Otezla 10 MG Film-Coated Tablets: 1. Name of The Medicinal Product
Otezla 10 MG Film-Coated Tablets: 1. Name of The Medicinal Product
Otezla 10 MG Film-Coated Tablets: 1. Name of The Medicinal Product
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4.1 Therapeutic indications
Psoriatic arthritis
Otezla, alone or in combination with Disease Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs (DMARDs), is indicated for the treatment of
active psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in adult patients who have had an inadequate response or who have been intolerant to a
prior DMARD therapy (see section 5.1).
Psoriasis
Otezla is indicated for the treatment of moderate to severe chronic plaque psoriasis in adult patients who failed to
respond to or who have a contraindication to, or are intolerant to other systemic therapy including cyclosporine,
methotrexate or psoralen and ultraviolet-A light (PUVA).
Behçet's disease
Otezla is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with oral ulcers associated with Behçet's disease (BD) who are
candidates for systemic therapy.
Treatment with Otezla should be initiated by specialists experienced in the diagnosis and treatment of psoriasis, psoriatic
arthritis or Behçet's disease.
Posology
The recommended dose of apremilast is 30 mg taken orally twice daily, approximately 12 hours apart (morning and
evening), with no food restrictions. An initial titration schedule is required as shown below in Table 1. No re-titration is
required after initial titration.
Table 1. Dose titration schedule
AM AM PM AM PM AM PM AM PM AM PM
10 mg 10 mg 10 mg 10 mg 20 mg 20 mg 20 mg 20 mg 30 mg 30 mg 30 mg
If patients miss a dose, the next dose should be taken as soon as possible. If it is close to the time for their next dose,
the missed dose should not be taken and the next dose should be taken at the regular time.
During pivotal trials the greatest improvement was observed within the first 24 weeks of treatment for PsA and PSOR
and within the first 12 weeks of treatment for BD. If a patient shows no evidence of therapeutic benefit after this time
period, treatment should be reconsidered. The patient's response to treatment should be evaluated on a regular basis.
Special populations
Elderly patients
No dose adjustment is required for this patient population (see sections 4.8 and 5.2).
Patients with renal impairment
No dose adjustment is needed in patients with mild and moderate renal impairment. The dose of apremilast should be
reduced to 30 mg once daily in patients with severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance of less than 30 mL per
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minute estimated by the Cockcroft-Gault equation). For initial dose titration in this group, it is recommended that
apremilast be titrated using only the AM schedule listed in Table 1 and the PM doses be skipped (see section 5.2).
Patients with hepatic impairment
No dose adjustment is necessary for patients with hepatic impairment (see section 5.2).
Paediatric population
The safety and efficacy of apremilast in children aged 0 to 17 years have not been established. No data are available.
Method of administration
Otezla is for oral use. The film-coated tablets should be swallowed whole, and can be taken either with or without food.
4.3 Contraindications
Hypersensitivity to the active substance(s) or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1.
Pregnancy (see section 4.6).
4.5 Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction
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Co-administration of strong cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) enzyme inducer, rifampicin, resulted in a reduction of
systemic exposure of apremilast, which may result in a loss of efficacy of apremilast. Therefore, the use of strong
CYP3A4 enzyme inducers (e.g. rifampicin, phenobarbital, carbamazepine, phenytoin and St. John's Wort) with
apremilast is not recommended. Co-administration of apremilast with multiple doses of rifampicin resulted in a decrease
in apremilast area-under-the-concentration time curve (AUC) and maximum serum concentration (Cmax) by
approximately 72% and 43%, respectively. Apremilast exposure is decreased when administered concomitantly with
strong inducers of CYP3A4 (e.g. rifampicin) and may result in reduced clinical response.
In clinical studies, apremilast has been administered concomitantly with topical therapy (including corticosteroids, coal
tar shampoo and salicylic acid scalp preparations) and UVB phototherapy.
There was no clinically meaningful interaction between ketoconazole and apremilast. Apremilast can be co-administered
with a potent CYP3A4 inhibitor such as ketoconazole.
There was no pharmacokinetic interaction between apremilast and methotrexate in psoriatic arthritis patients. Apremilast
can be co-administered with methotrexate.
There was no pharmacokinetic interaction between apremilast and oral contraceptives containing ethinyl estradiol and
norgestimate. Apremilast can be co-administered with oral contraceptives.
Apremilast has no or negligible influence on the ability to drive and use machines.
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Insomnia
Common
Psychiatric disorders Depression
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Common Migraine*
Tension headache*
Diarrhoea*
Very Common
Nausea*
Vomiting*
Dyspepsia
Gastrointestinal disorders
Common Frequent bowel movements
Rash
Uncommon
Skin and subcutaneous
Urticaria
tissue disorders
Not known Angioedema
Musculoskeletal and
Common Back pain*
connective tissue disorders
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Patient weight was measured routinely in clinical studies. The mean observed weight loss in PsA and PSOR patients
treated for up to 52 weeks with apremilast was 1.99 kg. A total of 14.3% of patients receiving apremilast had observed
weight loss between 5-10% while 5.7% of the patients receiving apremilast had observed weight loss greater than 10%.
None of these patients had overt clinical consequences resulting from weight loss. A total of 0.1% of patients treated with
apremilast discontinued due to adverse reaction of weight decreased. The mean observed weight loss in BD patients
treated with apremilast for 52 weeks was 0.52 kg. A total of 11.8% of patients receving apremilast had observed weight
loss between 5-10% while 3.8% of the patients receiving apremilast had observed weight loss greater than 10%. None of
these patients had overt clinical consequences from weight loss. None of the patients discontinued the study due to
adverse reaction of weight decreased.
Please see additional warning in section 4.4 for patients who are underweight at beginning of treatment.
Special populations
Elderly patients
From post-marketing experience, elderly patients ≥ 65 years of age may be at a higher risk of complications of severe
diarrhoea, nausea and vomiting (see section 4.4).
Patients with hepatic impairment
The safety of apremilast was not evaluated in PsA, PSOR or BD patients with hepatic impairment.
Patients with renal impairment
In the PsA, PSOR or BD clinical studies, the safety profile observed in patients with mild renal impairment was
comparable to patients with normal renal function. The safety of apremilast was not evaluated in PsA, PSOR or BD
patients with moderate or severe renal impairment in the clinical studies.
Reporting of suspected adverse reactions
Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued
monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any
suspected adverse reactions via:
United Kingdom
Yellow Card Scheme
Website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store
Ireland
HPRA Pharmacovigilance
Website: www.hpra.ie
4.9 Overdose
Apremilast was studied in healthy subjects at a maximum total daily dose of 100 mg (given as 50 mg twice daily) for 4.5
days without evidence of dose limiting toxicities. In case of an overdose, it is recommended that the patient is monitored
for any signs or symptoms of adverse effects and appropriate symptomatic treatment is instituted. In the event of
overdose, symptomatic and supportive care is advised.
5. Pharmacological properties
5.1 Pharmacodynamic properties
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Treatment with apremilast resulted in significant improvements in the signs and symptoms of PsA, as assessed by the
ACR 20 response criteria compared to placebo at weeks 16. The proportion of patients with ACR 20/50/70 (responses in
studies PALACE 1, PALACE 2 and PALACE 3, and the pooled data for studies PALACE 1, PALACE 2 and PALACE 3)
for apremilast 30 mg twice daily at week 16 are shown in table 3. ACR 20/50/70 responses were maintained at week 24.
Among patients who were initially randomised to apremilast 30 mg twice daily treatment, ACR 20/50/70 response rates
were maintained through week 52 in the pooled studies PALACE 1, PALACE 2 and PALACE 3 (figure 1).
Table 3. Proportion of patients with ACR responses in studies PALACE 1, PALACE 2 and PALACE 3 and pooled
studies at week 16
ACR 20a
ACR 50
ACR 70
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*NRI: None responder imputation. Subjects who discontinued early prior to the time point and subjects who did not have
sufficient data for a definitive determination of response status at the time point are counted as non-responders.
Among 497 patients initially randomised to apremilast 30 mg twice daily, 375 (75%) patients were still on this treatment
on week 52. In these patients, ACR 20/50/70 responses at week 52 were of 57%, 25%, and 11% respectively. Among
497 patients initially randomised to apremilast 30 mg twice daily, 375 (75%) patients entered the long term extension
studies, and of these, 221 patients (59%) were still on this treatment at week 260. ACR responses were maintained in
the long-term open label extension studies for up to 5 years.
Responses observed in the apremilast treated group were similar in patients receiving and not receiving concomitant
DMARDs, including MTX. Patients previously treated with DMARDs or biologics who received apremilast achieved a
greater ACR 20 response at week 16 than patients receiving placebo.
Similar ACR responses were observed in patients with different PsA subtypes, including DIP. The number of patients
with arthritis mutilans and predominant spondylitis subtypes was too small to allow meaningful assessment.
In PALACE 1, PALACE 2 and PALACE 3, improvements in Disease Activity Scale (DAS) 28 C-reactive protein (CRP)
and in the proportion of patients achieving a modified PsA response criteria (PsARC) were greater in the apremilast
group, compared to placebo at week 16 (nominal p-value p < 0.0004, p-value ≤ 0.0017, respectively). These
improvements were maintained at week 24. Among patients who remained on the apremilast treatment to which they
were randomised at study start, DAS28 (CRP) score and PsARC response were maintained through week 52.
At weeks 16 and 24 improvements in parameters of peripheral activity characteristic of psoriatic arthritis (e.g. number of
swollen joints, number of painful/tender joints, dactylitis and enthesitis) and in the skin manifestations of psoriasis were
seen in the apremilast-treated patients. Among patients who remained on the apremilast treatment to which they were
randomised at study start, these improvements were maintained through week 52.
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The clinical responses were maintained in the same parameters of peripheral activity and in the skin manifestations of
psoriasis in the open-label extension studies for up to 5 years of treatment.
Physical function and health-related quality of life
Apremilast-treated patients demonstrated statistically significant improvement in physical function, as assessed by the
disability index of the health assessment questionnaire (HAQ-DI) change from baseline, compared to placebo at weeks
16 in PALACE 1, PALACE 2 and PALACE 3 and in the pooled studies. Improvement in HAQ-DI scores was maintained
at week 24.
Among patients who were initially randomised to apremilast 30 mg twice daily treatment, the change from baseline in the
HAQ-DI score at week 52 was -0.333 in the apremilast 30 mg twice daily group in a pooled analysis of the open label
phase of studies PALACE 1, PALACE 2 and PALACE 3.
In studies PALACE 1, PALACE 2 and PALACE 3, significant improvements were demonstrated in health-related quality
of life, as measured by the changes from baseline in the physical functioning (PF) domain of the Short Form Health
Survey version 2 (SF-36v2), and in the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy – Fatigue (FACIT-fatigue)
scores in patients treated with apremilast compared to placebo at weeks 16 and 24. Among patients who remained on
the apremilast treatment, to which they were initially randomised at study start, improvement in physical function and
FACIT-fatigue was maintained through week 52.
Improved physical function as assessed by the HAQ-DI and the SF36v2PF domain, and the FACIT-fatigue scores were
maintained in the open-label extension studies for up to 5 years of treatment.
Psoriasis
The safety and efficacy of apremilast were evaluated in two multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
studies (Studies ESTEEM 1 and ESTEEM 2) which enrolled a total of 1,257 patients with moderate to severe plaque
psoriasis who had a body surface area (BSA) involvement of ≥ 10%, Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score ≥
12, static Physician Global Assessment (sPGA) of ≥ 3 (moderate or severe), and who were candidates for phototherapy
or systemic therapy.
These studies had a similar design through week 32. In both studies, patients were randomised 2:1 to apremilast 30 mg
twice daily or placebo for 16 weeks (placebo-controlled phase) and from weeks 16-32, all patients received apremilast
30 mg twice daily (maintenance phase). During the Randomised Treatment Withdrawal Phase (weeks 32-52), patients
originally randomised to apremilast who achieved at least a 75% reduction in their PASI score (PASI-75) (ESTEEM 1) or
a 50% reduction in their PASI score (PASI-50) (ESTEEM 2) were re-randomised at week 32 to either placebo or
apremilast 30 mg twice daily. Patients who were re-randomised to placebo and who lost PASI-75 response (ESTEEM 1)
or lost 50% of the PASI improvement at week 32 compared to baseline (ESTEEM 2) were retreated with apremilast 30
mg twice daily. Patients who did not achieve the designated PASI response by week 32, or who were initially randomised
to placebo, remained on apremilast until week 52. The use of low potency topical corticosteroids on the face, axillae, and
groin, coal tar shampoo and/or salicylic acid scalp preparations was permitted throughout the studies. In addition, at
week 32, subjects who did not achieve a PASI-75 response in ESTEEM 1, or a PASI-50 response in ESTEEM 2, were
permitted to use topical psoriasis therapies and/or phototherapy in addition to apremilast 30 mg twice daily treatment.
Following 52 weeks of treatment, patients could continue on open-label apremilast 30 mg within the long-term extension
of the ESTEEM 1 and ESTEEM 2 studies for a total duration of treatment up to 5 years (260 weeks).
In both studies, the primary endpoint was the proportion of patients who achieved PASI-75 at week 16. The major
secondary endpoint was the proportion of patients who achieved a sPGA score of clear (0) or almost clear (1) at week
16.
The mean baseline PASI score was 19.07 (median 16.80), and the proportion of patients with sPGA score of 3
(moderate) and 4 (severe) at baseline was 70.0% and 29.8%, respectively with a mean baseline BSA involvement of
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25.19% (median 21.0%). Approximately 30% of all patients had received prior phototherapy and 54% had received prior
conventional systemic and/or biologic therapy for the treatment of psoriasis (including treatment failures), with 37%
receiving prior conventional systemic therapy and 30% receiving prior biologic therapy. Approximately one-third of
patients had not received prior phototherapy, conventional systemic or biologic therapy. A total of 18% of patients had a
history of psoriatic arthritis.
The proportion of patients achieving PASI-50, -75 and -90 responses, and sPGA score of clear (0) or almost clear (1),
are presented in table 4 below. Treatment with apremilast resulted in significant improvement in moderate to severe
plaque psoriasis as demonstrated by the proportion of patients with PASI-75 response at week 16, compared to placebo.
Clinical improvement measured by sPGA, PASI-50 and PASI-90 responses were also demonstrated at week 16. In
addition, apremilast demonstrated a treatment benefit across multiple manifestations of psoriasis including pruritus, nail
disease, scalp involvement and quality of life measures.
Table 4. Clinical response at week 16 in studies ESTEEM 1 and ESTEEM 2 (FAS a, LOCFb)
ESTEEM 1 ESTEEM 2
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ESTEEM 1 ESTEEM 2
Time Point Patients who achieved PASI-75 at Patients who achieved PASI-50
week 32 at week 32
a Includessubjects re-randomised to APR 30 twice daily at week 32 with a baseline value and a post-baseline value at
the evaluated study week.
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bN is based on subjects with moderate or greater scalp psoriasis at baseline who were re-randomised to APR 30 twice
daily at week 32. Subjects with missing data were counted as nonresponders.
In study ESTEEM 1, approximately 61% of patients re-randomised to apremilast at week 32 had a PASI-75 response at
week 52. Of the patients with at least a PASI-75 response who were re-randomised to placebo at week 32 during a
randomised treatment withdrawal phase, 11.7% were PASI-75 responders at week 52. The median time to loss of PASI-
75 response among the patients re-randomised to placebo was 5.1 weeks.
In study ESTEEM 2, approximately 80.3% of patients re-randomised to apremilast at week 32 had a PASI-50 response
at week 52. Of the patients with at least a PASI-50 response who were re-randomised to placebo at week 32, 24.2%
were PASI-50 responders at week 52. The median time to loss of 50% of their week 32 PASI improvement was 12.4
weeks.
After randomised withdrawal from therapy at week 32, approximately 70% of patients in study ESTEEM 1, and 65.6% of
patients in study ESTEEM 2, regained PASI-75 (ESTEEM 1) or PASI-50 (ESTEEM 2) responses after re-initiation of
apremilast treatment. Due to the study design the duration of re-treatment was variable, and ranged from 2.6 to 22.1
weeks.
In study ESTEEM 1, patients randomised to apremilast at the start of the study who did not achieve a PASI-75 response
at week 32 were permitted to use concomitant topical therapies and/or UVB phototherapy between weeks 32 to 52. Of
these patients, 12% achieved a PASI-75 response at week 52 with apremilast plus topical and/or phototherapy
treatment.
In studies ESTEEM 1 and ESTEEM 2, significant improvements (reductions) in nail psoriasis, as measured by the mean
percent change in Nail Psoriasis Severity Index (NAPSI) from baseline, were observed in patients receiving apremilast
compared to placebo-treated patients at week 16 (p < 0.0001 and p = 0.0052, respectively). Further improvements in nail
psoriasis were observed at week 32 in patients continuously treated with apremilast.
In studies ESTEEM 1 and ESTEEM 2, significant improvements in scalp psoriasis of at least moderate severity (≥ 3),
measured by the proportion of patients achieving Scalp Psoriasis Physician's Global Assessment (ScPGA) of clear (0) or
minimal (1) at week 16, were observed in patients receiving apremilast compared to placebo-treated patients (p < 0.0001
for both studies). The improvements were generally maintained in subjects who were re-randomised to apremilast at
week 32 through week 52 (table 5).
In studies ESTEEM 1 and ESTEEM 2, significant improvements in quality of life as measured by the Dermatology Life
Quality Index (DLQI) and the SF-36v2MCS were demonstrated in patients receiving apremilast compared with placebo-
treated patients (table 4). Improvements in DLQI were maintained through week 52 in subjects who were re-randomised
to apremilast at week 32 (table 5). In addition, in study ESTEEM 1, significant improvement in the Work Limitations
Questionnaire (WLQ-25) Index was achieved in patients receiving apremilast compared to placebo.
Among 832 patients initially randomised to apremilast 30 mg twice daily, 443 patients (53%) entered the open-label
extension studies of ESTEEM 1 and ESTEEM 2, and of these 115 patients (26%) were still on treatment at week 260.
For patients who remained on apremilast in the open label extension of ESTEEM 1 and ESTEEM 2 studies,
improvements were generally maintained in PASI score, affected BSA, itch, nail and quality of life measures for up to 5
years.
The long-term safety of apremilast 30 mg twice daily in patients with psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis was assessed for a
total duration of treatment up to 5 years. Long-term experience in open-label extension studies with apremilast was
generally comparable to the 52-week studies.
Behçet's disease
The safety and efficacy of apremilast were evaluated in a phase 3, multicentre, randomised, placebo-controlled study
(RELIEF) in adult patients with active Behçet's Disease (BD) with oral ulcers. Patients were previously treated with at
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least one non-biologic BD medication for oral ulcers and were candidates for systemic therapy. Concomitant treatment
for BD was not allowed. The population studied met the International Study Group (ISG) criteria for BD with a history of
skin lesions (98.6%), genital ulcers (90.3%), musculoskeletal (72.5%), ocular (17.4%), central nervous system (9.7%) or
GI manifestations (9.2%), epididymitis (2.4%) and vascular involvement (1.4%). Patients with severe BD, defined as
those with active major organ involvement (for ex. meningoencephalitis or pulmonary artery aneurysm) were excluded.
A total of 207 BD patients were randomised 1:1 to receive either apremilast 30 mg twice daily (n = 104) or placebo (n =
103) for 12-weeks (placebo-controlled phase) and from weeks 12 to 64, all patients received apremilast 30 mg twice
daily (active treatment phase). Patients ranged in age from 19 to 72 years, with a mean age of 40 years. The mean
duration of BD was 6.84 years. All patients had a history of recurrent oral ulcers with at least 2 oral ulcers at screening
and randomization: the mean baseline oral ulcer counts were 4.2 and 3.9 in the apremilast and placebo groups,
respectively.
The primary endpoint was the Area Under the Curve (AUC) for the number of oral ulcers from baseline through week 12.
Secondary endpoints included other measures of oral ulcers: oral ulcer pain Visual Analog Scale (VAS), proportion of
patients who are oral ulcer-free (complete response), time to onset of oral ulcer resolution, and proportion of patients
achieving resolution of oral ulcers by week 6, and who remain oral ulcer free at every visit for at least 6 additional weeks
during the 12-week placebo-controlled treatment phase. Other endpoints included Behçet's Syndrome Activity Score
(BSAS), BD Current Activity Form (BDCAF), including the BD Current Activity Index (BDCAI) score, the Patient's
Perception of Disease Activity, the Clinician's Overall Perception of Disease Activity and the BD Quality of Life
Questionnaire (BD QoL).
Measure of oral ulcers
Apremilast 30 mg twice daily resulted in significant improvement in oral ulcers as demonstrated by the AUC for the
number of oral ulcers from baseline through week 12 (p < 0.0001), compared with placebo.
Significant improvements in other measures of oral ulcers were demonstrated at week 12.
Table 6. Clinical response of oral ulcers at week 12 in RELIEF (ITT population)
Apremilast
Placebo
Endpointa 30 mg BID
N = 103
N = 104
LS Mean LS Mean
AUCb for the number of oral ulcers from baseline through week 12 (MI)
222.14 129.54
Change from baseline in the pain of oral ulcers as measured by VASc at LS Mean LS Mean
week 12 (MMRM) -18.7 -42.7
Proportion of subjects with complete oral ulcer response at week 12 (NRI) 22.3% 52.9%
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Proportion of subjects with partial oral ulcer responsed at week 12 (NRI) 47.6% 76.0%
ITT=intent to treat; LS=least squares; MI=multiple imputation; MMRM=mixed-effects model for repeated measures;
NRI=non-responder imputation; BID=twice daily.
a p-value < 0.0001 for all apremilast vs. placebo
b AUC = Area Under the Curve.
c VAS = Visual Analog Scale; 0 = no pain, 100 = worst possible pain.
d Partialoral ulcer response = number of oral ulcers reduced by ≥ 50% post baseline (Exploratory analysis); nominal p-
value – < 0.0001
Among 104 patients originally randomised to apremilast 30 mg twice daily, 75 patients (approximately 72%) remained on
this treatment at week 64. A significant reduction in the mean number of oral ulcers and oral ulcer pain was observed in
the apremilast 30 mg twice daily treatment group compared to the placebo treatment group at every visit, as early as
week 1, through week 12 for number of oral ulcers (p ≤ 0.0015) and for oral ulcer pain (p ≤ 0.0035). Among patients who
were continuously treated with apremilast and remained in the study, improvements in oral ulcers and reduction of oral
ulcer pain were maintained through week 64 (figures 2 and 3).
Among patients originally randomised to apremilast 30 mg twice daily who remained in the study, the proportions of
patients with a complete response and partial response of oral ulcers were maintained through week 64 (53.3% and
76.0% respectively).
Figure 2. Mean number of oral ulcers by time point through week 64 (ITT population; DAO)
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The follow-up time point was 4 weeks after patients completed week 64 or 4 weeks after patients discontinued treatment
before week 64.
Figure 3. Mean change from baseline in oral ulcer pain on a visual analog scale by time point through week 64
(ITT Population; DAO)
APR 30 BID = apremilast twice daily; ITT = Intent-To-Treat; DAO = Data As Observed
Note: Placebo or APR 30 mg BID indicates the treatment group in which patients were randomised. Placebo treatment
group patients switched to APR 30 BID at week 12.
The follow-up time point was 4 weeks after patients completed week 64 or 4 weeks after patients discontinued treatment
before week 64.
Improvements in overall Behçet's disease activity
Apremilast 30 mg twice daily, compared with placebo, resulted in significant reduction in overall disease activity, as
demonstrated by the mean change from baseline at week 12 in the BSAS (p < 0.0001) and the BDCAF (BDCAI,
Patient's Perception of Disease Activity, and the Clinician's Overall Perception of Disease Activity; p-values ≤ 0.0335 for
all three components).
Among patients originally randomised to apremilast 30 mg twice daily who remained in the study, improvements (mean
change from baseline) in both the BSAS and the BDCAF were maintained at week 64.
Improvements in quality of life
Apremilast 30 mg twice daily, compared with placebo, resulted in significantly greater improvement in Quality of Life
(QoL) at week 12, as demonstrated by the BD QoL Questionnaire (p = 0.0003).
Among patients originally randomised to apremilast 30 mg twice daily who remained in the study, improvement in BD
QoL was maintained at week 64.
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Absorption
Apremilast is well absorbed with an absolute oral bioavailability of approximately 73%, with peak plasma concentrations
(Cmax) occurring at a median time (tmax) of approximately 2.5 hours. Apremilast pharmacokinetics are linear, with a
dose-proportional increase in systemic exposure in the dose range of 10 to 100 mg daily. Accumulation is minimal when
apremilast is administered once daily and approximately 53% in healthy subjects and 68% in patients with psoriasis
when administered twice daily. Co-administration with food does not alter the bioavailability therefore, apremilast can be
administered with or without food.
Distribution
Human plasma protein binding of apremilast is approximately 68%. The mean apparent volume of distribution (Vd) is 87
L, indicative of extravascular distribution.
Biotransformation
Apremilast is extensively metabolised by both CYP and non-CYP mediated pathways including oxidation, hydrolysis, and
conjugation, suggesting inhibition of a single clearance pathway is not likely to cause a marked drug-drug interaction.
Oxidative metabolism of apremilast is primarily mediated by CYP3A4, with minor contributions from CYP1A2 and
CYP2A6. Apremilast is the major circulating component following oral administration. Apremilast undergoes extensive
metabolism with only 3% and 7% of the administered parent compound recovered in urine and faeces, respectively. The
major circulating inactive metabolite is the glucuronide conjugate of O-demethylated apremilast (M12). Consistent with
apremilast being a substrate of CYP3A4, apremilast exposure is decreased when administered concomitantly with
rifampicin, a strong inducer of CYP3A4.
In vitro, apremilast is not an inhibitor or inducer of cytochrome P450 enzymes. Hence, apremilast co-administered with
substrates of CYP enzymes is unlikely to affect the clearance and exposure of active substances that are metabolised by
CYP enzymes.
In vitro, apremilast is a substrate, and a weak inhibitor of P-glycoprotein (IC50 > 50 µM), however clinically relevant drug
interactions mediated via P-gp are not expected to occur.
In vitro, apremilast has little to no inhibitory effect (IC50 > 10 µM) on Organic Anion Transporter (OAT)1 and OAT3,
Organic Cation Transporter (OCT)2, Organic Anion Transporting Polypeptide (OATP)1B1 and OATP1B3, or breast
cancer resistance protein (BCRP) and is not a substrate for these transporters. Hence, clinically relevant drug-drug
interactions are unlikely when apremilast is co-administered with drugs that are substrates or inhibitors of these
transporters.
Elimination
The plasma clearance of apremilast is on average about 10 L/hr in healthy subjects, with a terminal elimination half-life
of approximately 9 hours. Following oral administration of radiolabelled apremilast, about 58% and 39% of the
radioactivity is recovered in urine and faeces, respectively, with about 3% and 7% of the radioactive dose recovered as
apremilast in urine and faeces, respectively.
Elderly patients
Apremilast was studied in young and elderly healthy subjects. The exposure in elderly subjects (65 to 85 years of age) is
about 13% higher in AUC and about 6% higher in Cmax for apremilast than that in young subjects (18 to 55 years of
age). There is limited pharmacokinetic data in subjects over 75 years of age in clinical trials. No dosage adjustment is
necessary for elderly patients.
Renal impairment
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There is no meaningful difference in the PK of apremilast between mild or moderate renally impaired subjects and
matched healthy subjects (N = 8 each). The results support that no dose adjustment is needed in patients with mild and
moderate renal impairment. Apremilast dose should be reduced to 30 mg once daily in patients with severe renal
impairment (eGFR less than 30 mL/min/1.73 m2 or CLcr < 30 mL/min). In 8 subjects with severe renal impairment to
whom a single dose of 30 mg apremilast was administered, the AUC and Cmax of apremilast increased by approximately
89% and 42%, respectively.
Hepatic impairment
The pharmacokinetics of apremilast and its major metabolite M12 are not affected by moderate or severe hepatic
impairment. No dose adjustment is necessary for patients with hepatic impairment.
Non-clinical data reveal no special hazard for humans based on conventional studies of safety pharmacology and
repeated dose toxicity. There is no evidence of immunotoxic, dermal irritation, or phototoxic potential.
Fertility and early embryonic development
In a male mouse fertility study, apremilast at oral dosages of 1, 10, 25, and 50 mg/kg/day produced no effects on male
fertility; the No Observed Adverse Effect Level (NOAEL) for male fertility was greater than 50 mg/kg/day 3-fold clinical
exposure.
In a combined female mouse fertility and embryo-foetal developmental toxicity study with oral dosages of 10, 20, 40, and
80 mg/kg/day, a prolongation of oestrous cycles and increased time to mating were observed at 20 mg/kg/day and
above; despite this, all mice mated and pregnancy rates were unaffected. The No Observed Effect Level (NOEL) for
female fertility was 10 mg/kg/day (1.0-fold clinical exposure).
Embryo-foetal development
In a combined female mouse fertility and embryo-foetal developmental toxicity study with oral dosages of 10, 20, 40, and
80 mg/kg/day, absolute and/or relative heart weights of maternal animals were increased at 20, 40, and 80 mg/kg/day.
Increased numbers of early resorptions and reduced numbers of ossified tarsals were observed at 20, 40, and 80
mg/kg/day. Reduced foetal weights and retarded ossification of the supraoccipital bone of the skull were observed at 40
and 80 mg/kg/day. The maternal and developmental NOEL in the mouse was 10 mg/kg/day (1.3-fold clinical exposure).
In a monkey embryo-foetal developmental toxicity study, oral dosages of 20, 50, 200, and 1000 mg/kg/day resulted in a
dose-related increase in prenatal loss (abortions) at dosages of 50 mg/kg/day and above; no test article-related effect in
prenatal loss was observed at 20 mg/kg/day (1.4-fold clinical exposure).
Pre- and post-natal development
In a pre- and postnatal study, apremilast was administered orally to pregnant female mice at dosages of 10, 80 and 300
mg/kg/day from Gestation Day (GD) 6 to day 20 of lactation. Reductions in maternal body weight and weight gain, and
one death associated with difficulty in delivering pups were observed at 300 mg/kg/day. Physical signs of maternal
toxicity associated with delivering pups were also observed in one mouse at each of 80 and 300 mg/kg/day. Increased
peri- and postnatal pup deaths and reduced pup body weights during the first week of lactation were observed at ≥ 80
mg/kg/day (≥ 4.0-fold clinical exposure). There were no apremilast-related effects on duration of pregnancy, number of
pregnant mice at the end of the gestation period, number of mice that delivered a litter, or any developmental effects in
the pups beyond postnatal day 7. It is likely that pup developmental effects observed during the first week of the
postnatal period were related to the apremilast-related pup toxicity (decreased pup weight and viability) and/or lack of
maternal care (higher incidence of no milk in the stomach of pups). All developmental effects were observed during the
first week of the postnatal period; no apremilast-related effects were seen during the remaining pre- and post-weaning
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periods, including sexual maturation, behavioural, mating, fertility and uterine parameters. The NOEL in the mouse for
maternal toxicity and F1 generation was 10 mg/kg/day (1.3-fold clinical AUC).
Carcinogenicity studies
Carcinogenicity studies in mice and rats showed no evidence of carcinogenicity related to treatment with apremilast.
Genotoxicity studies
Apremilast is not genotoxic. Apremilast did not induce mutations in an Ames assay or chromosome aberrations in
cultured human peripheral blood lymphocytes in the presence or absence of metabolic activation. Apremilast was not
clastogenic in an in vivo mouse micronucleus assay at doses up to 2,000 mg/kg/day.
Other studies
There is no evidence of immunotoxic, dermal irritation, or phototoxic potential.
6. Pharmaceutical particulars
6.1 List of excipients
Tablet core
Cellulose microcrystalline
Lactose monohydrate
Croscarmellose sodium
Magnesium stearate
Film-coating
Poly (vinyl alcohol)
Titanium dioxide (E171)
Macrogol (3350)
Talc
Iron oxide red (E172)
The 20 mg tablets also contain iron oxide yellow (E172).
The 30 mg tablets also contain iron oxide yellow (E172) and iron oxide black (E172).
6.2 Incompatibilities
Not applicable.
3 years.
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6.5 Nature and contents of container
Any unused medicinal product or waste material should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements.
7. Marketing authorisation holder
Amgen Europe B.V.
Minervum 7061
4817 ZK Breda
The Netherlands
8. Marketing authorisation number(s)
Otezla 10 mg, 20 mg, 30 mg film-coated tablets (initiation pack)
EU/1/14/981/001
Otezla 30 mg film-coated tablets
EU/1/14/981/002 – pack size of 56 tablets
EU/1/14/981/003 – pack size of 168 tablets
9. Date of first authorisation/renewal of the authorisation
Date of first authorisation: 15 January 2015
Date of latest renewal: 23 August 2019
10. Date of revision of the text
April 2020
Detailed information on this medicinal product is available on the website of the European Medicines Agency
http://www.ema.europa.eu.
Company Contact Details
Amgen Ltd
Address Telephone
240 Cambridge Science Park, Milton Road, +44 (0)1223 420 305
Cambridge, CB4 0WD
Medical Information Direct Line
Fax +44 (0)1223 436 441
+44 (0)1223 426 314
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