DESCRIPTION

Trandolapril and verapamil hydrochloride extended-release tablets combine a slow release formulation of a calcium channel blocker, verapamil hydrochloride, USP, and an immediate release formulation of an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor, trandolapril, USP.

Verapamil Component

Verapamil hydrochloride, USP is chemically described as benzeneacetonitrile, α [3-[[2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl) -ethyl] methylamino] propyl] -3,4-dimethoxy-α -(1-methylethyl)-, monohydrochloride, (±). Its molecular formula is C27H38N2O4 • HCl and its structural formula is:


Verapamil hydrochloride, USP is a white or practically white crystalline powder, with a molecular weight of 491.06 g/mol. It is soluble in water, freely soluble in chloroform, sparingly soluble in alcohol and practically insoluble in ether. It is practically odorless and has a bitter taste.

Trandolapril Component

Trandolapril, USP is the ethyl ester prodrug of a nonsulfhydryl angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, trandolaprilat. It is chemically described as (2S,3aR,7aS)- 1- [(S)-2-[[(S)-1-(EthoxyCarbonyl)-3-phenylpropyl] amino]Propanoyl]octahydro-1H-indole-2-carboxylic acid. Its molecular formula is C24H34N2O5 and its structural formula is:


Trandolapril, USP is a white or almost white powder with a molecular weight of 430.54 g/mol. It is practically insoluble in water; freely soluble in methylene chloride; sparingly soluble in absolute alcohol.

Trandolapril and verapamil hydrochloride extended-release tablets are formulated for oral administration, containing verapamil hydrochloride, USP as a controlled release formulation and trandolapril, USP as an immediate release formulation. The tablet strengths are trandolapril and verapamil hydrochloride extended-release tablets 1 mg/240 mg, trandolapril and verapamil hydrochloride extended-release tablets 2 mg/180 mg, trandolapril and verapamil hydrochloride extended-release tablets 2 mg/240 mg, and trandolapril and verapamil hydrochloride extended-release tablets 4 mg/240 mg. The tablets also contain the following ingredients: colloidal silicon dioxide, corn starch, croscarmellose sodium, ferric oxide red, hypromellose, lactose monohydrate, povidone, sodium alginate, sodium stearyl fumarate, magnesium stearate, and microcrystalline cellulose. The film coating contains: 1 mg/240 mg – hypromellose, titanium dioxide, and polyethylene glycol; 2 mg/180 mg – hypromellose, titanium dioxide, polyethylene glycol, iron oxide red, and FD&C blue #2; 2 mg/240 mg – hypromellose, titanium dioxide, polyethylene glycol, iron oxide yellow, iron oxide black, and iron oxide red; 4 mg/240 mg – hypromellose, titanium dioxide, polyethylene glycol, iron oxide yellow, iron oxide red, and iron oxide black.

PRECAUTIONS

Use in Patients with Impaired Hepatic Function

Trandolapril and verapamil hydrochloride extended-release tablets have not been evaluated in subjects with impaired hepatic function.

Verapamil Component

Since verapamil is highly metabolized by the liver, it should be administered cautiously to patients with impaired hepatic function. Severe liver dysfunction prolongs the elimination half-life of immediate release verapamil to about 14 to 16 hours; hence, approximately 30% of the dose given to patients with normal liver function should be administered to these patients.

Careful monitoring for abnormal prolongation of the PR interval or other signs of excessive pharmacologic effects (seeOVERDOSAGE) should be carried out.

Trandolapril Component

Trandolapril and trandolaprilat concentrations increase in patients with impaired liver function.

Use in Patients with Impaired Renal Function

Trandolapril and verapamil hydrochloride extended-release tablets have not been evaluated in patients with impaired renal function.

Verapamil Component

About 70% of an administered dose of verapamil is excreted as metabolites in the urine. Verapamil is not removed by hemodialysis. Until further data are available, verapamil should be administered cautiously to patients with impaired renal function. These patients should be carefully monitored for abnormal prolongation of the PR interval or other signs of overdosage (see OVERDOSAGE).

Trandolapril Component

As a consequence of inhibiting the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, changes in renal function may be anticipated in susceptible individuals. In patients with severe heart failure whose renal function may depend on the activity of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, treatment with ACE inhibitors, including trandolapril, may be associated with oliguria and/or progressive azotemia and rarely with acute renal failure and/or death.

In hypertensive patients with unilateral or bilateral renal artery stenosis, increases in blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine have been observed in some patients following ACE inhibitor therapy. These increases were almost always reversible upon discontinuation of the ACE inhibitor and/or diuretic therapy. In such patients, renal function should be monitored during the first few weeks of therapy.

Some hypertensive patients with no apparent pre-existing renal vascular disease have developed increases in blood urea and serum creatinine, usually minor and transient, especially when ACE inhibitors have been given concomitantly with a diuretic. This is more likely to occur in patients with pre-existing renal impairment. Dosage reduction and/or discontinuation of any diuretic and/or the ACE inhibitor may be required.

Evaluation of hypertensive patients should always include assessment of renal function (seeDOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION).

Use in Patients with Attenuated (Decreased) Neuromuscular Transmission

Verapamil Component

It has been reported that verapamil decreases neuromuscular transmission in patients with Duchenne's muscular dystrophy, and that verapamil prolongs recovery from the neuromuscular blocking agent vecuronium. It may be necessary to decrease the dosage of verapamil when it is administered to patients with attenuated neuromuscular transmission (seePRECAUTIONS - Surgery/Anesthesia).

Hyperkalemia and Potassium-Sparing Diuretics

Trandolapril Component

In clinical trials, hyperkalemia (serum potassium > 6.00 mEq/L) occurred in approximately 0.4 percent of hypertensive patients receiving trandolapril and in 0.8% of patients receiving a dose of trandolapril (0.5 to 8 mg) in combination with a dose of verapamil hydrochloride SR (120 to 240 mg). In most cases, elevated serum potassium levels were isolated values, which resolved despite continued therapy. None of these patients were discontinued from the trials because of hyperkalemia. Risk factors for the development of hyperkalemia include renal insufficiency, diabetes mellitus, and the concomitant use of potassium-sparing diuretics, potassium supplements, and/or potassium-containing salt substitutes, which should be used cautiously, if at all, with trandolapril (seePRECAUTIONS - Drug Interactions).

Cough

Presumably due to the inhibition of the degradation of endogenous bradykinin, persistent nonproductive cough has been reported with all ACE inhibitors, always resolving after discontinuation of therapy. ACE inhibitor-induced cough should be considered in the differential diagnosis of cough. In controlled trials of trandolapril, cough was present in 2% of trandolapril patients and 0% of patients given placebo. There was no evidence of a relationship to dose.

Surgery/Anesthesia

Trandolapril Component

In patients undergoing major surgery or during anesthesia with agents that produce hypotension, trandolapril will block angiotensin II formation secondary to compensatory renin release. If hypotension occurs and is considered to be due to this mechanism, it can be corrected by volume expansion (seePRECAUTIONS - Use in Patients with Attenuated (Decreased) Neuromuscular Transmission).

Drug Interactions

In vitro metabolic studies indicate that verapamil is metabolized by cytochrome P450 including CYP3A4, CYP1A2, CYP2C8, CYP2C9 and CYP2C18. Verapamil has been shown to be an inhibitor of CYP3A4 enzymes and P-glycoprotein (P-gp).

Clinically significant interactions have been reported with inhibitors of CYP3A4 (e.g. erythromycin, ritonavir) causing elevation of plasma levels of verapamil while inducers of CYP3A4 (e.g. rifampin) have caused a lowering of plasma levels of verapamil. Therefore, patients receiving inhibitors or inducers of the cytochrome P450 system should be monitored for drug interactions.

Ivabradine

Concurrent use of verapamil increases exposure to ivabradine and may exacerbate bradycardia and conduction disturbances. Avoid co-administration of verapamil and ivabradine.

Digitalis

Clinical use of verapamil in digitalized patients has shown the combination to be well tolerated if digoxin doses are properly adjusted. Chronic verapamil treatment can increase serum digoxin levels by 50 to 75% during the first week of therapy, and this can result in digoxin toxicity. In patients with hepatic cirrhosis, the influence of verapamil on digoxin kinetics is magnified. Verapamil may reduce total body clearance and extrarenal clearance of digitoxin by 27% and 29%, respectively. Maintenance digoxin doses should be reduced when verapamil is administered, and the patient should be carefully monitored to avoid over- or under-digitalization. Whenever overdigitalization is suspected, the daily dose of digoxin should be reduced or temporarily discontinued. Upon discontinuation of any verapamil-containing regime including trandolapril and verapamil hydrochloride extended-release tablets, the patient should be reassessed to avoid underdigitalization. No clinically significant pharmacokinetic interaction has been found between trandolapril (or its metabolites) and digoxin.

Lithium

Verapamil Component

Increased sensitivity to the effects of lithium (neurotoxicity) has been reported during concomitant verapamil-lithium therapy with either no change or an increase in serum lithium levels. Increased serum lithium levels and symptoms of lithium toxicity have been reported in patients receiving concomitant lithium and ACE inhibitor therapy. Trandolapril and verapamil hydrochloride extended-release tablets and lithium should be coadministered with caution, and frequent monitoring of serum lithium levels is recommended. If a diuretic is also used, the risk of lithium toxicity may be increased.

Clarithromycin

Hypotension, bradyarrhythmias, and lactic acidosis have been observed in patients receiving concurrent clarithromycin.

Erythromycin

Hypotension, bradyarrhythmias, and lactic acidosis have been observed in patients receiving concurrent erythromycin ethylsuccinate.

Cimetidine

The interaction between cimetidine and chronically administered verapamil has not been studied. Variable results on clearance have been obtained in acute studies of healthy volunteers; clearance of verapamil was either reduced or unchanged. No clinically significant pharmacokinetic interaction has been found between trandolapril (or its metabolites) and cimetidine.

Antiarrhythmic Agents

Verapamil Component

Disopyramide Phosphate

Data on possible interactions between verapamil and disopyramide phosphate are not available. Therefore, disopyramide should not be administered within 48 hours before or 24 hours after verapamil administration.

Flecainide

A study of healthy volunteers showed that the concomitant administration of flecainide and verapamil may have additive effects on myocardial contractility, AV conduction, and repolarization. Concomitant therapy with flecainide and verapamil may result in additive negative inotropic effect and prolongation of atrioventricular conduction.

Quinidine

In a small number of patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (IHSS), concomitant use of verapamil and quinidine resulted in significant hypotension. Until further data are obtained, combined therapy of verapamil and quinidine in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy should probably be avoided.

The electrophysiological effects of quinidine and verapamil on AV conduction were studied in 8 patients. Verapamil significantly counteracted the effects of quinidine on AV conduction. There has been a report of increased quinidine levels during verapamil therapy.

Antihypertensive Agents

Concomitant use of trandolapril and verapamil hydrochloride extended-release tablets with other antihypertensive agents including diuretics, vasodilators, beta-adrenergic blockers, and alpha-antagonists may result in additive hypotensive effects. There are reports that verapamil may result in higher concentrations of the alpha-agonists prazosin and terazosin.

Dual Blockade of the Renin-Angiotensin System (RAS)

Trandolapril Component

Dual blockade of the RAS with angiotensin receptor blockers, ACE inhibitors, or aliskiren is associated with increased risks of hypotension, hyperkalemia, and changes in renal function (including acute renal failure) compared to monotherapy. Most patients receiving the combination of two RAS inhibitors do not obtain any additional benefit compared to monotherapy. In general, avoid combined use of RAS inhibitors. Closely monitor blood pressure, renal function and electrolytes in patients on trandolapril and verapamil hydrochloride extended-release tablets and other agents that affect the RAS.

Do not co-administer aliskiren with trandolapril and verapamil hydrochloride extended-release tablets in patients with diabetes. Avoid use of aliskiren with trandolapril and verapamil hydrochloride extended-release tablets in patients with renal impairment (GFR <60 ml/min).

Beta Blockers

Verapamil Component

Concomitant therapy with beta-adrenergic blockers and verapamil may result in additive negative effects on heart rate, atrioventricular conduction, and/or cardiac contractility. Drug interaction studies have indicated that the maximum concentrations of metoprolol and propanolol are increased after the administration of verapamil. The use of verapamil in combination with a beta- adrenergic blocker should be used only with caution, and close monitoring.

Asymptomatic bradycardia (36 beats/min) with a wandering atrial pacemaker has been observed in a patient receiving concomitant timolol (a beta-adrenergic blocker) eyedrops and oral verapamil.

Concomitant Diuretic Therapy

Trandolapril Component

As with other ACE inhibitors, patients on diuretics, especially those on recently instituted diuretic therapy, may occasionally experience an excessive reduction of blood pressure after initiation of therapy with trandolapril and verapamil hydrochloride extended-release tablets. The possibility of exacerbation of hypotensive effects with trandolapril and verapamil hydrochloride extended-release tablets may be minimized by either discontinuing the diuretic or cautiously increasing salt intake prior to initiation of treatment with trandolapril and verapamil hydrochloride extended-release tablets. If it is not possible to discontinue the diuretic, the starting dose of trandolapril and verapamil hydrochloride extended-release tablets should be reduced (seeDOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION). No clinically significant pharmacokinetic interaction has been found between trandolapril (or its metabolites) and furosemide.

Agents Increasing Serum Potassium

Trandolapril Component

Trandolapril can attenuate potassium loss caused by thiazide diuretics and increase serum potassium when used alone. Use of potassium-sparing diuretics (spironolactone, triamterene, or amiloride), potassium supplements, or potassium-containing salt substitutes concomitantly with ACE inhibitors can increase the risk of hyperkalemia. If concomitant use of such agents is indicated, they should be used with caution and with appropriate monitoring of serum potassium (seePRECAUTIONS).

HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors (“Statins”)

Verapamil Component

The use of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors that are CYP3A4 substrates in combination with verapamil has been associated with reports of myopathy/rhabdomyolysis.

Co-administration of multiple doses of 10 mg of verapamil with 80 mg simvastatin resulted in exposure to simvastatin 2.5-fold that following simvastatin alone. Limit the dose of simvastatin in patients on verapamil to 10 mg daily. Limit the daily dose of lovastatin to 40 mg. Lower starting and maintenance doses of other CYP3A4 substrates (e.g., atorvastatin) may be required as verapamil may increase the plasma concentration of these drugs.

**Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Agents including Selective

Cyclooxygenase-2 Inhibitors (COX-2 Inhibitors)**

Trandolapril Component

In patients who are elderly, volume-depleted (including those on diuretic therapy), or with compromised renal function, co-administration of NSAIDs, including selective COX-2 inhibitors, with ACE inhibitors, including trandolapril, may result in deterioration of renal function, including possible acute renal failure. These effects are usually reversible. Monitor renal function periodically in patients receiving trandolapril and NSAID therapy.

The antihypertensive effect of ACE inhibitors, including trandolapril may be attenuated by NSAIDs.

Neprilysin Inhibitor

Trandolapril Component

Patients taking concomitant neprilysin inhibitors (e.g., sacubitril) may be at increased risk for angioedema (seeWARNINGS).

Flibanserin

Verapamil component

Use of a moderate CYP3A4 inhibitor such as verapamil with flibanserin significantly increases flibanserin concentrations, which can lead to severe hypotension and syncope. Concomitant use is contraindicated (see CONTRAINDICATIONS). Discontinue trandolapril and verapamil hydrochloride extended-release tablets at least 2 weeks prior to starting flibanserin. Do not administer trandolapril and verapamil hydrochloride extended-release tablets within 2 days of discontinuing flibanserin.

Other (Verapamil Component)

Nitrates

Verapamil has been given concomitantly with short- and long-acting nitrates without any undesirable drug interactions. The pharmacologic profile of both drugs and the clinical experience suggest beneficial interactions.

Carbamazepine

Verapamil may increase carbamazepine concentrations during combined therapy. This may produce carbamazepine side effects such as diplopia, headache, ataxia, or dizziness.

Anti-Infective Agents

Therapy with rifampin may markedly reduce oral verapamil bioavailability. There have been reports that erythromycin and telithromycin may increase concentrations of verapamil.

Barbiturates

Phenobarbital therapy may increase verapamil clearance.

Immunosuppressive Agents

Verapamil therapy may increase serum levels of cyclosporin, sirolimus and tacrolimus.

Theophylline

Verapamil therapy may inhibit the clearance and increase the plasma levels of theophylline.

Tranquilizers/Anti-Depressants

Due to metabolism via the CYP enzyme system, there have been reports that verapamil may increase the concentrations of buspirone, midazolam, almotriptan and imipramine.

Colchicine

Colchicine is a substrate for both CYP3A and the efflux transporter, P-gp. Verapamil is known to inhibit CYP3A and P-gp. When verapamil and colchicine are administered together, the potential inhibition of P-gp and/or CYP3A by verapamil may lead to increased exposure to colchicine (seePRECAUTIONS - Drug Interactions).

Dabigatran

Verapamil, a P-gp inhibitor, increases exposure to dabigatran (a thrombin inhibitor) when administered concomitantly; however, no dose adjustment of dabigatran is required when administered with verapamil.

Other

Concentrations of verapamil may be increased by the concomitant administration of protease inhibitors such as ritonavir, and reduced by the concomitant administration of sulfinpyrazone, or St John’s Wort.

Concentrations of doxorubicin may be increased by the administration of verapamil.

There have been reports that verapamil may elevate the concentrations of the oral anti-diabetic glyburide.

Inhalation Anesthetics

Animal experiments have shown that inhalation anesthetics depress cardiovascular activity by decreasing the inward movement of calcium ions. When used concomitantly, inhalation anesthetics and calcium antagonists, such as verapamil, should be titrated carefully to avoid excessive cardiovascular depression.

Neuromuscular Blocking Agents

Clinical data and animal studies suggest that verapamil may potentiate the activity of neuromuscular blocking agents (curare-like and depolarizing). It may be necessary to decrease the dose of verapamil and/or the dose of the neuromuscular blocking agent when the drugs are used concomitantly.

Gold

Nitritoid reactions (symptoms include facial flushing, nausea, vomiting and hypotension) have been reported rarely in patients on therapy with injectable gold (sodium aurothiomalate) and concomitant ACE inhibitor therapy including trandolapril and verapamil hydrochloride extended-release tablets.

Other (Trandolapril Component)

No clinically significant pharmacokinetic interaction has been found between trandolapril (or its metabolites) and nifedipine.

The anticoagulant effect of warfarin was not significantly changed by trandolapril.

Mammalian Target of Rapamycin (mTOR) Inhibitors

Patients taking concomitant mTOR inhibitor (e.g., temsirolimus, sirolimus, everolimus) therapy may be at increased risk for angioedema (seeError! Hyperlink reference not valid.).

Anti-Diabetic Agents

The concomitant use of ACE inhibitors such as trandolapril with antidiabetic medications (insulin or oral hypoglycemic agents) may result in increased blood glucose lowering effects.

Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility

Verapamil Component

An 18-month toxicity study in rats, at a low multiple (6 fold) of the maximum recommended human dose, and not the maximum tolerated dose, did not suggest a tumorigenic potential. There was no evidence of a carcinogenic potential of verapamil administered in the diet of rats for two years at doses of 10, 35, and 120 mg/kg per day or approximately 1x, 3.5x, and 12x, respectively, the maximum recommended human daily dose (480 mg per day or 9.6 mg/kg/day).

Verapamil was not mutagenic in the Ames test in 5 test strains at 3 mg per plate, with or without metabolic activation.

Studies in female rats at daily dietary doses up to 5.5 times (55 mg/kg/day) the maximum recommended human dose did not show impaired fertility. Effects on male fertility have not been determined.

Trandolapril Component

Long-term studies were conducted with oral trandolapril administered by gavage to mice (78 weeks) and rats (104 and 106 weeks). No evidence of carcinogenic potential was seen in mice dosed up to 25 mg/kg/day (85 mg/m2/day) or rats dosed up to 8 mg/kg/day (60 mg/m2/day). These doses are 313 and 32 times (mice), and 100 and 23 times (rats) the maximum recommended human daily dose (MRHDD) of 4 mg based on body-weight and body-surface-area, respectively assuming a 50 kg individual. The genotoxic potential of trandolapril was evaluated in the microbial mutagenicity (Ames) test, the point mutation and chromosome aberration assays in Chinese hamster V79 cells, and the micronucleus test in mice. There was no evidence of mutagenic or clastogenic potential in these in vitro and in vivo assays.

Reproduction studies in rats did not show any impairment of fertility at doses up to 100 mg/kg/day (710 mg/m2/day) of trandolapril, or 1250 and 260 times the MRHDD on the basis of body-weight and body-surface-area, respectively.

Pregnancy

Female patients of childbearing age should be told about the consequences of exposure to trandolapril and verapamil hydrochloride extended-release tablets during pregnancy (seeWARNINGS). Discuss treatment options with women planning to become pregnant. Patients should be asked to report pregnancies to their physicians as soon as possible.

Nursing Mothers

Verapamil is excreted in human milk. Radiolabeled trandolapril or its metabolites are secreted in rat milk. Trandolapril and verapamil hydrochloride extended-release tablets should not be administered to nursing mothers.

Geriatric Use

In placebo-controlled studies, where 23% of patients receiving trandolapril and verapamil hydrochloride extended-release tablets were 65 years and older, and 2.4% were 75 years and older, no overall differences in effectiveness or safety were observed between these patients and younger patients. However, greater sensitivity of some older individual patients cannot be ruled out.

Pediatric Use

Neonates with a history of in utero exposure to trandolapril and verapamil hydrochloride extended-release tablets:

If oliguria or hypotension occurs, direct attention toward support of blood pressure and renal perfusion. Exchange transfusions or dialysis may be required as a means of reversing hypotension and/or substituting for disordered renal function.

The safety and effectiveness of trandolapril and verapamil hydrochloride extended-release tablets in children below the age of 18 have not been established.

Animal Pharmacology and/or Animal Toxicology

In chronic animal toxicology studies, verapamil caused lenticular and/or suture line changes at 30 mg/kg/day or greater and frank cataracts at 62.5 mg/kg/day or greater in the beagle dog but not the rat. Development of cataracts due to verapamil has not been reported in man.