18 for reducing the rate of vaso-occlusive crises in sickle cell disease.

8.5 Geriatric Use About half of the patients in PLATO, PEGASUS, THEMIS, and THALES were ≥65 years of age and at least 15% were ≥75 years of age. No overall differences in safety or effectiveness were observed between elderly and younger patients.

8.6 Hepatic Impairment Ticagrelor is metabolized by the liver and impaired hepatic function can increase risks for bleeding and other adverse events. Avoid use of BRILINTA in patients with severe hepatic impairment. There is limited experience with BRILINTA in patients with moderate hepatic impairment; consider the risks and benefits of treatment, noting the probable increase in exposure to ticagrelor. No dosage adjustment is needed in patients with mild hepatic impairment [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] .

8.7 Renal Impairment No dosage adjustment is needed in patients with renal impairment [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . Patients with End-Stage Renal Disease on dialysis Clinical efficacy and safety studies with BRILINTA did not enroll patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) on dialysis. In patients with ESRD maintained on intermittent hemodialysis, no clinically significant difference in concentrations of ticagrelor and its metabolite and platelet inhibition are expected compared to those observed in patients with normal renal function [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . It is not known whether these concentrations will lead to similar efficacy and safety in patients with ESRD on dialysis as were seen in PLATO, PEGASUS, THEMIS and THALES.

Ticagrelor and its major metabolite reversibly interact with the platelet P2Y 12 ADP-receptor to prevent signal transduction and platelet activation. Ticagrelor and its active metabolite are approximately equipotent.