Aggribloc

Aggribloc is indicated for the prevention of early myocardial infarction in adult patients presenting with acute coronary syndromes without ST elevation (NSTE-ACS) with the last episode of chest pain occurring within 12 hours and with ECG changes and/or elevated cardiac enzymes.

Patients most likely to benefit from Aggribloc treatment are those at high risk of developing myocardial infarction within the first 3-4 days after onset of acute angina symptoms including for instance those that are likely to undergo an early percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Aggribloc is also indicated for the reduction of major cardiovascular events in patients with acute myocardial infarction (STEMI) intended for primary PCI.

Aggribloc is intended for use with acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) and unfractionated heparin.

This product is for hospital use only, by specialist physicians experienced in the management of acute coronary syndromes.

Aggribloc Concentrate must be diluted before use.

Aggribloc should be administered with unfractionated heparin and oral antiplatelet therapy, including ASA.

Posology

In patients who are managed with an early invasive strategy for NSTE-ACS but not planned to undergo angiography for at least 4 hours and up to 48 hours after diagnosis, Aggribloc is given intravenously at an initial infusion rate of 0.4 microgram/kg/min for 30 minutes. At the end of the initial infusion, Aggribloc should be continued at a maintenance infusion rate of 0.1 microgram/kg/min. Aggribloc should be given with unfractionated heparin (usually an intravenous bolus of 50-60 units [U]/kg simultaneously with the start of Aggribloc therapy, then approximately 1,000 U per hour, titrated on the basis of the activated thromboplastin time [APTT], which should be about twice the normal value) and oral antiplatelet therapy, including but not limited to ASA , unless contra-indicated.

In NSTE-ACS patients planned to undergo PCI within the first 4 hours of diagnosis or in patients with acute myocardial infarction intended for primary PCI, Aggribloc should be administered utilizing an initial bolus of 25 microgram/kg given over a 3 minute period, followed by a continuous infusion at a rate of 0.15 microgram/kg/min for 12-24, and up to 48 hours. Aggribloc should be administered with unfractionated heparin (dosage as above) and oral antiplatelet therapy, including but not limited to ASA , unless contra-indicated.

Elderly

No dosage adjustment is necessary for the elderly.

Patients with severe kidney failure

In severe kidney failure (creatinine clearance <30 ml/min) the dosage of Aggribloc should be reduced by 50%.

Paediatric population

The safety and efficacy of Aggribloc in children aged < 18 years have not been established.

No data are available.

Table 1 is provided as a guide to dosage adjustment by weight.

Aggribloc Concentrate must be diluted to the same strength as Aggribloc Solution, as noted under Instructions for Use.

Table 1: Dosing Table

Start and duration of therapy with Aggribloc

In patients who are managed with an early invasive strategy for NSTE-ACS but not planned to undergo angiography for at least 4 hours and up to 48 hours after diagnosis, Aggribloc 0.4 microgram/kg/min loading dose regimen should be initiated upon diagnosis. The recommended duration of the maintenance infusion should be at least 48 hours. Infusion of Aggribloc and unfractionated heparin may be continued during coronary angiography and should be maintained for at least 12 hours and not more than 24 hours after angioplasty/atherectomy. Once a patient is clinically stable and no coronary intervention procedure is planned by the treating physician, the infusion should be discontinued. The entire duration of treatment should not exceed 108 hours.

If the patient diagnosed with NSTE-ACS and managed with an invasive strategy undergoes angiography within 4 hours after the diagnosis, the Aggribloc 25 microgram/kg dose bolus regimen should be initiated at the start of PCI with the infusion continued for 12-24 hours and up to 48 hours.

In patients with acute myocardial infarction intended for primary PCI, the 25 microgram/kg dose bolus regimen should be initiated as soon as possible after diagnosis.

Concurrent therapy (unfractionated heparin, oral antiplatelet therapy, including ASA)

Treatment with unfractionated heparin is initiated with an i.v. bolus of 50-60 U/kg and then continued with a maintenance infusion of 1,000 U per hour. The heparin dosage is titrated to maintain an APTT of approximately twice the normal value.

Unless contra-indicated, all patients should receive oral antiplatelet agents, including but not limited to ASA, before the start of Aggribloc. This medication should be continued at least for the duration of the infusion of Aggribloc.

Most studies investigating the administration of Aggribloc as an adjunct to PCI have used ASA in combination with clopidogrel as oral antiplatelet therapy. The efficacy of the combination of Aggribloc with either prasugrel or ticagrelor has not been established in randomised controlled trials.

If angioplasty (PCI) is required, heparin should be stopped after PCI, and the sheaths should be withdrawn once coagulation has returned to normal, e.g. when the activated clotting time (ACT) is less than 180 seconds (usually 2-6 hours after discontinuation of heparin).

Method of administration

Aggribloc SOLUTION

Instructions for use

Do not withdraw solution directly from the container with a syringe.

Directions for use of IntraVia^TM†containers

To open: Tear foil overpouch down side at slit and remove IntraViaâ„¢ container. Some opacity of the plastic due to moisture absorption during the sterilisation process may be observed. This is normal and does not affect the solution quality or safety. The opacity will diminish gradually. Check for minute leaks by squeezing inner bag firmly. If leaks are found, discard solution as sterility may be impaired.

Do not use unless solution is clear and seal is intact.

Do not add supplementary medication or withdraw solution directly from the bag with a syringe.

CAUTION: Do not use plastic containers in series connections. Such use could result in air embolism due to residual air being drawn from the primary container before administration of the fluid from the secondary container is completed.

Preparation for administration

1. Suspend container from eyelet support.

2. Remove plastic protector from outlet port at bottom of container.

3. Attach administration set. Refer to complete directions accompanying set.

Use according to the dosage table above.

Aggribloc CONCENTRATE

Instructions for use

Aggribloc Concentrate must be diluted before use:

1. Draw 50 ml from a 250 ml container of sterile 0.9% saline or 5% glucose in water and replace with 50 ml Aggribloc (from one 50 ml puncture vial) to make up a concentration of 50 microgram/ml. Mix well before use.

2. Use according to the dosage table above.

FOR BOTH FORMULATIONS

Where the solution and container permit, parenteral drugs should be inspected for visible particles or discoloration before use.

Aggribloc should only be given intravenously and may be administered with unfractionated heparin through the same infusion tube.

It is recommended that Aggribloc be administered with a calibrated infusion set using sterile equipment.

Care should be taken to ensure that no prolongation of the infusion of the initial dose occurs and that miscalculation of the infusion rates for the maintenance dose on the basis of the patient's weight is avoided.

^†IntraVia is the tradename for the infusion bag used for Aggribloc Solution. Trademark of Baxter International Inc.

Since inhibition of platelet aggregation increases the bleeding risk, Aggribloc is contra-indicated in patients with:

- History of stroke within 30 days or any history of haemorrhagic stroke.

- Known history of intracranial disease (e.g. neoplasm, arteriovenous malformation, aneurysm).

- Active or recent (within the previous 30 days of treatment) clinically relevant bleeding (e.g. gastro-intestinal bleeding).

- Malignant hypertension.

- Relevant trauma or major surgical intervention within the past six weeks.

- Thrombocytopenia (platelet count <100,000/mm³), disorders of platelet function.

- Clotting disturbances (e.g. prothrombin time >1.3 times normal or INR [International Normalised Ratio] >1.5).

- Severe liver failure.

The administration of Aggribloc alone without unfractionated heparin is not recommended.

There is limited experience with concomitant administration of Aggribloc with enoxaparin. The concomitant administration of Aggribloc with enoxaparin is associated with a higher frequency of cutaneous and oral bleeding events, but not in TIMI bleeds**, when compared with the concomitant administration of Aggribloc and unfractionated heparin. An increased risk of serious bleeding events associated with the concomitant administration of Aggribloc and enoxaparin cannot be excluded, particularly in patients given additional unfractionated heparin in conjunction with angiography and/or PCI. The efficacy of Aggribloc in combination with enoxaparin has not been established. The safety and efficacy of Aggribloc with other low molecular weight heparins has not been investigated.

There is insufficient experience with the use of tirofiban hydrochloride in the following diseases and conditions, however, an increased risk of bleeding is suspected. Therefore, tirofiban hydrochloride is not recommended in:

- Traumatic or protracted cardiopulmonary resuscitation, organ biopsy or lithotripsy within the past two weeks

- Severe trauma or major surgery >6 weeks but <3 months previously

- Active peptic ulcer within the past three months

- Uncontrolled hypertension (>180/110 mm Hg)

- Acute pericarditis

- Active or a known history of vasculitis

- Suspected aortic dissection

- Haemorrhagic retinopathy

- Occult blood in the stool or haematuria

- Thrombolytic therapy.

- Concurrent use of drugs that increase the risk of bleeding to a relevant degree.

There is no therapeutic experience with tirofiban hydrochloride in patients for whom thrombolytic therapy is indicated. Consequently, the use of tirofiban hydrochloride is not recommended in combination with thrombolytic therapy.

Aggribloc infusion should be stopped immediately if circumstances arise that necessitate thrombolytic therapy (including acute occlusion during PCI) or if the patient must undergo an emergency coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) operation or requires an intra-aortic balloon pump.

Paediatric population

There is no therapeutic experience with Aggribloc in children, thus, the use of Aggribloc is not recommended in these patients.

Other precautionary notes and measures

There are insufficient data regarding the re-administration of Aggribloc.

Patients should be carefully monitored for bleeding during treatment with Aggribloc. If treatment of haemorrhage is necessary, discontinuation of Aggribloc should be considered. In cases of major or uncontrollable bleeding, tirofiban hydrochloride should be discontinued immediately.

Aggribloc should be used with special caution in the following conditions and patient groups:

- Recent clinically relevant bleeding (less than one year)

- Puncture of a non-compressible vessel within 24 hours before administration of Aggribloc

- Recent epidural procedure (including lumbar puncture and spinal anaesthesia)

- Severe acute or chronic heart failure

- Cardiogenic shock

- Mild to moderate liver insufficiency

- Platelet count <150,000/mm³, known history of coagulopathy or platelet function disturbance or thrombocytopenia

- Haemoglobin concentration less than 11 g/dl or haematocrit <34%.

Special caution should be used during concurrent administration of ticlopidine, clopidogrel, adenosine, dipyridamole, sulfinpyrazone, and prostacyclin.

Efficacy with regard to dose

The administration of a 10 microgram/kg bolus regimen of tirofiban failed to show noninferiority in clinically relevant endpoints at 30 days compared to abciximab.

Elderly patients, female patients, and patients with low body weight

Elderly and/or female patients had a higher incidence of bleeding complications than younger or male patients, respectively. Patients with a low body weight had a higher incidence of bleeding than patients with a higher body weight. For these reasons Aggribloc should be used with caution in these patients and the heparin effect should be carefully monitored.

Impaired renal function

There is evidence from clinical studies that the risk of bleeding increases with decreasing creatinine clearance and hence also reduced plasma clearance of tirofiban. Patients with decreased renal function (creatinine clearance <60ml/min) should therefore be carefully monitored for bleeding during treatment with Aggribloc and the heparin effect should be carefully monitored. In severe kidney failure the Aggribloc dosage should be reduced.

Femoral artery line

During treatment with Aggribloc there is a significant increase in bleeding rates, especially in the femoral artery area, where the catheter sheath is introduced. Care should be taken to ensure that only the anterior wall of the femoral artery is punctured. Arterial sheaths may be removed when coagulation has returned to normal, e.g. when activated clotting time (ACT) is less than 180 seconds, (usually 2-6 hours after discontinuation of heparin).

After removal of the introducer sheath, careful haemostasis should be ensured under close observation.

General nursing care

The number of vascular punctures, and intramuscular injections should be minimised during the treatment with Aggribloc. I.V. access should only be obtained at compressible sites of the body. All vascular puncture sites should be documented and closely monitored. The use of urinary catheters, nasotracheal intubation and nasogastric tubes should be critically considered.

Monitoring of laboratory values

Platelet count, haemoglobin and haematocrit levels should be determined before treatment with Aggribloc as well as within 2-6 hours after start of therapy with Aggribloc and at least once daily thereafter while on therapy (or more often if there is evidence of a marked decrease). In patients who have previously received GPIIb/IIIa receptor antagonists (cross reactivity can occur), the platelet count should be monitored immediately e.g. within the first hour of administration after re-exposure. If the platelet count falls below 90,000/mm³, further platelet counts should be carried out in order to rule out pseudothrombocytopenia. If thrombocytopenia is confirmed, Aggribloc and heparin should be discontinued. Patients should be monitored for bleeding and treated if necessary.

In addition, activated thromboplastin time (APTT) should be determined before treatment and the anticoagulant effects of heparin should be carefully monitored by repeated determinations of APTT and the dose should be adjusted accordingly. Potentially life-threatening bleeding may occur especially when heparin is administered with other products affecting haemostasis, such as GPIIb/IIIa receptor antagonists.

Sodium content

Aggribloc Solution

Aggribloc solution for infusion contains approximately 917 mg of sodium per 250 ml bag which should be taken into consideration by patients on a controlled sodium diet.

Aggribloc Concentrate

Aggribloc concentrate for solution for infusion contains approximately 189 mg of sodium per 50 ml vial which should be taken into consideration by patients on a controlled sodium diet.

**TIMI major bleeds are defined as a haemoglobin drop of > 50 g/l with or without an identified site, intracranial haemorrhage, or cardiac tamponade. TIMI minor bleeds are defined as a haemoglobin drop of > 30 g/l but ≤ 50 g/l with bleeding from a known site or spontaneous gross haematuria, haematemesis, or haemoptysis. TIMI “loss no site” is defined as a haemoglobin drop > 40 g/l but < 50 g/l without an identified bleeding site.

