Argatroban

Eagle Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

HIGHLIGHTS OF PRESCRIBING INFORMATIONThese highlights do not include all the information needed to use Argatroban safely and effectively.See full prescribing information for Argatroban.ARGATROBAN INJECTION, aqueous solution for intravenous infusion onlyInitial U.S. Approval: 2000 INDICATIONS AND USAGEArgatroban is a direct thrombin inhibitor indicated: For prophylaxis or treatment of thrombosis in adult patients with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) (1.1) As an anticoagulant in adult patients with or at risk of HIT undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) (1.2) DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Argatroban 50 mg in 50 mL aqueous solution (1 mg/mL) is intended for administration to adult patients (2.1) Discontinue all parenteral anticoagulants before administering Argatroban Injection (2.1) Adjust dosing in patients with HIT who have moderate or severe hepatic impairment (2.3) Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia ( 2.1 ) The dose for heparin-induced thrombocytopenia without hepatic impairment is 2 mcg/kg/min administered as a continuous infusion (2.1) Discontinue heparin therapy and obtain a baseline aPTT before administering Argatroban (2.1) After the initial dose of Argatroban, the dose can be adjusted as clinically indicated (2.1) Percutaneous Coronary Intervention ( 2.2 ) The dose for patients with or at risk for heparin-induced thrombocytopenia undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention is started at 25 mcg/kg/min and a bolus of 350 mcg/kg administered via a large bore intravenous line over 3 to 5 minutes (2.2) Activated clotting time (ACT) should be checked 5 to 10 minutes after the bolus dose is completed. The procedure may proceed if the ACT is greater than 300 seconds (2.2) Monitoring therapy and dosage adjustments recommendations should be followed (2.2) See special dosing recommendations for hepatic and renal impaired patients (2.3) DOSAGE FORMS AND STRENGTHSArgatroban Injection is supplied in a single use vial, containing 50mg Argatroban in 50 mL aqueous solution (1 mg/mL) (3) CONTRAINDICATIONS Major bleeding (4) History of hypersensitivity to this product (4) WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Risk of hemorrhage: Hemorrhage at any site can occur (unexplained fall in hematocrit or blood pressure or other unexplained symptom may indicate hemorrhage). Use with caution in patients at risk, including those receiving antiplatelet agents, thrombolytics, or other anticoagulants (5.1) Use in hepatic impairment: Adjust starting dose and titrate carefully in patients with HIT who have moderate or severe hepatic impairment. Avoid use in PCI in patients with clinically significant hepatic impairment (5.2) Side Effects HIT patients: The most common (> 5%) adverse reactions were dyspnea, hypotension, fever, diarrhea, sepsis, and cardiac arrest (6.1) PCI patients: The most common (> 5%) adverse reactions were chest pain, hypotension, back pain, nausea, vomiting and headache (6.2) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Eagle Pharmaceuticals, Inc. at 1-800- 643-0610 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. DRUG INTERACTIONS Heparin: Allow sufficient time for heparin's effect on aPTT to decrease before initiating Argatroban Injection therapy (7.1) Warfarin: Concomitant use results in increased prolongation of PT and INR (7.2) Thrombolytic agents or glycoprotein IIb/IIIa antagonists: Safety and effectiveness of concomitant use with argatroban have not been established (7.4, 7.5) USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS Nursing Mothers: Discontinue nursing or drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother (8.3) Pediatric use: Safety and effectiveness have not been established; if used, initial infusion doses are lower than in adult patients (2.4, 8.4, 12.3)

FULL PRESCRIBING INFORMATION: CONTENTS*

• 1 ARGATROBAN INDICATIONS AND USAGE
  • 1.1 Heparin Induced Thrombocytopenia
  • 1.2 Percutaneous Coronary Intervention
• 2 ARGATROBAN DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION
  • 2.1 Dosing in Patients with Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia
  • 2.2 Dosing in Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention
  • 2.3 Dosing in Patients with Hepatic Impairment
  • 2.4 Dosing in Pediatric Patients With Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia/Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia and Thrombosis Syndrome
  • 2.5 Conversion to Oral Anticoagulant Therapy
• 3 DOSAGE FORMS AND STRENGTHS
• 4 ARGATROBAN CONTRAINDICATIONS
• 5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
  • 5.1 Risk of Hemorrhage
  • 5.2 Use in Hepatic Impairment
  • 5.3 Laboratory Tests
• 6 ARGATROBAN ADVERSE REACTIONS
  • 6.1 Adverse Events in Patients with HIT (With or Without Thrombosis)
  • 6.2 Adverse Events in Patients with or at Risk for HIT Patients Undergoing PCI
  • 6.3 Intracranial Bleeding In Other Populations
  • 6.4 Allergic Reactions
• 7 DRUG INTERACTIONS
  • 7.1 Heparin
  • 7.2 Oral Anticoagulant Agents
  • 7.3 Aspirin/Acetaminophen
  • 7.4 Thrombolytic Agents
  • 7.5 Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa Antagonists
• 8 USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS
  • 8.1 Pregnancy
  • 8.3 Nursing Mothers
  • 8.4 Pediatric Use
  • 8.5 Geriatric Use
  • 8.6 Hepatic Impairment
• 10 OVERDOSAGE
• 11 ARGATROBAN DESCRIPTION
• 12 CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY
  • 12.1 Mechanism of Action
  • 12.2 Pharmacodynamics
  • 12.3 Pharmacokinetics
• 13 NONCLINICAL TOXICOLOGY
  • 13.1 Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility
• 14 CLINICAL STUDIES
  • 14.1 Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia
  • 14.2 Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) Patients with or at Risk for HIT
• 16 HOW SUPPLIED/STORAGE AND HANDLING
• 17 PATIENT COUNSELING INFORMATION

FULL PRESCRIBING INFORMATION

1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE

1.1 Heparin Induced Thrombocytopenia

Argatroban Injection is indicated for prophylaxis or treatment of thrombosis in adult patients with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT).

1.2 Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Argatroban Injection is indicated as an anticoagulant in adult patients with or at risk for HIT undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION

Each 50 mL glass vial contains 50 mg argatroban (1 mg/mL); and, as supplied, is ready for intravenous infusion. Dilution is not required.

Argatroban Injection is a clear, colorless to pale yellow solution. Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration whenever solution and container permit. Do not use if solution is cloudy, contains precipitates, or if the white flip top cap is not intact.

Vial may be inverted for use with a medical infusion set.

2.1 Dosing in Patients with Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia

Initial Dosage:

Before administering argatroban, discontinue heparin therapy and obtain a baseline aPTT. The recommended initial dose of Argatroban for adult patients without hepatic impairment is 2 mcg/kg/min, administered as a continuous infusion (see Table 1).

Monitoring Therapy:

For use in HIT, therapy with Argatroban Injection is monitored using the aPTT with a target range of 1.5 to 3 times the initial baseline value (not to exceed 100 seconds). Tests of anticoagulant effects (including the aPTT) typically attain steady-state levels within 1 to 3 hours following initiation of Argatroban Injection. Check the aPTT 2 hours after initiation of therapy and after any dose change to confirm that the patient has attained the desired therapeutic range.

Dosage Adjustment:

After the initiation of Argatroban Injection, adjust the dose (not to exceed 10 mcg/kg/min) as necessary to obtain a steady state aPTT in the target range [see Clinical Studies (14.1)].

2.2 Dosing in Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Initial Dosage:

Initiate an infusion of Argatroban Injection at 25 mcg/kg/min and administer a bolus of 350 mcg/kg via a large bore intravenous line over 3 to 5 minutes (see Table 2). Check an activated clotting time (ACT) 5 to 10 minutes after the bolus dose is completed. The PCI procedure may proceed if the ACT is greater than 300 seconds.

Dosage Adjustment:

If the ACT is less than 300 seconds, an additional intravenous bolus dose of 150 mcg/kg should be administered, the infusion dose increased to 30 mcg/kg/min, and the ACT checked 5 to 10 minutes later (see Table 2).

If the ACT is greater than 450 seconds, the infusion rate should be decreased to 15 mcg/kg/min, and the ACT checked 5 to 10 minutes later (Table 3).

Continue titrating the dose until a therapeutic ACT (between 300 and 450 seconds) has been achieved; continue the same infusion rate for the duration of the PCI procedure.

In case of dissection, impending abrupt closure, thrombus formation during the procedure, or inability to achieve or maintain an ACT over 300 seconds, additional bolus doses of 150 mcg/kg may be administered and the infusion dose increased to 40 mcg/kg/min. Check the ACT after each additional bolus or change in the rate of infusion.

