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Warnings 

WARNING:   WARNING: BLEEDING RISK

Do not use ZONTIVITY in patients with a history of stroke, transient ischemic attack (TIA), or intracranial hemorrhage (ICH); or active pathological bleeding [see CONTRAINDICATIONS ].
Antiplatelet agents, including ZONTIVITY, increase the risk of bleeding, including ICH and fatal bleeding [see Warnings and Precautions]

Description 

Description:
ZONTIVITY contains vorapaxar sulfate, a tricyclic himbacine-derived selective inhibitor of platelet aggregation mediated by PAR-1.

The chemical name of vorapaxar sulfate is ethyl [(1R,3aR,4aR,6R,8aR,9S,9aS)-9-{(1E)-2-[5-(3-fluorophenyl)pyridin-2-yl]ethen-1-yl}-1-methyl-3-oxododecahydronaphtho[2,3-c]furan-6-yl]carbamate sulfate. The empirical formula is C29H33FN2O4·H2SO4, and its molecular weight is 590.7.

Vorapaxar sulfate is a white to off-white solid. Vorapaxar sulfate is freely soluble in methanol and slightly soluble in ethanol, acetone, 2-propanol, and acetonitrile. In aqueous solution, it is slightly soluble in pH 1; its solubility decreases with increasing pH. ZONTIVITY tablets are formulated with vorapaxar sulfate, but during manufacture and storage, partial conversion from vorapaxar sulfate to vorapaxar free base may occur.

ZONTIVITY is available for oral use as tablets containing 2.08 mg of vorapaxar, which is equivalent to 2.5 mg of vorapaxar sulfate.

Each film-coated tablet of ZONTIVITY contains the following inactive ingredients: lactose monohydrate, microcrystalline cellulose, croscarmellose sodium, povidone, and magnesium stearate. In addition, the film coating contains the following inactive ingredients: lactose monohydrate, hypromellose, titanium dioxide, triacetin (glycerol triacetate), and iron oxide yellow.

Clinical pharmacology

Mechanism of Action:
Vorapaxar is a reversible antagonist of the protease-activated receptor-1 (PAR-1) expressed on platelets, but its long half-life makes it effectively irreversible. Vorapaxar inhibits thrombin-induced and thrombin receptor agonist peptide (TRAP)-induced platelet aggregation in in vitro studies. Vorapaxar does not inhibit platelet aggregation induced by adenosine diphosphate (ADP), collagen or a thromboxane mimetic and does not affect coagulation parameters ex vivo. PAR-1 receptors are also expressed in a wide variety of cell types, including endothelial cells, neurons, and smooth muscle cells, but the pharmacodynamic effects of vorapaxar in these cell types have not been assessed.

Indications and usage 

INDICATIONS AND USAGE:
ZONTIVITY is a protease-activated receptor-1 (PAR-1) antagonist indicated for the reduction of thrombotic cardiovascular events in patients with a history of myocardial infarction (MI) or with peripheral arterial disease (PAD). ZONTIVITY has been shown to reduce the rate of a combined endpoint of cardiovascular death, MI, stroke, and urgent coronary revascularization.

Contraindications

Contraindications:
History of stroke, TIA, or ICH.
Active pathologic bleeding.

Precautions

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS:

  1. Like other antiplatelet agents, ZONTIVITY increases the risk of bleeding.
  2. Avoid use with strong CYP3A inhibitors or inducers.

Adverse reactions

ADVERSE REACTIONS:
Bleeding, including life-threatening and fatal bleeding, is the most commonly reported adverse reaction. (6.1)

To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., at 1-877-888-4231 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.

See PACKAGE INSERT for PATIENT COUNSELING INFORMATION and Medication Guide.

Dosage and administration 

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION:
General Dosing Information

Take one tablet of ZONTIVITY 2.08 mg orally once daily, with or without food.

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Coadministration with Other Antiplatelet Drugs:
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There is no experience with use of ZONTIVITY alone as the only administered antiplatelet agent. ZONTIVITY has been studied only as an addition to aspirin and/or clopidogrel. Use ZONTIVITY with aspirin and/or clopidogrel according to their indications or standard of care. There is limited clinical experience with other antiplatelet drugs.

How supplied

DOSAGE FORMS AND STRENGTHS:
Tablets: 2.08 mg vorapaxar.

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.

ZONTIVITY™