Not relevant.

a. Summary of safety profile

The most common adverse reaction reported during therapy with Aggribloc, when used concomitantly with heparin, aspirin and other oral anti-platelet agents, was bleeding, which usually involved mild mucocutaneous bleeding or mild catheterization-site bleeding.

Gastro-intestinal, retro-peritoneal, intracranial, haemorrhoidal and post-operative bleeding, epidural haematoma in the spinal region, haemopericardium and pulmonary (alveolar) haemorrhage have also been reported. Rates of TIMI major and intracranial bleeding in the pivotal Aggribloc studies were <2.2% and <0.1%, respectively. The most serious adverse reaction was fatal bleeding.

In the pivotal studies, administration of Aggribloc was associated with thrombocytopenia (platelet count <90,000/mm³), occurring in 1.5% of patients treated with Aggribloc and heparin. The incidence of severe thrombocytopenia (platelet count <50,000/mm³) was 0.3%. The most common non-bleeding adverse drug reactions associated with Aggribloc given concurrently with heparin were nausea (1.7%), fever (1.5%) and headache (1.1%).

b. Tabulated summary of adverse reactions

Table 2 lists the adverse reactions based on experience from six double-blind controlled clinical studies (including 1953 patients receiving Aggribloc plus heparin) as well as adverse reactions reported from post-marketing experience. Within the organ system classes, adverse reactions are listed under headings of frequency using the following categories: very common (> 1/10); common (>1/100 to <1/10); uncommon (>1/1,000 to <1/100); rare (>1/10,000 to <1/1,000); very rare (<1/10,000), not known (cannot be estimated from the available data). Because post-marketing events are derived from spontaneous reports from a population of uncertain size, it is not possible to determine their exact incidence. Therefore, the frequency of these adverse reactions is categorised as not known.

Table 2: Undesirable effects in clinical studies and from post-marketing experience.

*Primarily related to catheterization sites.

c. Description of selected adverse reactions

Bleeding

Both, with the Aggribloc 0.4 microgram/kg/min infusion regimen and the 25 microgram/kg dose bolus regimen, rates of major bleeding complications are low and not significantly increased.

In the PRISM-PLUS study, using the Aggribloc 0.4 microgram/kg/min infusion regimen, the incidence of TIMI major bleeding was 1.4% for Aggribloc in combination with heparin and 0.8% for heparin alone. The incidence of TIMI minor bleeding was 10.5% for Aggribloc in combination with heparin and 8.0% for heparin alone. The percentage of patients who received a transfusion was 4.0% for Aggribloc in combination with heparin and 2.8% for heparin alone.

With the Aggribloc 25 microgram/kg dose bolus regimen, data from the ADVANCE study suggest that the number of bleeding events is low and does not seem to be significantly increased compared to placebo. There were no TIMI major bleedings and no transfusions in either group. TIMI minor bleeding with the Aggribloc 25 microgram/kg dose bolus regimen was 4% as compared with 1% in the placebo arm p=0.19).

In the On-TIME 2 study, there were no significant differences in the incidence of TIMI major bleeding (3.4% vs. 2.9% p =0.58) and TIMI minor bleeding (5.9% vs. 4.4%; p=0.206) between the Aggribloc 25 microgram/kg dose bolus regimen and the control arm.

The rates of TIMI major (2.4% vs. 1.6%; p=0.44) or minor bleeding (4.8% vs. 6.2%; p=0.4) were also not significantly different between the Aggribloc 25 microgram/kg dose and the standard dose of abciximab, which were compared in the MULTISTRATEGY study.

Based upon an assessment of haemorrhagic complications performed in the context of a meta-analysis (n=4076 ACS patients), the Aggribloc 25 microgram/kg dose bolus regimen does not significantly increase the rates of major bleeding, or thrombocytopenia, when compared to placebo. When considering the trials of the Aggribloc 25 microgram/kg bolus regimen compared with abciximab, individual study results do not demonstrate a significant difference in major bleeding between the two treatments.

Thrombocytopenia

During Aggribloc therapy, acute decreases in platelet count or thrombocytopenia occurred more frequently than in the placebo group. These decreases were reversible upon discontinuation of Aggribloc. Acute and severe platelet (platelet counts <20,000/mm³) decreases have been observed in patients with no prior history of thrombocytopenia upon re-administration of GPIIb/IIIa receptor antagonists and may be associated with chills, low-grade fever or bleeding complications.

