Tracleer

Bosentan.

Each film-coated tablet contains 125 mg bosentan (as monohydrate).
Excipient with known effect: This medicine contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per tablet, that is to say essentially 'sodium-free'.
Excipients/Inactive Ingredients: Tablet core: Maize starch, Pregelatinised starch, Sodium starch glycolate (Type A), Povidone, Glycerol behenate, Magnesium stearate.
Film coat: Hypromellose, Glycerol triacetate, Talc, Titanium dioxide (E171), Iron oxide yellow (E172), Iron oxide red (E172), Ethylcellulose.

Pharmacotherapeutic group: other antihypertensives. ATC code: C02KX01.
Pharmacology: Pharmacodynamics: Mechanism of action: Bosentan is a dual endothelin receptor antagonist (ERA) with affinity for both endothelin A and B (ET_A and ET_B) receptors. Bosentan decreases both pulmonary and systemic vascular resistance resulting in increased cardiac output without increasing heart rate.
The neurohormone endothelin-1 (ET-1) is one of the most potent vasoconstrictors known and can also promote fibrosis, cell proliferation, cardiac hypertrophy and remodelling, and is pro-inflammatory. These effects are mediated by endothelin binding to ETA and ETB receptors located in the endothelium and vascular smooth muscle cells. ET-1 concentrations in tissues and plasma are increased in several cardiovascular disorders and connective tissue diseases, including PAH, scleroderma, acute and chronic heart failure, myocardial ischaemia, systemic hypertension and atherosclerosis, suggesting a pathogenic role of ET-1 in these diseases. In PAH and heart failure, in the absence of endothelin receptor antagonism, elevated ET-1 concentrations are strongly correlated with the severity and prognosis of these diseases.
Bosentan competes with the binding of ET-1 and other ET peptides to both ET_A and ET_B receptors, with a slightly higher affinity for ETA receptors (K_i = 4.1-43 nanomolar) than for ETB receptors (K_i = 38-730 nanomolar). Bosentan specifically antagonises ET receptors and does not bind to other receptors.
Efficacy: Animal models: In animal models of pulmonary hypertension, chronic oral administration of bosentan reduced pulmonary vascular resistance and reversed pulmonary vascular and right ventricular hypertrophy. In an animal model of pulmonary fibrosis, bosentan reduced collagen deposition in the lungs.
Efficacy in adult patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension: Two randomised, double-blind, multi-centre, placebo-controlled studies have been conducted in 32 (study AC-052-351) and 213 (study AC-052-352 [BREATHE-1]) adult patients with WHO functional class III-IV PAH (primary pulmonary hypertension or pulmonary hypertension secondary mainly to scleroderma). After 4 weeks of bosentan 62.5 mg twice daily, the maintenance doses studied in these studies were 125 mg twice daily in AC-052-351, and 125 mg twice daily and 250 mg twice daily in AC-052-352.
Bosentan was added to patients' current therapy, which could include a combination of anticoagulants, vasodilators (e.g., calcium channel blockers), diuretics, oxygen and digoxin, but not epoprostenol. Control was placebo plus current therapy.
The primary endpoint for each study was change in 6-minute walk distance at 12 weeks for the first study and 16 weeks for the second study. In both studies, treatment with bosentan resulted in significant increases in exercise capacity. The placebo-corrected increases in walk distance compared with baseline were 76 metres (p = 0.02; t-test) and 44 metres (p = 0.0002; Mann-Whitney U test) at the primary endpoint of each study, respectively. The differences between the two groups, 125 mg twice daily and 250 mg twice daily, were not statistically significant but there was a trend towards improved exercise capacity in the group treated with 250 mg twice daily.
The improvement in walk distance was apparent after 4 weeks of treatment, was clearly evident after 8 weeks of treatment and was maintained for up to 28 weeks of double-blind treatment in a subset of the patient population.
In a retrospective responder analysis based on change in walking distance, WHO functional class and dyspnoea of the 95 patients randomised to bosentan 125 mg twice daily in the placebo-controlled studies, it was found that at week 8, 66 patients had improved, 22 were stable and 7 had deteriorated. Of the 22 patients stable at week 8, 6 improved at week 12/16 and 4 deteriorated compared with baseline. Of the 7 patients who deteriorated at week 8, 3 improved at week 12/16 and 4 deteriorated compared with baseline.
Invasive haemodynamic parameters were assessed in the first study only. Treatment with bosentan led to a significant increase in cardiac index associated with a significant reduction in pulmonary artery pressure, pulmonary vascular resistance and mean right atrial pressure.
A reduction in symptoms of PAH was observed with bosentan treatment. Dyspnoea measurement during walk tests showed an improvement in bosentan-treated patients. In the AC-052-352 study, 92% of the 213 patients were classified at baseline as WHO functional class III and 8% as class IV. Treatment with bosentan led to a WHO functional class improvement in 42.4% of patients (placebo 30.4%). The overall change in WHO functional class during both studies was significantly better among bosentan-treated patients as compared with placebo-treated patients. Treatment with bosentan was associated with a significant reduction in the rate of clinical worsening compared with placebo at 28 weeks (10.7% vs 37.1%, respectively; p = 0.0015).
In a randomised, double-blind, multi-centre, placebo-controlled study (AC-052-364 [EARLY]), 185 PAH patients in WHO functional class II (mean baseline 6-minute walk distance of 435 metres) received bosentan 62.5 mg twice daily for 4 weeks followed by 125 mg twice daily (n = 93), or placebo (n = 92) for 6 months. Enrolled patients were PAH-treatment-naïve (n = 156) or on a stable dose of sildenafil (n = 29). The co-primary endpoints were percentage change from baseline in pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) and change from baseline in 6-minute walk distance to Month 6 versus placebo. The table as follows illustrates the pre-specified protocol analyses. (See Table 1.)

