Consumer medicine information

Integrilin

Eptifibatide

BRAND INFORMATION

Brand name

Integrilin

Active ingredient

Eptifibatide

Schedule

S4

 

Consumer medicine information (CMI) leaflet

Please read this leaflet carefully before you start using Integrilin.

SUMMARY CMI

INTEGRILIN®

Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) summary

The full CMI on the next page has more details. If you are worried about using this medicine, speak to your doctor or pharmacist.

1. Why am I being given INTEGRILIN?

INTEGRILIN contains the active ingredient eptifibatide and works by helping to prevent blood clots by stopping the platelets in the blood from sticking together.
INTEGRILIN is used in people with unstable angina (chest pain) to help prevent heart attack and possible death as well as to prevent the formation of blood clots when people have a surgical procedure (percutaneous coronary intervention) to open an artery and insert a tube (stent).
For more information, see Section 1. Why am I being given INTEGRILIN? in the full CMI.

2. What should I know before I am given INTEGRILIN?

Do not use if you have ever had an allergic reaction to eptifibatide or any of the ingredients listed at the end of the CMI.

Talk to your doctor if you have any other medical conditions, take any other medicines, or are pregnant or plan to become pregnant or are breastfeeding.
For more information, see Section 2. What should I know before I am given INTEGRILIN? in the full CMI.

3. What if I am taking other medicines?

Some medicines may interfere with INTEGRILIN and affect how it works. A list of these medicines is in Section 3. What if I am taking other medicines? in the full CMI.
Tell your doctor if you are taking any medicines to thin your blood, to prevent blood clots, or to dissolve clots.

4. How is INTEGRILIN given?

  • INTEGRILIN is given in hospital by an injection into a vein followed by an intravenous drip (infusion). The infusion usually lasts for up to 3 or 4 days.
  • The dose given is based on your weight. Your doctor or hospital pharmacist will work out the correct dose for you.
  • You may also be given aspirin and heparin.

More instructions can be found in Section 4. How is INTEGRILIN given? in the full CMI.

5. What should I know while being given INTEGRILIN?

Looking after your medicine
  • INTEGRILIN is stored in a hospital.
  • Keep INTEGRILIN refrigerated at 2°C to 8°C. Do not freeze INTEGRILIN.
  • INTEGRILIN should be protected from light until it is administered.

For more information, see Section 5. What should I know while being given INTEGRILIN? in the full CMI.

6. Are there any side effects?

The most common side effect experienced by people using this medicine is bleeding.

During the administration of INTEGRILIN, the following effects have also occurred in some patients: low blood pressure, abnormal fast heartbeat, congestive heart failure (disease of the heart with shortness of breath or swelling of the feet or legs due to build-up of fluid), heart attack, shock, swelling and tenderness around a vein, low number of platelets in blood, decreased blood flow to brain, nausea, headache, fever, general body pain, stomach pain and chest pain.

For more information, including what to do if you have any side effects, see Section 6. Are there any side effects? in the full CMI.



FULL CMI

INTEGRILIN®

Active ingredient: eptifibatide


Consumer Medicine Information (CMI)

This leaflet provides important information about using INTEGRILIN. You should also speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you would like further information or if you have any concerns or questions about using INTEGRILIN.

Where to find information in this leaflet:

1. Why am I being given INTEGRILIN?
2. What should I know before I am given INTEGRILIN?
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
4. How is INTEGRILIN given?
5. What should I know while being given INTEGRILIN?
6. Are there any side effects?
7. Product details

1. Why am I being given INTEGRILIN?

INTEGRILIN contains the active ingredient eptifibatide.

INTEGRILIN works by helping to prevent blood clots by stopping the platelets in the blood from sticking together.

INTEGRILIN is used in people with unstable angina (chest pain) to help prevent heart attack and possible death.

Angina is a pain or uncomfortable feeling in the chest, often spreading to the arms or neck and sometimes to the shoulders and back. This may be caused by too little blood and oxygen getting to the heart.

INTEGRILIN is also used to prevent the formation of blood clots when people have a surgical procedure (percutaneous coronary intervention) to open an artery and insert a tube (stent).

Your doctor, however, may prescribe INTEGRILIN for another purpose.

Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why INTEGRILIN has been prescribed for you.

2. What should I know before I am given INTEGRILIN?

Warnings

Do not use INTEGRILIN if:

  • you are allergic to eptifibatide, or any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet. Always check the ingredients to make sure you can use this medicine.
  • you have any of these medical conditions:
    - a blood clotting disorder or a very low platelet count
    - a bleeding disorder or you tend to bleed easily
    - very high blood pressure
    - severe liver problems or you require dialysis
  • you have had any of these medical conditions:
    - any internal bleeding (except for menstrual bleeding) in the last month, such as from an ulcer or blood in the urine or bowel motions
    - a stroke as a result of bleeding in the brain
    - any other stroke in the last month
    - surgery or severe injury in the last six weeks
    - any brain tumour or a condition that affects the blood vessels around the brain
  • your doctor is going to use either of the following types of medicines:
    - another injection of the same type as INTEGRILIN
    - medicines used to destroy or dissolve blood clots

Check with your doctor if you:

  • you have any other medical conditions including liver or kidney problems or problems with bleeding or blood clots.
  • You are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.

During treatment, you may be at risk of developing certain side effects. It is important you understand these risks and how to monitor for them. See additional information under Section 6. Are there any side effects?

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Check with your doctor if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant.

Do not use INTEGRILIN if you are pregnant unless you and your doctor have discussed the risks and benefits involved.

Talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding or intend to breastfeed.

If you are breastfeeding, stop breastfeeding while you are being treated with INTEGRILIN.

Children

INTEGRILIN should not be used in children.

Addiction

There is no evidence that INTEGRILIN is addictive.

3. What if I am taking other medicines?

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

Tell your doctor if you are taking any medicines to thin your blood, to prevent blood clots or to dissolve clots.

Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure about what medicines, vitamins or supplements you are taking and if these affect INTEGRILIN.

4. How is INTEGRILIN given?

How is it given

  • INTEGRILIN is given in hospital by an injection into a vein followed by an intravenous drip (infusion). The infusion usually lasts for up to 3 or 4 days.

The dose given is based on your weight. Your doctor or hospital pharmacist will work out the correct dose for you.

You may also be given aspirin and heparin.

If you are given too much INTEGRILIN

If you get too much INTEGRILIN, it could cause bleeding. If this happens the intravenous drip may need to be stopped. Usually, this will be enough to handle the overdose. However, if necessary, a blood transfusion may be given.

You should immediately:

  • phone the Poisons Information Centre
    (by calling 13 11 26), or
  • contact your doctor, or
  • go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital.

You should do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.

5. What should I know while being given INTEGRILIN?

Looking after your medicine

  • INTEGRILIN is typically stored in a hospital.
  • Keep INTEGRILIN refrigerated at 2°C to 8°C. Do not freeze INTEGRILIN.
  • INTEGRILIN should be protected from light until it is administered.

Keep it where young children cannot reach it.

Getting rid of any unwanted medicine

If you no longer need to use this medicine or it is out of date, take it to any pharmacy for safe disposal.

Do not use this medicine after the expiry date.

6. Are there any side effects?

Tell your doctor, nurse or hospital pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are being given INTEGRILIN.

All medicines can have side effects. If you do experience any side effects, most of them are minor and temporary. However, some side effects may need medical attention.

See the information below and, if you need to, ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any further questions about side effects.

While INTEGRILIN is being used, you will be checked for any signs of unusual or unexpected bleeding.

INTEGRILIN may also cause stinging or redness at the site of injection.

Most common side effects

Most common side effectsWhat to do
The most common side effect experienced by people using this medicine is:
  • bleeding
Speak to your doctor if you have any of these common side effects and they worry you.

Other Undesirable Side Effects

Other undesirable side effectsWhat to do
During the administration of INTEGRILIN, the following effects have also occurred in some patients:
  • low blood pressure
  • abnormal fast heartbeat
  • congestive heart failure (disease of the heart with shortness of breath or swelling of the feet or legs due to build-up of fluid)
  • heart attack
  • shock
  • swelling and tenderness around a vein
  • low number of platelets in blood
  • decreased blood flow to brain
  • nausea
  • headache
  • fever
  • general body pain
  • stomach pain
  • chest pain
Tell your doctor, nurse or hospital pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are being given INTEGRILIN

It is not possible to know whether these effects are related to INTEGRILIN or to the condition INTEGRILIN is used to treat. However, these effects can occur in this condition even without the use of INTEGRILIN.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice anything else that may be making you feel unwell.

Other side effects not listed here may occur in some people.

Reporting side effects

After you have received medical advice for any side effects you experience, you can report side effects to the Therapeutic Goods Administration online at www.tga.gov.au/reporting-problems. By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

Always make sure you speak to your doctor or pharmacist before you decide to stop taking any of your medicines.

7. Product details

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

What INTEGRILIN contains

Active ingredient
(main ingredient)
eptifibatide (as eptifibatide acetate)
Other ingredients
(inactive ingredients)
citric acid
sodium hydroxide
water for injections

Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to any of these ingredients.

What INTEGRILIN looks like

INTEGRILIN is a clear colourless liquid for injection. It comes in vials in two strengths:

INTEGRILIN (eptifibatide 20mg in 10mL) Injection (AUST R 71540)

INTEGRILIN (eptifibatide 75mg in 100mL) Infusion (AUST R 71541)

Who distributes INTEGRILIN

Merck Sharp & Dohme (Australia) Pty Limited
Level 1, Building A, 26 Talavera Road,
Macquarie Park NSW 2113, Australia

This leaflet was prepared in February 2022.

RCN: 000022580

Copyright © (2021) Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA, and its affiliates. All rights reserved.

Published by MIMS May 2022

BRAND INFORMATION

Brand name

Integrilin

Active ingredient

Eptifibatide

Schedule

S4

 

1 Name of Medicine

Eptifibatide (as acetate salt).

2 Qualitative and Quantitative Composition

Integrilin is formulated as a sterile solution for injection in two dosage administration forms, bolus injection and intravenous infusion. The bolus injection is a single dose 10 mL vial containing eptifibatide 20 mg (2 mg/mL) and the solution for intravenous infusion is a single dose 100 mL vial containing eptifibatide 75 mg (0.75 mg/mL).
For the full list of excipients, see Section 6.1 List of Excipients.

3 Pharmaceutical Form

Integrilin is a clear, colourless solution. It is formulated as a sterile solution for injection in two dosage administration forms, bolus injection and intravenous infusion.

4 Clinical Particulars

4.1 Therapeutic Indications

Integrilin is indicated for patients undergoing nonurgent percutaneous coronary intervention with intracoronary stenting (see Section 5.1 Pharmacodynamic Properties, Clinical trials).
Integrilin is indicated for the treatment of patients with unstable angina or non-Q wave myocardial infarction (see Section 5.1 Pharmacodynamic Properties, Clinical trials).

4.2 Dose and Method of Administration

Integrilin is for hospital use only, by specialist physicians experienced in the management of acute coronary syndromes or PCI. There has been limited study of eptifibatide in patients with severe renal insufficiency (i.e. those with CrCl < 30 mL/min). (See Section 5.1 Pharmacodynamic Properties, Clinical trials.)

Adults (≥ 18 years of age) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

The recommended dosage of eptifibatide in patients with creatinine clearance ≥ 50 mL/min (using the Cockcroft-Gault equation*) is an intravenous bolus of 180 microgram/kg administered immediately prior to the procedure, followed by a second bolus of 180 microgram/kg 10 minutes after the first bolus injection. Simultaneously with the first bolus, a continuous infusion should be started at a dose of 2.0 microgram/kg/min. Continue the infusion until hospital discharge or up to a maximum of 18-24 hours post-PCI. A minimum 12 hours of infusion is recommended.

Adults (≥ 18 years of age) undergoing PCI with creatinine clearance < 50 mL/min.

The recommended dosage of eptifibatide in patients with an estimated creatinine clearance < 50 mL/min (using the Cockcroft-Gault equation*) is an intravenous bolus of 180 microgram/kg administered immediately prior to the procedure, followed by a second bolus of 180 microgram/kg 10 minutes after the first bolus injection. Simultaneously with the first bolus dose, a continuous infusion should be started at a dose of 1.0 microgram/kg/min. Continue the infusion until hospital discharge or up to a maximum of 18 to 24 hours post-PCI. A minimum 12 hours of infusion is recommended.

Adults (≥ 18 years of age) presenting with UA/NQMI.

The recommended dosage of eptifibatide in patients with creatinine clearance ≥ 50 mL/min (using the Cockcroft-Gault equation*) is an intravenous bolus of 180 microgram/kg administered as soon as possible following diagnosis, followed by a continuous infusion of 2.0 microgram/kg/min for up to 72 hours, until initiation of coronary artery bypass graft surgery or until discharge from the hospital (whichever occurs first). If PCI is performed during Integrilin therapy for UA/NQMI, continue the infusion for 20-24 hours post-PCI for an overall maximum duration of therapy of 96 hours.

Adults (≥ 18 years of age) presenting with UA/NQMI with creatinine clearance < 50 mL/min.

The recommended dosage of eptifibatide in patients with UA/NQMI with an estimated creatinine clearance < 50 mL/min (using the Cockcroft-Gault equation*) is an intravenous bolus of 180 microgram/kg administered as soon as possible following diagnosis, immediately followed by a continuous infusion of 1.0 microgram/kg/min for up to 72 hours, until initiation of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery or until discharge from the hospital (whichever occurs first). If PCI is performed during Integrilin therapy for UA/NQMI, continue the infusion for 20-24 hours post-PCI for an overall maximum duration of therapy of 96 hours.
*Use the Cockcroft-Gault equation with actual bodyweight to calculate the estimated creatinine clearance in mL/min. (See Equation 1.)

Emergency or semi-elective surgery.

If the patient requires emergency or urgent cardiac surgery during the course of Integrilin therapy, terminate the infusion immediately. If the patient requires semi-elective surgery, stop the Integrilin infusion at an appropriate time to allow time for platelet function to return towards normal.

Use with heparin and aspirin.

Integrilin should be used in conjunction with heparin and antiplatelet doses of aspirin, unless a contraindication (such as a history of thrombocytopenia associated with the use of heparin) to the use of these drugs is present.

UA/NQMI.

For a patient who weighs ≥ 70 kg, it is recommended that a bolus dose of 5,000 units is given, followed by a constant intravenous infusion of 1,000 units/hour. If the patient weighs < 70 kg, a bolus dose of 60 units/kg is recommended, followed by an infusion of 12 units/kg/hour. The aPTT must be monitored in order to maintain a value between 50 and 70 seconds. Higher aPTT values may be associated with an increased risk of haemorrhage, but the risk has not been quantified.

If PCI is to be performed in the setting of UA/NQMI.

Monitor the activated clotting time (ACT) to maintain a value between 300-350 seconds. Stop heparin administration if the ACT exceeds 300 seconds; do not administer until the ACT falls below 300 seconds.

Nonurgent PCI with intracoronary stenting.

For those patients not treated with heparin within 6 hours before intervention, an initial heparin bolus of 60 units/kg is recommended. The target ACT during the procedure is 200-300 seconds. Additional bolus of heparin may be administered during the PCI procedure to maintain the ACT within this range.

Instructions for use, handling and disposal.

Integrilin solution for infusion must be used in conjunction with Integrilin solution for injection.
Before using, inspect the vial contents. Do not use if particulate matter or discoloration is present. Protection of Integrilin solution from light is not necessary during administration.
Physical and chemical compatibility testing indicate that Integrilin may be administered through an intravenous line with atropine sulfate, dobutamine, heparin, lidocaine (lignocaine), meperidine, metoprolol, midazolam, morphine, glyceryl trinitrate, tissue plasminogen activator or verapamil. Integrilin is compatible with 0.9% sodium chloride solution for injection and with glucose 5% in Normosol R, in the presence or absence of potassium chloride.
In the absence of incompatibility studies, Integrilin must not be mixed with other medicinal products except those mentioned above.
As Integrilin does not contain any antimicrobial agent, the product is for single use only and any unused residue should be discarded.

4.3 Contraindications

Integrilin must not be used to treat patients with:
evidence of gastrointestinal bleeding, gross genitourinary bleeding or other active abnormal bleeding (except menstrual bleeding) within the previous 30 days of treatment;
history of stroke within 30 days or any history of haemorrhagic stroke;
known history of intracranial disease (neoplasm, arteriovenous malformation, aneurysm);
major surgery or severe trauma within past 6 weeks;
a history of bleeding diathesis;
thrombocytopenia (< 100 x 109/L);
prothrombin time > 1.2 times control or International Normalised Ratio (INR) ≥ 2.0;
severe hypertension (systolic blood pressure > 200 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure > 110 mmHg on antihypertensive therapy);
dependency on renal dialysis;
clinically significant hepatic impairment;
concomitant or planned administration of a thrombolytic agent;
concomitant or planned administration of another parenteral GP IIb-IIIa inhibitor;
hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients.

4.4 Special Warnings and Precautions for Use

Bleeding.

Integrilin is an antithrombotic agent that acts by inhibition of platelet aggregation; therefore the patient must be observed carefully for indications of bleeding during treatment (see Section 4.8 Adverse Effects (Undesirable Effects)). Women, the elderly and patients with low bodyweight appear to have an increased risk of bleeding. Monitor these patients closely with regard to bleeding.
The risk of bleeding is most common at the arterial access site in patients undergoing percutaneous arterial procedures. All potential bleeding sites, e.g. catheter insertion sites; arterial, venous or needle puncture sites; cutdown sites; gastrointestinal, genitourinary and retroperitoneal sites, and central and peripheral nervous system should be observed carefully.
If serious bleeding occurs that is not controllable with pressure, the Integrilin infusion and any unfractionated heparin that is given concomitantly should be stopped immediately. During the marketing of Integrilin, very rare cases of fatal bleeding have been reported.
Arterial and venous punctures, intramuscular injections, and the use of urinary catheters, nasotracheal intubation and nasogastric tubes should be minimised. When obtaining intravenous access, noncompressible sites (e.g. subclavian or jugular veins) should be avoided.

Arterial procedures.

During treatment with eptifibatide there is a significant increase in bleeding rates from arterial puncture sites. If an arterial procedure is required during Integrilin therapy, take care to ensure that only the anterior wall of the femoral artery is punctured. If an arterial sheath is used, it should be removed only after coagulation has returned to normal (e.g. when activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) is less than 45 seconds). After removal of the sheath, careful haemostasis must be ensured under close observation for at least 4 hours.

Thrombocytopenia and immunogenicity related to GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors.

Integrilin inhibits platelet aggregation, but does not appear in general to affect the viability of platelets. The incidence of thrombocytopenia was low, and similar in patients treated with Integrilin or placebo as reported in clinical trials, and in rarely reported postmarketing instances of immune mediated thrombocytopenia. The presence of transferable factors in plasma which appear to bind to eptifibatide GP IIb/IIIa receptor implies that an immune mediated thrombocytopenic response may be seen in GP IIb/IIIa ligand mimetic agent naïve patients or in patients re-exposed to Integrilin.
The mechanism, whether immune and/or nonimmune mediated, by which eptifibatide may induce thrombocytopenia is not fully understood. Since either repeat exposure with any GP IIb/IIIa ligand mimetic agent (such as abciximab or eptifibatide) or first time exposure to a GP IIb/IIIa inhibitor may be associated with immune mediated thrombocytopenic responses, care should be exercised to observe for possible thrombocytopenia associated with hypotension, and/or other signs of hypersensitivity.
In the PURSUIT trial, similar proportions (4.9% each) of patients given Integrilin or placebo developed a platelet count < 100 x 109/L. However, Integrilin was associated with a small excess of patients with a ≥ 50% decrease in platelet count from baseline (5.5% vs 5.1%), a minimum platelet count < 50 x 109/L (0.6% vs 0.4%), and a minimum platelet count < 20 x 109/L (0.2% vs 0.04%). In the ESPRIT trial, 0.7% of patients given Integrilin and 0.4% of patients given placebo developed a platelet count < 100 x 109/L and 0.5% of patients given Integrilin and 0.2% of patients given placebo had ≥ 50% decrease in platelet count from baseline.
If either a confirmed platelet count decrease to < 100 x 109/L, or acute profound thrombocytopenia is observed, discontinuation of each treatment medication having known or suspected thrombocytopenic effects, including Integrilin, heparin and clopidogrel, should be immediately considered. Initiate supportive measures including monitoring of serial platelet counts to guide management and determine etiology. If thrombocytopenia is not attributed to eptifibatide, it may be resumed upon normalization of platelet count.

Prolongation of bleeding time.

Administration of Integrilin by intravenous bolus and infusion causes up to a 5-fold increase in bleeding time. This increase is readily reversible upon discontinuation of the infusion with bleeding times returning towards baseline in approximately 6 hours. When administered alone, Integrilin has no measurable effect on prothrombin time (PT) or activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT).

Heparin and aspirin use.

Integrilin should be administered in conjunction with heparin and antiplatelet doses of aspirin (see Section 4.2 Dose and Method of Administration, Use with heparin and aspirin) unless a contraindication to the use of these drugs is present.

Monitoring of laboratory values.

The following laboratory tests are recommended before treatment with Integrilin to identify pre-existing haemostatic abnormalities: PT and aPTT, serum creatinine, platelet count, haemoglobin and haematocrit levels. Thereafter, haemoglobin, haematocrit and platelet count are to be monitored within 6 hours after start of therapy and at least once daily thereafter while on therapy (or more often if there is evidence of a marked decrease). If the platelet count falls below 100,000/mm3, further platelet counts are required to rule out pseudothrombocytopenia. Discontinue unfractionated heparin.
In patients undergoing PCI, the ACT must be measured.
Patients must be monitored for bleeding and treated if necessary (see Section 4.9 Overdose).

Use in hepatic impairment.

Experience in patients with hepatic impairment is very limited. Administer with caution to patients with hepatic impairment in whom coagulation could be affected (see Section 4.3 Contraindications, prothrombin time).

Use in renal impairment.

Integrilin may be administered at the standard dose to patients with mild renal impairment (CrCl ≥ 50 mL/min using the Cockcroft-Gault equation*). In patients with moderate to severe renal insufficiency (creatinine clearance < 50 mL/min using the Cockcroft-Gault equation*), the clearance of eptifibatide is reduced by approximately 50% and steady-state plasma levels are approximately doubled. Patients with moderate to severe renal insufficiency who receive the usual infusion dose of 2.0 microgram/kg/min have an increased risk of bleeding. Therefore, the infusion dose should be reduced to 1.0 microgram/kg/min in such patients (see Section 4.2 Dose and Method of Administration; Section 5.1 Pharmacodynamic Properties, Clinical trials). There has been limited study of eptifibatide in patients with severe renal insufficiency (i.e. those with CrCl < 30 mL/min). There has been no clinical trial experience in patients dependent on dialysis. Integrilin is contraindicated in patients who are dependent on renal dialysis.

Use in the elderly.

See Bleeding above.

Paediatric use

Safety and efficacy in children and adolescents < 18 years of age has not been established. Therefore, use in patients younger than 18 years of age is not recommended.

Effects on laboratory tests.

See Section 4.8 Adverse Effects (Undesirable Effects), Laboratory values.

4.5 Interactions with Other Medicines and Other Forms of Interactions

No formal pharmacokinetic interaction studies have been conducted. However, in a population pharmacokinetic study there was no evidence of a pharmacokinetic interaction between Integrilin and the following concomitant medications: amlodipine, atenolol, atropine, captopril, cefazolin, diazepam, digoxin, diltiazem, diphenhydramine, enalapril, fentanyl, furosemide (frusemide), heparin, lidocaine (lignocaine), lisinopril, metoprolol, midazolam, morphine, nifedipine, nitrates and warfarin, suggesting a low potential for a pharmacokinetic drug interaction between Integrilin and these commonly used agents in patients with cardiac conditions.
Because Integrilin inhibits platelet aggregation, it should be used cautiously with other medications that affect haemostasis, including ticlopidine, clopidogrel, thrombolytics, oral anticoagulants, dextran solutions (see Section 4.2 Dose and Method of Administration), adenosine, low molecular weight heparins, sulfinpyrazone, prostacyclin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents and dipyridamole.
Integrilin did not appear to increase the risk of major and minor bleeding associated with concomitant use of warfarin and dipyridamole. Integrilin treated patients who had a prothrombin time (PT) > 14.5 seconds and received warfarin concomitantly did not appear to be at an increased risk of bleeding.
There is very limited experience with Integrilin and low molecular weight heparins. Thus coadministration of low molecular weight heparins with Integrilin must be done with caution.
Integrilin should not be used in conjunction with thrombolytic agents due to a high risk of bleeding. When the 180/2.0 dose of Integrilin was combined with streptokinase in a clinical trial, 15% of patients developed severe bleeding and 19% required transfusion (compared with no severe bleeding or transfusion in placebo treated patients).
Stop the Integrilin infusion immediately if circumstances arise that necessitate thrombolytic therapy or if the patient must undergo an emergency CABG surgery or requires an intraortic balloon pump.
In a trial in patients undergoing nonurgent PCI with stenting, 95% received clopidogrel concomitantly with aspirin before PCI and daily thereafter (see Section 5.1 Pharmacodynamic Properties, Clinical trials).
Bleeding events were more frequent in patients receiving concurrent heparin while undergoing PTCA, when ACT exceeded 350 seconds (see Section 4.2 Dose and Method of Administration, Use with heparin and aspirin).
Integrilin is not compatible with furosemide (frusemide) in the same intravenous line. There are no data on the use of Integrilin in combination with dextran.
In the absence of data, Integrilin should not be mixed with drugs other than those tested and found to be compatible (see Section 4.2 Dose and Method of Administration, Instructions for use, handling and disposal).

4.6 Fertility, Pregnancy and Lactation

Effects on fertility.

Integrilin had no effect on the fertility of male and female rats at doses of 72 mg/kg/day IV.
(Category C)
No clinical studies with Integrilin have been conducted in pregnant women. An increased incidence of fetal loss and prematurity may be associated with maternal haemorrhage. Reproductive studies in rats and rabbits gave no evidence of fertility, embryo-fetal, or peri-/postnatal toxicity with daily Integrilin doses of up to 72 mg/kg in rats and 36 mg/kg in rabbits (providing plasma eptifibatide concentrations similar to those expected in humans in both species); however, tissue and organ haemorrhages were seen in monkeys at plasma eptifibatide concentrations approximating those attained in humans with the recommended dose. These haemorrhages occurred despite the absence of concurrent aspirin and heparin. Because animal reproduction studies are not always predictive of human response, Integrilin should be used during pregnancy only if the benefit to the mother outweighs the potential risk to the fetus.
It is not known whether Integrilin is excreted in human milk. Interruption of breastfeeding during the treatment period is recommended.

4.7 Effects on Ability to Drive and Use Machines

Integrilin is intended for use in hospitalised patients. There are no data in patients treated with Integrilin outside the hospital setting.

4.8 Adverse Effects (Undesirable Effects)

The majority of undesirable effects experienced by patients treated with Integrilin were related to bleeding or to cardiovascular events that occur frequently in these patient populations.
Major and minor bleeding, as classified by the criteria of the Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) study group are defined below.
Major bleeding is defined as either an intracranial haemorrhage or clinically significant overt haemorrhage (bleeding at an observed site) associated with a drop in haematocrit ≥ 15% or a drop in haemoglobin ≥ 5 g/dL.
Minor bleeding is defined as gross haematuria or haematemesis that does not meet the criteria for a major bleed; or, observed blood loss associated with a drop in haematocrit ≥ 10% or a drop in haemoglobin of ≥ 3 g/dL.

PURSUIT trial (UA/NQMI).

Tables 1, 2 and 3 show the adverse events recorded during the PURSUIT trial with the recommended dose of Integrilin.
Overall, serious and nonserious nonbleeding adverse events were reported at a similar rate in patients treated with Integrilin and those treated with placebo (see Tables 1 and 2).
Commonly reported events (occurring in ≥ 2% across all groups) were events related to the underlying disease, such as atrial fibrillation, hypotension, congestive heart failure, cardiac arrest and shock.
Events with a frequency < 1% are not tabulated.
Injection site reaction has also been reported with the use of Integrilin during clinical trials.

ESPRIT trial (nonurgent PCI with intracoronary stenting).

Minor bleeding (TIMI criteria) was the most common complication of Integrilin administration (2.8% Integrilin vs 1.8% placebo, at 48 hours) (see Table 4). Minor bleeding events (> 1% Integrilin group) included femoral artery access and haematuria. Less frequently occurring (< 1% Integrilin group) were haematemesis and other gastrointestinal related events.
Major bleeding (TIMI criteria) events were higher with Integrilin than placebo (1.3% Integrilin vs 0.4% placebo, at 48 hours) (see Table 4). Integrilin did not significantly increase the risk of intracranial bleeding, which was uncommon (0.2% Integrilin vs 0.1% placebo). Bleeding incidence was not significantly increased with Integrilin as compared with placebo in patients who underwent CABG surgery (33% vs 50% placebo). Major bleeding (< 1% Integrilin group) included femoral artery access, retroperitoneal, intracranial, haematuria, haematemesis and genitourinary.
The incidence of severe or life threatening bleeding events in patients was 0.7% Integrilin vs 0.5% placebo. Integrilin treatment modestly increased the need for red blood cell transfusions (1.4% Integrilin vs 1.0% placebo). The most common serious adverse events (excluding death) which occurred within 30 days of treatment with Integrilin are shown in Table 5.

Post-marketing experience.

Additional adverse events reported during use of Integrilin include anaphylaxis, rash and application site disorders such as urticaria. Rare cases of acute profound thrombocytopenia and very rare cases of pulmonary haemorrhage and fatal bleeding have also been reported.

Laboratory values.

Changes during Integrilin treatment result from its known pharmacological action, i.e. inhibition of platelet aggregation. Thus, changes in laboratory parameters associated with bleeding (e.g. bleeding time) are common and expected. No apparent differences were observed between patients treated with Integrilin and placebo in values for liver function (SGOT/ AST, SGPT/ ALT, bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase) or renal function (serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen).

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 http://www.tga.gov.au/reporting-problems.

4.9 Overdose

The experience in humans with overdosage of Integrilin is extremely limited. There was no indication of severe adverse events associated with administration of accidental large bolus doses, rapid infusion reported as overdose or large cumulative doses. In the PURSUIT trial, there were 9 patients who received bolus and/or infusion doses more than double that specified in the protocol or who were identified by the investigator as having received an overdose. There was no excessive bleeding in any of these patients, except for one patient undergoing CABG surgery who was reported as having had a moderate bleed. Importantly, no patients experienced an intracranial bleed.
Potentially, an overdose of Integrilin could result in bleeding. Because of its short half-life and rapid clearance, the activity of Integrilin may be halted readily by discontinuing the infusion. Thus, although Integrilin can also be dialysed, the need for dialysis is unlikely.
For information on the management of overdose, contact the Poisons Information Centre on 131126 (Australia).

5 Pharmacological Properties

5.1 Pharmacodynamic Properties

Mechanism of action.

Eptifibatide belongs to the class of RGD (arginine glycine aspartate) mimetics and binds to the platelet receptor glycoprotein (GP) IIb-IIIa of human platelets. It reversibly inhibits platelet aggregation by preventing the binding of fibrinogen, von Willebrand factor and other adhesive ligands to GP IIb-IIIa.
When administered intravenously, eptifibatide inhibits ex vivo platelet aggregation in a dose and concentration dependent manner. Measurement of ADP induced ex vivo platelet aggregation at physiologic calcium concentrations (D-phenylalanyl -L-propyl- L-arginine chloromethyl ketone (PPACK) anticoagulant) in patients presenting with unstable angina and non-Q wave myocardial infarction showed a mean IC50 (50% inhibitory concentration) of 557 nanogram/mL and a mean IC80 (80% inhibitory concentration) of 1107 nanogram/mL.
The effect of eptifibatide is observed immediately after administration of a 180 microgram/kg intravenous bolus. When followed by a 2.0 microgram/kg/min continuous infusion, this regimen produces a > 80% inhibition of ex vivo platelet aggregation at physiologic calcium concentrations in more than 80% of patients. Platelet aggregation inhibition is reversible following cessation of the eptifibatide infusion (see Table 6).

Clinical trials.

Integrilin has not been directly compared with abciximab or any other GPIIb-IIIa inhibitor in clinical trials.

Clinical pharmacology trials.

The pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties of eptifibatide were studied in subjects with various degrees of renal function1. The purpose of this study was to determine appropriate dose adjustment in patients with decreased renal function. Tolerability of eptifibatide when administered to patients with reduced renal function was also assessed.
Subjects were divided into four groups according to renal function based on estimated CrCl using the Cockcroft-Gault equation (see Section 4.2 Dose and Method of Administration). Subjects with differing renal function (normal (Group 1, CrCl > 80 mL/min), mild renal impairment (Group 2, CrCl 51-80 mL/min), moderate renal impairment (Group 3, CrCl 30-50 mL/min) or severe renal impairment (Group 4, CrCl < 30 mL/min)), received a 24 hour eptifibatide infusion of 2.0 microgram/kg/min (Groups 1, 2 and 3) or 1.0 microgram/kg/min (Group 4).
A strong correlation was found between eptifibatide clearance and CrCl. In patients with moderate or severe renal impairment (CrCl ≤ 50 mL/min), clearance rates and steady-state concentrations of eptifibatide were approximately 50% lower and almost 2-fold higher, respectively, than in patients with normal renal function or mild renal impairment (CrCl > 50 mL/min) (see Table 7). These findings support adjustment of the infusion dose of eptifibatide from 2.0 microgram/kg/min to 1.0 microgram/kg/min in patients with moderately or severely impaired renal function (see Section 4.2 Dose and Method of Administration; Section 4.4 Special Warnings and Precautions for Use; Section 5.2 Pharmacokinetic Properties).

PURSUIT trial (UA/NQMI).

Dose ranging studies using clinical efficacy endpoints have not been conducted. The recommended dose of Integrilin has been extrapolated from in vitro data and was shown to be effective in the PURSUIT trial.
The pivotal clinical trial for unstable angina (UA)/ non-Q wave myocardial infarction (NQMI) was PURSUIT. This study was a 726 centre, 27 country, double blind, randomised, placebo controlled study in 10,948 patients presenting with UA or NQMI. Patients could be enrolled only if they had experienced cardiac ischaemia at rest (≥ 10 minutes) within the previous 24 hours and had:
either ST segment changes: ST depression > 0.5 mm of less than 30 minutes or persistent ST elevation > 0.5 mm not requiring re-perfusion therapy or thrombolytic agents, T wave inversion (> 1 mm);
or increased CK-MB (serum concentration of the myocardial band isoenzyme of creatine kinase).
Patients were randomised to either placebo, Integrilin 180 microgram/kg bolus followed by a 2 microgram/kg/min infusion (180/2.0) or Integrilin 180 microgram/kg bolus followed by a 1.3 microgram/kg/min infusion (180/1.3). The infusion was continued until hospital discharge, until the time of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) or for up to 72 hours, whichever occurred first. If percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) was performed, the Integrilin infusion was continued for 24 hours after the procedure, allowing for a duration of infusion up to 96 hours.
The 180/1.3 arm was stopped after an interim analysis, as prespecified in the protocol, when the two active treatment arms appeared to have a similar incidence of bleeding.
This was a "real world" study; each patient was managed according to the usual standards of the investigational site, therefore, the frequencies of angiography, PCI and CABG differed widely from site to site and from country to country. Integrilin was used in combination with standard medical therapies and/or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Of the patients in PURSUIT, 13% were managed with PCI during Integrilin infusion, of whom approximately 50% received intracoronary stents; 87% were managed medically (without PCI during infusion).
The vast majority of patients received aspirin (75-325 mg once daily). Heparin was administered intravenously or subcutaneously at the physician's discretion, most commonly as an intravenous bolus of 5000 U followed by a continuous infusion of 1000 U/hour. A target aPTT of 50-70 seconds was recommended. A total of 1250 patients underwent PCI within 72 hours after randomisation, in which case they received intravenous heparin to maintain an activated clotting time (ACT) of 300-350 seconds.
The primary endpoint of the study was the occurrence of death from any cause or new myocardial infarction (MI) (evaluated by a blinded Clinical Events Committee, CEC) within 30 days of randomisation.
Compared to placebo, Integrilin administered as 180/2.0 significantly reduced the incidence of endpoint events at 96 hours, 7 days and 30 days (see Table 8).
Although there was no CEC assessment of myocardial infarction after 30 days, analysis of the incidence of death/ investigator assessed myocardial infarction revealed a sustained reduction of clinical events at 6 months (see Table 9 and Figure 2).
The difference in efficacy between Integrilin and placebo was due primarily to differences in the rate of myocardial infarction, with a relatively small contribution from reduced mortality.
Results by gender, age, weight and race are provided in Figure 1. Significant clinical benefit was not demonstrated in women, patients under the age of 50 and those weighing less than 74 kg.
Compared to placebo, Integrilin was associated with an excess of major bleeding episodes (10.8% vs 9.3%), minor bleeding episodes (13.1% vs 7.6%) and transfusions (12.8% vs 10.4%).
CEC assessed myocardial infarctions were identified by a computer program which flagged elevated CK test results as well as other variables (e.g. patient symptoms, ECG data). As a result, approximately half the myocardial infarctions in the endpoint "CEC assessed MI" were not clinically evident.

ESPRIT trial (PCI with stenting).

ESPRIT (Enhanced Suppression of the Platelet IIb/IIIa Receptor with Integrilin Therapy) was a pivotal trial for non-urgent PCI with intracoronary stenting. This was a 92 centre, double blind, randomised, placebo controlled trial conducted in the United States and Canada in 2,064 patients scheduled to undergo nonurgent PCI with stent implantation in native coronary vessels. Patients were excluded from the trial if treatment had been planned with a GP IIb-IIIa inhibitor prior to the PCI. Other reasons for exclusion were: if the patient had a myocardial infarction within the previous 24 hours before randomisation, ongoing chest pain (or anginal equivalent) leading to urgent referral, PCI within the previous 90 days before randomisation or prior stent in the target lesion.
All patients received routine standard of care. Patients were randomised to either placebo or Integrilin, two bolus doses of 180 microgram/kg and a continuous infusion until discharge from hospital or a maximum of 18-24 hours. The first bolus injection and the infusion were started simultaneously, immediately before the PCI procedure. The second bolus was administered 10 minutes after the first bolus. The rate of infusion was 2.0 microgram/kg/min for patients with serum creatinine < 175 micromol/L or 1.0 microgram/kg/min for serum creatinine > 175 up to 350 micromol/L. Additionally, for any patient considered to be at high risk of bleeding, the infusion rate was allowed to be decreased to 0.5 microgram/kg/min; however the standard infusion dose was to have been continued for at least 12 hours. In addition, investigators had the option to discontinue study medication and start open label eptifibatide in the event of procedural complications, such as abrupt closure, no reflow or coronary thrombosis (defined as acute antithrombotic rescue therapy). A kit was provided that contained blinded trial drug for bolus administration, enabling investigators to switch their patients to open label eptifibatide without unblinding the initial treatment regimen.
The vast majority of patients received concomitant aspirin (162-325 mg before the procedure and daily thereafter) and the majority received a loading dose of clopidogrel (or ticlopidine) before the PCI. All patients received clopidogrel 75 mg daily or ticlopidine 250 mg twice daily after stent implantation.
The ESPRIT trial used a simplified regimen of heparin dosing during PCI as compared to the PURSUIT trial where urgent PCI was performed. For those patients not treated with heparin in the 6 hours before PCI, an initial bolus of 60 U/kg was recommended. The target ACT during the procedure was 200-300 seconds. A heparin infusion regimen after the PCI was discouraged and the early removal of the vascular access sheath (approximately 4 hours after PCI) was suggested. In patients requiring a heparin infusion after PCI however, heparin was administered at a rate of 10 U/kg/hour or 800 U/hour, whichever was less. An aPTT was obtained within 4 hours of starting the heparin infusion with an aPTT target of 50-70 seconds.
The primary endpoint of the trial was death (D), MI, urgent target vessel revascularisation (UTVR) and acute antithrombotic rescue with GP IIb-IIIa inhibitor therapy (RT) within 48 hours of randomisation. An independent, blinded Clinical Events Committee was responsible for adjudicating suspected endpoint events, including MI, UTVR and acute antithrombotic rescue therapy.
During this trial, MI was defined as an "enzymatic" or "adjudicated investigator" MI.
Enzymatic MI was identified per the CK/CK-MB core laboratory criteria. Within 24 hours after the index PCI procedure, MI occurred if there was at least two CK-MB values ≥ 3x the upper limit of normal. Myocardial infarction meeting this criterion were not adjudicated.
Adjudicated MI is an investigator reported MI, confirmed as MI after adjudication by the CEC. The investigators were blinded to the results of the core CK-MB values.
Integrilin significantly reduced the incidence of the primary endpoint (Table 10). This benefit occurred early (within 12 hours) and was principally attributed to a reduction in MI.
Secondary endpoints of the trial included D, MI, UTVR and RT at 30 days, and D and MI at 30 days (see Table 10).
The reduction in individual components, D, MI, UTVR, of the endpoints at 48 hours and 30 days is shown in Table 11. For the individual components, statistical significance between Integrilin and placebo was reached for MI only.
An independent data safety monitoring committee (DSMC) for the ESPRIT trial recommended that the trial be terminated prematurely because the data demonstrated overwhelming efficacy in the absence of a safety concern.

5.2 Pharmacokinetic Properties

The pharmacokinetics of eptifibatide are linear and dose proportional for bolus doses ranging from 90 to 250 microgram/kg and infusion rates from 0.5 to 3.0 microgram/kg/min.

Distribution.

In patients with coronary artery disease, the volume of distribution is estimated to be 185 to 260 mL/kg. During administration of the recommended treatment regimen, plasma concentrations of eptifibatide peak immediately after the 180 microgram/kg bolus and decline to a mean steady state level of 2.2 microgram/mL within 4-6 hours after commencement of the 2.0 microgram/kg/min infusion. The extent of eptifibatide binding to human plasma protein is about 25%.

Metabolism.

No major metabolites have been detected in human plasma, but deamination takes place in the urine.

Excretion.

In patients with coronary artery disease, the mean clearance of eptifibatide is estimated to be 55 to 80 mL/kg/hour and plasma elimination half-life is approximately 2.5 hours. In healthy subjects, renal excretion accounted for approximately 50% of total body clearance.
A modest increase in half-life and volume of distribution is seen with increased age, decreased weight (< 74 kg) and/or decreased creatinine clearance (CrCl). The pharmacokinetics are unaffected by dose and gender. No dose adjustment of the bolus or infusion is required in the case of mild renal impairment (CrCl ≥ 50 mL/min using the Cockcroft-Gault equation*). Dose adjustment is recommended for cases of moderate to severe renal impairment (CrCl < 50 mL/min using the Cockcroft-Gault equation*). In patients with moderate to severe renal insufficiency (CrCl < 50 mL/min), the clearance of eptifibatide is reduced by approximately 50% and steady-state plasma levels are approximately doubled (see Section 5.1 Pharmacodynamic Properties, Clinical trials; Section 4.4 Special Warnings and Precautions for Use; Section 4.2 Dose and Method of Administration).

Pre-clinical data.

In vitro studies of the inhibition of ADP induced platelet aggregation by Integrilin showed marked species differences, with much higher concentrations of Integrilin required for inhibition of platelet aggregation in rats and rabbits than in monkeys and humans.
Toxicology studies conducted with Integrilin included single dose studies in the rat, rabbit and monkey, repeat dose studies in the rat and monkey, reproduction studies in the rat and rabbit, and irritation, hypersensitivity and antigenicity studies.
The preclinical acute and repeat dose toxicity studies have been conducted in only one animal species possessing a suitable GP IIb-IIIa receptor, namely the monkey. No unexpected toxic effects for an agent with this pharmacological profile were observed and findings were predictive of clinical experience, with bleeding and haemorrhages occurring in monkeys at high doses of Integrilin. There were no effects in rats and rabbits. In the monkey, tissue and organ haemorrhages were seen at plasma eptifibatide concentrations approximating those attained in humans during therapy with the recommended dose.
Preclinical studies of the concurrent use of eptifibatide with heparin and aspirin were not conducted.

5.3 Preclinical Safety Data

Genotoxicity.

Integrilin showed no evidence of genotoxicity in a series of assays for gene mutations and chromosomal damage.

Carcinogenicity.

The carcinogenic potential of Integrilin has not been evaluated in long-term studies.

6 Pharmaceutical Particulars

6.1 List of Excipients

Each vial also contains citric acid monohydrate, sodium hydroxide and water for injections.

6.2 Incompatibilities

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

6.3 Shelf Life

3 years.

6.4 Special Precautions for Storage

Store at 2°C to 8°C (Refrigerate. Do not freeze.) Protect from light until administration.

6.5 Nature and Contents of Container

Integrilin is formulated as a sterile solution for intravenous (IV) injection in two dosage administration forms, bolus injection and intravenous infusion.
The bolus injection is a single dose 10 mL glass vial containing eptifibatide 20 mg (2 mg/mL) closed with a butyl rubber stopper and sealed with a crimped aluminium seal.
The solution for intravenous infusion is a single dose 100 mL glass vial containing eptifibatide 75 mg (0.75 mg/mL) closed with a butyl rubber stopper and sealed with a crimped aluminium seal.
Packs contain one single vial.

6.6 Special Precautions for Disposal

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

6.7 Physicochemical Properties

Integrilin contains the acetate salt of the active ingredient, eptifibatide, a synthetic cyclic heptapeptide containing six amino acids, including one cysteine amide and one mercaptopropionyl (desamino cysteinyl) residue.
Chemical name: cyclo(S-S)- mercaptopropionyl- L-homoarginylglycyl- L-aspartyl-L-tryptophyl- L-prolyl-L-cysteinamide.

Chemical structure.


CAS number.

157630-07-4.

References

1. Gretler DD et al. Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of eptifibatide in subjects with normal or impaired renal function. Clinical Therapeutics 2004; 26:390-398.

7 Medicine Schedule (Poisons Standard)

S4 Prescription only medicine.

Summary Table of Changes