Tirofiban 50 Micrograms/Ml Solution For Infusion
Out of date information, search anotherSUMMARY OF PRODUCT CHARACTERISTICS
1 NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT
Tirofiban 50 micrograms/ml solution for infusion.
2 QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE COMPOSITION
1 ml of solution for infusion contains 50 micrograms of tirofiban.
One bag of 250 ml contains 12.5 mg of tirofiban
Each 250 ml bag contains approximately 39.8 mmol (916.28 mg) sodium.
For a full list of excipients, see section 6.1.
3 PHARMACEUTICAL FORM
Solution for Infusion.
A clear, colourless solution, pH 5.5-6.5 and Osmolarity 270-330 mOsmol/kg.
4 CLINICAL PARTICULARS
4.1 Therapeutic indications
Tirofiban is indicated for the prevention of early myocardial infarction in patients presenting with unstable angina or non-Q-wave myocardial infarction with the last episode of chest pain occurring within 12 hours and with ECG changes and/or elevated cardiac enzymes.
Patients most likely to benefit from Tirofiban treatment are those at high risk of developing myocardial infarction within the first 3-4 days after onset of acute angina symptoms including for instance those that are likely to undergo an early PTCA (see section 4.2 and 5.1).
Tirofiban is intended for use with acetylsalicylic acid and unfractionated heparin.
4.2 Posology and method of administration
This product is for hospital use only, by specialist physicians experienced in the management of acute coronary syndromes.
Posology
In patients who are managed with an early invasive strategy for NSTE-ACS and not planned to undergo angiography for at least 4 hours and up to 48 hours after diagnosis, tirofiban is given intravenously at an initial infusion rate of 0.4 microgram/kg/min for 30 minutes. At the end of the initial infusion, tirofiban should be continued at a maintenance infusion rate of 0.1 microgram/kg/min. Tirofiban should be given with unfractionated heparin (usually an intravenous bolus of 5,000 units [U] simultaneously with the start of tirofiban therapy, then approximately 1,000 U per hour, titrated on the basis of the activated thromboplastin time [APTT], which should be about twice the normal value) and oral antiplatelet therapy, including but not limited to acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) (see section 5.1), unless contra-indicated.
Patients undergoing PCI demonstrated clinical efficacy with treatment with tirofiban utilizing an initial bolus of 25 microgram/kg given over a 3 minute period, followed by a continuous infusion at a rate of 0.15 microgram/kg/min for 18-24, and up to 48 hours. Tirofiban should be administered with unfractionated heparin and oral antiplatelet therapy, including but not limited to ASA (see section 5.1), unless contra-indicated.
No dosage adjustment is necessary for the elderly (see section 4.4).
Patients with severe kidney failure
In severe kidney failure (creatinine clearance <30 ml/min) the dosage of Tirofiban should be reduced by 50% (see sections 4.4 and 5.2).
Paediatric population
The safety and efficacy of Tirofiban in children have not been established. No data are available.
The following table is provided as a guide to dosage adjustment by weight.
|
0.4 microgram/kg/min Loading Dose Regimen Most Patients |
0.4 microgram/kg/min Loading Dose Regimen Severe Kidney Failure |
25 microgram/kg Dose Bolus Regimen Most Patients |
25 microgram/kg Dose Bolus Regimen Severe Kidney Failure | |||||
|
Patient Weight (kg) |
30 min Loading Infusion Rate (ml/hr) |
Maintenance Infusion Rate (ml/hr) |
30 min Loading Infusion Rate (ml/hr) |
Maintenance Infusion Rate (ml/hr) |
Bolus (ml) |
Maintenance Infusion Rate (ml/hr) |
Bolus (ml) |
Maintenance Infusion Rate (ml/hr) |
|
30-37 |
16 |
4 |
8 |
2 |
17 |
6 |
8 |
3 |
|
38-45 |
20 |
5 |
10 |
3 |
21 |
7 |
10 |
4 |
|
46-54 |
24 |
6 |
12 |
3 |
25 |
9 |
13 |
5 |
|
55-62 |
28 |
7 |
14 |
4 |
29 |
11 |
15 |
5 |
|
63-70 |
32 |
8 |
16 |
4 |
33 |
12 |
17 |
6 |
|
71-79 |
36 |
9 |
18 |
5 |
38 |
14 |
19 |
7 |
|
80-87 |
40 |
10 |
20 |
5 |
42 |
15 |
21 |
8 |
|
88-95 |
44 |
11 |
22 |
6 |
46 |
16 |
23 |
8 |
|
96-104 |
48 |
12 |
24 |
6 |
50 |
18 |
25 |
9 |
|
105 112 |
52 |
13 |
26 |
7 |
54 |
20 |
27 |
10 |
|
113 120 |
56 |
14 |
28 |
7 |
58 |
21 |
29 |
10 |
|
121 128 |
60 |
15 |
30 |
8 |
62 |
22 |
31 |
11 |
|
129 137 |
64 |
16 |
32 |
8 |
67 |
24 |
33 |
12 |
|
138 145 |
68 |
17 |
34 |
9 |
71 |
25 |
35 |
13 |
|
146 153 |
72 |
18 |
36 |
9 |
75 |
27 |
37 |
13 |
Start and duration of therapy with Tirofiban
In patients who are managed with an early invasive strategy for NSTE-ACS and not planned to undergo angiography for at least 4 hours and up to 48 hours after diagnosis, Tirofiban 0.4 microgram/kg/min loading dose regimen should be initiated upon diagnosis. The recommended duration should be at least 48 hours. Infusion of Tirofiban and unfractionated heparin may be continued during coronary angiography and should be maintained for at least 12 hours and not more than 24 hours after angioplasty/atherectomy. Once a patient is clinically stable and no coronary intervention procedure is planned by the treating physician, the infusion should be discontinued. The entire duration of treatment should not exceed 108 hours.
If the patient diagnosed with NSTE-ACS and managed with an invasive strategy undergoes angiography within 4 hours after the diagnosis, the tirofiban 25 microgram/kg dose bolus regimen should be initiated at the start of PCI with the infusion continued for 18-24 hours and up to 48 hours.
Concurrent therapy (unfractionated heparin, oral antiplatelet therapy) Treatment with unfractionated heparin is initiated with an i.v. bolus of 5,000 U and then continued with a maintenance infusion of 1,000 U per hour. The heparin dosage is titrated to maintain an APTT of approximately twice the normal value.
Unless contra-indicated, all patients should receive oral antiplatelet agents before the start of Tirofiban (see section 5.1). This medication should be continued at least for the duration of the infusion of Tirofiban.
If angioplasty (PTCA) is required, heparin should be stopped after PTCA, and the sheaths should be withdrawn once coagulation has returned to normal, e.g. when the activated clotting time (ACT) is less than 180 seconds (usually 2-6 hours after discontinuation of heparin).
Method of administration
Instructions for use
Do not withdraw solution directly from the container with a syringe.
Do not use unless solution is clear and bag is intact.
Do not add supplementary medication or withdraw solution directly from the bag with a syringe.
CAUTION: Do not use plastic containers in series connections. Such use could result in air embolism due to residual air being drawn from the primary container before administration of the fluid from the secondary container is completed. Preparation for administration
1. Suspend container from eyelet support.
2. Remove plastic protector from outlet port at bottom of container.
3. Attach administration set. Refer to complete directions accompanying set.
Use according to the dosage table above
Where the solution and container permit, parenteral drugs should be inspected for visible particles or discoloration before use.
Tirofiban should only be given intravenously and may be administered with unfractionated heparin through the same infusion tube.
It is recommended that Tirofiban be administered with a calibrated infusion set using sterile equipment.
Care should be taken to ensure that no prolongation of the infusion of the initial dose occurs and that miscalculation of the infusion rates for the maintenance dose on the basis of the patient's weight is avoided.
4.3 Contraindications
Tirofiban is contra-indicated in patients who are hypersensitive to the active substance or to any of the excipients of the preparation or who developed thrombocytopenia during earlier use of a GP IIb/IIIa receptor antagonist.
Since inhibition of platelet aggregation increases the bleeding risk, Tirofiban is contra-indicated in patients with:
• History of stroke within 30 days or any history of haemorrhagic stroke.
• Known history of intracranial disease (e.g. neoplasm, arteriovenous malformation, aneurysm).
• Active or recent (within the previous 30 days of treatment) clinically relevant bleeding (e.g. gastro-intestinal bleeding).
• Malignant hypertension.
• Relevant trauma or major surgical intervention within the past six weeks.
• Thrombocytopenia (platelet count <100,000/mm ), disorders of platelet function.
• Clotting disturbances (e.g. prothrombin time >1.3 times normal or INR [International Normalised Ratio] >1.5).
• Severe liver failure.
4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use
The administration of Tirofiban alone without unfractionated heparin is not recommended.
There is limited experience with concomitant administration of Tirofiban with enoxaparin (see sections 5.1 and 5.2). The concomitant administration of Tirofiban with enoxaparin is associated with a higher frequency of cutaneous and oral bleeding events, but not in TIMI bleeds1, when compared with the concomitant administration of Tirofiban and unfractionated heparin. An increased risk of serious bleeding events associated with the concomitant administration of Tirofiban and enoxaparin cannot be excluded, particularly in patients given additional unfractionated heparin in conjunction with angiography and/or PCI. The efficacy of Tirofiban in combination with enoxaparin has not been established. The safety and efficacy of Tirofiban with other low molecular weight heparins has not been investigated.
There is insufficient experience with the use of tirofiban in the following diseases and conditions, however, an increased risk of bleeding is suspected. Therefore, tirofiban is not recommended in:
• Traumatic or protracted cardiopulmonary resuscitation, organ biopsy or lithotripsy within the past two weeks
• Severe trauma or major surgery >6 weeks but <3 months previously
• Active peptic ulcer within the past three months
• Uncontrolled hypertension (>180/110 mm Hg)
• Acute pericarditis
• Active or a known history of vasculitis
• Suspected aortic dissection
• Haemorrhagic retinopathy
• Occult blood in the stool or haematuria
• Thrombolytic therapy (see section 4.5).
• Concurrent use of drugs that increase the risk of bleeding to a relevant degree (see section 4.5).
There is no therapeutic experience with tirofiban in patients for whom thrombolytic therapy is indicated (e.g. acute transmural myocardial infarction with new pathological Q-waves or elevated ST-segments or left bundle-branch block in the ECG). Consequently, the use of tirofiban is not recommended in these circumstances.
Tirofiban infusion should be stopped immediately if circumstances arise that necessitate thrombolytic therapy (including acute occlusion during PTCA) or if the patient must undergo an emergency coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) operation or requires an intra-aortic balloon pump.
Paediatric population
There is no therapeutic experience with Tirofiban in children, thus, the use of Tirofiban is not recommended in these patients.
Other precautionary notes and measures
There are insufficient data regarding the re-administration of Tirofiban.
Patients should be carefully monitored for bleeding during treatment with Tirofiban If treatment of haemorrhage is necessary, discontinuation of Tirofiban should be considered (see section 4.9). In cases of major or uncontrollable bleeding, tirofiban should be discontinued immediately.
Tirofiban should be used with special caution in the following conditions and patient groups:
• Recent clinically relevant bleeding (less than one year)
• Puncture of a non-compressible vessel within 24 hours before administration of Tirofiban
• Recent epidural procedure (including lumbar puncture and spinal anaesthesia) • Severe acute or chronic heart failure
• Cardiogenic shock
• Mild to moderate liver insufficiency
• Platelet count <150,000/mm3, known history of coagulopathy or platelet function disturbance or thrombocytopenia
• Haemoglobin concentration less than 11 g/dl or haematocrit <34%.
Special caution should be used during concurrent administration of ticlopidine, clopidogrel, adenosine, dipyridamole, sulfinpyrazone, and prostacyclin.
Efficacy with regard to dose
The administration of a 10 microgram/kg bolus regimen of tirofiban failed to show noninferiority in clinically relevant endpoints at 30 days compared to abciximab (see section 5.1).
Elderly patients, female patients, and patients with low body weight
Elderly and/or female patients had a higher incidence of bleeding complications than younger or male patients, respectively. Patients with a low body weight had a higher incidence of bleeding than patients with a higher body weight. For these reasons Tirofiban should be used with caution in these patients and the heparin effect should be carefully monitored.
Impaired renal function
There is evidence from clinical studies that the risk of bleeding increases with decreasing creatinine clearance and hence also reduced plasma clearance of tirofiban. Patients with decreased renal function (creatinine clearance <60ml/min) should therefore be carefully monitored for bleeding during treatment with Tirofiban and the heparin effect should be carefully monitored. In severe kidney failure the Tirofiban dosage should be reduced (see section 4.2).
Femoral artery line
During treatment with Tirofiban there is a significant increase in bleeding rates, especially in the femoral artery area, where the catheter sheath is introduced. Care should be taken to ensure that only the anterior wall of the femoral artery is punctured. Arterial sheaths may be removed when coagulation has returned to normal, e.g. when activated clotting time (ACT) is less than 180 seconds, (usually 2-6 hours after discontinuation of heparin).
After removal of the introducer sheath, careful haemostasis should be ensured under close observation.
General nursing care
The number of vascular punctures, and intramuscular injections should be minimised during the treatment with Tirofiban. I.V. access should only be obtained at compressible sites of the body. All vascular puncture sites should be documented and closely monitored. The use of urinary catheters, nasotracheal intubation and nasogastric tubes should be critically considered.
Monitoring of laboratory values
Platelet count, haemoglobin and haematocrit levels should be determined before treatment with Tirofiban as well as within 2-6 hours after start of therapy with Tirofiban and at least once daily thereafter while on therapy (or more often if there is evidence of a marked decrease). In patients who have previously received GPIIb/IIIa receptor antagonists (cross reactivity can occur), the platelet count should be monitored immediately e.g. within the first hour of administration after re-exposure (see also 4.8). If the platelet count falls below 90,000/mm3, further platelet counts should be carried out in order to rule out pseudothrombocytopenia. If thrombocytopenia is confirmed, Tirofiban and heparin should be discontinued. Patients should be monitored for bleeding and treated if necessary (see section 4.9).
In addition, activated thromboplastin time (APTT) should be determined before treatment and the anticoagulant effects of heparin should be carefully monitored by repeated determinations of APTT and the dose should be adjusted accordingly (see section 4.2). Potentially life-threatening bleeding may occur especially when heparin is administered with other products affecting haemostasis, such as GPIIb/IIIa receptor antagonists.
Important information about excipients.
This medicinal product contains approximately 39.8 mmol (916.28 mg) sodium per 250 ml bag. To be taken into consideration by patients on a controlled sodium diet.
4.5 Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction
The use of several platelet aggregation inhibitors increases the risk of bleeding, likewise their combination with heparin, warfarin and thrombolytics. Clinical and biological parameters of haemostasis should be regularly monitored.
The concomitant administration of Tirofiban and ASA (acetylsalicylic acid or aspirin) increases the inhibition of platelet aggregation to a greater extent than aspirin alone, as measured by ex vivo APD-induced platelet aggregation test. The concomitant administration of Tirofiban and unfractionated heparin increases the prolongation of the bleeding time to a greater extent as compared to unfractionated heparin alone.
With the concurrent use of Tirofiban., unfractionated heparin, ASA, and clopidogrel there was a comparable incidence of bleeding than when only unfractionated heparin, ASA, and clopidogrel were used together (see also section 4.4 and 4.8).
Tirofiban prolonged bleeding time; however, the combined administration of Tirofiban and ticlopidine did not additionally affect bleeding time.
Concomitant use of warfarin with Tirofiban plus heparin was associated with an increased risk of bleeding.
Tirofiban is not recommended in thrombolytic therapy - concurrent or less than 48 hours before administration of tirofiban or concurrent use of drugs that increase the risk of bleeding to a relevant degree (e.g. oral anticoagulants, other parenteral GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors, dextran solutions). There is insufficient experience with the use of tirofiban in these conditions; however, an increased risk of bleeding is suspected.
4.6 Fertility, Pregnancy and lactation
Pregnancy
For tirofiban, no clinical data on exposed pregnancies are available. Animal studies provide limited information with respect to effects on pregnancy, embryonal/foetal development, parturition, and postnatal development. Tirofiban should not be used during pregnancy unless clearly necessary.
Breast-feeding
It is not known whether Tirofiban is excreted in human milk but it is known to be excreted in rat milk. Because of the potential for adverse effects on the nursing infant, a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother.
Fertility
Fertility and reproductive performance were not affected in studies with male and female rats treated with different doses of tirofiban (see section 5.3). However, animal studies are insufficient to draw conclusions with respect to reproductive toxicity in humans.
4.7 Effects on ability to drive and use machines
Not relevant.
4.8 Undesirable effects
a. Summary of safety profile
The most common adverse reaction reported during therapy with Tirofiban, when used concomitantly with heparin, aspirin and other oral anti-platelet agents, was bleeding, which usually involved mild mucocutaneous bleeding or mild catheterization-site bleeding.
Gastro-intestinal, retro-peritoneal, intracranial, haemorrhoidal and postoperative bleeding, epidural haematoma in the spinal region, haemopericardium and pulmonary (alveolar) haemorrhage have also been reported. Rates of TIMI major and intracranial bleeding in the pivotal Tirofiban studies were <2.2% and <0.1%, respectively. The most serious adverse reaction was fatal bleeding.
In the pivotal studies, administration of Tirofiban was associated with thrombocytopenia (platelet count <90,000/mm3), occurring in 1.5% of patients treated with Tirofiban and heparin. The incidence of severe thrombocytopenia (platelet count <50,000/mm3) was 0.3%. The most common non-bleeding adverse drug reactions associated with Tirofiban given concurrently with heparin were nausea (1.7%), fever (1.5%) and headache (1.1%).
b. Tabulated summary of adverse reactions
Table 1 lists the adverse reactions based on experience from six double-blind controlled clinical studies (including 1953 patients receiving Tirofiban plus heparin) as well as adverse reactions reported from post-marketing experience. Within the organ system classes, adverse reactions are listed under headings of frequency using the following categories: 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). Because post-marketing events are derived from spontaneous reports from a population of uncertain size, it is not possible to determine their exact incidence. Therefore, the frequency of these adverse reactions is categorised as not known.
Table 1: Undesirable effects in clinical studies and from post-marketing experience.
|
System Organ Class |
Very common |
Common |
Uncommon |
Not known |
|
Blood and lymphatic system disorders |
Acute and/or severe (<20,000/mm3) decreases in platelet counts | |||
|
Immune system disorders |
Severe allergic reactions including anaphylactic reactions. | |||
|
Nervous system disorders |
Headache |
Intracranial bleeding, spinal epidural haematoma | ||
|
Cardiac disorders |
Hemopericardium | |||
|
Vascular disorders |
Haematoma | |||
|
Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders |
Haemoptysis, epistaxis |
Pulmonary (alveolar) haemorrhage | ||
|
Gastrointestina l disorders |
Nausea |
Oral haemorrhage gingival haemorrhage |
GI haemorrage, haematemesis |
Retroperitoneal bleeding |
|
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders |
Ecchymosis | |||
|
Renal and urinary disorders |
Haematuria | |||
|
General disorders and administration site conditions |
Fever | |||
|
Injury, poisoning and procedural complications |
Post-operative haemorrhage* |
Vessel puncture site haemorrhage | ||
|
Investigations |
Occult blood in stool or urine |
Decreases in haematocrit and haemoglobin, platelet counts <90,000/mm3 |
platelet counts <50,000/ mm3 |
*Primarily related to catheterization sites.
c. Description of selected adverse reactions
BleedingBoth, with the Tirofiban 0.4 microgram/kg/min infusion regimen and the 25 microgram/kg dose bolus regimen, rates of major bleeding complications are low and not significantly increased.
In the PRISM-PLUS study, using the Tirofiban 0.4 microgram/kg/min infusion regimen, the incidence of TIMI major bleeding was 1.4% for
Tirofiban in combination with heparin and 0.8% for heparin alone. The incidence of TIMI minor bleeding was 10.5% for Tirofiban in combination with heparin and 8.0% for heparin alone. The percentage of patients who received a transfusion was 4.0% for Tirofiban in combination with heparin and 2.8% for heparin alone.
With the Tirofiban 25 microgram/kg dose bolus regimen, data from the ADVANCE study suggest that the number of bleeding events is low and does not seem to be significantly increased compared to placebo. There were no TIMI major bleedings and no transfusions in either group. TIMI minor bleeding with the Tirofiban 25 microgram/kg dose bolus regimen was 4% as compared with 1% in the placebo arm p=0.19).
Thrombocytopenia
During Tirofiban therapy, acute decreases in platelet count or thrombocytopenia occurred more frequently than in the placebo group. These decreases were reversible upon discontinuation of Tirofiban. Acute and severe platelet (platelet counts <20,000/mm3) decreases have been observed in patients with no prior history of thrombocytopenia upon re-administration of GPIIb/IIIa receptor antagonists and may be associated with chills, low-grade fever or bleeding complications.
Allergic reactions
Severe allergic reactions (e.g., bronchospasm, urticaria) including anaphylactic reactions have occurred during initial treatment (also on the first day) and during readministration of Tirofiban. Some cases have been associated with severe thrombocytopenia (platelet counts <10,000/mm ).
4.9 Overdose
Inadvertent overdose with tirofiban occurred in the clinical studies, up to 50 microgram/kg as a three minute bolus or 1.2 microgram/kg/min as an initial infusion. Overdose with up to 1.47 microgram/kg/min as a maintenance infusion rate has also occurred.
a) Symptoms of overdose
The symptom of overdose most commonly reported was bleeding, usually mucosal bleeding and localised bleeding at the arterial puncture site for cardiac catheterisation but also single cases of intracranial haemorrhages and retroperitoneal bleedings (see sections 4.4 and 5.1).
b) Measures
Overdose with tirofiban should be treated in accordance with the patient's condition and the attending physician's assessment. If treatment of haemorrhage is necessary, the Tirofiban infusion should be discontinued. Transfusions of blood and/or thrombocytes should also be considered. Tirofiban can be removed by haemodialysis.
5 PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES
5.1 Pharmacodynamic properties
Pharmacotherapeutic group: Blood and blood forming organs - antithrombotic agents - antithrombotic agents - Platelet aggregation inhibitors excl. heparin.
ATC-Code: B01A C17
Tirofiban is a non-peptidal antagonist of the GP Ilb/IIIa receptor, an important platelet surface receptor involved in platelet aggregation. Tirofiban prevents fibrinogen from binding to the GP IIb/IIIa receptor, thus blocking platelet aggregation.
Tirofiban leads to inhibition of platelet function, evidenced by its ability to inhibit ex vivo ADP-induced platelet aggregation and to prolong bleeding time (BT). Platelet function returns to baseline within eight hours after discontinuation.
The extent of this inhibition runs parallel to the tirofiban plasma concentration.
In the 0.4 microgram/kg infusion regimen of tirofiban, in the presence of unfractionated heparin and ASA, tirofiban produced a more than 70% (median 89%) inhibition of ex vivo ADP-induced platelet aggregation in 93% of the patients, and a prolongation of the bleeding time by a factor of 2.9 during infusion. Inhibition was achieved rapidly with the 30-minute loading infusion and was maintained over the duration of the infusion.
The tirofiban 25 microgram/kg dose bolus regimen (followed by 18-24 hour maintenance infusion of 0.15 microgram/kg/min), in the presence of unfractionated heparin and oral antiplatelet therapy, produced an average ADP-induced inhibition of maximal aggregation 15 to 60 minutes after onset of treatment of 92% to 95% as measured with light transmission aggregometry (LTA).
PRISM-PLUS study
The double-blind, multicentre, controlled PRISM-PLUS study compared the efficacy of tirofiban and unfractionated heparin (n=773) versus unfractionated heparin (n=797) in patients with unstable angina (UA) or acute non-Q-wave myocardial infarction (NQWMI) with prolonged repetitive anginal pain or post-infarction angina, accompanied by new transient or persistent ST-T wave changes or elevated cardiac enzymes.
Patients were randomised to either tirofiban (30 minute loading infusion of 0.4 microgram/kg/min followed by a maintenance infusion of 0.10 microgram/kg/min) and heparin (bolus of 5,000 units (U) followed by an infusion of 1,000 U/hr titrated to maintain an activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) of approximately two times control), or heparin alone.
All patients received ASA unless contraindicated. Study drug was initiated within 12 hours after the last anginal episode. Patients were treated for 48 hours, after which they underwent angiography and possibly angioplasty/atherectomy, if indicated, while tirofiban was continued.
Tirofiban was infused for a mean period of 71.3 hours.
The combined primary study end-point was the occurrence of refractory ischaemia, myocardial infarction or death at seven days after the start of tirofiban.
At 7 days, the primary end-point, there was a 32% risk reduction (RR) (12.9% vs. 17.9%) in the tirofiban group for the combined end-point (p=0.004): this represents approximately 50 events avoided for 1,000 patients treated. After 30 days the RR for the composite end-point of death, MI, refractory ischaemic conditions, or readmissions for UA was 22% (18.5% vs. 22.3%; p=0.029). After six months the relative risk of composite of death, MI, refractory ischaemic conditions, or readmissions for UA was reduced by 19% (27.7% vs. 32.1%; p=0.024).
Regarding the composite of death or MI at seven days for the tirofiban group there was a 43% RR (4.9% vs. 8.3%; p=0.006); at 30 days the RR was 30% (8.7% vs. 11.9%; p=0.027) and at 6 months the RR was 23% (12.3% vs. 15.3%; p=0.063).
The reduction of MI in patients receiving tirofiban appeared early during treatment (within the first 48 hours) and was maintained through 6 months. In the 30% of patients who underwent angioplasty/atherectomy during initial hospitalisation, there was a 46% RR (8.8% vs. 15.2%) for the primary composite endpoint at 30 days as well as a 43% RR (5.9% vs. 10.2%) for death or MI.
Based on a safety study, the concomitant administration of tirofiban (30 minute loading dose of [0.4 microgram/kg/min] followed by a maintenance infusion of 0.1 microgram/kg/min for up to 108 hours) with enoxaparin (n=315) was compared to the concomitant administration of tirofiban with unfractionated heparin (n=210) in patients presenting with UA and NQWMI. Patients in the enoxaparin group received a 1.0 milligram/kg subcutaneous injection every 12 hours for a period of at least 24 hours and a maximum duration of 96 hours. Patients randomised to unfractionated heparin received a 5000-unit intravenous bolus followed by a maintenance infusion of 1000 units per hour for at least 24 hours and a maximum duration of 108 hours. The total TIMI bleed rate was 3.5% for the tirofiban/enoxaparin group and 4.8% for the tirofiban/unfractionated heparin group. Although there was a significant difference in the rates of cutaneous bleeds between the two groups (29.2% in the enoxaparin converted to unfractionated heparin group and 15.2% in the unfractionated heparin group), there were no TIMI major bleeds (see section 4.4) in either group. The efficacy of tirofiban in combination with enoxaparin has not been established.
PRISM PLUS trial was conducted at a time when the standard of care of managing acute coronary syndromes was different from that of present times in terms of oral platelet ADP receptor (P2Y12) antagonists use and the routine use of intracoronary stents.
ADVANCE study
The ADVANCE study determined the safety and efficacy of the tirofiban 25 microgram/kg dose bolus regimen as compared with placebo in patients undergoing elective or urgent PCI who exhibit high-risk characteristics including the presence of at least one coronary narrowing >70% and diabetes, need for multi-vessel intervention, or NSTE-ACS. All patients received unfractionated heparin, acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) and a thienopyridine loading dose followed by maintenance therapy. A total of 202 patients were randomised to either Tirofiban (25 microgram/kg bolus IV over 3 minutes followed by a continuous IV infusion of 0.15 microgram/kg/minute for 24-48 hours) or Placebo given immediately before PCI.
The primary endpoint was a composite of death, nonfatal MI, urgent target vessel revascularization (uTVR), or thrombotic bailout GP IIb/IIIa inhibitor therapy within a median follow-up of 180 days after the index procedure. The safety endpoints of major and minor bleeding were defined according to the TIMI criteria.
In the intent-to-treat population, the cumulative incidence of the primary end point was 35% and 20% in placebo and tirofiban groups, respectively (hazard ratio [HR] 0.51 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.29 to 0.88]; p=0.01). As compared with placebo, there was a significant reduction in the composite of death, MI, or uTVR in the tirofiban group (31% vs. 20%, HR, 0.57 95% CI, 0.99-0.33]; p=0.048.
EVEREST study
The randomised open-label EVEREST trial compared the upstream 0.4 microgram/kg/min loading dose regimen initiated in the coronary care unit with the tirofiban 25 microgram/kg dose bolus regimen or abciximab 0.25 milligram/kg initiated 10 minutes prior to PCI. All patients additionally received ASA and a thienopyridine. The 93 enrolled NSTE-ACS patients underwent angiography and PCI as appropriate, within 24-48 hours of admission.
With respect to the primary endpoints of tissue level perfusion and troponin I release, the results of EVEREST determined significantly lower rates of postPCI TMPG 0/1 (6.2% vs. 20% vs. 35.5%, respectively; p=0.015), and improved post-PCI MCE score index (0.88 ± 0.18 vs. 0.77 ± 0.32 vs. 0.71 ± 0.30, respectively; p<0.05).
The incidence of post-procedural cardiac Troponin I (cTnI) elevation was significantly reduced in patients treated with the upstream tirofiban regimen compared with PCI 25 microgram/kg dose bolus tirofiban or abciximab (9.4% vs. 30% vs. 38.7%, respectively; p=0.018). The cTnI levels post-PCI were also significantly decreased with the upstream regimen of tirofiban compared with PCI tirofiban (3.8 ± 4.1 vs. 7.2 ± 12; p=0.015) and abciximab (3.8 ± 4.1 vs. 9 ± 13.8; p=0.0002). The comparison between the PCI tirofiban 25 microgram/kg dose bolus and abciximab regimens indicated no significant differences in the rate of TMPG 0/1 post-PCI (20% vs. 35%; p=NS).
Several further trials were conducted comparing the 25 microgram/kg dose bolus regimen with abciximab involving over 1100 NSTE-ACS patients which showed non-significant differences with respect to the composite primary endpoint of MACE at 30 days ranging from 5.8% to 6.9% for tirofiban and 7.1% to 8.8% for abciximab.
In one study using a 10 microgram/kg bolus followed by a 0.15 microgram/kg/min infusion of tirofiban (TARGET), tirofiban failed to demonstrate noninferiority to abciximab: the incidence of the composite primary endpoint (death, MI, or uTVR at 30 days) showed that abciximab was significantly more effective on clinically relevant endpoints, with 7.6% in the tirofiban and 6.0% in the abciximab group (p=0.038), which was mainly due to a significant increase in the incidence of MI at 30 days (respectively 6.9% vs. 5.4%; p=0.04).
5.2 Pharmacokinetic properties
Distribution
Tirofiban is not strongly bound to plasma protein, and protein binding is concentration-independent in the range of 0.01-25 microgram/ml. The unbound fraction in human plasma is 35%.
The distribution volume of tirofiban in the steady state is about 30 litres.
Biotransformation
Experiments with 14C-labelled tirofiban showed the radioactivity in urine and faeces to be emitted chiefly by unchanged tirofiban. The radioactivity in circulating plasma originates mainly from unchanged tirofiban (up to 10 hours after administration). These data suggested limited metabolisation of tirofiban.
Elimination
After intravenous administration of 14C-labelled tirofiban to healthy subjects, 66% of the radioactivity was recovered in the urine, 23% in the faeces. The total recovery of radioactivity was 91%. Renal and biliary excretion contribute significantly to the elimination of tirofiban.
In healthy subjects the plasma clearance of tirofiban is about 250 ml/min. Renal clearance is 39-69% of plasma clearance. The half-life is about 1.5 hours.
Gender
The plasma clearance of tirofiban in patients with coronary heart disease is similar in men and women.
Elderly patients
The plasma clearance of tirofiban is about 25% less in elderly (> 65 years) patients with coronary heart disease in comparison to younger (< 65 years) patients.
Ethnic groups
No difference was found in the plasma clearance between patients of different ethnic groups.
Coronary Artery Disease
In patients with unstable angina pectoris or NQWMI the plasma clearance was about 200 ml/min, the renal clearance 39% of the plasma clearance. The halflife is about two hours.
Impaired renal function
In clinical studies, patients with decreased renal function showed a reduced plasma clearance of tirofiban depending on the degree of impairment of creatinine clearance. In patients with a creatinine clearance of less than 30 ml/min, including haemodialysis patients, the plasma clearance of tirofiban is reduced to a clinically relevant extent (over 50%) (see section 4.2). Tirofiban is removed by haemodialysis.
Liver failure
There is no evidence of a clinically significant reduction of the plasma clearance of tirofiban in patients with mild to moderate liver failure. No data are available on patients with severe liver failure.
Effects of other drugs
The plasma clearance of tirofiban in patients receiving one of the following drugs was compared to that in patients not receiving that drug in a sub-set of patients (n=762) in the PRISM study. There were no substantial (>15%) effects of these drugs on the plasma clearance of tirofiban: acebutolol, alprazolam, amlodipine, aspirin preparations, atenolol, bromazepam, captopril, diazepam, digoxin, diltiazem, docusate sodium, enalapril, furosemide, glib encl amide, unfractionated heparin, insulin, isosorbide, lorazepam, lovastatin, metoclopramide, metoprolol, morphine, nifedipine, nitrate preparations, oxazepam, paracetamol, potassium chloride, propranolol, ranitidine, simvastatin, sucralfate and temazepam.
The pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of Tirofiban were investigated when concomitantly administered with enoxaparin (1 milligram/kg subcutaneously every 12 hours) and compared with the combination of Tirofiban and unfractionated heparin. There was no difference in the clearance of Tirofiban between the two groups.
5.3 Preclinical safety data
Preclinical data reveal no special hazard for humans based on conventional studies of safety pharmacology, repeated dose toxicity and genotoxicity.
Fertility and reproductive performance were not affected in studies with male and female rats given intravenous doses of tirofiban up to 5 mg/kg/day. These dosages are approximately 22-fold higher than the maximum recommended
daily dose in humans. However, animal studies are insufficient to draw conclusions with respect to reproductive toxicity in humans.
Tirofiban crosses the placenta in rats and rabbits.
6 PHARMACEUTICAL PARTICULARS
6.1 List of excipients
Sodium chloride
Sodium acetate trihydrate,
Acetic acid
Sodium hydroxide (for pH adjustment).
Water for injection.
6.2 Incompatibilities
Incompatibility has been found with diazepam. Therefore, Tirofiban and diazepam should not be administered in the same intravenous line.
6.3 Shelf life
24 months
After opening, the product should be used immediately.
6.4 Special precautions for storage
This medicinal product does not require any special storage conditions
6.5 Nature and contents of container
250 ml bag, colourless, multilayer PVC-free polyolefine film with 2 tubes of PVC-free polyolefin and an administration port.
It is packed in a preprinted foil overpouch.
Pack sizes: 1 or 3 containers with 250 ml solution for infusion. Not all pack sizes may be marketed.
6.6 Special precautions for disposal
No incompatibilities have been found with Tirofiban and the following intravenous formulations: atropine sulfate, dobutamine, dopamine, epinephrine HCl, furosemide, heparin, lidocaine, midazolam HCl, morphine sulfate, nitroglycerin, potassium chloride, propranolol HCl and famotidine injection.
Any unused medicinal product or waste material should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements.
See section 4.2.
Do not use unless solution is clear and seal is intact.
7 MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER
Beacon Pharmaceuticals Ltd 85, High Street Tunbridge Wells Kent TN1 1YG UK
8 MARKETING AUTHORISATION NUMBER(S)
PL 18157/0266
9 DATE OF FIRST AUTHORISATION/RENEWAL OF THE AUTHORISATION
12/12/2013
10 DATE OF REVISION OF THE TEXT
12/08/2014
TIMI major bleeds are defined as a haemoglobin drop of > 50 g/l with or without an identified site, intracranial haemorrhage, or cardiac tamponade. TIMI minor bleeds are defined as a haemoglobin drop of > 30 g/l but 50 g/l with bleeding from a known site or spontaneous gross haematuria, haematemesis, or haemoptysis. TIMI “loss no site” is defined as a haemoglobin drop > 40 g/l but < 50 g/l without an identified bleeding site.