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HORIZANT (gabapentin enacarbil) Extended-Release Tablets for oral use
Initial U.S. Approval: 2011
DESCRIPTION
HORIZANT (gabapentin enacarbil) is a prodrug of gabapentin. Gabapentin enacarbil is described as (1-{[({(1RS)-1-[(2-Methylpropanoyl)oxy]ethoxy}carbonyl)amino]methyl} cyclohexyl) acetic acid. It has a molecular formula of C16H27NO6 and a molecular weight of 329.39.

Gabapentin enacarbil is a white to off-white crystalline solid with a melting onset of approximately 64°C and a solubility of 0.5 mg/mL in water and 10.2 mg/mL in phosphate buffer (pH 6.3).

HORIZANT is administered orally. Each HORIZANT Extended-Release Tablet contains 600 mg of gabapentin enacarbil and the following inactive ingredients: colloidal silicon dioxide, dibasic calcium phosphate dihydrate, glyceryl behenate, magnesium stearate, sodium lauryl sulfate, and talc.

Clinical pharmacology

CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY
Mechanism of Action
Gabapentin enacarbil is a prodrug of gabapentin and, accordingly, its therapeutic effects in RLS are attributable to gabapentin.

The precise mechanism by which gabapentin is efficacious in RLS is unknown. Gabapentin is structurally related to the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) but has no effect on GABA binding, uptake, or degradation. Gabapentin enacarbil and gabapentin have been tested in radioligand binding assays, and neither exhibited affinity for a number of other common receptor, ion channel, or transporter proteins.

In vitro studies have shown that gabapentin binds with high affinity to the a2d subunit of voltage-activated calcium channels; however, the relationship of this binding to the therapeutic effects of gabapentin enacarbil in RLS is unknown.

Indications and usage 

INDICATIONS AND USAGE
HORIZANT is indicated for the treatment of moderate-to-severe primary Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) in adults.

USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS
Pregnancy: based on animal data, may cause fetal harm.
Renal impairment: Dosage adjustments necessary. HORIZANT is not recommended for use in patients with creatinine clearance (CrCl) <30 mL/min or in patients on hemodialysis.

Contraindications

CONTRAINDICATIONS

None.

Precautions

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

  • Driving impairment: Warn patients not to drive until they have gained sufficient experience with HORIZANT to assess whether it will impair their ability to drive.
  • Somnolence/sedation and dizziness: May impair the patient’s ability to operate complex machinery.
  • HORIZANT is not interchangeable with other gabapentin products.
  • Suicidal thoughts or behaviors: Monitor for suicidal thoughts or behaviors.

Adverse reactions

ADVERSE REACTIONS
Most common adverse reactions (>/=10% and at least 2 times the rate of placebo) were somnolence/sedation and dizziness.

To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact GlaxoSmithKline at 1-888-825-5249 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch

Dosage and administration 

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION

Restless Legs Syndrome
The recommended dosage for HORIZANT is 600 mg once daily taken with food at about 5 PM. A daily dose of 1,200 mg provided no additional benefit compared with the 600-mg dose, but caused an increase in adverse reactions.

If the dose is not taken at the recommended time, the next dose should be taken the following day as prescribed.

Tablets should be swallowed whole and should not be cut, crushed, or chewed.

Renal Impairment and Hemodialysis
In patients with compromised renal function (creatinine clearance [CrCl] 30 to 59 mL/min), 600 mg of HORIZANT should be administered on Day 1, Day 3, and every day thereafter.

In patients with stable renal function, CrCl can be estimated using the equation of Cockcroft and Gault:

for males: CrCl = (140-age)(weight) / [(72)(SCr)]

for females: CrCl = (0.85)(140-age)(weight) / [(72)(SCr)]

where age is in years, weight is in kilograms, and SCr is serum creatinine in mg/dL.

HORIZANT is not recommended for use in patients with a CrCl <30 mL/min or on hemodialysis because the dose cannot be reduced below 600 mg.

How supplied

OSAGE FORMS AND STRENGTHS

HORIZANT Extended-Release Tablets, 600 mg, are white to off-white, oval-shaped tablets debossed with “GS LFG”. HORIZANT Extended-Release Tablets may contain occasional black/grey spots.

NDC 0173-0806-01: Bottles of 30

Store at 25°C (77°F); excursions permitted 15° to 30°C (59° to 86°F) [see USP Controlled Room Temperature]. Protect from moisture. Do not remove desiccants. Dispense in original bottle.

Reference

Package Insert data: 
HORIZANT is a trademark of GlaxoSmithKline.
Manufactured by:
Patheon Inc.
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709

for:
GlaxoSmithKline
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709

Licensed from:
XenoPort, Inc.
Santa Clara, CA 95051
©2011, GlaxoSmithKline. All rights reserved.

April 2011

Reference(s)

National Institutes of Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine, DailyMed Database.
Provides access to the latest drug monographs submitted to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Please review the latest applicable package insert for additional information and possible updates.  A local search option of this data can be found here.

HORIZANT® (gabapentin enacarbil) Extended