Monitoring therapy:

For use in PCI, therapy with Argatroban Injection is monitored using ACT. Obtain ACTs before dosing, 5 to 10 minutes after bolus dosing, following adjustments in the infusion rate, and at the end of the PCI procedure. Obtain additional ACTs every 20 to 30 minutes during a prolonged procedure.

Continued Anticoagulation after PCI:

If a patient requires anticoagulation after the procedure, Argatroban Injection may be continued, but at a rate of 2 mcg/kg/min and adjusted as needed to maintain the aPTT in the desired range [see Dosage and Administration (2.1)].

2.3 Dosing in Patients with Hepatic Impairment

For adult patients with HIT and moderate or severe hepatic impairment (based on Child-Pugh classification), an initial dose of 0.5 mcg/kg/min is recommended, based on the approximately 4-fold decrease in argatroban clearance relative to those with normal hepatic function. Monitor the aPTT closely, and adjust the dosage as clinically indicated.

Monitoring Therapy:

Achievement of steady state aPTT levels may take longer and require more dose adjustments in patients with hepatic impairment compared to patients with normal hepatic function. For patients with hepatic impairment undergoing PCI who have HIT or are at risk for HIT, carefully titrate argatroban until the desired level of anticoagulation is achieved. Use of Argatroban in PCI patients with clinically significant hepatic disease or AST/ALT levels ≥ 3 times the upper limit of normal should be avoided. [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)].

2.4 Dosing in Pediatric Patients With Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia/Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia and Thrombosis Syndrome

Initial Dosage:

Initial argatroban infusion doses are lower for seriously ill pediatric patients compared to adults with normal hepatic function [see Use in Specific Populations (8.4)].

Monitoring Therapy:

In general, therapy with argatroban is monitored using the aPTT. Tests of anticoagulant effects (including the aPTT) typically attain steady-state levels within one to three hours following initiation of argatroban in patients without hepatic impairment [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)]. Dose adjustment may be required to attain the target aPTT. Check the aPTT two hours after initiation of therapy and after any dose change to confirm that the patient has attained the desired therapeutic range.

Dosage Adjustment: [see Use in Specific Populations (8.4)]

2.5 Conversion to Oral Anticoagulant Therapy

Initiating Oral Anticoagulant Therapy

When converting patients from Argatroban to oral anticoagulant therapy, consider the potential for combined effects on the International Normalized Ratio (INR). To avoid prothrombotic effects and to ensure continuous anticoagulation when initiating warfarin, overlap Argatroban Injection and warfarin therapy. There are insufficient data available to recommend the duration of the overlap. Initiate therapy using the expected daily dose of warfarin. A loading dose of warfarin should not be used.

The relationship between INR and bleeding risk is altered when argatroban and warfarin are coadministered. The combination of argatroban and warfarin does not cause further reduction in the vitamin-K dependent factor Xa activity than that which is seen with warfarin alone.

The relationship between INR obtained on combined therapy and INR obtained on warfarin alone is dependent on both the dose of argatroban and the thromboplastin reagent used. The INR value on warfarin alone (INR_w) can be calculated from the INR value on combination argatroban and warfarin therapy [see Drug Interactions (7.2) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.2)].

Co-Administration of Warfarin and Argatroban Injection at Doses up to 2 mcg/kg/min:

Measure INR daily while Argatroban Injection and warfarin are co-administered. In general, with doses of Argatroban Injection up to 2 mcg/kg/min, Argatroban Injection can be discontinued when the INR is greater than 4 on combined therapy. After Argatroban Injection is discontinued, repeat the INR measurement in 4 to 6 hours. If the repeat INR is below the desired therapeutic range, resume the infusion of Argatroban Injection and repeat the procedure daily until the desired therapeutic range on warfarin alone is reached.

Co-Administration of Warfarin and Argatroban Injection at Doses Greater than 2 mcg/kg/min:

For doses greater than 2 mcg/kg/min, the relationship of INR between warfarin alone to the INR on warfarin plus argatroban is less predictable. In this case, in order to predict the INR on warfarin alone, temporarily reduce the dose of Argatroban Injection to a dose of 2 mcg/kg/min. Repeat the INR on Argatroban Injection and warfarin 4 to 6 hours after reduction of the Argatroban Injection dose and follow the process outlined above for administering Argatroban Injection at doses up to 2 mcg/kg/min.

3 DOSAGE FORMS AND STRENGTHS

Argatroban Injection is supplied in a single use vial containing 50 mg argatroban in 50 mL aqueous solution (1 mg/mL). The solution is ready for intravenous infusion.

4 CONTRAINDICATIONS

Argatroban is contraindicated in:

• Patients with major bleeding
• Patients with a history of hypersensitivity to argatroban. Airway, skin, and generalized hypersensitivity reactions have been reported [see Adverse Reactions (6.4)].

5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

5.1 Risk of Hemorrhage

Hemorrhage can occur at any site in the body in patients receiving argatroban. An unexplained fall in hematocrit or hemoglobin or a fall in blood pressure should lead to consideration of a hemorrhagic event. Argatroban Injection should be used with extreme caution in disease states and other circumstances in which there is an increased danger of hemorrhage. These include severe hypertension; immediately following lumbar puncture; spinal anesthesia; major surgery, especially involving the brain, spinal cord or eye; hematologic conditions associated with increased bleeding tendencies such as congenital or acquired bleeding disorders and gastrointestinal lesions such as ulcerations.

Concomitant use of argatroban with antiplatelet agents, thrombolytics, and other anticoagulants may increase the risk of bleeding.

5.2 Use in Hepatic Impairment

Use caution when administering argatroban to patients with hepatic impairment by starting with a lower dose and carefully titrating until the desired level of anticoagulation is achieved. Upon cessation of argatroban infusion in the hepatically impaired patient, full reversal of anticoagulant effects may require longer than 4 hours due to decreased clearance and increased elimination half-life of argatroban [see Dosage and Administration (2.3) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)]. Use of argatroban in PCI patients with clinically significant hepatic disease or AST/ALT levels ≥3 times the upper limit of normal should be avoided.

5.3 Laboratory Tests

Anticoagulation effects associated with argatroban infusion at doses up to 40 mcg/kg/min correlate with increases of the activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT). Although other global clot-based tests including prothrombin time (PT), the International Normalized Ratio (INR), and thrombin time (TT) are affected by argatroban, the therapeutic ranges for these tests have not been identified for argatroban therapy. In clinical trials in PCI, the activated clotting time (ACT) was used for monitoring argatroban anticoagulant activity during the procedure. The concomitant use of argatroban and warfarin results in prolongation of the PT and INR beyond that produced by warfarin alone [see Dosage and Administration (2.5) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.2)].

6 ADVERSE REACTIONS

Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse event rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice.

6.1 Adverse Events in Patients with HIT (With or Without Thrombosis)

The following safety information is based on all 568 patients treated with argatroban in Study 1 and Study 2. The safety profile of the patients from these studies is compared with that of 193 historical controls in which the adverse events were collected retrospectively. Adverse events are separated into hemorrhagic and non-hemorrhagic events.

Major bleeding was defined as bleeding that was overt and associated with a hemoglobin decrease ≥2 g/dL, that led to a transfusion of ≥2 units, or that was intracranial, retroperitoneal, or into a major prosthetic joint. Minor bleeding was overt bleeding that did not meet the criteria for major bleeding.

Table 4 gives an overview of the most frequently observed hemorrhagic events, presented separately by major and minor bleeding, sorted by decreasing occurrence among argatroban-treated patients with HIT (with or without thrombosis).

Table 5 gives an overview of the most frequently observed non-hemorrhagic events sorted by decreasing frequency of occurrence (≥2%) among argatroban-treated HIT/HITTS patients.

6.2 Adverse Events in Patients with or at Risk for HIT Patients Undergoing PCI

The following safety information is based on 91 patients initially treated with argatroban and 21 patients subsequently re-exposed to argatroban for a total of 112 PCIs with argatroban anticoagulation.

Adverse events are separated into hemorrhagic (Table 6) and non-hemorrhagic (Table 7) events.

Major bleeding was defined as bleeding that was overt and associated with a hemoglobin decrease ≥5 g/dL, that led to transfusion of ≥2 units, or that was intracranial, retroperitoneal, or into a major prosthetic joint.

The rate of major bleeding events in patients treated with argatroban in the PCI trials was 1.8%.

Table 7 gives an overview of the most frequently observed non-hemorrhagic events (>2%), sorted by decreasing frequency of occurrence among argatroban-treated PCI patients.

There were 22 serious adverse events in 17 PCI patients (19.6% in 112 interventions). Table 8 lists the serious adverse events occurring in argatroban-treated-patients with or at risk for HIT undergoing PCI.

6.3 Intracranial Bleeding In Other Populations

Increased risks for intracranial bleeding have been observed in investigational studies of argatroban for other uses. In a study of patients with acute myocardial infarction receiving both argatroban and thrombolytic therapy (streptokinase or tissue plasminogen activator), the overall frequency of intracranial bleeding was 1% (8 out of 810 patients). Intracranial bleeding was not observed in 317 subjects or patients who did not receive concomitant thrombolysis [see Drug Interactions (7.4)].

The safety and effectiveness of argatroban for cardiac indications other than PCI in patients with HIT have not been established. Intracranial bleeding was also observed in a prospective, placebo-controlled study of argatroban in patients who had onset of acute stroke within 12 hours of study entry. Symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage was reported in 5 of 117 patients (4.3%) who received argatroban at 1 to 3 mcg/kg/min and in none of the 54 patients who received placebo. Asymptomatic intracranial hemorrhage occurred in 5 (4.3%) and 2 (3.7%) of the patients, respectively.

6.4 Allergic Reactions

One hundred fifty-six allergic reactions or suspected allergic reactions were observed in 1,127 individuals who were treated with argatroban in clinical pharmacology studies or for various clinical indications. About 95% (148/156) of these reactions occurred in patients who concomitantly received thrombolytic therapy (e.g., streptokinase) or contrast media. Allergic reactions or suspected allergic reactions in populations other than patients with HIT (with or without thrombosis) include (in descending order or frequency):

• Airway reactions (coughing, dyspnea): 10% or more
• Skin reactions (rash, bullous eruption): 1 to <10%
• General reactions (vasodilation): 1 to 10%

Limited data are available on the potential formation of drug-related antibodies. Plasma from 12 healthy volunteers treated with argatroban over 6 days showed no evidence of neutralizing antibodies. No loss of anticoagulant activity was noted with repeated administration of argatroban to more than 40 patients.

7 DRUG INTERACTIONS

7.1 Heparin

If argatroban is to be initiated after cessation of heparin therapy, allow sufficient time for heparin's effect on the aPTT to decrease prior to initiation of argatroban therapy.

7.2 Oral Anticoagulant Agents

Pharmacokinetic drug-drug interactions between argatroban and warfarin (7.5 mg single oral dose) have not been demonstrated. However, the concomitant use of argatroban and warfarin (5 to 7.5 mg initial oral dose, followed by 2.5 to 6 mg/day orally for 6 to 10 days) results in prolongation of the prothrombin time (PT) and International Normalized Ratio (INR) [see Dosage and Administration (2.5) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.2)].

7.3 Aspirin/Acetaminophen

No drug-drug interactions have been demonstrated between argatroban and concomitantly administered aspirin or acetaminophen [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].

7.4 Thrombolytic Agents

The safety and effectiveness of argatroban with thrombolytic agents have not been established [see Adverse Reactions (6.3)].

7.5 Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa Antagonists

The safety and effectiveness of argatroban with glycoprotein IIb/IIIa antagonists have not been established.

8 USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS

8.1 Pregnancy

Pregnancy Category B

There are no adequate and well-controlled studies of argatroban use in pregnant women. Developmental studies performed in rats with argatroban at intravenous doses up to 27 mg/kg/day (0.3 times the maximum recommended human dose, based on body surface area) and in rabbits at intravenous doses up to 10.8 mg/kg/day (0.2 times the maximum recommended human dose, based on body surface area) have revealed no evidence of impaired fertility or harm to the fetus. Because animal reproductive studies are not always predictive of human response, this drug should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed.

8.3 Nursing Mothers

It is not known whether argatroban is excreted in human milk. Argatroban is detected in rat milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk and because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants from argatroban, 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.

8.4 Pediatric Use

The safety and effectiveness of argatroban, including the appropriate anticoagulation goals and duration of therapy, have not been established among pediatric patients. Argatroban was studied among 18 seriously ill pediatric patients who required an alternative to heparin anticoagulation. Most patients were diagnosed with HIT or suspected HIT. Age ranges of patients were less than 6 months, n = 8; six months to less than 8 years, n=6; 8 to 16 years, n=4. All patients had serious underlying conditions and were receiving multiple concomitant medications. Thirteen patients received argatroban solely as a continuous infusion (no bolus dose). Dosing was initiated in the majority of these 13 patients at 1 mcg/kg/min. Dosing was titrated as needed to achieve and maintain an aPTT of 1.5 to 3 times the baseline value. Most patients required multiple dose adjustments to maintain anticoagulation parameters within the desired range. During the 30-day study period, thrombotic events occurred during argatroban administration to two patients and following argatroban discontinuation in three other patients. Major bleeding occurred among two patients; one patient experienced an intracranial hemorrhage after 4 days of argatroban therapy in the setting of sepsis and thrombocytopenia. Another patient completed 14 days of argatroban treatment in the study, but experienced an intracranial hemorrhage while receiving argatroban following completion of the study treatment period.

When argatroban is used among seriously ill pediatric patients with HIT/HITTS who require an alternative to heparin and who have normal hepatic function, initiate a contiguous infusion of argatroban at a dose of 0.75 mcg/kg/min. Initiate the infusion at a dose of 0.2 mcg/kg/min among seriously ill pediatric patients with impaired hepatic function [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)]. Check the aPTT two hours after the initiation of the argatroban infusion and adjust the dose to achieve the target aPTT. These dose recommendations are based upon a goal of aPTT prolongation of 1.5 to 3 times the baseline value and avoidance of an aPTT greater than 100 seconds. Increments of 0.1 to 0.25 mcg/kg/min for pediatric patients with normal hepatic function and increments of 0.05mcg/kg/min or lower for pediatric patients with impaired hepatic function may be considered but dose selection must take into account multiple factors including the current argatroban dose, the current aPTT, target aPTT, and the clinical status of the patient. These dose recommendations are based upon a goal of aPTT prolongation of 1.5 to 3 times the baseline value and avoidance of an aPTT greater than 100 seconds.

8.5 Geriatric Use

Of the total number of subjects (1340) in clinical studies of argatroban, 35% were 65 and over. In the clinical studies of adult patients with HIT (with or without thrombosis), the effectiveness of argatroban was not affected by age. No trends were observed across age groups for both aPTT and the ACT. The safety analysis did suggest that older patients tended to have an increased incidence of events compared to younger patients; however, older patients had increased underlying conditions, which may predispose them to events. The studies were not sized appropriately to detect differences in safety between age groups.

8.6 Hepatic Impairment

Dose reduction and careful titration are required when administering argatroban to patients with hepatic impairment. Reversal of anticoagulant effect may be prolonged in this population [see Dosage and Administration (2.3), Warnings and Precautions (5.2), Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].

10 OVERDOSAGE

Excessive anticoagulation, with or without bleeding, may be controlled by discontinuing argatroban or by decreasing the argatroban dose. In clinical studies, anticoagulation parameters generally returned from therapeutic levels to baseline within 2 to 4 hours after discontinuation of the drug. Reversal of anticoagulant effect may take longer in patients with hepatic impairment.

No specific antidote to argatroban in available; if life- threatening bleeding occurs and excessive plasma levels of argatroban are suspected, discontinue argatroban immediately and measure aPTT and other coagulation parameters. When argatroban was administered as a continuous infusion (2 mcg/kg/min) prior to and during a 4 hour hemodialysis session, approximately 20% of Argatroban was cleared through dialysis.

Single intravenous doses of argatroban at 200, 124, 150, and 200 mg/kg were lethal to mice, rats, rabbits, and dogs, respectively. The symptoms of acute toxicity were loss of righting reflex, tremors, clonic convulsions, paralysis of hind limbs, and coma.

11 DESCRIPTION

Argatroban is a synthetic direct thrombin inhibitor and the chemical name is 1-[5-[(aminoiminomethyl) amino]-1-oxo-2[[(1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-3-methyl-8-quinolinyl)sulfonyl]amino]pentyl]- 4-methyl-2- piperidinecarboxylic acid, monohydrate. Argatroban has 4 asymmetric carbons. One of the asymmetric carbons has an R configuration (stereoisomer Type I) and an S configuration (stereoisomer Type II). Argatroban consists of a mixture of R and S stereoisomers at a ratio of approximately 65:35.

The molecular formula of argatroban is C23H36N6O5S•H2O. Its molecular weight is 526.66 g/mol. The structural formula is: