Consumer medicine information

APO-Sildenafil PHT

Sildenafil

BRAND INFORMATION

Brand name

APO-Sildenafil PHT

Active ingredient

Sildenafil

Schedule

S4

 

Consumer medicine information (CMI) leaflet

Please read this leaflet carefully before you start using APO-Sildenafil PHT.

What is in this leaflet

This leaflet answers some common questions about this medicine. It does not contain all the available information. It does not take the place of talking to your doctor.

All medicines have risks and benefits. Your doctor has weighed the risks of you taking this medicine against the benefits they expect it will have for you.

It should be used only under strict medical supervision.

If you have any concerns about taking this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Keep this leaflet with the medicine. You may need to read it again.

What this medicine is used for

The name of your medicine is APO-Sildenafil PHT. It contains the active ingredient sildenafil citrate.

Sildenafil belongs to a group of medicines called phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors.

Sildenafil is used to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension (high blood pressure in the blood vessels in the lungs).

Sildenafil brings down pulmonary arterial blood pressure by relaxing the blood vessels in the lungs.

Do not give sildenafil to children. Sildenafil is not indicated for use in children less than 18 years of age.

This medicine is available only with a doctor’s prescription.

Before you take this medicine

You must not take sildenafil if you are taking nitrates or nitrite medications.

It may lead to a severe drop in your blood pressure, which may be difficult to treat.

When you must not take it

Do not take this medicine if:

  • you are being treated for angina (chest pain) or other heart conditions with certain medicines called nitrates.
    Nitrate medicines include glyceryl trinitrate (also called nitroglycerin). Common tradenames include tablets; such as Anginine, Lycinate and Nitrostat; patches such as Nitro-Dur, Transiderm-Nitro, Nitroderm TTS and Minitran; sprays such as Nitrolingual and Glytrin and injections such as Gliceryl trinitrate concentrate.
    Common tradenames for other nitrate preparations include tablets such as Imdur Durules, Monodur durules, Sorbidin, Isordil, Corangin, ISMO 20, Imtrate, Duride, Isomonit, Ikorel and Sodium Nitroprusside.
    There may be other tradenames not listed here.
  • you are taking guanylate cyclase stimulators (GCS), such as Adepmas (riociguat).
    GCS is a type of medicine used to treat high blood pressure in the blood vessels in the lungs caused by blood clots in the lungs (chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension, CTEPH) or narrowing of the vessels that carry blood from the heart to the lungs (pulmonary arterial hypertension or PAH).
  • you have suffered a heart attack or stroke in the last 6 months
  • you have severe liver problems
  • your blood pressure is unusually high or low or is not effectively treated
  • you have loss of vision in one or both eyes from an eye disease called non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy (NAION)
  • you have an allergy to: Sildenafil citrate or similar medicines or any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet
    An allergic reaction can include:
    - hives, itching or skin rash
    - swelling of the face, lips, tongue which may lead to difficulty swallowing or breathing.
  • the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering, or does not look quite right even if the tablets may look alright.
  • the expiry date (EXP) printed on the pack has passed
    If it has expired or is damaged, return it to your pharmacist for disposal.

Before you start to take it

Tell your doctor if you have allergies to any other medicines, foods, preservatives or dyes.

Tell your doctor if:

  • you have previously had sudden loss of eyesight in one or both eyes
  • you have any of the following medical conditions:
    - heart or blood vessel problems
    - high blood pressure
    - low blood pressure
    - diabetes, especially if you also have eye problems
    - kidney or liver problems
    - leukaemia (cancer of the blood cells)
    - multiple myeloma (a cancer of the bone marrow)
    - any bleeding disorder such as haemophilia or problems with nose bleeds
    - stomach ulcer
    - a disease of the blood called sickle cell anaemia
    - colour vision problems
    - previously experienced sudden decrease or loss of hearing.
    - you are receiving any treatment for male erectile dysfunction (impotence) including Sildenafil 25 mg, 50 mg or 100 mg tablets which contains the same medicine as Sildenafil PHT 20 mg tablets. Other medicines used to treat impotence include tadalafil and vardenafil
  • you are taking medicines to treat high blood pressure in the blood vessels in the lungs (pulmonary arterial hypertension) including Revatio or Tracleer (bosentan).
  • You are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
    Sildenafil should not be used during pregnancy. Your doctor will discuss the risks with you.
  • You are breastfeeding

You are currently breastfeeding or you plan to breast-feed. Do not take this medicine whilst breastfeeding.

If you have not told your doctor about any of the above, tell them before you start taking this medicine.

Taking other medicines

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including any that you get without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.

Do not take Sildenafil if you are using nitrate medicines for angina.

Do not take Sildenafil if you are taking guanylate cyclase stimulators (GCS), such as Adepmas (riociguat).

Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines for pulmonary arterial hypertension.

These medicines include Tracleer (bosentan), Flolan (epoprostenol) or Ventavis (Iloprost).

Some medicines and this one may interfere with each other. These include:

  • Medicines called alpha-blockers. These are used to treat high blood pressure or prostrate problems
  • some medicines used to treat epilepsy such as phenytoin, carbamazepine and phenobarbital
  • St John's Wort, a herbal preparation that may be used to treat mild anxiety
  • rifampicin used to treat leprosy or tuberculosis
  • cimetidine, a medicine used to treat ulcers
  • an antibiotic called erythromycin
  • some protease inhibitors such as ritonavir and saquinavir for the treatment of HIV infection
  • medicines called alpha-blockers. These are used to treat high blood pressure or prostate problems.
  • Tracleer (bosentan), a medicine used to treat high blood pressure in the vessels of the lungs.

You may need different amounts of your medicine or you may need to take different medicines. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you what to do if you are taking any of these medicines. They also have a more complete list of medicines to be careful with or avoid while taking Sildenafil.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist, if you are not sure if you are taking any of these medicines.

Avoid drinking grapefruit juice. It may increase the level of sildenafil in your blood.

You may feel lightheaded if you drink alcohol while you are taking sildenafil.

How to take this medicine

Take Sildenafil exactly as your doctor has prescribed.

Follow all directions given to you by your doctor and pharmacist carefully. They may differ from the information contained in this leaflet.

If you do not understand the instructions on the pack, ask your doctor or pharmacist for help.

How much to take

Your doctor will decide the correct dose for you depending on your condition and response.

The usual dose is one 20 mg tablet taken three times a day (taken 6 - 8 hours apart).

How to take it

Swallow the tablet whole with a full glass of water.

When to take it

Take this medicine at the same time each day. Taking it at the same time each day will have the best effect and will also help you remember when to take it.

It does not matter if you take it before, with or after food.

How long to take it

Take this medicine every day. Continue taking your medicine for as long as your doctor tells you.

If you forget to take it

If it is almost time to take your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the usual time. Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember and then go back to taking your medicine as you would normally.

Do not take a double dose to make up for missed doses.

This may increase the chance of you experiencing side effects.

If you have trouble remembering to take your medicine, ask your pharmacist for some hints to help you remember.

If you take too much (overdose)

If you take too much, you are more likely to experience side effects.

Immediately telephone your doctor or the Poisons Information Centre (Tel: 13 11 26 in Australia) for advice if you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much Sildenafil.

Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort.

While you are using this medicine

Things you must do

Stop using sildenafil if you have a loss of eyesight in one or both eyes, or have an erection that lasts more than 4 hours. Seek medical attention urgently.

If you are about to start taking any new medicines, especially nitrates, or Adepmas (riociguat), tell your doctor and pharmacist that you are taking Sildenafil.

See "Before you take this medicine" for a list of common nitrate medications.

Tell all the doctors, dentists and pharmacists who are treating you that you are taking Sildenafil.

Things you must not do

Do not use drugs containing amyl nitrite (sometimes called "poppers") while you are taking Sildenafil.

If you get an angina attack do not take nitrate medicines to relieve the pain but tell your doctor immediately. Make sure your doctor knows you are taking Sildenafil.

Take your medicine to treat any other condition unless your doctor tells you to.

Do not give this medicine to anyone else, even if they have the same condition as you.

Things to be careful of

Sildenafil can cause dizziness and effects on vision. You should be aware of how you react to sildenafil before you drive or operate machinery. If you experience changes in vision, or dizziness, when taking this medicine, you should not drive or operate machinery.

Side effects

Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are taking Sildenafil.

While Sildenafil helps most people, it can cause some unwanted side effects in a few people.

All medicines have side effects. If unwanted effects occur, most are likely to be minor and temporary. However, some may be serious and need medical attention.

Do not be alarmed by this list of possible side effects.

You may not experience any of them. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice any of the following and they worry you:

  • Headache
  • dizziness
  • flushing
  • hot flushes
  • indigestion
  • stuffy nose or hay fever
  • muscle aches, back or limb pain
  • swelling in limbs
  • rash
  • diarrhoea or upset stomach
  • a numbness or tingling skin sensation
  • breathlessness or coughing
  • fever or flu like symptoms
  • nose bleeds
  • difficulty sleeping
  • prolonged erection

Rarely men have lost eyesight sometime after taking such drugs as Sildenafil 25 mg, 50 mg or 100 mg tablets, Cialis or Levitra to treat impotence (known as erectile dysfunction). It is not known at this time if these medicines can cause vision loss.

Tell your doctor as soon as possible if you notice any of the following:

If you lose eyesight in one or more eyes or experience changes in vision such as blurring, a blue colour to your vision or a greater awareness of light, seek medical attention urgently.

A small number of people have reported a loss of hearing, which may include a ringing or other persistent noise in the ears and dizziness, while taking sildenafil. It is not known whether hearing loss is related to sildenafil.

If you experience any loss of hearing, tell your doctor as soon as possible.

This is not a complete list of all possible side effects. Others may occur in some people and there may be some side effects not yet known.

if you notice anything other symptoms that worry you, check with your doctor.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you don’t understand anything in this list.

Storage and Disposal

Storage

Keep the tablets in in their pack until it is time to take them. If you take your tablets out of the pack they will not keep as well.

Keep this medicine in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 30°C.

Do not store this medicine or any other medicine in the bathroom or near a sink. Do not leave it on a window sill or in the car. Heat and dampness can destroy some medicines.

Keep it where children cannot reach it. A locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half metres above the ground is a good place to store medicines.

Disposal

If your doctor or pharmacist tells you to stop taking Sildenafil or they have passed their expiry date, ask your pharmacist what to do with any left over.

Product description

What it looks like

20 mg tablets

White to off white, round biconvex, film coated tablets, engraved "APO" on one side and "SIL" over "20" on the other side.

Bottles of 90 tablets:

AUST R 164808.

Blisters of 90 tablets:

AUST R 164810.

Not all strengths and/or pack sizes may be available.

Ingredients

Each APO-Sildenafil PHT tablet contains 20 mg of sildenafil (as citrate) as the active ingredient. This medicine also contains the following:

  • microcrystalline cellulose
  • colloidal anhydrous silica
  • croscarmellose sodium
  • magnesium stearate
  • hypromellose
  • macrogol 8000
  • titanium dioxide
  • hyprolose

This medicine is gluten-free, tartrazine-free and free of other azo dyes.

Sponsor

Apotex Pty Ltd
16 Giffnock Avenue
Macquarie Park
NSW 2113
Tel: (02) 8877 8333
Web: www1.apotex.com/au

APO is a registered trade mark of Apotex Inc.

This leaflet was prepared in February 2020.

Published by MIMS April 2020

BRAND INFORMATION

Brand name

APO-Sildenafil PHT

Active ingredient

Sildenafil

Schedule

S4

 

1 Name of Medicine

Sildenafil citrate.

6.7 Physicochemical Properties

Sildenafil PHT 20 mg tablets, an oral therapy for pulmonary arterial hypertension, is the citrate salt of sildenafil, a selective inhibitor of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) specific phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5).
Sildenafil citrate is an off white, crystalline powder. Its aqueous solubility is equivalent to 2.6 mg sildenafil per mL at 25°C.
Chemical Name: Sildenafil citrate is 1-[4-ethoxy-3 -(6,7-dihydro-1-methyl-7-oxo-3-propyl-1H- pyrazolo[4,3-d]pyrimidin-5-yl) phenylsulphonyl]-4-methylpiperazine citrate.
Molecular Formula: C22H30N6O4S.C6H807.
Molecular weight: 666.7.

Chemical structure.


CAS number.

171599-83-0.

2 Qualitative and Quantitative Composition

Each tablet contains 20 mg sildenafil as the active ingredient.
For the full list of excipients see Section 6.1 List of Excipients.

3 Pharmaceutical Form

APO-Sildenafil PHT 20 mg tablets are white to off-white round, biconvex, film coated tablets, engraved "APO" on one side and "SIL" over "20" on the other side.

5 Pharmacological Properties

5.1 Pharmacodynamic Properties

Mechanism of action.

Sildenafil is a potent and selective inhibitor of cGMP specific phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) in the smooth muscle of the pulmonary vasculature, where PDE5 is responsible for degradation of cGMP. Sildenafil, therefore, increases cGMP within pulmonary vascular smooth muscle cells resulting in relaxation. In patients with pulmonary hypertension, this can lead to selective vasodilation of the pulmonary vascular bed and, to a lesser degree, vasodilatation in the systemic circulation.
Studies in vitro have shown that sildenafil is selective for PDE5. Its effect is more potent on PDE5 than on other known phosphodiesterases. There is a 10-fold selectivity over PDE6 which is involved in the phototransduction pathway in the retina. There is an 80-fold selectivity over PDE1, and over 700-fold over PDE 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11. In particular, sildenafil has greater than 4,000-fold selectivity for PDE5 over PDE3, the cAMP specific phosphodiesterase isoform involved in the control of cardiac contractility.
In addition to pulmonary vascular smooth muscle and the corpus cavernosum, PDE5 is also found in other tissues including vascular and visceral smooth muscle and in platelets. The inhibition of PDE5 in these tissues by sildenafil may be the basis for the enhanced platelet antiaggregatory activity observed in vitro, and the mild peripheral arterial venous dilatation in vivo.
Sildenafil causes mild and transient decreases in systemic blood pressure which, in the majority of cases, do not translate into clinical effects. The mean maximum decrease in supine systolic blood pressure following 100 mg oral dosing of sildenafil was 8.3 mmHg. The corresponding change in supine diastolic blood pressure was 5.3 mmHg. After chronic dosing of 80 mg three times a day to healthy male volunteers, the largest average change from baseline of supine systolic blood pressure was a decrease of 9.0 mmHg. The corresponding change in supine diastolic blood pressure was a decrease of 8.4 mmHg.
After chronic dosing of 80 mg three times a day to patients with systemic hypertension the mean change from baseline in systolic and diastolic blood pressure was a decrease of 9.4 mmHg and 9.1 mmHg respectively.
After chronic dosing of 80 mg three times a day to patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension lesser effects in blood pressure reduction were observed (a reduction in both systolic and diastolic pressure of 2 mmHg). This may be due to improvements in cardiac output secondary to the beneficial effects of sildenafil on pulmonary vascular resistance.
Single oral doses of sildenafil up to 100 mg in healthy volunteers produced no clinically relevant effects on ECG. After chronic dosing of 80 mg three times a day to patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension no clinically relevant effects on the ECG were reported.
Sildenafil has no effect on visual acuity or contrast sensitivity. Mild and transient differences in colour discrimination (blue/green) were detected in some subjects using Farnsworth-Munsell 100 hue test at 1 hour following a 100 mg dose, with no effects evident after 2 hours postdose.
The postulated mechanism for this change in colour discrimination is related to inhibition of PDE6, which is involved in the phototransduction cascade of the retina. In vitro studies show that sildenafil is 10-fold less potent against PDE6 than PDE5.

Clinical trials.

A randomised, double blind, placebo controlled study (A1481140) was conducted in 277 patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), defined as a mean pulmonary artery pressure of ≥ 25 mmHg at rest with a pulmonary capillary wedge pressure < 15 mmHg. Allowed background therapy included a combination of anticoagulation, digoxin, calcium channel blockers, diuretics or oxygen. The use of prostacyclin analogues, endothelin receptor antagonists, and arginine supplementation were not permitted. Subjects who had failed to respond to bosentan were also excluded. Patients with left ventricular ejection fraction < 45% or left ventricular shortening fraction < 0.2 also were not studied.
Patients were randomised to receive placebo (n = 70) or sildenafil 20 mg (n = 69), 40 mg (n = 67) or 80 mg (n = 71) TID for a period of 12 weeks. They had either primary pulmonary hypertension (63%), PAH associated with connective tissue disease (30%), or PAH following surgical repair of left to right congenital heart lesions (7%). The study population consisted of 25% men and 75% women with a mean age of 49 years (range: 18-81 years) and baseline 6 minute walk test distance between 100 and 450 metres. Most patients were functional class II (107/277, 39%) or class III (160/277, 58%) with a mean baseline 6 minute walking distance (6-MWD) of 378 meters and 326 meters respectively; fewer patients were class I (1/277, 0.4%) or IV (9/277, 3%).
The primary efficacy endpoint was the change from baseline at week 12 in 6 minute walk distance. A statistically significant increase in 6 minute walk distance was observed in all 3 sildenafil dose groups compared to those on placebo. Placebo corrected increases in walk distance were 45 metres (p < 0.0001), 46 metres (p < 0.0001) and 50 metres (p < 0.0001) for sildenafil 20 mg, 40 mg and 80 mg respectively. There was no significant difference in effect between sildenafil doses (see Figure 1).
The improvement in walk distance was apparent after 4 weeks of treatment and this effect was maintained at weeks 8 and 12. Results were generally consistent in subgroups according to baseline walking distance, aetiology (primary and connective tissue disease (CTD) associated PAH), WHO functional class, gender, race, location, mean pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) and pulmonary vascular resistance index (PVRI) (see Figure 2).
Patients on all sildenafil doses achieved a statistically significant reduction in mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP) compared to those on placebo. Doses of 20 mg, 40 mg, and 80 mg TID produced a placebo corrected decrease in mPAP of -2.7 mmHg, -3.0 mmHg, and -5.1 mmHg, respectively. These comparisons to placebo were planned, but no predefined comparisons were specified between sildenafil dose groups. Summaries of changes from baseline for haemodynamic parameters can be found in Table 2.

Extension study.

Following the pivotal study, 259 of the 277 sildenafil treated patients entered an extension study, for which an interim data analysis was performed after 24 weeks of therapy. In the extension study, patients were allocated to either one of two dosage regimens (A or B). In regimen A patients received 40 mg sildenafil TID for 6 weeks and were then titrated to 80 mg TID for the remainder of the study. In regimen B, patients received 80 mg sildenafil TID for 6 weeks and were then dummy titrated to 80 mg TID. Patients who had initially been on 20 mg TID or 40 mg TID were allocated to regimen A while those initially on 80 mg TID were allocated to continue 80 mg TID in regimen B. Patients could be down titrated if they did not tolerate the 40 mg TID or 80 mg TID dose. There was no placebo arm in the extension study. Results of the extension study are represented in Figure 3.
The long-term effects of sildenafil on mortality or functional class have not been established.

Paediatric clinical trial safety data.

In a placebo controlled study of sildenafil in patients 1 to 17 years of age with pulmonary arterial hypertension, a total of 174 patients were treated three times a day with either low (10 mg in patients > 20 kg; no patients < 20 kg received the low dose), medium (10 mg in patients 8-20 kg; 20 mg in patients 20-45 kg; 40 mg in patients > 45 kg) or high dose (20 mg in patients 8-20 kg; 40 mg in patients 20-45 kg; 80 mg in patients > 45 kg) regimens of sildenafil and 60 were treated with placebo.
In the placebo controlled study of 16 weeks, the adverse reactions profile seen in this paediatric study was generally consistent with that in adults. The most common treatment related AEs (TRAEs) that occurred (with a frequency ≥ 1% in a sildenafil group) and with a frequency > 1% between combined doses of sildenafil and placebo, in the paediatric study were vomiting (5.2%), cough, pyrexia, (each 1.7%) and nausea, abdominal pain lower, abdominal pain upper, photophobia (each 1.1%). TRAEs erection increased and spontaneous penile erections occurred with a combined frequency of 9.0% in male subjects in the combined sildenafil group. Most of these TRAEs were mild or moderate in severity. Other commonly reported adverse reactions include upper respiratory tract infection (URTI), bronchitis, pharyngitis, pneumonia and rhinorrhoea.
220 subjects who completed the 16 week placebo controlled study entered a long-term extension study. Subjects who had been on active therapy continued in the same treatment regimen, whilst those who had been on placebo therapy for 16 weeks were randomised to low, medium or high dose groups of sildenafil.
At two years, 184 subjects were still participating in the extension study. Over the first two years of sildenafil dosing a total of 4 of the 229 subjects who received sildenafil had a serious adverse reaction; 1 of 74 subjects in the medium dose group and 3 of 100 subjects in the high dose group. These 4 events were convulsion, hypersensitivity, hypoxia and ventricular arrhythmia.
From a data cut with a median subject duration of treatment of 2.2 years (range: 0 to 5.0 years) the most frequently reported treatment related AEs were: headache (13.2%), erection increased (9.0%), vomiting (6.8%), abdominal pain (3.4%) cough and dyspepsia (each 2.6%).
Kaplan-Meier estimates of survival at 3 years, in patients > 20 kg in weight at baseline, were 92%, 90% and 84% in the low, medium and high dose groups respectively; for patients < 20 kg in weight at baseline, the survival estimates were 93% and 94% for subjects in the medium and high dose groups respectively.
From a data cut > 7 years after the study start (median follow up of 4 years (range of 0.3 to 7.0 years) and median duration of sildenafil treatment of about 4 years (range of 3 days to 7.0 years), 35 deaths were reported, whether on treatment or reported as part of the survival follow-up. The incidence of deaths in the high, medium and low dose groups was 20% (20 of 100), 14% (10 of 74) and 9% (5 of 55) respectively. Causes of death were typical of patients with PAH.

