Dosage & Administration
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Ingrezza Prescribing Information
VMAT2 inhibitors, including INGREZZA and INGREZZA SPRINKLE, can increase the risk of depression and suicidal thoughts and behavior in patients with Huntington’s disease. Anyone considering the use of INGREZZA or INGREZZA SPRINKLE must balance the risks of depression and suicidal ideation and behavior with the clinical need for treatment of chorea. Closely monitor patients for the emergence or worsening of depression, suicidal ideation, or unusual changes in behavior. Inform patients, their caregivers, and families of the risk of depression and suicidal ideation and behavior and instruct them to report behaviors of concern promptly to the treating physician.
Particular caution should be exercised in treating patients with a history of depression or prior suicide attempts or ideation, which are increased in frequency in patients with Huntington’s disease
Patients with Huntington’s disease are at increased risk for depression, and suicidal ideation or behaviors. VMAT2 inhibitors, including INGREZZA and INGREZZA SPRINKLE, can increase the risk for suicidal ideation and behaviors in patients with Huntington’s disease.
In a 14-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
When considering the use of INGREZZA or INGREZZA SPRINKLE, the risk of suicidal ideation and behaviors must be balanced against the need for treatment of chorea. All patients treated with INGREZZA and INGREZZA SPRINKLE should be observed for new or worsening depression, suicidal ideation or behaviors. If any of these reactions occur and do not resolve, consider discontinuing treatment with INGREZZA or INGREZZA SPRINKLE.
INGREZZA and INGREZZA SPRINKLE are indicated for the treatment of adults with:
- tardive dyskinesia
The effectiveness of INGREZZA SPRINKLE has been established from adequate and well-controlled studies of INGREZZA for the treatment of tardive dyskinesia. Presented below is a display of the efficacy results of the adequate and well-controlled studies of INGREZZA in patients with tardive dyskinesia.
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of INGREZZA was conducted in patients with moderate to severe tardive dyskinesia as determined by clinical observation. Patients had underlying schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, or a mood disorder. Individuals at significant risk for suicidal or violent behavior and individuals with unstable psychiatric symptoms were excluded.
The Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS) was the primary efficacy measure for the assessment of tardive dyskinesia severity. The AIMS is a 12-item scale; items 1 to 7 assess the severity of involuntary movements across body regions and these items were used in this study. Each of the 7 items was scored on a 0 to 4 scale, rated as: 0=no dyskinesia; 1=low amplitude, present during some but not most of the exam; 2=low amplitude and present during most of the exam (or moderate amplitude and present during some of the exam); 3=moderate amplitude and present during most of exam; or 4=maximal amplitude and present during most of exam. The AIMS dyskinesia total score (sum of items 1 to 7) could thus range from 0 to 28, with a decrease in score indicating improvement. The AIMS was scored by central raters who interpreted the videos blinded to subject identification, treatment assignment, and visit number.
The primary efficacy endpoint was the mean change from baseline in the AIMS dyskinesia total score at the end of Week 6. The change from baseline for two fixed doses of INGREZZA (40 mg or 80 mg) was compared to placebo. At the end of Week 6, subjects initially assigned to placebo were re-randomized to receive INGREZZA 40 mg or 80 mg. Subjects originally randomized to INGREZZA continued INGREZZA at their randomized dose. Follow-up was continued through Week 48 on the assigned drug, followed by a 4-week period off-drug (subjects were not blind to withdrawal).
A total of 234 subjects were enrolled, with 29 (12%) discontinuing prior to completion of the placebo-controlled period. Mean age was 56 (range 26 to 84). Patients were 54% male and 46% female. Patients were 57% Caucasian, 38% African-American, and 5% other. Concurrent diagnoses included schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder (66%) and mood disorder (34%). With respect to concurrent antipsychotic use, 70% of subjects were receiving atypical antipsychotics, 14% were receiving typical or combination antipsychotics, and 16% were not receiving antipsychotics.
Results are presented in Table 4, with the distribution of responses shown in Figure 4. The change from baseline in the AIMS total dyskinesia score in the 80 mg INGREZZA group was statistically significantly different from the change in the placebo group. Subgroup analyses by gender, age, racial subgroup, underlying psychiatric diagnostic category, and concomitant antipsychotic medication did not suggest any clear evidence of differential responsiveness.
The mean changes in the AIMS dyskinesia total score by visit are shown in Figure 5. Among subjects remaining in the study at the end of the 48-week treatment (N=123 [52.6%]), following discontinuation of INGREZZA, the mean AIMS dyskinesia total score appeared to return toward baseline (there was no formal hypothesis testing for the change following discontinuation).
Endpoint | Treatment Group | Mean Baseline Score (SD) | LS Mean Change from Baseline (SEM) ** | Placebo-subtracted Difference (95% CI) |
AIMS Dyskinesia Total Score | INGREZZA 40 mg | 9.8 (4.1) | -1.9 (0.4) | -1.8 (-3.0, -0.7) |
| INGREZZA 80 mg* | 10.4 (3.6) | -3.2 (0.4) | -3.1 (-4.2, -2.0) | |
| Placebo | 9.9 (4.3) | -0.1 (0.4) |
LS Mean=least-squares mean; SD=standard deviation; SEM=standard error of the mean; CI=2-sided 95% confidence interval
*Dose that was statistically significantly different from placebo after adjusting for multiplicity.
**A negative change from baseline indicates improvement.
ITT=Intent to Treat; This analysis set includes all randomized patients who had a baseline and at least one post-baseline AIMS dyskinesia total score value reported.
DB=Double-Blind; After Week 6, subjects initially receiving placebo were re-randomized to receive INGREZZA 40 mg or 80 mg until the end of Week 48. Error bars represent ±1 Standard Error of the Mean (SEM).
Based on modeling and simulation, the predicted mean change from baseline in the AIMS dyskinesia total score at Week 6 for INGREZZA 60 mg once daily in subjects with TD is -2.69 (95% CI: -3.30, -2.13), which is within the efficacy range for INGREZZA 40 mg and 80 mg once daily.
- chorea associated with Huntington’s disease
The effectiveness of INGREZZA SPRINKLE has been established from adequate and well-controlled studies of INGREZZA for the treatment of chorea associated with Huntington’s disease. Presented below is a display of the efficacy results of the adequate and well-controlled studies of INGREZZA in patients with chorea associated with Huntington’s disease.
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of INGREZZA in patients with chorea associated with Huntington’s disease (NCT04102579). Treatment duration was 12 weeks followed by a 2-week period off drug. INGREZZA was started at 40 mg per day and the dose could be increased every 2 weeks in 20 mg increments up to a maximum dosage of 80 mg per day. The primary efficacy endpoint was the change from baseline to the end of the treatment period (average of Week 10 and Week 12) in the Total Maximal Chorea score of the Unified Huntington’s Disease Rating Scale (UHDRS). The Total Maximal Chorea score is rated from 0 to 4 (with 0 representing no chorea) for 7 different parts of the body, with a total score ranging from 0 to 28.
A total of 128 patients were randomized into the study, and 125 patients were included in the analysis of efficacy. In these patients, the mean age was 54 years (range 25 to 74 years), 46% were male and 96% were White. Greater than 80% of patients were taking the 80 mg daily dosage at the end of the 12-week treatment period.
Table 5and Figure 6summarize the effects of INGREZZA on chorea based on the Total Maximal Chorea score.
The mean change in Total Maximal Chorea scores for patients receiving INGREZZA improved by 4.6 units (LS mean) from baseline to the end of the treatment period (average of Week 10 and Week 12), compared to 1.4 units in the placebo group. The treatment effect of -3.2 units was statistically significant (p<0.0001) . At the Week 14 follow-up visit (2 weeks after discontinuation of the study medication), the Total Maximal Chorea scores of patients who had received INGREZZA returned to baseline.
Primary Endpoint | Treatment Group | Mean Baseline Score (SD) | LS Mean Change from Baseline (SEM) b | Placebo-subtracted Difference (95% CI) |
TMC Score a | INGREZZA N=64 | 12.2 (2.3) | -4.6 (0.4) | -3.2 (-4.4, -2.0) p <0.0001 |
| Placebo N=61 | 12.1 (2.8) | -1.4 (0.4) |
aTMC, Total Maximal Chorea is a subscale of the Unified Huntington’s Disease Rating Scale (UHDRS)
bLS Mean=least-squares mean; SD=standard deviation; SEM=standard error of the mean; CI=2-sided 95% confidence interval
LSMD=least-squares mean difference (SEM) [INGREZZA – Placebo]
CI=confidence interval
SEM=standard error of the mean
Figure 7 shows the distribution of values for the change in Total Maximal Chorea Score. Negative values indicate a reduction in chorea and positive values indicate an increase in chorea.
In a clinician-rated global impression of change (CGI-C), clinicians rated 43% of patients treated with INGREZZA as “Much Improved” or “Very Much Improved” at the end of treatment, compared to 13% of patients who received placebo (p<0.001).
A patient-rated global impression of change (PGI-C) assessed how patients rated their overall chorea symptoms. Of the patients treated with INGREZZA, 53% rated their symptoms as “Much Improved” or “Very Much Improved” at the end of treatment, compared to 26% of patients who received placebo (p <0.01).
- Tardive dyskinesia: The initial dosage is 40 mg once daily. After one week, increase the dose to the recommended dosage of 80 mg once daily. ()2.1RecommendedDosageTardive Dyskinesia
The initial dosage for INGREZZA and INGREZZA SPRINKLE is 40 mg once daily. After one week, increase the dose to the recommended dosage of 80 mg once daily. A dosage of 40 mg or 60 mg once daily may be considered depending on response and tolerability.
Chorea Associated with Huntington’sDiseaseThe initial dosage for INGREZZA and INGREZZA SPRINKLE is 40 mg once daily. Increase the dose in 20 mg increments every two weeks to the recommended dosage of 80 mg once daily. A dosage of 40 mg or 60 mg once daily may be considered depending on response and tolerability.
- Chorea associated with Huntington’s disease: The initial dosage is 40 mg once daily. Increase the dose in 20 mg increments every two weeks to the recommended dosage of 80 mg once daily. ()2.1RecommendedDosageTardive Dyskinesia
The initial dosage for INGREZZA and INGREZZA SPRINKLE is 40 mg once daily. After one week, increase the dose to the recommended dosage of 80 mg once daily. A dosage of 40 mg or 60 mg once daily may be considered depending on response and tolerability.
Chorea Associated with Huntington’sDiseaseThe initial dosage for INGREZZA and INGREZZA SPRINKLE is 40 mg once daily. Increase the dose in 20 mg increments every two weeks to the recommended dosage of 80 mg once daily. A dosage of 40 mg or 60 mg once daily may be considered depending on response and tolerability.
- 40 mg or 60 mg once daily may be considered depending on response and tolerability. ()2.1RecommendedDosageTardive Dyskinesia
The initial dosage for INGREZZA and INGREZZA SPRINKLE is 40 mg once daily. After one week, increase the dose to the recommended dosage of 80 mg once daily. A dosage of 40 mg or 60 mg once daily may be considered depending on response and tolerability.
Chorea Associated with Huntington’sDiseaseThe initial dosage for INGREZZA and INGREZZA SPRINKLE is 40 mg once daily. Increase the dose in 20 mg increments every two weeks to the recommended dosage of 80 mg once daily. A dosage of 40 mg or 60 mg once daily may be considered depending on response and tolerability.
- Can be taken with or without food. ()2.2 Administrative Information
Administer INGREZZA and INGREZZA SPRINKLE orally with or without food
[see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].Administration Information for INGREZZA SPRINKLE• Open INGREZZA SPRINKLE and sprinkle the entire contents of the capsule over a bowl containing a small amount (1 tablespoonful) of soft food such as applesauce, yogurt, or pudding. Do not sprinkle the contents of the capsule into milk or drinking water. Stir the contents of the capsule into the soft food with the tablespoon and swallow the drug/food mixture immediately. If necessary, the mixture can be stored for up to 2 hours at room temperature. Discard of any unused portion after 2 hours. Following administration of the drug/food mixture, drink a glass (e.g., 240 mL) of water.
Do not administer INGREZZA SPRINKLE via nasogastric, gastrostomy, or other enteral tubes because it may cause obstruction of enteral tubes.
• INGREZZA SPRINKLE may be swallowed whole with water. Do not crush or chew INGREZZA SPRINKLE.
- INGREZZA SPRINKLE may be opened and sprinkled over soft food (do not use milk or drinking water). INGREZZA SPRINKLE may be swallowed whole with water. Do not crush or chew. ()2.2 Administrative Information
Administer INGREZZA and INGREZZA SPRINKLE orally with or without food
[see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].Administration Information for INGREZZA SPRINKLE• Open INGREZZA SPRINKLE and sprinkle the entire contents of the capsule over a bowl containing a small amount (1 tablespoonful) of soft food such as applesauce, yogurt, or pudding. Do not sprinkle the contents of the capsule into milk or drinking water. Stir the contents of the capsule into the soft food with the tablespoon and swallow the drug/food mixture immediately. If necessary, the mixture can be stored for up to 2 hours at room temperature. Discard of any unused portion after 2 hours. Following administration of the drug/food mixture, drink a glass (e.g., 240 mL) of water.
Do not administer INGREZZA SPRINKLE via nasogastric, gastrostomy, or other enteral tubes because it may cause obstruction of enteral tubes.
• INGREZZA SPRINKLE may be swallowed whole with water. Do not crush or chew INGREZZA SPRINKLE.
- The recommended dosage for patients with moderate or severe hepatic impairment is 40 mg once daily. ()2.000000000000000e+003Dosage Recommendations for Patients with Hepatic Impairment
The recommended dosage for patients with moderate or severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh score 7 to 15) is INGREZZA or INGREZZA SPRINKLE 40 mg once daily
[see Use in Specific Populations (8.7), Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)]. - The recommended dosage for known CYP2D6 poor metabolizers is 40 mg once daily. ()2.000000000000000e+004Dosage Recommendations for Known CYP2D6 Poor Metabolizers
The recommended dosage for known CYP2D6 poor metabolizers is INGREZZA or INGREZZA SPRINKLE 40 mg once daily
[see Use in Specific Populations (8.6), Clinical Pharmacology (12.3,12.5)].
- 40 mg capsule: white opaque body and purple cap, printed with ‘VBZ’ and ‘40’ in black ink. Each capsule contains 40 mg valbenazine.
- 60 mg capsule: dark red opaque body and purple cap, printed with ‘VBZ’ and ‘60’ in black ink. Each capsule contains 60 mg valbenazine.
- 80 mg capsule: purple opaque body and cap, printed with ‘VBZ’ and ‘80’ in black ink. Each capsule contains 80 mg valbenazine.
- 40 mg capsule: pearl white opaque cap and body, printed with a band, directional arrows, and “VBZ 40” in black ink on both the cap and body. Each capsule contains 40 mg valbenazine.
- 60 mg capsule: pearl white opaque cap and body, printed with a band, directional arrows, and “VBZ 60” in dark red ink on both the cap and body. Each capsule contains 60 mg valbenazine.
- 80 mg capsule: pearl white opaque cap and body, printed with a band, directional arrows, and “VBZ 80” in purple ink on both the cap and body. Each capsule contains 80 mg valbenazine.
- Pregnancy: May cause fetal harm. ()8.1PregnancyRisk Summary
The limited available data on INGREZZA or INGREZZA SPRINKLE use in pregnant women are insufficient to inform a drug-associated risk. In animal reproductive studies, no malformations were observed when valbenazine was administered orally to rats and rabbits during the period of organogenesis at doses up to 1.8 or 24 times, respectively, the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD) of 80 mg/day based on mg/m2body surface area. However, administration of valbenazine to pregnant rats during organogenesis through lactation produced an increase in the number of stillborn pups and postnatal pup mortalities at doses <1 times the MRHD based on mg/m2
[seeData].Advise a pregnant woman of the potential risk to a fetus.The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. The background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in the U.S. general population is 2 to 4% and 15 to 20% of clinically recognized pregnancies, respectively.
DataAnimal DataValbenazine was administered orally to pregnant rats during the period of organogenesis at 1, 5, and 15 mg/kg/day, which are approximately 0.1, 0.6, and 2 times the MRHD of 80 mg/day based on mg/m2body surface area. Valbenazine produced a significant decrease in maternal body weight gain at 0.6 and 2 times the MRHD of 80 mg/day based on mg/m2. No adverse embryo fetal effects were produced when valbenazine was administered at doses up to 2 times the MRHD of 80 mg/day based on mg/m2.
Valbenazine was administered orally to pregnant rabbits during the period of organogenesis at 20, 50, and 100 mg/kg/day, which are approximately 5, 12, and 24 times the MRHD of 80 mg/day based on mg/m2. No malformations were observed at doses up to 24 times the MRHD of 80 mg/day based on mg/m2. However, valbenazine produced a delay in fetal development (decreased fetal weights and delayed ossification) at 24 times the MRHD of 80 mg/day based on mg/m2, likely secondary to maternal toxicity (decreased food intake and loss in body weight).
Valbenazine was administered orally to pregnant rats during the period of organogenesis through lactation (day 7 of gestation through day 20 postpartum) at 1, 3, and 10 mg/kg/day, which are approximately 0.1, 0.4, and 1.2 times the MRHD of 80 mg/day based on mg/m2. Valbenazine produced an increase in the incidence of stillbirths and postnatal pup mortality at 0.4 and 1.2 times the MRHD of 80 mg/day based on mg/m2. Valbenazine did not affect neurobehavioral function including learning and memory and had no effect on sexual maturation at doses <1 times the MRHD of 80 mg/day based on mg/m2(because of death in the majority of the high dose group (1.2 times the MRHD), these parameters were not assessed in this group).
- Lactation: Advise not to breastfeed. ()8.2LactationRisk Summary
There is no information regarding the presence of valbenazine or its metabolites in human milk, the effects on the breastfed infant, or the effects on milk production. Valbenazine and its metabolites have been detected in rat milk at concentrations higher than in plasma following oral administration of valbenazine at doses 0.1 to 1.2 times the MRHD based on mg/m2. Based on animal findings of increased perinatal mortality in exposed fetuses and pups, advise a woman not to breastfeed during treatment with INGREZZA or INGREZZA SPRINKLE and for 5 days after the final dose.
INGREZZA and INGREZZA SPRINKLE are contraindicated in patients with a history of hypersensitivity to valbenazine or any components of INGREZZA or INGREZZA SPRINKLE. Rash, urticaria, and reactions consistent with angioedema (e.g., swelling of the face, lips, and mouth) have been reported with use of INGREZZA
Hypersensitivity reactions, including cases of angioedema involving the larynx, glottis, lips, and eyelids, have been reported in the postmarketing setting in patients after taking the first or subsequent doses of INGREZZA
The following adverse reactions have been identified during post-approval use of INGREZZA that are not included in other sections of labeling. 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.