Hikma launches Alvimopan Capsules

Press Release Product 13 February 2024

Hikma launches Alvimopan Capsules in the US

London, 13 February 2024 – Hikma Pharmaceuticals PLC (Hikma), the multinational pharmaceutical company, has launched Alvimopan Capsules, in 12mg doses. The product has been launched in the US and is indicated to accelerate the time to upper and lower gastrointestinal recovery following surgeries that include partial bowel resection with primary anastomosis.

According to IQVIA, US sales of Alvimopan Capsules were approximately $43 million in the 12 months ending November 2023.

Hikma is a top-10 U.S. generics manufacturer supplying a broad range of non-injectable products to the US market, and has expertise in complex technologies, such as nasal sprays, where we are one of the largest suppliers in the US.  We have a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Columbus, Ohio and we market both generic and specialty branded products.

IQVIA MAT November 2023, includes all generic injectable and non-injectable products

This product has been approved for marketing in the United States by the US FDA.  This product approval does not confer the right on Hikma, or any other party, to market this product outside the United States.

Important Safety Information for Alvimopan Capsules:

WARNING: POTENTIAL RISK OF MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION WITH LONG-TERM USE:
FOR SHORT-TERM HOSPITAL USE ONLY

There was a greater incidence of myocardial infarction in alvimopan-treated patients compared to placebo-treated patients in a 12-month clinical trial, although a causal relationship has not been established. In short-term trials with alvimopan, no increased risk of myocardial infarction was observed.

 

Because of the potential risk for myocardial infarction with long-term use, alvimopan is available only through a restricted program for short-term use (15 doses) under a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) called the Alvimopan REMS Program.

 

CONTRAINDICATIONS

Alvimopan capsules are contraindicated in patients who have taken therapeutic doses of opioids for more than 7 consecutive days immediately prior to taking alvimopan capsules.

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

  • Potential Risk of Myocardial Infarction With Long-Term Use

There were more reports of myocardial infarctions in patients treated with alvimopan 0.5 mg twice daily compared with placebo-treated patients in a 12-month study of patients treated with opioids for chronic non-cancer pain. A causal relationship with alvimopan with long-term use has not been established.

  • Alvimopan REMS Program

Due to the potential risk of myocardial infarction with long-term use, alvimopan capsules are available only through the Alvimopan REMS Program. For more information about the Alvimopan REMS Program, please see the Full Prescribing Information for alvimopan capsules.

  • Gastrointestinal-Related Adverse Reactions in Opioid-Tolerant Patients

Patients recently exposed to opioids are expected to be more sensitive to the effects of alvimopan. Signs and symptoms of increased sensitivity would be related to the gastrointestinal tract (e.g., abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea). Patients receiving more than 3 doses of an opioid within the week prior to surgery should be monitored for gastrointestinal adverse reactions.

  • Risk of Serious Adverse Reactions in Patients With Severe Hepatic Impairment

Alvimopan is not recommended for use in patients with severe hepatic impairment.

  • End-Stage Renal Disease

Alvimopan is not recommended for use in patients with end-stage renal disease.

  • Risk of Serious Adverse Reactions in Patients with Complete Gastrointestinal Obstruction

Alvimopan is not recommended for use in patients with complete gastrointestinal obstruction or in patients who have had surgery for correction of complete bowel obstruction.

  • Risk of Serious Adverse Reactions in Pancreatic and Gastric Anastomoses

Alvimopan is not recommended for use in patients having pancreatic or gastric anastomosis.

ADVERSE REACTIONS

The following clinically significant adverse reactions are described in greater detail in the Full Prescribing Information for alvimopan capsules:

  • Potential Risk of Myocardial Infarction With Long-Term Use
  • Gastrointestinal-Related Adverse Reactions in Opioid-Tolerant Patients
  • Risk of Serious Adverse Reactions in Patients with Severe Hepatic Impairment
  • Risk of Serious Adverse Reactions in Patients with Complete Gastrointestinal Obstruction
  • Risk of Serious Adverse Reactions in Pancreatic and Gastric Anastomoses

Among alvimopan-treated patients undergoing surgeries that included a bowel resection, the most common adverse reaction (incidence ≥1.5%) occurring with a higher frequency than placebo was dyspepsia (alvimopan, 1.5%; placebo, 0.8%).

DRUG INTERACTIONS

  • Effects of Alvimopan on Intravenous Morphine

Coadministration of alvimopan does not appear to alter the pharmacokinetics of morphine and its metabolite to a clinically significant degree when morphine is administered intravenously. Dosage adjustment for intravenously administered morphine is not necessary when it is coadministered with alvimopan.

  • Effects of Concomitant Acid Blockers or Antibiotics

A population pharmacokinetic analysis suggests that the pharmacokinetics of alvimopan were not affected by concomitant administration of acid blockers or antibiotics. No dosage adjustments are necessary in patients taking acid blockers or antibiotics with alvimopan.

USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS

  • Pregnancy

Available data regarding use of alvimopan in pregnant women are insufficient to inform a drug-associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes.

  • Lactation

There are no data on the presence of alvimopan in human milk, the effects on the breastfed infant, or the effects on milk production. The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered, along with the mother's clinical need for alvimopan and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed child from alvimopan or from the underlying maternal condition.

  • Pediatric Use

Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients have not been established.

  • Geriatric Use

No overall differences in safety or effectiveness were observed between patients 65 years of age and older and younger patients, but greater sensitivity of some older individuals cannot be ruled out. No dose adjustment based on increased age is required.

  • Hepatic Impairment

Alvimopan is not recommended for use in patients with severe hepatic impairment. Patients with mild-to-moderate hepatic impairment should be closely monitored for possible adverse reactions (eg, diarrhea, gastrointestinal pain, cramping) that could indicate high alvimopan or ‘metabolite’ concentrations. Alvimopan should be discontinued if adverse reactions occur.

  • Renal Impairment

Alvimopan is not recommended for use in patients with end-stage renal disease. Patients with mild-to-severe renal impairment should be monitored for adverse reactions. Patients with severe renal impairment should be closely monitored for possible adverse reactions (eg, diarrhea, gastrointestinal pain, cramping) that could indicate high alvimopan or ‘metabolite’ concentrations. Alvimopan should be discontinued if adverse reactions occur.

  • Race/Ethnicity

The exposure to alvimopan in Japanese healthy male subjects was approximately 2-fold greater than in Caucasian subjects. Japanese patients should be closely monitored for possible adverse reactions (eg, diarrhea, gastrointestinal pain, cramping) that could indicate high alvimopan or ‘metabolite’ concentrations. Alvimopan should be discontinued if adverse reactions occur.

For more information, please see the Full Prescribing Information, including the Boxed Warning.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit fda.gov or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Manufactured by: West-Ward Columbus Inc., Columbus, OH 43228

Distributed by: Hikma Pharmaceuticals USA Inc., Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922

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