Analysis of the studies comparing the 25 microgram/kg dose bolus regimen against abciximab yielded a significantly lower rate of thrombocytopenia for Aggribloc (0.45% vs. 1.7%; OR=0.31; p=0.004).

Allergic reactions

Severe allergic reactions (e.g., bronchospasm, urticaria) including anaphylactic reactions have occurred during initial treatment (also on the first day) and during readministration of Aggribloc. Some cases have been associated with severe thrombocytopenia (platelet counts <10,000/mm³).

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

Inadvertent overdose with tirofiban hydrochloride occurred in the clinical studies, up to 50 microgram/kg as a three minute bolus or 1.2 microgram/kg/min as an initial infusion. Overdose with up to 1.47 microgram/kg/min as a maintenance infusion rate has also occurred.

a) Symptoms of overdose

The symptom of overdose most commonly reported was bleeding, usually mucosal bleeding and localised bleeding at the arterial puncture site for cardiac catheterisation but also single cases of intracranial haemorrhages and retroperitoneal bleedings Measures

Overdose with tirofiban hydrochloride should be treated in accordance with the patient's condition and the attending physician's assessment. If treatment of haemorrhage is necessary, the Aggribloc infusion should be discontinued. Transfusions of blood and/or thrombocytes should also be considered. Aggribloc can be removed by haemodialysis.

Pharmacotherapeutic group: Blood and blood forming organs - antithrombotic agents -antithrombotic agents - Platelet aggregation inhibitors excl. heparin

ATC-Code: B01A C17

Mechanism of action

Tirofiban hydrochloride (tirofiban) is a non-peptidal antagonist of the GP IIb/IIIa receptor, an important platelet surface receptor involved in platelet aggregation. Tirofiban prevents fibrinogen from binding to the GP IIb/IIIa receptor, thus blocking platelet aggregation.

Tirofiban leads to inhibition of platelet function, evidenced by its ability to inhibit ex vivo ADP-induced platelet aggregation and to prolong bleeding time (BT). Platelet function returns to baseline within eight hours after discontinuation.

The extent of this inhibition runs parallel to the tirofiban plasma concentration.

Pharmacodynamic effects

In the 0.4 microgram/kg/min infusion regimen of tirofiban, in the presence of unfractionated heparin and ASA, tirofiban produced a more than 70% (median 89%) inhibition of ex vivo ADP-induced platelet aggregation in 93% of the patients, and a prolongation of the bleeding time by a factor of 2.9 during infusion. Inhibition was achieved rapidly with the 30-minute loading infusion and was maintained over the duration of the infusion.

The tirofiban 25 microgram/kg dose bolus regimen (followed by 18-24 hour maintenance infusion of 0.15 microgram/kg/min), in the presence of unfractionated heparin and oral antiplatelet therapy, produced an average ADP-induced inhibition of maximal aggregation 15 to 60 minutes after onset of treatment of 92% to 95% as measured with light transmission aggregometry (LTA).

Clinical efficacy and safety

PRISM-PLUS study

The double-blind, multicentre, controlled PRISM-PLUS study compared the efficacy of Aggribloc and unfractionated heparin (n=773) versus unfractionated heparin (n=797) in patients with unstable angina (UA) or acute non-Q-wave myocardial infarction (NQWMI) with prolonged repetitive anginal pain or post-infarction angina, accompanied by new transient or persistent ST-T wave changes or elevated cardiac enzymes.

Patients were randomised to either Aggribloc (30 minute loading infusion of 0.4 microgram/kg/min followed by a maintenance infusion of 0.10 microgram/kg/min) and heparin (bolus of 5,000 units (U) followed by an infusion of 1,000 U/hr titrated to maintain an activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) of approximately two times control), or heparin alone.

All patients received ASA unless contraindicated. Study drug was initiated within 12 hours after the last anginal episode. Patients were treated for 48 hours, after which they underwent angiography and possibly angioplasty/atherectomy, if indicated, while Aggribloc was continued. Aggribloc was infused for a mean period of 71.3 hours.

The combined primary study end-point was the occurrence of refractory ischaemia, myocardial infarction or death at seven days after the start of Aggribloc.

At 7 days, the primary end-point, there was a 32% risk reduction (RR) (12.9% vs. 17.9%) in the Aggribloc group for the combined end-point (p=0.004): this represents approximately 50 events avoided for 1,000 patients treated. After 30 days the RR for the composite end-point of death, MI, refractory ischaemic conditions, or readmissions for UA was 22% (18.5% vs. 22.3%; p=0.029). After six months the relative risk of composite of death, MI, refractory ischaemic conditions, or readmissions for UA was reduced by 19% (27.7% vs. 32.1% ; p=0.024).