5.2 Pharmacokinetic Properties

Absorption.

Sildenafil is rapidly absorbed. Maximum observed plasma concentrations are reached within 30 to 120 minutes (median 60 minutes) of oral dosing in the fasted state. The mean absolute oral bioavailability is 41% (range 25-63%). After oral doses of 80 mg three times a day a more than dose proportional increase in sildenafil plasma levels has been observed. In pulmonary arterial hypertension patients, the oral bioavailability of sildenafil after 80 mg three times a day was on average 43% (90% CI: 27%-60%) higher compared to the lower doses.
When oral sildenafil is taken with a high fat meal, the rate of absorption is reduced with a mean delay in Tmax of 60 minutes and a mean reduction in Cmax of 29%.

Distribution.

The mean steady-state volume of distribution (Vss) for sildenafil is 105 L, indicating distribution into the tissues. After oral doses of 20 mg three times a day, the mean maximum total plasma concentration of sildenafil at steady state is approximately 113 nanogram/mL. Sildenafil and its major circulating N-desmethyl metabolite are both approximately 96% bound to plasma proteins. Protein binding is independent of total drug concentrations.

Metabolism.

Sildenafil is cleared predominantly by the CYP3A4 (major route) and CYP2C9 (minor route) hepatic microsomal isoenzymes. The major circulating metabolite results from N-demethylation of sildenafil. This metabolite has a PDE selectivity profile similar to sildenafil and an in vitro potency for PDE5 approximately 50% of the parent drug. In healthy volunteers, plasma concentrations of this metabolite are approximately 40% of those seen for sildenafil. The N-desmethyl metabolite is further metabolised, with a terminal half-life of approximately 4 hours. In patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension, however, the ratio of the N-desmethyl metabolite to sildenafil is higher. Plasma concentrations of the N-desmethyl metabolite are approximately 72% those of sildenafil after 20 mg three times a day dosing (translating into a 36% contribution to sildenafil's pharmacological effects). The subsequent effect on efficacy is unknown.

Excretion.

The total body clearance of sildenafil is 41 L/h with a resultant terminal phase half-life of 3-5 hours. After either oral or intravenous administration, sildenafil is excreted as metabolites predominantly in the faeces (approximately 80% of administered oral dose) to a lesser extent in the urine (approximately 13% of administered oral dose).

Special populations.

Elderly (65 years of age).

Healthy elderly volunteers (> 65 years of age) had a reduced clearance of sildenafil, resulting in approximately 90% higher plasma concentrations of sildenafil and the active N-desmethyl metabolite compared to those seen in healthy younger volunteers (18-45 years). Due to age differences in plasma protein binding, the corresponding increase in free sildenafil plasma concentration was approximately 40%.

Population pharmacokinetics.

Age, gender, race, and renal and hepatic function were included as factors assessed in the population pharmacokinetic model to evaluate sildenafil pharmacokinetics in pulmonary arterial hypertension patients. None of these factors had a statistically significant impact on sildenafil pharmacokinetics in patients with pulmonary hypertension. The data set available for the population pharmacokinetic evaluation contained a wide range of demographic data and laboratory parameters associated with hepatic and renal function.
Population pharmacokinetic analysis of clinical trial data indicated a reduction in sildenafil clearance and/or an increase of oral bioavailability when administered with CYP3A4 substrates and the combination of CYP3A4 substrates and beta-blockers. These were the only factors with a statistically significant impact on the pharmacokinetics in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). The exposure to sildenafil in patients on CYP3A4 substrates and CYP3A4 substrates plus beta-blockers was 43% and 66% higher respectively, compared to patients not receiving these drug classes.
In patients with pulmonary hypertension, the average steady-state concentrations were 20-50% higher over the investigated dose range of 20-80 mg three times daily (TID), when compared to those of healthy volunteers. There was also a doubling of Cmin levels compared to healthy volunteers. Both findings suggest a lower clearance and/or a higher oral bioavailability of sildenafil in patients with pulmonary hypertension compared to healthy volunteers.

Renal impairment.

In volunteers with mild (Clcr = 50-80 mL/min) and moderate (Clcr = 30-49 mL/min) renal impairment, the pharmacokinetics of a single oral dose of sildenafil (50 mg) were not altered. In volunteers with severe (Clcr ≤ 30 mL/min) renal impairment, sildenafil clearance was reduced, resulting in increases in AUC (100%) and Cmax (88%) compared to age matched volunteers with no renal impairment.

Hepatic impairment.

In volunteers with hepatic cirrhosis (Child-Pugh A and B), sildenafil clearance was reduced, resulting in increases in AUC (85%) and Cmax (47%) compared to age matched volunteers with no hepatic impairment. The pharmacokinetics of sildenafil in patients with severe hepatic impairment has not been studied.

5.3 Preclinical Safety Data

Genotoxicity.

Sildenafil was negative in in vitro bacterial and Chinese hamster ovary cell assays to detect mutagenicity, and in vitro human lymphocytes and in vivo mouse micronucleus assays to detect clastogenicity.

Carcinogenicity.

Sildenafil was not carcinogenic when administered to rats for 24 months at a dose resulting in total systemic drug exposure (AUC) for unbound sildenafil and its major metabolite of 33 and 48 times, for male and female rats, respectively, the exposures observed in human males given the RHD of 20 mg three times a day. Sildenafil was not carcinogenic when administered to mice for 18-21 months at dosages up to the maximum tolerated dose of 10 mg/kg/day, but resulting in total systemic drug exposure for unbound sildenafil and its major metabolite of less than the exposures observed in human males given the RHD.

4 Clinical Particulars

4.1 Therapeutic Indications

Sildenafil is indicated for the treatment of patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension classified as WHO functional classes II and III, to improve exercise capacity. Efficacy has been shown in primary pulmonary hypertension and pulmonary hypertension associated with connective tissue disease.
The efficacy of sildenafil has not been established in patients currently on bosentan therapy (see Section 4.4 Special Warnings and Precautions for Use).

4.3 Contraindications

Use of sildenafil is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to any component of the tablet.
Nitrates and sildenafil must not be used concomitantly. Sildenafil was shown to potentiate the hypotensive effects of both acute and chronic nitrate administration and therefore, its coadministration with nitric oxide donors, organic nitrates or organic nitrites in any form, either regularly or intermittently is contraindicated. Drugs which must not be used concomitantly include glyceryl trinitrate (injection, tablets, sprays or patches), isosorbide salts, sodium nitroprusside, amyl nitrite, nicorandil or organic nitrates in any form.
Combination with potent CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g. ketoconazole, itraconazole, ritonavir).
Coadministration of PDE5 inhibitors, including sildenafil, with guanylate cyclase stimulators, such as riociguat, is contraindicated as it may potentially lead to symptomatic hypotension.
Sildenafil is not recommended in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension with a previous episode of nonarteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy (NAION) (see Section 4.4 Special Warnings and Precautions for Use; Section 4.8 Adverse Effects (Undesirable Effects), Postmarketing experience, Other events).
The safety of sildenafil has not been studied in the following subgroups of patients and its use is, therefore, contraindicated: severe hepatic impairment, severe hypotension (blood pressure < 90/50 mmHg) at initiation, recent history of stroke or myocardial infarction and known hereditary degenerative retinal disorders such as retinitis pigmentosa (a minority of patients have genetic disorders of retinal phosphodiesterases).

4.4 Special Warnings and Precautions for Use

The efficacy of sildenafil has not been established in patients with severe pulmonary arterial hypertension (functional class IV). If the clinical situation deteriorates, therapies that are recommended for the severe stage of the disease should be considered.

Vasodilatory effects.

Sildenafil has vasodilator properties, resulting in mild and transient decreases in blood pressure and, as such, potentiates the hypotensive effect of nitrates (see Section 4.3 Contraindications). Prior to prescribing sildenafil, physicians should carefully consider whether their patients with certain underlying conditions could be adversely affected by such vasodilatory effects, for example patients with resting hypotension (blood pressure < 90/50 mmHg), patients with fluid depletion, severe left ventricular outflow obstruction or autonomic dysfunction.

Coronary artery disease.

There are no controlled clinical data on the safety and efficacy of sildenafil in patients with coronary artery disease causing unstable angina, life threatening arrhythmia within the last 6 months, patients with hypertension (BP > 170/110 mmHg), or who are currently on bosentan or prostacyclin therapy.

Cardiovascular events.

In postmarketing experience with sildenafil for male erectile dysfunction, serious cardiovascular events, including myocardial infarction, unstable angina, sudden cardiac death, ventricular arrhythmia, cerebrovascular haemorrhage, transient ischaemic attack, hypertension and hypotension have been reported postmarketing in temporal association with the use of sildenafil. Most, but not all, of these patients had pre-existing cardiovascular risk factors. Many events were reported to occur during or shortly after sexual intercourse and a few were reported to occur shortly after the use of sildenafil without sexual activity. Others were reported to have occurred hours to days after the use of sildenafil and sexual activity. It is not possible to determine whether these events are related directly to sildenafil, to sexual activity, to the patient's underlying cardiovascular disease, to a combination of these factors or to other factors.

Nonarteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy (NAION).

Physicians should advise patients to stop use of all PDE5 inhibitors, including sildenafil, and seek immediate medical attention in the event of a sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes. Such an event may be a sign of nonarteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy (NAION), a cause of decreased vision including permanent loss of vision, that has been reported rarely postmarketing in temporal association with the use of all PDE5 inhibitors when used in the treatment of male erectile dysfunction. An observational study evaluating whether recent use of PDE5 inhibitors, as a class, was associated with acute onset of NAION suggests an increase in the risk of NAION with PDE5 inhibitor use. In case of sudden visual loss, patients should be advised to stop taking sildenafil and consult a physician immediately.
Individuals who have already experienced NAION are at increased risk of NAION recurrence. PDE5 inhibitors, including sildenafil, are not recommended in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension with a previous episode of NAION (see Section 4.3 Contraindications; Section 4.8 Adverse Effects (Undesirable Effects), Postmarketing experience, Other events).

Anatomical deformation of the penis and priapism.

Sildenafil should be used with caution in patients with anatomical deformation of the penis (such as angulation, cavernosal fibrosis or Peyronie's disease), or in patients who have conditions which may predispose them to priapism (such as sickle cell anaemia, multiple myeloma or leukaemia).
Prolonged erections and priapism have been reported with sildenafil in postmarketing experience. In the event of an erection that persists longer than 4 hours, the patient should seek immediate medical assistance. If priapism is not treated immediately, penile tissue damage and permanent loss of potency could result.

Coadministration with alpha-blockers.

Caution is advised when sildenafil is administered to patients taking an alpha-blocker, as the coadministration may lead to symptomatic hypotension in a few susceptible individuals (see Section 4.5 Interactions with Other Medicines and Other Forms of Interactions). In order to minimise the potential for developing postural hypotension, patients should be haemodynamically stable on alpha-blocker therapy prior to initiating sildenafil treatment. Physicians should advise patients what to do in the event of postural hypotensive symptoms.

Coadministration with bosentan.

In a study of PAH patients (primary PAH and secondary PAH associated with CTD) on bosentan therapy, no incremental benefit (6-MWD) of sildenafil coadministered with bosentan was demonstrated over bosentan alone. The mean result of the combination of sildenafil and bosentan was numerically worse than bosentan alone in patients with PAH associated with CTD but numerically better than bosentan alone in patients with primary PAH. Physicians should assess the clinical response when sildenafil is used in combination with bosentan in primary PAH. Coadministration of sildenafil and bosentan in patients with PAH associated with CTD is not recommended (see Section 4.5 Interactions with Other Medicines and Other Forms of Interactions).

Concomitant use with other PDE5 inhibitors.

The safety and efficacy of sildenafil when coadministered with other PDE5 inhibitor products has not been studied in PAH patients and such concomitant use is not recommended.

Bleeding disorders or active peptic ulceration.

Sildenafil had no effect on bleeding time, including during coadministration with aspirin. In vitro studies with human platelets indicate that sildenafil potentiates the antiaggregatory effect of sodium nitroprusside (a nitric oxide donor). There is no safety information on the administration of sildenafil to patients with bleeding disorders or active peptic ulceration. Therefore sildenafil should be administered with caution to these patients.

Epistaxis in patients with PAH secondary to connective tissue disease.

The incidence of epistaxis was higher in patients with PAH secondary to connective tissue disease (sildenafil 12.9%, placebo 0%) than in PPH patients (sildenafil 3.0%, placebo 2.4%). Incidence was also higher in sildenafil treated patients with concomitant oral vitamin K antagonist (8.8% versus 1.7% not treated with concomitant vitamin K antagonist).

Pulmonary veno-occlusive disease.

Pulmonary vasodilators may significantly worsen the cardiovascular status of patients with pulmonary veno-occlusive disease. Since there are no clinical data on administration of sildenafil to patients with pulmonary veno-occlusive disease, administration of sildenafil to such patients is not recommended.

Diabetic retinopathy.

There are limited safety data in patients with diabetic retinopathy. The safety of sildenafil in patients with untreated diabetic retinopathy has not been studied and therefore sildenafil should be administered to these patients only after careful benefit risk assessment.

Sudden decrease or loss of hearing.

Sudden decrease or loss of hearing, which may be accompanied by tinnitus and dizziness has been reported in a small number of postmarketing and clinical trials cases with the use of all PDE5 inhibitors, including sildenafil. Most of these patients had risk factors for sudden decrease or loss of hearing.
No causal relationship has been made between the use of PDE5 inhibitors and sudden decrease or loss of hearing. In case of sudden decrease or loss of hearing patients should be advised to consult a physician promptly.

