WARNINGS
Included as part of the "PRECAUTIONS" Section
PRECAUTIONS
Potential For Abuse And Dependence
CNS stimulants, including COTEMPLA XR-ODT, other methylphenidate-containing products, and amphetamines, have a high potential for abuse and dependence. Assess the risk of abuse prior to prescribing, and monitor for signs of abuse and dependence while on therapy [see BOX WARNING and Drug Abuse And Dependence].
Serious Cardiovascular Reactions
Sudden death, stroke and myocardial infarction have occurred in adults treated with CNS stimulants at recommended doses. Sudden death has occurred in pediatric patients with structural cardiac abnormalities and other serious cardiac problems taking CNS stimulants at recommended doses for ADHD. Avoid use in patients with known structural cardiac abnormalities, cardiomyopathy, serious heart rhythm abnormalities, coronary artery disease, and other serious heart problems. Perform further evaluation on patients who develop exertional chest pain, unexplained syncope, or arrhythmias during COTEMPLA XR-ODT treatment.
Blood Pressure And Heart Rate Increases
CNS stimulants cause an increase in blood pressure (mean increase approximately 2 to 4 mmHg) and heart rate (mean increase approximately 3 to 6 bpm). Individuals may have larger increases. Monitor all patients for hypertension and tachycardia.
Psychiatric Adverse Reactions
Exacerbation Of Pre-Existing Psychosis
CNS stimulants may exacerbate symptoms of behavior disturbance and thought disorder in patients with a pre-existing psychotic disorder.
Induction Of A Manic Episode In Patients With Bipolar Disorder
CNS stimulants may induce a manic or mixed episode in patients. Prior to initiating treatment, screen patients for risk factors for developing a manic episode (e.g. comorbid or history of depressive symptoms or a family history of suicide, bipolar disorder, or depression).
New Psychotic Or Manic Symptoms
CNS stimulants, at recommended doses, may cause psychotic or manic symptoms (e.g., hallucinations, delusional thinking or mania) in patients without a prior history of psychotic illness or mania. If such symptoms occur, consider discontinuing COTEMPLA XR-ODT. In a pooled analysis of multiple short-term, placebo-controlled studies of CNS stimulants, psychotic or manic symptoms occurred in approximately 0.1% of CNS stimulant-treated patients, compared to 0 in placebo-treated patients.
Priapism
Prolonged and painful erections, sometimes requiring surgical intervention, have been reported with methylphenidate products in both pediatric and adult patients. Priapism was not reported with drug initiation but developed after some time on the drug, often subsequent to an increase in dose. Priapism has also appeared during a period of drug withdrawal (drug holidays or during discontinuation). Patients who develop abnormally sustained or frequent and painful erections should seek immediate medical attention.
Peripheral Vasculopathy, Including Raynaud’s Phenomenon
CNS stimulants, including COTEMPLA XR-ODT, used to treat ADHD are associated with peripheral vasculopathy, including Raynaud’s phenomenon. Signs and symptoms are usually intermittent and mild; however, very rare sequelae include digital ulceration and/or soft tissue breakdown. Effects of peripheral vasculopathy, including Raynaud’s phenomenon, were observed in post-marketing reports at different times and at therapeutic doses in all age groups throughout the course of treatment. Signs and symptoms generally improve after reduction in dose or discontinuation of drug. Careful observation for digital changes is necessary treatment with ADHD stimulants. Further clinical evaluation (e.g., rheumatology referral) may be appropriate for certain patients.
Long-Term Suppression Of Growth
CNS stimulants have been associated with weight loss and slowing of growth rate in pediatric patients.
Careful follow-up of weight and height in pediatric patients ages 7 to 10 years who were randomized to either methylphenidate or nonmedication-treatment groups over 14 months, as well as in naturalistic subgroups of newly methylphenidate-treated and nonmedication-treated pediatric patients over 36 months (to the ages of 10 to 13 years), suggests that consistently medicated children (i.e. treatment for 7 days per week throughout the year) have a temporary slowing in growth rate (on average, a total of about 2 cm less growth in height and 2.7 kg less growth in weight over 3 years), without evidence of growth rebound during this period of development.
Closely monitor growth (weight and height) in pediatric patients treated with CNS stimulants, including COTEMPLA XR-ODT. Patients who are not growing or gaining height or weight as expected may need to have their treatment interrupted.
Patient Counseling Information
Advise the patient to read the FDA-approved patient labeling (Medication Guide)
Controlled Substance Status/Potential For Abuse And Dependence
Advise patients and their caregivers that COTEMPLA XR-ODT is a federally controlled substance, and it can be abused or lead to dependence [see Drug Abuse And Dependence]. Instruct patients that they should not give COTEMPLA XR-ODT to anyone else. Advise patients to store COTEMPLA XR-ODT in a safe place, preferably locked, to prevent abuse. Advise patients and their caregivers to comply with laws and regulations on drug disposal. Advise patients and their caregivers to dispose of remaining, unused, or expired COTEMPLA XR-ODT through a medicine take-back program if available [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS, Abuse and Dependence, HOW SUPPLIED].
Instructions For Taking COTEMPLA XR-ODT
Instruct patients and their caregivers on the following:
- The tablet should remain in the blister pack until the patient is ready to take it.
- The tablet should be taken immediately after opening the blister pack. It should not be stored for future use.
- The patient or caregiver should use dry hands when opening the blister pack.
- The patient or caregiver should remove the tablet by peeling back the foil on the blister pack. The tablet should not be pushed through the foil.
- As soon as the blister is opened, the tablet should be removed and placed on the patient’s tongue.
- The whole tablet should be placed on the tongue and allowed to disintegrate without chewing or crushing.
- The tablet will disintegrate in saliva and can be swallowed. No liquid is needed to take the tablet.
Serious Cardiovascular Risks
Advise patients, caregivers, and their family members that there is a potential for serious cardiovascular risks including sudden death, myocardial infarction, and stroke with COTEMPLA XR-ODT. Instruct patients to contact a healthcare provider immediately if they develop symptoms such as exertional chest pain, unexplained syncope, or other symptoms suggestive of cardiac disease [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Blood Pressure And Heart Rate Increases
Advise patients and their caregivers that COTEMPLA XR-ODT can elevate blood pressure and heart rate [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Psychiatric Risks
Advise patients and their caregivers that COTEMPLA XR-ODT, at recommended doses, can cause psychotic or manic symptoms, even in patients without a prior history or psychotic symptoms or mania [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Priapism
Advise patients, caregivers, and family members of the possibility of painful or prolonged penile erections (priapism). Instruct the patient to seek immediate medical attention in the event of priapism [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Circulation Problems In Fingers And Toes [Peripheral Vasculopathy, Including Raynaud’s Phenomenon]
- Instruct patients about the risk of peripheral vasculopathy, including Raynaud’s phenomenon, and associated signs and symptoms: fingers or toes may feel numb, cool, painful, and/or may change color from pale, to blue, to red.
- Instruct patients to report to their physician any new numbness, pain, skin color change, or sensitivity to temperature in fingers or toes.
- Instruct patients to call their physician immediately with any signs of unexplained wounds appearing on fingers or toes while taking COTEMPLA XR-ODT.
- Further clinical evaluation (e.g., rheumatology referral) may be appropriate for certain patients [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Suppression Of Growth
Advise patients, families, and caregivers that COTEMPLA XR-ODT can cause slowing of growth and weight loss [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Alcohol Effect
Advise patients to avoid alcohol while taking COTEMPLA XR-ODT. Consumption of alcohol
while taking COTEMPLA XR-ODT may result in a more rapid release of the dose of methylphenidate [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY].
Pregnancy Registry
Advise patients that there is a pregnancy exposure registry that monitors pregnancy outcomes in
females exposed to COTEMPLA XR-ODT during pregnancy [see Use In Specific Populations].
Nonclinical Toxicology
Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment Of Fertility
Carcinogenesis
In a lifetime carcinogenicity study carried out in B6C3F1 mice, methylphenidate caused an increase in hepatocellular adenomas and, in males only, an increase in hepatoblastomas at a daily dose of approximately 60 mg/kg/day. For pediatric patients, this dose is approximately 4 times the maximum recommended human dose of 51.8 (as base) on a mg/m2 basis. Hepatoblastoma is a relatively rare rodent malignant tumor type. There was no increase in total malignant hepatic tumors. The mouse strain used is sensitive to the development of hepatic tumors, and the significance of these results to humans is unknown.
Methylphenidate did not cause any increase in tumors in a lifetime carcinogenicity study carried out in F344 rats; the highest dose used was approximately 45 mg/kg/day, which is approximately 5 times the maximum recommended dose of 51.8 mg (as base) for pediatric patients on a mg/m2 basis.
Mutagenesis
Methylphenidate was not mutagenic in the in vitro Ames reverse mutation assay or the in vitro mouse lymphoma cell forward mutation assay. Sister chromatid exchanges and chromosome aberrations were increased, indicative of a weak clastogenic response, in an in vitro assay in cultured Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells. Methylphenidate was negative in an in vivo mouse bone marrow micronucleus assay.
Impairment Of Fertility
Methylphenidate did not impair fertility in male or female mice that were fed diets containing the drug in an 18-week Continuous Breeding study. The study was conducted at doses up to 160 mg/kg/day, approximately 12-fold the maximum recommended human dose of 51.8 (as base) for adolescents on a mg/m2 basis.
Use In Specific Populations
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Exposure Registry
There is a pregnancy exposure registry that monitors pregnancy outcomes in women exposed to COTEMPLA XR-ODT during pregnancy. Healthcare providers are encouraged to register patients by calling the National Pregnancy Registry for Psychostimulants at 1-866-961-2388.
Risk Summary
Published studies and postmarketing reports on methylphenidate use during pregnancy are insufficient to inform a drug-associated risk of adverse pregnancy-related outcomes [see Data]. There are risks to the fetus associated with the use of central nervous system (CNS) stimulants during pregnancy [see Clinical Considerations]. No teratogenic effects were observed in embryo-fetal development studies with oral administration of methylphenidate to pregnant rats and rabbits during organogenesis at doses 4 and 18 times, respectively, the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD) of 51.8 mg (as base). However, spina bifida was observed in rabbits at a dose 60 times the MRHD [see Data].
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. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2-4% and 15-20%, respectively.
Clinical Considerations
Fetal/Neonatal adverse reactions
CNS stimulants, such as COTEMPLA XR-ODT, can cause vasoconstriction and thereby decrease placental perfusion. No fetal and/or neonatal adverse reactions have been reported with the use of therapeutic doses of methylphenidate during pregnancy; however, premature delivery and low birth weight infants have been reported in amphetamine-dependent mothers.
Data
Human Data
A limited number of pregnancies have been reported in published observational studies and postmarketing reports describing methylphenidate use during pregnancy. Due to the small number of methylphenidate-exposed pregnancies with known outcomes, these data cannot definitely establish or exclude any drug-associated risk during pregnancy. Methodological limitations of these observational studies include small sample size, concomitant use of other medications, lack of detail regarding dose and duration of exposure to methylphenidate and nongeneralizability of the enrolled populations.
Animal Data
In studies conducted in rats and rabbits, methylphenidate was administered orally at doses of up to 75 and 200 mg/kg/day, respectively, during the period of organogenesis. Teratogenic effects (increased incidence of fetal spina bifida) were observed in rabbits at the highest dose, which is approximately 60 times the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD) of 51.8 mg (as base) for adolescents on a mg/m2 basis. The no effect level for embryo-fetal development in rabbits was 60 mg/kg/day (18 times the MRHD for adolescent on a mg/m2 basis). There was no evidence of specific teratogenic activity in rats, although increased incidences of fetal skeletal variations were seen at the highest dose level (11 times the MRHD on a mg/m2 basis for adolescent), which was also maternally toxic. The no effect level for embryo-fetal development in rats was 25 mg/kg/day (4 times the MRHD on a mg/m2 basis for adolescent).
Lactation
Risk Summary
Limited published literature, based on breast milk sampling from five mothers, reports that methylphenidate is present in human milk, which resulted in infant doses of 0.16% to 0.7% of the maternal weight-adjusted dosage and a milk/plasma ratio ranging between 1.1 and 2.7. There are no reports of adverse effects on the breastfed infant and no effects on milk production. Longterm neurodevelopmental effects on infants from stimulant exposure are unknown. The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother’s clinical need for COTEMPLA XR-ODT and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed child from COTEMPLA XR-ODT or from the underlying maternal condition.
Clinical Considerations
Monitor breastfeeding infants for adverse reactions, such as agitation, insomnia, anorexia, and reduced weight gain.
Pediatric Use
The safety and effectiveness of COTEMPLA XR-ODT have been established in pediatric patients 6 to 17 years of age in one adequate and well-controlled study in pediatric patients 6 to 12 years, pharmacokinetic data in adolescents, and safety information from other methyphenidate-containing products [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY and Clinical Studies].
The long-term efficacy of methylphenidate in pediatric patients has not been established. Safety and effectiveness of COTEMPLA XR-ODT in pediatric patients below 6 years of age have not been established.
Long Term Suppression Growth
Growth should be monitored during treatment with stimulants, including COTEMPLA XR-ODT. Children who are not growing or gaining weight as expected may need to have their treatment interrupted [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Juvenile Animal Toxicity Data
Rats treated with methylphenidate early in the postnatal period through sexual maturation demonstrated a decrease in spontaneous locomotor activity in adulthood. A deficit in acquisition of a specific learning task was observed in females only. The doses at which these findings were observed are at least 6 times the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD) of 51.8 mg (as base) for pediatric patients on a mg/m2 basis.
In the study conducted in young rats, methylphenidate was administered orally at doses of up to 100 mg/kg/day for 9 weeks, starting early in the postnatal period (postnatal day 7) and continuing through sexual maturity (postnatal week 10). When these animals were tested as adults (postnatal weeks 13-14), decreased spontaneous locomotor activity was observed in males and females previously treated with 50 mg/kg/day [approximately 6 times the MRHD of 51.8 mg (as base) on a mg/m2 basis] or greater, and a deficit in the acquisition of a specific learning task was observed in females exposed to the highest dose (12 times the MRHD on a mg/m2 basis). The no effect level for juvenile neurobehavioral development in rats was 5 mg/kg/day (half the MRHD on a mg/m2 basis). The clinical significance of the long-term behavioral effects observed in rats is unknown.
Geriatric Use
COTEMPLA XR-ODT has not been studied in patients over the age of 65 years.