TOLMETIN SODIUM- tolmetin sodium capsule
Teva Pharmaceuticals USA Inc
Cardiovascular Thrombotic Events
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Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) cause an increased risk of serious cardiovascular thrombotic events, including myocardial infarction and stroke, which can be fatal. This risk may occur early in treatment and may increase with duration of use (see WARNINGS and PRECAUTIONS).
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Tolmetin sodium capsules are contraindicated in the setting of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery (see CONTRAINDICATIONS and WARNINGS).
Gastrointestinal Risk
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NSAIDs cause an increased risk of serious gastrointestinal adverse events including bleeding, ulceration, and perforation of the stomach or intestines, which can be fatal. These events can occur at any time during use and without warning symptoms. Elderly patients are at greater risk for serious gastrointestinal events (see WARNINGS).
DESCRIPTION
Each capsule, for oral administration, contains 492 mg of tolmetin sodium (as the dihydrate), equivalent to 400 mg of tolmetin. Each capsule contains 36 mg (1.56 mEq) of sodium. Each capsule contains the following inactive ingredients: colloidal silicon dioxide, FD&C Red #40, gelatin, magnesium stearate, pregelatinized starch, and titanium dioxide.
The pKa of tolmetin is 3.5 and tolmetin sodium is freely soluble in water.
Tolmetin sodium is a nonselective non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent. Chemically it is sodium 1-methyl-5-P -toluoylpyrrole-2-acetate dihydrate.
C15 H14 NNaO3 �2H2 O M.W. 315.30
CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY
Studies in animals have shown tolmetin sodium to possess anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antipyretic activity. In the rat, tolmetin sodium prevents the development of experimentally induced polyarthritis and also decreases established inflammation.
INDICATIONS AND USAGE
Carefully consider the potential benefits and risks of tolmetin sodium capsules and other treatment options before deciding to use tolmetin sodium capsules. Use the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration consistent with individual patient treatment goals (see WARNINGS).
Tolmetin sodium capsules are indicated for the relief of signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Tolmetin sodium capsules are indicated in the treatment of acute flares and the long-term management of the chronic disease.
Tolmetin sodium capsules are also indicated for treatment of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. The safety and effectiveness of tolmetin sodium capsules have not been established in pediatric patients under 2 years of age.
CONTRAINDICATIONS
Tolmetin sodium capsules are contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to tolmetin sodium.
Tolmetin sodium capsules should not be given to patients who have experienced asthma, urticaria or allergic-type reactions after taking aspirin or other NSAIDs. Severe, rarely fatal, anaphylactic-like reactions to NSAIDs have been reported in such patients (see WARNINGS , Anaphylactoid Reactions and PRECAUTIONS , Preexisting Asthma).
Tolmetin sodium capsules are contraindicated in the setting of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery (see WARNINGS).
Information for Patients
Patients should be informed of the following information before initiating therapy with an NSAID and periodically during the course of ongoing therapy. Patients should also be encouraged to read the NSAID Medication Guide that accompanies each prescription dispensed.
1.
Cardiovascular Thrombotic Events
Advise patients to be alert for the symptoms of cardiovascular thrombotic events, including chest pain, shortness of breath, weakness, or slurring of speech, and to report any of these symptoms to their health care provider immediately (see WARNINGS).
2.
Tolmetin sodium capsules, like other NSAIDs, can cause GI discomfort and, rarely, serious GI side effects, such as ulcers and bleeding, which may result in hospitalization and even death. Although serious GI tract ulcerations and bleeding can occur without warning symptoms, patients should be alert for the signs and symptoms of ulcerations and bleeding, and should ask for medical advice when observing any indicative signs or symptoms including epigastric pain, dyspepsia, melena, and hematemesis. Patients should be apprised of the importance of this follow-up (see WARNINGS, Gastrointestinal (GI) Effects - Risk of Ulceration, Bleeding, and Perforation).
3.
Tolmetin sodium capsules, like other NSAIDs, can cause serious skin side effects such as exfoliative dermatitis, SJS, and TEN, which may result in hospitalizations and even death. Although serious skin reactions may occur without warning, patients should be alert for the signs and symptoms of skin rash and blisters, fever, or other signs of hypersensitivity, such as itching, and should ask for medical advise when observing any indicative signs or symptoms. Patients should be advised to stop the drug immediately if they develop any type of rash and contact their physicians as soon as possible.
4.
Heart Failure And Edema
Advise patients to be alert for the symptoms of congestive heart failure including shortness of breath, unexplained weight gain, or edema and to contact their healthcare provider if such symptoms occur (see WARNINGS).
5.
Patients should be informed of the warning signs and symptoms of hepatotoxicity (e.g., nausea, fatigue, lethargy, pruritus, jaundice, right upper quadrant tenderness, and "flu-like" symptoms). If these occur, patients should be instructed to stop therapy and seek immediate medical therapy.
6.
Patients should be informed of the signs of an anaphylactoid reaction (e.g., difficulty breathing, swelling of the face or throat). If these occur, patients should be instructed to seek immediate emergency help (see WARNINGS).
7.
In late pregnancy, as with other NSAIDs, tolmetin sodium capsules should be avoided because they may cause premature closure of the ductus arteriosus.
Laboratory Tests
Because serious GI tract ulcerations and bleeding can occur without warning symptoms, physicians should monitor for signs or symptoms of GI bleeding. Patients on long-term treatment with NSAIDs should have their CBC and a chemistry profile checked periodically. If clinical signs and symptoms consistent with liver or renal disease develop, systemic manifestations occur (e.g., eosinophilia, rash, etc.) or if abnormal liver tests persist or worsen, tolmetin sodium capsules should be discontinued.
Drug Interactions
ACE-inhibitors
Reports suggest that NSAIDs may diminish the antihypertensive effect of ACE-inhibitors. This interaction should be given consideration in patients taking NSAIDs concomitantly with ACE-inhibitors.
Aspirin
As with other NSAIDs, concomitant administration of tolmetin sodium and aspirin is not generally recommended because of the potential of increased adverse effects.
Diuretics
Clinical studies, as well as postmarketing observations, have shown that NSAIDs can reduce the natriuretic effect of furosemide and thiazides in some patients. This response has been attributed to inhibition of renal prostaglandin synthesis. During concomitant therapy with NSAIDs, the patient should be observed closely for signs of renal failure, as well as to assure diuretic efficacy.
Lithium
NSAIDs have produced an elevation of plasma lithium levels and a reduction in renal lithium clearance. The mean minimum lithium concentration increased 15% and the renal clearance was decreased by approximately 20%. These effects have been attributed to inhibition of renal prostaglandin synthesis by the NSAID. Thus, when NSAIDs and lithium are administered concurrently, subjects should be observed carefully for signs of lithium toxicity.
Methotrexate
NSAIDs have been reported to competitively inhibit methotrexate accumulation in rabbit kidney slices. This may indicate that they could enhance the toxicity of methotrexate. Caution should be used when NSAIDs are administered concomitantly with methotrexate.
Warfarin
The effects of warfarin and NSAIDs on GI bleeding are synergistic, such that users of both drugs together have a risk of serious GI bleeding higher than users of either drug alone.
The in vitro binding of warfarin to human plasma proteins is unaffected by tolmetin, and tolmetin does not alter the prothrombin time of normal volunteers. However, increased prothrombin time and bleeding have been reported in patients on concomitant tolmetin sodium and warfarin therapy. Therefore, caution should be exercised when administering tolmetin sodium capsules to patients on anticoagulants.
Hypoglycemic Agents
In adult diabetic patients under treatment with either sulfonylureas or insulin there is no change in the clinical effects of either tolmetin sodium capsules or the hypoglycemic agents.
Drug/Laboratory Test Interactions
The metabolites of tolmetin sodium in urine have been found to give positive tests for proteinuria using tests which rely on acid precipitation as their endpoint (e.g., sulfosalicylic acid). No interference is seen in the tests for proteinuria using dye-impregnated commercially available reagent strips (e.g., Albustix� , Uristix� , etc.).
Drug/Food Interactions
In a controlled single-dose study, administration of tolmetin sodium with milk had no effect on peak plasma tolmetin concentrations, but decreased total tolmetin bioavailability by 16%. When tolmetin sodium was taken immediately after a meal, peak plasma tolmetin concentrations were reduced by 50% while total bioavailability was again decreased by 16%.
Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility
Tolmetin sodium did not possess any carcinogenic liability in the following long-term studies: a 24 month study in rats at doses as high as 75 mg/kg/day, and an 18 month study in mice at doses as high as 50 mg/kg/day.
No mutagenic potential of tolmetin sodium was found in the Ames Salmonella-Microsomal Activation Test.
Reproductive studies revealed no impairment of fertility in animals. Effects on parturition have been shown, however, as with other prostaglandin inhibitors. This information is detailed in the Pregnancy section.
Pregnancy
Teratogenic Effects
Pregnancy category C
DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION
Carefully consider the potential benefits and risks of tolmetin sodium capsules and other treatment options before deciding to use tolmetin sodium capsules. Use the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration consistent with individual patient treatment goals (see WARNINGS).
After observing the response to initial therapy with tolmetin sodium capsules, the dose and frequency should be adjusted to suit an individual patient's needs.
For the relief of rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis, the recommended starting dose for adults is 400 mg three times daily (1200 mg daily), preferably including a dose on arising and a dose at bedtime. To achieve optimal therapeutic effect the dose should be adjusted according to the patient's response after one or two weeks. Control is usually achieved at doses of 600 to 1800 mg daily in divided doses (generally t.i.d.). Doses larger than 1800 mg/day have not been studied and are not recommended.
For the relief of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, the recommended starting dose for pediatric patients (2 years and older) is 20 mg/kg/day in divided doses (t.i.d. or q.i.d.). When control has been achieved, the usual dose ranges from 15 to 30 mg/kg/day. Doses higher than 30 mg/kg/day have not been studied, and, therefore, are not recommended.
A therapeutic response to tolmetin sodium can be expected in a few days to a week. Progressive improvement can be anticipated during succeeding weeks of therapy. If gastrointestinal symptoms occur, tolmetin sodium capsules can be administered with antacids other than sodium bicarbonate. Tolmetin sodium capsule bioavailability and pharmacokinetics are not significantly affected by acute or chronic administration of magnesium and aluminum hydroxides; however, bioavailability is affected by food or milk (see PRECAUTIONS , Drug/Food Interactions).