Use in the elderly.

No data available.

Paediatric use.

Sildenafil is not indicated for use in children under 18 years of age.

Effects on laboratory tests.

No data available.

4.5 Interactions with Other Medicines and Other Forms of Interactions

Effect of other medicines on sildenafil.

In vitro studies.

Sildenafil metabolism is principally mediated by the cytochrome P450 (CYP) isoforms 3A4 (major route) and 2C9 (minor route). Therefore, inhibitors of these isoenzymes may reduce sildenafil clearance and inducers of these isoenzymes may increase sildenafil clearance.

In vivo studies.

Population pharmacokinetic analysis of pulmonary arterial hypertension clinical trial data indicated a reduction in sildenafil clearance and/or an increase of oral bioavailability when coadministered with CYP3A4 substrates and the combination of CYP3A4 substrates and beta-blockers. Reduction in sildenafil clearance was also observed when sildenafil was coadministered with mild/moderate CYP3A4 inhibitors and with beta-blockers. These were the only factors with a statistically significant impact on sildenafil pharmacokinetics in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension. The exposure to sildenafil in patients on CYP3A4 substrates and CYP3A4 substrates plus beta-blockers was 43% and 66% higher, respectively, compared to patients not receiving these classes of medicines. Sildenafil exposure, without concomitant medication, was 5-fold higher at a dose of 80 mg three times a day compared to the exposure at a dose of 20 mg three times a day. This concentration range covers the increase in sildenafil exposure observed in specifically designed drug interaction studies with CYP3A4 inhibitors (except more potent CYP3A4 inhibitors e.g. ketoconazole, itraconazole, ritonavir).
CYP3A4 inducers seemed to have a substantial impact on the pharmacokinetics of sildenafil in pulmonary arterial hypertension patients, which was confirmed in the in vivo interaction study with CYP3A4 inducer bosentan. Concomitant administration of potent CYP3A4 inducers is expected to cause substantial decreases in plasma levels of sildenafil (see Section 4.4 Special Warnings and Precautions for Use).
In a study of healthy male volunteers coadministration of the endothelin antagonist bosentan, which is a moderate inducer of CYP3A4, CYP2C9 and possibly of CYP2C19, at steady state (125 mg twice a day) with sildenafil at steady state (80 mg three times a day) resulted in a 62.6% decrease of sildenafil AUC and a 55.4% decrease in sildenafil Cmax. The same effect was also observed with lower doses of sildenafil (20 mg three times a day) and bosentan therapy (62.5 mg-125 mg twice daily). The combination of both drugs did not lead to clinically significant changes of blood pressure (supine and standing).
Efficacy of sildenafil should be closely monitored in patients using concomitant potent CYP3A4 inducers, such as carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital, St John's wort and rifampicin.
Coadministration of the HIV protease inhibitor ritonavir, which is a highly potent P450 inhibitor, at steady state (500 mg twice daily) with oral sildenafil (100 mg single dose) resulted in a 300% (4-fold) increase in sildenafil Cmax and a 1,000% (11-fold) increase in sildenafil plasma AUC. At 24 hours, the plasma levels of sildenafil were still approximately 200 nanogram/mL, compared to approximately 5 nanogram/mL when sildenafil was administered alone. This is consistent with ritonavir's marked effects on a broad range of P450 substrates. Based on these pharmacokinetic results coadministration of sildenafil with ritonavir is contraindicated in pulmonary arterial hypertension patients (see Section 4.3 Contraindications).
Coadministration of the HIV protease inhibitor saquinavir, a CYP3A4 inhibitor, at steady state (1200 mg three times a day) with oral sildenafil (100 mg single dose) resulted in a 140% increase in sildenafil Cmax and a 210% increase in sildenafil AUC. Sildenafil had no effect on saquinavir pharmacokinetics.
When a single 100 mg dose of sildenafil was administered with erythromycin, a moderate CYP3A4 inhibitor, at steady state (500 mg twice daily for 5 days), there was a 182% increase in sildenafil systemic exposure (AUC). In healthy male volunteers, there was no evidence of an effect of azithromycin (500 mg daily for 3 days) on the AUC, Cmax, Tmax, elimination rate constant, or subsequent half-life of sildenafil or its principal circulating metabolite. Cimetidine (800 mg), a cytochrome P450 inhibitor and nonspecific CYP3A4 inhibitor, caused a 56% increase in plasma sildenafil concentrations when coadministered with sildenafil (50 mg) to healthy volunteers.
Potent CYP3A4 inhibitors such as ketoconazole and itraconazole would be expected to have effects similar to ritonavir (see Section 4.3 Contraindications). CYP3A4 inhibitors of intermediate potency (e.g. clarithromycin, telithromycin and nefazodone) are expected to have an effect in between that of ritonavir and CYP3A4 inhibitors of medium potency (e.g. saquinavir/erythromycin), a sevenfold increase in exposure is assumed. Therefore downward dose adjustments are recommended when using CYP3A4 inhibitors of intermediate potency and consideration should be given to a downward dose adjustment when using CYP3A4 inhibitors of medium potency.
The population pharmacokinetic analysis in pulmonary arterial hypertension patients suggested that coadministration of beta-blockers in combination with CYP3A4 substrates might result in an additional increase in sildenafil exposure compared with administration of CYP3A4 substrates alone.
The mean reduction of sildenafil (80 mg TID) bioavailability due to coadministration of epoprostenol was 28%, resulting in about 22% lower mean average steady-state concentrations. Therefore, the slight decrease of sildenafil exposure in the presence of epoprostenol is not considered clinically relevant. The effect of sildenafil on epoprostenol pharmacokinetics is not known.
Grapefruit juice is a weak inhibitor of CYP3A4 gut wall metabolism and may give rise to modest increases in plasma levels of sildenafil.

Riociguat.

Preclinical studies showed an additive systemic blood pressure lowering effect when PDE5 inhibitors were combined with riociguat. In clinical studies, riociguat has been shown to augment the hypotensive effects of sildenafil. There was no evidence of favourable clinical effect of the combination in the population studied. Concomitant use of riociguat with PDE5 inhibitors, including sildenafil, is contraindicated as it may potentially lead to symptomatic hypotension (see Section 4.3 Contraindications).
Single doses of antacid (magnesium hydroxide/aluminium hydroxide) did not affect the bioavailability of sildenafil.
Coadministration of oral contraceptives (ethinyloestradiol 30 microgram and levonorgestrel 150 microgram) did not affect the pharmacokinetics of sildenafil.

Effects of sildenafil on other medicines.

In vitro studies.

Sildenafil is a weak inhibitor of the cytochrome P450 isoforms 1A2, 2C9, 2C19, 2D6, 2E1 and 3A4 (IC50 > 150 microM).
There are no data on the interaction of sildenafil with nonspecific phosphodiesterase inhibitors such as theophylline or dipyridamole.

In vivo studies.

In three specific drug-drug interaction studies, the alpha-blocker doxazosin (4 mg and 8 mg) and oral sildenafil (25 mg, 50 mg, or 100 mg) were administered simultaneously to patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) stabilised on doxazosin therapy. In these study populations, mean additional reductions of supine blood pressure of 7/7 mmHg, 9/5 mmHg, and 8/4 mmHg, and mean additional reductions of standing blood pressure of 6/6 mmHg, 11/4 mmHg, and 4/5 mmHg, respectively, were observed. When sildenafil and doxazosin were administered simultaneously to patients stabilised on doxazosin therapy, there were infrequent reports of patients who experienced symptomatic postural hypotension. These reports included dizziness and lightheadedness, but not syncope. Concomitant administration of sildenafil to patients taking alpha-blocker therapy may lead to symptomatic hypotension in a few susceptible individuals (see Section 4.4 Special Warnings and Precautions for Use; Section 4.2 Dose and Method of Administration).
No significant interactions were shown when sildenafil (50 mg) was coadministered with tolbutamide (250 mg) or warfarin (40 mg), both of which are metabolised by CYP2C9.
Oral sildenafil had no significant effect on atorvastatin exposure (AUC increased 11%), suggesting that sildenafil does not have a clinically relevant effect on CYP3A4.
Sildenafil (50 mg) did not potentiate the increase in bleeding time caused by aspirin (150 mg).
Sildenafil causes a small reduction in supine and tilted diastolic blood pressure (3.5 and 6.1 mmHg respectively) in healthy subjects who had a blood alcohol level of 80 mg/dL.
In a study of healthy volunteers, oral sildenafil at steady state (80 mg three times a day) resulted in a 49.8% increase in bosentan AUC and a 42% increase in bosentan Cmax (125 mg twice daily). The same effect was also observed with lower doses of sildenafil (20 mg three times a day) and bosentan therapy (62.5 mg-125 mg twice a day).
In a specific interaction study, where sildenafil (100 mg) was coadministered with amlodipine in hypertensive patients, there was an additional reduction on supine systolic blood pressure of 8 mmHg. The corresponding additional reduction in supine diastolic blood pressure was 7 mmHg. These additional blood pressure reductions were of a similar magnitude to those seen when sildenafil was administered alone to healthy volunteers.
Sildenafil (100 mg single dose) did not affect the steady-state pharmacokinetics of the HIV protease inhibitor saquinavir, which is a CYP3A4 substrate/inhibitor.
Consistent with its known effects on the nitric oxide/cGMP pathway, sildenafil was shown to potentiate the hypotensive effects of nitrates, and its coadministration with nitric oxide donors or nitrates in any form is therefore contraindicated (see Section 4.3 Contraindications).
Sildenafil had no clinically significant impact on the plasma levels of oral contraceptives (ethinyloestradiol 30 microgram and levonorgestrel 150 microgram).

Coadministration with other PAH treatments.

The safety and efficacy of sildenafil when coadministered with medicines for PAH other than epoprostenol has not been studied in controlled clinical trials. Caution is recommended in the case of coadministration. The safety and efficacy of sildenafil when coadministered with other PDE5 inhibitors has not been studied in pulmonary arterial hypertension patients.

4.6 Fertility, Pregnancy and Lactation

Effects on fertility.

There was no impairment of fertility in rats given sildenafil for 36 days to females and 102 days to males at plasma exposure levels more than 25 times the human male AUC at an oral dose of 100 mg. There was no effect on sperm motility or morphology after single 100 mg oral doses of sildenafil in healthy volunteers.
(Category B1)
No evidence of teratogenicity, embryotoxicity or foetotoxicity was observed in rats and rabbits, which received up to 200 mg/kg/day during organogenesis. These doses represent, respectively, about 30 and 70 times the recommended human dose (RHD) on a mg/m2 basis in a 50 kg subject. In the rat, prenatal and postnatal development study, the no observed adverse effect dose was 30 mg/kg/day given for 36 days. In the nonpregnant rat the AUC for unbound sildenafil and its major metabolite at this dose was about 20 times the unbound human AUC at the MHRD of 20 mg three times a day. There are no adequate and well controlled studies of sildenafil in pregnant women.
There are no adequate and well controlled studies in lactating women. Limited data indicate that sildenafil and its active metabolite are excreted into breast milk at very low levels. There is a lack of information about the effects of sildenafil on the breastfed infant and no information on the effects of sildenafil on milk production. Sildenafil should not be administered to breast-feeding mothers.

4.8 Adverse Effects (Undesirable Effects)

Clinical trial in pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Safety data were obtained from the pivotal study and an open label extension study in 277 (207 on sildenafil and 70 on placebo) treated patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension. 259 subjects who completed the pivotal study entered a long-term extension study. Doses up to 80 mg TID (4 times the recommended dose of 20 mg TID) were studied (N = 149 patients treated for at least 1 year).
The overall frequency of discontinuation in sildenafil treated patients at the recommended dose of 20 mg TID was low (2.9%) and the same as placebo (2.9%). In the pivotal placebo controlled trial in pulmonary arterial hypertension, the adverse drug reactions that occurred in at least 3% of sildenafil treated patients at any of the 20, 40 or 80 mg TID doses, and more commonly on sildenafil than on placebo, are shown in Table 1.
The adverse reactions that occurred in > 1% and < 3% and more frequently with sildenafil than with placebo were the following.

Blood and lymphatic disorders.

Anaemia NOS.

Ear.

Vertigo.

Eye disorders.

Abnormal sensation in eye, chromatopsia, cyanopsia, diplopia, eye irritation, photophobia, retinal haemorrhage, visual acuity reduced.

Gastrointestinal disorders.

Abdominal distension, gastritis (not otherwise specified, NOS), gastroenteritis NOS, gastroesophageal reflux disease, haemorrhoids.

Infections and infestations.

Sinusitis NOS, cellulitis.

Investigations.

Weight increased.

Metabolism disorders.

Fluid retention.

Nervous system disorders.

Paraesthesia, tremor, burning sensation NOS, migraine NOS, hypoaesthesia.

Psychiatric disorders.

Anxiety.

Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders.

Bronchitis NOS, rhinitis NOS.

Reproductive system disorders.

Gynaecomastia.

Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders.

Alopecia, erythema.

Intravenous administration.

Study A1481262 was a single centre, single dose, open label study to assess the safety and efficacy, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of a single intravenous dose of sildenafil (10 mg) administered as a bolus injection to patients with PAH who were already receiving and stable on oral sildenafil 20 mg TID.
A total of 10 PAH subjects enrolled and completed the study. The mean postural changes in systolic and diastolic blood pressure over time were small (< 10 mmHg) and returned towards baseline beyond 2 hours. No symptoms of hypotension were associated with these changes. The mean changes in heart rate were clinically insignificant. Two subjects experienced a total of 3 adverse events (flushing, flatulence and hot flush). There was one serious adverse event in a subject with severe ischaemic cardiomyopathy who experienced ventricular fibrillation and death 6 days post study drug; it was judged to be unrelated to study drug.
This brand is available as tablets for oral administration. If treatment is required with intravenous administration, an alternative product should be used.

Postmarketing experience.

Cardiovascular.

In postmarketing experience at doses indicated for male erectile dysfunction, serious cardiovascular events, including myocardial infarction, sudden cardiac death, ventricular arrhythmia, cerebrovascular haemorrhage, transient ischaemic attack and hypertension, have been reported postmarketing in temporal association with the use of sildenafil. Most, but not all, of these patients had pre-existing cardiovascular risk factors. Many of these events were reported to occur during or shortly after sexual activity, and a few were reported to occur shortly after the use of sildenafil without sexual activity. Others were reported to have occurred hours to days after the use of sildenafil and sexual activity. It is not possible to determine whether these events are related directly to sildenafil, to sexual activity, to the patient's underlying cardiovascular disease, to a combination of these factors, or to other factors. Tachycardia, hypotension, syncope, and epistaxis have also been reported postmarketing.

Other events.

When used to treat male erectile dysfunction, nonarteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy (NAION), a cause of decreased vision including permanent loss of vision, has been reported rarely postmarketing in temporal association with the use of phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors, including sildenafil citrate. Most, but not all, of these patients had underlying anatomic or vascular risk factors for developing NAION, including but not necessarily limited to: low cup to disc ratio (crowded disc), age over 50, diabetes, hypertension, coronary artery disease, hyperlipidaemia and smoking. An observational study evaluating whether recent use of PDE5 inhibitors, as a class, was associated with acute onset of NAION suggests an increase in the risk of NAION with PDE5 inhibitor use (see Section 4.3 Contraindications; Section 4.4 Special Warnings and Precautions for Use).
Cases of sudden decrease or loss of hearing have been reported postmarketing in temporal association with the use of PDE5 inhibitors, including sildenafil. In some of the cases, medical conditions and other factors were reported that may have also played a role in the otologic adverse events. In many cases, medical follow-up information was limited. It is not possible to determine whether these reported events are related directly to the use of sildenafil, to the patient's underlying risk factors for hearing loss, a combination of these factors, or to other factors (see Section 4.4 Special Warnings and Precautions for Use).
Other events, reported postmarketing at the indicated dose or doses indicated for male erectile dysfunction, to have been observed in temporal association with sildenafil and not listed in the clinical trials adverse reactions section include:

Immune system disorders.

Hypersensitivity (including skin rash).

Gastrointestinal disorders.

Vomiting, nausea.

Eye disorders.

Eye pain, red eyes/bloodshot eyes.

Reproductive system and breast disorders.

Prolonged erection and/or priapism.

Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders.

Pain in extremity/pain in jaw/arthralgia.

Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders.

Nasal congestion.

Vascular disorders.

Hypotension.

Cardiac disorders.

Cardiac arrest.

General disorders and administration site conditions.

Oedema/peripheral oedema.

Reporting suspected adverse effects.

Reporting suspected adverse reactions after registration 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 at www.tga.gov.au/reporting-problems and contact Apotex Medical Information Enquiries/Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting on 1800 195 055.

4.2 Dose and Method of Administration

APO-Sildenafil PHT tablets are intended for oral administration.

Dosage.

Treatment should only be initiated and monitored by a healthcare professional experienced in the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension. In case of clinical deterioration in spite of sildenafil treatment, alternative therapies should be considered.

Use in adults (≥ 18 years).

The recommended dose for sildenafil is 20 mg three times a day (TID). Sildenafil tablets should be taken approximately 6-8 hours apart, with or without food.
No greater efficacy was achieved with doses higher than 20 mg TID, therefore, treatment with doses higher than 20 mg TID is not recommended (see Section 5.1 Pharmacodynamic Properties, Clinical trials). Dosages lower than 20 mg TID have not been examined and the efficacy of these doses is not known.

Use in children (< 18 years).

Sildenafil is not indicated for use in children < 18 years of age.

Discontinuation of treatment.

Limited data suggests that the abrupt discontinuation of sildenafil is not associated with rebound worsening of pulmonary arterial hypertension. However to avoid the possible occurrence of sudden clinical deterioration during withdrawal, a gradual dose reduction should be considered. Intensified monitoring is recommended during the discontinuation period.

Dose adjustment in the elderly (> 65 years of age).

In general, dose selection of sildenafil for elderly PAH patients should be undertaken cautiously due to higher incidence of compromised renal, hepatic or cardiac function, and of concomitant disease or drug therapy (see Section 5.2 Pharmacokinetic Properties, Elderly (65 years of age)).

Dose adjustment in renal impairment.

Initial dose adjustments are not required in patients with renal impairment. A downward dose adjustment to 20 mg twice daily should be considered after a careful benefit risk assessment only if therapy is not well tolerated (see Section 5.2 Pharmacokinetic Properties, Renal impairment regarding increased exposure in patients with severe renal impairment).

Dose adjustment in hepatic impairment.

Oral therapy.

Initial dose adjustments are not required in patients with hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh class A and B). A downward dose adjustment to 20 mg twice daily should be considered after a careful benefit risk assessment only if oral therapy is not well tolerated.
Sildenafil is contraindicated in patients with severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh class C) (see Section 5.2 Pharmacokinetic Properties, Hepatic impairment).

Coadministration with other PAH treatments.

The efficacy and safety of sildenafil when coadministered with medicines for PAH other than epoprostenol has not been studied in controlled clinical trials. Caution is recommended in the case of coadministration. The safety and efficacy of sildenafil when coadministered with other PDE5 inhibitors has not been studied in pulmonary arterial hypertension patients.

Use with CYP3A4 inhibitors and CYP3A4 inducers.

See Section 4.3 Contraindications; Section 4.4 Special Warnings and Precautions for Use; Section 4.5 Interactions with Other Medicines and Other Forms of Interactions for dosing instructions.

4.7 Effects on Ability to Drive and Use Machines

No studies on the ability to drive or use machines have been performed. However, as transient visual disturbances and dizziness have been reported in some patients taking sildenafil, patients should be aware of how they react to sildenafil before driving or operating machinery, and the doctor should advise accordingly.

4.9 Overdose

Overdose information is limited. In studies with healthy volunteers, of single doses up to 800 mg, adverse events were similar to those seen at lower doses but incidence rates and severities were increased.
In cases of overdose, standard supportive measures should be adopted as required. Sildenafil blood levels are not clinically useful. Monitor ECG and blood pressure in symptomatic patients. Renal dialysis is not expected to accelerate clearance as sildenafil is highly bound to plasma proteins and not eliminated in the urine.
For information on the management of overdose, contact the Poisons Information Centre on 131126 (Australia).

7 Medicine Schedule (Poisons Standard)

S4.

6 Pharmaceutical Particulars

6.1 List of Excipients

Microcrystalline cellulose, croscarmellose sodium, colloidal anhydrous silica, magnesium stearate, hyprolose, hypromellose, macrogol 8000, titanium dioxide.

6.2 Incompatibilities

Incompatibilities were either not assessed or not identified as part of the registration of this medicine.

6.3 Shelf Life

In Australia, information on the shelf life can be found on the public summary of the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG). The expiry date can be found on the packaging.

6.4 Special Precautions for Storage

Store below 30°C.

6.5 Nature and Contents of Container

Bottles (white, round HDPE bottle with blue PP cap and induction seal) of 90 tablets - AUST R 164808.
Blisters (aluminium/PVC) of 90 tablets - AUST R 164810.
APO is a registered trademark of Apotex Inc.
Not all pack types may be available.

6.6 Special Precautions for Disposal

In Australia, any unused medicine or waste material should be disposed of by taking to your local pharmacy.

Summary Table of Changes