Apremilast Tablets

The active ingredient in OTEZLA tablets is apremilast. Apremilast is a phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) inhibitor. Apremilast is known chemically as N-[2-[(1S)-1-(3-ethoxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-2-(methylsulfonyl)ethyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,3-dioxo-1H-isoindol-4-yl]acetamide. Its empirical formula is C22H24N2O7S and the molecular weight is 460.5.

The chemical structure is:

OTEZLA tablets are supplied in 10-, 20-, and 30-mg strengths for oral administration. Each tablet contains apremilast as the active ingredient and the following inactive ingredients: lactose monohydrate, microcrystalline cellulose, croscarmellose sodium, magnesium stearate, polyvinyl alcohol, titanium dioxide, polyethylene glycol, talc, iron oxide red, iron oxide yellow (20 and 30 mg only) and iron oxide black (30 mg only).

Dosage Forms And Strengths

OTEZLA is available as diamond shaped, film coated tablets in the following dosage strengths:

• 10-mg pink tablet engraved with “APR” on one side and “10” on the other side
• 20-mg brown tablet engraved with “APR” on one side and “20” on the other side
• 30-mg beige tablet engraved with “APR” on one side and “30” on the other side.

OTEZLA is available as diamond-shaped, film-coated tablets in the following dosage strengths: 10-mg pink tablet engraved with “APR” on one side and “10” on the other side; 20-mg brown tablet engraved with “APR” on one side and “20” on the other side; 30-mg beige tablet engraved with “APR” on one side and “30” on the other side.

Tablets are supplied in the following strengths and package configurations:

Store tablets below 30°C (86°F).

Manufactured for: Celgene Corporation Summit, NJ 07901. Revised:: June 2017

Clinical Trials 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.

OTEZLA was evaluated in 3 multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials [Studies PsA-1, PsA-2, and PsA-3] of similar design in adult patients with active psoriatic arthritis [see Clinical Studies]. Across the 3 studies, there were 1493 patients randomized equally to placebo, OTEZLA 20 mg twice daily or OTEZLA 30 mg twice daily. Titration was used over the first 5 days [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION]. Placebo patients whose tender and swollen joint counts had not improved by at least 20% were re-randomized 1:1 in a blinded fashion to either OTEZLA 20 mg twice daily or 30 mg twice daily at week 16 while OTEZLA patients remained on their initial treatment. Patients ranged in age from 18 to 83 years, with an overall median age of 51 years.

The majority of the most common adverse reactions presented in Table 2 occurred within the first 2 weeks of treatment and tended to resolve over time with continued dosing. Diarrhea, headache, and nausea were the most commonly reported adverse reactions. The most common adverse reactions leading to discontinuation for patients taking OTEZLA were nausea (1.8%), diarrhea (1.8%), and headache (1.2%). The proportion of patients with psoriatic arthritis who discontinued treatment due to any adverse reaction was 4.6% for patients taking OTEZLA 30 mg twice daily and 1.2% for placebo-treated patients.

Table 2: Adverse Reactions Reported in ≥2% of Patients on OTEZLA 30 mg Twice Daily and ≥1% Than That Observed in Patients on Placebo for up to Day 112 (Week 16)

Other adverse reactions reported in patients on OTEZLA in clinical studies including extension studies:

Immune system disorders: Hypersensitivity

Investigations: Weight decrease

Gastrointestinal Disorders: Frequent bowel movement, gastroesophageal reflux disease, dyspepsia

Metabolism and Nutrition Disorders: Decreased appetite*

Nervous System Disorders: Migraine

Respiratory, Thoracic, and Mediastinal Disorders: Cough

Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders: Rash

*1 patient treated with OTEZLA 30 mg twice daily experienced a serious adverse reaction.

The safety of OTEZLA® was assessed in 1426 subjects in 3 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials in adult subjects with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis who were candidates for phototherapy or systemic therapy. Subjects were randomized to receive OTEZLA 30 mg twice daily or placebo twice daily. Titration was used over the first 5 days [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION]. Subjects ranged in age from 18 to 83 years, with an overall median age of 46 years.

Diarrhea, nausea, and upper respiratory tract infection were the most commonly reported adverse reactions. The most common adverse reactions leading to discontinuation for subjects taking OTEZLA were nausea (1.6%), diarrhea (1.0%), and headache (0.8%). The proportion of subjects with psoriasis who discontinued treatment due to any adverse reaction was 6.1% for subjects treated with OTEZLA 30 mg twice daily and 4.1% for placebo-treated subjects.

Table 3: Adverse Reactions Reported in ≥1% of Subjects on OTEZLA and With Greater Frequency Than in Subjects on Placebo; up to Day 112 (Week 16)

Severe worsening of psoriasis (rebound) occurred in 0.3% (4/1184) subjects following discontinuation of treatment with OTEZLA.

• Diarrhea, Nausea, and Vomiting
  Instruct patients to contact their healthcare provider if they experience severe diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting. Prescribers should advise patients of the potential complications of severe diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting. Consider OTEZLA dose reduction or suspension if patients develop severe diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting. [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
• Depression
  Before using OTEZLA in patients with a history of depression and/or suicidal thoughts or behavior, prescribers should carefully weigh the risks and benefits of treatment with OTEZLA in such patients. Patients, their caregivers, and families should be advised of the need to be alert for the emergence or worsening of depression, suicidal thoughts or other mood changes, and if such changes occur to contact their healthcare provider. Prescribers should carefully evaluate the risks and benefits of continuing treatment with OTEZLA if such events occur. [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
• Weight Decrease
  Patients treated with OTEZLA should have their weight monitored regularly. If unexplained or clinically significant weight loss occurs, weight loss should be evaluated, and discontinuation of OTEZLA should be considered [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
• Drug Interactions
  The use of strong cytochrome P450 enzyme inducers (e.g., rifampin, phenobarbital, carbamazepine, phenytoin) with OTEZLA is not recommended [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS, DRUG INTERACTIONS, and CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY].
• Instruct patients to take OTEZLA only as prescribed.
• Advise patients OTEZLA can be taken with or without food.
• Advise patients that the tablets should not be crushed, split, or chewed.
• Advise patients about the side effects associated with OTEZLA [see ADVERSE REACTIONS].

• Psoriatic Arthritis