Warnings for Roszet
Included as part of the "PRECAUTIONS" Section
Precautions for Roszet
Myopathy And Rhabdomyolysis
ROSZET may cause myopathy [muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness with elevated creatine kinase (CK)] and rhabdomyolysis. Acute kidney injury secondary to myoglobinuria and rare fatalities have occurred as a result of rhabdomyolysis with statins, including rosuvastatin.
Risk Factors For Myopathy
Risk factors for myopathy include age 65 years or greater, uncontrolled hypothyroidism, renal impairment, concomitant use with certain other drugs including other lipid-lowering therapies, and higher ROSZET dosage; Asian patients on ROSZET may be at higher risk for myopathy [see DRUG INTERACTIONS and Use In Specific Populations]. The myopathy risk is greater in patients taking ROSZET 40 mg/10 mg daily compared with lower ROSZET dosages.
Steps To Prevent Or Reduce The Risk Of Myopathy And Rhabdomyolysis
The concomitant use of ROSZET with cyclosporine or gemfibrozil is not recommended. ROSZET dosage modifications are recommended for patients taking certain antiviral medications, darolutamide, and regorafenib [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION]. Niacin, fibrates, and colchicine may also increase the risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis [see DRUG INTERACTIONS].
Discontinue ROSZET if markedly elevated CK levels occur or myopathy is either diagnosed or suspected. Muscle symptoms and CK elevations may resolve if ROSZET is discontinued. Temporarily discontinue ROSZET in patients experiencing an acute or serious condition at high risk of developing renal failure secondary to rhabdomyolysis, e.g., sepsis; shock; severe hypovolemia; major surgery; trauma; severe metabolic, endocrine, or electrolyte disorders; or uncontrolled epilepsy.
Inform patients of the risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis when starting or increasing the ROSZET dosage. Instruct patients to promptly report any unexplained muscle pain, tenderness or weakness, particularly if accompanied by malaise or fever.
Immune-Mediated Necrotizing Myopathy
There have been rare reports of immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy (IMNM), an autoimmune myopathy, associated with statin use, including reports of recurrence when the same or a different statin was administered. IMNM is characterized by proximal muscle weakness and elevated serum creatine kinase that persist despite discontinuation of statin treatment; positive anti-HMG CoA reductase antibody; muscle biopsy showing necrotizing myopathy; and improvement with immunosuppressive agents. Additional neuromuscular and serologic testing may be necessary. Treatment with immunosuppressive agents may be required. Discontinue ROSZET if IMNM is suspected.
Hepatic Dysfunction
Increases in serum transaminases have occurred with rosuvastatin [see ADVERSE REACTIONS]. In most cases, these changes appeared soon after initiation, were transient, were not accompanied by symptoms, and resolved or improved on continued therapy or after a brief interruption in therapy. In a pooled analysis of placebo-controlled trials, increases in serum transaminases to more than three times the ULN occurred in 1.1% of patients taking rosuvastatin versus 0.5% of patients treated with placebo. Marked persistent increases of hepatic transaminases have also occurred with rosuvastatin.
There have been rare postmarketing reports of fatal and non-fatal hepatic failure in patients taking statins, including rosuvastatin.
Increases in serum transaminases have been reported with use of ezetimibe [see ADVERSE REACTIONS]. In controlled clinical combination studies of ezetimibe initiated concurrently with a statin, the incidence of consecutive elevations (≥3 × ULN) in hepatic transaminase levels was 1.3% for patients treated with ezetimibe administered with statins and 0.4% for patients treated with statins alone.
Patients who consume substantial quantities of alcohol and/or have a history of liver disease may be at increased risk for hepatic injury.
Consider liver enzyme testing before ROSZET initiation and thereafter, when clinically indicated and consider withdrawal of ROSZET if increases in ALT or AST ≥3 × ULN persist. ROSZET is contraindicated in patients with acute liver failure or decompensated cirrhosis [see CONTRAINDICATIONS]. If serious hepatic injury with clinical symptoms and/or hyperbilirubinemia or jaundice occurs, promptly discontinue ROSZET.
Proteinuria And Hematuria
In the rosuvastatin clinical trial program, dipstick-positive proteinuria and microscopic hematuria were observed among rosuvastatin treated patients. These findings were more frequent in patients taking rosuvastatin 40 mg, when compared to lower doses of rosuvastatin or comparator statins, though it was generally transient and was not associated with worsening renal function. Although the clinical significance of this finding is unknown, consider a dose reduction for patients on ROSZET therapy with unexplained persistent proteinuria and/or hematuria during routine urinalysis testing.
Increases In HbA1c And Fasting Serum Glucose Levels
Increases in HbA1c and fasting serum glucose levels have been reported with statins, including rosuvastatin. Based on clinical trial data with rosuvastatin, in some instances these increases may exceed the threshold for the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus [see ADVERSE REACTIONS]. Optimize lifestyle measures, including regular exercise, maintaining a healthy body weight, and making healthy food choices.
Patient Counseling Information
Advise the patient to read the FDA-approved patient labeling (PATIENT INFORMATION).
Myopathy And Rhabdomyolysis
Advise patients that ROSZET may cause myopathy and rhabdomyolysis. Inform patients that the risk is also increased when taking certain types of medication and they should discuss all medication, both prescription and over the counter, with their healthcare provider. Instruct patients to promptly report any unexplained muscle pain, tenderness or weakness particularly if accompanied by malaise or fever [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS, DRUG INTERACTIONS].
Hepatic Dysfunction
Inform patients that ROSZET may cause liver enzyme elevations and possibly liver failure. Advise patients to promptly report fatigue, anorexia, right upper abdominal discomfort, dark urine or jaundice [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Increases In HbA1c And Fasting Serum Glucose Levels
Inform patients that increases in HbA1c and fasting serum glucose levels may occur with ROSZET. Encourage patients to optimize lifestyle measures, including regular exercise, maintaining a healthy body weight, and making healthy food choices [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Pregnancy
Advise pregnant patients and patients who can become pregnant of the potential risk to a fetus. Advise patients to inform their healthcare provider of a known or suspected pregnancy to discuss if ROSZET should be discontinued [see Use In Specific Populations].
Lactation
Advise patients that breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment with ROSZET [see Use In Specific Populations].
Concomitant Use Of Antacids
When taking ROSZET with an aluminum and magnesium hydroxide combination antacid, administer ROSZET at least 2 hours before the antacid [see DRUG INTERACTIONS].
Administration Instructions
Advise patients to swallow tablets whole. Do not crush, dissolve, or chew tablets. If a dose is missed, advise patients not to take an extra dose. Just resume the usual schedule.
Nonclinical Toxicology
Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment Of Fertility
No animal carcinogenicity or fertility studies have been conducted with the combination of rosuvastatin and ezetimibe.
Rosuvastatin
In a 104-week carcinogenicity study in rats at dose levels of 2, 20, 60, or 80 mg/kg/day by oral gavage, the incidence of uterine stromal polyps was significantly increased in females at 80 mg/kg/day at systemic exposure 20 times the human exposure at 40 mg/day based on AUC. Increased incidence of polyps was not seen at lower doses.
In a 107-week carcinogenicity study in mice given 10, 60, or 200 mg/kg/day by oral gavage, an increased incidence of hepatocellular adenoma/carcinoma was observed at 200 mg/kg/day at systemic exposures 20 times the human exposure at 40 mg/day based on AUC. An increased incidence of hepatocellular tumors was not seen at lower doses.
Rosuvastatin was not mutagenic or clastogenic with or without metabolic activation in the Ames test with Salmonella typhimurium and Escherichia coli, the mouse lymphoma assay, and the chromosomal aberration assay in Chinese hamster lung cells. Rosuvastatin was negative in the in vivo mouse micronucleus test.
In rat fertility studies with oral gavage doses of 5, 15, 50 mg/kg/day, males were treated for 9 weeks prior to and throughout mating and females were treated 2 weeks prior to mating and throughout mating until gestation day 7. No adverse effect on fertility was observed at 50 mg/kg/day (systemic exposures up to 10 times the human exposure at 40 mg/day based on AUC). In testicles of dogs treated with rosuvastatin at 30 mg/kg/day for one month, spermatidic giant cells were seen. Spermatidic giant cells were observed in monkeys after 6-month treatment at 30 mg/kg/day in addition to vacuolation of seminiferous tubular epithelium. Exposures in the dog were 20 times and in the monkey 10 times the human exposure at 40 mg/day based on body surface area. Similar findings have been seen with other drugs in this class.
Ezetimibe
A 104-week dietary carcinogenicity study with ezetimibe was conducted in rats at doses up to 1500 mg/kg/day (males) and 500 mg/kg/day (females) (~20 times the human exposure at 10 mg daily based on AUC0-24hr for total ezetimibe). A 104-week dietary carcinogenicity study with ezetimibe was also conducted in mice at doses up to 500 mg/kg/day (>150 times the human exposure at 10 mg daily based on AUC0-24hr for total ezetimibe). There were no statistically significant increases in tumor incidences in drug-treated rats or mice. No evidence of mutagenicity was observed in vitro in a microbial mutagenicity (Ames) test with Salmonella typhimurium and Escherichia coli with or without metabolic activation. No evidence of clastogenicity was observed in vitro in a chromosomal aberration assay in human peripheral blood lymphocytes with or without metabolic activation. In addition, there was no evidence of genotoxicity in the in vivo mouse micronucleus test.
In oral (gavage) fertility studies of ezetimibe conducted in rats, there was no evidence of reproductive toxicity at doses up to 1000 mg/kg/day in male or female rats (~7 times the human exposure at 10 mg daily based on AUC0-24hr for total ezetimibe).
Use In Specific Populations
Pregnancy
Risk Summary
Discontinue ROSZET when pregnancy is recognized. Alternatively, consider the ongoing therapeutic needs of the individual patient. ROSZET decreases synthesis of cholesterol and possibly other biologically active substances derived from cholesterol; therefore, ROSZET may cause fetal harm when administered to pregnant patients based on the mechanism of action [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY]. In addition, treatment of hyperlipidemia is not generally necessary during pregnancy. Atherosclerosis is a chronic process and the discontinuation of lipid-lowering drugs during pregnancy should have little impact on the outcome of long-term therapy of primary hyperlipidemia for most patients.
Available data from case series and prospective and retrospective observational cohort studies over decades of use with statins in pregnant women have not identified a drug-associated risk of major congenital malformations. Published data from prospective and retrospective observational cohort studies with rosuvastatin use in pregnant women are insufficient to determine if there is a drug-associated risk of miscarriage (see Data). In animal reproduction studies, oral administration of rosuvastatin to pregnant rats and rabbits during organogenesis at doses equivalent to the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD) of 40 mg/day resulted in no adverse developmental effects (see Data).
There are insufficient data on ezetimibe use in pregnant women to evaluate for a drug-associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. In animal reproduction studies, oral administration of ezetimibe to pregnant rats and rabbits during organogenesis at doses 10 and 150 times, respectively, the MRHD resulted in no adverse developmental effects (see Data).
The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2 to 4% and 15 to 20%, respectively.
Data
Human Data
A Medicaid cohort linkage study of 1,152 statin-exposed pregnant women compared to 886,996 controls did not find a significant teratogenic effect from maternal use of statins in the first trimester of pregnancy, after adjusting for potential confounders – including maternal age, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, obesity, and alcohol and tobacco use – using propensity score-based methods. The relative risk of congenital malformations between the group with statin use and the group with no statin use in the first trimester was 1.07 (95% confidence interval 0.85 to 1.37) after controlling for confounders, particularly pre-existing diabetes mellitus. There were also no statistically significant increases in any of the organ-specific malformations assessed after accounting for confounders. In the majority of pregnancies, statin treatment was initiated prior to pregnancy and was discontinued at some point in the first trimester when pregnancy was identified. Study limitations include reliance on physician coding to define the presence of a malformation, lack of control for certain confounders such as body mass index, use of prescription dispensing as verification for the use of a statin, and lack of information on non-live births.
Animal Data
Rosuvastatin
Rosuvastatin administration did not indicate a teratogenic effect in rats at ≤25 mg/kg/day or in rabbits ≤3 mg/kg/day (doses equivalent to the MRHD of 40 mg/day based on AUC and body surface area, respectively).
In female rats given 5, 15 and 50 mg/kg/day before mating and continuing through to gestation day 7 resulted in decreased fetal body weight (female pups) and delayed ossification at 50 mg/kg/day (10 times the human exposure at the MRHD dose of 40 mg/day based on AUC).
In pregnant rats given 2, 10 and 50 mg/kg/day of rosuvastatin from gestation day 7 through lactation day 21 (weaning), decreased pup survival occurred at 50 mg/kg/day (dose equivalent to 12 times the MRHD of 40 mg/day based body surface area).
In pregnant rabbits given 0.3, 1, and 3 mg/kg/day of rosuvastatin from gestation day 6 to day 18, decreased fetal viability and maternal mortality was observed at 3 mg/kg/day (dose equivalent to the MRHD of 40 mg/day based on body surface area).
Rosuvastatin crosses the placenta in rats and rabbits and is found in fetal tissue and amniotic fluid at 3% and 20%, respectively, of the maternal plasma concentration following a single 25 mg/kg oral gavage dose on gestation day 16 in rats. A higher fetal tissue distribution (25% maternal plasma concentration) was observed in rabbits after a single oral gavage dose of 1 mg/kg on gestation day 18.
Ezetimibe
In oral (gavage) embryo-fetal development studies of ezetimibe conducted in rats (gestation days 615) and rabbits (gestation days 7-19), there was no evidence of maternal toxicity or embryolethality at any dose tested (250, 500, 1,000 mg/kg/day) at exposures equivalent to 10 and 150 times the clinical exposure, based on AUC, in rats and rabbits. In rats, increased incidences of common fetal skeletal findings (extra pair of thoracic ribs, unossified cervical vertebral centra, shortened ribs) were observed at 1000 mg/kg/day (~10 times the human exposure at 10 mg daily based on AUC0-24hr for total ezetimibe). In rabbits treated with ezetimibe, an increased incidence of extra thoracic ribs was observed at 1000 mg/kg/day (150 times the human exposure at 10 mg daily based on AUC0-24hr for total ezetimibe). The animal-to-human exposure multiple for total ezetimibe at the no observed effect level was 6 times for rat and 134 times for rabbit. Fetal exposure to ezetimibe (conjugated and unconjugated) was confirmed in subsequent placental transfer studies conducted using a maternal dose of 1000 mg/kg/day. The fetal maternal plasma exposure ratio (total ezetimibe) was 1.5 for rats on gestation day 20 and 0.03 for rabbits on gestation day 22.
The effect of ezetimibe on prenatal and postnatal development and maternal function was evaluated in pregnant rats at doses of 100, 300 or 1,000 mg/kg/day (gestation day 6 through lactation day 21). No maternal toxicity or adverse developmental outcomes were observed up to and including the highest dose tested (17 times the human exposure at 10 mg daily based on AUC0-24hr for total ezetimibe).
Multiple dose studies of ezetimibe given in combination with statins in rats and rabbits during organogenesis resulted in higher ezetimibe and statin exposures. Reproductive findings occurred at lower doses in combination therapy compared to monotherapy.
Lactation
Risk Summary
Limited data from case reports in published literature indicate that rosuvastatin is present in human milk. There is no available information on the effects of the drug on the breastfed infant or the effects of the drug on milk production. Statins, including ROSZET, decrease cholesterol synthesis and possibly the synthesis of other biologically active substances derived from cholesterol and may cause harm to the breastfed infant.
There is no information about the presence of ezetimibe in human milk. Ezetimibe is present in rat milk (see Data). When a drug is present in animal milk, it is likely that the drug will be present in human milk. There is no information about the effects of ezetimibe on the breastfed infant or the effects of ezetimibe on milk production.
Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in a breastfed infant, based on the mechanism of action, advise patients that breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment with ROSZET [see Pregnancy, CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY].
Data
Ezetimibe was present in the milk of lactating rats. The pup to maternal plasma ratio for total ezetimibe was 0.5 on lactation day 12.
Pediatric Use
The safety and effectiveness of ROSZET have not been established in pediatric patients.
Geriatric Use
Advanced age (≥65 years) is a risk factor for ROSZET-associated myopathy and rhabdomyolysis. Dose selection for an elderly patient should be cautious, recognizing the greater frequency of decreased hepatic, renal, or cardiac function; of concomitant disease or other drug therapy; and the higher risk of myopathy. Monitor geriatric patients receiving ROSZET for the increased risk of myopathy [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Rosuvastatin
Of the 10,275 patients in clinical studies with rosuvastatin, 3,159 (31%) were 65 years of age and older, and 698 (6.8%) were 75 years of age and older.
Ezetimibe
Of the 2,396 patients who received ezetimibe monotherapy in clinical studies, 669 (28%) were 65 years of age and older, and 111 (5%) were 75 years of age and older. Of the 11,308 patients who received ezetimibe + statin in clinical studies, 3,587 (32%) were 65 and older, and 924 (8%) were 75 and older. No overall differences in safety and effectiveness were observed between patients 65 years of age and older and younger patients. No clinically meaningful differences in the pharmacokinetics of ezetimibe were observed in geriatric patients compared to younger adult patients [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY].
Renal Impairment
Renal impairment is a risk factor for myopathy and rhabdomyolysis. Monitor patients with renal impairment for development of myopathy. In patients with severe renal impairment not on hemodialysis, the recommended starting dosage is 5 mg/10 mg daily and should not exceed 10 mg/10 mg daily [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION and WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Rosuvastatin
Rosuvastatin exposure is not influenced by mild to moderate renal impairment (CLcr≥30 mL/min/1.73 m2 ). Exposure to rosuvastatin is increased to a clinically significant extent in patients with severe renal impairment (CLcr<30 mL/min/1.73 m2) who are not receiving hemodialysis [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY].
Ezetimibe
No dosage adjustment of ezetimibe is necessary in patients with renal impairment.
Hepatic Impairment
ROSZET is contraindicated in patients with acute liver failure or decompensated cirrhosis [see CONTRAINDICATIONS, WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS, and CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY].
Asian Patients
Pharmacokinetic studies have demonstrated an approximate 2-fold increase in median exposure to rosuvastatin in Asian subjects when compared with White controls. Adjust the ROSZET dosage in Asian patients [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION]