Guanfacine ER

Guanfacine extended-release tablets are indicated for the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) as monotherapy and as adjunctive therapy to stimulant medications [ see CLINICAL STUDIES (14) ].

5.1 Hypotension, Bradycardia, and Syncope

Treatment with guanfacine extended-release tablets can cause dose-dependent decreases in blood pressure and heart rate. Decreases were less pronounced over time of treatment. Orthostatic hypotension and syncope have been reported [see Adverse Reactions (6.1)] .

Measure heart rate and blood pressure prior to initiation of therapy, following dose increases, and periodically while on therapy. Titrate guanfacine extended-release tablets slowly in patients with a history of hypotension, and those with underlying conditions that may be worsened by hypotension and bradycardia; e.g., heart block, bradycardia, cardiovascular disease, vascular disease, cerebrovascular disease, or chronic renal failure. In patients who have a history of syncope or may have a condition that predisposes them to syncope, such as hypotension, orthostatic hypotension, bradycardia, or dehydration, advise patients to avoid becoming dehydrated or overheated. Monitor blood pressure and heart rate, and adjust dosages accordingly in patients treated concomitantly with antihypertensives or other drugs that can reduce blood pressure or heart rate or increase the risk of syncope.

5.2 Sedation and Somnolence

Somnolence and sedation were commonly reported adverse reactions in clinical studies [ see Adverse Reactions (6.1)]. Before using guanfacine extended-release tablets with other centrally active depressants, consider the potential for additive sedative effects. Caution patients against operating heavy equipment or driving until they know how they respond to treatment with guanfacine extended-release tablets . Advise patients to avoid use with alcohol.

5.3 Cardiac Conduction Abnormalities

The sympatholytic action of guanfacine extended-release tablets may worsen sinus node dysfunction and atrioventricular (AV) block, especially in patients taking other sympatholytic drugs. Titrate guanfacine extended-release tablets slowly and monitor vital signs frequently in patients with cardiac conduction abnormalities or patients concomitantly treated with other sympatholytic drugs.

8.1 Pregnancy

Pregnancy Category B

Risk Summary

There are no adequate and well-controlled studies of guanfacine extended-release tablets in pregnant women. No fetal harm was observed in rats and rabbits with administration of guanfacine at 4 and 2.7 times, respectively, the maximum recommended human dose. Because animal studies are not always predictive of human response, this drug should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed.

Animal data

Reproduction studies conducted in rats have shown that guanfacine crosses the placenta. However, administration of guanfacine to rats and rabbits at 4 and 2.7 times, respectively, the maximum recommended human dose of 0.12 mg/kg/day on a mg/m 2basis resulted in no evidence of harm to the fetus. Higher doses (13.5 times the maximum recommended human dose in both rabbits and rats) were associated with reduced fetal survival and maternal toxicity.

8.3 Nursing Mothers

It is not known whether guanfacine is excreted in human milk; however, guanfacine is excreted in rat milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk, caution should be exercised when guanfacine extended-release tablets are administered to a nursing woman. Observe human milk-fed infants for sedation and somnolence.

8.4 Pediatric Use

Safety and efficacy of guanfacine extended-release tabletsin pediatric patients less than 6 years of age have not been established. The efficacy of guanfacine extended-release tablets was studied for the treatment of ADHD in five controlled monotherapy clinical trials (up to 15 weeks in duration), one randomized withdrawal study and one controlled adjunctive trial with psychostimulants (8 weeks in duration) in children and adolescents ages 6 to 17 who met DSM-IV ® criteria for ADHD [see ADVERSE REACTIONS (6) and CLINICAL STUDIES (14)] .

Animal Data

In studies in juvenile rats, guanfacine alone produced a slight delay in sexual maturation in males and females at 2 to 3 times the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD). Guanfacine in combination with methylphenidate produced a slight delay in sexual maturation and decreased growth as measured by a decrease in bone length in males at a dose of guanfacine comparable to the MRHD and a dose of methylphenidate approximately 4 times the MRHD.

In a study where juvenile rats were treated with guanfacine alone from 7 to 59 days of age, development was delayed as indicated by a slight delay in sexual maturation and decreased body weight gain in males at 2 mg/kg/day and in females at 3 mg/kg/day. The No Adverse Effect Level (NOAEL) for delayed sexual maturation was 1 mg/kg/day, which is equivalent to the MRHD of 4 mg/day, on a mg/m 2 basis. The effects on fertility were not evaluated in this study.

In a study where juvenile rats were treated with guanfacine in combination with methylphenidate from 7 to 59 days of age, a decrease in ulna bone length and a slight delay in sexual maturation were observed in males given 1 mg/kg/day of guanfacine in combination with 50 mg/kg/day of methylphenidate. The NOAELs for these findings were 0.3 mg/kg of guanfacine in combination with 16 mg/kg/day of methylphenidate, which are equivalent to 0.3 and 1.4 times the MRHD of 4 mg/day and 54 mg/day for guanfacine and methylphenidate, respectively, on a mg/m 2 basis. These findings were not observed with guanfacine alone at 1 mg/kg/day or methylphenidate alone at 50 mg/kg/day.

8.5 Geriatric Use

The safety and efficacy of guanfacine extended-release tablets in geriatric patients have not been established.

8.6 Renal Impairment

It may be necessary to reduce the dosage in patients with significant impairment of renal function [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)] .

8.7 Hepatic Impairment

It may be necessary to reduce the dosage in patients with significant impairment of hepatic function [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)] .

9.1 Controlled Substance

Guanfacine extended-release tablets are not controlled substance and have no known potential for abuse or dependence.

Symptoms

Postmarketing reports of guanfacine overdosage indicate that hypotension, drowsiness, lethargy, and bradycardia have been observed following overdose. Initial hypertension may develop early and may be followed by hypotension. Similar symptoms have been described in voluntary reports to the American Association of Poison Control Center's National Poison Data System. Miosis of the pupils may be noted on examination. No fatal overdoses of guanfacine have been reported in published literature.

Treatment

Consult a Certified Poison Control Center by calling 1-800-222-1222 for up to date guidance and advice.

Management of guanfacine extended-release tablets overdose should include monitoring for and the treatment of initial hypertension, if that occurs, as well as hypotension, bradycardia, lethargy and respiratory depression. Children and adolescents who develop lethargy should be observed for the development of more serious toxicity including coma, bradycardia and hypotension for up to 24 hours, due to the possibility of delayed onset hypotension.

Efficacy of guanfacine extended-release tablets in the treatment of ADHD was established in children and adolescents (6 to 17 years) in:

• Five short-term, placebo-controlled monotherapy trials (Studies 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6).
• One short-term, placebo-controlled adjunctive trial with psychostimulants (Study 3).
• One long-term, placebo-controlled monotherapy maintenance trial (Study 7).

Studies 1 and 2: Fixed-dose Guanfacine Extended-Release Tablets Monotherapy

Study 1 (301 study) was a double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, fixed-dose study, in which efficacy of once daily dosing with guanfacine extended-release tablets (2 mg, 3 mg and 4 mg) was evaluated for 5 weeks (n=345) in children and adolescents aged 6 to 17 years. Study 2 (304 study) was a double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, fixed-dose study, in which efficacy of once daily dosing with guanfacine extended-release tablets (1 mg, 2 mg, 3 mg and 4 mg) was evaluated for 6 weeks (n=324) in children and adolescents aged 6 to 17 years. In both studies, randomized patients in 2 mg, 3 mg and 4 mg dose groups were titrated to their target fixed dose, and continued on the same dose until a dose tapering phase started. The lowest dose of 1 mg used in Study 2 was not randomized to patients weighing more than 50 kg. Patients who weighed less than 25 kg were not included in either study.

Signs and symptoms of ADHD were evaluated on a once weekly basis using the clinician administered and scored ADHD Rating Scale (ADHD-RS-IV), which includes both hyperactive/impulsive and inattentive subscales. The primary efficacy outcome was the change from baseline to endpoint in ADHD-RS-IV total scores. Endpoint was defined as the last post-randomization treatment week for which a valid score was obtained prior to dose tapering (up to Week 5 in Study 1 and up to Week 6 in Study 2).

The mean reductions in ADHD-RS-IV total scores at endpoint were statistically significantly greater for guanfacine extended-release tablets compared to placebo for Studies 1 and 2. Placebo-adjusted changes from baseline were statistically significant for each of the 2 mg, 3 mg, and 4 mg guanfacine extended-release tablets randomized treatment groups in both studies, as well as the 1 mg guanfacine extended-release tablets treatment group that was included only in Study 2 (see Table 16 ).

Dose-responsive efficacy was evident, particularly when data were examined on a weight-adjusted (mg/kg) basis. When evaluated over the dose range of 0.01 to 0.17 mg/kg/day, clinically relevant improvements were observed beginning at doses in the range 0.05 to 0.08 mg/kg/day. Doses up to 0.12 mg/kg/day were shown to provide additional benefit.

In the monotherapy trials (Studies 1 and 2), subgroup analyses were performed to identify any differences in response based on gender or age (6 to 12 vs. 13 to 17). Analyses of the primary outcome did not suggest any differential responsiveness on the basis of gender. Analyses by age revealed a statistically significant treatment effect only in the 6 to 12 age subgroup. Due to the relatively small proportion of adolescent patients (ages 13 to 17) enrolled into these studies (approximately 25%), these data may not have been sufficient to demonstrate efficacy in the adolescent patients. In these studies, patients were randomized to a fixed dose of guanfacine extended-release tablets rather than optimized by body weight. Therefore, some adolescent patients were randomized to a dose that might have resulted in relatively lower plasma guanfacine concentrations compared to the younger patients. Over half (55%) of the adolescent patients received doses of 0.01 to 0.04mg/kg. In studies in which systematic pharmacokinetic data were obtained, there was a strong inverse correlation between body weight and plasma guanfacine concentrations.

Study 3: Flexible-dose Guanfacine Extended-Release Tablets as Adjunctive Therapy to Psychostimulants

Study 3 (313 study) was a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, dose-optimization study, in which efficacy of once daily optimized dosing (morning or evening) with guanfacine extended-release tablets (1 mg, 2 mg, 3 mg and 4 mg), when coadministered with psychostimulants, was evaluated for 8 weeks, in children and adolescents aged 6 to 17 years with a diagnosis of ADHD, with a sub-optimal response to stimulants (n=455). Patients were started at the 1 mg guanfacine extended-release tablets dose level and were titrated weekly over a 5-week dose-optimization period to an optimal guanfacine extended-release tablets dose not to exceed 4 mg/day based on tolerability and clinical response. The dose was then maintained for a 3-week dose maintenance period before entry to 1 week of dose tapering. Patients took guanfacine extended-release tablets either in the morning or the evening while maintaining their current dose of psychostimulant treatment given each morning. Allowable psychostimulants in the study were ADDERALL XR ® , VYVANSE ® , CONCERTA ® , FOCALIN XR ® , RITALIN LA ® , METADATE CD ® or FDA-approved generic equivalents.

Symptoms of ADHD were evaluated on a weekly basis by clinicians using the ADHD Rating Scale (ADHD-RS-IV), which includes both hyperactive/impulsive and inattentive subscales. The primary efficacy outcome was the change from baseline to endpoint in ADHD-RS-IV total scores. Endpoint was defined as the last post-randomization treatment week prior to dose tapering for which a valid score was obtained (up to Week 8).

Mean reductions in ADHD-RS-IV total scores at endpoint were statistically significantly greater for guanfacine extended-release tablets given in combination with a psychostimulant compared to placebo given with a psychostimulant for Study 3, for both morning and evening guanfacine extended-release tablets dosing (see Table 17 ). Nearly two-thirds (64.2%) of patients reached optimal doses in the 0.05 to 0.12 mg/kg/day range.

Studies 4, 5 and 6: Flexible-dose Guanfacine Extended-Release Tablets Monotherapy

Study 4 (314 study) was a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, dose-optimization study, in which efficacy of once daily dosing (morning or evening) with guanfacine extended-release tablets (1mg, 2mg, 3mg, and 4mg) was evaluated for 8 weeks in children aged 6 to 12 years (n=340).

Signs and symptoms of ADHD were evaluated on a once weekly basis using the clinician administered and scored ADHD Rating Scale (ADHD-RS-IV), which includes both hyperactive/impulsive and inattentive subscales. The primary efficacy outcome was the change from baseline score at endpoint on the ADHD-RS-IV total scores. Endpoint was defined as the last post-randomization treatment week for which a valid score was obtained prior to dose tapering (up to Week 8).

Mean reductions in ADHD-RS-IV total scores at endpoint were statistically significantly greater for guanfacine extended-release tablets compared to placebo in both AM and PM dosing groups of guanfacine extended-release tablets (see Table 17 ).

Study 5 (312 study) was a 15-week, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, dose-optimization study conducted in adolescents aged 13 to 17 years (n=314) to evaluate the efficacy and safety of guanfacine extended-release tablets (1 to 7 mg/day; optimized dose range of 0.05 to 0.12 mg/kg/day) in the treatment of ADHD as measured by the ADHD Rating Scale-IV (ADHD-RS-IV). Patients receiving guanfacine extended-release tablets showed statistically significantly greater improvement on the ADHD-RS-IV total score compared with patients receiving placebo (see Table 17 ).

Study 6 (316 study) was a 12-week (for children aged 6 to 12) or 15-week (for adolescents aged 13 to 17), randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo- and active-reference, dose-optimization study conducted in pediatric patients (children and adolescents aged 6 to 17 years old inclusive) (n=337) to assess the efficacy and safety of once-daily dosing (children: 1 to 4 mg/day, adolescents: 1 to 7 mg/day; optimized dose range of 0.05 to 0.12 mg/kg/day) in the treatment of ADHD. Guanfacine extended-release tablets were statistically superior to placebo on symptoms of ADHD in patients 6 to 17 years as measured by change from baseline in ADHD-RS-IV total scores (see Table 17 ).

Study 7: Long-Term Maintenance of Guanfacine Extended-Release Tablets Efficacy

Study 7 (315 study) was a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized withdrawal trial in pediatric patients aged 6 to 17 years with DSM-IV-TR diagnosis of ADHD. The study consisted of an open-label phase, including a 7-week dose optimization period to titrate patients to an optimal dose (maximum 4 mg/day for children and 7 mg/day for adolescents; optimized dose range: 0.05 to 0.12 mg/kg/day) and a 6-week dose maintenance period. There were 526 patients included in the open-label phase. Among those, 315 patients who met response criteria in the open-label phase were then randomized (1:1, guanfacine extended-release tablets:placebo) in a 26-week, double-blind, randomized withdrawal phase. The response criteria were defined by ≥ 30% reduction in ADHD-RS-IV total score and a Clinical Global Impression-Improvement (CGI-I) score of 1 or 2 during the open-label phase. A statistically significantly lower proportion of treatment failures occurred among guanfacine extended-release tablets patients compared to placebo at the end of the randomized withdrawal period (Figure 4). Treatment failure was defined as a ≥ 50% increase (worsening) in ADHD-RS-IV total score and a ≥ 2-point increase in Clinical Global Impression-Severity (CGI-S) score. Patients who met the treatment failure criteria on two consecutive visits or discontinued for any reason were classified as treatment failure.

Figure 4. Kaplan-Meier Estimation of Proportion of Patients with Treatment Failure for Children and Adolescents Ages 6 to 17 (Study 7)