- Approval Id
- ec2b0282c3b3ef90
- Drug Approval Emc Name
- Eltrombopag 50 mg Film-Coated Tablets
- Drug Name
- Eltrombopag 50 mg Film-Coated Tablets
- Company Name
- Wockhardt UK Ltd
- Company Address
- Ash Road North, Wrexham Industrial Estate, Wrexham, LL13 9UF
- Company Website
- //www.wockhardt.co.uk
- Company Telephone
- +44 (0)1978 661 261
- Company Medical Info Email
- Drug.Safety@wockhardt.co.uk
- Atc Code
- B02BX05
- Legal Category
- Prescription only medicine
- Authorisation Holder
- Wockhardt UK Ltd
Ash Road North
Wrexham
LL13 9UF
UK
- Authorisation Number
- PL 29831/0785
- Authorisation Date
- 17/06/2025
- Instruction Authorisation Holder
- Wockhardt UK Ltd
Ash Road North
Wrexham
LL13 9UF
UK
- Instruction Authorisation Number
- PL 29831/0785
- Instruction Authorisation Date
- 17/06/2025
- Instruction Composition
- Each film-coated tablet contains eltrombopag olamine equivalent to 50mg eltrombopag.
For the full list of excipients, see section 6.1.
- Instruction Dosage Form
- Film-coated tablet.
Round, light brown film-coated tablet (approximately 10.5mm in diameter) debossed with “50” on one side and a score line on the other side.
The tablet can be divided into equal doses.
- Instruction Clinical Particulars
- 4.1 Therapeutic indications
Eltrombopag is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) who are refractory to other treatments (e.g. corticosteroids, immunoglobulins) (see sections 4.2 and 5.1).
Eltrombopag is indicated for the treatment of paediatric patients aged 1 year and above with primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) lasting 6 months or longer from diagnosis and who are refractory to other treatments (e.g. corticosteroids, immunoglobulins) (see sections 4.2 and 5.1).
Eltrombopag is indicated in adult patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection for the treatment of thrombocytopenia, where the degree of thrombocytopenia is the main factor preventing the initiation or limiting the ability to maintain optimal interferon-based therapy (see sections 4.4 and 5.1).4.2 Posology and method of administration
Eltrombopag treatment should be initiated by and remain under the supervision of a physician who is experienced in the treatment of haematological diseases or the management of chronic hepatitis C and its complications.
\*\*Posology\*\*
Eltrombopag dosing requirements must be individualised based on the patient's platelet counts. The objective of treatment with eltrombopag should not be to normalise platelet counts.
The powder for oral suspension may lead to higher eltrombopag exposure than the tablet formulation (see section 5.2). When switching between the tablet and the powder for oral suspension formulations, platelet counts should be monitored weekly for 2 weeks.
\*\*\*Immune (primary) thrombocytopenia\*\*\*
The lowest dose of eltrombopag to achieve and maintain a platelet count ≥50,000/µl should be used. Dose adjustments are based upon the platelet count response. Eltrombopag must not be used to normalise platelet counts. In clinical studies, platelet counts generally increased within 1 to 2 weeks after starting eltrombopag and decreased within 1 to 2 weeks after discontinuation.
\*Adults and paediatric population aged 6 to 17 years\*
The recommended starting dose of eltrombopag is 50 mg once daily. For patients of East-/Southeast-Asian ancestry, eltrombopag should be initiated at a reduced dose of 25 mg once daily (see section 5.2).
\*Paediatric population aged 1 to 5 years\*
The recommended starting dose of eltrombopag is 25 mg once daily.
\*Monitoring and dose adjustment\*
After initiating eltrombopag, the dose must be adjusted to achieve and maintain a platelet count ≥50,000/µl as necessary to reduce the risk for bleeding. A daily dose of 75 mg must not be exceeded.
Clinical haematology and liver tests should be monitored regularly throughout therapy with eltrombopag and the dose regimen of eltrombopag modified based on platelet counts as outlined in Table 1. During therapy with eltrombopag full blood counts (FBCs), including platelet count and peripheral blood smears, should be assessed weekly until a stable platelet count (≥50,000/µl for at least 4 weeks) has been achieved. FBCs including platelet counts and peripheral blood smears should be obtained monthly thereafter.
\*\*Table 1 Dose adjustments of eltrombopag in ITP patients\*\*
| | |
| --- | --- |
| Platelet count | Dose adjustment or response |
| <50,000/µl following at least 2 weeks of therapy | Increase daily dose by 25 mg to a maximum of 75 mg/day\\*. |
| ≥ 50,000/µl to ≤150,000/µl | Use lowest dose of eltrombopag and/or concomitant ITP treatment to maintain platelet counts that avoid or reduce bleeding. |
| >150,000/µl to ≤250,000/µl | Decrease the daily dose by 25 mg. Wait 2 weeks to assess the effects of this and any subsequent dose adjustments♦. |
| >250,000/µl | Stop eltrombopag; increase the frequency of platelet monitoring to twice weekly. Once the platelet count is ≤ 100,000/µl, reinitiate therapy at a daily dose reduced by 25 mg. |
\\* For patients taking 25 mg eltrombopag once every other day, increase dose to 25 mg once daily.
♦ For patients taking 25 mg eltrombopag once daily, consideration should be given to dosing at 12.5 mg once daily or alternatively a dose of 25 mg once every other day.
Eltrombopag can be administered in addition to other ITP medicinal products. The dose regimen of concomitant ITP medicinal products should be modified, as medically appropriate, to avoid excessive increases in platelet counts during therapy with eltrombopag.
It is necessary to wait for at least 2 weeks to see the effect of any dose adjustment on the patient's platelet response prior to considering another dose adjustment.
The standard eltrombopag dose adjustment, either decrease or increase, would be 25 mg once daily.
\*Discontinuation\*
Treatment with eltrombopag should be discontinued if the platelet count does not increase to a level sufficient to avoid clinically important bleeding after 4 weeks of eltrombopag therapy at 75 mg once daily.
Patients should be clinically evaluated periodically and continuation of treatment should be decided on an individual basis by the treating physician. In non-splenectomised patients this should include evaluation relative to splenectomy. The reoccurrence of thrombocytopenia is possible upon discontinuation of treatment (see section 4.4).
\*\*\*Chronic hepatitis C (HCV) associated thrombocytopenia\*\*\*
When eltrombopag is given in combination with antivirals reference should be made to the full summary of product characteristics of the respective coadministered medicinal products for comprehensive details of relevant safety information or contraindications.
In clinical studies, platelet counts generally began to increase within 1 week of starting eltrombopag. The aim of treatment with eltrombopag should be to achieve the minimum level of platelet counts needed to initiate antiviral therapy, in adherence to clinical practice recommendations. During antiviral therapy, the aim of treatment should be to keep platelet counts at a level that prevents the risk of bleeding complications, normally around 50,000‑75,000/µl. Platelet counts >75,000/µl should be avoided. The lowest dose of eltrombopag needed to achieve the targets should be used. Dose adjustments are based upon the platelet count response.
\*Initial dose regimen\*
Eltrombopag should be initiated at a dose of 25 mg once daily. No dosage adjustment is necessary for HCV patients of East-/Southeast-Asian ancestry or patients with mild hepatic impairment (see section 5.2).
\*Monitoring and dose adjustment\*
The dose of eltrombopag should be adjusted in 25 mg increments every 2 weeks as necessary to achieve the target platelet count required to initiate antiviral therapy. Platelet counts should be monitored every week prior to starting antiviral therapy. On initiation of antiviral therapy the platelet count may fall, so immediate eltrombopag dose adjustments should be avoided (see Table 2).
During antiviral therapy, the dose of eltrombopag should be adjusted as necessary to avoid dose reductions of peginterferon due to decreasing platelet counts that may put patients at risk of bleeding (see Table 2). Platelet counts should be monitored weekly during antiviral therapy until a stable platelet count is achieved, normally around 50,000‑75,000/µl. FBCs including platelet counts and peripheral blood smears should be obtained monthly thereafter. Dose reductions on the daily dose by 25 mg should be considered if platelet counts exceed the required target. It is recommended to wait for 2 weeks to assess the effects of this and any subsequent dose adjustments.
A dose of 100 mg eltrombopag once daily must not be exceeded.
\*\*Table 2 Dose adjustments of eltrombopag in HCV patients during antiviral therapy\*\*
| | |
| --- | --- |
| Platelet count | Dose adjustment or response |
| <50,000/µl following at least 2 weeks of therapy | Increase daily dose by 25 mg to a maximum of 100 mg/day. |
| ≥50,000/µl to ≤100,000/µl | Use lowest dose of eltrombopag as necessary to avoid dose reductions of peginterferon. |
| >100,000/µl to ≤150,000/µl | Decrease the daily dose by 25 mg. Wait 2 weeks to assess the effects of this and any subsequent dose adjustments♦. |
| >150,000/µl | Stop eltrombopag; increase the frequency of platelet monitoring to twice weekly. Once the platelet count is ≤100,000/µl, reinitiate therapy at a daily dose reduced by 25 mg\\*. |
\\* For patients taking 25 mg eltrombopag once daily, consideration should be given to reinitiating dosing at 25 mg every other day.
♦ On initiation of antiviral therapy the platelet count may fall, so immediate eltrombopag dose reductions should be avoided.
\*Discontinuation\*
If after 2 weeks of eltrombopag therapy at 100 mg the required platelet level to initiate antiviral therapy is not achieved, eltrombopag should be discontinued.
Eltrombopag treatment should be terminated when antiviral therapy is discontinued unless otherwise justified. Excessive platelet count responses or important liver test abnormalities also necessitate discontinuation.
\*\*\*Special populations\*\*\*
\*Renal impairment\*
No dose adjustment is necessary in patients with renal impairment. Patients with impaired renal function should use eltrombopag with caution and close monitoring, for example by testing serum creatinine and/or performing urine analysis (see section 5.2).
\*Hepatic impairment\*
Eltrombopag should not be used in ITP patients with hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh score ≥5) unless the expected benefit outweighs the identified risk of portal venous thrombosis (see section 4.4).
If the use of eltrombopag is deemed necessary for ITP patients with hepatic impairment the starting dose must be 25 mg once daily. After initiating the dose of eltrombopag in patients with hepatic impairment an interval of 3 weeks should be observed before increasing the dose.
No dose adjustment is required for thrombocytopenic patients with chronic HCV and mild hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh score ≤6). Chronic HCV patients with hepatic impairment should initiate eltrombopag at a dose of 25 mg once daily (see section 5.2). After initiating the dose of eltrombopag in patients with hepatic impairment an interval of 2 weeks should be observed before increasing the dose.
There is an increased risk for adverse events, including hepatic decompensation and thromboembolic events (TEEs), in thrombocytopenic patients with advanced chronic liver disease treated with eltrombopag, either in preparation for invasive procedure or in HCV patients undergoing antiviral therapy (see sections 4.4 and 4.8).
\*Elderly\*
There are limited data on the use of eltrombopag in ITP patients aged 65 years and older and no clinical experience in ITP patients aged over 85 years. In the clinical studies of eltrombopag, overall no clinically significant differences in safety of eltrombopag were observed between patients aged at least 65 years and younger patients. Other reported clinical experience has not identified differences in responses between the elderly and younger patients, but greater sensitivity of some older individuals cannot be ruled out (see section 5.2).
There are limited data on the use of eltrombopag in HCV patients aged over 75 years. Caution should be exercised in these patients (see section 4.4).
\*East-/Southeast-Asian patients\*
For adult and paediatric patients of East-/Southeast-Asian ancestry, including those with hepatic impairment, eltrombopag should be initiated at a dose of 25 mg once daily (see section 5.2).
Patient platelet count should continue to be monitored and the standard criteria for further dose modification followed.
\*Paediatric population\*
Eltrombopag is not recommended for use in children under the age of one year with ITP due to insufficient data on safety and efficacy. The safety and efficacy of eltrombopag has not been established in children and adolescents (<18 years) with chronic HCV related thrombocytopenia . No data are available.
\*\*Method of administration\*\*
Oral use.
The tablets should be taken at least two hours before or four hours after any products such as antacids, dairy products (or other calcium containing food products), or mineral supplements containing polyvalent cations (e.g. iron, calcium, magnesium, aluminium, selenium and zinc) (see sections 4.5 and 5.2).4.3 Contraindications
Hypersensitivity to eltrombopag or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1.4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use
| |
| --- |
| There is an increased risk for adverse reactions, including potentially fatal hepatic decompensation and thromboembolic events, in thrombocytopenic HCV patients with advanced chronic liver disease, as defined by low albumin levels ≤35 g/l or model for end stage liver disease (MELD) score ≥10, when treated with eltrombopag in combination with interferon-based therapy. In addition, the benefits of treatment in terms of the proportion achieving sustained virological response (SVR) compared with placebo were modest in these patients (especially for those with baseline albumin ≤35g/l) compared with the group overall. Treatment with eltrombopag in these patients should be initiated only by physicians experienced in the management of advanced HCV, and only when the risks of thrombocytopenia or withholding antiviral therapy necessitate intervention. If treatment is considered clinically indicated, close monitoring of these patients is required. |
\*\*Combination with direct‑acting antiviral agents\*\*
Safety and efficacy have not been established in combination with direct‑acting antiviral agents approved for treatment of chronic hepatitis C infection.
\*\*Risk of hepatotoxicity\*\*
Eltrombopag administration can cause abnormal liver function and severe hepatotoxicity, which might be life-threatening (see section 4.8).
Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotrasferase (AST) and bilirubin should be measured prior to initiation of eltrombopag, every 2 weeks during the dose adjustment phase and monthly following establishment of a stable dose. Eltrombopag inhibits UGT1A1 and OATP1B1, which may lead to indirect hyperbilirubinaemia. If bilirubin is elevated fractionation should be performed. Abnormal serum liver tests should be evaluated with repeat testing within 3 to 5 days. If the abnormalities are confirmed, serum liver tests should be monitored until the abnormalities resolve, stabilise, or return to baseline levels. Eltrombopag should be discontinued if ALT levels increase (≥3 times the upper limit of normal [x ULN] in patients with normal liver function, or ≥3 x baseline or >5 x ULN, whichever is the lower, in patients with pre-treatment elevations in transaminases) and are:
• progressive, or
• persistent for ≥4 weeks, or
• accompanied by increased direct bilirubin, or
• accompanied by clinical symptoms of liver injury or evidence for hepatic decompensation.
Caution is required when administering eltrombopag to patients with hepatic disease. In ITP and SAA patients a lower starting dose of eltrombopag should be used. Close monitoring is required when administering to patients with hepatic impairment (see section 4.2).
\*\*Hepatic decompensation (use with interferon)\*\*
Hepatic decompensation in patients with chronic hepatitis C: Monitoring is required in patients with low albumin levels (≤35 g/l) or with MELD score ≥10 at baseline.
Chronic HCV patients with liver cirrhosis may be at risk of hepatic decompensation when receiving alfa interferon therapy. In two controlled clinical studies in thrombocytopenic patients with HCV, hepatic decompensation (ascites, hepatic encephalopathy, variceal haemorrhage, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis) occurred more frequently in the eltrombopag arm (11%) than in the placebo arm (6%). In patients with low albumin levels (≤ 35 g/l) or with a MELD score ≥10 at baseline, there was a 3-fold greater risk of hepatic decompensation and an increase in the risk of a fatal adverse event compared to those with less advanced liver disease. In addition, the benefits of treatment in terms of the proportion achieving SVR compared with placebo were modest in these patients (especially for those with baseline albumin ≤35 g/l) compared with the group overall. Eltrombopag should only be administered to such patients after careful consideration of the expected benefits in comparison with the risks. Patients with these characteristics should be closely monitored for signs and symptoms of hepatic decompensation. The respective interferon summary of product characteristics should be referenced for discontinuation criteria. Eltrombopag should be terminated if antiviral therapy is discontinued for hepatic decompensation.
\*\*Thrombotic/thromboembolic complications\*\*
In controlled studies in thrombocytopenic patients with HCV receiving interferon-based therapy (n=1,439), 38 out of 955 patients (4%) treated with eltrombopag and 6 out of 484 patients (1%) in the placebo group experienced TEEs. Reported thrombotic/thromboembolic complications included both venous and arterial events. The majority of TEEs were non-serious and resolved by the end of the study. Portal vein thrombosis was the most common TEE in both treatment groups (2% in patients treated with eltrombopag versus <1% for placebo). No specific temporal relationship between start of treatment and event of TEE were observed. Patients with low albumin levels (≤35 g/l) or MELD ≥10 had a 2‑fold greater risk of TEEs than those with higher albumin levels; those aged ≥60 years had a 2‑fold greater risk of TEEs compared to younger patients. Eltrombopag should only be administered to such patients after careful consideration of the expected benefits in comparison with the risks. Patients should be closely monitored for signs and symptoms of TEE.
The risk of TEEs has been found to be increased in patients with chronic liver disease (CLD) treated with 75 mg eltrombopag once daily for 2 weeks in preparation for invasive procedures. Six of 143 (4%) adult patients with CLD receiving eltrombopag experienced TEEs (all of the portal venous system) and two of 145 (1%) patients in the placebo group experienced TEEs (one in the portal venous system and one myocardial infarction). Five of the 6 patients treated with eltrombopag experienced the thrombotic complication at a platelet count >200,000/µl and within 30 days of the last dose of eltrombopag. Eltrombopag is not indicated for the treatment of thrombocytopenia in patients with chronic liver disease in preparation for invasive procedures.
In eltrombopag clinical studies in ITP thromboembolic events were observed at low and normal platelet counts. Caution should be used when administering eltrombopag to patients with known risk factors for thromboembolism including but not limited to inherited (e.g. Factor V Leiden) or acquired risk factors (e.g. ATIII deficiency, antiphospholipid syndrome), advanced age, patients with prolonged periods of immobilisation, malignancies, contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy, surgery/trauma, obesity and smoking. Platelet counts should be closely monitored and consideration given to reducing the dose or discontinuing eltrombopag treatment if the platelet count exceeds the target levels (see section 4.2). The risk-benefit balance should be considered in patients at risk of TEEs of any aetiology.
No case of TEE was identified from a clinical study in refractory SAA, however the risk of these events cannot be excluded in this patient population due to the limited number of exposed patients. As the highest authorised dose is indicated for patients with SAA (150 mg/day) and due to the nature of the reaction, TEEs might be expected in this patient population.
Eltrombopag should not be used in ITP patients with hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh score ≥5) unless the expected benefit outweighs the identified risk of portal venous thrombosis. When treatment is considered appropriate, caution is required when administering eltrombopag to patients with hepatic impairment (see sections 4.2 and 4.8).
\*\*Bleeding following discontinuation of eltrombopag\*\*
Thrombocytopenia is likely to reoccur in ITP patients upon discontinuation of treatment with eltrombopag. Following discontinuation of eltrombopag, platelet counts return to baseline levels within 2 weeks in the majority of patients, which increases the bleeding risk and in some cases may lead to bleeding. This risk is increased if eltrombopag treatment is discontinued in the presence of anticoagulants or anti-platelet agents. It is recommended that, if treatment with eltrombopag is discontinued, ITP treatment be restarted according to current treatment guidelines. Additional medical management may include cessation of anticoagulant and/or anti-platelet therapy, reversal of anticoagulation, or platelet support. Platelet counts must be monitored weekly for 4 weeks following discontinuation of eltrombopag.
In HCV clinical studies, a higher incidence of gastrointestinal bleeding, including serious and fatal cases, was reported following discontinuation of peginterferon, ribavirin, and eltrombopag. Following discontinuation of therapy, patients should be monitored for any signs or symptoms of gastrointestinal bleeding.
\*\*Bone marrow\*\* \*\*reticulin formation and risk of bone marrow fibrosis\*\*
Eltrombopag may increase the risk for development or progression of reticulin fibres within the bone marrow. The relevance of this finding, as with other thrombopoietin-receptor (TPO-R) agonists, has not been established yet.
Prior to initiation of eltrombopag, the peripheral blood smear should be examined closely to establish a baseline level of cellular morphologic abnormalities. Following identification of a stable dose of eltrombopag, full blood count (FBC) with white blood cell count (WBC) differential should be performed monthly. If immature or dysplastic cells are observed, peripheral blood smears should be examined for new or worsening morphological abnormalities (e.g. teardrop and nucleated red blood cells, immature white blood cells) or cytopenia(s). If the patient develops new or worsening morphological abnormalities or cytopenia(s), treatment with eltrombopag should be discontinued and a bone marrow biopsy considered, including staining for fibrosis.
\*\*Progression of existing myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS)\*\*
There is a theoretical concern that TPO-R agonists may stimulate the progression of existing haematological malignancies such as MDS. TPO-R agonists are growth factors that lead to thrombopoietic progenitor cell expansion, differentiation and platelet production. The TPO-R is predominantly expressed on the surface of cells of the myeloid lineage.
In clinical studies with a TPO-R agonist in patients with MDS, cases of transient increases in blast cell counts were observed and cases of MDS disease progression to acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) were reported.
The diagnosis of ITP or SAA in adults and elderly patients should be confirmed by the exclusion of other clinical entities presenting with thrombocytopenia, in particular the diagnosis of MDS must be excluded. Consideration should be given to performing a bone marrow aspirate and biopsy over the course of the disease and treatment, particularly in patients over 60 years of age, those with systemic symptoms, or abnormal signs such as increased peripheral blast cells.
The effectiveness and safety of eltrombopag have not been established for the treatment of thrombocytopenia due to MDS. Eltrombopag should not be used outside of clinical studies for the treatment of thrombocytopenia due to MDS.
\*\*Cytogenetic abnormalities and progression to MDS/AML in patients with SAA\*\*
Cytogenetic abnormalities are known to occur in SAA patients. It is not known whether eltrombopag increases the risk of cytogenetic abnormalities in patients with SAA. In the phase II refractory SAA clinical study with eltrombopag with a starting dose of 50 mg/day (escalated every 2 weeks to a maximum of 150 mg/day) (ELT112523), the incidence of new cytogenetic abnormalities was observed in 17.1% of adult patients [7/41 (where 4 of them had changes in chromosome 7)]. The median time on study to a cytogenetic abnormality was 2.9 months.
In the phase II refractory SAA clinical study with eltrombopag at a dose of 150 mg/day (with ethnic or age related modifications as indicated) (ELT116826), the incidence of new cytogenetic abnormalities was observed in 22.6% of adult patients [7/31 (where 3 of them had changes in chromosome 7)]. All 7 patients had normal cytogenetics at baseline. Six patients had cytogenetic abnormality at Month 3 of eltrombopag therapy and one patient had cytogenetic abnormality at Month 6.
In clinical studies with eltrombopag in SAA, 4% of patients (5/133) were diagnosed with MDS. The median time to diagnosis was 3 months from the start of eltrombopag treatment.
For SAA patients refractory to or heavily pretreated with prior immunosuppressive therapy, bone marrow examination with aspirations for cytogenetics is recommended prior to initiation of eltrombopag, at 3 months of treatment and 6 months thereafter. If new cytogenetic abnormalities are detected, it must be evaluated whether continuation of eltrombopag is appropriate.
\*\*Ocular changes\*\*
Cataracts were observed in toxicology studies of eltrombopag in rodents (see section 5.3). In controlled studies in thrombocytopenic patients with HCV receiving interferon therapy (n=1,439), progression of pre-existing baseline cataract(s) or incident cataracts was reported in 8% of the eltrombopag group and 5% of the placebo group. Retinal haemorrhages, mostly Grade 1 or 2, have been reported in HCV patients receiving interferon, ribavirin and eltrombopag (2% of the eltrombopag group and 2% of the placebo group. Haemorrhages occurred on the surface of the retina (preretinal), under the retina (subretinal), or within the retinal tissue. Routine ophthalmologic monitoring of patients is recommended.
\*\*QT/QTc prolongation\*\*
A QTc study in healthy volunteers dosed 150 mg eltrombopag per day did not show a clinically significant effect on cardiac repolarisation. QTc interval prolongation has been reported in clinical studies of patients with ITP and thrombocytopenic patients with HCV. The clinical significance of these QTc prolongation events is unknown.
\*\*Loss of response to eltrombopag\*\*
A loss of response or failure to maintain a platelet response with eltrombopag treatment within the recommended dosing range should prompt a search for causative factors, including an increased bone marrow reticulin.
\*\*Paediatric population\*\*
The above warnings and precautions for ITP also apply to the paediatric population.
\*\*Interference with laboratory tests\*\*
Eltrombopag is highly coloured and so has the potential to interfere with some laboratory tests. Serum discolouration and interference with total bilirubin and creatinine testing have been reported in patients taking eltrombopag. If the laboratory results and clinical observations are inconsistent, re-testing using another method may help in determining the validity of the result.
\*\*Sodium content\*\*
This medicinal product contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per film-coated tablet, that is to say essentially 'sodium-free'.4.5 Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction
\*\*Effects of eltrombopag on other medicinal products\*\*
\*\*\*HMG CoA reductase inhibitors\*\*\*
Administration of eltrombopag 75 mg once daily for 5 days with a single 10 mg dose of the OATP1B1 and BCRP substrate rosuvastatin to 39 healthy adult subjects increased plasma rosuvastatin Cmax 103% (90% confidence interval [CI]: 82%, 126%) and AUC0-∞ 55% (90% CI: 42%, 69%). Interactions are also expected with other HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, including atorvastatin, fluvastatin, lovastatin, pravastatin and simvastatin. When co-administered with eltrombopag, a reduced dose of statins should be considered and careful monitoring for statin adverse reactions should be undertaken (see section 5.2).
\*\*\*OATP1B1 and BCRP substrates\*\*\*
Concomitant administration of eltrombopag and OATP1B1 (e.g. methotrexate) and BCRP (e.g. topotecan and methotrexate) substrates should be undertaken with caution (see section 5.2).
\*\*\*Cytochrome P450 substrates\*\*\*
In studies utilising human liver microsomes, eltrombopag (up to 100 μM) showed no \*in vitro\* inhibition of the CYP450 enzymes 1A2, 2A6, 2C19, 2D6, 2E1, 3A4/5, and 4A9/11 and was an inhibitor of CYP2C8 and CYP2C9 as measured using paclitaxel and diclofenac as the probe substrates. Administration of eltrombopag 75 mg once daily for 7 days to 24 healthy male subjects did not inhibit or induce the metabolism of probe substrates for 1A2 (caffeine), 2C19 (omeprazole), 2C9 (flurbiprofen), or 3A4 (midazolam) in humans. No clinically significant interactions are expected when eltrombopag and CYP450 substrates are co-administered (see section 5.2).
\*\*\*HCV protease inhibitors\*\*\*
Dose adjustment is not required when eltrombopag is co-administered with either telaprevir or boceprevir. Co-administration of a single dose of eltrombopag 200 mg with telaprevir 750 mg every 8 hours did not alter plasma telaprevir exposure.
Co-administration of a single dose of eltrombopag 200 mg with boceprevir 800 mg every 8 hours did not alter plasma boceprevir AUC(0-), but increased Cmax by 20%, and decreased Cmin by 32%. The clinical relevance of the decrease in Cmin has not been established, increased clinical and laboratory monitoring for HCV suppression is recommended.
\*\*Effects of other medicinal products on eltrombopag\*\*
\*\*\*Ciclosporin\*\*\*
A decrease in eltrombopag exposure was observed with co-administration of 200 mg and 600 mg ciclosporin (a BCRP inhibitor). The co-administration of 200 mg ciclosporin decreased the Cmax and the AUC0-∞ of eltrombopag by 25% and 18%, respectively. The co-administration of 600 mg ciclosporin decreased the Cmax and the AUC0-∞ of eltrombopag by 39% and 24%, respectively. Eltrombopag dose adjustment is permitted during the course of the treatment based on the patient's platelet count (see section 4.2). Platelet count should be monitored at least weekly for 2 to 3 weeks when eltrombopag is co-administered with ciclosporin. Eltrombopag dose may need to be increased based on these platelet counts.
\*\*\*Polyvalent cations (chelation)\*\*\*
Eltrombopag chelates with polyvalent cations such as iron, calcium, magnesium, aluminium, selenium and zinc. Administration of a single dose of eltrombopag 75 mg with a polyvalent cation-containing antacid (1524 mg aluminium hydroxide and 1425 mg magnesium carbonate) decreased plasma eltrombopag AUC0-∞ by 70% (90% CI: 64%, 76%) and Cmax by 70% (90% CI: 62%, 76%). Eltrombopag should be taken at least two hours before or four hours after any products such as antacids, dairy products or mineral supplements containing polyvalent cations to avoid significant reduction in eltrombopag absorption due to chelation (see sections 4.2 and 5.2).
\*\*\*Lopinavir/ritonavir\*\*\*
Co-administration of eltrombopag with lopinavir/ritonavir may cause a decrease in the concentration of eltrombopag. A study in 40 healthy volunteers showed that the co-administration of a single 100 mg dose of eltrombopag with repeat dose lopinavir/ritonavir 400/100 mg twice daily resulted in a reduction in eltrombopag plasma AUC0-∞ by 17% (90% CI: 6.6%, 26.6%). Therefore, caution should be used when co-administration of eltrombopag with lopinavir/ritonavir takes place. Platelet count should be closely monitored in order to ensure appropriate medical management of the dose of eltrombopag when lopinavir/ritonavir therapy is initiated or discontinued.
\*\*\*CYP1A2 and CYP2C8 inhibitors and inducers\*\*\*
Eltrombopag is metabolised through multiple pathways including CYP1A2, CYP2C8, UGT1A1, and UGT1A3 (see section 5.2). Medicinal products that inhibit or induce a single enzyme are unlikely to significantly affect plasma eltrombopag concentrations, whereas medicinal products that inhibit or induce multiple enzymes have the potential to increase (e.g. fluvoxamine) or decrease (e.g. rifampicin) eltrombopag concentrations.
\*\*\*HCV protease inhibitors\*\*\*
Results of a drug-drug pharmacokinetic (PK) interaction study show that co-administration of repeat doses of boceprevir 800 mg every 8 hours or telaprevir 750 mg every 8 hours with a single dose of eltrombopag 200 mg did not alter plasma eltrombopag exposure to a clinically significant extent.
\*\*Medicinal products for treatment of ITP\*\*
Medicinal products used in the treatment of ITP in combination with eltrombopag in clinical studies included corticosteroids, danazol, and/or azathioprine, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), and anti‑D immunoglobulin. Platelet counts should be monitored when combining eltrombopag with other medicinal products for the treatment of ITP in order to avoid platelet counts outside of the recommended range (see section 4.2).
\*\*Food interaction\*\*
The administration of eltrombopag tablet or powder for oral suspension formulations with a high-calcium meal (e.g. a meal that included dairy products) significantly reduced plasma eltrombopag AUC0-∞ and Cmax. In contrast, the administration of eltrombopag 2 hours before or 4 hours after a high-calcium meal or with low-calcium food [<50 mg calcium] did not alter plasma eltrombopag exposure to a clinically significant extent (see section 4.2).
Administration of a single 50 mg dose of eltrombopag in tablet form with a standard high-calorie, high-fat breakfast that included dairy products reduced plasma eltrombopag mean AUC0-∞ by 59% and mean Cmax by 65%.
Administration of a single 25 mg dose of eltrombopag as powder for oral suspension with a high-calcium, moderate-fat and moderate-calorie meal reduced plasma eltrombopag mean AUC0-∞ by 75% and mean Cmax by 79%. This decrease of exposure was attenuated when a single 25 mg dose of eltrombopag powder for oral suspension was administered 2 hours before a high-calcium meal (mean AUC0-∞ was decreased by 20% and mean Cmax by 14%).
Food low in calcium (<50 mg calcium), including fruit, lean ham, beef and unfortified (no added calcium, magnesium or iron) fruit juice, unfortified soya milk and unfortified grain, did not significantly impact plasma eltrombopag exposure, regardless of calorie and fat content (see sections 4.2 and 4.5).4.6 Fertility, pregnancy and lactation
\*\*Pregnancy\*\*
There are no or limited amount of data from the use of eltrombopag in pregnant women. Studies in animals haveshown reproductive toxicity (see section 5.3). The potential risk for humans is unknown.
Eltrombopag is not recommended during pregnancy.
\*\*Women of childbearing potential / Contraception in males and females\*\*
Eltrombopag is not recommended in women of childbearing potential not using contraception.
\*\*Breast-feeding\*\*
It is not known whether eltrombopag/metabolites are excreted in human milk. Studies in animals haveshown that eltrombopag is likely secreted into milk (see section 5.3); therefore a risk to the suckling child cannot be excluded. A decision must be made whether to discontinue breast-feeding or to continue/abstain from eltrombopag therapy, taking into account the benefit of breast-feeding for the child and the benefit of therapy for the woman.
\*\*Fertility\*\*
Fertility was not affected in male or female rats at exposures that were comparable to those in humans. However a risk for humans cannot be ruled out (see section 5.3).4.7 Effects on ability to drive and use machines
Eltrombopag has negligible influence on the ability to drive and use machines. The clinical status of the patient and the adverse reaction profile of eltrombopag, including dizziness and lack of alertness, should be borne in mind when considering the patient's ability to perform tasks that require judgement, motor and cognitive skills.4.8 Undesirable effects
\*\*Summary of the safety profile\*\*
\*\*\*Immune thrombocytopenia in adult and paediatric patients\*\*\*
The safety of eltrombopag was assessed in adult patients (N=763) using the pooled double-blind, placebo-controlled studies TRA100773A and B, TRA102537 (RAISE) and TRA113765, in which 403 patients were exposed to eltrombopag and 179 to placebo, in addition to data from the completed open-label studies (N=360) TRA108057 (REPEAT), TRA105325 (EXTEND) and TRA112940 (see section 5.1). Patients received study medication for up to 8 years (in EXTEND). The most important serious adverse reactions were hepatotoxicity and thrombotic/thromboembolic events. The most common adverse reactions occurring in at least 10% of patients included nausea, diarrhoea, increased alanine aminotransferase and back pain.
The safety of eltrombopag in paediatric patients (aged 1 to 17 years) with previously treated ITP has been demonstrated in two studies (N=171) (see section 5.1). PETIT2 (TRA115450) was a two-part, double-blind and open-label, randomised, placebo-controlled study. Patients were randomised 2:1 and received eltrombopag (n=63) or placebo (n=29) for up to 13 weeks in the randomised period of the study. PETIT (TRA108062) was a three-part, staggered-cohort, open-label and double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled study. Patients were randomised 2:1 and received eltrombopag (n=44) or placebo (n=21), for up to 7 weeks. The profile of adverse reactions was comparable to that seen in adults with some additional adverse reactions, marked ♦ in the table below. The most common adverse reactions in paediatric ITP patients 1 year and older (≥3% and greater than placebo) were upper respiratory tract infection, nasopharyngitis, cough, pyrexia, abdominal pain, oropharyngeal pain, toothache and rhinorrhoea.
\*\*\*Thrombocytopenia with HCV infection\*\*\* \*\*\*in adult patients\*\*\*
ENABLE 1 (TPL103922 n=716, 715 treated with eltrombopag) and ENABLE 2 (TPL108390 n=805) were randomised, double‑blind, placebo-controlled, multicentre studies to assess the efficacy and safety of eltrombopag in thrombocytopenic patients with HCV infection who were otherwise eligible to initiate antiviral therapy. In the HCV studies the safety population consisted of all randomised patients who received double-blind study medicinal product during Part 2 of ENABLE 1 (eltrombopag treatment n=450, placebo treatment n=232) and ENABLE 2 (eltrombopag treatment n=506, placebo treatment n=252). Patients are analysed according to the treatment received (total safety double-blind population, eltrombopag n=955 and placebo n=484). The most important serious adverse reactions identified were hepatotoxicity and thrombotic/thromboembolic events. The most common adverse reactions occurring in at least 10% of patients included headache, anaemia, decreased appetite, cough, nausea, diarrhoea, hyperbilirubinaemia, alopecia, pruritus, myalgia, pyrexia, fatigue, influenza-like illness, asthenia, chills and oedema.
\*\*\*Severe aplastic anaemia in adult patients\*\*\*
The safety of eltrombopag in severe aplastic anaemia was assessed in a single-arm, open-label study (N=43) in which 11 patients (26%) were treated for >6 months and 7 patients (16%) were treated for >1 year (see section 5.1). The most common adverse reactions occurring in at least 10% of patients included headache, dizziness, cough, oropharyngeal pain, rhinorrhoea, nausea, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, transaminases increased, arthralgia, pain in extremity, muscle spasms, fatigue and pyrexia.
\*\*List of adverse reactions\*\*
The adverse reactions in the adult ITP studies (N=763), paediatric ITP studies (N=171), the HCV studies (N=1,520), the SAA studies (N=43) and post-marketing reports are listed below by MedDRA system organ class and by frequency. Within each system organ class, the adverse drug reactions are ranked by frequency, with the most frequent reactions first. The corresponding frequency category for each adverse drug reaction is based on the following convention (CIOMS III): very common (≥1/10); common (≥1/100 to <1/10); uncommon (≥1/1,000 to <1/100); rare (≥1/10,000 to <1/1,000); not known (cannot be estimated from the available data).
\*\*ITP study population\*\*
| | | |
| --- | --- | --- |
| \*\*System organ class\*\* | \*\*Frequency\*\* | \*\*Adverse reaction\*\* |
| Infections and infestations | Very common | Nasopharyngitis♦, upper respiratory tract infection♦ |
| Common | Pharyngitis, influenza, oral herpes, pneumonia, sinusitis, tonsillitis, respiratory tract infection, gingivitis |
| Uncommon | Skin infection |
| Neoplasms benign, malignant and unspecified (incl cysts and polyps) | Uncommon | Rectosigmoid cancer |
| Blood and lymphatic system disorders | Common | Anaemia, eosinophilia, leukocytosis, thrombocytopenia, haemoglobin decreased, white blood cell count decreased |
| Uncommon | Anisocytosis, haemolytic anaemia, myelocytosis, band neutrophil count increased, myelocyte present, platelet count increased, haemoglobin increased |
| Immune system disorders | Uncommon | Hypersensitivity |
| Metabolism and nutrition disorders | Common | Hypokalaemia, decreased appetite, blood uric acid increased |
| Uncommon | Anorexia, gout, hypocalcaemia |
| Psychiatric disorders | Common | Sleep disorder, depression |
| Uncommon | Apathy, mood altered, tearfulness |
| Nervous system disorders | Common | Paraesthesia, hypoaesthesia, somnolence, migraine |
| Uncommon | Tremor, balance disorder, dysaesthesia, hemiparesis, migraine with aura, neuropathy peripheral, peripheral sensory neuropathy, speech disorder, toxic neuropathy, vascular headache |
| Eye disorders | Common | Dry eye, vision blurred, eye pain, visual acuity reduced |
| Uncommon | Lenticular opacities, astigmatism, cataract cortical, lacrimation increased, retinal haemorrhage, retinal pigment epitheliopathy, visual impairment, visual acuity tests abnormal, blepharitis, keratoconjunctivitis sicca |
| Ear and labyrinth disorders | Common | Ear pain, vertigo |
| Cardiac disorders | Uncommon | Tachycardia, acute myocardial infarction, cardiovascular disorder, cyanosis, sinus tachycardia, electrocardiogram QT prolonged |
| Vascular disorders | Common | Deep vein thrombosis, haematoma, hot flush |
| Uncommon | Embolism, thrombophlebitis superficial, flushing |
| Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders | Very common | Cough♦ |
| Common | Oropharyngeal pain♦, rhinorrhoea♦ |
| Uncommon | Pulmonary embolism, pulmonary infarction, nasal discomfort, oropharyngeal blistering, sinus disorder, sleep apnoea syndrome |
| Gastrointestinal disorders | Very common | Nausea, diarrhoea |
| Common | Mouth ulceration, toothache♦, vomiting, abdominal pain\\*, mouth haemorrhage, flatulence \\* Very common in paediatric ITP |
| Uncommon | Dry mouth, glossodynia, abdominal tenderness, faeces discoloured, food poisoning, frequent bowel movements, haematemesis, oral discomfort |
| Hepatobiliary disorders | Very common | Alanine aminotransferase increased† |
| Common | Aspartate aminotransferase increased†, hyperbilirubinaemia, hepatic function abnormal |
| Uncommon | Cholestasis, hepatic lesion, hepatitis, drug-induced liver injury |
| Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders | Common | Rash, alopecia, hyperhidrosis, pruritus generalised, petechiae |
| Uncommon | Urticaria, dermatosis, cold sweat, erythema, melanosis, pigmentation disorder, skin discolouration, skin exfoliation |
| Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders | Very common | Back pain |
| Common | Myalgia, muscle spasm, musculoskeletal pain, bone pain |
| Uncommon | Muscular weakness |
| Renal and urinary disorders | Common | Proteinuria, blood creatinine increased, thrombotic microangiopathy with renal failure‡ |
| Uncommon | Renal failure, leukocyturia, lupus nephritis, nocturia, blood urea increased, urine protein/creatinine ratio increased |
| Reproductive system and breast disorders | Common | Menorrhagia |
| General disorders and administration site conditions | Common | Pyrexia\\*, chest pain, asthenia \\*Very common in paediatric ITP |
| Uncommon | Feeling hot, vessel puncture site haemorrhage, feeling jittery, inflammation of wound, malaise, sensation of foreign body |
| Investigations | Common | Blood alkaline phosphatase increased |
| Uncommon | Blood albumin increased, protein total increased, blood albumin decreased, pH urine increased |
| Injury, poisoning and procedural complications | Uncommon | Sunburn |
♦ Additional adverse reactions observed in paediatric studies (aged 1 to 17 years).
† Increase of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase may occur simultaneously, although at a lower frequency.
‡ Grouped term with preferred terms acute kidney injury and renal failure
\*\*HCV study population (in combination with anti-viral interferon and ribavirin therapy)\*\*
| | | |
| --- | --- | --- |
| \*\*System organ class\*\* | \*\*Frequency\*\* | \*\*Adverse reaction\*\* |
| Infections and infestations | Common | Urinary tract infection, upper respiratory tract infection, bronchitis, nasopharyngitis, influenza, oral herpes |
| Uncommon | Gastroenteritis, pharyngitis |
| Neoplasms benign, malignant and unspecified (incl cysts and polyps) | Common | Hepatic neoplasm malignant |
| Blood and lymphatic system disorders | Very common | Anaemia |
| Common | Lymphopenia |
| Uncommon | Haemolytic anaemia |
| Metabolism and nutrition disorders | Very common | Decreased appetite |
| Common | Hyperglycaemia, abnormal loss of weight |
| Psychiatric disorders | Common | Depression, anxiety, sleep disorder |
| Uncommon | Confusional state, agitation |
| Nervous system disorders | Very common | Headache |
| Common | Dizziness, disturbance in attention, dysgeusia, hepatic encephalopathy, lethargy, memory impairment, paraesthesia |
| Eye disorders | Common | Cataract, retinal exudates, dry eye, ocular icterus, retinal haemorrhage |
| Ear and labyrinth disorders | Common | Vertigo |
| Cardiac disorders | Common | Palpitations |
| Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders | Very common | Cough |
| Common | Dyspnoea, oropharyngeal pain, dyspnoea exertional, productive cough |
| Gastrointestinal disorders | Very common | Nausea, diarrhoea |
| Common | Vomiting, ascites, abdominal pain, abdominal pain upper, dyspepsia, dry mouth, constipation, abdominal distension, toothache, stomatitis, gastrooesophagal reflux disease, haemorrhoids, abdominal discomfort, varices oesophageal |
| Uncommon | Oesophageal varices haemorrhage, gastritis, aphthous stomatitis |
| Hepatobiliary disorders | Common | Hyperbilirubinaemia, jaundice, drug-induced liver injury |
| Uncommon | Portal vein thrombosis, hepatic failure |
| Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders | Very common | Pruritus |
| Common | Rash, dry skin, eczema, rash pruritic, erythema, hyperhidrosis, pruritus generalised, alopecia |
| Uncommon | Skin lesion, skin discolouration, skin hyperpigmentation, night sweats |
| Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorder | Very common | Myalgia |
| Common | Arthralgia, muscle spasms, back pain, pain in extremity, musculoskeletal pain, bone pain |
| Renal and urinary disorders | Uncommon | Thrombotic microangiopathy with acute renal failure†, dysuria |
| General disorders and administration site conditions | Very common | Pyrexia, fatigue, influenza-like illness, asthenia, chills |
| Common | Irritability, pain, malaise, injection site reaction, non-cardiac chest pain, oedema, oedema peripheral |
| Uncommon | Injection site pruritus, injection site rash, chest discomfort |
| Investigations | Common | Blood bilirubin increased, weight decreased, white blood cell count decreased, haemoglobin decreased, neutrophil count decreased, international normalised ratio increased, activated partial thromboplastin time prolonged, blood glucose increased, blood albumin decreased |
| Uncommon | Electrocardiogram QT prolonged |
† Grouped term with preferred terms oliguria, renal failure and renal impairment
\*\*SAA study population\*\*
| | | |
| --- | --- | --- |
| \*\*System organ class\*\* | \*\*Frequency\*\* | \*\*Adverse reaction\*\* |
| Blood and lymphatic system disorders | Common | Neutropenia, splenic infarction |
| Metabolism and nutrition disorders | Common | Iron overload, decreased appetite, hypoglycaemia, increased appetite |
| Psychiatric disorders | Common | Anxiety, depression |
| Nervous system disorders | Very common | Headache, dizziness |
| Common | Syncope |
| Eye disorders | Common | Dry eye, cataract, ocular icterus, vision blurred, visual impairment, vitreous floaters |
| Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders | Very common | Cough, oropharyngeal pain, rhinorrhoea |
| Common | Epistaxis |
| Gastrointestinal disorders | Very common | Diarrhoea, nausea, gingival bleeding, abdominal pain |
| Common | Oral mucosal blistering, oral pain, vomiting, abdominal discomfort, constipation, abdominal distension, dysphagia, faeces discoloured, swollen tongue, gastrointestinal motility disorder, flatulence |
| Hepatobiliary disorders | Very common | Transaminases increased |
| Common | Blood bilirubin increased (hyperbilirubinemia), jaundice |
| Not known | Drug-induced liver injury\\* \\* Cases of drug-induced liver injury have been reported in patients with ITP and HCV |
| Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders | Common | Petechiae, rash, pruritus, urticaria, skin lesion, rash macular |
| Not known | Skin discolouration, skin hyperpigmentation |
| Musculosketal and connective tissue disorders | Very common | Arthralgia, pain in extremity, muscle spasms |
| Common | Back pain, myalgia, bone pain |
| Renal and urinary disorders | Common | Chromaturia |
| General disorders and administration site conditions | Very common | Fatigue, pyrexia, chills |
| Common | Asthenia, oedema peripheral, malaise |
| Investigations | Common | Blood creatine phosphokinase increased |
\*\*Description of selected adverse reactions\*\*
\*\*\*Thrombotic/thromboembolic events (TEEs)\*\*\*
In 3 controlled and 2 uncontrolled clinical studies among adult ITP patients receiving eltrombopag (n=446), 17 patients experienced a total of 19 TEEs, which included (in descending order of occurrence) deep vein thrombosis (n=6), pulmonary embolism (n=6), acute myocardial infarction (n=2), cerebral infarction (n=2), embolism (n=1) (see section 4.4).
In a placebo-controlled study (n=288, Safety population), following 2 weeks' treatment in preparation for invasive procedures, 6 of 143 (4%) adult patients with chronic liver disease receiving eltrombopag experienced 7 TEEs of the portal venous system and 2 of 145 (1%) patients in the placebo group experienced 3 TEEs. Five of the 6 patients treated with eltrombopag experienced the TEE at a platelet count >200,000/µl
No specific risk factors were identified in those patients who experienced a TEE with the exception of platelet counts ≥200,000/µl (see section 4.4).
In controlled studies in thrombocytopenic patients with HCV (n=1,439), 38 out of 955 patients (4%) treated with eltrombopag experienced a TEE and 6 out of 484 patients (1%) in the placebo group experienced TEEs. Portal vein thrombosis was the most common TEE in both treatment groups (2% in patients treated with eltrombopag versus < 1% for placebo) (see section 4.4). Patients with low albumin levels (≤ 35 g/l) or MELD ≥10 had a 2‑fold greater risk of TEEs than those with higher albumin levels; those aged ≥60 years had a 2‑fold greater risk of TEEs compared to younger patients.
\*\*\*Hepatic decompensation (use with interferon)\*\*\*
Chronic HCV patients with cirrhosis may be at risk of hepatic decompensation when receiving alfa interferon therapy. In 2 controlled clinical studies in thrombocytopenic patients with HCV, hepatic decompensation (ascites, hepatic encephalopathy, variceal haemorrhage, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis) was reported more frequently in the eltrombopag arm (11%) than in the placebo arm (6%). In patients with low albumin levels (≤35 g/l) or MELD score ≥10 at baseline, there was a 3-fold greater risk of hepatic decompensation and an increase in the risk of a fatal adverse event compared to those with less advanced liver disease. Eltrombopag should only be administered to such patients after careful consideration of the expected benefits in comparison with the risks. Patients with these characteristics should be closely monitored for signs and symptoms of hepatic decompensation (see section 4.4).
\*\*\*Hepatotoxicity\*\*\*
In the controlled clinical studies in chronic ITP with eltrombopag, increases in serum ALT, AST and bilirubin were observed (see section 4.4).
These findings were mostly mild (Grade 1‑2), reversible and not accompanied by clinically significant symptoms that would indicate an impaired liver function. Across the 3 placebo-controlled studies in adults with chronic ITP, 1 patient in the placebo group and 1 patient in the eltrombopag group experienced a Grade 4 liver test abnormality. In two placebo-controlled studies in paediatric patients (aged 1 to 17 years) with chronic ITP, ALT ≥3 x ULN was reported in 4.7% and 0% of the eltrombopag and placebo groups, respectively.
In 2 controlled clinical studies in patients with HCV, ALT or AST ≥3 x ULN was reported in 34% and 38% of the eltrombopag and placebo groups, respectively. Most patients receiving eltrombopag in combination with peginterferon / ribavirin therapy will experience indirect hyperbilirubinaemia. Overall, total bilirubin ≥1.5 x ULN was reported in 76% and 50% of the eltrombopag and placebo groups, respectively.
In the single-arm phase II monotherapy refractory SAA study, concurrent ALT or AST >3 x ULN with total (indirect) bilirubin >1.5 x ULN were reported in 5% of patients. Total bilirubin >1.5 x ULN occurred in 14% of patients.
\*\*\*Thrombocytopenia following discontinuation of treatment\*\*\*
In the 3 controlled clinical ITP studies, transient decreases in platelet counts to levels lower than baseline were observed following discontinuation of treatment in 8% and 8% of the eltrombopag and placebo groups, respectively (see section 4.4).
\*\*\*Increased bone marrow reticulin\*\*\*
Across the programme, no patients had evidence of clinically relevant bone marrow abnormalities or clinical findings that would indicate bone marrow dysfunction. In a small number of ITP patients, eltrombopag treatment was discontinued due to bone marrow reticulin (see section 4.4).
\*\*\*Cytogenetic abnormalities\*\*\*
In the phase II refractory SAA clinical study with eltrombopag with a starting dose of 50 mg/day (escalated every 2 weeks to a maximum of 150 mg/day) (ELT112523), the incidence of new cytogenetic abnormalities was observed in 17.1% of adult patients [7/41 (where 4 of them had changes in chromosome 7)]. The median time on study to a cytogenetic abnormality was 2.9 months.
In the phase II refractory SAA clinical study with eltrombopag at a dose of 150 mg/day (with ethnic or age related modifications as indicated) (ELT116826), the incidence of new cytogenetic abnormalities was observed in 22.6% of adult patients [7/31 (where 3 of them had changes in chromosome 7)]. All 7 patients had normal cytogenetics at baseline. Six patients had cytogenetic abnormality at Month 3 of eltrombopag therapy and one patient had cytogenetic abnormality at Month 6.
\*\*\*Haematologic malignancies\*\*\*
In the single-arm, open‑label study in SAA, three (7%) patients were diagnosed with MDS following treatment with eltrombopag, in the two ongoing studies (ELT116826 and ELT116643), 1/28 (4%) and 1/62 (2%) patient has been diagnosed with MDS or AML in each study.
\*\*Reporting of suspected adverse reactions\*\*
Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.4.9 Overdose
In the event of overdose, platelet counts may increase excessively and result in thrombotic/thromboembolic complications. In case of an overdose, consideration should be given to oral administration of a metal cation-containing preparation, such as calcium, aluminium, or magnesium preparations to chelate eltrombopag and thus limit absorption. Platelet counts should be closely monitored. Treatment with eltrombopag should be reinitiated in accordance with dosing and administration recommendations (see section 4.2).
In the clinical studies there was one report of overdose where the patient ingested 5000 mg of eltrombopag. Reported adverse reactions included mild rash, transient bradycardia, ALT and AST elevation, and fatigue. Liver enzymes measured between Days 2 and 18 after ingestion peaked at a 1.6‑fold ULN in AST, a 3.9‑fold ULN in ALT, and a 2.4‑fold ULN in total bilirubin, The platelet counts were 672,000/µl on Day 18 after ingestion and the maximum platelet count was 929,000/µl. All events were resolved without sequelae following treatment.
Because eltrombopag is not significantly renally excreted and is highly bound to plasma proteins, haemodialysis would not be expected to be an effective method to enhance the elimination of eltrombopag.
- Instruction Pharmacology
- 5.1 Pharmacodynamic properties
Pharmacotherapeutic group: Antihemorrhagics, other systemic hemostatics. ATC code: B02BX 05.
\*\*Mechanism of action\*\*
TPO is the main cytokine involved in regulation of megakaryopoiesis and platelet production, and is the endogenous ligand for the TPO-R. Eltrombopag interacts with the transmembrane domain of the human TPO-R and initiates signalling cascades similar but not identical to that of endogenous thrombopoietin (TPO), inducing proliferation and differentiation from bone marrow progenitor cells.
\*\*Clinical efficacy and safety\*\*
\*\*\*Immune (primary) thrombocytopenia (ITP) studies\*\*\*
Two phase III, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies RAISE (TRA102537) and TRA100773B and two open-label studies REPEAT (TRA108057) and EXTEND (TRA105325) evaluated the safety and efficacy of eltrombopag in adult patients with previously treated ITP. Overall, eltrombopag was administered to 277 ITP patients for at least 6 months and 202 patients for at least 1 year. The single-arm phase II study TAPER (CETB115J2411) evaluated the safety and efficacy of eltrombopag and its ability to induce sustained response after treatment discontinuation in 105 adult ITP patients who relapsed or failed to respond to first-line corticosteroid treatment.
\*Double-blind placebo-controlled studies\*
RAISE:
197 ITP patients were randomised 2:1, eltrombopag (n=135) to placebo (n=62), and randomisation was stratified based upon splenectomy status, use of ITP medicinal products at baseline and baseline platelet count. The dose of eltrombopag was adjusted during the 6 month treatment period based on individual platelet counts. All patients initiated treatment with eltrombopag 50 mg. From Day 29 to the end of treatment, 15 to 28% of eltrombopag treated patients were maintained on ≤25 mg and 29 to 53% received 75 mg.
In addition, patients could taper off concomitant ITP medicinal products and receive rescue treatments as dictated by local standard of care. More than half of all patients in each treatment group had ≥3 prior ITP therapies and 36% had a prior splenectomy.
Median platelet counts at baseline were 16 000/μl for both treatment groups and in the eltrombopag group were maintained above 50 000/µl at all on-therapy visits starting at Day 15; in contrast, median platelet counts in the placebo group remained <30 000/µl throughout the study.
Platelet count response between 50 000‑400 000/μl in the absence of rescue treatment was achieved by significantly more patients in the eltrombopag treated group during the 6‑month treatment period, p <0.001. Fifty-four percent of the eltrombopag-treated patients and 13% of placebo-treated patients achieved this level of response after 6 weeks of treatment. A similar platelet response was maintained throughout the study, with 52% and 16% of patients responding at the end of the 6‑month treatment period.
\*\*Table 4 Secondary efficacy results from RAISE\*\*
| | | |
| --- | --- | --- |
| | Eltrombopag N=135 | Placebo N=62 |
| Key secondary endpoints | | |
| Number of cumulative weeks with platelet counts ≥50 000‑400 000/µl, Mean (SD) | 11.3 (9.46) | 2.4 (5.95) |
| Patients with ≥75% of assessments in the target range (50 000 to 400 000/μl), n (%) \*p‑\*value a | 51 (38) | 4 (7) |
| <0.001 | |
| Patients with bleeding (WHO Grades 1-4) at any time during 6 months, n (%) \*p‑\*value a | 106 (79) | 56 (93) |
| 0.012 | |
| Patients with bleeding (WHO Grades 2-4) at any time during 6 months, n (%) \*p‑\*value a | 44 (33) | 32 (53) |
| 0.002 | |
| Requiring rescue therapy, n (%) \*p‑\*value a | 24 (18) | 25 (40) |
| 0.001 | |
| Patients receiving ITP therapy at baseline (n) | 63 | 31 |
| Patients who attempted to reduce or discontinue baseline therapy, n (%)b \*p‑\*value a | 37 (59) | 10 (32) |
| 0.016 | |
a Logistic regression model adjusted for randomisation stratification variables
b 21 out of 63 (33%) patients treated with eltrombopag who were taking an ITP medicinal product at baseline permanently discontinued all baseline ITP medicinal products.
At baseline, more than 70% of ITP patients in each treatment group reported any bleeding (WHO Grades 1‑4) and more than 20% reported clinically significant bleeding (WHO Grades 2‑4), respectively. The proportion of eltrombopag-treated patients with any bleeding (Grades 1‑4) and clinically significant bleeding (Grades 2‑4) was reduced from baseline by approximately 50% from Day 15 to the end of treatment throughout the 6‑month treatment period.
TRA100773B:
The primary efficacy endpoint was the proportion of responders, defined as ITP patients who had an increase in platelet counts to ≥50 000/μl at Day 43 from a baseline of <30 000/μl; patients who withdrew prematurely due to a platelet count >200 000/μl were considered responders, those that discontinued for any other reason were considered non-responders irrespective of platelet count. A total of 114 patients with previously treated ITP were randomised 2:1 eltrombopag (n=76) to placebo (n=38).
\*\*Table 5 Efficacy results from TRA100773B\*\*
| | | |
| --- | --- | --- |
| | Eltrombopag N=74 | Placebo N=38 |
| Key primary endpoints | | |
| Eligible for efficacy analysis, n | 73 | 37 |
| Patients with platelet count ≥50 000/μl after up to 42 days of dosing (compared to a baseline count of <30 000/μl), n (%) \*p‑\*valuea | 43 (59) | 6 (16) |
| <0.001 | |
| Key secondary endpoints | | |
| Patients with a Day 43 bleeding assessment, n | 51 | 30 |
| Bleeding (WHO Grades 1-4) n (%) \*p‑\*valuea | 20 (39) | 18 (60) |
| 0.029 | |
a Logistic regression model adjusted for randomisation stratification variables
In both RAISE and TRA100773B the response to eltrombopag relative to placebo was similar irrespective of ITP medicinal product use, splenectomy status and baseline platelet count (≤15 000/µl, >15 000/µl) at randomisation.
In RAISE and TRA100773B studies, in the subgroup of ITP patients with baseline platelet count ≤15 000/μl the median platelet counts did not reach the target level (>50 000/μl), although in both studies 43% of these patients treated with eltrombopag responded after 6 weeks of treatment. In addition, in the RAISE study, 42% of patients with baseline platelet count ≤15 000/μl treated with eltrombopag responded at the end of the 6‑month treatment period. Forty-two to 60% of the eltrombopag-treated patients in the RAISE study were receiving 75 mg from Day 29 to the end of treatment.
\*Open-label non-controlled studies\*
REPEAT (TRA108057):
This open‑label, repeat‑dose study (3 cycles of 6 weeks of treatment, followed by 4 weeks off treatment) showed that episodic use with multiple courses of eltrombopag has demonstrated no loss of response.
EXTEND (TRA105325):
Eltrombopag was administered to 302 ITP patients in this open-label extension study, 218 patients completed 1 year, 180 completed 2 years, 107 completed 3 years, 75 completed 4 years, 34 completed 5 years and 18 completed 6 years. The median baseline platelet count was 19 000/μl prior to eltrombopag administration. Median platelet counts at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 years on study were 85 000/μl, 85 000/μl, 105 000/μl, 64 000/μl, 75 000/μl, 119 000/μl and 76 000/μl, respectively.
TAPER (CETB115J2411):
This was a single-arm phase II study including ITP patients treated with eltrombopag after first-line corticosteroid failure irrespective of time since diagnosis. A total of 105 patients were enrolled on the study and started eltrombopag treatment on 50 mg once daily (25 mg once daily for patients of East-/Southeast-Asian ancestry). The dose of eltrombopag was adjusted during the treatment period based on individual platelet counts with the goal to achieve a platelet count ≥100 000/μl.
Of the 105 patients who were enrolled in the study and who received at least one dose of eltrombopag, 69 patients (65.7%) completed treatment and 36 patients (34.3%) discontinued treatment early.
Analysis of sustained response off treatment
The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients with sustained response off treatment until Month 12. Patients who reached a platelet count of ≥100 000/µl and maintained platelet counts around 100 000/µl for 2 months (no counts below 70 000/µl) were eligible for tapering off eltrombopag and treatment discontinuation. To be considered as having achieved a sustained response off treatment, a patient had to maintain platelet counts ≥30 000/µl, in the absence of bleeding events or the use of rescue therapy, both during the treatment tapering period and following discontinuation of treatment until Month 12.
The duration of tapering was individualised depending on the starting dose and the response of the patient. The tapering schedule recommended dose reductions of 25 mg every 2 weeks if the platelet counts were stable. After the daily dose was reduced to 25 mg for 2 weeks, the dose of 25 mg was then only administered on alternate days for 2 weeks until treatment discontinuation. The tapering was done in smaller decrements of 12.5 mg every second week for patients of East‑/Southeast‑Asian ancestry. If a relapse (defined as platelet count <30 000/µl) occurred, patients were offered a new course of eltrombopag at the appropriate starting dose.
Eighty‑nine patients (84.8%) achieved a complete response (platelet count ≥100 000/µl) (Step 1, Table 6) and 65 patients (61.9%) maintained the complete response for at least 2 months with no platelet counts below 70 000/µl (Step 2, Table 6). Forty-four patients (41.9%) were able to be tapered off eltrombopag until treatment discontinuation while maintaining platelet counts ≥30 000/µl in the absence of bleeding events or the use of rescue therapy (Step 3, Table 6).
The study met the primary objective by demonstrating that eltrombopag was able to induce sustained response off treatment, in the absence of bleeding events or the use of rescue therapy, by Month 12 in 32 of the 105 enrolled patients (30.5%; p<0.0001; 95% CI: 21.9, 40.2) (Step 4, Table 6). By Month 24, 20 of the 105 enrolled patients (19.0%; 95% CI: 12.0, 27.9) maintained sustained response off treatment in the absence of bleeding events or the use of rescue therapy (Step 5, Table 6).
The median duration of sustained response after treatment discontinuation to Month 12 was 33.3 weeks (min‑max: 4‑51), and the median duration of sustained response after treatment discontinuation to Month 24 was 88.6 weeks (min‑max: 57‑107).
After tapering off and discontinuation of eltrombopag treatment, 12 patients had a loss of response, 8 of them re‑started eltrombopag and 7 had a recovery response.
During the 2‑year follow‑up, 6 out of 105 patients (5.7%) experienced thromboembolic events, of which 3 patients (2.9%) experienced deep vein thrombosis, 1 patient (1.0%) experienced superficial vein thrombosis, 1 patient (1.0%) experienced cavernous sinus thrombosis, 1 patient (1.0%) experienced cerebrovascular accident and 1 patient (1.0%) experienced pulmonary embolism. Of the 6 patients, 4 patients experienced thromboembolic events that were reported at or greater than Grade 3, and 4 patients experienced thromboembolic event that were reported as serious. No fatal cases were reported.
Twenty out of 105 patients (19.0%) experienced mild to severe haemorrhage events on treatment before tapering started. Five out of 65 patients (7.7%) who started tapering experienced mild to moderate haemorrhage events during tapering. No severe haemorrhage event occurred during tapering. Two out of 44 patients (4.5%) who tapered off and discontinued eltrombopag treatment experienced mild to moderate haemorrhage events after treatment discontinuation until Month 12. No severe haemorrhage event occurred during this period. None of the patients who discontinued eltrombopag and entered the second year follow‑up experienced haemorrhage event during the second year. Two fatal intracranial haemorrhage events were reported during the 2‑year follow-up. Both events occurred on treatment, not in the context of tapering. The events were not considered to be related to study treatment.
The overall safety analysis is consistent with previously reported data and the risk‑benefit assessment remained unchanged for the use of eltrombopag in patients with ITP.
\*\*Table 6 Proportion of patients with sustained response off treatment at Month 12 and at Month 24 (full analysis set) in TAPER\*\*
| | | | | | |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| | | \*\*All patients\*\* \*\*N=105\*\* | | \*\*Hypothesis testing\*\* | |
| \*\*n (%)\*\* | \*\*95% CI\*\* | \*\*p-value\*\* | \*\*Reject H0\*\* |
| Step 1: | Patients who reached platelet count ≥100 000/µl at least once | 89 (84.8) | (76.4, 91.0) | | |
| Step 2: | Patients who maintained stable platelet count for 2 months after reaching 100 000/µl (no counts <70 000/µl) | 65 (61.9) | (51.9, 71.2) | | |
| Step 3: | Patients who were able to be tapered off eltrombopag until treatment discontinuation, maintaining platelet count ≥30 000/µL in the absence of bleeding events or use of any rescue therapy | 44 (41.9) | (32.3, 51.9) | | |
| Step 4: | Patients with sustained response off treatment until Month 12, with platelet count maintained ≥30 000/µl in the absence of bleeding events or use of any rescue therapy | 32 (30.5) | (21.9, 40.2) | <0.0001\\* | Yes |
| Step 5: | Patients with sustained response off treatment from Month 12 to Month 24, maintaining platelet count ≥30 000/µl in the absence of bleeding events or use of any rescue therapy | 20 (19.0) | (12.0, 27.9) | | |
| N: The total number of patients in the treatment group. This is the denominator for percentage (%) calculation. n: Number of patients in the corresponding category. The 95% CI for the frequency distribution was computed using Clopper-Pearson exact method. Clopper‑Pearson test was used for testing whether the proportion of responders was >15%. CI and p-values are reported. \\* Indicates statistical significance (one-sided) at the 0.05 level. | | | | | |
Results of response on treatment analysis by time since ITP diagnosis
An ad-hoc analysis was conducted on the n=105 patients by time since ITP diagnosis to assess the response to eltrombopag across four different ITP categories by time since diagnosis (newly diagnosed ITP <3 months, persistent ITP 3 to <6 months, persistent ITP 6 to ≤12 months, and chronic ITP >12 months). 49% of patients (n=51) had an ITP diagnosis of <3 months, 20% (n=21) of 3 to <6 months, 17% (n=18) of 6 to ≤12 months and 14% (n=15) of >12 months.
Until the cut-off date (22-Oct-2021), patients were exposed to eltrombopag for a median (Q1‑Q3) duration of 6.2 months (2.3‑12.0 months). The median (Q1‑Q3) platelet count at baseline was 16 000/μl (7 800‑28 000/μl).
Platelet count response, defined as a platelet count ≥50 000/μl at least once by Week 9 without rescue therapy, was achieved in 84% (95% CI: 71% to 93%) of newly diagnosed ITP patients, 91% (95% CI: 70% to 99%) and 94% (95% CI: 73% to 100%) of persistent ITP patients (i.e. with ITP diagnosis 3 to <6 months and 6 to ≤12 months, respectively), and in 87% (95% CI: 60% to 98%) of chronic ITP patients.
The rate of complete response, defined as platelet count ≥100 000/μl at least once by Week 9 without rescue therapy, was 75% (95% CI: 60% to 86%) in newly diagnosed ITP patients, 76% (95% CI: 53% to 92%) and 72% (95% CI: 47% to 90%) in persistent ITP patients (ITP diagnosis 3 to <6 months and 6 to ≤12 months, respectively), and 87% (95% CI: 60% to 98%) in chronic ITP patients.
The rate of durable response, defined as a platelet count ≥50 000/μl for at least 6 out of 8 consecutive assessments without rescue therapy during the first 6 months on study, was 71% (95% CI: 56% to 83%) in newly diagnosed ITP patients, 81% (95% CI: 58% to 95%) and 72% (95% CI: 47% to 90.3%) in persistent ITP patients (ITP diagnosis 3 to <6 months and 6 to ≤12 months, respectively), and 80% (95% CI: 52% to 96%) in chronic ITP patients.
When assessed with the WHO Bleeding Scale, the proportion of newly diagnosed and persistent ITP patients without bleeding at Week 4 ranged from 88% to 95% compared to 37% to 57% at baseline. For chronic ITP patients it was 93% compared to 73% at baseline.
The safety of eltrombopag was consistent across all ITP categories and in line with its known safety profile.
Clinical studies comparing eltrombopag to other treatment options (e.g. splenectomy) have not been conducted. The long-term safety of eltrombopag should be considered prior to starting therapy.
\*Paediatric population (aged 1 to 17 years)\*
The safety and efficacy of eltrombopag in paediatric patients have been investigated two studies.
TRA115450 (PETIT2):
The primary endpoint was a sustained response, defined as the proportion of patients receiving eltrombopag, compared to placebo, achieving platelet counts ≥50 000/µl for at least 6 out of 8 weeks (in the absence of rescue therapy), between weeks 5 to 12 during the double-blind randomised period. Patients were diagnosed with chronic ITP for at least 1 year and were refractory or relapsed to at least one prior ITP therapy or unable to continue other ITP treatments for a medical reason and had platelet count <30 000/µl. Ninety-two patients were randomised by three age cohort strata (2:1) to eltrombopag (n=63) or placebo (n=29). The dose of eltrombopag could be adjusted based on individual platelet counts.
Overall, a significantly greater proportion of eltrombopag patients (40%) compared with placebo patients (3%) achieved the primary endpoint (Odds Ratio: 18.0 [95% CI: 2.3, 140.9] p <0.001) which was similar across the three age cohorts (Table 7).
\*\*Table 7 Sustained platelet response rates by age cohort in paediatric patients with chronic ITP\*\*
| | | |
| --- | --- | --- |
| | Eltrombopag n/N (%) [95% CI] | Placebo n/N (%) [95% CI] |
| Cohort 1 (12 to 17 years) Cohort 2 (6 to 11 years) Cohort 3 (1 to 5 years) | 9/23 (39%) [20%, 61%] 11/26 (42%) [23%, 63%] 5/14 (36%) [13%, 65%] | 1/10 (10%) [0%, 45%] 0/13 (0%) [N/A] 0/6 (0%) [N/A] |
Statistically fewer eltrombopag patients required rescue treatment during the randomised period compared to placebo patients (19% [12/63] vs. 24% [7/29], p=0.032).
At baseline, 71% of patients in the eltrombopag group and 69% in the placebo group reported any bleeding (WHO Grades 1‑4). At Week 12, the proportion of eltrombopag patients reporting any bleeding was decreased to half of baseline (36%). In comparison, at Week 12, 55% of placebo patients reported any bleeding.
Patients were permitted to reduce or discontinue baseline ITP therapy only during the open-label phase of the study and 53% (8/15) of patients were able to reduce (n=1) or discontinue (n=7) baseline ITP therapy, mainly corticosteroids, without needing rescue therapy.
TRA108062 (PETIT):
The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients achieving platelet counts ≥50 000/µl at least once between weeks 1 and 6 of the randomised period. Patients were diagnosed with ITP for at least 6 months and were refractory or relapsed to at least one prior ITP therapy with a platelet count <30 000/µl (n=67). During the randomised period of the study, patients were randomised by three age cohort strata (2:1) to eltrombopag (n=45) or placebo (n=22). The dose of eltrombopag could be adjusted based on individual platelet counts.
Overall, a significantly greater proportion of eltrombopag patients (62%) compared with placebo patients (32%) met the primary endpoint (Odds Ratio: 4.3 [95% CI: 1.4, 13.3] p=0.011).
Sustained response was seen in 50% of the initial responders during 20 out of 24 weeks in the PETIT 2 study and 15 out of 24 weeks in the PETIT Study.
\*\*\*Chronic hepatitis C associated thrombocytopenia studies\*\*\*
The efficacy and safety of eltrombopag for the treatment of thrombocytopenia in patients with HCV infection were evaluated in two randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies. ENABLE 1 utilised peginterferon alfa-2a plus ribavirin for antiviral treatment and ENABLE 2 utilised peginterferon alfa-2b plus ribavirin. Patients did not receive direct acting antiviral agents. In both studies, patients with a platelet count of <75 000/µl were enrolled and stratified by platelet count (<50 000/µl and ≥50 000/µl to <75 000/µl), screening HCV RNA (<800 000 IU/ml and ≥800 000 IU/ml), and HCV genotype (genotype 2/3, and genotype 1/4/6).
Baseline disease characteristics were similar in both studies and were consistent with compensated cirrhotic HCV patient population. The majority of patients were HCV genotype 1 (64%) and had bridging fibrosis/cirrhosis. Thirty-one percent of patients had been treated with prior HCV therapies, primarily pegylated interferon plus ribavirin. The median baseline platelet count was 59 500/µl in both treatment groups: 0.8%, 28% and 72% of the patients recruited had platelet counts <20 000/µl, <50 000/µl and ≥50 000/µl respectively.
The studies consisted of two phases – a pre-antiviral treatment phase and an antiviral treatment phase. In the pre-antiviral treatment phase, patients received open-label eltrombopag to increase the platelet count to ≥90 000/µl for ENABLE 1 and ≥100 000/µl for ENABLE 2. The median time to achieve the target platelet count ≥90 000/µl (ENABLE 1) or ≥100 000/µl (ENABLE 2) was 2 weeks.
The primary efficacy endpoint for both studies was sustained virologic response (SVR), defined as the percentage of patients with no detectable HCV-RNA at 24 weeks after completion of the planned treatment period.
In both HCV studies, a significantly greater proportion of patients treated with eltrombopag (n=201, 21%) achieved SVR compared to those treated with placebo (n=65, 13%) (see Table 8). The improvement in the proportion of patients who achieved SVR was consistent across all subgroups in the randomisation strata (baseline platelet counts (<50 000 vs. >50 000), viral load (<800 000 IU/ml vs. ≥800 000 IU/ml) and genotype (2/3 vs. 1/4/6)).
\*\*Table 8 Virologic response in HCV patients in ENABLE 1 and ENABLE 2\*\*
| | | | | | | |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| | \*\*Pooled data\*\* | | \*\*ENABLE 1a\*\* | | \*\*ENABLE 2b\*\* | |
| Patients achieving target platelet counts and initiating antiviral therapy \*\*c\*\* | 1 439/1 520 (95%) | | 680/715 (95%) | | 759/805 (94%) | |
| | \*\*Eltrombopag\*\* | \*\*Placebo\*\* | \*\*Eltrombopag\*\* | \*\*Placebo\*\* | \*\*Eltrombopag\*\* | \*\*Placebo\*\* |
| \*\*Total number of patients entering antiviral treatment phase\*\* | \*\*n=956\*\* | \*\*n=485\*\* | \*\*n=450\*\* | \*\*n=232\*\* | \*\*n=506\*\* | \*\*n=253\*\* |
| | \*\*% patients achieving virologic response\*\* | | | | | |
| \*\*Overall SVR\*\* d | 21 | 13 | 23 | 14 | 19 | 13 |
| \*HCV RNA Genotype\* | | | | | | |
| Genotype 2/3 | 35 | 25 | 35 | 24 | 34 | 25 |
| Genotype 1/4/6e | 15 | 8 | 18 | 10 | 13 | 7 |
| \*Albumin levels f\* | | | | | | |
| ≤35g/l | 11 | 8 |
| >35g/l | 25 | 16 |
| \*MELD scoref\* | | |
| ≥10 | 18 | 10 |
| <10 | 23 | 17 |
a Eltrombopag given in combination with peginterferon alfa-2a (180 μg once weekly for 48 weeks for genotypes 1/4/6; 24 weeks for genotype 2/3) plus ribavirin (800 to 1 200 mg daily in 2 divided doses orally)
b Eltrombopag given in combination with peginterferon alfa-2b (1.5 μg/kg once weekly for 48 weeks for genotype 1/4/6; 24 weeks for genotype 2/3) plus ribavirin (800 to 1 400 mg orally in 2 divided doses)
c Target platelet count was ≥90 000/µl for ENABLE 1 and ≥100 000/µl for ENABLE 2. For ENABLE 1, 682 patients were randomised to the antiviral treatment phase; however 2 patients then withdrew consent prior to receiving antiviral therapy.
d \*p‑\*value <0.05 for eltrombopag versus placebo
e 64% patients participating in ENABLE 1 and ENABLE 2 were genotype 1
f Post-hoc analyses
Other secondary findings of the studies included the following: significantly fewer patients treated with eltrombopag prematurely discontinued antiviral therapy compared to placebo (45% vs. 60%, p=<0.0001). A greater proportion of patients on eltrombopag did not require any antiviral dose reduction as compared to placebo (45% vs. 27%). Eltrombopag treatment delayed and reduced the number of peginterferon dose reductions.5.2 Pharmacokinetic properties
\*\*Pharmacokinetics\*\*
The plasma eltrombopag concentration-time data collected in 88 patients with ITP in studies TRA100773A and TRA100773B were combined with data from 111 healthy adult subjects in a population PK analysis. Plasma eltrombopag AUC(0-) and Cmax estimates for ITP patients are presented (Table 9).
\*\*Table 9 Geometric mean (95% confidence intervals) of steady-state plasma eltrombopag pharmacokinetic parameters in adults with ITP\*\*
| | | | |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| \*\*Eltrombopag dose, once daily\*\* | \*\*N\*\* | \*\*AUC(0-SMPC\_105896\_Tau\_1.gif)a, μg.h/ml\*\* | \*\*Cmaxa, μg/ml\*\* |
| 30 mg | 28 | 47 (39, 58) | 3.78 (3.18, 4.49) |
| 50 mg | 34 | 108 (88, 134) | 8.01 (6.73, 9.53) |
| 75 mg | 26 | 168 (143, 198) | 12.7 (11.0, 14.5) |
a AUC(0-) and Cmax based on population PK post-hoc estimates.
Plasma eltrombopag concentration-time data collected in 590 patients with HCV enrolled in phase III studies TPL103922/ENABLE 1 and TPL108390/ENABLE 2 were combined with data from patients with HCV enrolled in the phase II study TPL102357 and healthy adult subjects in a population PK analysis. Plasma eltrombopag Cmax and AUC(0-) estimates for patients with HCV enrolled in the phase III studies are presented for each dose studied in Table 10.
\*\*Table 10 Geometric mean (95% CI) steady-state plasma eltrombopag pharmacokinetic parameters in patients with chronic HCV\*\*
| | | | |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| \*\*Eltrombopag dose\*\* \*\*(once daily)\*\* | \*\*N\*\* | \*\*AUC(0-SMPC\_105896\_Tau\_1.gif)\*\* \*\*(μg.h/ml)\*\* | \*\*Cmax\*\* \*\*(μg/ml)\*\* |
| 25 mg | 330 | 118 (109, 128) | 6.40 (5.97, 6.86) |
| 50 mg | 119 | 166 (143, 192) | 9.08 (7.96, 10.35) |
| 75 mg | 45 | 301 (250, 363) | 16.71 (14.26, 19.58) |
| 100 mg | 96 | 354 (304, 411) | 19.19 (16.81, 21.91) |
Data presented as geometric mean (95% CI).
AUC (0-) and Cmax based on population PK post-hoc estimates at the highest dose in the data for each patient.
\*\*Absorption and bioavailability\*\*
Eltrombopag is absorbed with a peak concentration occurring 2 to 6 hours after oral administration. Administration of eltrombopag concomitantly with antacids and other products containing polyvalent cations such as dairy products and mineral supplements significantly reduces eltrombopag exposure (see section 4.2). In a relative bioavailability study in adults, the eltrombopag powder for oral suspension delivered 22% higher plasma AUC(0-∞) than the film-coated tablet formulation. The absolute oral bioavailability of eltrombopag after administration to humans has not been established. Based on urinary excretion and metabolites eliminated in faeces, the oral absorption of drug-related material following administration of a single 75 mg eltrombopag solution dose was estimated to be at least 52%.
\*\*Distribution\*\*
Eltrombopag is highly bound to human plasma proteins (>99.9%), predominantly to albumin. Eltrombopag is a substrate for BCRP, but is not a substrate for P-glycoprotein or OATP1B1.
\*\*Biotransformation\*\*
Eltrombopag is primarily metabolised through cleavage, oxidation and conjugation with glucuronic acid, glutathione, or cysteine. In a human radiolabel study, eltrombopag accounted for approximately 64% of plasma radiocarbon AUC0-∞. Minor metabolites due to glucuronidation and oxidation were also detected. \*In vitro\* studies suggest that CYP1A2 and CYP2C8 are responsible for oxidative metabolism of eltrombopag. Uridine diphosphoglucuronyl transferase UGT1A1 and UGT1A3 are responsible for glucuronidation, and bacteria in the lower gastrointestinal tract may be responsible for the cleavage pathway.
\*\*Elimination\*\*
Absorbed eltrombopag is extensively metabolised. The predominant route of eltrombopag excretion is via faeces (59%) with 31% of the dose found in the urine as metabolites. Unchanged parent compound (eltrombopag) is not detected in urine. Unchanged eltrombopag excreted in faeces accounts for approximately 20% of the dose. The plasma elimination half-life of eltrombopag is approximately 21‑32 hours.
\*\*Pharmacokinetic interactions\*\*
Based on a human study with radiolabelled eltrombopag, glucuronidation plays a minor role in the metabolism of eltrombopag. Human liver microsome studies identified UGT1A1 and UGT1A3 as the enzymes responsible for eltrombopag glucuronidation. Eltrombopag was an inhibitor of a number of UGT enzymes \*in vitro\*. Clinically significant drug interactions involving glucuronidation are not anticipated due to limited contribution of individual UGT enzymes in the glucuronidation of eltrombopag.
Approximately 21% of an eltrombopag dose could undergo oxidative metabolism. Human liver microsome studies identified CYP1A2 and CYP2C8 as the enzymes responsible for eltrombopag oxidation. Eltrombopag does not inhibit or induce CYP enzymes based on \*in vitro\* and \*in vivo\* data (see section 4.5).
\*In vitro\* studies demonstrate that eltrombopag is an inhibitor of the OATP1B1 transporter and an inhibitor of the BCRP transporter and eltrombopag increased exposure of the OATP1B1 and BCRP substrate rosuvastatin in a clinical drug interaction study (see section 4.5). In clinical studies with eltrombopag, a dose reduction of statins by 50% was recommended.
Eltrombopag chelates with polyvalent cations such as iron, calcium, magnesium, aluminium, selenium and zinc (see sections 4.2 and 4.5).
\*In vitro\* studies demonstrated that eltrombopag is not a substrate for the organic anion transporter polypeptide, OATP1B1, but is an inhibitor of this transporter (IC50 value of 2.7 μM [1.2 μg/ml]). \*In vitro\* studies also demonstrated that eltrombopag is a breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP) substrate and inhibitor (IC50 value of 2.7 μM [1.2 μg/ml])\*.\*
\*\*Special patient populations\*\*
\*\*\*Renal impairment\*\*\*
The pharmacokinetics of eltrombopag have been studied after administration of eltrombopag to adult patients with renal impairment. Following administration of a single 50 mg dose, the AUC0-∞ of eltrombopag was 32% to 36% lower in patients with mild to moderate renal impairment, and 60% lower in patients with severe renal impairment compared with healthy volunteers. There was substantial variability and significant overlap in exposures between patients with renal impairment and healthy volunteers. Unbound eltrombopag (active) concentrations for this highly protein‑bound medicinal product were not measured. Patients with impaired renal function should use eltrombopag with caution and close monitoring, for example by testing serum creatinine and/or urine analysis (see section 4.2). The efficacy and safety of eltrombopag have not been established in patients with both moderate to severe renal impairment and hepatic impairment.
\*\*\*Hepatic impairment\*\*\*
The pharmacokinetics of eltrombopag have been studied after administration of eltrombopag to adult patients with hepatic impairment. Following the administration of a single 50 mg dose, the AUC0-∞ of eltrombopag was 41% higher in patients with mild hepatic impairment and 80% to 93% higher in patients with moderate to severe hepatic impairment compared with healthy volunteers. There was substantial variability and significant overlap in exposures between patients with hepatic impairment and healthy volunteers. Unbound eltrombopag (active) concentrations for this highly protein‑bound medicinal product were not measured.
The influence of hepatic impairment on the pharmacokinetics of eltrombopag following repeat administration was evaluated using a population pharmacokinetic analysis in 28 healthy adults and 714 patients with hepatic impairment (673 patients with HCV and 41 patients with chronic liver disease of other aetiology). Of the 714 patients, 642 were with mild hepatic impairment, 67 with moderate hepatic impairment, and 2 with severe hepatic impairment. Compared to healthy volunteers, patients with mild hepatic impairment had approximately 111% (95% CI: 45% to 283%) higher plasma eltrombopag AUC(0-) values and patients with moderate hepatic impairment had approximately 183% (95% CI: 90% to 459%) higher plasma eltrombopag AUC(0-) values.
Therefore, eltrombopag should not be used in ITP patients with hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh score ≥5) unless the expected benefit outweighs the identified risk of portal venous thrombosis (see sections 4.2 and 4.4). For patients with HCV initiate eltrombopag at a dose of 25 mg once daily (see section 4.2).
\*\*\*Race\*\*\*
The influence of East-Asian ethnicity on the pharmacokinetics of eltrombopag was evaluated using a population pharmacokinetic analysis in 111 healthy adults (31 East-Asians) and 88 patients with ITP (18 East-Asians). Based on estimates from the population pharmacokinetic analysis, East-Asian ITP patients had approximately 49% higher plasma eltrombopag AUC(0-) values as compared to non- East-Asian patients who were predominantly Caucasian (see section 4.2).
The influence of East-/Southeast-Asian ethnicity on the pharmacokinetics of eltrombopag was evaluated using a population pharmacokinetic analysis in 635 patients with HCV (145 East-Asians and 69 Southeast-Asians). Based on estimates from the population pharmacokinetic analysis, East-/Southeast-Asian patients had approximately 55% higher plasma eltrombopag AUC(0-) values as compared to patients of other races who were predominantly Caucasian (see section 4.2).
\*\*\*Gender\*\*\*
The influence of gender on the pharmacokinetics of eltrombopag was evaluated using a population pharmacokinetic analysis in 111 healthy adults (14 females) and 88 patients with ITP (57 females). Based on estimates from the population pharmacokinetic analysis, female ITP patients had approximately 23% higher plasma eltrombopag AUC(0-) as compared to male patients, without adjustment for body weight differences.
The influence of gender on eltrombopag pharmacokinetics was evaluated using population pharmacokinetics analysis in 635 patients with HCV (260 females). Based on model estimate, female HCV patient had approximately 41% higher plasma eltrombopag AUC(0-) as compared to male patients.
\*\*\*Age\*\*\*
The influence of age on eltrombopag pharmacokinetics was evaluated using population pharmacokinetics analysis in 28 healthy subjects, 673 patients with HCV, and 41 patients with chronic liver disease of other aetiology ranging from 19 to 74 years old. There are no PK data on the use of eltrombopag in patients ≥75 years. Based on model estimate, elderly (≥65 years) patients had approximately 41% higher plasma eltrombopag AUC(0-) as compared to younger patients (see section 4.2).
\*\*\*Paediatric Population (aged 1 to 17 years)\*\*\*
The pharmacokinetics of eltrombopag have been evaluated in 168 paediatric ITP patients dosed once daily in two studies, TRA108062/PETIT and TRA115450/PETIT-2. Plasma eltrombopag apparent clearance following oral administration (CL/F) increased with increasing body weight. The effects of race and sex on plasma eltrombopag CL/F estimates were consistent between paediatric and adult patients. East-/Southeast-Asian paediatric ITP patients had approximately 43% higher plasma eltrombopag AUC(0‑) values as compared to non-Asian patients. Female paediatric ITP patients had approximately 25% higher plasma eltrombopag AUC(0-) values as compared to male patients.
The pharmacokinetic parameters of eltrombopag in paediatric patients with ITP are shown in Table 11.
\*\*Table 11 Geometric mean (95% CI) steady-state plasma eltrombopag pharmacokinetic parameters in paediatric patients with ITP (50 mg once daily dosing regimen)\*\*
| | | |
| --- | --- | --- |
| \*\*Age\*\* | \*\*Cmax\*\* \*\*(µg/ml)\*\* | \*\*AUC(0-SMPC\_105896\_Tau\_1.gif)\*\* \*\*(µg.hr/ml)\*\* |
| 12 to 17 years (n=62) | 6.80 (6.17, 7.50) | 103 (91.1, 116) |
| 6 to 11 years (n=68) | 10.3 (9.42, 11.2) | 153 (137, 170) |
| 1 to 5 years (n=38) | 11.6 (10.4, 12.9) | 162 (139, 187) |
Data presented as geometric mean (95% CI). AUC(0-) and Cmax based on population PK post-hoc estimates5.3 Preclinical safety data
\*\*Safety pharmacology and repeat-dose toxicity\*\*
Eltrombopag does not stimulate platelet production in mice, rats or dogs because of unique TPO receptor specificity. Therefore, data from these animals do not fully model potential adverse effects related to the pharmacology of eltrombopag in humans, including the reproduction and carcinogenicity studies.
Treatment-related cataracts were detected in rodents and were dose and time-dependent. At ≥6 times the human clinical exposure in adult ITP patients at 75 mg/day and 3 times the human clinical exposure in adult HCV patients at 100 mg/day, based on AUC, cataracts were observed in mice after 6 weeks and rats after 28 weeks of dosing. At ≥4 times the human clinical exposure in ITP patients at 75 mg/day and 2 times the human exposure in HCV patients at 100 mg/day, based on AUC, cataracts were observed in mice after 13 weeks and in rats after 39 weeks of dosing. At non-tolerated doses in pre-weaning juvenile rats dosed from days 4‑32 (approximately equating to a 2-year‑old human at the end of the dosing period), ocular opacities were observed (histology not performed) at 9 times the maximum human clinical exposure in paediatric ITP patients at 75 mg/day, based on AUC. However, cataracts were not observed in juvenile rats given tolerated doses at 5 times the human clinical exposure in paediatric ITP patients, based on AUC. Cataracts have not been observed in adult dogs after 52 weeks of dosing at 2 times the human clinical exposure in adult or paediatric ITP patients at 75 mg/day and equivalent to the human clinical exposure in HCV patients at 100 mg/day, based on AUC).
Renal tubular toxicity was observed in studies of up to 14 days duration in mice and rats at exposures that were generally associated with morbidity and mortality. Tubular toxicity was also observed in a 2‑year oral carcinogenicity study in mice at doses of 25, 75 and 150 mg/kg/day. Effects were less severe at lower doses and were characterised by a spectrum of regenerative changes. The exposure at the lowest dose was 1.2 or 0.8 times the human clinical exposure based on AUC in adult or paediatric ITP patients at 75 mg/day and 0.6 times the human clinical exposure in HCV patients at 100 mg/day, based on AUC. Renal effects were not observed in rats after 28 weeks or in dogs after 52 weeks at exposures 4 and 2 times the human clinical exposure in adult ITP patients and 3 and 2 times the human clinical exposure in paediatric ITP patients at 75 mg/day and 2 times and equivalent to the human clinical exposure in HCV patients at 100 mg/day, based on AUC.
Hepatocyte degeneration and/or necrosis, often accompanied by increased serum liver enzymes, was observed in mice, rats and dogs at doses that were associated with morbidity and mortality or were poorly tolerated. No hepatic effects were observed after chronic dosing in rats (28 weeks) and in dogs (52 weeks) at 4 or 2 times the human clinical exposure in adult ITP and 3 or 2 times the human clinical exposure in paediatric ITP patients at 75 mg/day and 2 times and equivalent to the human clinical exposure in HCV patients at 100 mg/day, based on AUC.
At poorly tolerated doses in rats and dogs (>10 or 7 times the human clinical exposure in adult or paediatric ITP patients at 75 mg/day and>4 times the human clinical exposure in HCV patients at 100 mg/day, based on AUC), decreased reticulocyte counts and regenerative bone marrow erythroid hyperplasia (rats only) were observed in short‑term studies. There were no effects of note on red cell mass or reticulocyte counts after dosing for up to 28 weeks in rats, 52 weeks in dogs and 2 years in mice or rats at maximally tolerated doses which were 2 to 4 times human clinical exposure in adult or paediatric ITP patients at 75 mg/day and ≤2 times the human clinical exposure in HCV patients at 100 mg/day, based on AUC.
Endosteal hyperostosis was observed in a 28‑week toxicity study in rats at a non-tolerated dose of 60 mg/kg/day (6 times or 4 times the human clinical exposure in adult or paediatric ITP patients at 75 mg/day and 3 times the human clinical exposure in HCV patients at 100 mg/day, based on AUC). There were no bone changes observed in mice or rats after lifetime exposure (2 years) at 4 times or 2 times the human clinical exposure in adult or paediatric ITP patients at 75 mg/day and 2 times the human clinical exposure in HCV patients at 100 mg/day, based on AUC.
\*\*Carcinogenicity and mutagenicity\*\*
Eltrombopag was not carcinogenic in mice at doses up to 75 mg/kg/day or in rats at doses up to 40 mg/kg/day (exposures up to 4 or 2 times the human clinical exposure in adult or paediatric ITP patients at 75 mg/day and 2 times the human clinical exposure in HCV patients at 100 mg/day, based on AUC). Eltrombopag was not mutagenic or clastogenic in a bacterial mutation assay or in two \*in vivo\* assays in rats (micronucleus and unscheduled DNA synthesis, 10 times or 8 times the human clinical exposure in adult or paediatric ITP patients at 75 mg/day and 7 times the human clinical exposure in HCV patients at 100 mg/day, based on Cmax). In the \*in vitro\* mouse lymphoma assay, eltrombopag was marginally positive (<3-fold increase in mutation frequency). These \*in vitro\* and \*in vivo\* findings suggest that eltrombopag does not pose a genotoxic risk to humans.
\*\*Reproductive toxicity\*\*
Eltrombopag did not affect female fertility, early embryonic development or embryofoetal development in rats at doses up to 20 mg/kg/day (2 times the human clinical exposure in adult or adolescent (12‑17 years) ITP patients at 75 mg/day and equivalent to the human clinical exposure in HCV patients at 100 mg/day, based on AUC). Also there was no effect on embryofoetal development in rabbits at doses up to 150 mg/kg/day, the highest dose tested (0.3 to 0.5 times the human clinical exposure in ITP patients at 75 mg/day and HCV patients at 100 mg/day, based on AUC). However, at a maternally toxic dose of 60 mg/kg/day (6 times the human clinical exposure in ITP patients at 75 mg/day and 3 times the human clinical exposure in HCV patients at 100 mg/day, based on AUC) in rats, eltrombopag treatment was associated with embryo lethality (increased pre- and post-implantation loss), reduced foetal body weight and gravid uterine weight in the female fertility study and a low incidence of cervical ribs and reduced foetal body weight in the embryofoetal development study. Eltrombopag should be used during pregnancy only if the expected benefit justifies the potential risk to the foetus (see section 4.6). Eltrombopag did not affect male fertility in rats at doses up to 40 mg/kg/day, the highest dose tested (3 times the human clinical exposure in ITP patients at 75 mg/day and 2 times the human clinical exposure in HCV patients at 100 mg/day, based on AUC). In the pre‑ and post-natal development study in rats, there were no undesirable effects on pregnancy, parturition or lactation of F0 female rats at maternally non-toxic doses (10 and 20 mg/kg/day) and no effects on the growth, development, neurobehavioural or reproductive function of the offspring (F1). Eltrombopag was detected in the plasma of all F1 rat pups for the entire 22 hour sampling period following administration of medicinal product to the F0 dams, suggesting that rat pup exposure to eltrombopag was likely via lactation.
\*\*Phototoxicity\*\*
\*In vitro\* studies with eltrombopag suggest a potential phototoxicity risk; however, in rodents there was no evidence of cutaneous phototoxicity (10 or 7 times the human clinical exposure in adult or paediatric ITP patients at 75 mg/day and 5 times the human clinical exposure in HCV patients at 100 mg/day, based on AUC) or ocular phototoxicity (≥4 times the human clinical exposure in adult or paediatric ITP patients at 75 mg/day and 3 times the human clinical exposure in HCV patients at 100 mg/day, based on AUC). Furthermore, a clinical pharmacology study in 36 subjects showed no evidence that photosensitivity was increased following administration of eltrombopag 75 mg. This was measured by delayed phototoxic index. Nevertheless, a potential risk of photoallergy cannot be ruled out since no specific preclinical study could be performed.
\*\*Juvenile animal studies\*\*
At non-tolerated doses in pre-weaning rats, ocular opacities were observed. At tolerated doses, no ocular opacities were observed (see above subsection 'Safety pharmacology and repeat-dose toxicity'). In conclusion, taking into account the exposure margins based on AUC, a risk of eltrombopag-related cataracts in paediatric patients cannot be excluded. There are no findings in juvenile rats to suggest a greater risk of toxicity with eltrombopag treatment in paediatric vs. adult ITP patients.
\*\*5.3 Preclinical safety data\*\*
\*\*Safety pharmacology and repeat-dose toxicity\*\*
Eltrombopag does not stimulate platelet production in mice, rats or dogs because of unique TPO receptor specificity. Therefore, data from these animals do not fully model potential adverse effects related to the pharmacology of eltrombopag in humans, including the reproduction and carcinogenicity studies.
Treatment-related cataracts were detected in rodents and were dose and time-dependent. At ≥6 times the human clinical exposure in adult ITP patients at 75 mg/day and 3 times the human clinical exposure in adult HCV patients at 100 mg/day, based on AUC, cataracts were observed in mice after 6 weeks and rats after 28 weeks of dosing. At ≥4 times the human clinical exposure in ITP patients at 75 mg/day and 2 times the human exposure in HCV patients at 100 mg/day, based on AUC, cataracts were observed in mice after 13 weeks and in rats after 39 weeks of dosing. At non-tolerated doses in pre-weaning juvenile rats dosed from Days 4‑32 (approximately equating to a 2-year‑old human at the end of the dosing period), ocular opacities were observed (histology not performed) at 9 times the maximum human clinical exposure in paediatric ITP patients at 75 mg/day, based on AUC. However, cataracts were not observed in juvenile rats given tolerated doses at 5 times the human clinical exposure in paediatric ITP patients, based on AUC. Cataracts have not been observed in adult dogs after 52 weeks of dosing at 2 times the human clinical exposure in adult or paediatric ITP patients at 75 mg/day and equivalent to the human clinical exposure in HCV patients at 100 mg/day, based on AUC).
Renal tubular toxicity was observed in studies of up to 14 days duration in mice and rats at exposures that were generally associated with morbidity and mortality. Tubular toxicity was also observed in a 2‑year oral carcinogenicity study in mice at doses of 25, 75 and 150 mg/kg/day. Effects were less severe at lower doses and were characterised by a spectrum of regenerative changes. The exposure at the lowest dose was 1.2 or 0.8 times the human clinical exposure based on AUC in adult or paediatric ITP patients at 75 mg/day and 0.6 times the human clinical exposure in HCV patients at 100 mg/day, based on AUC. Renal effects were not observed in rats after 28 weeks or in dogs after 52 weeks at exposures 4 and 2 times the human clinical exposure in adult ITP patients and 3 and 2 times the human clinical exposure in paediatric ITP patients at 75 mg/day and 2 times and equivalent to the human clinical exposure in HCV patients at 100 mg/day, based on AUC.
Hepatocyte degeneration and/or necrosis, often accompanied by increased serum liver enzymes, was observed in mice, rats and dogs at doses that were associated with morbidity and mortality or were poorly tolerated. No hepatic effects were observed after chronic dosing in rats (28 weeks) and in dogs (52 weeks) at 4 or 2 times the human clinical exposure in adult ITP patients and 3 or 2 times the human clinical exposure in paediatric ITP patients at 75 mg/day and 2 times or equivalent to the human clinical exposure in HCV patients at 100 mg/day, based on AUC.
At poorly tolerated doses in rats and dogs (>10 or 7 times the human clinical exposure in adult or paediatric ITP patients at 75 mg/day and >4 times the human clinical exposure in HCV patients at 100 mg/day, based on AUC), decreased reticulocyte counts and regenerative bone marrow erythroid hyperplasia (rats only) were observed in short‑term studies. There were no effects of note on red cell mass or reticulocyte counts after dosing for up to 28 weeks in rats, 52 weeks in dogs and 2 years in mice or rats at maximally tolerated doses which were 2 to 4 times human clinical exposure in adult or paediatric ITP patients at 75 mg/day and ≤2 times the human clinical exposure in HCV patients at 100 mg/day, based on AUC.
Endosteal hyperostosis was observed in a 28‑week toxicity study in rats at a non-tolerated dose of 60 mg/kg/day (6 times or 4 times the human clinical exposure in adult or paediatric ITP patients at 75 mg/day and 3 times the human clinical exposure in HCV patients at 100 mg/day, based on AUC). There were no bone changes observed in mice or rats after lifetime exposure (2 years) at 4 times or 2 times the human clinical exposure in adult or paediatric ITP patients at 75 mg/day and 2 times the human clinical exposure in HCV patients at 100 mg/day, based on AUC.
\*\*Carcinogenicity and mutagenicity\*\*
Eltrombopag was not carcinogenic in mice at doses up to 75 mg/kg/day or in rats at doses up to 40 mg/kg/day (exposures up to 4 or 2 times the human clinical exposure in adult or paediatric ITP patients at 75 mg/day and 2 times the human clinical exposure in HCV patients at 100 mg/day, based on AUC). Eltrombopag was not mutagenic or clastogenic in a bacterial mutation assay or in two \*in vivo\* assays in rats (micronucleus and unscheduled DNA synthesis, 10 times or 8 times the human clinical exposure in adult or paediatric ITP patients at 75 mg/day and 7 times the human clinical exposure in HCV patients at 100 mg/day, based on Cmax). In the \*in vitro\* mouse lymphoma assay, eltrombopag was marginally positive (<3-fold increase in mutation frequency). These \*in vitro\* and \*in vivo\* findings suggest that eltrombopag does not pose a genotoxic risk to humans.
\*\*Reproductive toxicity\*\*
Eltrombopag did not affect female fertility, early embryonic development or embryofoetal development in rats at doses up to 20 mg/kg/day (2 times the human clinical exposure in adult or adolescent (12‑17 years old) ITP patients at 75 mg/day and equivalent to the human clinical exposure in HCV patients at 100 mg/day, based on AUC). Also there was no effect on embryofoetal development in rabbits at doses up to 150 mg/kg/day, the highest dose tested (0.3 to 0.5 times the human clinical exposure in ITP patients at 75 mg/day and HCV patients at 100 mg/day, based on AUC). However, at a maternally toxic dose of 60 mg/kg/day (6 times the human clinical exposure in ITP patients at 75 mg/day and 3 times the human clinical exposure in HCV patients at 100 mg/day, based on AUC) in rats, eltrombopag treatment was associated with embryo lethality (increased pre- and post-implantation loss), reduced foetal body weight and gravid uterine weight in the female fertility study and a low incidence of cervical ribs and reduced foetal body weight in the embryofoetal development study. Eltrombopag should be used during pregnancy only if the expected benefit justifies the potential risk to the foetus (see section 4.6). Eltrombopag did not affect male fertility in rats at doses up to 40 mg/kg/day, the highest dose tested (3 times the human clinical exposure in ITP patients at 75 mg/day and 2 times the human clinical exposure in HCV patients at 100 mg/day, based on AUC). In the pre‑ and post-natal development study in rats, there were no undesirable effects on pregnancy, parturition or lactation of F0 female rats at maternally non-toxic doses (10 and 20 mg/kg/day) and no effects on the growth, development, neurobehavioural or reproductive function of the offspring (F1). Eltrombopag was detected in the plasma of all F1 rat pups for the entire 22 hour sampling period following administration of medicinal product to the F0 dams, suggesting that rat pup exposure to eltrombopag was likely via lactation.
Phototoxicity
\*In vitro\* studies with eltrombopag suggest a potential phototoxicity risk; however, in rodents there was no evidence of cutaneous phototoxicity (10 or 7 times the human clinical exposure in adult or paediatric ITP patients at 75 mg/day and 5 times the human clinical exposure in HCV patients at 100 mg/day, based on AUC) or ocular phototoxicity (≥4 times the human clinical exposure in adult or paediatric ITP patients at 75 mg/day and 3 times the human clinical exposure in HCV patients at 100 mg/day, based on AUC). Furthermore, a clinical pharmacology study in 36 subjects showed no evidence that photosensitivity was increased following administration of eltrombopag 75 mg. This was measured by delayed phototoxic index. Nevertheless, a potential risk of photoallergy cannot be ruled out since no specific preclinical study could be performed.
\*\*Juvenile animal studies\*\*
At non-tolerated doses in pre-weaning rats, ocular opacities were observed. At tolerated doses, no ocular opacities were observed (see above subsection 'Safety pharmacology and repeat-dose toxicity'). In conclusion, taking into account the exposure margins based on AUC, a risk of eltrombopag-related cataracts in paediatric patients cannot be excluded. There are no findings in juvenile rats to suggest a greater risk of toxicity with eltrombopag treatment in paediatric vs. adult ITP patients.
- Instruction Pharmaceutical Particulars
- 6.1 List of excipients
\*Tablet core\*
microcrystalline cellulose
mannitol (E421)
povidone
sodium starch glycolate (type B)
colloidal anhydrous silica
talc
magnesium stearate
\*Tablet coating\*
hypromellose (E464)
macrogol (E1521)
titanium dioxide (E171)
iron oxide red (E172)
iron oxide yellow (E172).6.2 Incompatibilities
Not applicable.6.3 Shelf life
2 years.6.4 Special precautions for storage
This medicinal product does not require any special temperature storage conditions. Store in the original package in order to protect from light.6.5 Nature and contents of container
Aluminum blisters (OPA/Alu/PVC) with aluminium push through foil in a carton containing 14 or 28 film-coated tablets and multipacks containing 84 (3 packs of 28) film-coated tablets.
Not all pack sizes may be marketed.6.6 Special precautions for disposal and other handling
Any unused medicinal product or waste material should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements.
- Instruction Content
- ## Composition
Each film-coated tablet contains eltrombopag olamine equivalent to 50mg eltrombopag.
For the full list of excipients, see section 6.1.
## Pharmaceutical Form
Film-coated tablet.
Round, light brown film-coated tablet (approximately 10.5mm in diameter) debossed with “50” on one side and a score line on the other side.
The tablet can be divided into equal doses.
## Clinical Particulars
4.1 Therapeutic indications
Eltrombopag is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) who are refractory to other treatments (e.g. corticosteroids, immunoglobulins) (see sections 4.2 and 5.1).
Eltrombopag is indicated for the treatment of paediatric patients aged 1 year and above with primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) lasting 6 months or longer from diagnosis and who are refractory to other treatments (e.g. corticosteroids, immunoglobulins) (see sections 4.2 and 5.1).
Eltrombopag is indicated in adult patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection for the treatment of thrombocytopenia, where the degree of thrombocytopenia is the main factor preventing the initiation or limiting the ability to maintain optimal interferon-based therapy (see sections 4.4 and 5.1).4.2 Posology and method of administration
Eltrombopag treatment should be initiated by and remain under the supervision of a physician who is experienced in the treatment of haematological diseases or the management of chronic hepatitis C and its complications.
\*\*Posology\*\*
Eltrombopag dosing requirements must be individualised based on the patient's platelet counts. The objective of treatment with eltrombopag should not be to normalise platelet counts.
The powder for oral suspension may lead to higher eltrombopag exposure than the tablet formulation (see section 5.2). When switching between the tablet and the powder for oral suspension formulations, platelet counts should be monitored weekly for 2 weeks.
\*\*\*Immune (primary) thrombocytopenia\*\*\*
The lowest dose of eltrombopag to achieve and maintain a platelet count ≥50,000/µl should be used. Dose adjustments are based upon the platelet count response. Eltrombopag must not be used to normalise platelet counts. In clinical studies, platelet counts generally increased within 1 to 2 weeks after starting eltrombopag and decreased within 1 to 2 weeks after discontinuation.
\*Adults and paediatric population aged 6 to 17 years\*
The recommended starting dose of eltrombopag is 50 mg once daily. For patients of East-/Southeast-Asian ancestry, eltrombopag should be initiated at a reduced dose of 25 mg once daily (see section 5.2).
\*Paediatric population aged 1 to 5 years\*
The recommended starting dose of eltrombopag is 25 mg once daily.
\*Monitoring and dose adjustment\*
After initiating eltrombopag, the dose must be adjusted to achieve and maintain a platelet count ≥50,000/µl as necessary to reduce the risk for bleeding. A daily dose of 75 mg must not be exceeded.
Clinical haematology and liver tests should be monitored regularly throughout therapy with eltrombopag and the dose regimen of eltrombopag modified based on platelet counts as outlined in Table 1. During therapy with eltrombopag full blood counts (FBCs), including platelet count and peripheral blood smears, should be assessed weekly until a stable platelet count (≥50,000/µl for at least 4 weeks) has been achieved. FBCs including platelet counts and peripheral blood smears should be obtained monthly thereafter.
\*\*Table 1 Dose adjustments of eltrombopag in ITP patients\*\*
| | |
| --- | --- |
| Platelet count | Dose adjustment or response |
| <50,000/µl following at least 2 weeks of therapy | Increase daily dose by 25 mg to a maximum of 75 mg/day\\*. |
| ≥ 50,000/µl to ≤150,000/µl | Use lowest dose of eltrombopag and/or concomitant ITP treatment to maintain platelet counts that avoid or reduce bleeding. |
| >150,000/µl to ≤250,000/µl | Decrease the daily dose by 25 mg. Wait 2 weeks to assess the effects of this and any subsequent dose adjustments♦. |
| >250,000/µl | Stop eltrombopag; increase the frequency of platelet monitoring to twice weekly. Once the platelet count is ≤ 100,000/µl, reinitiate therapy at a daily dose reduced by 25 mg. |
\\* For patients taking 25 mg eltrombopag once every other day, increase dose to 25 mg once daily.
♦ For patients taking 25 mg eltrombopag once daily, consideration should be given to dosing at 12.5 mg once daily or alternatively a dose of 25 mg once every other day.
Eltrombopag can be administered in addition to other ITP medicinal products. The dose regimen of concomitant ITP medicinal products should be modified, as medically appropriate, to avoid excessive increases in platelet counts during therapy with eltrombopag.
It is necessary to wait for at least 2 weeks to see the effect of any dose adjustment on the patient's platelet response prior to considering another dose adjustment.
The standard eltrombopag dose adjustment, either decrease or increase, would be 25 mg once daily.
\*Discontinuation\*
Treatment with eltrombopag should be discontinued if the platelet count does not increase to a level sufficient to avoid clinically important bleeding after 4 weeks of eltrombopag therapy at 75 mg once daily.
Patients should be clinically evaluated periodically and continuation of treatment should be decided on an individual basis by the treating physician. In non-splenectomised patients this should include evaluation relative to splenectomy. The reoccurrence of thrombocytopenia is possible upon discontinuation of treatment (see section 4.4).
\*\*\*Chronic hepatitis C (HCV) associated thrombocytopenia\*\*\*
When eltrombopag is given in combination with antivirals reference should be made to the full summary of product characteristics of the respective coadministered medicinal products for comprehensive details of relevant safety information or contraindications.
In clinical studies, platelet counts generally began to increase within 1 week of starting eltrombopag. The aim of treatment with eltrombopag should be to achieve the minimum level of platelet counts needed to initiate antiviral therapy, in adherence to clinical practice recommendations. During antiviral therapy, the aim of treatment should be to keep platelet counts at a level that prevents the risk of bleeding complications, normally around 50,000‑75,000/µl. Platelet counts >75,000/µl should be avoided. The lowest dose of eltrombopag needed to achieve the targets should be used. Dose adjustments are based upon the platelet count response.
\*Initial dose regimen\*
Eltrombopag should be initiated at a dose of 25 mg once daily. No dosage adjustment is necessary for HCV patients of East-/Southeast-Asian ancestry or patients with mild hepatic impairment (see section 5.2).
\*Monitoring and dose adjustment\*
The dose of eltrombopag should be adjusted in 25 mg increments every 2 weeks as necessary to achieve the target platelet count required to initiate antiviral therapy. Platelet counts should be monitored every week prior to starting antiviral therapy. On initiation of antiviral therapy the platelet count may fall, so immediate eltrombopag dose adjustments should be avoided (see Table 2).
During antiviral therapy, the dose of eltrombopag should be adjusted as necessary to avoid dose reductions of peginterferon due to decreasing platelet counts that may put patients at risk of bleeding (see Table 2). Platelet counts should be monitored weekly during antiviral therapy until a stable platelet count is achieved, normally around 50,000‑75,000/µl. FBCs including platelet counts and peripheral blood smears should be obtained monthly thereafter. Dose reductions on the daily dose by 25 mg should be considered if platelet counts exceed the required target. It is recommended to wait for 2 weeks to assess the effects of this and any subsequent dose adjustments.
A dose of 100 mg eltrombopag once daily must not be exceeded.
\*\*Table 2 Dose adjustments of eltrombopag in HCV patients during antiviral therapy\*\*
| | |
| --- | --- |
| Platelet count | Dose adjustment or response |
| <50,000/µl following at least 2 weeks of therapy | Increase daily dose by 25 mg to a maximum of 100 mg/day. |
| ≥50,000/µl to ≤100,000/µl | Use lowest dose of eltrombopag as necessary to avoid dose reductions of peginterferon. |
| >100,000/µl to ≤150,000/µl | Decrease the daily dose by 25 mg. Wait 2 weeks to assess the effects of this and any subsequent dose adjustments♦. |
| >150,000/µl | Stop eltrombopag; increase the frequency of platelet monitoring to twice weekly. Once the platelet count is ≤100,000/µl, reinitiate therapy at a daily dose reduced by 25 mg\\*. |
\\* For patients taking 25 mg eltrombopag once daily, consideration should be given to reinitiating dosing at 25 mg every other day.
♦ On initiation of antiviral therapy the platelet count may fall, so immediate eltrombopag dose reductions should be avoided.
\*Discontinuation\*
If after 2 weeks of eltrombopag therapy at 100 mg the required platelet level to initiate antiviral therapy is not achieved, eltrombopag should be discontinued.
Eltrombopag treatment should be terminated when antiviral therapy is discontinued unless otherwise justified. Excessive platelet count responses or important liver test abnormalities also necessitate discontinuation.
\*\*\*Special populations\*\*\*
\*Renal impairment\*
No dose adjustment is necessary in patients with renal impairment. Patients with impaired renal function should use eltrombopag with caution and close monitoring, for example by testing serum creatinine and/or performing urine analysis (see section 5.2).
\*Hepatic impairment\*
Eltrombopag should not be used in ITP patients with hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh score ≥5) unless the expected benefit outweighs the identified risk of portal venous thrombosis (see section 4.4).
If the use of eltrombopag is deemed necessary for ITP patients with hepatic impairment the starting dose must be 25 mg once daily. After initiating the dose of eltrombopag in patients with hepatic impairment an interval of 3 weeks should be observed before increasing the dose.
No dose adjustment is required for thrombocytopenic patients with chronic HCV and mild hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh score ≤6). Chronic HCV patients with hepatic impairment should initiate eltrombopag at a dose of 25 mg once daily (see section 5.2). After initiating the dose of eltrombopag in patients with hepatic impairment an interval of 2 weeks should be observed before increasing the dose.
There is an increased risk for adverse events, including hepatic decompensation and thromboembolic events (TEEs), in thrombocytopenic patients with advanced chronic liver disease treated with eltrombopag, either in preparation for invasive procedure or in HCV patients undergoing antiviral therapy (see sections 4.4 and 4.8).
\*Elderly\*
There are limited data on the use of eltrombopag in ITP patients aged 65 years and older and no clinical experience in ITP patients aged over 85 years. In the clinical studies of eltrombopag, overall no clinically significant differences in safety of eltrombopag were observed between patients aged at least 65 years and younger patients. Other reported clinical experience has not identified differences in responses between the elderly and younger patients, but greater sensitivity of some older individuals cannot be ruled out (see section 5.2).
There are limited data on the use of eltrombopag in HCV patients aged over 75 years. Caution should be exercised in these patients (see section 4.4).
\*East-/Southeast-Asian patients\*
For adult and paediatric patients of East-/Southeast-Asian ancestry, including those with hepatic impairment, eltrombopag should be initiated at a dose of 25 mg once daily (see section 5.2).
Patient platelet count should continue to be monitored and the standard criteria for further dose modification followed.
\*Paediatric population\*
Eltrombopag is not recommended for use in children under the age of one year with ITP due to insufficient data on safety and efficacy. The safety and efficacy of eltrombopag has not been established in children and adolescents (<18 years) with chronic HCV related thrombocytopenia . No data are available.
\*\*Method of administration\*\*
Oral use.
The tablets should be taken at least two hours before or four hours after any products such as antacids, dairy products (or other calcium containing food products), or mineral supplements containing polyvalent cations (e.g. iron, calcium, magnesium, aluminium, selenium and zinc) (see sections 4.5 and 5.2).4.3 Contraindications
Hypersensitivity to eltrombopag or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1.4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use
| |
| --- |
| There is an increased risk for adverse reactions, including potentially fatal hepatic decompensation and thromboembolic events, in thrombocytopenic HCV patients with advanced chronic liver disease, as defined by low albumin levels ≤35 g/l or model for end stage liver disease (MELD) score ≥10, when treated with eltrombopag in combination with interferon-based therapy. In addition, the benefits of treatment in terms of the proportion achieving sustained virological response (SVR) compared with placebo were modest in these patients (especially for those with baseline albumin ≤35g/l) compared with the group overall. Treatment with eltrombopag in these patients should be initiated only by physicians experienced in the management of advanced HCV, and only when the risks of thrombocytopenia or withholding antiviral therapy necessitate intervention. If treatment is considered clinically indicated, close monitoring of these patients is required. |
\*\*Combination with direct‑acting antiviral agents\*\*
Safety and efficacy have not been established in combination with direct‑acting antiviral agents approved for treatment of chronic hepatitis C infection.
\*\*Risk of hepatotoxicity\*\*
Eltrombopag administration can cause abnormal liver function and severe hepatotoxicity, which might be life-threatening (see section 4.8).
Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotrasferase (AST) and bilirubin should be measured prior to initiation of eltrombopag, every 2 weeks during the dose adjustment phase and monthly following establishment of a stable dose. Eltrombopag inhibits UGT1A1 and OATP1B1, which may lead to indirect hyperbilirubinaemia. If bilirubin is elevated fractionation should be performed. Abnormal serum liver tests should be evaluated with repeat testing within 3 to 5 days. If the abnormalities are confirmed, serum liver tests should be monitored until the abnormalities resolve, stabilise, or return to baseline levels. Eltrombopag should be discontinued if ALT levels increase (≥3 times the upper limit of normal [x ULN] in patients with normal liver function, or ≥3 x baseline or >5 x ULN, whichever is the lower, in patients with pre-treatment elevations in transaminases) and are:
• progressive, or
• persistent for ≥4 weeks, or
• accompanied by increased direct bilirubin, or
• accompanied by clinical symptoms of liver injury or evidence for hepatic decompensation.
Caution is required when administering eltrombopag to patients with hepatic disease. In ITP and SAA patients a lower starting dose of eltrombopag should be used. Close monitoring is required when administering to patients with hepatic impairment (see section 4.2).
\*\*Hepatic decompensation (use with interferon)\*\*
Hepatic decompensation in patients with chronic hepatitis C: Monitoring is required in patients with low albumin levels (≤35 g/l) or with MELD score ≥10 at baseline.
Chronic HCV patients with liver cirrhosis may be at risk of hepatic decompensation when receiving alfa interferon therapy. In two controlled clinical studies in thrombocytopenic patients with HCV, hepatic decompensation (ascites, hepatic encephalopathy, variceal haemorrhage, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis) occurred more frequently in the eltrombopag arm (11%) than in the placebo arm (6%). In patients with low albumin levels (≤ 35 g/l) or with a MELD score ≥10 at baseline, there was a 3-fold greater risk of hepatic decompensation and an increase in the risk of a fatal adverse event compared to those with less advanced liver disease. In addition, the benefits of treatment in terms of the proportion achieving SVR compared with placebo were modest in these patients (especially for those with baseline albumin ≤35 g/l) compared with the group overall. Eltrombopag should only be administered to such patients after careful consideration of the expected benefits in comparison with the risks. Patients with these characteristics should be closely monitored for signs and symptoms of hepatic decompensation. The respective interferon summary of product characteristics should be referenced for discontinuation criteria. Eltrombopag should be terminated if antiviral therapy is discontinued for hepatic decompensation.
\*\*Thrombotic/thromboembolic complications\*\*
In controlled studies in thrombocytopenic patients with HCV receiving interferon-based therapy (n=1,439), 38 out of 955 patients (4%) treated with eltrombopag and 6 out of 484 patients (1%) in the placebo group experienced TEEs. Reported thrombotic/thromboembolic complications included both venous and arterial events. The majority of TEEs were non-serious and resolved by the end of the study. Portal vein thrombosis was the most common TEE in both treatment groups (2% in patients treated with eltrombopag versus <1% for placebo). No specific temporal relationship between start of treatment and event of TEE were observed. Patients with low albumin levels (≤35 g/l) or MELD ≥10 had a 2‑fold greater risk of TEEs than those with higher albumin levels; those aged ≥60 years had a 2‑fold greater risk of TEEs compared to younger patients. Eltrombopag should only be administered to such patients after careful consideration of the expected benefits in comparison with the risks. Patients should be closely monitored for signs and symptoms of TEE.
The risk of TEEs has been found to be increased in patients with chronic liver disease (CLD) treated with 75 mg eltrombopag once daily for 2 weeks in preparation for invasive procedures. Six of 143 (4%) adult patients with CLD receiving eltrombopag experienced TEEs (all of the portal venous system) and two of 145 (1%) patients in the placebo group experienced TEEs (one in the portal venous system and one myocardial infarction). Five of the 6 patients treated with eltrombopag experienced the thrombotic complication at a platelet count >200,000/µl and within 30 days of the last dose of eltrombopag. Eltrombopag is not indicated for the treatment of thrombocytopenia in patients with chronic liver disease in preparation for invasive procedures.
In eltrombopag clinical studies in ITP thromboembolic events were observed at low and normal platelet counts. Caution should be used when administering eltrombopag to patients with known risk factors for thromboembolism including but not limited to inherited (e.g. Factor V Leiden) or acquired risk factors (e.g. ATIII deficiency, antiphospholipid syndrome), advanced age, patients with prolonged periods of immobilisation, malignancies, contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy, surgery/trauma, obesity and smoking. Platelet counts should be closely monitored and consideration given to reducing the dose or discontinuing eltrombopag treatment if the platelet count exceeds the target levels (see section 4.2). The risk-benefit balance should be considered in patients at risk of TEEs of any aetiology.
No case of TEE was identified from a clinical study in refractory SAA, however the risk of these events cannot be excluded in this patient population due to the limited number of exposed patients. As the highest authorised dose is indicated for patients with SAA (150 mg/day) and due to the nature of the reaction, TEEs might be expected in this patient population.
Eltrombopag should not be used in ITP patients with hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh score ≥5) unless the expected benefit outweighs the identified risk of portal venous thrombosis. When treatment is considered appropriate, caution is required when administering eltrombopag to patients with hepatic impairment (see sections 4.2 and 4.8).
\*\*Bleeding following discontinuation of eltrombopag\*\*
Thrombocytopenia is likely to reoccur in ITP patients upon discontinuation of treatment with eltrombopag. Following discontinuation of eltrombopag, platelet counts return to baseline levels within 2 weeks in the majority of patients, which increases the bleeding risk and in some cases may lead to bleeding. This risk is increased if eltrombopag treatment is discontinued in the presence of anticoagulants or anti-platelet agents. It is recommended that, if treatment with eltrombopag is discontinued, ITP treatment be restarted according to current treatment guidelines. Additional medical management may include cessation of anticoagulant and/or anti-platelet therapy, reversal of anticoagulation, or platelet support. Platelet counts must be monitored weekly for 4 weeks following discontinuation of eltrombopag.
In HCV clinical studies, a higher incidence of gastrointestinal bleeding, including serious and fatal cases, was reported following discontinuation of peginterferon, ribavirin, and eltrombopag. Following discontinuation of therapy, patients should be monitored for any signs or symptoms of gastrointestinal bleeding.
\*\*Bone marrow\*\* \*\*reticulin formation and risk of bone marrow fibrosis\*\*
Eltrombopag may increase the risk for development or progression of reticulin fibres within the bone marrow. The relevance of this finding, as with other thrombopoietin-receptor (TPO-R) agonists, has not been established yet.
Prior to initiation of eltrombopag, the peripheral blood smear should be examined closely to establish a baseline level of cellular morphologic abnormalities. Following identification of a stable dose of eltrombopag, full blood count (FBC) with white blood cell count (WBC) differential should be performed monthly. If immature or dysplastic cells are observed, peripheral blood smears should be examined for new or worsening morphological abnormalities (e.g. teardrop and nucleated red blood cells, immature white blood cells) or cytopenia(s). If the patient develops new or worsening morphological abnormalities or cytopenia(s), treatment with eltrombopag should be discontinued and a bone marrow biopsy considered, including staining for fibrosis.
\*\*Progression of existing myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS)\*\*
There is a theoretical concern that TPO-R agonists may stimulate the progression of existing haematological malignancies such as MDS. TPO-R agonists are growth factors that lead to thrombopoietic progenitor cell expansion, differentiation and platelet production. The TPO-R is predominantly expressed on the surface of cells of the myeloid lineage.
In clinical studies with a TPO-R agonist in patients with MDS, cases of transient increases in blast cell counts were observed and cases of MDS disease progression to acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) were reported.
The diagnosis of ITP or SAA in adults and elderly patients should be confirmed by the exclusion of other clinical entities presenting with thrombocytopenia, in particular the diagnosis of MDS must be excluded. Consideration should be given to performing a bone marrow aspirate and biopsy over the course of the disease and treatment, particularly in patients over 60 years of age, those with systemic symptoms, or abnormal signs such as increased peripheral blast cells.
The effectiveness and safety of eltrombopag have not been established for the treatment of thrombocytopenia due to MDS. Eltrombopag should not be used outside of clinical studies for the treatment of thrombocytopenia due to MDS.
\*\*Cytogenetic abnormalities and progression to MDS/AML in patients with SAA\*\*
Cytogenetic abnormalities are known to occur in SAA patients. It is not known whether eltrombopag increases the risk of cytogenetic abnormalities in patients with SAA. In the phase II refractory SAA clinical study with eltrombopag with a starting dose of 50 mg/day (escalated every 2 weeks to a maximum of 150 mg/day) (ELT112523), the incidence of new cytogenetic abnormalities was observed in 17.1% of adult patients [7/41 (where 4 of them had changes in chromosome 7)]. The median time on study to a cytogenetic abnormality was 2.9 months.
In the phase II refractory SAA clinical study with eltrombopag at a dose of 150 mg/day (with ethnic or age related modifications as indicated) (ELT116826), the incidence of new cytogenetic abnormalities was observed in 22.6% of adult patients [7/31 (where 3 of them had changes in chromosome 7)]. All 7 patients had normal cytogenetics at baseline. Six patients had cytogenetic abnormality at Month 3 of eltrombopag therapy and one patient had cytogenetic abnormality at Month 6.
In clinical studies with eltrombopag in SAA, 4% of patients (5/133) were diagnosed with MDS. The median time to diagnosis was 3 months from the start of eltrombopag treatment.
For SAA patients refractory to or heavily pretreated with prior immunosuppressive therapy, bone marrow examination with aspirations for cytogenetics is recommended prior to initiation of eltrombopag, at 3 months of treatment and 6 months thereafter. If new cytogenetic abnormalities are detected, it must be evaluated whether continuation of eltrombopag is appropriate.
\*\*Ocular changes\*\*
Cataracts were observed in toxicology studies of eltrombopag in rodents (see section 5.3). In controlled studies in thrombocytopenic patients with HCV receiving interferon therapy (n=1,439), progression of pre-existing baseline cataract(s) or incident cataracts was reported in 8% of the eltrombopag group and 5% of the placebo group. Retinal haemorrhages, mostly Grade 1 or 2, have been reported in HCV patients receiving interferon, ribavirin and eltrombopag (2% of the eltrombopag group and 2% of the placebo group. Haemorrhages occurred on the surface of the retina (preretinal), under the retina (subretinal), or within the retinal tissue. Routine ophthalmologic monitoring of patients is recommended.
\*\*QT/QTc prolongation\*\*
A QTc study in healthy volunteers dosed 150 mg eltrombopag per day did not show a clinically significant effect on cardiac repolarisation. QTc interval prolongation has been reported in clinical studies of patients with ITP and thrombocytopenic patients with HCV. The clinical significance of these QTc prolongation events is unknown.
\*\*Loss of response to eltrombopag\*\*
A loss of response or failure to maintain a platelet response with eltrombopag treatment within the recommended dosing range should prompt a search for causative factors, including an increased bone marrow reticulin.
\*\*Paediatric population\*\*
The above warnings and precautions for ITP also apply to the paediatric population.
\*\*Interference with laboratory tests\*\*
Eltrombopag is highly coloured and so has the potential to interfere with some laboratory tests. Serum discolouration and interference with total bilirubin and creatinine testing have been reported in patients taking eltrombopag. If the laboratory results and clinical observations are inconsistent, re-testing using another method may help in determining the validity of the result.
\*\*Sodium content\*\*
This medicinal product contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per film-coated tablet, that is to say essentially 'sodium-free'.4.5 Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction
\*\*Effects of eltrombopag on other medicinal products\*\*
\*\*\*HMG CoA reductase inhibitors\*\*\*
Administration of eltrombopag 75 mg once daily for 5 days with a single 10 mg dose of the OATP1B1 and BCRP substrate rosuvastatin to 39 healthy adult subjects increased plasma rosuvastatin Cmax 103% (90% confidence interval [CI]: 82%, 126%) and AUC0-∞ 55% (90% CI: 42%, 69%). Interactions are also expected with other HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, including atorvastatin, fluvastatin, lovastatin, pravastatin and simvastatin. When co-administered with eltrombopag, a reduced dose of statins should be considered and careful monitoring for statin adverse reactions should be undertaken (see section 5.2).
\*\*\*OATP1B1 and BCRP substrates\*\*\*
Concomitant administration of eltrombopag and OATP1B1 (e.g. methotrexate) and BCRP (e.g. topotecan and methotrexate) substrates should be undertaken with caution (see section 5.2).
\*\*\*Cytochrome P450 substrates\*\*\*
In studies utilising human liver microsomes, eltrombopag (up to 100 μM) showed no \*in vitro\* inhibition of the CYP450 enzymes 1A2, 2A6, 2C19, 2D6, 2E1, 3A4/5, and 4A9/11 and was an inhibitor of CYP2C8 and CYP2C9 as measured using paclitaxel and diclofenac as the probe substrates. Administration of eltrombopag 75 mg once daily for 7 days to 24 healthy male subjects did not inhibit or induce the metabolism of probe substrates for 1A2 (caffeine), 2C19 (omeprazole), 2C9 (flurbiprofen), or 3A4 (midazolam) in humans. No clinically significant interactions are expected when eltrombopag and CYP450 substrates are co-administered (see section 5.2).
\*\*\*HCV protease inhibitors\*\*\*
Dose adjustment is not required when eltrombopag is co-administered with either telaprevir or boceprevir. Co-administration of a single dose of eltrombopag 200 mg with telaprevir 750 mg every 8 hours did not alter plasma telaprevir exposure.
Co-administration of a single dose of eltrombopag 200 mg with boceprevir 800 mg every 8 hours did not alter plasma boceprevir AUC(0-), but increased Cmax by 20%, and decreased Cmin by 32%. The clinical relevance of the decrease in Cmin has not been established, increased clinical and laboratory monitoring for HCV suppression is recommended.
\*\*Effects of other medicinal products on eltrombopag\*\*
\*\*\*Ciclosporin\*\*\*
A decrease in eltrombopag exposure was observed with co-administration of 200 mg and 600 mg ciclosporin (a BCRP inhibitor). The co-administration of 200 mg ciclosporin decreased the Cmax and the AUC0-∞ of eltrombopag by 25% and 18%, respectively. The co-administration of 600 mg ciclosporin decreased the Cmax and the AUC0-∞ of eltrombopag by 39% and 24%, respectively. Eltrombopag dose adjustment is permitted during the course of the treatment based on the patient's platelet count (see section 4.2). Platelet count should be monitored at least weekly for 2 to 3 weeks when eltrombopag is co-administered with ciclosporin. Eltrombopag dose may need to be increased based on these platelet counts.
\*\*\*Polyvalent cations (chelation)\*\*\*
Eltrombopag chelates with polyvalent cations such as iron, calcium, magnesium, aluminium, selenium and zinc. Administration of a single dose of eltrombopag 75 mg with a polyvalent cation-containing antacid (1524 mg aluminium hydroxide and 1425 mg magnesium carbonate) decreased plasma eltrombopag AUC0-∞ by 70% (90% CI: 64%, 76%) and Cmax by 70% (90% CI: 62%, 76%). Eltrombopag should be taken at least two hours before or four hours after any products such as antacids, dairy products or mineral supplements containing polyvalent cations to avoid significant reduction in eltrombopag absorption due to chelation (see sections 4.2 and 5.2).
\*\*\*Lopinavir/ritonavir\*\*\*
Co-administration of eltrombopag with lopinavir/ritonavir may cause a decrease in the concentration of eltrombopag. A study in 40 healthy volunteers showed that the co-administration of a single 100 mg dose of eltrombopag with repeat dose lopinavir/ritonavir 400/100 mg twice daily resulted in a reduction in eltrombopag plasma AUC0-∞ by 17% (90% CI: 6.6%, 26.6%). Therefore, caution should be used when co-administration of eltrombopag with lopinavir/ritonavir takes place. Platelet count should be closely monitored in order to ensure appropriate medical management of the dose of eltrombopag when lopinavir/ritonavir therapy is initiated or discontinued.
\*\*\*CYP1A2 and CYP2C8 inhibitors and inducers\*\*\*
Eltrombopag is metabolised through multiple pathways including CYP1A2, CYP2C8, UGT1A1, and UGT1A3 (see section 5.2). Medicinal products that inhibit or induce a single enzyme are unlikely to significantly affect plasma eltrombopag concentrations, whereas medicinal products that inhibit or induce multiple enzymes have the potential to increase (e.g. fluvoxamine) or decrease (e.g. rifampicin) eltrombopag concentrations.
\*\*\*HCV protease inhibitors\*\*\*
Results of a drug-drug pharmacokinetic (PK) interaction study show that co-administration of repeat doses of boceprevir 800 mg every 8 hours or telaprevir 750 mg every 8 hours with a single dose of eltrombopag 200 mg did not alter plasma eltrombopag exposure to a clinically significant extent.
\*\*Medicinal products for treatment of ITP\*\*
Medicinal products used in the treatment of ITP in combination with eltrombopag in clinical studies included corticosteroids, danazol, and/or azathioprine, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), and anti‑D immunoglobulin. Platelet counts should be monitored when combining eltrombopag with other medicinal products for the treatment of ITP in order to avoid platelet counts outside of the recommended range (see section 4.2).
\*\*Food interaction\*\*
The administration of eltrombopag tablet or powder for oral suspension formulations with a high-calcium meal (e.g. a meal that included dairy products) significantly reduced plasma eltrombopag AUC0-∞ and Cmax. In contrast, the administration of eltrombopag 2 hours before or 4 hours after a high-calcium meal or with low-calcium food [<50 mg calcium] did not alter plasma eltrombopag exposure to a clinically significant extent (see section 4.2).
Administration of a single 50 mg dose of eltrombopag in tablet form with a standard high-calorie, high-fat breakfast that included dairy products reduced plasma eltrombopag mean AUC0-∞ by 59% and mean Cmax by 65%.
Administration of a single 25 mg dose of eltrombopag as powder for oral suspension with a high-calcium, moderate-fat and moderate-calorie meal reduced plasma eltrombopag mean AUC0-∞ by 75% and mean Cmax by 79%. This decrease of exposure was attenuated when a single 25 mg dose of eltrombopag powder for oral suspension was administered 2 hours before a high-calcium meal (mean AUC0-∞ was decreased by 20% and mean Cmax by 14%).
Food low in calcium (<50 mg calcium), including fruit, lean ham, beef and unfortified (no added calcium, magnesium or iron) fruit juice, unfortified soya milk and unfortified grain, did not significantly impact plasma eltrombopag exposure, regardless of calorie and fat content (see sections 4.2 and 4.5).4.6 Fertility, pregnancy and lactation
\*\*Pregnancy\*\*
There are no or limited amount of data from the use of eltrombopag in pregnant women. Studies in animals haveshown reproductive toxicity (see section 5.3). The potential risk for humans is unknown.
Eltrombopag is not recommended during pregnancy.
\*\*Women of childbearing potential / Contraception in males and females\*\*
Eltrombopag is not recommended in women of childbearing potential not using contraception.
\*\*Breast-feeding\*\*
It is not known whether eltrombopag/metabolites are excreted in human milk. Studies in animals haveshown that eltrombopag is likely secreted into milk (see section 5.3); therefore a risk to the suckling child cannot be excluded. A decision must be made whether to discontinue breast-feeding or to continue/abstain from eltrombopag therapy, taking into account the benefit of breast-feeding for the child and the benefit of therapy for the woman.
\*\*Fertility\*\*
Fertility was not affected in male or female rats at exposures that were comparable to those in humans. However a risk for humans cannot be ruled out (see section 5.3).4.7 Effects on ability to drive and use machines
Eltrombopag has negligible influence on the ability to drive and use machines. The clinical status of the patient and the adverse reaction profile of eltrombopag, including dizziness and lack of alertness, should be borne in mind when considering the patient's ability to perform tasks that require judgement, motor and cognitive skills.4.8 Undesirable effects
\*\*Summary of the safety profile\*\*
\*\*\*Immune thrombocytopenia in adult and paediatric patients\*\*\*
The safety of eltrombopag was assessed in adult patients (N=763) using the pooled double-blind, placebo-controlled studies TRA100773A and B, TRA102537 (RAISE) and TRA113765, in which 403 patients were exposed to eltrombopag and 179 to placebo, in addition to data from the completed open-label studies (N=360) TRA108057 (REPEAT), TRA105325 (EXTEND) and TRA112940 (see section 5.1). Patients received study medication for up to 8 years (in EXTEND). The most important serious adverse reactions were hepatotoxicity and thrombotic/thromboembolic events. The most common adverse reactions occurring in at least 10% of patients included nausea, diarrhoea, increased alanine aminotransferase and back pain.
The safety of eltrombopag in paediatric patients (aged 1 to 17 years) with previously treated ITP has been demonstrated in two studies (N=171) (see section 5.1). PETIT2 (TRA115450) was a two-part, double-blind and open-label, randomised, placebo-controlled study. Patients were randomised 2:1 and received eltrombopag (n=63) or placebo (n=29) for up to 13 weeks in the randomised period of the study. PETIT (TRA108062) was a three-part, staggered-cohort, open-label and double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled study. Patients were randomised 2:1 and received eltrombopag (n=44) or placebo (n=21), for up to 7 weeks. The profile of adverse reactions was comparable to that seen in adults with some additional adverse reactions, marked ♦ in the table below. The most common adverse reactions in paediatric ITP patients 1 year and older (≥3% and greater than placebo) were upper respiratory tract infection, nasopharyngitis, cough, pyrexia, abdominal pain, oropharyngeal pain, toothache and rhinorrhoea.
\*\*\*Thrombocytopenia with HCV infection\*\*\* \*\*\*in adult patients\*\*\*
ENABLE 1 (TPL103922 n=716, 715 treated with eltrombopag) and ENABLE 2 (TPL108390 n=805) were randomised, double‑blind, placebo-controlled, multicentre studies to assess the efficacy and safety of eltrombopag in thrombocytopenic patients with HCV infection who were otherwise eligible to initiate antiviral therapy. In the HCV studies the safety population consisted of all randomised patients who received double-blind study medicinal product during Part 2 of ENABLE 1 (eltrombopag treatment n=450, placebo treatment n=232) and ENABLE 2 (eltrombopag treatment n=506, placebo treatment n=252). Patients are analysed according to the treatment received (total safety double-blind population, eltrombopag n=955 and placebo n=484). The most important serious adverse reactions identified were hepatotoxicity and thrombotic/thromboembolic events. The most common adverse reactions occurring in at least 10% of patients included headache, anaemia, decreased appetite, cough, nausea, diarrhoea, hyperbilirubinaemia, alopecia, pruritus, myalgia, pyrexia, fatigue, influenza-like illness, asthenia, chills and oedema.
\*\*\*Severe aplastic anaemia in adult patients\*\*\*
The safety of eltrombopag in severe aplastic anaemia was assessed in a single-arm, open-label study (N=43) in which 11 patients (26%) were treated for >6 months and 7 patients (16%) were treated for >1 year (see section 5.1). The most common adverse reactions occurring in at least 10% of patients included headache, dizziness, cough, oropharyngeal pain, rhinorrhoea, nausea, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, transaminases increased, arthralgia, pain in extremity, muscle spasms, fatigue and pyrexia.
\*\*List of adverse reactions\*\*
The adverse reactions in the adult ITP studies (N=763), paediatric ITP studies (N=171), the HCV studies (N=1,520), the SAA studies (N=43) and post-marketing reports are listed below by MedDRA system organ class and by frequency. Within each system organ class, the adverse drug reactions are ranked by frequency, with the most frequent reactions first. The corresponding frequency category for each adverse drug reaction is based on the following convention (CIOMS III): very common (≥1/10); common (≥1/100 to <1/10); uncommon (≥1/1,000 to <1/100); rare (≥1/10,000 to <1/1,000); not known (cannot be estimated from the available data).
\*\*ITP study population\*\*
| | | |
| --- | --- | --- |
| \*\*System organ class\*\* | \*\*Frequency\*\* | \*\*Adverse reaction\*\* |
| Infections and infestations | Very common | Nasopharyngitis♦, upper respiratory tract infection♦ |
| Common | Pharyngitis, influenza, oral herpes, pneumonia, sinusitis, tonsillitis, respiratory tract infection, gingivitis |
| Uncommon | Skin infection |
| Neoplasms benign, malignant and unspecified (incl cysts and polyps) | Uncommon | Rectosigmoid cancer |
| Blood and lymphatic system disorders | Common | Anaemia, eosinophilia, leukocytosis, thrombocytopenia, haemoglobin decreased, white blood cell count decreased |
| Uncommon | Anisocytosis, haemolytic anaemia, myelocytosis, band neutrophil count increased, myelocyte present, platelet count increased, haemoglobin increased |
| Immune system disorders | Uncommon | Hypersensitivity |
| Metabolism and nutrition disorders | Common | Hypokalaemia, decreased appetite, blood uric acid increased |
| Uncommon | Anorexia, gout, hypocalcaemia |
| Psychiatric disorders | Common | Sleep disorder, depression |
| Uncommon | Apathy, mood altered, tearfulness |
| Nervous system disorders | Common | Paraesthesia, hypoaesthesia, somnolence, migraine |
| Uncommon | Tremor, balance disorder, dysaesthesia, hemiparesis, migraine with aura, neuropathy peripheral, peripheral sensory neuropathy, speech disorder, toxic neuropathy, vascular headache |
| Eye disorders | Common | Dry eye, vision blurred, eye pain, visual acuity reduced |
| Uncommon | Lenticular opacities, astigmatism, cataract cortical, lacrimation increased, retinal haemorrhage, retinal pigment epitheliopathy, visual impairment, visual acuity tests abnormal, blepharitis, keratoconjunctivitis sicca |
| Ear and labyrinth disorders | Common | Ear pain, vertigo |
| Cardiac disorders | Uncommon | Tachycardia, acute myocardial infarction, cardiovascular disorder, cyanosis, sinus tachycardia, electrocardiogram QT prolonged |
| Vascular disorders | Common | Deep vein thrombosis, haematoma, hot flush |
| Uncommon | Embolism, thrombophlebitis superficial, flushing |
| Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders | Very common | Cough♦ |
| Common | Oropharyngeal pain♦, rhinorrhoea♦ |
| Uncommon | Pulmonary embolism, pulmonary infarction, nasal discomfort, oropharyngeal blistering, sinus disorder, sleep apnoea syndrome |
| Gastrointestinal disorders | Very common | Nausea, diarrhoea |
| Common | Mouth ulceration, toothache♦, vomiting, abdominal pain\\*, mouth haemorrhage, flatulence \\* Very common in paediatric ITP |
| Uncommon | Dry mouth, glossodynia, abdominal tenderness, faeces discoloured, food poisoning, frequent bowel movements, haematemesis, oral discomfort |
| Hepatobiliary disorders | Very common | Alanine aminotransferase increased† |
| Common | Aspartate aminotransferase increased†, hyperbilirubinaemia, hepatic function abnormal |
| Uncommon | Cholestasis, hepatic lesion, hepatitis, drug-induced liver injury |
| Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders | Common | Rash, alopecia, hyperhidrosis, pruritus generalised, petechiae |
| Uncommon | Urticaria, dermatosis, cold sweat, erythema, melanosis, pigmentation disorder, skin discolouration, skin exfoliation |
| Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders | Very common | Back pain |
| Common | Myalgia, muscle spasm, musculoskeletal pain, bone pain |
| Uncommon | Muscular weakness |
| Renal and urinary disorders | Common | Proteinuria, blood creatinine increased, thrombotic microangiopathy with renal failure‡ |
| Uncommon | Renal failure, leukocyturia, lupus nephritis, nocturia, blood urea increased, urine protein/creatinine ratio increased |
| Reproductive system and breast disorders | Common | Menorrhagia |
| General disorders and administration site conditions | Common | Pyrexia\\*, chest pain, asthenia \\*Very common in paediatric ITP |
| Uncommon | Feeling hot, vessel puncture site haemorrhage, feeling jittery, inflammation of wound, malaise, sensation of foreign body |
| Investigations | Common | Blood alkaline phosphatase increased |
| Uncommon | Blood albumin increased, protein total increased, blood albumin decreased, pH urine increased |
| Injury, poisoning and procedural complications | Uncommon | Sunburn |
♦ Additional adverse reactions observed in paediatric studies (aged 1 to 17 years).
† Increase of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase may occur simultaneously, although at a lower frequency.
‡ Grouped term with preferred terms acute kidney injury and renal failure
\*\*HCV study population (in combination with anti-viral interferon and ribavirin therapy)\*\*
| | | |
| --- | --- | --- |
| \*\*System organ class\*\* | \*\*Frequency\*\* | \*\*Adverse reaction\*\* |
| Infections and infestations | Common | Urinary tract infection, upper respiratory tract infection, bronchitis, nasopharyngitis, influenza, oral herpes |
| Uncommon | Gastroenteritis, pharyngitis |
| Neoplasms benign, malignant and unspecified (incl cysts and polyps) | Common | Hepatic neoplasm malignant |
| Blood and lymphatic system disorders | Very common | Anaemia |
| Common | Lymphopenia |
| Uncommon | Haemolytic anaemia |
| Metabolism and nutrition disorders | Very common | Decreased appetite |
| Common | Hyperglycaemia, abnormal loss of weight |
| Psychiatric disorders | Common | Depression, anxiety, sleep disorder |
| Uncommon | Confusional state, agitation |
| Nervous system disorders | Very common | Headache |
| Common | Dizziness, disturbance in attention, dysgeusia, hepatic encephalopathy, lethargy, memory impairment, paraesthesia |
| Eye disorders | Common | Cataract, retinal exudates, dry eye, ocular icterus, retinal haemorrhage |
| Ear and labyrinth disorders | Common | Vertigo |
| Cardiac disorders | Common | Palpitations |
| Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders | Very common | Cough |
| Common | Dyspnoea, oropharyngeal pain, dyspnoea exertional, productive cough |
| Gastrointestinal disorders | Very common | Nausea, diarrhoea |
| Common | Vomiting, ascites, abdominal pain, abdominal pain upper, dyspepsia, dry mouth, constipation, abdominal distension, toothache, stomatitis, gastrooesophagal reflux disease, haemorrhoids, abdominal discomfort, varices oesophageal |
| Uncommon | Oesophageal varices haemorrhage, gastritis, aphthous stomatitis |
| Hepatobiliary disorders | Common | Hyperbilirubinaemia, jaundice, drug-induced liver injury |
| Uncommon | Portal vein thrombosis, hepatic failure |
| Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders | Very common | Pruritus |
| Common | Rash, dry skin, eczema, rash pruritic, erythema, hyperhidrosis, pruritus generalised, alopecia |
| Uncommon | Skin lesion, skin discolouration, skin hyperpigmentation, night sweats |
| Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorder | Very common | Myalgia |
| Common | Arthralgia, muscle spasms, back pain, pain in extremity, musculoskeletal pain, bone pain |
| Renal and urinary disorders | Uncommon | Thrombotic microangiopathy with acute renal failure†, dysuria |
| General disorders and administration site conditions | Very common | Pyrexia, fatigue, influenza-like illness, asthenia, chills |
| Common | Irritability, pain, malaise, injection site reaction, non-cardiac chest pain, oedema, oedema peripheral |
| Uncommon | Injection site pruritus, injection site rash, chest discomfort |
| Investigations | Common | Blood bilirubin increased, weight decreased, white blood cell count decreased, haemoglobin decreased, neutrophil count decreased, international normalised ratio increased, activated partial thromboplastin time prolonged, blood glucose increased, blood albumin decreased |
| Uncommon | Electrocardiogram QT prolonged |
† Grouped term with preferred terms oliguria, renal failure and renal impairment
\*\*SAA study population\*\*
| | | |
| --- | --- | --- |
| \*\*System organ class\*\* | \*\*Frequency\*\* | \*\*Adverse reaction\*\* |
| Blood and lymphatic system disorders | Common | Neutropenia, splenic infarction |
| Metabolism and nutrition disorders | Common | Iron overload, decreased appetite, hypoglycaemia, increased appetite |
| Psychiatric disorders | Common | Anxiety, depression |
| Nervous system disorders | Very common | Headache, dizziness |
| Common | Syncope |
| Eye disorders | Common | Dry eye, cataract, ocular icterus, vision blurred, visual impairment, vitreous floaters |
| Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders | Very common | Cough, oropharyngeal pain, rhinorrhoea |
| Common | Epistaxis |
| Gastrointestinal disorders | Very common | Diarrhoea, nausea, gingival bleeding, abdominal pain |
| Common | Oral mucosal blistering, oral pain, vomiting, abdominal discomfort, constipation, abdominal distension, dysphagia, faeces discoloured, swollen tongue, gastrointestinal motility disorder, flatulence |
| Hepatobiliary disorders | Very common | Transaminases increased |
| Common | Blood bilirubin increased (hyperbilirubinemia), jaundice |
| Not known | Drug-induced liver injury\\* \\* Cases of drug-induced liver injury have been reported in patients with ITP and HCV |
| Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders | Common | Petechiae, rash, pruritus, urticaria, skin lesion, rash macular |
| Not known | Skin discolouration, skin hyperpigmentation |
| Musculosketal and connective tissue disorders | Very common | Arthralgia, pain in extremity, muscle spasms |
| Common | Back pain, myalgia, bone pain |
| Renal and urinary disorders | Common | Chromaturia |
| General disorders and administration site conditions | Very common | Fatigue, pyrexia, chills |
| Common | Asthenia, oedema peripheral, malaise |
| Investigations | Common | Blood creatine phosphokinase increased |
\*\*Description of selected adverse reactions\*\*
\*\*\*Thrombotic/thromboembolic events (TEEs)\*\*\*
In 3 controlled and 2 uncontrolled clinical studies among adult ITP patients receiving eltrombopag (n=446), 17 patients experienced a total of 19 TEEs, which included (in descending order of occurrence) deep vein thrombosis (n=6), pulmonary embolism (n=6), acute myocardial infarction (n=2), cerebral infarction (n=2), embolism (n=1) (see section 4.4).
In a placebo-controlled study (n=288, Safety population), following 2 weeks' treatment in preparation for invasive procedures, 6 of 143 (4%) adult patients with chronic liver disease receiving eltrombopag experienced 7 TEEs of the portal venous system and 2 of 145 (1%) patients in the placebo group experienced 3 TEEs. Five of the 6 patients treated with eltrombopag experienced the TEE at a platelet count >200,000/µl
No specific risk factors were identified in those patients who experienced a TEE with the exception of platelet counts ≥200,000/µl (see section 4.4).
In controlled studies in thrombocytopenic patients with HCV (n=1,439), 38 out of 955 patients (4%) treated with eltrombopag experienced a TEE and 6 out of 484 patients (1%) in the placebo group experienced TEEs. Portal vein thrombosis was the most common TEE in both treatment groups (2% in patients treated with eltrombopag versus < 1% for placebo) (see section 4.4). Patients with low albumin levels (≤ 35 g/l) or MELD ≥10 had a 2‑fold greater risk of TEEs than those with higher albumin levels; those aged ≥60 years had a 2‑fold greater risk of TEEs compared to younger patients.
\*\*\*Hepatic decompensation (use with interferon)\*\*\*
Chronic HCV patients with cirrhosis may be at risk of hepatic decompensation when receiving alfa interferon therapy. In 2 controlled clinical studies in thrombocytopenic patients with HCV, hepatic decompensation (ascites, hepatic encephalopathy, variceal haemorrhage, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis) was reported more frequently in the eltrombopag arm (11%) than in the placebo arm (6%). In patients with low albumin levels (≤35 g/l) or MELD score ≥10 at baseline, there was a 3-fold greater risk of hepatic decompensation and an increase in the risk of a fatal adverse event compared to those with less advanced liver disease. Eltrombopag should only be administered to such patients after careful consideration of the expected benefits in comparison with the risks. Patients with these characteristics should be closely monitored for signs and symptoms of hepatic decompensation (see section 4.4).
\*\*\*Hepatotoxicity\*\*\*
In the controlled clinical studies in chronic ITP with eltrombopag, increases in serum ALT, AST and bilirubin were observed (see section 4.4).
These findings were mostly mild (Grade 1‑2), reversible and not accompanied by clinically significant symptoms that would indicate an impaired liver function. Across the 3 placebo-controlled studies in adults with chronic ITP, 1 patient in the placebo group and 1 patient in the eltrombopag group experienced a Grade 4 liver test abnormality. In two placebo-controlled studies in paediatric patients (aged 1 to 17 years) with chronic ITP, ALT ≥3 x ULN was reported in 4.7% and 0% of the eltrombopag and placebo groups, respectively.
In 2 controlled clinical studies in patients with HCV, ALT or AST ≥3 x ULN was reported in 34% and 38% of the eltrombopag and placebo groups, respectively. Most patients receiving eltrombopag in combination with peginterferon / ribavirin therapy will experience indirect hyperbilirubinaemia. Overall, total bilirubin ≥1.5 x ULN was reported in 76% and 50% of the eltrombopag and placebo groups, respectively.
In the single-arm phase II monotherapy refractory SAA study, concurrent ALT or AST >3 x ULN with total (indirect) bilirubin >1.5 x ULN were reported in 5% of patients. Total bilirubin >1.5 x ULN occurred in 14% of patients.
\*\*\*Thrombocytopenia following discontinuation of treatment\*\*\*
In the 3 controlled clinical ITP studies, transient decreases in platelet counts to levels lower than baseline were observed following discontinuation of treatment in 8% and 8% of the eltrombopag and placebo groups, respectively (see section 4.4).
\*\*\*Increased bone marrow reticulin\*\*\*
Across the programme, no patients had evidence of clinically relevant bone marrow abnormalities or clinical findings that would indicate bone marrow dysfunction. In a small number of ITP patients, eltrombopag treatment was discontinued due to bone marrow reticulin (see section 4.4).
\*\*\*Cytogenetic abnormalities\*\*\*
In the phase II refractory SAA clinical study with eltrombopag with a starting dose of 50 mg/day (escalated every 2 weeks to a maximum of 150 mg/day) (ELT112523), the incidence of new cytogenetic abnormalities was observed in 17.1% of adult patients [7/41 (where 4 of them had changes in chromosome 7)]. The median time on study to a cytogenetic abnormality was 2.9 months.
In the phase II refractory SAA clinical study with eltrombopag at a dose of 150 mg/day (with ethnic or age related modifications as indicated) (ELT116826), the incidence of new cytogenetic abnormalities was observed in 22.6% of adult patients [7/31 (where 3 of them had changes in chromosome 7)]. All 7 patients had normal cytogenetics at baseline. Six patients had cytogenetic abnormality at Month 3 of eltrombopag therapy and one patient had cytogenetic abnormality at Month 6.
\*\*\*Haematologic malignancies\*\*\*
In the single-arm, open‑label study in SAA, three (7%) patients were diagnosed with MDS following treatment with eltrombopag, in the two ongoing studies (ELT116826 and ELT116643), 1/28 (4%) and 1/62 (2%) patient has been diagnosed with MDS or AML in each study.
\*\*Reporting of suspected adverse reactions\*\*
Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.4.9 Overdose
In the event of overdose, platelet counts may increase excessively and result in thrombotic/thromboembolic complications. In case of an overdose, consideration should be given to oral administration of a metal cation-containing preparation, such as calcium, aluminium, or magnesium preparations to chelate eltrombopag and thus limit absorption. Platelet counts should be closely monitored. Treatment with eltrombopag should be reinitiated in accordance with dosing and administration recommendations (see section 4.2).
In the clinical studies there was one report of overdose where the patient ingested 5000 mg of eltrombopag. Reported adverse reactions included mild rash, transient bradycardia, ALT and AST elevation, and fatigue. Liver enzymes measured between Days 2 and 18 after ingestion peaked at a 1.6‑fold ULN in AST, a 3.9‑fold ULN in ALT, and a 2.4‑fold ULN in total bilirubin, The platelet counts were 672,000/µl on Day 18 after ingestion and the maximum platelet count was 929,000/µl. All events were resolved without sequelae following treatment.
Because eltrombopag is not significantly renally excreted and is highly bound to plasma proteins, haemodialysis would not be expected to be an effective method to enhance the elimination of eltrombopag.
## Pharmacological Properties
5.1 Pharmacodynamic properties
Pharmacotherapeutic group: Antihemorrhagics, other systemic hemostatics. ATC code: B02BX 05.
\*\*Mechanism of action\*\*
TPO is the main cytokine involved in regulation of megakaryopoiesis and platelet production, and is the endogenous ligand for the TPO-R. Eltrombopag interacts with the transmembrane domain of the human TPO-R and initiates signalling cascades similar but not identical to that of endogenous thrombopoietin (TPO), inducing proliferation and differentiation from bone marrow progenitor cells.
\*\*Clinical efficacy and safety\*\*
\*\*\*Immune (primary) thrombocytopenia (ITP) studies\*\*\*
Two phase III, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies RAISE (TRA102537) and TRA100773B and two open-label studies REPEAT (TRA108057) and EXTEND (TRA105325) evaluated the safety and efficacy of eltrombopag in adult patients with previously treated ITP. Overall, eltrombopag was administered to 277 ITP patients for at least 6 months and 202 patients for at least 1 year. The single-arm phase II study TAPER (CETB115J2411) evaluated the safety and efficacy of eltrombopag and its ability to induce sustained response after treatment discontinuation in 105 adult ITP patients who relapsed or failed to respond to first-line corticosteroid treatment.
\*Double-blind placebo-controlled studies\*
RAISE:
197 ITP patients were randomised 2:1, eltrombopag (n=135) to placebo (n=62), and randomisation was stratified based upon splenectomy status, use of ITP medicinal products at baseline and baseline platelet count. The dose of eltrombopag was adjusted during the 6 month treatment period based on individual platelet counts. All patients initiated treatment with eltrombopag 50 mg. From Day 29 to the end of treatment, 15 to 28% of eltrombopag treated patients were maintained on ≤25 mg and 29 to 53% received 75 mg.
In addition, patients could taper off concomitant ITP medicinal products and receive rescue treatments as dictated by local standard of care. More than half of all patients in each treatment group had ≥3 prior ITP therapies and 36% had a prior splenectomy.
Median platelet counts at baseline were 16 000/μl for both treatment groups and in the eltrombopag group were maintained above 50 000/µl at all on-therapy visits starting at Day 15; in contrast, median platelet counts in the placebo group remained <30 000/µl throughout the study.
Platelet count response between 50 000‑400 000/μl in the absence of rescue treatment was achieved by significantly more patients in the eltrombopag treated group during the 6‑month treatment period, p <0.001. Fifty-four percent of the eltrombopag-treated patients and 13% of placebo-treated patients achieved this level of response after 6 weeks of treatment. A similar platelet response was maintained throughout the study, with 52% and 16% of patients responding at the end of the 6‑month treatment period.
\*\*Table 4 Secondary efficacy results from RAISE\*\*
| | | |
| --- | --- | --- |
| | Eltrombopag N=135 | Placebo N=62 |
| Key secondary endpoints | | |
| Number of cumulative weeks with platelet counts ≥50 000‑400 000/µl, Mean (SD) | 11.3 (9.46) | 2.4 (5.95) |
| Patients with ≥75% of assessments in the target range (50 000 to 400 000/μl), n (%) \*p‑\*value a | 51 (38) | 4 (7) |
| <0.001 | |
| Patients with bleeding (WHO Grades 1-4) at any time during 6 months, n (%) \*p‑\*value a | 106 (79) | 56 (93) |
| 0.012 | |
| Patients with bleeding (WHO Grades 2-4) at any time during 6 months, n (%) \*p‑\*value a | 44 (33) | 32 (53) |
| 0.002 | |
| Requiring rescue therapy, n (%) \*p‑\*value a | 24 (18) | 25 (40) |
| 0.001 | |
| Patients receiving ITP therapy at baseline (n) | 63 | 31 |
| Patients who attempted to reduce or discontinue baseline therapy, n (%)b \*p‑\*value a | 37 (59) | 10 (32) |
| 0.016 | |
a Logistic regression model adjusted for randomisation stratification variables
b 21 out of 63 (33%) patients treated with eltrombopag who were taking an ITP medicinal product at baseline permanently discontinued all baseline ITP medicinal products.
At baseline, more than 70% of ITP patients in each treatment group reported any bleeding (WHO Grades 1‑4) and more than 20% reported clinically significant bleeding (WHO Grades 2‑4), respectively. The proportion of eltrombopag-treated patients with any bleeding (Grades 1‑4) and clinically significant bleeding (Grades 2‑4) was reduced from baseline by approximately 50% from Day 15 to the end of treatment throughout the 6‑month treatment period.
TRA100773B:
The primary efficacy endpoint was the proportion of responders, defined as ITP patients who had an increase in platelet counts to ≥50 000/μl at Day 43 from a baseline of <30 000/μl; patients who withdrew prematurely due to a platelet count >200 000/μl were considered responders, those that discontinued for any other reason were considered non-responders irrespective of platelet count. A total of 114 patients with previously treated ITP were randomised 2:1 eltrombopag (n=76) to placebo (n=38).
\*\*Table 5 Efficacy results from TRA100773B\*\*
| | | |
| --- | --- | --- |
| | Eltrombopag N=74 | Placebo N=38 |
| Key primary endpoints | | |
| Eligible for efficacy analysis, n | 73 | 37 |
| Patients with platelet count ≥50 000/μl after up to 42 days of dosing (compared to a baseline count of <30 000/μl), n (%) \*p‑\*valuea | 43 (59) | 6 (16) |
| <0.001 | |
| Key secondary endpoints | | |
| Patients with a Day 43 bleeding assessment, n | 51 | 30 |
| Bleeding (WHO Grades 1-4) n (%) \*p‑\*valuea | 20 (39) | 18 (60) |
| 0.029 | |
a Logistic regression model adjusted for randomisation stratification variables
In both RAISE and TRA100773B the response to eltrombopag relative to placebo was similar irrespective of ITP medicinal product use, splenectomy status and baseline platelet count (≤15 000/µl, >15 000/µl) at randomisation.
In RAISE and TRA100773B studies, in the subgroup of ITP patients with baseline platelet count ≤15 000/μl the median platelet counts did not reach the target level (>50 000/μl), although in both studies 43% of these patients treated with eltrombopag responded after 6 weeks of treatment. In addition, in the RAISE study, 42% of patients with baseline platelet count ≤15 000/μl treated with eltrombopag responded at the end of the 6‑month treatment period. Forty-two to 60% of the eltrombopag-treated patients in the RAISE study were receiving 75 mg from Day 29 to the end of treatment.
\*Open-label non-controlled studies\*
REPEAT (TRA108057):
This open‑label, repeat‑dose study (3 cycles of 6 weeks of treatment, followed by 4 weeks off treatment) showed that episodic use with multiple courses of eltrombopag has demonstrated no loss of response.
EXTEND (TRA105325):
Eltrombopag was administered to 302 ITP patients in this open-label extension study, 218 patients completed 1 year, 180 completed 2 years, 107 completed 3 years, 75 completed 4 years, 34 completed 5 years and 18 completed 6 years. The median baseline platelet count was 19 000/μl prior to eltrombopag administration. Median platelet counts at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 years on study were 85 000/μl, 85 000/μl, 105 000/μl, 64 000/μl, 75 000/μl, 119 000/μl and 76 000/μl, respectively.
TAPER (CETB115J2411):
This was a single-arm phase II study including ITP patients treated with eltrombopag after first-line corticosteroid failure irrespective of time since diagnosis. A total of 105 patients were enrolled on the study and started eltrombopag treatment on 50 mg once daily (25 mg once daily for patients of East-/Southeast-Asian ancestry). The dose of eltrombopag was adjusted during the treatment period based on individual platelet counts with the goal to achieve a platelet count ≥100 000/μl.
Of the 105 patients who were enrolled in the study and who received at least one dose of eltrombopag, 69 patients (65.7%) completed treatment and 36 patients (34.3%) discontinued treatment early.
Analysis of sustained response off treatment
The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients with sustained response off treatment until Month 12. Patients who reached a platelet count of ≥100 000/µl and maintained platelet counts around 100 000/µl for 2 months (no counts below 70 000/µl) were eligible for tapering off eltrombopag and treatment discontinuation. To be considered as having achieved a sustained response off treatment, a patient had to maintain platelet counts ≥30 000/µl, in the absence of bleeding events or the use of rescue therapy, both during the treatment tapering period and following discontinuation of treatment until Month 12.
The duration of tapering was individualised depending on the starting dose and the response of the patient. The tapering schedule recommended dose reductions of 25 mg every 2 weeks if the platelet counts were stable. After the daily dose was reduced to 25 mg for 2 weeks, the dose of 25 mg was then only administered on alternate days for 2 weeks until treatment discontinuation. The tapering was done in smaller decrements of 12.5 mg every second week for patients of East‑/Southeast‑Asian ancestry. If a relapse (defined as platelet count <30 000/µl) occurred, patients were offered a new course of eltrombopag at the appropriate starting dose.
Eighty‑nine patients (84.8%) achieved a complete response (platelet count ≥100 000/µl) (Step 1, Table 6) and 65 patients (61.9%) maintained the complete response for at least 2 months with no platelet counts below 70 000/µl (Step 2, Table 6). Forty-four patients (41.9%) were able to be tapered off eltrombopag until treatment discontinuation while maintaining platelet counts ≥30 000/µl in the absence of bleeding events or the use of rescue therapy (Step 3, Table 6).
The study met the primary objective by demonstrating that eltrombopag was able to induce sustained response off treatment, in the absence of bleeding events or the use of rescue therapy, by Month 12 in 32 of the 105 enrolled patients (30.5%; p<0.0001; 95% CI: 21.9, 40.2) (Step 4, Table 6). By Month 24, 20 of the 105 enrolled patients (19.0%; 95% CI: 12.0, 27.9) maintained sustained response off treatment in the absence of bleeding events or the use of rescue therapy (Step 5, Table 6).
The median duration of sustained response after treatment discontinuation to Month 12 was 33.3 weeks (min‑max: 4‑51), and the median duration of sustained response after treatment discontinuation to Month 24 was 88.6 weeks (min‑max: 57‑107).
After tapering off and discontinuation of eltrombopag treatment, 12 patients had a loss of response, 8 of them re‑started eltrombopag and 7 had a recovery response.
During the 2‑year follow‑up, 6 out of 105 patients (5.7%) experienced thromboembolic events, of which 3 patients (2.9%) experienced deep vein thrombosis, 1 patient (1.0%) experienced superficial vein thrombosis, 1 patient (1.0%) experienced cavernous sinus thrombosis, 1 patient (1.0%) experienced cerebrovascular accident and 1 patient (1.0%) experienced pulmonary embolism. Of the 6 patients, 4 patients experienced thromboembolic events that were reported at or greater than Grade 3, and 4 patients experienced thromboembolic event that were reported as serious. No fatal cases were reported.
Twenty out of 105 patients (19.0%) experienced mild to severe haemorrhage events on treatment before tapering started. Five out of 65 patients (7.7%) who started tapering experienced mild to moderate haemorrhage events during tapering. No severe haemorrhage event occurred during tapering. Two out of 44 patients (4.5%) who tapered off and discontinued eltrombopag treatment experienced mild to moderate haemorrhage events after treatment discontinuation until Month 12. No severe haemorrhage event occurred during this period. None of the patients who discontinued eltrombopag and entered the second year follow‑up experienced haemorrhage event during the second year. Two fatal intracranial haemorrhage events were reported during the 2‑year follow-up. Both events occurred on treatment, not in the context of tapering. The events were not considered to be related to study treatment.
The overall safety analysis is consistent with previously reported data and the risk‑benefit assessment remained unchanged for the use of eltrombopag in patients with ITP.
\*\*Table 6 Proportion of patients with sustained response off treatment at Month 12 and at Month 24 (full analysis set) in TAPER\*\*
| | | | | | |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| | | \*\*All patients\*\* \*\*N=105\*\* | | \*\*Hypothesis testing\*\* | |
| \*\*n (%)\*\* | \*\*95% CI\*\* | \*\*p-value\*\* | \*\*Reject H0\*\* |
| Step 1: | Patients who reached platelet count ≥100 000/µl at least once | 89 (84.8) | (76.4, 91.0) | | |
| Step 2: | Patients who maintained stable platelet count for 2 months after reaching 100 000/µl (no counts <70 000/µl) | 65 (61.9) | (51.9, 71.2) | | |
| Step 3: | Patients who were able to be tapered off eltrombopag until treatment discontinuation, maintaining platelet count ≥30 000/µL in the absence of bleeding events or use of any rescue therapy | 44 (41.9) | (32.3, 51.9) | | |
| Step 4: | Patients with sustained response off treatment until Month 12, with platelet count maintained ≥30 000/µl in the absence of bleeding events or use of any rescue therapy | 32 (30.5) | (21.9, 40.2) | <0.0001\\* | Yes |
| Step 5: | Patients with sustained response off treatment from Month 12 to Month 24, maintaining platelet count ≥30 000/µl in the absence of bleeding events or use of any rescue therapy | 20 (19.0) | (12.0, 27.9) | | |
| N: The total number of patients in the treatment group. This is the denominator for percentage (%) calculation. n: Number of patients in the corresponding category. The 95% CI for the frequency distribution was computed using Clopper-Pearson exact method. Clopper‑Pearson test was used for testing whether the proportion of responders was >15%. CI and p-values are reported. \\* Indicates statistical significance (one-sided) at the 0.05 level. | | | | | |
Results of response on treatment analysis by time since ITP diagnosis
An ad-hoc analysis was conducted on the n=105 patients by time since ITP diagnosis to assess the response to eltrombopag across four different ITP categories by time since diagnosis (newly diagnosed ITP <3 months, persistent ITP 3 to <6 months, persistent ITP 6 to ≤12 months, and chronic ITP >12 months). 49% of patients (n=51) had an ITP diagnosis of <3 months, 20% (n=21) of 3 to <6 months, 17% (n=18) of 6 to ≤12 months and 14% (n=15) of >12 months.
Until the cut-off date (22-Oct-2021), patients were exposed to eltrombopag for a median (Q1‑Q3) duration of 6.2 months (2.3‑12.0 months). The median (Q1‑Q3) platelet count at baseline was 16 000/μl (7 800‑28 000/μl).
Platelet count response, defined as a platelet count ≥50 000/μl at least once by Week 9 without rescue therapy, was achieved in 84% (95% CI: 71% to 93%) of newly diagnosed ITP patients, 91% (95% CI: 70% to 99%) and 94% (95% CI: 73% to 100%) of persistent ITP patients (i.e. with ITP diagnosis 3 to <6 months and 6 to ≤12 months, respectively), and in 87% (95% CI: 60% to 98%) of chronic ITP patients.
The rate of complete response, defined as platelet count ≥100 000/μl at least once by Week 9 without rescue therapy, was 75% (95% CI: 60% to 86%) in newly diagnosed ITP patients, 76% (95% CI: 53% to 92%) and 72% (95% CI: 47% to 90%) in persistent ITP patients (ITP diagnosis 3 to <6 months and 6 to ≤12 months, respectively), and 87% (95% CI: 60% to 98%) in chronic ITP patients.
The rate of durable response, defined as a platelet count ≥50 000/μl for at least 6 out of 8 consecutive assessments without rescue therapy during the first 6 months on study, was 71% (95% CI: 56% to 83%) in newly diagnosed ITP patients, 81% (95% CI: 58% to 95%) and 72% (95% CI: 47% to 90.3%) in persistent ITP patients (ITP diagnosis 3 to <6 months and 6 to ≤12 months, respectively), and 80% (95% CI: 52% to 96%) in chronic ITP patients.
When assessed with the WHO Bleeding Scale, the proportion of newly diagnosed and persistent ITP patients without bleeding at Week 4 ranged from 88% to 95% compared to 37% to 57% at baseline. For chronic ITP patients it was 93% compared to 73% at baseline.
The safety of eltrombopag was consistent across all ITP categories and in line with its known safety profile.
Clinical studies comparing eltrombopag to other treatment options (e.g. splenectomy) have not been conducted. The long-term safety of eltrombopag should be considered prior to starting therapy.
\*Paediatric population (aged 1 to 17 years)\*
The safety and efficacy of eltrombopag in paediatric patients have been investigated two studies.
TRA115450 (PETIT2):
The primary endpoint was a sustained response, defined as the proportion of patients receiving eltrombopag, compared to placebo, achieving platelet counts ≥50 000/µl for at least 6 out of 8 weeks (in the absence of rescue therapy), between weeks 5 to 12 during the double-blind randomised period. Patients were diagnosed with chronic ITP for at least 1 year and were refractory or relapsed to at least one prior ITP therapy or unable to continue other ITP treatments for a medical reason and had platelet count <30 000/µl. Ninety-two patients were randomised by three age cohort strata (2:1) to eltrombopag (n=63) or placebo (n=29). The dose of eltrombopag could be adjusted based on individual platelet counts.
Overall, a significantly greater proportion of eltrombopag patients (40%) compared with placebo patients (3%) achieved the primary endpoint (Odds Ratio: 18.0 [95% CI: 2.3, 140.9] p <0.001) which was similar across the three age cohorts (Table 7).
\*\*Table 7 Sustained platelet response rates by age cohort in paediatric patients with chronic ITP\*\*
| | | |
| --- | --- | --- |
| | Eltrombopag n/N (%) [95% CI] | Placebo n/N (%) [95% CI] |
| Cohort 1 (12 to 17 years) Cohort 2 (6 to 11 years) Cohort 3 (1 to 5 years) | 9/23 (39%) [20%, 61%] 11/26 (42%) [23%, 63%] 5/14 (36%) [13%, 65%] | 1/10 (10%) [0%, 45%] 0/13 (0%) [N/A] 0/6 (0%) [N/A] |
Statistically fewer eltrombopag patients required rescue treatment during the randomised period compared to placebo patients (19% [12/63] vs. 24% [7/29], p=0.032).
At baseline, 71% of patients in the eltrombopag group and 69% in the placebo group reported any bleeding (WHO Grades 1‑4). At Week 12, the proportion of eltrombopag patients reporting any bleeding was decreased to half of baseline (36%). In comparison, at Week 12, 55% of placebo patients reported any bleeding.
Patients were permitted to reduce or discontinue baseline ITP therapy only during the open-label phase of the study and 53% (8/15) of patients were able to reduce (n=1) or discontinue (n=7) baseline ITP therapy, mainly corticosteroids, without needing rescue therapy.
TRA108062 (PETIT):
The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients achieving platelet counts ≥50 000/µl at least once between weeks 1 and 6 of the randomised period. Patients were diagnosed with ITP for at least 6 months and were refractory or relapsed to at least one prior ITP therapy with a platelet count <30 000/µl (n=67). During the randomised period of the study, patients were randomised by three age cohort strata (2:1) to eltrombopag (n=45) or placebo (n=22). The dose of eltrombopag could be adjusted based on individual platelet counts.
Overall, a significantly greater proportion of eltrombopag patients (62%) compared with placebo patients (32%) met the primary endpoint (Odds Ratio: 4.3 [95% CI: 1.4, 13.3] p=0.011).
Sustained response was seen in 50% of the initial responders during 20 out of 24 weeks in the PETIT 2 study and 15 out of 24 weeks in the PETIT Study.
\*\*\*Chronic hepatitis C associated thrombocytopenia studies\*\*\*
The efficacy and safety of eltrombopag for the treatment of thrombocytopenia in patients with HCV infection were evaluated in two randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies. ENABLE 1 utilised peginterferon alfa-2a plus ribavirin for antiviral treatment and ENABLE 2 utilised peginterferon alfa-2b plus ribavirin. Patients did not receive direct acting antiviral agents. In both studies, patients with a platelet count of <75 000/µl were enrolled and stratified by platelet count (<50 000/µl and ≥50 000/µl to <75 000/µl), screening HCV RNA (<800 000 IU/ml and ≥800 000 IU/ml), and HCV genotype (genotype 2/3, and genotype 1/4/6).
Baseline disease characteristics were similar in both studies and were consistent with compensated cirrhotic HCV patient population. The majority of patients were HCV genotype 1 (64%) and had bridging fibrosis/cirrhosis. Thirty-one percent of patients had been treated with prior HCV therapies, primarily pegylated interferon plus ribavirin. The median baseline platelet count was 59 500/µl in both treatment groups: 0.8%, 28% and 72% of the patients recruited had platelet counts <20 000/µl, <50 000/µl and ≥50 000/µl respectively.
The studies consisted of two phases – a pre-antiviral treatment phase and an antiviral treatment phase. In the pre-antiviral treatment phase, patients received open-label eltrombopag to increase the platelet count to ≥90 000/µl for ENABLE 1 and ≥100 000/µl for ENABLE 2. The median time to achieve the target platelet count ≥90 000/µl (ENABLE 1) or ≥100 000/µl (ENABLE 2) was 2 weeks.
The primary efficacy endpoint for both studies was sustained virologic response (SVR), defined as the percentage of patients with no detectable HCV-RNA at 24 weeks after completion of the planned treatment period.
In both HCV studies, a significantly greater proportion of patients treated with eltrombopag (n=201, 21%) achieved SVR compared to those treated with placebo (n=65, 13%) (see Table 8). The improvement in the proportion of patients who achieved SVR was consistent across all subgroups in the randomisation strata (baseline platelet counts (<50 000 vs. >50 000), viral load (<800 000 IU/ml vs. ≥800 000 IU/ml) and genotype (2/3 vs. 1/4/6)).
\*\*Table 8 Virologic response in HCV patients in ENABLE 1 and ENABLE 2\*\*
| | | | | | | |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| | \*\*Pooled data\*\* | | \*\*ENABLE 1a\*\* | | \*\*ENABLE 2b\*\* | |
| Patients achieving target platelet counts and initiating antiviral therapy \*\*c\*\* | 1 439/1 520 (95%) | | 680/715 (95%) | | 759/805 (94%) | |
| | \*\*Eltrombopag\*\* | \*\*Placebo\*\* | \*\*Eltrombopag\*\* | \*\*Placebo\*\* | \*\*Eltrombopag\*\* | \*\*Placebo\*\* |
| \*\*Total number of patients entering antiviral treatment phase\*\* | \*\*n=956\*\* | \*\*n=485\*\* | \*\*n=450\*\* | \*\*n=232\*\* | \*\*n=506\*\* | \*\*n=253\*\* |
| | \*\*% patients achieving virologic response\*\* | | | | | |
| \*\*Overall SVR\*\* d | 21 | 13 | 23 | 14 | 19 | 13 |
| \*HCV RNA Genotype\* | | | | | | |
| Genotype 2/3 | 35 | 25 | 35 | 24 | 34 | 25 |
| Genotype 1/4/6e | 15 | 8 | 18 | 10 | 13 | 7 |
| \*Albumin levels f\* | | | | | | |
| ≤35g/l | 11 | 8 |
| >35g/l | 25 | 16 |
| \*MELD scoref\* | | |
| ≥10 | 18 | 10 |
| <10 | 23 | 17 |
a Eltrombopag given in combination with peginterferon alfa-2a (180 μg once weekly for 48 weeks for genotypes 1/4/6; 24 weeks for genotype 2/3) plus ribavirin (800 to 1 200 mg daily in 2 divided doses orally)
b Eltrombopag given in combination with peginterferon alfa-2b (1.5 μg/kg once weekly for 48 weeks for genotype 1/4/6; 24 weeks for genotype 2/3) plus ribavirin (800 to 1 400 mg orally in 2 divided doses)
c Target platelet count was ≥90 000/µl for ENABLE 1 and ≥100 000/µl for ENABLE 2. For ENABLE 1, 682 patients were randomised to the antiviral treatment phase; however 2 patients then withdrew consent prior to receiving antiviral therapy.
d \*p‑\*value <0.05 for eltrombopag versus placebo
e 64% patients participating in ENABLE 1 and ENABLE 2 were genotype 1
f Post-hoc analyses
Other secondary findings of the studies included the following: significantly fewer patients treated with eltrombopag prematurely discontinued antiviral therapy compared to placebo (45% vs. 60%, p=<0.0001). A greater proportion of patients on eltrombopag did not require any antiviral dose reduction as compared to placebo (45% vs. 27%). Eltrombopag treatment delayed and reduced the number of peginterferon dose reductions.5.2 Pharmacokinetic properties
\*\*Pharmacokinetics\*\*
The plasma eltrombopag concentration-time data collected in 88 patients with ITP in studies TRA100773A and TRA100773B were combined with data from 111 healthy adult subjects in a population PK analysis. Plasma eltrombopag AUC(0-) and Cmax estimates for ITP patients are presented (Table 9).
\*\*Table 9 Geometric mean (95% confidence intervals) of steady-state plasma eltrombopag pharmacokinetic parameters in adults with ITP\*\*
| | | | |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| \*\*Eltrombopag dose, once daily\*\* | \*\*N\*\* | \*\*AUC(0-SMPC\_105896\_Tau\_1.gif)a, μg.h/ml\*\* | \*\*Cmaxa, μg/ml\*\* |
| 30 mg | 28 | 47 (39, 58) | 3.78 (3.18, 4.49) |
| 50 mg | 34 | 108 (88, 134) | 8.01 (6.73, 9.53) |
| 75 mg | 26 | 168 (143, 198) | 12.7 (11.0, 14.5) |
a AUC(0-) and Cmax based on population PK post-hoc estimates.
Plasma eltrombopag concentration-time data collected in 590 patients with HCV enrolled in phase III studies TPL103922/ENABLE 1 and TPL108390/ENABLE 2 were combined with data from patients with HCV enrolled in the phase II study TPL102357 and healthy adult subjects in a population PK analysis. Plasma eltrombopag Cmax and AUC(0-) estimates for patients with HCV enrolled in the phase III studies are presented for each dose studied in Table 10.
\*\*Table 10 Geometric mean (95% CI) steady-state plasma eltrombopag pharmacokinetic parameters in patients with chronic HCV\*\*
| | | | |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| \*\*Eltrombopag dose\*\* \*\*(once daily)\*\* | \*\*N\*\* | \*\*AUC(0-SMPC\_105896\_Tau\_1.gif)\*\* \*\*(μg.h/ml)\*\* | \*\*Cmax\*\* \*\*(μg/ml)\*\* |
| 25 mg | 330 | 118 (109, 128) | 6.40 (5.97, 6.86) |
| 50 mg | 119 | 166 (143, 192) | 9.08 (7.96, 10.35) |
| 75 mg | 45 | 301 (250, 363) | 16.71 (14.26, 19.58) |
| 100 mg | 96 | 354 (304, 411) | 19.19 (16.81, 21.91) |
Data presented as geometric mean (95% CI).
AUC (0-) and Cmax based on population PK post-hoc estimates at the highest dose in the data for each patient.
\*\*Absorption and bioavailability\*\*
Eltrombopag is absorbed with a peak concentration occurring 2 to 6 hours after oral administration. Administration of eltrombopag concomitantly with antacids and other products containing polyvalent cations such as dairy products and mineral supplements significantly reduces eltrombopag exposure (see section 4.2). In a relative bioavailability study in adults, the eltrombopag powder for oral suspension delivered 22% higher plasma AUC(0-∞) than the film-coated tablet formulation. The absolute oral bioavailability of eltrombopag after administration to humans has not been established. Based on urinary excretion and metabolites eliminated in faeces, the oral absorption of drug-related material following administration of a single 75 mg eltrombopag solution dose was estimated to be at least 52%.
\*\*Distribution\*\*
Eltrombopag is highly bound to human plasma proteins (>99.9%), predominantly to albumin. Eltrombopag is a substrate for BCRP, but is not a substrate for P-glycoprotein or OATP1B1.
\*\*Biotransformation\*\*
Eltrombopag is primarily metabolised through cleavage, oxidation and conjugation with glucuronic acid, glutathione, or cysteine. In a human radiolabel study, eltrombopag accounted for approximately 64% of plasma radiocarbon AUC0-∞. Minor metabolites due to glucuronidation and oxidation were also detected. \*In vitro\* studies suggest that CYP1A2 and CYP2C8 are responsible for oxidative metabolism of eltrombopag. Uridine diphosphoglucuronyl transferase UGT1A1 and UGT1A3 are responsible for glucuronidation, and bacteria in the lower gastrointestinal tract may be responsible for the cleavage pathway.
\*\*Elimination\*\*
Absorbed eltrombopag is extensively metabolised. The predominant route of eltrombopag excretion is via faeces (59%) with 31% of the dose found in the urine as metabolites. Unchanged parent compound (eltrombopag) is not detected in urine. Unchanged eltrombopag excreted in faeces accounts for approximately 20% of the dose. The plasma elimination half-life of eltrombopag is approximately 21‑32 hours.
\*\*Pharmacokinetic interactions\*\*
Based on a human study with radiolabelled eltrombopag, glucuronidation plays a minor role in the metabolism of eltrombopag. Human liver microsome studies identified UGT1A1 and UGT1A3 as the enzymes responsible for eltrombopag glucuronidation. Eltrombopag was an inhibitor of a number of UGT enzymes \*in vitro\*. Clinically significant drug interactions involving glucuronidation are not anticipated due to limited contribution of individual UGT enzymes in the glucuronidation of eltrombopag.
Approximately 21% of an eltrombopag dose could undergo oxidative metabolism. Human liver microsome studies identified CYP1A2 and CYP2C8 as the enzymes responsible for eltrombopag oxidation. Eltrombopag does not inhibit or induce CYP enzymes based on \*in vitro\* and \*in vivo\* data (see section 4.5).
\*In vitro\* studies demonstrate that eltrombopag is an inhibitor of the OATP1B1 transporter and an inhibitor of the BCRP transporter and eltrombopag increased exposure of the OATP1B1 and BCRP substrate rosuvastatin in a clinical drug interaction study (see section 4.5). In clinical studies with eltrombopag, a dose reduction of statins by 50% was recommended.
Eltrombopag chelates with polyvalent cations such as iron, calcium, magnesium, aluminium, selenium and zinc (see sections 4.2 and 4.5).
\*In vitro\* studies demonstrated that eltrombopag is not a substrate for the organic anion transporter polypeptide, OATP1B1, but is an inhibitor of this transporter (IC50 value of 2.7 μM [1.2 μg/ml]). \*In vitro\* studies also demonstrated that eltrombopag is a breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP) substrate and inhibitor (IC50 value of 2.7 μM [1.2 μg/ml])\*.\*
\*\*Special patient populations\*\*
\*\*\*Renal impairment\*\*\*
The pharmacokinetics of eltrombopag have been studied after administration of eltrombopag to adult patients with renal impairment. Following administration of a single 50 mg dose, the AUC0-∞ of eltrombopag was 32% to 36% lower in patients with mild to moderate renal impairment, and 60% lower in patients with severe renal impairment compared with healthy volunteers. There was substantial variability and significant overlap in exposures between patients with renal impairment and healthy volunteers. Unbound eltrombopag (active) concentrations for this highly protein‑bound medicinal product were not measured. Patients with impaired renal function should use eltrombopag with caution and close monitoring, for example by testing serum creatinine and/or urine analysis (see section 4.2). The efficacy and safety of eltrombopag have not been established in patients with both moderate to severe renal impairment and hepatic impairment.
\*\*\*Hepatic impairment\*\*\*
The pharmacokinetics of eltrombopag have been studied after administration of eltrombopag to adult patients with hepatic impairment. Following the administration of a single 50 mg dose, the AUC0-∞ of eltrombopag was 41% higher in patients with mild hepatic impairment and 80% to 93% higher in patients with moderate to severe hepatic impairment compared with healthy volunteers. There was substantial variability and significant overlap in exposures between patients with hepatic impairment and healthy volunteers. Unbound eltrombopag (active) concentrations for this highly protein‑bound medicinal product were not measured.
The influence of hepatic impairment on the pharmacokinetics of eltrombopag following repeat administration was evaluated using a population pharmacokinetic analysis in 28 healthy adults and 714 patients with hepatic impairment (673 patients with HCV and 41 patients with chronic liver disease of other aetiology). Of the 714 patients, 642 were with mild hepatic impairment, 67 with moderate hepatic impairment, and 2 with severe hepatic impairment. Compared to healthy volunteers, patients with mild hepatic impairment had approximately 111% (95% CI: 45% to 283%) higher plasma eltrombopag AUC(0-) values and patients with moderate hepatic impairment had approximately 183% (95% CI: 90% to 459%) higher plasma eltrombopag AUC(0-) values.
Therefore, eltrombopag should not be used in ITP patients with hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh score ≥5) unless the expected benefit outweighs the identified risk of portal venous thrombosis (see sections 4.2 and 4.4). For patients with HCV initiate eltrombopag at a dose of 25 mg once daily (see section 4.2).
\*\*\*Race\*\*\*
The influence of East-Asian ethnicity on the pharmacokinetics of eltrombopag was evaluated using a population pharmacokinetic analysis in 111 healthy adults (31 East-Asians) and 88 patients with ITP (18 East-Asians). Based on estimates from the population pharmacokinetic analysis, East-Asian ITP patients had approximately 49% higher plasma eltrombopag AUC(0-) values as compared to non- East-Asian patients who were predominantly Caucasian (see section 4.2).
The influence of East-/Southeast-Asian ethnicity on the pharmacokinetics of eltrombopag was evaluated using a population pharmacokinetic analysis in 635 patients with HCV (145 East-Asians and 69 Southeast-Asians). Based on estimates from the population pharmacokinetic analysis, East-/Southeast-Asian patients had approximately 55% higher plasma eltrombopag AUC(0-) values as compared to patients of other races who were predominantly Caucasian (see section 4.2).
\*\*\*Gender\*\*\*
The influence of gender on the pharmacokinetics of eltrombopag was evaluated using a population pharmacokinetic analysis in 111 healthy adults (14 females) and 88 patients with ITP (57 females). Based on estimates from the population pharmacokinetic analysis, female ITP patients had approximately 23% higher plasma eltrombopag AUC(0-) as compared to male patients, without adjustment for body weight differences.
The influence of gender on eltrombopag pharmacokinetics was evaluated using population pharmacokinetics analysis in 635 patients with HCV (260 females). Based on model estimate, female HCV patient had approximately 41% higher plasma eltrombopag AUC(0-) as compared to male patients.
\*\*\*Age\*\*\*
The influence of age on eltrombopag pharmacokinetics was evaluated using population pharmacokinetics analysis in 28 healthy subjects, 673 patients with HCV, and 41 patients with chronic liver disease of other aetiology ranging from 19 to 74 years old. There are no PK data on the use of eltrombopag in patients ≥75 years. Based on model estimate, elderly (≥65 years) patients had approximately 41% higher plasma eltrombopag AUC(0-) as compared to younger patients (see section 4.2).
\*\*\*Paediatric Population (aged 1 to 17 years)\*\*\*
The pharmacokinetics of eltrombopag have been evaluated in 168 paediatric ITP patients dosed once daily in two studies, TRA108062/PETIT and TRA115450/PETIT-2. Plasma eltrombopag apparent clearance following oral administration (CL/F) increased with increasing body weight. The effects of race and sex on plasma eltrombopag CL/F estimates were consistent between paediatric and adult patients. East-/Southeast-Asian paediatric ITP patients had approximately 43% higher plasma eltrombopag AUC(0‑) values as compared to non-Asian patients. Female paediatric ITP patients had approximately 25% higher plasma eltrombopag AUC(0-) values as compared to male patients.
The pharmacokinetic parameters of eltrombopag in paediatric patients with ITP are shown in Table 11.
\*\*Table 11 Geometric mean (95% CI) steady-state plasma eltrombopag pharmacokinetic parameters in paediatric patients with ITP (50 mg once daily dosing regimen)\*\*
| | | |
| --- | --- | --- |
| \*\*Age\*\* | \*\*Cmax\*\* \*\*(µg/ml)\*\* | \*\*AUC(0-SMPC\_105896\_Tau\_1.gif)\*\* \*\*(µg.hr/ml)\*\* |
| 12 to 17 years (n=62) | 6.80 (6.17, 7.50) | 103 (91.1, 116) |
| 6 to 11 years (n=68) | 10.3 (9.42, 11.2) | 153 (137, 170) |
| 1 to 5 years (n=38) | 11.6 (10.4, 12.9) | 162 (139, 187) |
Data presented as geometric mean (95% CI). AUC(0-) and Cmax based on population PK post-hoc estimates5.3 Preclinical safety data
\*\*Safety pharmacology and repeat-dose toxicity\*\*
Eltrombopag does not stimulate platelet production in mice, rats or dogs because of unique TPO receptor specificity. Therefore, data from these animals do not fully model potential adverse effects related to the pharmacology of eltrombopag in humans, including the reproduction and carcinogenicity studies.
Treatment-related cataracts were detected in rodents and were dose and time-dependent. At ≥6 times the human clinical exposure in adult ITP patients at 75 mg/day and 3 times the human clinical exposure in adult HCV patients at 100 mg/day, based on AUC, cataracts were observed in mice after 6 weeks and rats after 28 weeks of dosing. At ≥4 times the human clinical exposure in ITP patients at 75 mg/day and 2 times the human exposure in HCV patients at 100 mg/day, based on AUC, cataracts were observed in mice after 13 weeks and in rats after 39 weeks of dosing. At non-tolerated doses in pre-weaning juvenile rats dosed from days 4‑32 (approximately equating to a 2-year‑old human at the end of the dosing period), ocular opacities were observed (histology not performed) at 9 times the maximum human clinical exposure in paediatric ITP patients at 75 mg/day, based on AUC. However, cataracts were not observed in juvenile rats given tolerated doses at 5 times the human clinical exposure in paediatric ITP patients, based on AUC. Cataracts have not been observed in adult dogs after 52 weeks of dosing at 2 times the human clinical exposure in adult or paediatric ITP patients at 75 mg/day and equivalent to the human clinical exposure in HCV patients at 100 mg/day, based on AUC).
Renal tubular toxicity was observed in studies of up to 14 days duration in mice and rats at exposures that were generally associated with morbidity and mortality. Tubular toxicity was also observed in a 2‑year oral carcinogenicity study in mice at doses of 25, 75 and 150 mg/kg/day. Effects were less severe at lower doses and were characterised by a spectrum of regenerative changes. The exposure at the lowest dose was 1.2 or 0.8 times the human clinical exposure based on AUC in adult or paediatric ITP patients at 75 mg/day and 0.6 times the human clinical exposure in HCV patients at 100 mg/day, based on AUC. Renal effects were not observed in rats after 28 weeks or in dogs after 52 weeks at exposures 4 and 2 times the human clinical exposure in adult ITP patients and 3 and 2 times the human clinical exposure in paediatric ITP patients at 75 mg/day and 2 times and equivalent to the human clinical exposure in HCV patients at 100 mg/day, based on AUC.
Hepatocyte degeneration and/or necrosis, often accompanied by increased serum liver enzymes, was observed in mice, rats and dogs at doses that were associated with morbidity and mortality or were poorly tolerated. No hepatic effects were observed after chronic dosing in rats (28 weeks) and in dogs (52 weeks) at 4 or 2 times the human clinical exposure in adult ITP and 3 or 2 times the human clinical exposure in paediatric ITP patients at 75 mg/day and 2 times and equivalent to the human clinical exposure in HCV patients at 100 mg/day, based on AUC.
At poorly tolerated doses in rats and dogs (>10 or 7 times the human clinical exposure in adult or paediatric ITP patients at 75 mg/day and>4 times the human clinical exposure in HCV patients at 100 mg/day, based on AUC), decreased reticulocyte counts and regenerative bone marrow erythroid hyperplasia (rats only) were observed in short‑term studies. There were no effects of note on red cell mass or reticulocyte counts after dosing for up to 28 weeks in rats, 52 weeks in dogs and 2 years in mice or rats at maximally tolerated doses which were 2 to 4 times human clinical exposure in adult or paediatric ITP patients at 75 mg/day and ≤2 times the human clinical exposure in HCV patients at 100 mg/day, based on AUC.
Endosteal hyperostosis was observed in a 28‑week toxicity study in rats at a non-tolerated dose of 60 mg/kg/day (6 times or 4 times the human clinical exposure in adult or paediatric ITP patients at 75 mg/day and 3 times the human clinical exposure in HCV patients at 100 mg/day, based on AUC). There were no bone changes observed in mice or rats after lifetime exposure (2 years) at 4 times or 2 times the human clinical exposure in adult or paediatric ITP patients at 75 mg/day and 2 times the human clinical exposure in HCV patients at 100 mg/day, based on AUC.
\*\*Carcinogenicity and mutagenicity\*\*
Eltrombopag was not carcinogenic in mice at doses up to 75 mg/kg/day or in rats at doses up to 40 mg/kg/day (exposures up to 4 or 2 times the human clinical exposure in adult or paediatric ITP patients at 75 mg/day and 2 times the human clinical exposure in HCV patients at 100 mg/day, based on AUC). Eltrombopag was not mutagenic or clastogenic in a bacterial mutation assay or in two \*in vivo\* assays in rats (micronucleus and unscheduled DNA synthesis, 10 times or 8 times the human clinical exposure in adult or paediatric ITP patients at 75 mg/day and 7 times the human clinical exposure in HCV patients at 100 mg/day, based on Cmax). In the \*in vitro\* mouse lymphoma assay, eltrombopag was marginally positive (<3-fold increase in mutation frequency). These \*in vitro\* and \*in vivo\* findings suggest that eltrombopag does not pose a genotoxic risk to humans.
\*\*Reproductive toxicity\*\*
Eltrombopag did not affect female fertility, early embryonic development or embryofoetal development in rats at doses up to 20 mg/kg/day (2 times the human clinical exposure in adult or adolescent (12‑17 years) ITP patients at 75 mg/day and equivalent to the human clinical exposure in HCV patients at 100 mg/day, based on AUC). Also there was no effect on embryofoetal development in rabbits at doses up to 150 mg/kg/day, the highest dose tested (0.3 to 0.5 times the human clinical exposure in ITP patients at 75 mg/day and HCV patients at 100 mg/day, based on AUC). However, at a maternally toxic dose of 60 mg/kg/day (6 times the human clinical exposure in ITP patients at 75 mg/day and 3 times the human clinical exposure in HCV patients at 100 mg/day, based on AUC) in rats, eltrombopag treatment was associated with embryo lethality (increased pre- and post-implantation loss), reduced foetal body weight and gravid uterine weight in the female fertility study and a low incidence of cervical ribs and reduced foetal body weight in the embryofoetal development study. Eltrombopag should be used during pregnancy only if the expected benefit justifies the potential risk to the foetus (see section 4.6). Eltrombopag did not affect male fertility in rats at doses up to 40 mg/kg/day, the highest dose tested (3 times the human clinical exposure in ITP patients at 75 mg/day and 2 times the human clinical exposure in HCV patients at 100 mg/day, based on AUC). In the pre‑ and post-natal development study in rats, there were no undesirable effects on pregnancy, parturition or lactation of F0 female rats at maternally non-toxic doses (10 and 20 mg/kg/day) and no effects on the growth, development, neurobehavioural or reproductive function of the offspring (F1). Eltrombopag was detected in the plasma of all F1 rat pups for the entire 22 hour sampling period following administration of medicinal product to the F0 dams, suggesting that rat pup exposure to eltrombopag was likely via lactation.
\*\*Phototoxicity\*\*
\*In vitro\* studies with eltrombopag suggest a potential phototoxicity risk; however, in rodents there was no evidence of cutaneous phototoxicity (10 or 7 times the human clinical exposure in adult or paediatric ITP patients at 75 mg/day and 5 times the human clinical exposure in HCV patients at 100 mg/day, based on AUC) or ocular phototoxicity (≥4 times the human clinical exposure in adult or paediatric ITP patients at 75 mg/day and 3 times the human clinical exposure in HCV patients at 100 mg/day, based on AUC). Furthermore, a clinical pharmacology study in 36 subjects showed no evidence that photosensitivity was increased following administration of eltrombopag 75 mg. This was measured by delayed phototoxic index. Nevertheless, a potential risk of photoallergy cannot be ruled out since no specific preclinical study could be performed.
\*\*Juvenile animal studies\*\*
At non-tolerated doses in pre-weaning rats, ocular opacities were observed. At tolerated doses, no ocular opacities were observed (see above subsection 'Safety pharmacology and repeat-dose toxicity'). In conclusion, taking into account the exposure margins based on AUC, a risk of eltrombopag-related cataracts in paediatric patients cannot be excluded. There are no findings in juvenile rats to suggest a greater risk of toxicity with eltrombopag treatment in paediatric vs. adult ITP patients.
\*\*5.3 Preclinical safety data\*\*
\*\*Safety pharmacology and repeat-dose toxicity\*\*
Eltrombopag does not stimulate platelet production in mice, rats or dogs because of unique TPO receptor specificity. Therefore, data from these animals do not fully model potential adverse effects related to the pharmacology of eltrombopag in humans, including the reproduction and carcinogenicity studies.
Treatment-related cataracts were detected in rodents and were dose and time-dependent. At ≥6 times the human clinical exposure in adult ITP patients at 75 mg/day and 3 times the human clinical exposure in adult HCV patients at 100 mg/day, based on AUC, cataracts were observed in mice after 6 weeks and rats after 28 weeks of dosing. At ≥4 times the human clinical exposure in ITP patients at 75 mg/day and 2 times the human exposure in HCV patients at 100 mg/day, based on AUC, cataracts were observed in mice after 13 weeks and in rats after 39 weeks of dosing. At non-tolerated doses in pre-weaning juvenile rats dosed from Days 4‑32 (approximately equating to a 2-year‑old human at the end of the dosing period), ocular opacities were observed (histology not performed) at 9 times the maximum human clinical exposure in paediatric ITP patients at 75 mg/day, based on AUC. However, cataracts were not observed in juvenile rats given tolerated doses at 5 times the human clinical exposure in paediatric ITP patients, based on AUC. Cataracts have not been observed in adult dogs after 52 weeks of dosing at 2 times the human clinical exposure in adult or paediatric ITP patients at 75 mg/day and equivalent to the human clinical exposure in HCV patients at 100 mg/day, based on AUC).
Renal tubular toxicity was observed in studies of up to 14 days duration in mice and rats at exposures that were generally associated with morbidity and mortality. Tubular toxicity was also observed in a 2‑year oral carcinogenicity study in mice at doses of 25, 75 and 150 mg/kg/day. Effects were less severe at lower doses and were characterised by a spectrum of regenerative changes. The exposure at the lowest dose was 1.2 or 0.8 times the human clinical exposure based on AUC in adult or paediatric ITP patients at 75 mg/day and 0.6 times the human clinical exposure in HCV patients at 100 mg/day, based on AUC. Renal effects were not observed in rats after 28 weeks or in dogs after 52 weeks at exposures 4 and 2 times the human clinical exposure in adult ITP patients and 3 and 2 times the human clinical exposure in paediatric ITP patients at 75 mg/day and 2 times and equivalent to the human clinical exposure in HCV patients at 100 mg/day, based on AUC.
Hepatocyte degeneration and/or necrosis, often accompanied by increased serum liver enzymes, was observed in mice, rats and dogs at doses that were associated with morbidity and mortality or were poorly tolerated. No hepatic effects were observed after chronic dosing in rats (28 weeks) and in dogs (52 weeks) at 4 or 2 times the human clinical exposure in adult ITP patients and 3 or 2 times the human clinical exposure in paediatric ITP patients at 75 mg/day and 2 times or equivalent to the human clinical exposure in HCV patients at 100 mg/day, based on AUC.
At poorly tolerated doses in rats and dogs (>10 or 7 times the human clinical exposure in adult or paediatric ITP patients at 75 mg/day and >4 times the human clinical exposure in HCV patients at 100 mg/day, based on AUC), decreased reticulocyte counts and regenerative bone marrow erythroid hyperplasia (rats only) were observed in short‑term studies. There were no effects of note on red cell mass or reticulocyte counts after dosing for up to 28 weeks in rats, 52 weeks in dogs and 2 years in mice or rats at maximally tolerated doses which were 2 to 4 times human clinical exposure in adult or paediatric ITP patients at 75 mg/day and ≤2 times the human clinical exposure in HCV patients at 100 mg/day, based on AUC.
Endosteal hyperostosis was observed in a 28‑week toxicity study in rats at a non-tolerated dose of 60 mg/kg/day (6 times or 4 times the human clinical exposure in adult or paediatric ITP patients at 75 mg/day and 3 times the human clinical exposure in HCV patients at 100 mg/day, based on AUC). There were no bone changes observed in mice or rats after lifetime exposure (2 years) at 4 times or 2 times the human clinical exposure in adult or paediatric ITP patients at 75 mg/day and 2 times the human clinical exposure in HCV patients at 100 mg/day, based on AUC.
\*\*Carcinogenicity and mutagenicity\*\*
Eltrombopag was not carcinogenic in mice at doses up to 75 mg/kg/day or in rats at doses up to 40 mg/kg/day (exposures up to 4 or 2 times the human clinical exposure in adult or paediatric ITP patients at 75 mg/day and 2 times the human clinical exposure in HCV patients at 100 mg/day, based on AUC). Eltrombopag was not mutagenic or clastogenic in a bacterial mutation assay or in two \*in vivo\* assays in rats (micronucleus and unscheduled DNA synthesis, 10 times or 8 times the human clinical exposure in adult or paediatric ITP patients at 75 mg/day and 7 times the human clinical exposure in HCV patients at 100 mg/day, based on Cmax). In the \*in vitro\* mouse lymphoma assay, eltrombopag was marginally positive (<3-fold increase in mutation frequency). These \*in vitro\* and \*in vivo\* findings suggest that eltrombopag does not pose a genotoxic risk to humans.
\*\*Reproductive toxicity\*\*
Eltrombopag did not affect female fertility, early embryonic development or embryofoetal development in rats at doses up to 20 mg/kg/day (2 times the human clinical exposure in adult or adolescent (12‑17 years old) ITP patients at 75 mg/day and equivalent to the human clinical exposure in HCV patients at 100 mg/day, based on AUC). Also there was no effect on embryofoetal development in rabbits at doses up to 150 mg/kg/day, the highest dose tested (0.3 to 0.5 times the human clinical exposure in ITP patients at 75 mg/day and HCV patients at 100 mg/day, based on AUC). However, at a maternally toxic dose of 60 mg/kg/day (6 times the human clinical exposure in ITP patients at 75 mg/day and 3 times the human clinical exposure in HCV patients at 100 mg/day, based on AUC) in rats, eltrombopag treatment was associated with embryo lethality (increased pre- and post-implantation loss), reduced foetal body weight and gravid uterine weight in the female fertility study and a low incidence of cervical ribs and reduced foetal body weight in the embryofoetal development study. Eltrombopag should be used during pregnancy only if the expected benefit justifies the potential risk to the foetus (see section 4.6). Eltrombopag did not affect male fertility in rats at doses up to 40 mg/kg/day, the highest dose tested (3 times the human clinical exposure in ITP patients at 75 mg/day and 2 times the human clinical exposure in HCV patients at 100 mg/day, based on AUC). In the pre‑ and post-natal development study in rats, there were no undesirable effects on pregnancy, parturition or lactation of F0 female rats at maternally non-toxic doses (10 and 20 mg/kg/day) and no effects on the growth, development, neurobehavioural or reproductive function of the offspring (F1). Eltrombopag was detected in the plasma of all F1 rat pups for the entire 22 hour sampling period following administration of medicinal product to the F0 dams, suggesting that rat pup exposure to eltrombopag was likely via lactation.
Phototoxicity
\*In vitro\* studies with eltrombopag suggest a potential phototoxicity risk; however, in rodents there was no evidence of cutaneous phototoxicity (10 or 7 times the human clinical exposure in adult or paediatric ITP patients at 75 mg/day and 5 times the human clinical exposure in HCV patients at 100 mg/day, based on AUC) or ocular phototoxicity (≥4 times the human clinical exposure in adult or paediatric ITP patients at 75 mg/day and 3 times the human clinical exposure in HCV patients at 100 mg/day, based on AUC). Furthermore, a clinical pharmacology study in 36 subjects showed no evidence that photosensitivity was increased following administration of eltrombopag 75 mg. This was measured by delayed phototoxic index. Nevertheless, a potential risk of photoallergy cannot be ruled out since no specific preclinical study could be performed.
\*\*Juvenile animal studies\*\*
At non-tolerated doses in pre-weaning rats, ocular opacities were observed. At tolerated doses, no ocular opacities were observed (see above subsection 'Safety pharmacology and repeat-dose toxicity'). In conclusion, taking into account the exposure margins based on AUC, a risk of eltrombopag-related cataracts in paediatric patients cannot be excluded. There are no findings in juvenile rats to suggest a greater risk of toxicity with eltrombopag treatment in paediatric vs. adult ITP patients.
## Pharmaceutical Particulars
6.1 List of excipients
\*Tablet core\*
microcrystalline cellulose
mannitol (E421)
povidone
sodium starch glycolate (type B)
colloidal anhydrous silica
talc
magnesium stearate
\*Tablet coating\*
hypromellose (E464)
macrogol (E1521)
titanium dioxide (E171)
iron oxide red (E172)
iron oxide yellow (E172).6.2 Incompatibilities
Not applicable.6.3 Shelf life
2 years.6.4 Special precautions for storage
This medicinal product does not require any special temperature storage conditions. Store in the original package in order to protect from light.6.5 Nature and contents of container
Aluminum blisters (OPA/Alu/PVC) with aluminium push through foil in a carton containing 14 or 28 film-coated tablets and multipacks containing 84 (3 packs of 28) film-coated tablets.
Not all pack sizes may be marketed.6.6 Special precautions for disposal and other handling
Any unused medicinal product or waste material should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements.
