Linaclotide capsules

LINZESS (linaclotide) is a guanylate cyclase-C (G-CC) agonist. Linaclotide is a 14-amino acid peptide with the following chemical name: L-cysteinyl-L-cysteinyl-L-glutamyl-L-tyrosyl-Lcysteinyl-L-cysteinyl-L-asparaginyl-L-prolyl-L-alanyl-L-cysteinyl-L-threonyl-glycyl-L-cysteinyl-Ltyrosine, cyclic (1-6), (2-10), (5-13)-tris (disulfide).

The molecular formula of linaclotide is C59H79N15O21S6 and its molecular weight is 1526.8. The amino acid sequence for linaclotide is shown below:

Linaclotide is an amorphous, white to off-white powder. It is slightly soluble in water and aqueous sodium chloride (0.9%). LINZESS contains linaclotide-coated beads in hard gelatin capsules. LINZESS is available as 72 mcg, 145 mcg and 290 mcg capsules for oral administration.

The inactive ingredients of LINZESS 72 mcg capsules include: calcium chloride dihydrate, L-histidine, microcrystalline cellulose, polyvinyl alcohol, and talc. The components of the capsule shell include gelatin and titanium dioxide.

The inactive ingredients of LINZESS 145 mcg and 290 mcg capsules include: calcium chloride dihydrate, hypromellose, L-leucine, and microcrystalline cellulose. The components of the capsule shell include gelatin and titanium dioxide.

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 with rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice.

Exposure in clinical development included approximately 2570, 2040, and 1220 patients with either IBS-C or CIC treated with LINZESS for 6 months or longer, 1 year or longer, and 18 months or longer, respectively (not mutually exclusive).

Demographic characteristics were comparable between treatment groups in all studies [see Clinical Studies].

Irritable Bowel Syndrome With Constipation (IBS-C)

The data described below reflect exposure to LINZESS in the two placebo-controlled clinical trials involving 1605 adult patients with IBS-C (Trials 1 and 2). Patients were randomized to receive placebo or 290 mcg LINZESS once daily on an empty stomach for up to 26 weeks. Table 1 provides the incidence of adverse reactions reported in at least 2% of IBS-C patients in the LINZESS treatment group and at an incidence that was greater than in the placebo group.

Table 1: Most Common Adverse Reactionsa in Two Placebo-Controlled Trials (1 and 2) in Patients with IBS-C

Diarrhea

Diarrhea was the most commonly reported adverse reaction of the LINZESS-treated patients in the pooled IBS-C pivotal placebo-controlled trials. In these trials, 20% of LINZESS-treated patients reported diarrhea compared to 3% of placebo-treated patients. Severe diarrhea was reported in 2% of the LINZESS-treated patients versus less than 1% of the placebo-treated patients, and 5% of LINZESS-treated patients discontinued due to diarrhea vs less than 1% of placebo-treated patients. The majority of reported cases of diarrhea started within the first 2 weeks of LINZESS treatment [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].

In placebo-controlled trials in patients with IBS-C, 9% of patients treated with LINZESS and 3% of patients treated with placebo discontinued prematurely due to adverse reactions. In the LINZESS treatment group, the most common reasons for discontinuation due to adverse reactions were diarrhea (5%) and abdominal pain (1%). In comparison, less than 1% of patients in the placebo group withdrew due to diarrhea or abdominal pain.

In the open-label, long-term trials, 2147 patients with IBS-C received 290 mcg of LINZESS daily for up to 18 months. In these trials, 29% of patients had their dose reduced or suspended secondary to adverse reactions, the majority of which were diarrhea or other GI adverse reactions.

Defecation urgency, fecal incontinence, vomiting, and gastroesophagal reflux disease were reported in <2% of patients in the LINZESS treatment group and at an incidence greater than in the placebo treatment group.

Chronic Idiopathic Constipation (CIC)

The data described below reflect exposure to LINZESS in the two double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trials of 1275 adult patients with CIC (Trials 3 and 4). Patients were randomized to receive placebo or 145 mcg LINZESS or 290 mcg LINZESS once daily on an empty stomach, for at least 12 weeks. Table 2 provides the incidence of adverse reactions reported in at least 2% of CIC patients in the 145 mcg LINZESS treatment group and at an incidence that was greater than in the placebo treatment group.

Table 2: Most Common Adverse Reactionsa in the Two Placebo-controlled Trials (3 and 4) in Patients with CIC

The safety of a 72 mcg dose was evaluated in an additional placebo-controlled trial in which 1223 patients were randomized to LINZESS 72 mcg, 145 mcg, or placebo once daily for 12 weeks (Trial 5).

In Trial 5, adverse reactions that occurred at a frequency of ≥ 2% in LINZESS-treated patients (n=411 in each LINZESS 72 mcg and 145 mcg group) and at a higher rate than placebo (n=401) were:

• Diarrhea (LINZESS 72 mcg 19%; LINZESS 145 mcg 22%; placebo 7%)
• Abdominal distension (LINZESS 72 mcg 2%; LINZESS 145 mcg 1%; placebo < 1%)

Diarrhea

This section summarizes information from Trials 3 and 4 (pooled) and Trial 5 regarding diarrhea, the most commonly reported adverse reaction reported in LINZESS-treated patients in CIC placebo-controlled studies.

In all trials, the majority of reported cases of diarrhea started within the first 2 weeks of LINZESS treatment.

Severe diarrhea was reported in less than 1% of the 72 mcg LINZESS-treated patients (Trial 5), in 2% of the 145 mcg LINZESS-treated patients (Trials 3 and 4; Trial 5), and less than 1% of the placebo-treated patients (Trials 3, 4, and 5) [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].

In placebo-controlled trials in patients with CIC, 3% of patients treated with 72 mcg (Trial 5) and between 5% (Trial 5) and 8% (Trials 3 and 4) of patients treated with 145 mcg of LINZESS discontinued prematurely due to adverse reactions compared to between less than 1% (Trial 5) and 4% (Trials 3 and 4) of patients treated with placebo.

In patients treated with 72 mcg LINZESS the most common reason for discontinuation due to adverse reactions was diarrhea (2% in Trial 5) and in patients treated with 145 mcg LINZESS, the most common reasons for discontinuation due to adverse reactions were diarrhea (3% in Trial 5 and 5% in Trials 3 and 4) and abdominal pain (1% in Trials 3 and 4). In comparison, less than 1% of patients in the placebo group withdrew due to diarrhea or abdominal pain (Trials 3 and 4; Trial 5).

In the open-label, long-term trials, 1129 patients with CIC received 290 mcg of LINZESS daily for up to 18 months. In these trials, 27% of patients had their dose reduced or suspended secondary to adverse reactions, the majority of which were diarrhea or other GI adverse reactions.

Defecation urgency, fecal incontinence, dyspepsia, and viral gastroenteritis, were reported in less than 2% of patients in the LINZESS treatment group and at an incidence greater than placebo treatment group.

Postmarketing Experience

The following adverse reactions have been identified during post approval use of LINZESS. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure.

Hematochezia, rectal hemorrhage, nausea, and allergic reactions, urticaria or hives.

Single LINZESS doses of 2897 mcg were administered to 22 healthy subjects; the safety profile in these subjects was consistent with that in the overall LINZESS-treated population, with diarrhea being the most commonly reported adverse reaction.

You should not use linaclotide if you are allergic to it, or if you have a blockage in your stomach or intestines.

Do not give this medication to any child or teenager without the advice of a doctor.

Take linaclotide in the morning on an empty stomach, at least 30 minutes before your first meal. Do not crush, chew, break, or open a linaclotide capsule. Swallow it whole.

Stop using linaclotide and call your doctor at once if you have severe or ongoing diarrhea, severe stomach pain, or black, bloody, or tarry stools.

Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.

Your pharmacist can provide more information about linaclotide.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

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