Regarding the,composite of death or MI, at seven days for the Aggribloc group there was a 43% RR (4.9% vs. 8.3%; p=0.006); at 30 days the RR was 30% (8.7% vs. 11.9%; p=0.027) and at 6 months the RR was 23% (12.3% vs. 15.3%; p=0.063).

The reduction of MI in patients receiving Aggribloc appeared early during treatment (within the first 48 hours) and was maintained through 6 months. In the 30% of patients who underwent angioplasty/atherectomy during initial hospitalisation, there was a 46% RR (8.8% vs. 15.2%) for the primary composite endpoint at 30 days as well as a 43% RR (5.9% vs. 10.2%) for death or MI.

Based on a safety study, the concomitant administration of Aggribloc (30 minute loading dose of [0.4 microgram/kg/min] followed by a maintenance infusion of 0.1 microgram/kg/min for up to 108 hours) with enoxaparin (n=315) was compared to the concomitant administration of Aggribloc with unfractionated heparin (n=210) in patients presenting with UA and NQWMI. Patients in the enoxaparin group received a 1.0 milligram/kg subcutaneous injection every 12 hours for a period of at least 24 hours and a maximum duration of 96 hours. Patients randomised to unfractionated heparin received a 5000-unit intravenous bolus followed by a maintenance infusion of 1000 units per hour for at least 24 hours and a maximum duration of 108 hours. The total TIMI bleed rate was 3.5% for the Aggribloc/enoxaparin group and 4.8% for the Aggribloc/unfractionated heparin group. Although there was a significant difference in the rates of cutaneous bleeds between the two groups (29.2% in the enoxaparin converted to unfractionated heparin group and 15.2% in the unfractionated heparin group), there were no TIMI major bleeds in either group. The efficacy of Aggribloc in combination with enoxaparin has not been established.

PRISM PLUS trial was conducted at a time when the standard of care of managing acute coronary syndromes was different from that of present times in terms of oral platelet ADP receptor (P2Y12) antagonists use and the routine use of intracoronary stents.

ADVANCE study

The ADVANCE study determined the safety and efficacy of the Aggribloc 25 microgram/kg dose bolus regimen as compared with placebo in patients undergoing elective or urgent PCI who exhibit high-risk characteristics including the presence of at least one coronary narrowing >70% and diabetes, need for multi-vessel intervention, or NSTE-ACS. All patients received unfractionated heparin, acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) and a thienopyridine loading dose followed by maintenance therapy. A total of 202 patients were randomised to either Aggribloc (25 microgram/kg bolus IV over 3 minutes followed by a continuous IV infusion of 0.15 microgram/kg/minute for 24-48 hours) or Placebo given immediately before PCI.

The primary endpoint was a composite of death, nonfatal MI, urgent target vessel revascularization (uTVR), or thrombotic bailout GP IIb/IIIa inhibitor therapy within a median follow-up of 180 days after the index procedure. The safety endpoints of major and minor bleeding were defined according to the TIMI criteria.

In the intent-to-treat population, the cumulative incidence of the primary end point was 35% and 20% in placebo and Aggribloc groups, respectively (hazard ratio [HR] 0.51 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.29 to 0.88]; p=0.01). As compared with placebo, there was a significant reduction in the composite of death, MI, or uTVR in the Aggribloc group (31% vs. 20%, HR, 0.57 95% CI, 0.99-0.33]; p=0.048.

EVEREST study

The randomised open-label EVEREST trial compared the upstream 0.4 microgram/kg/min loading dose regimen initiated in the coronary care unit with the Aggribloc 25 microgram/kg dose bolus regimen or abciximab 0.25 milligram/kg initiated 10 minutes prior to PCI. All patients additionally received ASA and a thienopyridine. The 93 enrolled NSTE-ACS patients underwent angiography and PCI as appropriate, within 24-48 hours of admission.

With respect to the primary endpoints of tissue level perfusion and troponin I release, the results of EVEREST determined significantly lower rates of post-PCI TMPG 0/1 (6.2% vs. 20% vs. 35.5%, respectively; p=0.015), and improved post-PCI MCE score index (0.88 ± 0.18 vs. 0.77 ± 0.32 vs. 0.71 ± 0.30, respectively; p<0.05).

