sildenafil 20 MG Oral Tablet

Generic Name: SILDENAFIL CITRATE
Brand Name: Sildenafil
  • Substance Name(s):
  • SILDENAFIL CITRATE

DRUG INTERACTIONS

7 Concomitant alpha-blockers or amlodipine: Note additive blood pressure lowering effects. (7) Use with ritonavir and other potent CYP3A inhibitors: Not recommended. (7, 12.3) Concomitant PDE-5 inhibitors: Avoid use with Viagra or other PDE-5 inhibitors. (5.7) Nitrates Concomitant use of sildenafil with nitrates in any form is contraindicated [see Contraindications (4)]. Ritonavir and other Potent CYP3A Inhibitors Concomitant use of sildenafil with ritonavir and other potent CYP3A inhibitors is not recommended [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)]. Other drugs that reduce blood pressure Alpha blockers. In drug-drug interaction studies, sildenafil (25 mg, 50 mg, or 100 mg) and the alpha-blocker doxazosin (4 mg or 8 mg) were administered simultaneously to patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) stabilized on doxazosin therapy. In these study populations, mean additional reductions of supine systolic and diastolic blood pressure of 7/7 mmHg, 9/5 mmHg, and 8/4 mmHg, respectively, were observed. Mean additional reductions of standing blood pressure of 6/6 mmHg, 11/4 mmHg, and 4/5 mmHg, respectively, were also observed. There were infrequent reports of patients who experienced symptomatic postural hypotension. These reports included dizziness and light-headedness, but not syncope. Amlodipine. When sildenafil 100 mg oral was co-administered with amlodipine, 5 mg or 10 mg oral, to hypertensive patients, the mean additional reduction on supine blood pressure was 8 mmHg systolic and 7 mmHg diastolic. Monitor blood pressure when co-administering blood pressure lowering drugs with sildenafil [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)].

OVERDOSAGE

10 In studies with healthy volunteers of single doses up to 800 mg, adverse events were similar to those seen at lower doses but rates and severities were increased. In cases of overdose, standard supportive measures should be adopted as required. Renal dialysis is not expected to accelerate clearance as sildenafil is highly bound to plasma proteins and it is not eliminated in the urine.

DESCRIPTION

11 Sildenafil, phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) inhibitor, is the citrate salt of sildenafil, a selective inhibitor of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)-specific phosphodiesterase type-5 (PDE-5). Sildenafil is also marketed as VIAGRA® for erectile dysfunction. Sildenafil citrate is designated chemically as 1-[[3-(6,7-dihydro-1-methyl-7-oxo-3-propyl-1H-pyrazolo [4,3-d] pyrimidin-5-yl)-4-ethoxyphenyl] sulfonyl]-4-methylpiperazine citrate and has the following structural formula: Sildenafil citrate is a white to off-white crystalline powder with a solubility of 3.5 mg/mL in water and a molecular weight of 666.7. Sildenafil Tablets: Sildenafil is formulated as white, film-coated round tablets for oral administration. Each tablet contains sildenafil citrate equivalent to 20 mg of sildenafil. In addition to the active ingredient, sildenafil citrate, each tablet contains the following inactive ingredients: microcrystalline cellulose, anhydrous dibasic calcium phosphate, croscarmellose sodium, magnesium stearate, hypromellose, titanium dioxide, lactose monohydrate, and triacetin. Chemical Structure

CLINICAL STUDIES

14 Studies of Adults with Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Study 1 (Sildenafil monotherapy (20 mg, 40 mg, and 80 mg three times a day)) A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of sildenafil (Study 1) was conducted in 277 patients with PAH (defined as a mean pulmonary artery pressure of greater than or equal to 25 mmHg at rest with a pulmonary capillary wedge pressure less than 15 mmHg). Patients were predominantly World Health Organization (WHO) functional classes II–III. Allowed background therapy included a combination of anticoagulants, digoxin, calcium channel blockers, diuretics, and oxygen. The use of prostacyclin analogues, endothelin receptor antagonists, and arginine supplementation were not permitted. Subjects who had failed to respond to bosentan were also excluded. Patients with left ventricular ejection fraction less than 45% or left ventricular shortening fraction less than 0.2 also were not studied. Patients were randomized to receive placebo (n=70) or sildenafil 20 mg (n = 69), 40 mg (n = 67) or 80 mg (n = 71) three times a day for a period of 12 weeks. They had either primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH) (63%), PAH associated with CTD (30%), or PAH following surgical repair of left-to-right congenital heart lesions (7%). The study population consisted of 25% men and 75% women with a mean age of 49 years (range: 18–81 years) and baseline 6-minute walk distance between 100 and 450 meters (mean 343). The primary efficacy endpoint was the change from baseline at week 12 (at least 4 hours after the last dose) in 6-minute walk distance. Placebo-corrected mean increases in walk distance of 45–50 meters were observed with all doses of sildenafil. These increases were significantly different from placebo, but the sildenafil dose groups were not different from each other (Figure 4), indicating no additional clinical benefit from doses higher than 20 mg three times a day. The improvement in walk distance was apparent after 4 weeks of treatment and was maintained at week 8 and week 12. Figure 4. Change from Baseline in 6-Minute Walk Distance (meters) at Weeks 4, 8, and 12 in Study 1: Mean (95% Confidence Interval) Figure 5 displays subgroup efficacy analyses in Study 1 for the change from baseline in 6-Minute Walk Distance at Week 12 including baseline walk distance, disease etiology, functional class, gender, age, and secondary hemodynamic parameters. Figure 5. Placebo Corrected Change From Baseline in 6-Minute Walk Distance (meters) at Week 12 by study subpopulation in Study 1: Mean (95% Confidence Interval) Key: PAH = pulmonary arterial hypertension; CTD = connective tissue disease; PH = pulmonary hypertension; PAP = pulmonary arterial pressure; PVRI = pulmonary vascular resistance index; TID = three times daily. Of the 277 treated patients, 259 entered a long-term, uncontrolled extension study. At the end of 1 year, 94% of these patients were still alive. Additionally, walk distance and functional class status appeared to be stable in patients taking sildenafil. Without a control group, these data must be interpreted cautiously. Figure 4 Figure 5 Study 2 (Sildenafil co-administered with epoprostenol) A randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled study (Study 2) was conducted in 267 patients with PAH who were stabilized on intravenous epoprostenol. Patients had to have a mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) greater than or equal to 25 mmHg and a pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) less than or equal to 15 mmHg at rest via right heart catheterization within 21 days before randomization, and a baseline 6-minute walk test distance greater than or equal to 100 meters and less than or equal to 450 meters (mean 349 meters). Patients were randomized to placebo or sildenafil (in a fixed titration starting from 20 mg, to 40 mg and then 80 mg, three times a day) and all patients continued intravenous epoprostenol therapy. At baseline patients had PPH (80%) or PAH secondary to CTD (20%); WHO functional class I (1%), II (26%), III (67%), or IV (6%) at baseline. The mean age was 48 years, 80% were female, and 79% were Caucasian. There was a statistically significant greater increase in 6-minute walk distance at Week 16 (primary endpoint) for the sildenafil group compared with the placebo group. The mean change from baseline at Week 16 (last observation carried forward) was 30 meters for the sildenafil group compared with 4 meters for the placebo group giving an adjusted treatment difference of 26 meters (95% CI: 10.8, 41.2) (p = 0.0009). Patients on sildenafil achieved a statistically significant reduction in mPAP compared to those on placebo. A mean placebo-corrected treatment effect of -3.9 mmHg was observed in favor of sildenafil (95% CI: -5.7, -2.1) (p = 0.00003). Time to clinical worsening of PAH was defined as the time from randomization to the first occurrence of a clinical worsening event (death, lung transplantation, initiation of bosentan therapy, or clinical deterioration requiring a change in epoprostenol therapy). Table 4 displays the number of patients with clinical worsening events in Study 2. Kaplan-Meier estimates and a stratified log-rank test demonstrated that placebo-treated patients were 3 times more likely to experience a clinical worsening event than sildenafil-treated patients and that sildenafil-treated patients experienced a significant delay in time to clinical worsening versus placebo-treated patients (p = 0.0074). Kaplan-Meier plot of time to clinical worsening is presented in Figure 6. Table 4. Clinical Worsening Events in Study 2 Placebo (N = 131) Sildenafil (N = 134) Number of subjects with clinical worsening first event 23 8 First Event All Events First Event All Events Death, n 3 4 0 0 Lung Transplantation, n 1 1 0 0 Hospitalization due to PAH, n 9 11 8 8 Clinical deterioration resulting in: Change of Epoprostenol Dose, n Initiation of Bosentan Therapy, n 9 1 16 1 0 0 2 0 Proportion Worsened 95% Confidence Intervals 0.187 (0.12 – 0.26) 0.062 (0.02 – 0.10) Figure 6. Kaplan-Meier Plot of Time (in Days) to Clinical Worsening of PAH in Study 2 Improvements in WHO functional class for PAH were also demonstrated in subjects on sildenafil compared to placebo. More than twice as many sildenafil-treated patients (36%) as the placebo group (14%) showed an improvement of at least one functional New York Heart Association (NYHA) class for PAH. Figure 6 Study 3 (Sildenafil monotherapy (1 mg, 5 mg, and 20 mg three times a day)) A randomized, double-blind, parallel dose study (Study 3) was planned in 219 patients with PAH. This study was prematurely terminated with 129 subjects enrolled. Patients were required to have a mPAP greater than or equal to 25 mmHg and a PCWP less than or equal to 15 mmHg at rest via right heart catheterization within 12 weeks before randomization, and a baseline 6-minute walk test distance greater than or equal to 100 meters and less than or equal to 450 meters (mean 345 meters). Patients were randomized to 1 of 3 doses of sildenafil: 1 mg, 5 mg, and 20 mg, three times a day. At baseline patients had PPH (74%) or secondary PAH (26%); WHO functional class II (57%), III (41%), or IV (2%); the mean age was 44 years; and 67% were female. The majority of subjects were Asian (67%), and 28% were Caucasian. The primary efficacy endpoint was the change from baseline at Week 12 (at least 4 hours after the last dose) in the 6-minute walk distance. Similar increases in walk distance (mean increase of 38–41 meters) were observed in the 5 and 20 mg dose groups. These increases were significantly better than those observed in the 1 mg dose group (Figure 7). Figure 7. Mean Change from Baseline in Six Minute Walk (meters) by Visit to Week 12 – ITT Population Sildenafil Protocol A1481244 Figure 7 Study 4 (Sildenafil added to bosentan therapy – lack of effect on exercise capacity) A randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled study was conducted in 103 patients with PAH who were on bosentan therapy for a minimum of three months. The PAH patients included those with primary PAH, and PAH associated with CTD. Patients were randomized to placebo or sildenafil (20 mg three times a day) in combination with bosentan (62.5–125 mg twice a day). The primary efficacy endpoint was the change from baseline at Week 12 in 6MWD. The results indicate that there is no significant difference in mean change from baseline on 6MWD observed between sildenafil 20 mg plus bosentan and bosentan alone.

HOW SUPPLIED

16 /STORAGE AND HANDLING Sildenafil tablets are supplied as white, film-coated, round tablets containing sildenafil citrate equivalent to the nominally indicated amount of sildenafil as follows: Bottles of 10 and 30. Recommended Storage for Sildenafil Tablets: Store at controlled room temperature 20°C – 25°C (68°F – 77°F) ; excursions permitted to 15°C – 30°C (59°F –86°F) [see USP Controlled Room Temperature].

RECENT MAJOR CHANGES

INDICATIONS AND USAGE (1) 1/2014 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS, Visual Loss (5.5) 3/2014

GERIATRIC USE

8.5 Geriatric Use Clinical studies of sildenafil did not include sufficient numbers of subjects aged 65 and over to determine whether they respond differently from younger subjects. Other reported clinical experience has not identified differences in responses between the elderly and younger patients. In general, dose selection for an elderly patient should be cautious, reflecting the greater frequency of decreased hepatic, renal, or cardiac function, and of concomitant disease or other drug therapy [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].

DOSAGE FORMS AND STRENGTHS

3 Tablets: 20 mg (3) Sildenafil Tablets White, film-coated, round tablets engraved with SDF20 containing sildenafil citrate equivalent to 20 mg of sildenafil.

MECHANISM OF ACTION

12.1 Mechanism of Action Sildenafil is an inhibitor of cGMP specific phosphodiesterase type-5 (PDE-5) in the smooth muscle of the pulmonary vasculature, where PDE-5 is responsible for degradation of cGMP. Sildenafil, therefore, increases cGMP within pulmonary vascular smooth muscle cells resulting in relaxation. In patients with PAH, this can lead to vasodilation of the pulmonary vascular bed and, to a lesser degree, vasodilatation in the systemic circulation. Studies in vitro have shown that sildenafil is selective for PDE-5. Its effect is more potent on PDE-5 than on other known phosphodiesterases (10-fold for PDE-6, greater than 80-fold for PDE-1, greater than 700-fold for PDE-2, PDE-3, PDE-4, PDE-7, PDE-8, PDE-9, PDE-10, and PDE-11). The approximately 4,000-fold selectivity for PDE-5 versus PDE-3 is important because PDE-3 is involved in control of cardiac contractility. Sildenafil is only about 10-fold as potent for PDE-5 compared to PDE-6, an enzyme found in the retina and involved in the phototransduction pathway of the retina. This lower selectivity is thought to be the basis for abnormalities related to color vision observed with higher doses or plasma levels [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.2)]. In addition to pulmonary vascular smooth muscle and the corpus cavernosum, PDE-5 is also found in other tissues including vascular and visceral smooth muscle and in platelets. The inhibition of PDE-5 in these tissues by sildenafil may be the basis for the enhanced platelet anti-aggregatory activity of nitric oxide observed in vitro, and the mild peripheral arterial-venous dilatation in vivo.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

1 Sildenafil is indicated for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (WHO Group I) in adults to improve exercise ability and delay clinical worsening. The delay in clinical worsening was demonstrated when sildenafil was added to background epoprostenol therapy [see Clinical Studies (14)]. Studies establishing effectiveness were short-term (12 to 16 weeks), included predominately patients with New York Heart Association (NYHA) Functional Class II–III symptoms and idiopathic etiology (71%) or associated with connective tissue disease (CTD) (25%). Sildenafil is a phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) inhibitor indicated for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) (WHO Group I) in adults to improve exercise ability and delay clinical worsening. Studies establishing effectiveness were short-term (12 to 16 weeks), and included predominately patients with NYHA Functional Class II–III symptoms. Etiologies were idiopathic (71%) or associated with connective tissue disease (25%). (1) Limitation of Use: Adding sildenafil to bosentan therapy does not result in any beneficial effect on exercise capacity. (1, 14) Limitation of Use: Adding sildenafil to bosentan therapy does not result in any beneficial effect on exercise capacity [see Clinical Studies (14)].

PEDIATRIC USE

8.4 Pediatric Use In a randomized, double-blind, multi-center, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, dose-ranging study, 234 patients with PAH, aged 1 to 17 years, body weight greater than or equal to 8 kg, were randomized, on the basis of body weight, to three dose levels of sildenafil, or placebo, for 16 weeks of treatment. Most patients had mild to moderate symptoms at baseline: WHO Functional Class I (32%), II (51%), III (15%), or IV (0.4%). One-third of patients had primary PAH; two-thirds had secondary PAH (systemic-to-pulmonary shunt in 37%; surgical repair in 30%). Sixty-two percent of patients were female. Drug or placebo was administered three times a day. The primary objective of the study was to assess the effect of sildenafil on exercise capacity as measured by cardiopulmonary exercise testing in pediatric patients developmentally able to perform the test (n = 115). Administration of sildenafil did not result in a statistically significant improvement in exercise capacity in those patients. No patients died during the 16-week controlled study. After completing the 16-week controlled study, a patient originally randomized to sildenafil remained on his/her dose of sildenafil or, if originally randomized to placebo, was randomized to low-, medium-, or high-dose sildenafil. After all patients completed 16 weeks of follow-up in the controlled study, the blind was broken and doses were adjusted as clinically indicated. Patients treated with sildenafil were followed for a median of 4.6 years (range 2 days to 8.6 years). Mortality during the long-term study, by originally assigned dose, is shown in Figure 1: Figure 1: Kaplan-Meier Plot of Mortality by Sildenafil Dose During the study, there were 42 reported deaths, with 37 of these deaths reported prior to a decision to titrate subjects to a lower dosage because of a finding of increased mortality with increasing sildenafil doses. For the survival analysis which included 37 deaths, the hazard ratio for high dose compared to low dose was 3.9, p=0.007. Causes of death were typical of patients with PAH. Use of sildenafil, particularly chronic use, is not recommended in children. Figure 1

PREGNANCY

8.1 Pregnancy Pregnancy Category B There are no adequate and well-controlled studies of sildenafil in pregnant women. No evidence of teratogenicity, embryotoxicity, or fetotoxicity was observed in pregnant rats or rabbits dosed with sildenafil 200 mg/kg/day during organogenesis, a level that is, on a mg/m2 basis, 32- and 68-times, respectively, the recommended human dose (RHD) of 20 mg three times a day. In a rat pre- and postnatal development study, the no-observed-adverse-effect dose was 30 mg/kg/day (equivalent to 5-times the RHD on a mg/m2 basis).

NUSRING MOTHERS

8.3 Nursing Mothers It is not known if sildenafil or its metabolites are excreted in human breast milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk, caution should be exercised when sildenafil is administered to a nursing woman.

WARNING AND CAUTIONS

5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Increased mortality with increasing doses in pediatric patients. Not recommended for use in pediatric patients. (5.1) Vasodilation effects may be more common in patients with hypotension or on antihypertensive therapy. (5.2) Use in pulmonary veno-occlusive disease may cause pulmonary edema and is not recommended. (5.3) Hearing or visual impairment: Seek medical attention if sudden decrease or loss of vision or hearing occurs. (5.5, 5.6) Pulmonary hypertension secondary to sickle cell disease: sildenafil may cause serious vaso-occlusive crises. (5.9) 5.1 Mortality with Pediatric Use In a long-term trial in pediatric patients with PAH, an increase in mortality with increasing sildenafil dose was observed. Deaths were first observed after about 1 year and causes of death were typical of patients with PAH. Use of sildenafil, particularly chronic use, is not recommended in children [see Use in Specific Populations (8.4)]. 5.2 Hypotension Sildenafil has vasodilatory properties, resulting in mild and transient decreases in blood pressure. Before prescribing sildenafil, carefully consider whether patients with certain underlying conditions could be adversely affected by such vasodilatory effects (e.g., patients on antihypertensive therapy or with resting hypotension [BP less than 90/50], fluid depletion, severe left ventricular outflow obstruction, or autonomic dysfunction). Monitor blood pressure when co-administering blood pressure lowering drugs with sildenafil. 5.3 Worsening Pulmonary Vascular Occlusive Disease Pulmonary vasodilators may significantly worsen the cardiovascular status of patients with pulmonary veno-occlusive disease (PVOD). Since there are no clinical data on administration of sildenafil to patients with veno-occlusive disease, administration of sildenafil to such patients is not recommended. Should signs of pulmonary edema occur when sildenafil is administered, consider the possibility of associated PVOD. 5.4 Epistaxis The incidence of epistaxis was 13% in patients taking sildenafil with PAH secondary to CTD. This effect was not seen in idiopathic PAH (sildenafil 3%, placebo 2%) patients. The incidence of epistaxis was also higher in sildenafil-treated patients with a concomitant oral vitamin K antagonist (9% versus 2% in those not treated with concomitant vitamin K antagonist). The safety of sildenafil is unknown in patients with bleeding disorders or active peptic ulceration. 5.5 Visual Loss When used to treat erectile dysfunction, non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), a cause of decreased vision including permanent loss of vision, has been reported postmarketing in temporal association with the use of phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE-5) inhibitors, including sildenafil. Most, but not all, of these patients had underlying anatomic or vascular risk factors for developing NAION, including but not necessarily limited to: low cup to disc ratio (“crowded disc”), age over 50, diabetes, hypertension, coronary artery disease, hyperlipidemia and smoking. Based on published literature, the annual incidence of NAION is 2.5-11.8 cases per 100,000 males aged ≥ 50 per year in the general population. An observational study evaluated whether recent, episodic use of PDE5 inhibitors (as a class), typical of erectile dysfunction treatment, was associated with acute onset of NAION. The results suggest an approximately 2-fold increase in the risk of NAION within 5 half-lives of PDE5 inhibitor use. It is not possible to determine whether these events are related directly to the use of PDE-5 inhibitors, to the patient’s underlying vascular risk factors or anatomical defects, to a combination of these factors, or to other factors. Advise patients to seek immediate medical attention in the event of a sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes while taking PDE-5 inhibitors, including sildenafil. Physicians should also discuss the increased risk of NAION with patients who have already experienced NAION in one eye, including whether such individuals could be adversely affected by use of vasodilators, such as PDE-5 inhibitors. There are no controlled clinical data on the safety or efficacy of sildenafil in patients with retinitis pigmentosa, a minority whom have genetic disorders of retinal phosphodiesterases. Prescribe sildenafil with caution in these patients. 5.6 Hearing Loss Cases of sudden decrease or loss of hearing, which may be accompanied by tinnitus and dizziness, have been reported in temporal association with the use of PDE-5 inhibitors, including sildenafil. In some of the cases, medical conditions and other factors were reported that may have played a role. In many cases, medical follow-up information was limited. It is not possible to determine whether these reported events are related directly to the use of sildenafil, to the patient’s underlying risk factors for hearing loss, a combination of these factors, or to other factors. Advise patients to seek prompt medical attention in the event of sudden decrease or loss of hearing while taking PDE-5 inhibitors, including sildenafil. 5.7 Combination with other PDE-5 inhibitors Sildenafil is also marketed as VIAGRA®. The safety and efficacy of combinations of sildenafil with VIAGRA or other PDE-5 inhibitors have not been studied. Inform patients taking sildenafil not to take VIAGRA or other PDE-5 inhibitors. 5.8 Priapism Use sildenafil with caution in patients with anatomical deformation of the penis (e.g., angulation, cavernosal fibrosis, or Peyronie’s disease) or in patients who have conditions, which may predispose them to priapism (e.g., sickle cell anemia, multiple myeloma, or leukemia). In the event of an erection that persists longer than 4 hours, the patient should seek immediate medical assistance. If priapism (painful erection greater than 6 hours in duration) is not treated immediately, penile tissue damage and permanent loss of potency could result. 5.9 Vaso-occlusive Crisis in Patients with Pulmonary Hypertension Secondary to Sickle Cell Anemia In a small, prematurely terminated study of patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH) secondary to sickle cell disease, vaso-occlusive crises requiring hospitalization were more commonly reported by patients who received sildenafil than by those randomized to placebo. The effectiveness and safety of sildenafil in the treatment of PAH secondary to sickle cell anemia has not been established.

INFORMATION FOR PATIENTS

17 PATIENT COUNSELING INFORMATION See FDA-approved patient labeling (Patient Information) Inform patients of contraindication of sildenafil with regular and/or intermittent use of organic nitrates. Inform patients that sildenafil is also marketed as VIAGRA for erectile dysfunction. Advise patients taking sildenafil not to take VIAGRA or other PDE-5 inhibitors. Advise patients to seek immediate medical attention in the event of a sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes while taking sildenafil. Such an event may be a sign of NAION. Advise patients to seek prompt medical attention in the event of sudden decrease or loss of hearing while taking sildenafil. These events may be accompanied by tinnitus and dizziness.

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION

2 Tablets: 20 mg three times a day, 4–6 hours apart (2) Sildenafil Tablets The recommended dose of sildenafil is 20 mg three times a day. Administer sildenafil doses 4–6 hours apart. In the clinical trial no greater efficacy was achieved with the use of higher doses. Treatment with doses higher than 20 mg three times a day is not recommended.