Click on icon to see table/diagram/image

Treatment with bosentan was associated with a reduction in the rate of clinical worsening, defined as a composite of symptomatic progression, hospitalisation for PAH and death, compared with placebo (proportional risk reduction 77%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 20-94%, p = 0.0114). The treatment effect was driven by improvement in the component symptomatic progression. There was one hospitalisation related to PAH worsening in the bosentan group and three hospitalisations in the placebo group. Only one death occurred in each treatment group during the 6-month double-blind study period, therefore no conclusion can be drawn on survival.
Long-term data were generated from all 173 patients who were treated with bosentan in the controlled phase and/or were switched from placebo to bosentan in the open-label extension phase of the EARLY study. The mean duration of exposure to bosentan treatment was 3.6 ± 1.8 years (up to 6.1 years), with 73% of patients treated for at least 3 years and 62% for at least 4 years. Patients could receive additional PAH treatment as required in the open-label extension. The majority of patients were diagnosed with idiopathic or heritable PAH (61%). Overall, 78% of patients remained in WHO functional class II. Kaplan-Meier estimates of survival were 90% and 85% at 3 and 4 years after the start of treatment, respectively. At the same time points, 88% and 79% of patients remained free from PAH worsening (defined as all-cause death, lung transplantation, atrial septostomy or start of intravenous or subcutaneous prostanoid treatment). The relative contributions of previous placebo treatment in the double-blind phase and of other medications started during the open-label extension period are unknown.
In a prospective, multi-centre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study (AC-052-405 [BREATHE-5]), patients with PAH WHO functional class III and Eisenmenger physiology associated with congenital heart disease received bosentan 62.5 mg twice daily for 4 weeks, then 125 mg twice daily for a further 12 weeks (n = 37, of whom 31 had a predominantly right to left, bidirectional shunt). The primary objective was to show that bosentan did not worsen hypoxaemia. After 16 weeks, the mean oxygen saturation was increased in the bosentan group by 1.0% (95% CI -0.7%-2.8%) as compared to the placebo group (n = 17), showing that bosentan did not worsen hypoxaemia. The mean pulmonary vascular resistance was significantly reduced in the bosentan group (with a predominant effect observed in the subgroup of patients with bidirectional intracardiac shunt). After 16 weeks, the mean placebo-corrected increase in 6-minute walk distance was 53 metres (p = 0.0079), reflecting improvement in exercise capacity. Twenty-six patients continued to receive bosentan in the 24-week open-label extension phase (AC-052-409) of the BREATHE-5 study (mean duration of treatment = 24.4 ± 2.0 weeks) and, in general, efficacy was maintained.
An open-label, non-comparative study (AC-052-362 [BREATHE-4]) was performed in 16 patients with WHO functional class III PAH associated with HIV infection. Patients were treated with bosentan 62.5 mg twice daily for 4 weeks followed by 125 mg twice daily for a further 12 weeks. After 16 weeks' treatment, there were significant improvements from baseline in exercise capacity: the mean increase in 6-minute walk distance was 91.4 metres from 332.6 metres on average at baseline (p < 0.001). No formal conclusion can be drawn regarding the effects of bosentan on antiretroviral drug efficacy (see also Precautions).
There are no studies to demonstrate beneficial effects of Tracleer treatment on survival. However, long-term vital status was recorded for all 235 patients who were treated with bosentan in the two pivotal placebo-controlled studies (AC-052-351 and AC-052-352) and/or their two uncontrolled, open-label extensions. The mean duration of exposure to bosentan was 1.9 years ± 0.7 years (min 0.1 years; max: 3.3 years) and patients were observed for a mean of 2.0 ± 0.6 years. The majority of patients were diagnosed as primary pulmonary hypertension (72%) and were in WHO functional class III (84%). In this total population, Kaplan-Meier estimates of survival were 93% and 84% 1 and 2 years after the start of treatment with bosentan, respectively. Survival estimates were lower in the subgroup of patients with PAH secondary to systemic sclerosis. The estimates may have been influenced by the initiation of epoprostenol treatment in 43/235 patients.
Combination with epoprostenol: The combination of bosentan and epoprostenol has been investigated in two studies: AC-052-355 (BREATHE-2) and AC-052-356 (BREATHE-3). AC-052-355 was a multi-centre, randomised, double-blind, parallel-group study of bosentan versus placebo in 33 patients with severe PAH who were receiving concomitant epoprostenol therapy. AC-052-356 was an open-label, uncontrolled study; 10 of the 19 paediatric patients were on concomitant bosentan and epoprostenol therapy during the 12-week study. The safety profile of the combination was not different from the one expected with each component and the combination therapy was well tolerated in adults. The clinical benefit of the combination has not been demonstrated.
Pharmacokinetics: The pharmacokinetics of bosentan have mainly been documented in healthy subjects. Limited data in patients show that the exposure to bosentan in adult PAH patients is approximately 2-fold greater than in healthy adult subjects.
In healthy subjects, bosentan displays dose- and time-dependent pharmacokinetics. Clearance and volume of distribution decrease with increased intravenous doses and increase with time. After oral administration, the systemic exposure is proportional to dose up to 500 mg. At higher oral doses, C_max and AUC increase less than proportionally to the dose.
Absorption: In healthy subjects, the absolute bioavailability of bosentan is approximately 50% and is not affected by food. The maximum plasma concentrations are attained within 3-5 hours.
Distribution: Bosentan is highly bound (> 98%) to plasma proteins, mainly albumin. Bosentan does not penetrate into erythrocytes.
A volume of distribution (V_ss) of about 18 litres was determined after an intravenous dose of 250 mg.
Biotransformation and elimination: After a single intravenous dose of 250 mg, the clearance was 8.2 L/h. The terminal elimination half-life (t_½) is 5.4 hours.
Upon multiple dosing, plasma concentrations of bosentan decrease gradually to 50-65% of those seen after single dose administration. This decrease is probably due to auto-induction of metabolising liver enzymes. Steady-state conditions are reached within 3-5 days.
Bosentan is eliminated by biliary excretion following metabolism in the liver by the cytochrome P450 isoenzymes, CYP2C9 and CYP3A4. Less than 3% of an administered oral dose is recovered in urine.
Bosentan forms three metabolites and only one of these is pharmacologically active. This metabolite is mainly excreted unchanged via the bile. In adult patients, the exposure to the active metabolite is greater than in healthy subjects. In patients with evidence of the presence of cholestasis, the exposure to the active metabolite may be increased.
Bosentan is an inducer of CYP2C9 and CYP3A4 and possibly also of CYP2C19 and the P-glycoprotein. In vitro, bosentan inhibits the bile salt export pump in hepatocyte cultures.
In vitro data demonstrated that bosentan had no relevant inhibitory effect on the CYP isoenzymes tested (CYP1A2, 2A6, 2B6, 2C8, 2C9, 2D6, 2E1, 3A4). Consequently, bosentan is not expected to increase the plasma concentrations of medicinal products metabolised by these isoenzymes.
Pharmacokinetics in special populations: Based on the investigated range of each variable, it is not expected that the pharmacokinetics of bosentan will be influenced by gender, body weight, race, or age in the adult population to any relevant extent.
Hepatic impairment: In patients with mildly impaired liver function (Child-Pugh class A) no relevant changes in the pharmacokinetics have been observed. The steady-state AUC of bosentan was 9% higher and the AUC of the active metabolite, Ro 48-5033, was 33% higher in patients with mild hepatic impairment than in healthy volunteers.
The impact of moderately impaired liver function (Child-Pugh class B) on the pharmacokinetics of bosentan and its primary metabolite Ro 48-5033 was investigated in a study including 5 patients with pulmonary hypertension associated with portal hypertension and Child-Pugh class B hepatic impairment, and 3 patients with PAH from other causes and normal liver function. In the patients with Child-Pugh class B liver impairment, the mean (95% CI) steady-state AUC of bosentan was 360 (212=613) ng·h/mL, i.e., 4.7 times higher, and the mean (95% CI) AUC of the active metabolite Ro 48-5033 was 106 (58.4-192) ng⋅h/mL, i.e., 12.4 times higher than in the patients with normal liver function (bosentan: mean [95% CI] AUC: 76.1 [9.07-638] ng⋅h/mL; Ro 48-5033: mean [95% CI] AUC 8.57 [1.28-57.2] ng·h/mL). Though the number of patients included was limited and with high variability, these data indicate a marked increase in the exposure to bosentan and its primary metabolite Ro 48-5033 in patients with moderate liver function impairment (Child-Pugh class B).
The pharmacokinetics of bosentan have not been studied in patients with Child-Pugh class C hepatic impairment. Tracleer is contraindicated in patients with moderate to severe hepatic impairment, i.e., Child-Pugh class B or C (see Contraindications).
Renal impairment: In patients with severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance 15-30 mL/min), plasma concentrations of bosentan decreased by approximately 10%. Plasma concentrations of bosentan metabolites increased about 2-fold in these patients as compared with subjects with normal renal function. No dose adjustment is required in patients with renal impairment. There is no specific clinical experience in patients undergoing dialysis. Based on physicochemical properties and the high degree of protein binding, bosentan is not expected to be removed from the circulation by dialysis to any significant extent (see Dosage & Administration).
Toxicology: Preclinical safety data: A 2-year carcinogenicity study in mice showed an increased combined incidence of hepatocellular adenomas and carcinomas in males, but not in females, at plasma concentrations about 2 to 4 times the plasma concentrations achieved at the therapeutic dose in humans. In rats, oral administration of bosentan for 2 years produced a small, significant increase in the combined incidence of thyroid follicular cell adenomas and carcinomas in males, but not in females, at plasma concentrations about 9 to 14 times the plasma concentrations achieved at the therapeutic dose in humans. Bosentan was negative in tests for genotoxicity. There was evidence of a mild thyroid hormonal imbalance induced by bosentan in rats. However, there was no evidence of bosentan affecting thyroid function (thyroxine, TSH) in humans.
The effect of bosentan on mitochondrial function is unknown.
Bosentan has been shown to be teratogenic in rats at plasma levels higher than 1.5 times the plasma concentrations achieved at the therapeutic dose in humans. Teratogenic effects, including malformations of the head and face and of the major vessels, were dose dependent. The similarities of the pattern of malformations observed with other ET receptor antagonists and in ET knock-out mice indicate a class effect. Appropriate precautions must be taken for women of childbearing potential (see Contraindications, Precautions and Use in Pregnancy & Lactation).
Development of testicular tubular atrophy and impaired fertility has been linked with chronic administration of endothelin receptor antagonists in rodents.
In fertility studies in male and female rats, no effects on sperm count, motility and viability, or on mating performance or fertility were observed at exposures that were 21 and 43 times the expected therapeutic level in humans, respectively; nor was there any adverse effect on the development of the pre-implantation embryo or on implantation.
Slightly increased incidence of testicular tubular atrophy was observed in rats given bosentan orally at doses as low as 125 mg/kg/day (about 4 times the maximum recommended human dose [MRHD] and the lowest doses tested) for two years but not at doses as high as 1 500 mg/kg/day (about 50 times the MRHD) for 6 months. In a juvenile rat toxicity study, where rats were treated from Day 4 post partum up to adulthood, decreased absolute weights of testes and epididymides, and reduced number of sperm in epididymides were observed after weaning. The NOAEL was 21 times (at Day 21 post partum) and 2.3 times (Day 69 post partum) the human therapeutic exposure, respectively.
However, no effects on general development, growth, sensory, cognitive function and reproductive performance were detected at 7 (males) and 19 (females) times the human therapeutic exposure at Day 21 post partum. At adult age (Day 69 post partum), no effects of bosentan were detected at 1.3 (males) and 2.6 (females) times the therapeutic exposure in children with PAH.

Treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in patients with WHO Class II-IV.
Considerations for use: Patients with WHO Class II symptoms showed reduction in the rate of clinical deterioration and a trend for improvement in walk distance. Physicians should consider whether these benefits are sufficient to offset the risk of liver injury in WHO Class II patients, which may preclude future use as their disease progresses.

Method of administration: Tablets are to be taken orally morning and evening, with or without food. The film-coated tablets are to be swallowed with water.
Patients should be advised not to swallow the desiccant found in the white high-density polyethylene bottles.
Posology: Pulmonary arterial hypertension: Treatment should only be initiated and monitored by a physician experienced in the treatment of PAH.
Adults: In adult patients, Tracleer treatment should be initiated at a dose of 62.5 mg twice daily for 4 weeks and then increased to the maintenance dose of 125 mg twice daily. The same recommendations apply to re-introduction of Tracleer after treatment interruption (see Precautions).
Paediatric population: Paediatric pharmacokinetic data have shown that bosentan plasma concentrations in children with PAH aged from 1 year to 15 years were on average lower than in adult patients and were not increased by increasing the dose of Tracleer above 2 mg/kg body weight or by increasing the dosing frequency from twice daily to three times daily (see Pharmacology: Pharmacokinetics under Actions). Increasing the dose or the dosing frequency will likely not result in additional clinical benefit. However, no dosing recommendation for bosentan in children aged 1 year and older can be made at this time.
Management in the event of clinical deterioration of PAH: In the event of clinical deterioration (e.g., decrease in 6-minute walk test distance by at least 10% compared with pre-treatment measurement) despite Tracleer treatment for at least 8 weeks (target dose for at least 4 weeks), alternative therapies should be considered. However, some patients who show no response after 8 weeks of treatment with Tracleer may respond favourably after an additional 4 to 8 weeks of treatment.
In the event of late clinical deterioration despite treatment with Tracleer (i.e., after several months of treatment), the treatment should be re-assessed. Some patients not responding well to 125 mg twice daily of Tracleer may slightly improve their exercise capacity when the dose is increased to 250 mg twice daily. A careful benefit/risk assessment should be made, taking into consideration that the liver toxicity is dose dependent (see Precautions and Pharmacology: Pharmacodynamics under Actions).
Discontinuation of treatment: There is limited experience with abrupt discontinuation of Tracleer in patients with PAH. No evidence for acute rebound has been observed. However, to avoid the possible occurrence of harmful clinical deterioration due to potential rebound effect, gradual dose reduction (halving the dose for 3 to 7 days) should be considered. Intensified monitoring is recommended during the discontinuation period.
If the decision to withdraw Tracleer is taken, it should be done gradually while an alternative therapy is introduced.
Special populations: Hepatic impairment: Tracleer is contraindicated in patients with moderate to severe liver dysfunction (see Contraindications, Precautions and Pharmacology: Pharmacokinetics under Actions). No dose adjustment is needed in patients with mild hepatic impairment (i.e., Child-Pugh class A) (see Pharmacology: Pharmacokinetics under Actions).
Renal impairment: No dose adjustment is required in patients with renal impairment. No dose adjustment is required in patients undergoing dialysis (see Pharmacology: Pharmacokinetics under Actions).
Elderly: No dose adjustment is required in patients over the age of 65 years.

Bosentan has been administered as a single dose of up to 2 400 mg to healthy subjects and up to 2000 mg/day for 2 months in patients with a disease other than pulmonary hypertension. The most common adverse reaction was headache of mild to moderate intensity.
Massive overdose may result in pronounced hypotension requiring active cardiovascular support. In the post-marketing period there was one reported overdose of 10 000 mg of Tracleer taken by an adolescent male patient. He had symptoms of nausea, vomiting, hypotension, dizziness, sweating and blurred vision. He recovered completely within 24 hours with blood pressure support. Note: bosentan is not removed through dialysis.

Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients listed in Description.
Moderate to severe hepatic impairment, i.e., Child-Pugh class B or C (see Pharmacology: Pharmacokinetics under Actions).
Baseline values of liver aminotransferases, i.e., aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and/or alanine aminotransferase (ALT), greater than 3 x the upper limit of normal (ULN; see Precautions).
Concomitant use of cyclosporine A (see Interactions).
Pregnancy (see Precautions and Use in Pregnancy & Lactation).
Women of childbearing potential who are not using reliable methods of contraception (see Precautions, Interactions and Use in Pregnancy & Lactation).

Liver aminotransferase levels must be measured prior to initiation of treatment and subsequently at monthly intervals for the duration of treatment with Tracleer. In addition, liver aminotransferase levels must be measured 2 weeks after any dose increase. (See Table 2.)

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In the event of associated clinical symptoms of liver injury, i.e., nausea, vomiting, fever, abdominal pain, jaundice, unusual lethargy or fatigue, flu-like syndrome (arthralgia, myalgia, fever), treatment must be stopped and re-introduction of Tracleer is not to be considered.
Re-introduction of treatment: Re-introduction of treatment with Tracleer should only be considered if the potential benefits of treatment with Tracleer outweigh the potential risks and when liver aminotransferase levels are within pre-treatment values. The advice of a hepatologist is recommended. Re-introduction must follow the guidelines detailed in Dosage & Administration. Aminotransferase levels must then be checked within 3 days after re-introduction, then again after a further 2 weeks, and thereafter according to the recommendations previously mentioned.

The efficacy of Tracleer has not been established in patients with severe PAH. Transfer to a therapy that is recommended at the severe stage of the disease (e.g., epoprostenol) should be considered if the clinical condition deteriorates (see Dosage & Administration).
The benefit/risk balance of bosentan has not been established in patients with WHO class I functional status of PAH.
Tracleer should only be initiated if the systemic systolic blood pressure is higher than 85 mmHg.
Liver function: Elevations in liver aminotransferases, i.e., aspartate and alanine aminotransferases (AST and/or ALT), associated with bosentan are dose dependent. Liver enzyme changes typically occur within the first 26 weeks of treatment but may also occur late in treatment (see Adverse Reactions). These increases may be partly due to competitive inhibition of the elimination of bile salts from hepatocytes but other mechanisms, which have not been clearly established, are probably also involved in the occurrence of liver dysfunction. The accumulation of bosentan in hepatocytes leading to cytolysis with potentially severe damage of the liver, or an immunological mechanism, are not excluded. Liver dysfunction risk may also be increased when medicinal products that are inhibitors of the bile salt export pump, e.g., rifampicin, glibenclamide and cyclosporine A (see Contraindications and Adverse Reactions), are co-administered with bosentan, but limited data are available.
Haemoglobin concentration: Treatment with bosentan has been associated with dose-related decreases in haemoglobin concentration (see section 4.8). In placebo-controlled studies, bosentan-related decreases in haemoglobin concentration were not progressive, and stabilised after the first 4-12 weeks of treatment. It is recommended that haemoglobin concentrations be checked prior to initiation of treatment, every month during the first 4 months, and quarterly thereafter. If a clinically relevant decrease in haemoglobin concentration occurs, further evaluation and investigation should be undertaken to determine the cause and need for specific treatment. In the post-marketing period, cases of anaemia requiring red blood cell transfusion have been reported (see Adverse Reactions).
Women of childbearing potential: As Tracleer may render hormonal contraceptives ineffective, and taking into account the risk that pulmonary hypertension deteriorates with pregnancy as well as the teratogenic effects observed in animals: Tracleer treatment must not be initiated in women of childbearing potential unless they practise reliable contraception and the result of the pre-treatment pregnancy test is negative; Hormonal contraceptives cannot be the sole method of contraception during treatment with Tracleer; Monthly pregnancy tests are recommended during treatment to allow early detection of pregnancy.
For further information see Interactions and Use in Pregnancy & Lactation.
Pulmonary veno-occlusive disease: Cases of pulmonary oedema have been reported with vasodilators (mainly prostacyclins) when used in patients with pulmonary veno-occlusive disease. Consequently, should signs of pulmonary oedema occur when Tracleer is administered in patients with PAH, the possibility of associated veno-occlusive disease should be considered. In the post-marketing period there have been rare reports of pulmonary oedema in patients treated with Tracleer who had a suspected diagnosis of pulmonary veno-occlusive disease.
Pulmonary arterial hypertension patients with concomitant left ventricular failure: No specific study has been performed in patients with pulmonary hypertension and concomitant left ventricular dysfunction. However, 1 611 patients (804 bosentan- and 807 placebo-treated patients) with severe chronic heart failure (CHF) were treated for a mean duration of 1.5 years in a placebo-controlled study (study AC-052-301/302 [ENABLE 1 & 2]). In this study there was an increased incidence of hospitalisation due to CHF during the first 4-8 weeks of treatment with bosentan, which could have been the result of fluid retention. In this study, fluid retention was manifested by early weight gain, decreased haemoglobin concentration and increased incidence of leg oedema. At the end of this study, there was no difference in overall hospitalisations for heart failure nor in mortality between bosentan- and placebo-treated patients. Consequently, it is recommended that patients be monitored for signs of fluid retention (e.g., weight gain), especially if they concomitantly suffer from severe systolic dysfunction. Should this occur, starting treatment with diuretics is recommended, or the dose of existing diuretics should be increased. Treatment with diuretics should be considered in patients with evidence of fluid retention before the start of treatment with Tracleer.
Pulmonary arterial hypertension associated with HIV infection: There is limited clinical study experience with the use of Tracleer in patients with PAH associated with HIV infection, treated with antiretroviral medicinal products (see Pharmacology: Pharmacodynamics under Actions). An interaction study between bosentan and lopinavir+ritonavir in healthy subjects showed increased plasma concentrations of bosentan, with the maximum level during the first 4 days of treatment (see Interactions). When treatment with Tracleer is initiated in patients who require ritonavir-boosted protease inhibitors, the patient's tolerability of Tracleer should be closely monitored with special attention, at the beginning of the initiation phase, to the risk of hypotension and to liver function tests. An increased long-term risk of hepatic toxicity and haematological adverse events cannot be excluded when bosentan is used in combination with antiretroviral medicinal products. Due to the potential for interactions related to the inducing effect of bosentan on CYP450 (see Interactions), which could affect the efficacy of antiretroviral therapy, these patients should also be monitored carefully regarding their HIV infection.
Pulmonary hypertension secondary to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): Safety and tolerability of bosentan was investigated in an exploratory, uncontrolled 12-week study in 11 patients with pulmonary hypertension secondary to severe COPD (stage III of GOLD classification). An increase in minute ventilation and a decrease in oxygen saturation were observed, and the most frequent adverse event was dyspnoea, which resolved with discontinuation of bosentan.
Concomitant use with other medicinal products: Concomitant use of Tracleer and cyclosporine A is contraindicated (see Contraindications and Interaction).
Concomitant use of Tracleer with glibenclamide, fluconazole and rifampicin is not recommended. For further details refer to Interactions.
Concomitant administration of both a CYP3A4 inhibitor and a CYP2C9 inhibitor with Tracleer should be avoided (see Interactions).
Effects on ability to drive and use machines: No specific studies have been conducted to assess the direct effect of Tracleer on the ability to drive and use machines. However, Tracleer may induce hypotension, with symptoms of dizziness, blurred vision or syncope that could affect the ability to drive or use machines.

Pregnancy: Studies in animals have shown reproductive toxicity (teratogenicity, embryotoxicity; see Pharmacology: Toxicology: Preclinical Safety Data under Actions). There are no reliable data on the use of Tracleer in pregnant women. The potential risk for humans is still unknown. Tracleer is contraindicated in pregnancy (see Contraindications).
Women of childbearing potential: Before the initiation of Tracleer treatment in women of childbearing potential, the absence of pregnancy should be checked, appropriate advice on reliable methods of contraception provided, and reliable contraception initiated. Patients and prescribers must be aware that due to potential pharmacokinetic interactions, Tracleer may render hormonal contraceptives ineffective (see Interactions). Therefore, women of childbearing potential must not use hormonal contraceptives (including oral, injectable, transdermal or implantable forms) as the sole method of contraception but must use an additional or an alternative reliable method of contraception. If there is any doubt about what contraceptive advice should be given to the individual patient, consultation with a gynaecologist is recommended. Because of possible hormonal contraception failure during Tracleer treatment, and also bearing in mind the risk that pulmonary hypertension severely deteriorates with pregnancy, monthly pregnancy tests during treatment with Tracleer are recommended to allow early detection of pregnancy.
Breast-feeding: It is not known whether bosentan is excreted into human breast milk. Breast-feeding is not recommended during treatment with Tracleer.
Fertility: Animal studies showed testicular effects (see Pharmacology: Toxicology: Preclinical Safety Data under Actions). In a clinical study investigating the effects of bosentan on testicular function in male PAH patients, six of the 24 subjects (25%) had a decreased sperm concentration of at least 50% from baseline at 6 months of treatment with bosentan. Based on these findings and preclinical data, it cannot be excluded that bosentan may have a detrimental effect on spermatogenesis in men. In male children, a long-term impact on fertility after treatment with bosentan cannot be excluded.

In 20 placebo-controlled studies, conducted in a variety of therapeutic indications, a total of 2 486 patients were treated with bosentan at daily doses ranging from 100 mg to 2 000 mg and 1 838 patients were treated with placebo. The mean treatment duration was 45 weeks. Adverse reactions were defined as events occurring in at least 1% of patients on bosentan and at a frequency at least 0.5% more than on placebo. The most frequent adverse reactions are headache (11.5%), oedema/fluid retention (13.2%), abnormal liver function test (10.9%) and anaemia/haemoglobin decrease (9.9%).
Treatment with bosentan has been associated with dose-dependent elevations in liver aminotransferases and decreases in haemoglobin concentration (see Precautions).
Adverse reactions observed in 20 placebo-controlled studies and post-marketing experience with bosentan are ranked according to frequency using the following convention: 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); not known (cannot be estimated from the available data).
Within each frequency grouping, adverse reactions are presented in order of decreasing seriousness. No clinically relevant differences in adverse reactions were observed between the overall dataset and the approved indications. (See Table 3.)

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In the post-marketing period, rare cases of unexplained hepatic cirrhosis were reported after prolonged therapy with Tracleer in patients with multiple co-morbidities and therapies with medicinal products. There have also been rare reports of liver failure. These cases reinforce the importance of strict adherence to the monthly schedule for monitoring of liver function for the duration of treatment with Tracleer (see Precautions).
Laboratory abnormalities: Liver test abnormalitiesIn the clinical programme, dose-dependent elevations in liver aminotransferases generally occurred within the first 26 weeks of treatment, usually developed gradually, and were mainly asymptomatic. In the post-marketing period rare cases of liver cirrhosis and liver failure have been reported.
The mechanism of this adverse effect is unclear. These elevations in aminotransferases may reverse spontaneously while continuing treatment with the maintenance dose of Tracleer or after dose reduction, but interruption or cessation may be necessary (see Precautions).
In the 20 integrated placebo-controlled studies, elevations in liver aminotransferases ≥ 3 x ULN were observed in 11.2% of the bosentan-treated patients as compared to 2.4% of the placebo-treated patients. Elevations to ≥ 8 x ULN were seen in 3.6% of the bosentan-treated patients and 0.4% of the placebo-treated patients. Elevations in aminotransferases were associated with elevated bilirubin (≥ 2 x ULN) without evidence of biliary obstruction in 0.2% (5 patients) on bosentan and 0.3% (6 patients) on placebo.
Haemoglobin: In the adult placebo-controlled studies, a decrease in haemoglobin concentration to below 10 g/dL from baseline was reported in 8.0% of bosentan-treated patients and 3.9% of placebo-treated patients (see Precautions).
Reporting of suspected adverse reactions: Reporting 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 to the National Centre for Adverse Drug Reactions Monitoring.

Bosentan is an inducer of the cytochrome P450 (CYP) isoenzymes CYP2C9 and CYP3A4. In vitro data also suggest an induction of CYP2C19. Consequently, plasma concentrations of substances metabolised by these isoenzymes will be decreased when Tracleer is co-administered. The possibility of altered efficacy of medicinal products metabolised by these isoenzymes should be considered. The dosage of these products may need to be adjusted after initiation, dose change or discontinuation of concomitant Tracleer treatment.
Bosentan is metabolised by CYP2C9 and CYP3A4. Inhibition of these isoenzymes may increase the plasma concentration of bosentan (see ketoconazole). The influence of CYP2C9 inhibitors on bosentan concentration has not been studied. The combination should be used with caution.
Fluconazole and other inhibitors of both CYP2C9 and CYP3A4: Co-administration with fluconazole, which inhibits mainly CYP2C9, but to some extent also CYP3A4, could lead to large increases in plasma concentrations of bosentan. The combination is not recommended. For the same reason, concomitant administration of both a potent CYP3A4 inhibitor (such as ketoconazole, itraconazole or ritonavir) and a CYP2C9 inhibitor (such as voriconazole) with Tracleer is not recommended.
Cyclosporine A: Co-administration of Tracleer and cyclosporine A (a calcineurin inhibitor) is contraindicated (see Contraindications). When co-administered, initial trough concentrations of bosentan were approximately 30-fold higher than those measured after bosentan alone. At steady state, bosentan plasma concentrations were 3- to 4-fold higher than with bosentan alone. The mechanism of this interaction is most likely inhibition of transport protein-mediated uptake of bosentan into hepatocytes by cyclosporine. The blood concentrations of cyclosporine A (a CYP3A4 substrate) decreased by approximately 50%. This is most likely due to induction of CYP3A4 by bosentan.
Tacrolimus, sirolimus: Co-administration of tacrolimus or sirolimus and Tracleer has not been studied in man but co-administration of tacrolimus or sirolimus and Tracleer may result in increased plasma concentrations of bosentan in analogy to co-administration with cyclosporine A. Concomitant Tracleer may reduce the plasma concentrations of tacrolimus and sirolimus. Therefore, concomitant use of Tracleer and tacrolimus or sirolimus is not advisable. Patients in need of the combination should be closely monitored for adverse events related to Tracleer and for tacrolimus and sirolimus blood concentrations.
Glibenclamide: Co-administration of bosentan 125 mg twice daily for 5 days decreased the plasma concentrations of glibenclamide (a CYP3A4 substrate) by 40%, with potential significant decrease of the hypoglycaemic effect. The plasma concentrations of bosentan were also decreased by 29%. In addition, an increased incidence of elevated aminotransferases was observed in patients receiving concomitant therapy. Both glibenclamide and bosentan inhibit the bile salt export pump, which could explain the elevated aminotransferases. This combination should not be used. No drug-drug interaction data are available with the other sulfonylureas.
Rifampicin: Co-administration in 9 healthy subjects for 7 days of bosentan 125 mg twice daily with rifampicin, a potent inducer of CYP2C9 and CYP3A4, decreased the plasma concentrations of bosentan by 58%, and this decrease could achieve almost 90% in an individual case. As a result, a significantly reduced effect of bosentan is expected when it is co-administered with rifampicin. Concomitant use of rifampicin and Tracleer is not recommended. Data on other CYP3A4 inducers, e.g., carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin and St. John's wort are lacking, but their concomitant administration is expected to lead to reduced systemic exposure to bosentan. A clinically significant reduction of efficacy cannot be excluded.
Lopinavir+ritonavir (and other ritonavir-boosted protease inhibitors): Co-administration of bosentan 125 mg twice daily and lopinavir+ritonavir 400+100 mg twice daily for 9.5 days in healthy volunteers resulted in initial trough plasma concentrations of bosentan that were approximately 48-fold higher than those measured after bosentan administered alone. On day 9, plasma concentrations of bosentan were approximately 5-fold higher than with bosentan administered alone. Inhibition by ritonavir of transport protein-mediated uptake into hepatocytes and of CYP3A4, thereby reducing the clearance of bosentan, most likely causes this interaction. When administered concomitantly with lopinavir+ritonavir, or other ritonavir-boosted protease inhibitors, the patient's tolerability of Tracleer should be monitored.
After co-administration of bosentan for 9.5 days, the plasma exposures to lopinavir and ritonavir decreased to a clinically non-significant extent (by approximately 14% and 17%, respectively). However, full induction by bosentan might not have been reached and a further decrease of protease inhibitors cannot be excluded. Appropriate monitoring of the HIV therapy is recommended. Similar effects would be expected with other ritonavir-boosted protease inhibitors (see Precautions).
Other antiretroviral agents: No specific recommendation can be made with regard to other available antiretroviral agents due to the lack of data. Due to the marked hepatotoxicity of nevirapine, which could add to bosentan liver toxicity, this combination is not recommended.
Hormonal contraceptives: Co-administration of bosentan 125 mg twice daily for 7 days with a single dose of oral contraceptive containing norethisterone 1 mg + ethinyl estradiol 35 mcg decreased the AUC of norethisterone and ethinyl estradiol by 14% and 31%, respectively. However, decreases in exposure were as much as 56% and 66%, respectively, in individual subjects. Therefore, hormone-based contraceptives alone, regardless of the route of administration (i.e., oral, injectable, transdermal or implantable forms), are not considered as reliable methods of contraception (see Preacutions and Use in Pregnancy & Lactation).
Warfarin: Co-administration of bosentan 500 mg twice daily for 6 days decreased the plasma concentrations of both S-warfarin (a CYP2C9 substrate) and R-warfarin (a CYP3A4 substrate) by 29% and 38%, respectively. Clinical experience with concomitant administration of bosentan with warfarin in patients with PAH did not result in clinically relevant changes in International Normalised Ratio (INR) or warfarin dose (baseline versus end of the clinical studies). In addition, the frequency of changes in warfarin dose during the studies due to changes in INR or due to adverse events was similar among bosentan- and placebo-treated patients. No dose adjustment is needed for warfarin and similar oral anticoagulant agents when bosentan is initiated, but intensified monitoring of INR is recommended, especially during bosentan initiation and the up-titration period.
Simvastatin: Co-administration of bosentan 125 mg twice daily for 5 days decreased the plasma concentrations of simvastatin (a CYP3A4 substrate) and its active β-hydroxy acid metabolite by 34% and 46%, respectively. The plasma concentrations of bosentan were not affected by concomitant simvastatin. Monitoring of cholesterol levels and subsequent dosage adjustment should be considered.
Ketoconazole: Co-administration for 6 days of bosentan 62.5 mg twice daily with ketoconazole, a potent CYP3A4 inhibitor, increased the plasma concentrations of bosentan approximately 2-fold. No dose adjustment of Tracleer is considered necessary. Although not demonstrated through in vivo studies, similar increases in bosentan plasma concentrations are expected with the other potent CYP3A4 inhibitors (such as itraconazole or ritonavir). However, when combined with a CYP3A4 inhibitor, patients who are poor metabolisers of CYP2C9 are at risk of increases in bosentan plasma concentrations that may be of higher magnitude, thus leading to potential harmful adverse events.
Sildenafil: Co-administration of bosentan 125 mg twice daily (steady state) with sildenafil 80 mg three times a day (at steady state) concomitantly administered during 6 days in healthy volunteers resulted in a 63% decrease in the sildenafil AUC and a 50% increase in the bosentan AUC. Caution is recommended in the case of co-administration.
Tadalafil: Bosentan (125 mg twice daily) reduced tadalafil (40 mg once per day) systemic exposure by 42% and C_max by 27% following multiple dose co-administration. Tadalafil did not affect the exposure (AUC and C_max) of bosentan or its metabolites.
Digoxin: Co-administration for 7 days of bosentan 500 mg twice daily with digoxin decreased the AUC, C_max and C_min of digoxin by 12%, 9% and 23%, respectively. The mechanism for this interaction may be induction of P-glycoprotein. This interaction is unlikely to be of clinical relevance.

Incompatibilities: Not applicable.
Special precautions for disposal and other handling: No special requirements for disposal.
Any unused medicinal product or waste material should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements.

Store below 30°C.
Shelf life: 5 years.

Other Antihypertensives

C02KX01 - bosentan ; Belongs to the class of other antihypertensives. Used in the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension.

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