Clevidipine

Brand Names: Cleviprex

Drug Class: Dihydropyridine Calcium Channel Blocker

Overview

11 DESCRIPTION Cleviprex is a sterile, milky-white emulsion containing 0.5 mg/mL of clevidipine suitable for intravenous administration. Clevidipine is a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker. Chemically, the active substance, clevidipine, is butyroxymethyl methyl 4-(2´,3´-dichlorophenyl)-1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-3,5-pyridinedicarboxylate. It is a racemic mixture with a molecular weight of 456.

Mechanism of Action

12 CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY 12.1 Mechanism of Action Clevidipine is a dihydropyridine L-type calcium channel blocker. L-type calcium channels mediate the influx of calcium during depolarization in arterial smooth muscle. Experiments in anesthetized rats and dogs show that clevidipine reduces mean arterial blood pressure by decreasing systemic vascular resistance. Clevidipine does not reduce cardiac filling pressure (pre-load), confirming lack of effects on the venous capacitance vessels. 12.2 Pharmacodynamics Cleviprex is titrated to the desired reduction in blood pressure. The effect of Cleviprex appears to plateau at approximately 25% of baseline systolic pressure. The infusion rate for which half the maximal effect is observed is approximately 10 mg/hour.

Indications

  • 1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE Cleviprex is indicated for the reduction of blood pressure when oral therapy is not feasible or not desirable. Cleviprex is a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker indicated for the reduction of blood pressure when oral therapy is not feasible or not desirable. (1)

Common Doses

  • 2 mg
  • 6 mg
  • 16 mg
  • 32 mg

Dosage

2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION For intravenous use : Cleviprex is intended for intravenous use. Titrate Cleviprex to achieve the desired blood pressure reduction. Individualize dosage depending on the blood pressure response of the patient and the goal blood pressure. (2.2) Monitoring : Monitor blood pressure and heart rate during infusion, and until vital signs stabilize. (2.1) Initial dose : Initiate intravenous infusion of Cleviprex at 1- 2 mg/hour. (2.2) Dose titration : Double the dose at short (90 second) intervals initially.

Contraindications

  • 4 CONTRAINDICATIONS Cleviprex is contraindicated in patients with: Allergy to soy or eggs (4.1) Defective lipid metabolism (4.2) Severe aortic stenosis (4.3) 4.1 Known Allergy Cleviprex is contraindicated in patients with allergies to soybeans, soy products, eggs, or egg products. 4.2 Defective Lipid Metabolism Cleviprex is contraindicated in patients with defective lipid metabolism such as pathologic hyperlipemia, lipoid nephrosis, or acute pancreatitis if it is accompanied by hyperlipidemia. 4.

Side Effects

  • 6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following risk is discussed elsewhere in the labeling: Hypotension and Reflex Tachycardia [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)] Most common adverse reactions (>2%) are headache, nausea, and vomiting. (6.1) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact The Medicines Company at 1-888-977-MDCO (6326) or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Cleviprex clinical development included 19 studies, with 99 healthy subjects and 1307 hypertensive patients who received at least one dose of clevidipine (1406 total exposures).

Interactions

  • 7 DRUG INTERACTIONS No clinical drug interaction studies were conducted. Clevidipine and its major dihydropyridine metabolite do not have the potential for blocking or inducing any CYP enzyme. At clinically relevant concentrations, clevidipine and its metabolites do not inhibit or induce any CYP450 enzymes. The potential of clevidipine to interact with other drugs is low. (7)