WARNINGS
Included as part of the PRECAUTIONS section.
PRECAUTIONS
Fetal Toxicity
Pregnancy Category D
Use of drugs that act on the renin-angiotensin system
during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy reduces fetal renal
function and increases fetal and neonatal morbidity and death. Resulting oligohydramnios
can be associated with fetal lung hypoplasia and skeletal deformations.
Potential neonatal adverse effects include skull hypoplasia, anuria,
hypotension, renal failure, and death. When pregnancy is detected, discontinue
PRESTALIA as soon as possible [see Use In Specific Populations].
Anaphylactoid And Possibly Related Reactions
Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors affect the
metabolism of eicosanoids and polypeptides, including endogenous bradykinin.
Patients taking ACE inhibitors (including the one in PRESTALIA) may, therefore,
be subject to a variety of bradykinin- or prostaglandin-mediated adverse
reactions, some of them serious. Black patients receiving ACE inhibitors have a
higher incidence of angioedema compared with non-blacks.
Head And Neck Angioedema
Angioedema of the face, extremities, lips, tongue,
glottis, and larynx has been reported in patients treated with ACE inhibitors
(0.1% of patients treated with perindopril in U.S. clinical trials). Angioedema
associated with involvement of the tongue, glottis or larynx may be fatal. In such
cases, discontinue perindopril treatment immediately and observe until the
swelling disappears. When involvement of the tongue, glottis, or larynx appears
likely to cause airway obstruction, administer appropriate therapy, such as
subcutaneous epinephrine solution 1:1000 (0.3 to 0.5 mL), promptly.
Patients taking concomitant mTOR inhibitor (e.g.
temsirolimus) therapy or a neprilysin inhibitor may be at increased risk for
angioedema [see DRUG INTERACTIONS].
Intestinal Angioedema
Intestinal angioedema has been reported in patients
treated with ACE inhibitors. These patients presented with abdominal pain (with
or without nausea or vomiting), and the angioedema was diagnosed by imaging
studies such as abdominal CT or ultrasound, or at surgery. In some cases there
was no prior history of facial angioedema, and C-1 esterase levels were normal.
Symptoms resolved after stopping the ACE inhibitor. Intestinal angioedema
should be included in the differential diagnosis of patients on ACE inhibitors
presenting with abdominal pain.
Increased Angina And/Or Myocardial Infarction
Worsening angina and acute myocardial infarction can
develop after starting or increasing the dose of PRESTALIA, particularly in
patients with severe obstructive coronary artery disease.
Hypotension
PRESTALIA can cause symptomatic hypotension. Symptomatic
hypotension is most likely to occur in patients who have been volume- or
salt-depleted as a result of prolonged diuretic therapy, dietary salt restriction,
dialysis, diarrhea, or vomiting.
In patients at risk of excessive hypotension, start
PRESTALIA therapy under close medical supervision. Follow patients closely for
the first 2 weeks of treatment and whenever the dose of PRESTALIA is increased
or a diuretic is added or its dose increased.
If excessive hypotension occurs, immediately place
patient in a supine position and, if necessary, treat patient with an
intravenous infusion of physiological saline. PRESTALIA treatment can usually
be continued following restoration of volume and blood pressure.
Patients with severe aortic stenosis may be more likely
to experience symptomatic hypotension. Because of the gradual onset of action,
acute hypotension is unlikely.
Surgery/Anesthesia
In patients undergoing major surgery or during anesthesia
with agents that produce hypotension, PRESTALIA may block angiotensin II
formation secondary to compensatory renin release. If hypotension occurs and is
considered to be due to this mechanism, it can be corrected by volume expansion.
Hyperkalemia
Elevations of serum potassium have been observed in some
patients treated with ACE inhibitors, including PRESTALIA. Risk factors for the
development of hyperkalemia include renal insufficiency, diabetes mellitus, and
the concomitant use of agents such as potassium-sparing diuretics, potassium supplements,
and/or potassium-containing salt substitutes [see DRUG INTERACTIONS].
Monitor serum potassium periodically in patients
receiving PRESTALIA.
Cough
Presumably because of the inhibition of the degradation
of endogenous bradykinin, persistent nonproductive cough has been reported with
all ACE inhibitors, generally resolving after discontinuation of therapy.
Consider ACE inhibitor-induced cough in the differential diagnosis of cough.
Impaired Renal Function
Monitor renal function periodically in patients receiving
PRESTALIA. Drugs that affect the reninangiotensin system can cause reductions
in renal function, including acute renal failure. Patients whose renal function
may depend in part on the activity of the renin-angiotensin system—(e.g.,
patients with renal artery stenosis, severe heart failure, post-myocardial
infarction or volume depletion) or who are on non-steroidal anti-inflammatory
agents (NSAIDS) or angiotensin receptor blockers—may be at particular risk of
developing acute renal failure on PRESTALIA. Consider withholding or discontinuing
therapy in patients who develop a clinically significant decrease in renal function
on PRESTALIA.
Hepatic Failure
Rarely, ACE inhibitors have been associated with a
syndrome that starts with cholestatic jaundice and progresses to fulminant
hepatic necrosis and sometimes death. The mechanism of this syndrome is not understood.
Patients receiving ACE inhibitors who develop jaundice or marked elevations of
hepatic enzymes should discontinue the ACE inhibitor and receive appropriate
medical follow-up.
Patient Counseling Information
Advise the patient to read the FDA-approved patient
labeling (PATIENT INFORMATION).
Tell female patients of childbearing age that use of
drugs like perindopril that act on the reninangiotensin system can cause
serious problems in the fetus and infant, including low blood pressure, poor
development of skull bones, kidney failure, and death. Discuss other treatment
options with female patients planning to become pregnant. Tell women using
PRESTALIA who become pregnant to notify their physician as soon as possible.
In case of a missed dose, have patients resume the usual
dose at the next scheduled time.
Nonclinical Toxicology
Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment Of Fertility
No carcinogenicity, mutagenicity or fertility studies
have been conducted with the combination of perindopril and amlodipine.
However, these studies have been conducted for perindopril and amlodipine
alone.
Perindopril
Carcinogenicity
No evidence of carcinogenicity was observed in studies in
rats and mice when perindopril was administered at dosages up to 5 times (mg/m
) the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD) of 14 mg/day for 104 weeks.
Mutagenesis
No genotoxic potential was detected for perindopril,
perindoprilat, and other metabolites in various in vitro and in vivo investigations,
including the Ames test, the Saccharomyces cerevisiae D4 test, cultured human
lymphocytes, thymidine kinase ± mouse lymphoma assay, mouse and rat micronucleus
tests, the in vivo micronucleus and chromosomal aberration tests, and Chinese
hamster bone marrow assay.
Impairment Of Fertility
There was no meaningful effect on reproductive
performance or fertility in rats given up to 7 times (mg/m²) the MRHD during
the period of spermatogenesis in males or oogenesis and gestation in females.
Amlodipine
Carcinogenicity
Rats and mice treated with amlodipine maleate in the diet
for up to 2 years, at concentrations calculated to provide daily amlodipine
dosage levels of 0.5, 1.25, and 2.5 mg/kg/day, showed no evidence of a
carcinogenic effect of the drug. For the mouse, the highest dose was, on a body
surface area basis, similar to the amlodipine MRHD of 10 mg/day. For the rat,
the highest dose was, on a body surface area basis, approximately 2.5 times the
MRHD, assuming a patient weight of 60 kg.
Mutagenesis
Mutagenicity studies conducted with amlodipine maleate
revealed no drug-related effects at either the gene or chromosome level.
Impairment Of Fertility
There was no effect on the fertility of rats treated
orally with amlodipine maleate (males for 64 days and females for 14 days prior
to mating) at amlodipine doses of up to 10 mg/kg/day, about 10 times the MRHD
of 10 mg/day on a body surface area basis.
Reproductive Toxicity
Reproductive toxicity studies have not been conducted
with this combination. However, these studies have been conducted for
amlodipine alone.
Amlodipine
No evidence of teratogenicity or other embryo/fetal
toxicity was found when pregnant rats and rabbits were treated orally with
amlodipine maleate at amlodipine doses of up to 10 mg/kg/day (respectively, about
8 and 23 times the maximum recommended human dose of 10 mg on a mg/m² basis,
assuming a patient weight of 50 kg) during their periods of major
organogenesis. However, litter size was significantly decreased (by about 50%)
and the number of intrauterine deaths was significantly increased (about
5-fold) for rats receiving amlodipine maleate at an amlodipine dose equivalent
to 10 mg/kg/day for 14 days before mating and throughout mating and gestation.
Amlodipine maleate has been shown to prolong both the gestation period and the
duration of labor in rats at this dose.
Use In Specific Populations
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Category D [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]
Use of drugs that act on the renin-angiotensin system
during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy reduces fetal renal
function and increases fetal and neonatal morbidity and death. Resulting oligohydramnios
can be associated with fetal lung hypoplasia and skeletal deformations.
Potential neonatal adverse effects include skull hypoplasia, anuria,
hypotension, renal failure, and death. When pregnancy is detected, discontinue
PRESTALIA as soon as possible. These adverse outcomes are usually associated
with use of these drugs in the second and third trimester of pregnancy. Most epidemiologic
studies examining fetal abnormalities after exposure to antihypertensive use in
the first trimester have not distinguished drugs affecting the
renin-angiotensin system from other antihypertensive agents. Appropriate
management of maternal hypertension during pregnancy is important to optimize
outcomes for both mother and fetus.
In the unusual case that there is no appropriate
alternative therapy with drugs affecting the reninangiotensin system for a
particular patient, apprise the mother of the potential risk to the fetus.
Perform serial ultra-sound examinations to assess the intra-amniotic
environment. If oligohydramnios is observed, discontinue PRESTALIA, unless it
is considered lifesaving for the mother. Fetal testing may be appropriate,
based on the week of pregnancy. Patients and physicians should be aware,
however, that oligohydramnios may not appear until after the fetus has
sustained irreversible injury. Closely observe infants with histories of in
utero exposure to PRESTALIA for hypotension, oliguria, and hyperkalemia [see Use
In Specific Populations].
Radioactivity was detectable in fetuses after
administration of 14 C-perindopril to pregnant rats.
Nursing Mothers
It is not known whether perindopril or amlodipine is
excreted in human milk, but radioactivity was detected in the milk of lactating
rats following administration of 14C-perindopril. Because of the potential
for adverse effects on the nursing infant, decide whether to discontinue
nursing or discontinue PRESTALIA.
Pediatric Use
Neonates With A History Of In Utero Exposure To PRESTALIA
If oliguria or hypotension occurs, direct attention
toward support of blood pressure and renal perfusion. Exchange transfusions or
dialysis may be required as a means of reversing hypotension and/or substituting
for disordered renal function.
The safety and effectiveness of PRESTALIA in pediatric
patients have not been established.
Geriatric Use
The mean blood pressure effect of perindopril was
somewhat smaller in patients over 60 years of age than in younger patients,
although the difference was not significant. Plasma concentrations of both perindopril
and perindoprilat in elderly patients (>65 years) are approximately twice
those observed in younger patients. No adverse effects were clearly increased
in older patients with the exception of dizziness and rash.
Amlodipine is extensively metabolized in the liver. In
the elderly, clearance of amlodipine is decreased with resulting increases in
peak plasma levels, elimination half-life, and AUC.
Experience with PRESTALIA is limited in the elderly at
doses exceeding 7/5 mg. If doses above 7/5 mg are required, monitor blood
pressure up to two weeks following up titration [see DOSAGE AND
ADMINISTRATION and CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY].
Renal Impairment
Pharmacokinetic data indicate that perindoprilat
elimination is decreased in renally impaired patients, with a marked increase
in accumulation when creatinine clearance drops below 30 mL/min. PRESTALIA is
not recommended in patients with creatinine clearances <30 mL/min. For
patients with creatinine clearance between 30 and 80 mL/min (mild or moderate
renal impairment), do not exceed 7/5 mg [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION and
CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY].