Tapentadol

1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE Tapentadol extended-release tablets are indicated for the management of: Severe and persistent pain in adults that requires an extended treatment period with a daily opioid analgesic and for which alternative treatment options are inadequate. Severe and persistent neuropathic pain associated with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) in adults that requires an extended treatment period with a daily opioid analgesic and for which alternative treatment options are inadequate. Limitations of Use Because of the risks of addiction, abuse, and misuse with opioids, which can occur at any dosage or duration, and because of the greater risks of overdose and death with extended-release/long-acting opioid formulations [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] , reserve tapentadol extended-release tablets for use in patients for whom alternative treatment options (e.g., non-opioid analgesics or immediate-release opioids) are ineffective, not tolerated, or would be otherwise inadequate to provide sufficient management of pain. tapentadol extended-release tablets are not indicated as an as-needed (prn) analgesic. Tapentadol extended-release tablet is an opioid agonist indicated for the management of: severe and persistent pain that requires an extended treatment period with a daily opioid analgesic and for which alternative treatment options are inadequate. ( 1 ) severe and persistent neuropathic pain associated with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) in adults that requires an extended treatment period with a daily opioid analgesic and for which alternative treatment options are inadequate. ( 1 ) Limitations of Use ( 1 ) Because of the risks of addiction, abuse, and misuse with opioids, which can occur at any dosage or duration, and because of the greater risks of overdose and death with extended-release/long-acting opioid formulations, reserve tapentadol extended-release tablets for use in patients for whom alternative treatment options (e.g., non-opioid analgesics or immediate-release opioids) are ineffective, not tolerated, or would be otherwise inadequate to provide sufficient management of pain. Tapentadol extended-release tablets are not indicated as an as-needed (prn) analgesic.

12.1 Mechanism of Action Tapentadol is a centrally-acting synthetic analgesic. The exact mechanism of action is unknown. Although the clinical relevance is unclear, preclinical studies have shown that tapentadol is a mu-opioid receptor (MOR) agonist and a norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (NRI). Analgesia in animal models is derived from both of these properties.

2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Tapentadol extended-release tablets should be prescribed only by healthcare professionals who are knowledgeable about the use of extended-release/long-acting opioids and how to mitigate the associated risks. ( 2.1 ) Use the lowest effective dosage for the shortest duration of time consistent with individual patient treatment goals. Reserve titration to higher doses of tapentadol extended-release tablets for patients in whom lower doses are insufficiently effective and in whom the expected benefits of using a higher dose opioid clearly outweigh the substantial risks ( 2.5 ). Initiate the dosing regimen for each patient individually, taking into account the patient's underlying cause and severity of pain, prior analgesic treatment, and response, and risk factors for addiction, abuse, and misuse. ( 5.1 ) Respiratory depression can occur at any time during opioid therapy, especially when initiating and following dosage increases with tapentadol extended-release tablets. Consider this risk when selecting an initial dose and when making dose adjustments. ( 2.1 , 5.2 ) Discuss availability of naloxone with the patient and caregiver and assess each patient's need for access to naloxone, both when initiating and renewing treatment with tapentadol extended-release tablets. Consider prescribing naloxone based on the patient's risk factors for overdose. ( 2.2 , 5.1 , 5.2 , 5.3 ) Instruct patients to swallow tapentadol extended-release tablets intact, and not to cut, break, chew, crush, or dissolve the tablets (risk of potentially fatal overdose). ( 2.1 , 5.1 ) Instruct patients to take tablets one at a time, with enough water to ensure complete swallowing immediately after placing in mouth. ( 2.1 ) Do not exceed a total daily dose of tapentadol extended-release tablets of 500 mg. ( 2.1 ) For opioid-naïve and opioid non-tolerant patients, initiate treatment with 50 mg tablet orally twice daily (approximately every 12 hours). See full prescribing information for instructions on conversion, titration, and maintenance of therapy. ( 2.3 , 2.4 ) Titrate patients with dose increases of 50 mg no more than twice daily every three days. ( 2.4 ) Moderate Hepatic Impairment: Initiate treatment with 50 mg tapentadol extended-release tablet no more than every 24 hours. Do not exceed 100 mg per day. Regularly evaluate for respiratory and central nervous system depression ( 2.5 ) Do not abruptly discontinue tapentadol extended-release tablets in a physically-dependent patient because rapid discontinuation of opioid analgesics has resulted in serious withdrawal symptoms, uncontrolled pain, and suicide. ( 2.6 ) 2.1 Important Dosage and Administration Instructions Tapentadol extended-release tablets should be prescribed only by healthcare professionals who are knowledgeable about the use of extended-release/long-acting opioids and how to mitigate the associated risks. Use the lowest effective dosage for the shortest duration of time consistent with individual patient treatment goals [see Warnings and Precautions (5) ] . Because the risk of overdose increases as opioid doses increase, reserve titration to higher doses of tapentadol extended-release tablets for patients in whom lower doses are insufficiently effective and in whom the expected benefits of using a higher dose opioid clearly outweigh the substantial risks. Initiate the dosing regimen for each patient individually, taking into account the patient's underlying cause and severity of pain, prior analgesic treatment and response, and risk factors for addiction, abuse, and misuse [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ]. Respiratory depression can occur at any time during opioid therapy, especially when initiating and following dosage increases with tapentadol extended-release tablets. Consider this risk when selecting an initial dose and when making dose adjustments [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] . Instruct patients to swallow tapentadol extended-release tablets whole,

6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following serious adverse reactions are described, or described in greater detail, in other sections: Addiction, Abuse, and Misuse [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] Life-Threatening Respiratory Depression [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] Interaction with Benzodiazepine or Other CNS Depressants [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] Opioid-Induced Hyperalgesia and Allodynia [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6) ] Serotonin Syndrome [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7) ] Adrenal Insufficiency [see Warnings and Precautions (5.9) ] Severe Hypotension [see Warnings and Precautions (5.10) ] Gastrointestinal Adverse Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.12) ] Seizures [see Warnings and Precautions (5.13) ] Withdrawal [see Warnings and Precautions (5.14) ] The most common (≥10%) adverse reactions were nausea, constipation, dizziness, headache, and somnolence. ( 6 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Hikma Pharmaceuticals USA Inc. at 1-800-962-8364 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch . 6.1 Clinical Trial 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 clinical practice. Commonly-Observed Adverse Reactions in Clinical Studies with tapentadol extended-release tablets in Patients with Chronic Pain due to Low Back Pain or Osteoarthritis The safety data described in Table 1 below are based on three pooled, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group, 15-week studies of tapentadol extended-release tablets (dosed 100 to 250 mg BID after a 50 mg BID starting dose) in patients with chronic pain due to low back pain (LBP) and osteoarthritis (OA). These trials included 980 tapentadol extended-release tablet-treated patients and 993 placebo-treated patients. The mean age was 57 years old; 63% were female and 37% were male; 83% were White, 10% were Black, and 5% were Hispanic. The most common adverse reactions (reported by ≥10% in any tapentadol extended-release tablet dose group) were: nausea, constipation, dizziness, headache, and somnolence. The most common reasons for discontinuation due to adverse reactions in eight Phase 2/3 pooled studies reported by ≥1% in any tapentadol extended-release tablet dose group for tapentadol extended-release tablet- and placebo-treated patients were nausea (4% vs. 1%), dizziness (3% vs. <1%), vomiting (3% vs. <1%), somnolence (2% vs. <1%), constipation (1% vs. <1%), headache (1% vs. <1%), and fatigue (1% vs. <1%), respectively. Table 1. Adverse Drug Reactions Reported by ≥ 1% of tapentadol extended-release tablet-Treated Patients and Greater than Placebo-Treated Patients in Pooled Parallel-Group Trials MedDRA preferred terms. The trials included forced titration during the first week of dosing. Tapentadol extended-release tablets 50 to 250 mg BID Tapentadol extended-release tablet dosed between 100 and 250 mg BID after a starting dose of 50 mg BID (n=980) Placebo (n=993) Nausea 21% 7% Constipation 17% 7% Dizziness 17% 6% Headache 15% 13% Somnolence 12% 4% Fatigue 9% 4% Vomiting 8% 3% Dry mouth 7% 2% Hyperhidrosis 5% <1% Pruritus 5% 2% Insomnia 4% 2% Dyspepsia 3% 2% Lethargy 2% <1% Asthenia 2% <1% Anxiety 2% 1% Decreased appetite 2% <1% Vertigo 2% <1% Hot flush 2% <1% Disturbance in attention 1% <1% Tremor 1% <1% Chills 1% 0% Abnormal dreams 1% <1% Depression 1% <1% Vision blurred 1% <1% Erectile dysfunction 1% <1% Commonly-Observed Adverse Reactions in Clinical Studies with tapentadol extended-release tablets in Patients with Neuropathic Pain Associated with Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy The types of adverse reactions seen in the studies of patients with painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) were similar to what was seen in the low back pain an

5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Opioid-Induced Hyperalgesia and Allodynia: Opioid-Induced Hyperalgesia (OIH) occurs when an opioid analgesic paradoxically causes an increase in pain, or an increase in sensitivity to pain. If OIH is suspected, carefully consider appropriately decreasing the dose of the current opioid analgesic or opioid rotation. ( 5.6 ) Serotonin Syndrome with Concomitant Use of Serotonergic Drugs: Potentially life-threatening condition could result from concomitant serotonergic drug administration. Discontinue tapentadol extended-release tablets if serotonin syndrome is suspected. ( 5.7 ) Life-Threatening Respiratory Depression in Patients with Chronic Pulmonary Disease or in Elderly, Cachectic, or Debilitated Patients: Regularly evaluate, particularly during initiation and titration. ( 5.8 ) Adrenal Insufficiency : If diagnosed, treat with physiologic replacement of corticosteroids, and wean patient off of the opioid. ( 5.9 ) Severe Hypotension : Regularly evaluate during dosage initiation and titration. Avoid use of tapentadol extended-release tablets in patients with circulatory shock. ( 5.10 ) Risks of Use in Patients with Increased Intracranial Pressure, Brain Tumors, Head Injury, or Impaired Consciousness : Monitor for sedation and respiratory depression. Avoid use of tapentadol extended-release tablets in patients with impaired consciousness or coma. ( 5.11 ) 5.1 Addiction, Abuse, and Misuse Tapentadol extended-release tablets contain tapentadol, a Schedule II controlled substance. As an opioid, tapentadol extended-release tablets expose users to the risks of addiction, abuse, and misuse. Because extended-release products such as tapentadol extended-release tablets deliver the opioid over an extended period of time, there is a greater risk for overdose and death due to the larger amount of tapentadol present [see Drug Abuse and Dependence (9) ] . Although the risk of addiction in any individual is unknown, it can occur in patients appropriately prescribed tapentadol extended-release tablets. Addiction can occur at recommended doses and if the drug is misused or abused. Assess each patient's risk for opioid addiction, abuse, or misuse prior to prescribing tapentadol extended-release tablets, and reassess all patients receiving tapentadol extended-release tablets for the development of these behaviors and conditions. Risks are increased in patients with a personal or family history of substance abuse (including drug or alcohol abuse or addiction) or mental illness (e.g., major depression). The potential for these risks should not, however, prevent the prescribing of tapentadol extended-release tablets for the proper management of pain in any given patient. Patients at increased risk may be prescribed opioids such as tapentadol extended-release tablets but use in such patients necessitates intensive counseling about the risks and proper use of tapentadol extended-release tablets along with frequent reevaluation for signs of addiction, abuse, and misuse. Consider prescribing naloxone for the emergency treatment of opioid overdose [see Dosage and Administration (2.2) , Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] . Abuse or misuse of tapentadol extended-release tablets by crushing, chewing, snorting, or injecting the dissolved product will result in the uncontrolled delivery of tapentadol and can result in overdose and death [see Overdosage (10) ] . Opioids are sought for nonmedical use and are subject to diversion from legitimate prescribed use. Consider these risks when prescribing or dispensing tapentadol extended-release tablets. Strategies to reduce these risks include prescribing the drug in the smallest appropriate quantity and advising the patient on careful storage of the drug during the course of treatment and the proper disposal of unused drug. Contact the local state professional licensing board or state-controlled substances authority for information on how to prevent and detect abuse or diversion of this produ

4 CONTRAINDICATIONS Tapentadol extended-release tablets are contraindicated in patients with: Significant respiratory depression Acute or severe bronchial asthma or hypercarbia in an unmonitored setting or in the absence of resuscitative equipment Known or suspected gastrointestinal obstruction, including paralytic ileus Hypersensitivity (e.g., anaphylaxis, angioedema) to tapentadol or to any other ingredients of the product [see Adverse Reactions (6.2) ] Concurrent use of monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) or use of MAOIs within the last 14 days [see Drug Interactions (7) ] Significant respiratory depression ( 4 ) Acute or severe bronchial asthma ( 4 ) Known or suspected paralytic ileus ( 4 ) Hypersensitivity to tapentadol or to any other ingredients of the product ( 4 ) Concurrent use of monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) or use of MAOIs within the last 14 days. ( 4 )

10 OVERDOSAGE Clinical Presentation Acute overdosage with tapentadol can be manifested by respiratory depression, somnolence progressing to stupor or coma, skeletal muscle flaccidity, cold and clammy skin, constricted pupils, and, in some cases pulmonary edema, bradycardia, hypotension, hypoglycemia, partial or complete airway obstruction, atypical snoring and death. Marked mydriasis rather than miosis may be seen with hypoxia in overdose situations [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.2) ] . Treatment of Overdose In case of overdose, priorities are the reestablishment of a patent and protected airway and institution of assisted or controlled ventilation, if needed. Employ other supportive measures (including oxygen, vasopressors) in the management of circulatory shock and pulmonary edema as indicated. Cardiac arrest or arrhythmias will require advanced life support measures. Opioid antagonists, such as naloxone, are specific antidotes to respiratory depression resulting from opioid overdose. For clinically significant respiratory or circulatory depression secondary to tapentadol overdose, administer an opioid antagonist. Because the duration of reversal would be expected to be less than the duration of action of tapentadol in tapentadol extended-release tablets, carefully monitor the patient until spontaneous respiration is reliably reestablished. Tapentadol extended-release tablets will continue to release tapentadol and add to the tapentadol load for 24 to 48 hours or longer following ingestion, necessitating prolonged monitoring. If the response to an opioid antagonist is suboptimal or only brief in nature, additional antagonist should be given as directed in the product's prescribing information. In an individual physically dependent on opioids, administration of the recommended usual dosage of the antagonist will precipitate an acute withdrawal syndrome. The severity of the withdrawal symptoms experienced will depend on the degree of physical dependence and the dose of the antagonist administered. If a decision is made to treat serious respiratory depression in the physically dependent patient, administration of the antagonist should be initiated with care and by titration with smaller than usual doses of the antagonist.