Korlym

Dosage Forms And Strengths

Tablets: 300 mg

Oval shaped, light yellow to yellow tablets debossed with “Corcept” on one side and “300” on the other side. The tablets are not scored.

Storage And Handling

KORLYM is supplied as a light yellow to yellow, film-coated, oval-shaped tablet debossed with “Corcept” on one side and “300” on the other. Each tablet contains 300 mg of mifepristone. KORLYM tablets are available in bottles of 28 tablets (NDC 76346-073-01) and bottles of 280 tablets (NDC 76346-073-02).

Store at controlled room temperature, 25 °C (77 °F); excursions permitted to 15 to 30 °C (59 – 86 °F).

Manufactured for: Corcept Therapeutics Incorporated Menlo Park, CA 94025. Revised: Oct 2016

KORLYM (mifepristone) is a cortisol receptor blocker indicated to control hyperglycemia secondary to hypercortisolism in adult patients with endogenous Cushing’s syndrome who have type 2 diabetes mellitus or glucose intolerance and have failed surgery or are not candidates for surgery.

Limitations Of Use

• KORLYM should not be used in the treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes unless it is secondary to Cushing’s syndrome.

Adult Dosage

The recommended starting dose is 300 mg orally once daily. KORLYM must be given as a single daily dose. KORLYM should always be taken with a meal. Patients should swallow the tablet whole. Do not split, crush, or chew tablets.

Dosing And Titration

The daily dose of KORLYM may be increased in 300 mg increments. The dose of KORLYM may be increased to a maximum of 1200 mg once daily but should not exceed 20 mg/kg per day. Increases in dose should not occur more frequently than once every 2-4 weeks. Decisions about dose increases should be based on a clinical assessment of tolerability and degree of improvement in Cushing’s syndrome manifestations. Changes in glucose control, anti-diabetic medication requirements, insulin levels, and psychiatric symptoms may provide an early assessment of response (within 6 weeks) and may help guide early dose titration. Improvements in cushingoid appearance, acne, hirsutism, striae, and body weight occur over a longer period of time and, along with measures of glucose control, may be used to determine dose changes beyond the first 2 months of therapy. Careful and gradual titration of KORLYM accompanied by monitoring for recognized adverse reactions (See WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS) may reduce the risk of severe adverse reactions. Dose reduction or even dose discontinuation may be needed in some clinical situations. If KORLYM treatment is interrupted, it should be reinitiated at the lowest dose (300 mg). If treatment was interrupted because of adverse reactions, the titration should aim for a dose lower than the one that resulted in treatment interruption.

Dosing In Renal Impairment

No change in initial dose of KORLYM is required in renal impairment. The maximum dose should be limited to 600 mg.

Dosing In Hepatic Impairment

No change in the initial dose of KORLYM is required in mild to moderate hepatic impairment. The maximum dose should be limited to 600 mg. KORLYM should not be used in severe hepatic impairment.

Pregnancy

KORLYM is contraindicated in women who are pregnant. Pregnancy must be excluded before the initiation of treatment with KORLYM or if treatment is interrupted for more than 14 days in females of reproductive potential. Nonhormonal contraceptives should be used during and one month after stopping treatment in all women of reproductive potential.

Drugs Metabolized By CYP3A

KORLYM is contraindicated in patients taking simvastatin, lovastatin, and CYP3A substrates with narrow therapeutic ranges, such as cyclosporine, dihydroergotamine, ergotamine, fentanyl, pimozide, quinidine, sirolimus, and tacrolimus, due to an increased risk of adverse events.

Corticosteroid Therapy Required For Lifesaving Purposes

KORLYM is contraindicated in patients who require concomitant treatment with systemic corticosteroids for serious medical conditions or illnesses (e.g., immunosuppression after organ transplantation) because KORLYM antagonizes the effect of glucocorticoids.

Women With Risk Of Vaginal Bleeding Or Endometrial Changes

KORLYM is contraindicated in the following:

• Women with a history of unexplained vaginal bleeding
• Women with endometrial hyperplasia with atypia or endometrial carcinoma

Known Hypersensitivity To Mifepristone

KORLYM is contraindicated in patients with prior hypersensitivity reactions to mifepristone or to any of the product components.

WARNINGS

Included as part of the "PRECAUTIONS" Section

PRECAUTIONS

Adrenal Insufficiency

Patients receiving mifepristone may experience adrenal insufficiency. Because serum cortisol levels remain elevated and may even increase during treatment with KORLYM, serum cortisol levels do not provide an accurate assessment of hypoadrenalism in patients receiving KORLYM. Patients should be closely monitored for signs and symptoms of adrenal insufficiency, including weakness, nausea, increased fatigue, hypotension, and hypoglycemia. If adrenal insufficiency is suspected, discontinue treatment with KORLYM immediately and administer glucocorticoids without delay. High doses of supplemental glucocorticoids may be needed to overcome the glucocorticoid receptor blockade produced by mifepristone. Factors considered in deciding on the duration of glucocorticoid treatment should include the long half-life of mifepristone (85 hours).

Treatment with KORLYM at a lower dose can be resumed after resolution of adrenal insufficiency. Patients should also be evaluated for precipitating causes of hypoadrenalism (infection, trauma, etc.).

Hypokalemia

In a study of patients with Cushing’s syndrome, hypokalemia was observed in 44% of subjects during treatment with KORLYM. Hypokalemia should be corrected prior to initiating KORLYM. During KORLYM administration, serum potassium should be measured 1 to 2 weeks after starting or increasing the dose of KORLYM and periodically thereafter. Hypokalemia can occur at any time during KORLYM treatment. Mifepristone-induced hypokalemia should be treated with intravenous or oral potassium supplementation based on event severity. If hypokalemia persists in spite of potassium supplementation, consider adding mineralocorticoid antagonists.

Vaginal Bleeding And Endometrial Changes

Being an antagonist of the progesterone receptor, mifepristone promotes unopposed endometrial proliferation that may result in endometrium thickening, cystic dilatation of endometrial glands, and vaginal bleeding. KORLYM should be used with caution in women who have hemorrhagic disorders or are receiving concurrent anticoagulant therapy. Women who experience vaginal bleeding during KORLYM treatment should be referred to a gynecologist for further evaluation.

QT Interval Prolongation

Mifepristone and its metabolites block IKr. KORLYM prolongs the QTc interval in a dose-related manner. There is little or no experience with high exposure, concomitant dosing with other QT-prolonging drugs, or potassium channel variants resulting in a long QT interval. To minimize risk, the lowest effective dose should always be used.

Exacerbation/Deterioration Of Conditions Treated With Corticosteroids

Use of KORLYM in patients who receive corticosteroids for other conditions (e.g., autoimmune disorders) may lead to exacerbation or deterioration of such conditions, as KORLYM antagonizes the desired effects of glucocorticoid in these clinical settings. For medical conditions in which chronic corticosteroid therapy is lifesaving (e.g., immunosuppression in organ transplantation), KORLYM is contraindicated.

Use Of Strong CYP3A Inhibitors

KORLYM should be used with extreme caution in patients taking ketoconazole and other strong inhibitors of CYP3A, such as itraconazole, nefazodone, ritonavir, nelfinavir, indinavir, atazanavir, amprenavir, fosamprenavir, boceprevir, clarithromycin, conivaptan, lopinavir, posaconazole, saquinavir, telaprevir, telithromycin, or voriconazole, as these could substantially increase the concentration of mifepristone in the blood. The benefit of concomitant use of these agents should be carefully weighed against the potential risks. Mifepristone should be used in combination with strong CYP3A inhibitors only when necessary, and in such cases the dose should be limited to 300 mg per day.

Pneumocystis Jiroveci Infection

Patients with endogenous Cushing’s syndrome are at risk for opportunistic infections such as Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia during KORLYM treatment. Patients may present with respiratory distress shortly after initiation of KORLYM. Appropriate diagnostic tests should be undertaken and treatment for Pneumocystis jiroveci should be considered.

Potential Effects Of Hypercortisolemia

KORLYM does not reduce serum cortisol levels. Elevated cortisol levels may activate mineralocorticoid receptors which are also expressed in cardiac tissues. Caution should be used in patients with underlying heart conditions including heart failure and coronary vascular disease.

Patient Counseling Information

As a part of patient counseling, doctors must review the KORLYM Medication Guide with every patient.

Importance Of Preventing Pregnancy

• Advise patients that KORLYM will cause termination of pregnancy. KORLYM is contraindicated in pregnant patients.
• Counsel females of reproductive potential regarding pregnancy prevention and planning with a non-hormonal contraceptive prior to use of KORLYM and up to one month after the end of treatment.
• Instruct patients to contact their physician immediately if they suspect or confirm they are pregnant.

Nonclinical Toxicology

Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment Of Fertility

Mifepristone was evaluated for carcinogenicity potential in rats and mice. Rats were dosed for up to two years at doses of 5, 25, and 125 mg/kg of mifepristone. The high dose was the maximum tolerated dose, but exposure at all doses was below exposure at the maximum clinical dose based on AUC comparison. Female rats had a statistically significant increase in follicular cell adenomas/carcinomas and liver adenomas. It is plausible that these tumors are due to drug-induced enzyme metabolism, a mechanism not considered clinically relevant, but studies confirming this mechanism were not conducted with mifepristone. Mice were also tested for up to 2 years at mifepristone doses up to the maximum tolerated dose of 125 mg/kg, which provided exposure below the maximum clinical dose based on AUC. No drug-related tumors were seen in mice.

Mifepristone was not genotoxic in a battery of bacterial, yeast, and mammalian in vitro assays, and an in vivo micronucleus study in mice.

The pharmacological activity of mifepristone disrupts the estrus cycle of adult rats at a dose of 0.3 mg/kg (less than human exposure at the maximum clinical dose, based on body surface area). However, following withdrawal of treatment and subsequent resumption of the estrus cycle, there was no effect on reproductive function when mated.

A single subcutaneous dose of mifepristone (up to 100 mg/kg) to rats on the first day after birth did not adversely affect future reproductive function in males or females, although the onset of puberty was slightly premature in dosed females. Repeated doses of mifepristone (1 mg every other day) to neonatal rats resulted in potentially adverse fertility effects, including oviduct and ovary malformations in females, delayed male puberty, deficient male sexual behavior, reduced testicular size, and lowered ejaculation frequency.

Use In Specific Populations

Pregnancy

Category X

KORLYM is contraindicated in pregnancy. KORLYM can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman because the use of KORLYM results in pregnancy loss. The inhibition of both endogenous and exogenous progesterone by mifepristone at the progesterone receptor results in pregnancy loss. If KORLYM is used during pregnancy or if the patient becomes pregnant while taking this drug, the patient should be apprised of the potential hazard to a fetus.

Human Data

In a report of thirteen live births after single dose mifepristone exposure, no fetal abnormalities were noted.

Animal Data

Teratology studies in mice, rats and rabbits at doses of 0.25 to 4.0 mg/kg (less than human exposure at the maximum clinical dose, based on body surface area) were carried out. Because of the anti-progestational activity of mifepristone, fetal losses were much higher than in control animals. Skull deformities were detected in rabbit studies at less than human exposure, although no teratogenic effects of mifepristone have been observed to date in rats or mice. These deformities were most likely due to the mechanical effects of uterine contractions resulting from antagonism of the progesterone receptor.

Nursing Mothers

Mifepristone is present in human milk of women taking the drug. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants from KORLYM, a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or to discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother.

Pediatric Use

Safety and effectiveness of KORLYM in pediatric patients have not been established.

Geriatric Use

Clinical studies with KORLYM did not include sufficient numbers of patients aged 65 and over to determine whether they respond differently than younger people.

Renal Impairment

The maximum dose should not exceed 600 mg per day in renally impaired patients.

Hepatic Impairment

In patients with mild to moderate hepatic impairment, the maximum dose should not exceed 600 mg per day. The pharmacokinetics of mifepristone in patients with severe hepatic impairment has not been studied, and KORLYM should not be used in these patients.

Females Of Reproductive Potential

Due to its anti-progestational activity, KORLYM causes pregnancy loss. Exclude pregnancy before the initiation of treatment with KORLYM or if treatment is interrupted for more than 14 days in females of reproductive potential. Recommend contraception for the duration of treatment and for one month after stopping treatment using a non-hormonal medically acceptable method of contraception. If the patient has had surgical sterilization, no additional contraception is needed.

SIDE EFFECTS

Clinical Trials Experience

Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, the adverse reaction rates observed cannot be directly compared to rates in other clinical trials and may not reflect the rates observed in clinical practice.

Safety data on the use of KORLYM are available from 50 patients with Cushing’s syndrome enrolled in an uncontrolled, open-label, multi-center trial (Study 400). Forty-three patients had Cushing’s disease and all except one had previously undergone pituitary surgery. Four patients had ectopic ACTH secretion, and three had adrenal carcinoma. Patients were treated for up to 24 weeks. A dose of 300 mg per day was administered for the initial 14 days; thereafter, the dose could be escalated in increments of 300 mg per day based on assessments of tolerability and clinical response. Doses were escalated up to 900 mg per day for patients <60 kg, or 1200 mg per day for patients >60 kg.

The most frequently reported adverse reactions (reported in ≥20% of patients, regardless of relationship to KORLYM) were nausea, fatigue, headache, decreased blood potassium, arthralgia, vomiting, peripheral edema, hypertension, dizziness, decreased appetite, and endometrial hypertrophy. Drug-related adverse events resulted in dose interruption or reduction in study drug in 40% of patients.

The adverse reactions that occurred in ≥10% of the Cushing’s syndrome patients receiving KORLYM, regardless of relationship to KORLYM, are shown in Table 1.

Table 1. Treatment Emergent Adverse Events Occurring in ≥10% of Cushing’s Syndrome Patients Receiving KORLYM

Laboratory Tests

Reductions in high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) levels have been observed following treatment with KORLYM. In study subjects that experienced declines in HDL-C, levels returned to baseline following discontinuation of drug. The clinical significance of the treatment-related reduction in HDL-C levels in patients with Cushing’s syndrome is not known.

In a study of patients with Cushing’s syndrome, hypokalemia was observed in 44% of subjects during treatment with KORLYM. In these cases, hypokalemia responded to treatment with potassium supplementation and/or mineralocorticoid antagonist therapy (e.g., spironolactone or eplerenone). Hypokalemia should be corrected prior to initiating KORLYM.

Elevations of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) were seen in subjects treated with KORLYM. Of the 42 subjects with detectable TSH at baseline, eight (19%) had increases in TSH above the normal range, while remaining asymptomatic. The TSH levels returned to normal in most patients without intervention when KORLYM was discontinued at the end of the study.

Vaginal Bleeding And Endometrial Changes

In Study 400, the thickness of the endometrium increased from a mean of 6.14 mm at baseline (n=23) to 15.7 mm at end-of-trial (n=18) in premenopausal women; in postmenopausal women the increase was from 2.75 mm (n=6) to 7.35 mm (n=8). Endometrial thickness above the upper limit of normal was reported in 10/26 females who had baseline and end-of-trial transvaginal ultrasound (38%). The endometrial thickness returned to the normal range in 3 out of 10 patients 6 weeks after treatment cessation at the end of the study. Vaginal bleeding occurred in 5 out of 35 females (14%). Two of five subjects with vaginal bleeding had normal endometrial thickness. Endometrial biopsies were performed in six patients; five of these patients had endometrial thickening. No endometrial carcinoma was detected in the sampled cases.

Additional Data Fom Clinical Trials

The following are adverse events that were reported in Study 400 at frequencies of ≥ 5% to 10%, and may be related to KORLYM’s mechanism of action:

Gastrointestinal disorders: gastroesophageal reflux, abdominal pain

General disorders and administration site conditions: asthenia, malaise, edema, pitting edema, thirst

Investigations: blood triglycerides increased

Metabolism and nutrition disorders: hypoglycemia

Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders: muscular weakness, flank pain, musculoskeletal chest pain

Psychiatric disorders: insomnia

Reproductive system and breast disorders: vaginal hemorrhage, metrorrhagia

Adrenal Insufficiency

Adrenal insufficiency was reported in two subjects (4%) in Study 400. The most typical symptoms of adrenal insufficiency were nausea and decreased appetite. No hypotension or hypoglycemia was reported during the events. Adrenal insufficiency resolved in both cases with KORLYM interruption and/or dexamethasone administration.

Rash

Generalized, maculo-papular rash was reported in 2 subjects (4%) in Study 400. Two additional subjects developed pruritus (4%). None resulted in discontinuation of KORLYM, and all the events resolved by the end of the study.

Postmarketing Experience

The following adverse reaction has been identified during post approval use of KORLYM. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure.

- Angioedema

DRUG INTERACTIONS

Based on the long terminal half-life of mifepristone after reaching steady state, at least 2 weeks should elapse after cessation of KORLYM before initiating or increasing the dose of any interacting concomitant medication.

Drugs Metabolized By CYP3A

Because KORLYM is an inhibitor of CYP3A, concurrent use of KORLYM with a drug whose metabolism is largely or solely mediated by CYP3A is likely to result in increased plasma concentrations of the drug. Discontinuation or dose reduction of such medications may be necessary with KORLYM co-administration.

KORLYM increased the exposure to simvastatin and simvastatin acid significantly in healthy subjects. Concomitant use of simvastatin or lovastatin is contraindicated because of the increased risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis.

The exposure of other substrates of CYP3A with narrow therapeutic ranges, such as cyclosporine, dihydroergotamine, ergotamine, fentanyl, pimozide, quinidine, sirolimus, and tacrolimus, may be increased by concomitant administration with KORLYM. Therefore, the concomitant use of such CYP3A substrates with KORLYM is contraindicated.

Other drugs with similar high first pass metabolism in which CYP3A is the primary route of metabolism should be used with extreme caution if co-administered with KORLYM. The lowest possible dose and/or a decreased frequency of dosing must be used with therapeutic drug monitoring when possible. Use of alternative drugs without these metabolic characteristics is advised when possible with concomitant KORLYM.

If drugs that undergo low first pass metabolism by CYP3A or drugs in which CYP3A is not the major metabolic route are co-administered with KORLYM, use the lowest dose of concomitant medication necessary, with appropriate monitoring and follow-up.

CYP3A Inhibitors

Medications that inhibit CYP3A could increase plasma mifepristone concentrations and dose reduction of KORLYM may be required.

Ketoconazole and other strong inhibitors of CYP3A, such as itraconazole, nefazodone, ritonavir, nelfinavir, indinavir, atazanavir, amprenavir and fosamprenavir, boceprevir, clarithromycin, conivaptan, lopinavir, mibefradil, posaconazole, saquinavir, telaprevir, telithromycin, or voriconazole may increase exposure to mifepristone significantly. The clinical impact of this interaction has not been studied. Therefore, extreme caution should be used when these drugs are prescribed in combination with KORLYM. The benefit of concomitant use of these agents should be carefully weighed against the potential risks. The dose of KORLYM should be limited to 300 mg and used only when necessary.

Moderate inhibitors of CYP3A, such as amprenavir, aprepitant, atazanavir, ciprofloxacin, darunavir/ritonavir, diltiazem, erythromycin, fluconazole, fosamprenavir, grapefruit juice, imatinib, or verapamil, should be used with caution when administered in combination with KORLYM.

CYP3A Inducers

No medications that induce CYP3A have been studied when co-administered with KORLYM. Avoid co-administration of KORLYM and CYP3A inducers such as rifampin, rifabutin, rifapentin, phenobarbital, phenytoin, carbamazepine, and St. John’s wort.

Drugs Metabolized By CYP2C8/2C9

Because KORLYM is an inhibitor of CYP2C8/2C9, concurrent use of KORLYM with a drug whose metabolism is largely or solely mediated by CYP2C8/2C9 is likely to result in increased plasma concentrations of the drug.

KORLYM significantly increased exposure of fluvastatin, a typical CYP2C8/2C9 substrate, in healthy subjects. When given concomitantly with KORLYM, drugs that are substrates of CYP2C8/2C9 (including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, warfarin, and repaglinide) should be used at the smallest recommended doses, and patients should be closely monitored for adverse effects.

Drugs Metabolized By CYP2B6

Mifepristone is an inhibitor of CYP2B6 and may cause significant increases in exposure of drugs that are metabolized by CYP2B6 such as bupropion and efavirenz. Since no study has been conducted to evaluate the effect of mifepristone on substrates of CYP2B6, the concomitant use of bupropion and efavirenz should be undertaken with caution.

Use Of Hormonal Contraceptives

Mifepristone is a progesterone-receptor antagonist and will interfere with the effectiveness of hormonal contraceptives. Therefore, non-hormonal contraceptive methods should be used.

Category X

KORLYM is contraindicated in pregnancy. KORLYM can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman because the use of KORLYM results in pregnancy loss. The inhibition of both endogenous and exogenous progesterone by mifepristone at the progesterone receptor results in pregnancy loss. If KORLYM is used during pregnancy or if the patient becomes pregnant while taking this drug, the patient should be apprised of the potential hazard to a fetus.

Human Data

In a report of thirteen live births after single dose mifepristone exposure, no fetal abnormalities were noted.

Animal Data

Teratology studies in mice, rats and rabbits at doses of 0.25 to 4.0 mg/kg (less than human exposure at the maximum clinical dose, based on body surface area) were carried out. Because of the anti-progestational activity of mifepristone, fetal losses were much higher than in control animals. Skull deformities were detected in rabbit studies at less than human exposure, although no teratogenic effects of mifepristone have been observed to date in rats or mice. These deformities were most likely due to the mechanical effects of uterine contractions resulting from antagonism of the progesterone receptor.

Clinical Trials Experience

Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, the adverse reaction rates observed cannot be directly compared to rates in other clinical trials and may not reflect the rates observed in clinical practice.

Safety data on the use of KORLYM are available from 50 patients with Cushing’s syndrome enrolled in an uncontrolled, open-label, multi-center trial (Study 400). Forty-three patients had Cushing’s disease and all except one had previously undergone pituitary surgery. Four patients had ectopic ACTH secretion, and three had adrenal carcinoma. Patients were treated for up to 24 weeks. A dose of 300 mg per day was administered for the initial 14 days; thereafter, the dose could be escalated in increments of 300 mg per day based on assessments of tolerability and clinical response. Doses were escalated up to 900 mg per day for patients <60 kg, or 1200 mg per day for patients >60 kg.

The most frequently reported adverse reactions (reported in ≥20% of patients, regardless of relationship to KORLYM) were nausea, fatigue, headache, decreased blood potassium, arthralgia, vomiting, peripheral edema, hypertension, dizziness, decreased appetite, and endometrial hypertrophy. Drug-related adverse events resulted in dose interruption or reduction in study drug in 40% of patients.

The adverse reactions that occurred in ≥10% of the Cushing’s syndrome patients receiving KORLYM, regardless of relationship to KORLYM, are shown in Table 1.

Table 1. Treatment Emergent Adverse Events Occurring in ≥10% of Cushing’s Syndrome Patients Receiving KORLYM

Laboratory Tests

Reductions in high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) levels have been observed following treatment with KORLYM. In study subjects that experienced declines in HDL-C, levels returned to baseline following discontinuation of drug. The clinical significance of the treatment-related reduction in HDL-C levels in patients with Cushing’s syndrome is not known.

In a study of patients with Cushing’s syndrome, hypokalemia was observed in 44% of subjects during treatment with KORLYM. In these cases, hypokalemia responded to treatment with potassium supplementation and/or mineralocorticoid antagonist therapy (e.g., spironolactone or eplerenone). Hypokalemia should be corrected prior to initiating KORLYM.

Elevations of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) were seen in subjects treated with KORLYM. Of the 42 subjects with detectable TSH at baseline, eight (19%) had increases in TSH above the normal range, while remaining asymptomatic. The TSH levels returned to normal in most patients without intervention when KORLYM was discontinued at the end of the study.

Vaginal Bleeding And Endometrial Changes

In Study 400, the thickness of the endometrium increased from a mean of 6.14 mm at baseline (n=23) to 15.7 mm at end-of-trial (n=18) in premenopausal women; in postmenopausal women the increase was from 2.75 mm (n=6) to 7.35 mm (n=8). Endometrial thickness above the upper limit of normal was reported in 10/26 females who had baseline and end-of-trial transvaginal ultrasound (38%). The endometrial thickness returned to the normal range in 3 out of 10 patients 6 weeks after treatment cessation at the end of the study. Vaginal bleeding occurred in 5 out of 35 females (14%). Two of five subjects with vaginal bleeding had normal endometrial thickness. Endometrial biopsies were performed in six patients; five of these patients had endometrial thickening. No endometrial carcinoma was detected in the sampled cases.

Additional Data Fom Clinical Trials

The following are adverse events that were reported in Study 400 at frequencies of ≥ 5% to 10%, and may be related to KORLYM’s mechanism of action:

Gastrointestinal disorders: gastroesophageal reflux, abdominal pain

General disorders and administration site conditions: asthenia, malaise, edema, pitting edema, thirst

Investigations: blood triglycerides increased

Metabolism and nutrition disorders: hypoglycemia

Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders: muscular weakness, flank pain, musculoskeletal chest pain

Psychiatric disorders: insomnia

Reproductive system and breast disorders: vaginal hemorrhage, metrorrhagia

Adrenal Insufficiency

Adrenal insufficiency was reported in two subjects (4%) in Study 400. The most typical symptoms of adrenal insufficiency were nausea and decreased appetite. No hypotension or hypoglycemia was reported during the events. Adrenal insufficiency resolved in both cases with KORLYM interruption and/or dexamethasone administration.

Rash

Generalized, maculo-papular rash was reported in 2 subjects (4%) in Study 400. Two additional subjects developed pruritus (4%). None resulted in discontinuation of KORLYM, and all the events resolved by the end of the study.

Postmarketing Experience

The following adverse reaction has been identified during post approval use of KORLYM. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure.

- Angioedema

There is no experience with overdosage of KORLYM.

Because mifepristone acts at the receptor level to block the effects of cortisol, its antagonistic actions affect the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis in such a way as to further increase circulating cortisol levels while, at the same time, blocking their effects.

Mifepristone and the three active metabolites have greater affinity for the glucocorticoid receptor (100%, 61%, 48%, and 45%, respectively) than either dexamethasone (23%) or cortisol (9%).

Absorption

Following oral administration, time to peak plasma concentrations of mifepristone occurred between 1 and 2 hours following single dose, and between 1 and 4 hours following multiple doses of 600 mg of KORLYM in healthy volunteers. Mean plasma concentrations of three active metabolites of mifepristone peak between 2 and 8 hours after multiple doses of 600 mg/day, and the combined concentrations of the metabolites exceed that of the parent mifepristone. Exposure to mifepristone is substantially less than dose proportional. Time to steady state is within 2 weeks, and the mean (SD) half-life of the parent mifepristone was 85 (61) hours following multiple doses of 600 mg/day of KORLYM.

Studies evaluating the effects of food on the pharmacokinetics of KORLYM demonstrate a significant increase in plasma levels of mifepristone when dosed with food. To achieve consistent plasma drug concentrations, patients should be instructed to always take their medication with meals.

Distribution

Mifepristone is highly bound to alpha-1-acid glycoprotein (AAG) and approaches saturation at doses of 100 mg (2.5 μM) or more. Mifepristone and its metabolites also bind to albumin and are distributed to other tissues, including the central nervous system (CNS). As determined in vitro by equilibrium dialysis, binding of mifepristone and its three active metabolites to human plasma proteins was concentration-dependent. Binding was approximately 99.2% for mifepristone, and ranged from 96.1 to 98.9% for the three active metabolites at clinically relevant concentrations.

Metabolism

Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) has been shown to be involved in mifepristone metabolism in human liver microsomes. Two of the known active metabolites are the product of demethylation (one monodemethylated and one di-demethylated), while a third active metabolite results from hydroxylation (monohydroxylated).

Elimination And Excretion

Excretion is primarily (approximately 90%) via the fecal route.