The incidence of post-procedural cardiac Troponin I (cTnI) elevation was significantly reduced in patients treated with the upstream Aggribloc regimen compared with PCI 25 microgram/kg dose bolus Aggribloc or abciximab (9.4% vs. 30% vs. 38.7%, respectively; p=0.018). The cTnI levels post-PCI were also significantly decreased with the upstream regimen of Aggribloc compared with PCI Aggribloc (3.8 ± 4.1 vs. 7.2 ± 12; p=0.015) and abciximab (3.8 ± 4.1 vs. 9 ± 13.8; p=0.0002). The comparison between the PCI Aggribloc 25 microgram/kg dose bolus and abciximab regimens indicated no significant differences in the rate of TMPG 0/1 post-PCI (20% vs. 35%; p=NS).

On-TIME 2 study

The On-TIME 2 trial was a multi-centre, prospective, randomised, controlled clinical trial which was designed to assess the effect of early upfront Aggribloc administration using the 25 microgram/kg dose bolus regimen in patients with STEMI planned for primary PCI. All patients received ASA, a 600 mg loading dose of clopidogrel, and unfractionated heparin. The use of bail-out Aggribloc was allowed according to pre-specified criteria. The study was accomplished in two phases: a pilot, open label phase (n=414) followed by a larger double-blind phase (n=984). A pooled analysis of data from both phases was pre-specified to evaluate the effect of the 25 microgram/kg dose bolus regimen compared to control as measured by a primary endpoint defined as the 30-day MACE rate (death, recurrent MI and uTVR).

In this pooled analysis, MACE at 30 days was significantly reduced by early upfront initiation of Aggribloc compared to control (5.8% vs. 8.6%; p=0.043). In addition, there was a strong trend toward a significant decrease in mortality with Aggribloc with respect to all-cause death (2.2% in the Aggribloc arm vs. 4.1% in the control arm; p=0.051). This mortality benefit was mainly due to a reduction of cardiac death (2.1% vs. 3.6%; p=0.086). At 1-year follow-up (the secondary endpoint), the mortality difference was maintained (3.7% vs. 5.8%; p=0.078 for all-cause mortality and 2.5% vs. 4.4% for cardiac mortality; p=0.061).

Patients who underwent primary PCI (86% of study population of pooled analysis) demonstrated a significant reduction in mortality both at 30 days (1.0% in the Aggribloc group vs. 3.9% in the control group; p=0.001) and at 1 year (2.4% for Aggribloc vs. 5.5% for control; p=0.007).

MULTISTRATEGY study

The MULTISTRATEGY study was an open-label, 2X2 factorial, multinational trial which compared the Aggribloc (n=372) with abciximab (n=372) when used in conjunction with either a sirolimus-eluting (SES) or bare metal stent (BMS), in patients with STEMI. Either Aggribloc (bolus of 25 microgram/kg, followed by an infusion at 0.15 microgram/kg/min continued for 18 to 24 hours) or abciximab (bolus of 0.25 mg/kg, followed by a 12-hour infusion at 0.125 microgram/kg/min) was initiated before arterial sheath insertion during the angiography. All patients received unfractionated heparin, ASA and clopidogrel.

The primary endpoint for the drug comparison was cumulative ST-segment resolution expressed as the proportion of patients who achieve at least 50% recovery within 90 minutes after the last balloon inflation and tested the hypothesis that Aggribloc is noninferior to abciximab with respect to this endpoint.

In the intention-to-treat population, the percentage of patients with at least 50% recovery from ST-segment elevation was not significantly different between Aggribloc (85.3%) and abciximab (83.6%), demonstrating the non-inferiority of Aggribloc to abciximab (RR for Aggribloc vs. abciximab, 1.020; 97.5% CI, 0.958-1.086; p<0.001 for non-inferiority).

At 30 days, the rates of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) were similar for abciximab and Aggribloc (4.3% vs. 4.0%, respectively; p=0.85) with these results maintained at 8 months (12.4% vs. 9.9%, respectively; p=0.30).

In On-TIME 2 and MULTISTRATEGY, patients were treated with dual oral antiplatelet therapy consisting of ASA and high-dose clopidogrel. The efficacy of Aggribloc in combination with either prasugrel or ticagrelor has not been established in randomised controlled trials.

Meta-analysis of Randomised Trials of Aggribloc 25 microgram/kg Dose Bolus Regimen

The results of a meta-analysis evaluating the efficacy of the Aggribloc 25 microgram/kg dose bolus regimen versus abciximab (including 2213 ACS patients, across the ACS spectrum, with both NSTEMI and STEMI patients) did not reveal any significant difference in the OR for death or MI at 30 days between the two agents (OR, 0.87 [0.56-1.35]; p=0.54). Similarly, there were no significant differences in 30-day mortality between Aggribloc and abciximab (OR, 0.73 [0.36-1.47]; p=0.38). Additionally, at the longest follow-up, death or MI was not significantly different between Aggribloc and abciximab (OR, 0.84 [0.59-1.21]; p=0.35).

TARGETstudy

In one study using a 10 microgram/kg bolus followed by a 0.15 microgram/kg/min infusion of Aggribloc, Aggribloc failed to demonstrate noninferiority to abciximab: the incidence of the composite primary endpoint (death, MI, or uTVR at 30 days) showed that abciximab was significantly more effective on clinically relevant endpoints, with 7.6% in the Aggribloc and 6.0% in the abciximab group (p=0.038), which was mainly due to a significant increase in the incidence of MI at 30 days (respectively 6.9% vs. 5.4%; p=0.04).

Distribution

Tirofiban is not strongly bound to plasma protein, and protein binding is concentration-independent in the range of 0.01-25 microgram/ml. The unbound fraction in human plasma is 35%.

The distribution volume of tirofiban in the steady state is about 30 litres.

Biotransformation

Experiments with ¹⁴C-labelled tirofiban showed the radioactivity in urine and faeces to be emitted chiefly by unchanged tirofiban. The radioactivity in circulating plasma originates mainly from unchanged tirofiban (up to 10 hours after administration). These data suggested limited metabolisation of tirofiban.

Elimination

After intravenous administration of ¹⁴C-labelled tirofiban to healthy subjects, 66% of the radioactivity was recovered in the urine, 23% in the faeces. The total recovery of radioactivity was 91%. Renal and biliary excretion contribute significantly to the elimination of tirofiban.

In healthy subjects the plasma clearance of tirofiban is about 250 ml/min. Renal clearance is 39-69% of plasma clearance. The half-life is about 1.5 hours.

Gender

The plasma clearance of tirofiban in patients with coronary heart disease is similar in men and women.

Elderly patients

The plasma clearance of tirofiban is about 25% less in elderly (>65 years) patients with coronary heart disease in comparison to younger (≤65 years) patients.

Ethnic groups

No difference was found in the plasma clearance between patients of different ethnic groups.

Coronary Artery Disease

In patients with unstable angina pectoris or NQWMI the plasma clearance was about 200 ml/min, the renal clearance 39% of the plasma clearance. The half-life is about two hours.

Impaired renal function

In clinical studies, patients with decreased renal function showed a reduced plasma clearance of tirofiban depending on the degree of impairment of creatinine clearance. In patients with a creatinine clearance of less than 30 ml/min, including haemodialysis patients, the plasma clearance of tirofiban is reduced to a clinically relevant extent (over 50%) . Tirofiban is removed by haemodialysis.

Liver failure

There is no evidence of a clinically significant reduction of the plasma clearance of tirofiban in patients with mild to moderate liver failure. No data are available on patients with severe liver failure.

Effects of other drugs

The plasma clearance of tirofiban in patients receiving one of the following drugs was compared to that in patients not receiving that drug in a sub-set of patients (n=762) in the PRISM study. There were no substantial (>15%) effects of these drugs on the plasma clearance of tirofiban: acebutolol, alprazolam, amlodipine, aspirin preparations, atenolol, bromazepam, captopril, diazepam, digoxin, diltiazem, docusate sodium, enalapril, furosemide, glibenclamide, unfractionated heparin, insulin, isosorbide, lorazepam, lovastatin, metoclopramide, metoprolol, morphine, nifedipine, nitrate preparations, oxazepam, paracetamol, potassium chloride, propranolol, ranitidine, simvastatin, sucralfate and temazepam.

The pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of Aggribloc were investigated when concomitantly administered with enoxaparin (1 milligram/kg subcutaneously every 12 hours) and compared with the combination of Aggribloc and unfractionated heparin. There was no difference in the clearance of Aggribloc between the two groups.

Non-clinical data reveal no special hazard for humans based on conventional studies of safety pharmacology, repeated dose toxicity and genotoxicity.

Fertility and reproductive performance were not affected in studies with male and female rats given intravenous doses of tirofiban hydrochloride up to 5 mg/kg/day. These dosages are approximately 22-fold higher than the maximum recommended daily dose in humans.

However, animal studies are insufficient to draw conclusions with respect to reproductive toxicity in humans.

Tirofiban crosses the placenta in rats and rabbits.

Incompatibility has been found with diazepam. Therefore, Aggribloc and diazepam should not be administered in the same intravenous line.

No incompatibilities have been found with Aggribloc and the following intravenous formulations: atropine sulfate, dobutamine, dopamine, epinephrine HCl, furosemide, heparin, lidocaine, midazolam HCl, morphine sulfate, nitroglycerin, potassium chloride, propanolol HCl and famotidine injection.

Any unused medicinal product or waste material should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements.