Crofelemer

Brand Names: Mytesi

Drug Class: Antidiarrheal

Overview

11 DESCRIPTION MYTESI (crofelemer) delayed-release tablets is an anti-diarrheal, enteric-coated drug product for oral administration. It contains 125 mg of crofelemer, a botanical drug substance that is derived from the red latex of Croton lechleri Müll. Arg. Crofelemer is an oligomeric proanthocyanidin mixture primarily composed of (+)–catechin, (–)–epicatechin, (+)–gallocatechin, and...

Mechanism of Action

12 CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY 12.1 Mechanism of Action Crofelemer is an inhibitor of both the cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)-stimulated cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) chloride ion (Cl¯) channel, and the calcium-activated Cl¯ channels (CaCC) at the luminal membrane of enterocytes. The CFTR Cl¯ channel and CaCC regulate Cl¯ and fluid secretion by intestinal epithelial cells. Crofelemer acts by blocking Cl¯ secretion and accompanying high volume water loss in diarrhea, normalizing the flow of Cl¯ and water in the gastrointestinal tract. 12.2 Pharmacodynamics Consistent with the mechanism of action of crofelemer (i.e.

Indications

  • 1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE MYTESI is indicated for symptomatic relief of non-infectious diarrhea in adult patients with HIV/AIDS on anti-retroviral therapy. MYTESI is an anti-diarrheal indicated for the symptomatic relief of non-infectious diarrhea in adult patients with HIV/AIDS on anti-retroviral therapy. ( 1 )

Common Doses

  • 125 mg

Dosage

2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Before starting MYTESI, rule out infectious etiologies of diarrhea [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] . The recommended adult dosage of MYTESI is 125 mg taken orally two times a day, with or without food. Do not crush or chew MYTESI tablets. Swallow whole. Before starting MYTESI, rule out infectious etiologies of diarrhea. ( 2 , 5.1 ) The recommended adult dosage is 125 mg taken orally twice a day, with or without food. ( 2 ) Do not crush or chew the tablets. Swallow whole. ( 2 )

Contraindications

  • 4 CONTRAINDICATIONS None. None ( 4 )

Side Effects

  • 6 ADVERSE REACTIONS Most common adverse reactions (≥ 3%) are upper respiratory tract infection, bronchitis, cough, flatulence and increased bilirubin. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Napo Pharmaceuticals at 1-844-722-8256 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice.

Interactions

  • 7 DRUG INTERACTIONS 7.1 Nelfinavir, Zidovudine, and Lamivudine MYTESI administration did not have a clinically relevant interaction with nelfinavir, zidovudine, or lamivudine in a drug-drug interaction trial [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] .