Azmarda

Uses

This combination is used to reduce the risk of cardiovascular death and hospitalization for heart failure in patients with chronic heart failure (NYHA Class II-IV) and reduced ejection fraction.This combination is usually administered in conjunction with other heart failure therapies, in place of an ACE inhibitor or other ARB.

Azmarda is also used to associated treatment for these conditions: Cardiovascular EventsCardiovascular Mortality, Diabetic Nephropathy, High Blood Pressure (Hypertension), Left Ventricular Dysfunction, Moderate Essential Hypertension, Chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (NYHA Class II), Chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (NYHA Class III), Chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (NYHA Class IV), Hospitalization due to cardiac failure

How Azmarda works

Sacubitril's active metabolite, LBQ657 inhibits neprilysin, a neutral endopeptidase that would typically cleave natiuretic peptides, which includes: atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), and c-type natriuretic peptide (CNP). ANP and BNP are released under atrial and ventricle stress, which activate downstream receptors leading to vasodilation, natriuresis and diuresis. Under normal conditions, neprilysin breaks down other vasodilating peptides and also vasoconstrictors such as angiotensin I and II, endothelin-1 and peptide amyloid beta-protein. Therefore, the inhibition of neprilysin leads to reduced breakdown and increased concentration of endogenous natriuretic peptides in addition to increased levels of vasoconstricting hormones such as angiotensin II. (However, when combined with valsartan, would result in blocking of angiotensin II to its receptor, preventing the vasoconstrictive effects and resulting in a decrease in vascular resistance and blood pressure.) Cardiovascular and renal effects of sacubitril is a result of the increased levels of peptides that are normally degraded by neprilysin.

Valsartan belongs to the angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) family of drugs, which selectively bind to angiotensin receptor 1 (AT1) and prevent angiotensin II from binding and exerting its hypertensive effects. These include vasoconstriction, stimulation and synthesis of aldosterone and ADH, cardiac stimulation, and renal reabsorption of sodium among others. Overall, valsartan's physiologic effects lead to reduced blood pressure, lower aldosterone levels, reduced cardiac activity, and increased excretion of sodium.

Valsartan also affects the renin-angiotensin aldosterone system (RAAS), which plays an important role in hemostasis and regulation of kidney, vascular, and cardiac functions. Pharmacological blockade of RAAS via AT1 receptor blockade inhibits negative regulatory feedback within RAAS which is a contributing factor to the pathogenesis and progression of cardiovascular disease, heart failure, and renal disease. In particular, heart failure is associated with chronic activation of RAAS, leading to inappropriate fluid retention, vasoconstriction, and ultimately a further decline in left ventricular function. ARBs have been shown to have a protective effect on the heart by improving cardiac function, reducing afterload, increasing cardiac output and prevent ventricular hypertrophy.

The angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) class of medications (which includes drugs such as ramipril, lisinopril, and perindopril) inhibits the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II by inhibiting the ACE enzyme but does not prevent the formation of all angiotensin II. ARB activity is unique in that it blocks all angiotensin II activity, regardless of where or how it was synthesized.

Valsartan is commonly used for the management of hypertension, heart failure, and type 2 diabetes-associated nephropathy, particularly in patients who are unable to tolerate ACE inhibitors. ARBs such as valsartan have been shown in a number of large-scale clinical outcomes trials to improve cardiovascular outcomes including reducing risk of myocardial infarction, stroke, the progression of heart failure, and hospitalization. Valsartan also slows the progression of diabetic nephropathy due to its renoprotective effects. Improvements in chronic kidney disease with valsartan include both clinically and statistically significant decreases in urinary albumin and protein excretion in patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and in nondiabetic patients diagnosed with chronic kidney disease.

Valsartan also binds to the AT2 receptor, however AT2 is not known to be associated with cardiovascular homeostasis like AT1. Valsartan has about 20,000-fold higher affinity for the AT1 receptor than for the AT2 receptor. The increased plasma levels of angiotensin II following AT1 receptor blockade with valsartan may stimulate the unblocked AT2 receptor.

Dosage

Azmarda dosage

The recommended starting dose of this combination is 49/51 mg twice-daily.

Double the dose of this combination after 2 to 4 weeks to the target maintenance dose of 97/103 mg twice daily, as tolerated by the patient.

Dose Adjustment For Patients Not Taking An ACE inhibitor Or ARB Or Previously Taking Low Doses Of These Agents.

A starting dose of 24/26 mg twice-daily is recommended for patients not currently taking an ACE inhibitor or an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) and for patients previously taking low doses of these agents. Double the dose of this combination every 2 to 4 weeks to the target maintenance dose of 97/103 mg twice daily, as tolerated by the patient.

Sacubitril & Valsartan is contraindicated with concomitant use of an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor. If switching from an ACE inhibitor to Sacubitril & Valsartan allow a washout period of 36 hours between administration of the two drugs.

Administration of Valsartan with food decreases the absorption of Valsartan by about 40%, so it should be taken on an empty stomach. No initial dosage adjustment is required for elderly patients with mild to moderate renal and hepatic insufficiency.

Side Effects

Clinically significant adverse reactions that appear in other sections of the labeling include: Angioedema, Hypotension, Impaired Renal Function, Hyperkalemia

Toxicity

The most common adverse reactions (≥5%) are hypotension, hyperkalemia, cough, dizziness, and renal failure.

Approximate LD50 >2000 mg/kg (Gavage, rat) [F3139]

Reproductive Toxicology Studies

No teratogenic effects were seen when valsartan was given to pregnant mice and rats at oral doses up to 600 mg/kg/day and to pregnant rabbits at oral doses reaching up to 10 mg/kg/day. Despite this, marked decreases in fetal weight, pup birth weight, pup survival rate, and delays in developmental milestones were noted in studies in which parental rats were treated with valsartan at oral, maternally toxic doses of 600 mg/kg/day during the organogenesis period or during late gestation and lactation.[F4607]

Pregnancy

When used in pregnancy, drugs that act directly on the renin-angiotensin system (RAAS) can cause injury and death to the developing fetus. When pregnancy is detected, valsartan should be discontinued as soon as possible.[F4607]

Precaution

Impaired Hepatic Function: As the majority of Valsartan is eliminated in the bile, care should be exercised in patients with mild to moderate hepatic impairment including biliary obstructive disorder.

Impaired Renal Function: Dosage reduction or discontinuation may be required with patients having pre-existing renal impairment.

Heart Failure and Myocardial Infarction: Caution should be exercised when initiating therapy in patients with heart failure and post-myocardial infarction patients.

Interaction

No drug interactions of clinical significance have been found. Compounds which have been studied in clinical trials include Cimetidine, Warfarin, Furosemide, Digoxin, Atenolol, Indomethacin, Hydrochlorothiazide, Amlodipine and GlibenclamideAs Valsartan is not metabolized to a significant extent, clinically relevant drug-drug interactions in the form of metabolic induction or inhibition of the cytochrome P450 system are not expected with Valsartan. Although valsartan is highly bound to plasma proteins, in vitrostudies have not shown any interaction at this level with a range of molecules which are also highly protein bound, such as Diclofenac, Furosemide, and Warfarin. Concomitant use of potassium sparing diuretics (e.g., Spironolactone, Triamterene, Amiloride) potassium supplements, or salt substitutes containing potassium may lead to increase in serum potassium. If co medication is considered necessary, caution is advisable

Volume of Distribution

103 L

The steady state volume of distribution of valsartan after intravenous administration is small (17 L), indicating that valsartan does not distribute into tissues extensively.[F3139,F3607]

Elimination Route

Peak plasma concentrations of sacubitril and it's metabolite, LBQ657 are reached in 0.5 hours and 2 hours respectively. Food does not clinically affect the systemic exposure of sacubitril or LBQ657. The oral bioavailability of sacubitril is >60%. It should be noted that the valsartan found in this combination is more bioavailable than other market available valsartan.

After one oral dose, the antihypertensive activity of valsartan begins within approximately 2 hours and peaks within 4-6 hours in most patients.[F3139] Food decreases the exposure to orally administered valsartan by approximately 40% and peak plasma concentration by approximately 50%. AUC and Cmax values of valsartan genereally increase linearly with increasing dose over the therapeutic dose range. Valsartan does not accumulate appreciably in plasma following repetitive administration.[F4607]

Half Life

The half life of sacubitril is 1.1 to 3.6 hours, and the half life of it's metabolite LBQ657 is 9.9 to 11.1 hours.

After intravenous (IV) administration, valsartan demonstrates bi-exponential decay kinetics, with an average elimination half-life of about 6 hours.[F4607]

Clearance

Following intravenous administration, plasma clearance of valsartan is approximately 2 L/hour and its renal clearance is 0.62 L/hour (about 30% of total clearance).[F4607]

Elimination Route

52% to 68% of sacubitril (primarily as the active metabolite LBQ657) is excreted in urine. 37% to 48% of sacubitril (primarily as LBQ657) is excreted in feces

Valsartan, when administered as an oral solution, is primarily recovered in feces (about 83% of dose) and urine (about 13% of dose). The recovery is mainly as unchanged drug, with only about 20% of dose recovered as metabolites.[F4607]

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding use

Pregnancy: Advise female patients of childbearing age about the consequences of exposure to this combination during pregnancy. Discuss treatment options with women planning to become pregnant. Ask patients to report pregnancies to their physicians as soon as possible

Lactation: There is no information regarding the presence of sacubitril/valsartan in human milk, the effects on the breastfed infant, or the effects on milk production. Sacubitril/valsartan is present in rat milk. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in breastfed infants from exposure to sacubitril/valsartan, advise a nursing woman that breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment with sacubitril/valsartan.

Contraindication

This combination is contraindicated:

• In patients with hypersensitivity to any component
• In patients with a history of angioedema related to previous ACE inhibitor or ARB therapy
• With concomitant use of ACE inhibitors. Do not administer within 36 hours of switching from or to an ACE inhibitor
• With concomitant use of aliskiren in patients with diabetes

Special Warning

Pediatric Use: Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients have not been established.

Geriatric Use: No relevant pharmacokinetic differences have been observed in elderly ( ≥ 65 years) or very elderly ( ≥ 75 years) patients compared to the overall population

Renal Impairment:

• Severe: A starting dose of 24/26 mg twice-daily is recommended for patients with severe renal impairment (eGFR < 30 mL/min/1.73 m²). Double the dose of Sacubitril & Valsartan every 2 to 4 weeks to the target maintenance dose of 97/103 mg twice daily, as tolerated by the patient.
• Mild or moderate: No starting dose adjustment is needed for mild or moderate renal impairment.

Hepatic Impairment:

• Moderate: A starting dose of 24/26 mg twice-daily is recommended for patients with moderate hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh B classification). Double the dose of Sacubitril & Valsartan every 2 to 4 weeks to the target maintenance dose of 97/103 mg twice daily, as tolerated by the patient.
• Mild: No starting dose adjustment is needed for mild hepatic impairment.
• Severe: Use in patients with severe hepatic impairment is not recommended.

Acute Overdose

Limited data are available related to overdosage in humans. The most likely manifestations of overdosage would be hypotension and tachycardia, bradycardia could occur from parasympathetic (vagal) stimulation. If excessive hypotension occurs, the patient should be placed in the supine position and if necessary, has to be given an intravenous infusion of normal saline.

Storage Condition

Store at room temperature between 20°C to 25°C. Protect from moisture.

Innovators Monograph

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