pioglitazone 45 MG Oral Tablet

INDICATIONS AND USAGE Monotherapy and Combination Therapy Pioglitazone tablets are indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus in multiple clinical settings [see Clinical Studies ( 14 ) ] . Important Limitations of Use Pioglitazone tablets, USP exerts its antihyperglycemic effect only in the presence of endogenous insulin. Pioglitazone tablets USP should not be used to treat type 1 diabetes or diabetic ketoacidosis, as it would not be effective in these settings. Use caution in patients with liver disease [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 ) ]. Pioglitazone hydrochloride is a thiazolidinedione and an agonist for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) gamma indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus in multiple clinical settings. ( 1 , 14 ) Important Limitations of Use: Not for treatment of type 1 diabetes or diabetic ketoacidosis. ( 1 )

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Obtain liver tests before initiation. If abnormal, use caution when treating with pioglitazone and metformin hydrochloride, investigate the probable cause, treat (if possible), and follow appropriately. ( 2.1 ) Take orally with meals to reduce gastrointestinal adverse reactions with metformin (2.10) Individualize the starting dose based on the patient’s current regimen and titrate the dosage gradually, as needed after assessing therapeutic response and tolerability. The maximum recommended total daily dosage is pioglitazone 45 mg and metformin 2,550 mg. ( 2.2 ) Recommended starting dosage in patients with NYHA Class I or Class II congestive heart failure is 15 mg of pioglitazone and 500 mg of metformin hydrochloride or 15 mg of pioglitazone and 850 mg of metformin hydrochloride orally once daily. ( 2.4 ) Prior to initiation, assess renal function with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). ( 2.2 ) Contraindicated in patients with eGFR below 30 mL/min Initiation is not recommended in patients with eGFR between 30 to 45 mL/min Assess risk/benefit of continuing pioglitazone and metformin hydrochloride if eGFR falls below 45 mL/min Discontinue if eGFR falls below 30 mL/min Monitor patients for adverse events related to fluid retention after initiation and dose increases. ( 2.4 ) Pioglitazone and metformin hydrochloride may need to be discontinued at time of, or prior to, iodinated contrast imaging procedures. ( 2.6 ) 2.1 Important Dosage and Administration Information Obtain liver tests (serum alanine and aspartate aminotransferases, alkaline phosphatase, and total bilirubin) prior to initiating pioglitazone and metformin hydrochloride tablets [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ]. Pioglitazone and metformin hydrochloride tablet contains 15 mg of pioglitazone and 500 mg of metformin hydrochloride or 15 mg of pioglitazone and 850 mg of metformin hydrochloride in each tablet. Take pioglitazone and metformin hydrochloride tablets with meals to reduce gastrointestinal adverse reactions with metformin [see Adverse Reactions (6.1) ]. If a dose is missed, do not double the next dose. 2.2 Recommended Dosage and Administration Recommended Starting Dosage Based on Current Regimen Individualize the starting dosage of pioglitazone and metformin hydrochloride tablets based on the patient's current regimen and the available strength of pioglitazone and metformin hydrochloride tablets (see Table 1). Table 1: Recommended Starting Dosage Based on the Patient’s Current Regimen *For dosage recommendations for patients with renal impairment and/or congestive heart failure, see Dosage and Administration (2.3 , 2.4) Current Regimen Starting Dosage of Pioglitazone and Metformin Hydrochloride tablets (15 mg of pioglitazone and 850 mg of metformin hydrochloride per tablet)* Not treated with either pioglitazone or metformin hydrochloride One tablet orally once daily Metformin hydrochloride One tablet orally once or twice daily. Select a dosage that is as close as possible to the current dosage of metformin hydrochloride Pioglitazone One tablet orally once daily Pioglitazone and metformin hydrochloride Select a dosage that is as close as possible to the current dosage of pioglitazone and metformin hydrochloride while not exceeding three tablets orally per day. Dosage Titration for Additional Glycemic Control Titrate the pioglitazone and metformin hydrochloride tablets dosage gradually, as needed, after assessing therapeutic response and tolerability. Pioglitazone and metformin hydrochloride tablets may be increased to a maximum recommended total daily dosage of three tablets per day (45 mg of pioglitazone and 2,550 mg of metformin hydrochloride). Total daily dosages of 2,550 mg of metformin hydrochloride may be taken in divided doses three times a day to reduce gastrointestinal adverse reactions [see Adverse Reactions (6.1) ]. 2.3 Recommendations for Use in Patients with Renal Impairment Assess renal function prior to initiation of pioglitazone and metformin hydrochloride tablets and periodically thereafter [see Use in Specific Populations (8.6) ]. Pioglitazone and metformin hydrochloride tablets are contraindicated in patients with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) below 30 mL/min. Initiation of pioglitazone and metformin hydrochloride tablets in patients with an eGFR between 30 to 45 mL/min is not recommended. In patients taking pioglitazone and metformin hydrochloride tablets whose eGFR later falls below 45 mL/min, assess the benefit and risk of continuing therapy. Discontinue pioglitazone and metformin hydrochloride tablets if the patient's eGFR later falls below 30 mL/min [see Contraindications (4) , Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ]. 2.4 Recommendations for Congestive Heart Failure Starting Dosage in Patients with NYHA Class I or II Congestive Heart Failure For patients with preexisting NYHA Class I or II congestive heart failure, the recommended starting dosage of pioglitazone and metformin hydrochloride tablets are 15 mg of pioglitazone and 500 mg of metformin or 15 mg of pioglitazone and 850 mg of metformin [see Boxed Warning and Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ]. Monitoring for Fluid Retention and Dosage Modifications for Congestive Heart Failure After initiation of pioglitazone and metformin hydrochloride tablets or with dosage increase, monitor patients carefully for adverse reactions related to fluid retention as has been seen with pioglitazone (e.g., weight gain, edema and signs and symptoms of congestive heart failure). If congestive heart failure develops while taking pioglitazone and metformin hydrochloride tablets, consider discontinuation of pioglitazone and metformin hydrochloride tablets or dosage reduction of pioglitazone in pioglitazone and metformin hydrochloride tablets [see Boxed Warning and Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ]. 2.5 Coadministration with Strong CYP2C8 Inhibitors The maximum recommended dosage of pioglitazone and metformin hydrochloride tablets is one tablet (15 mg of pioglitazone and 850 mg of metformin hydrochloride) once daily when used in combination with gemfibrozil or other strong CYP2C8 inhibitors [see Drug Interactions (7.1) , Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . 2.6 Discontinuation for Iodinated Contrast Imaging Procedures Discontinue pioglitazone and metformin hydrochloride tablets at the time of, or prior to, an iodinated contrast imaging procedure in patients with an eGFR between 30 and 60 mL/min; in patients with a history of liver disease, alcoholism, or heart failure; or in patients who will be administered intra-arterial iodinated contrast. Re-evaluate eGFR 48 hours after the imaging procedure; restart pioglitazone and metformin hydrochloride tablets if renal function is stable [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] .

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Congestive heart failure: Fluid retention may occur and can exacerbate or lead to congestive heart failure. Combination use with insulin and use in congestive heart failure NYHA Class I and II may increase risk. Monitor patients for signs and symptoms. (5.1) Hypoglycemia: When used with insulin or an insulin secretagogue, a lower dose of the insulin or insulin secretagogue may be needed to reduce the risk of hypoglycemia. (5.2) Hepatic effects: Postmarketing reports of hepatic failure, sometimes fatal. Causality cannot be excluded. If liver injury is detected, promptly interrupt pioglitazone and assess patient for probable cause, then treat cause if possible, to resolution or stabilization. Do not restart pioglitazone if liver injury is confirmed and no alternate etiology can be found. (5.3) Bladder cancer: May increase the risk of bladder cancer. Do not use in patients with active bladder cancer. Use caution when using in patients with a prior history of bladder cancer. (5.4) Edema: Dose-related edema may occur. (5.5) Fractures: Increased incidence in female patients. Apply current standards of care for assessing and maintaining bone health. (5.6) Macular edema: Postmarketing reports. Recommend regular eye exams in all patients with diabetes according to current standards of care with prompt evaluation for acute visual changes. (5.7) Macrovascular outcomes: There have been no clinical studies establishing conclusive evidence of macrovascular risk reduction with pioglitazone. ( 5.8 ) 5.1 Congestive Heart Failure Pioglitazone, like other thiazolidinediones, can cause dose-related fluid retention when used alone or in combination with other antidiabetic medications and is most common when pioglitazone is used in combination with insulin. Fluid retention may lead to or exacerbate congestive heart failure. Patients should be observed for signs and symptoms of congestive heart failure. If congestive heart failure develops, it should be managed according to current standards of care and discontinuation or dose reduction of pioglitazone must be considered [see Boxed Warning , Contraindications (4) , and Adverse Reactions (6.1) ] . 5.2 Hypoglycemia Patients receiving pioglitazone in combination with insulin or other antidiabetic medications (particularly insulin secretagogues such as sulfonylureas) may be at risk for hypoglycemia. A reduction in the dose of the concomitant antidiabetic medication may be necessary to reduce the risk of hypoglycemia [see Dosage and Administration (2.2) ]. 5.3 Hepatic Effects There have been postmarketing reports of fatal and non-fatal hepatic failure in patients taking pioglitazone, although the reports contain insufficient information necessary to establish the probable cause. There has been no evidence of drug-induced hepatotoxicity in the pioglitazone controlled clinical trial database to date [see Adverse Reactions (6.1) ] . Patients with type 2 diabetes may have fatty liver disease or cardiac disease with episodic congestive heart failure, both of which may cause liver test abnormalities, and they may also have other forms of liver disease, many of which can be treated or managed. Therefore, obtaining a liver test panel (serum alanine aminotransferase [ALT], aspartate aminotransferase [AST], alkaline phosphatase, and total bilirubin) and assessing the patient is recommended before initiating pioglitazone therapy. In patients with abnormal liver tests, pioglitazone should be initiated with caution. Measure liver tests promptly in patients who report symptoms that may indicate liver injury, including fatigue, anorexia, right upper abdominal discomfort, dark urine or jaundice. In this clinical context, if the patient is found to have abnormal liver tests (ALT greater than 3 times the upper limit of the reference range), pioglitazone treatment should be interrupted and investigation done to establish the probable cause. Pioglitazone should not be restarted in these patients without another explanation for the liver test abnormalities. Patients who have serum ALT greater than three times the reference range with serum total bilirubin greater than two times the reference range without alternative etiologies are at risk for severe drug-induced liver injury, and should not be restarted on pioglitazone. For patients with lesser elevations of serum ALT or bilirubin and with an alternate probable cause, treatment with pioglitazone can be used with caution. 5.4 Urinary Bladder Tumors Tumors were observed in the urinary bladder of male rats in the two-year carcinogenicity study [see Nonclinical Toxicology (13.1) ]. In addition, during the three year PROactive clinical trial, 14 patients out of 2605 (0.54%) randomized to pioglitazone and 5 out of 2633 (0.19%) randomized to placebo were diagnosed with bladder cancer. After excluding patients in whom exposure to study drug was less than one year at the time of diagnosis of bladder cancer, there were 6 (0.23%) cases on pioglitazone and two (0.08%) cases on placebo. After completion of the trial, a large subset of patients was observed for up to 10 additional years, with little additional exposure to pioglitazone. During the 13 years of both PROactive and observational follow-up, the occurrence of bladder cancer did not differ between patients randomized to pioglitazone or placebo (HR =1; [95% CI: 0.59 to 1.72]). Findings regarding the risk of bladder cancer in patients exposed to pioglitazone vary among observational studies; some did not find an increased risk of bladder cancer associated with pioglitazone, while others did. A large prospective 10-year observational cohort study conducted in the United States found no statistically significant increase in the risk of bladder cancer in diabetic patients ever exposed to pioglitazone, compared to those never exposed to pioglitazone (HR =1.06 [95% CI 0.89 to 1.26]). A retrospective cohort study conducted with data from the United Kingdom found a statistically significant association between ever exposure to pioglitazone and bladder cancer (HR: 1.63; [95% CI: 1.22 to 2.19]). Associations between cumulative dose or cumulative duration of exposure to pioglitazone and bladder cancer were not detected in some studies including the 10-year observational study in the U.S., but were in others. Inconsistent findings and limitations inherent in these and other studies preclude conclusive interpretations of the observational data. Pioglitazone may be associated with an increase in the risk of urinary bladder tumors. There are insufficient data to determine whether pioglitazone is a tumor promoter for urinary bladder tumors. Consequently, pioglitazone should not be used in patients with active bladder cancer and the benefits of glycemic control versus unknown risks for cancer recurrence with pioglitazone should be considered in patients with a prior history of bladder cancer. 5.5 Edema In controlled clinical trials, edema was reported more frequently in patients treated with pioglitazone than in placebo-treated patients and is dose-related [see Adverse Reactions (6.1) ] . In postmarketing experience, reports of new onset or worsening edema have been received. Pioglitazone should be used with caution in patients with edema. Because thiazolidinediones, including pioglitazone, can cause fluid retention, which can exacerbate or lead to congestive heart failure, pioglitazone should be used with caution in patients at risk for congestive heart failure. Patients treated with pioglitazone should be monitored for signs and symptoms of congestive heart failure [see Boxed Warning, Warnings and Precautions (5.1) a nd Patient Counseling Information (17) ] . 5.6 Fractures In PROactive (the Prospective Pioglitazone Clinical Trial in Macrovascular Events), 5238 patients with type 2 diabetes and a history of macrovascular disease were randomized to pioglitazone (N=2605), force-titrated up to 45 mg daily or placebo (N=2633) in addition to stand

CONTRAINDICATIONS Pioglitazone and metformin hydrochloride tablets are contraindicated in patients with: • Established NYHA Class III or IV heart failure at the time of pioglitazone and metformin hydrochloride tablets initiation [see Boxed Warning]. • Severe renal impairment (eGFR below 30 mL/min) [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)]. • A history of serious hypersensitivity to pioglitazone, metformin HCl, or any of the excipients in pioglitazone and metformin hydrochloride tablets. • Acute or chronic metabolic acidosis, including diabetic ketoacidosis [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)]. Pioglitazone and metformin hydrochloride tablets is contraindicated in patients with: • Established NYHA Class III or IV heart failure at the time of pioglitazone and metformin hydrochloride tablets initiation [see Boxed Warning]. • Severe renal impairment (eGFR below 30 mL/min) [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )]. • A history of serious hypersensitivity to pioglitazone, metformin HCl, or any of the excipients in pioglitazone and metformin hydrochloride tablets. • Acute or chronic metabolic acidosis, including diabetic ketoacidosis [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )].

CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY 12.1 Mechanism of Action Pioglitazone tablets are a thiazolidinedione that depends on the presence of insulin for its mechanism of action. Pioglitazone tablets decreases insulin resistance in the periphery and in the liver resulting in increased insulin-dependent glucose disposal and decreased hepatic glucose output. Pioglitazone is not an insulin secretagogue. Pioglitazone is an agonist for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPARγ). PPAR receptors are found in tissues important for insulin action such as adipose tissue, skeletal muscle, and liver. Activation of PPARγ nuclear receptors modulates the transcription of a number of insulin responsive genes involved in the control of glucose and lipid metabolism. In animal models of diabetes, pioglitazone reduces the hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, and hypertriglyceridemia characteristic of insulin-resistant states such as type 2 diabetes. The metabolic changes produced by pioglitazone result in increased responsiveness of insulin-dependent tissues and are observed in numerous animal models of insulin resistance. Because pioglitazone enhances the effects of circulating insulin (by decreasing insulin resistance), it does not lower blood glucose in animal models that lack endogenous insulin. 12.2 Pharmacodynamics Clinical studies demonstrate that pioglitazone tablets improve insulin sensitivity in insulin-resistant patients. Pioglitazone tablets enhance cellular responsiveness to insulin, increases insulin-dependent glucose disposal and improves hepatic sensitivity to insulin. In patients with type 2 diabetes, the decreased insulin resistance produced by pioglitazone tablets results in lower plasma glucose concentrations, lower plasma insulin concentrations, and lower HbA1c values. In controlled clinical trials, pioglitazone tablets had an additive effect on glycemic control when used in combination with a sulfonylurea, metformin, or insulin [see Clinical Studies (14.2) ]. Patients with lipid abnormalities were included in clinical trials with pioglitazone tablets. Overall, patients treated with pioglitazone tablets had mean decreases in serum triglycerides, mean increases in HDL cholesterol, and no consistent mean changes in LDL and total cholesterol. There is no conclusive evidence of macrovascular benefit with pioglitazone tablets [see Warnings and Precautions (5.8) and Adverse Reactions (6.1) ]. In a 26-week, placebo-controlled, dose-ranging monotherapy study, mean serum triglycerides decreased in the 15 mg, 30 mg, and 45 mg pioglitazone tablets dose groups compared to a mean increase in the placebo group. Mean HDL cholesterol increased to a greater extent in patients treated with pioglitazone tablets than in the placebo-treated patients. There were no consistent differences for LDL and total cholesterol in patients treated with pioglitazone tablets compared to placebo (see Table 14). Table 14. Lipids in a 26-Week Placebo-Controlled Monotherapy Dose-Ranging Study Placebo Pioglitazone Tablets 15 mg Once Daily Pioglitazone Tablets 30 mg Once Daily Pioglitazone Tablets 45 mg Once Daily Triglycerides (mg/dL) N=79 N=79 N=84 N=77 Baseline (mean) 263 284 261 260 Percent change from baseline (adjusted mean * ) 4.8% -9.0% † -9.6% † -9.3% † HDL Cholesterol (mg/dL) N=79 N=79 N=83 N=77 Baseline (mean) 42 40 41 41 Percent change from baseline (adjusted mean * ) 8.1% 14.1% † 12.2% 19.1% † LDL Cholesterol (mg/dL) N=65 N=63 N=74 N=62 Baseline (mean) 139 132 136 127 Percent change from baseline (adjusted mean * ) 4.8% 7.2% 5.2% 6.0% Total Cholesterol (mg/dL) N=79 N=79 N=84 N=77 Baseline (mean) 225 220 223 214 Percent change from baseline (adjusted mean * ) 4.4% 4.6% 3.3% 6.4% *Adjusted for baseline, pooled center, and pooled center by treatment interaction † p < 0.05 versus placebo In the two other monotherapy studies (16 weeks and 24 weeks) and in combination therapy studies with sulfonylurea (16 weeks and 24 weeks), metformin (16 weeks and 24 weeks) or insulin (16 weeks and 24 weeks), the results were generally consistent with the data above. 12.3 Pharmacokinetics Following once-daily administration of pioglitazone tablets, steady-state serum concentrations of both pioglitazone and its major active metabolites, M-III (keto derivative of pioglitazone) and M-IV (hydroxyl derivative of pioglitazone), are achieved within seven days. At steady-state, M-III and M-IV reach serum concentrations equal to or greater than that of pioglitazone. At steady-state, in both healthy volunteers and patients with type 2 diabetes, pioglitazone comprises approximately 30% to 50% of the peak total pioglitazone serum concentrations (pioglitazone plus active metabolites) and 20% to 25% of the total AUC. C max , AUC, and trough serum concentrations (C min ) for pioglitazone and M-III and M-IV, increased proportionally with administered doses of 15 mg and 30 mg per day. Absorption Following oral administration of pioglitazone, T max of pioglitazone was within two hours. Food delays the T max to three to four hours but does not alter the extent of absorption (AUC). Distribution The mean apparent volume of distribution (Vd/F) of pioglitazone following single-dose administration is 0.63 ± 0.41 (mean ± SD) L/kg of body weight. Pioglitazone is extensively protein bound (>99%) in human serum, principally to serum albumin. Pioglitazone also binds to other serum proteins, but with lower affinity. M-III and M-IV are also extensively bound (>98%) to serum albumin. Metabolism Pioglitazone is extensively metabolized by hydroxylation and oxidation; the metabolites also partly convert to glucuronide or sulfate conjugates. Metabolites M-III and M-IV are the major circulating active metabolites in humans. In vitro data demonstrate that multiple CYP isoforms are involved in the metabolism of pioglitazone, which include CYP2C8 and, to a lesser degree, CYP3A4 with additional contributions from a variety of other isoforms including the mainly extrahepatic CYP1A1. In vivo study of pioglitazone in combination with gemfibrozil, a strong CYP2C8 inhibitor, showed that pioglitazone is a CYP2C8 substrate [see Dosage and Administration (2.3) and Drug Interactions (7) ]. Urinary 6β-hydroxycortisol/cortisol ratios measured in patients treated with pioglitazone tablets showed that pioglitazone is not a strong CYP3A4 enzyme inducer. Excretion and Elimination Following oral administration, approximately 15% to 30% of the pioglitazone dose is recovered in the urine. Renal elimination of pioglitazone is negligible, and the drug is excreted primarily as metabolites and their conjugates. It is presumed that most of the oral dose is excreted into the bile either unchanged or as metabolites and eliminated in the feces. The mean serum half-life (t 1/2 ) of pioglitazone and its metabolites (M-III and M-IV) range from three to seven hours and 16 to 24 hours, respectively. Pioglitazone has an apparent clearance, CL/F, calculated to be five to seven L/hr. Renal Impairment The serum elimination half-life of pioglitazone, M-III, and M-IV remains unchanged in patients with moderate (creatinine clearance [CL cr ] 30 to 50 mL/min) and severe (CL cr <30 mL/min) renal impairment when compared to subjects with normal renal function. Therefore, no dose adjustment in patients with renal impairment is required. Hepatic Impairment Compared with healthy controls, subjects with impaired hepatic function (Child-Turcotte-Pugh Grade B/C) have an approximate 45% reduction in pioglitazone and total pioglitazone (pioglitazone, M-III, and M-IV) mean C max but no change in the mean AUC values. Therefore, no dose adjustment in patients with hepatic impairment is required. There are postmarketing reports of liver failure with pioglitazone tablets and clinical trials have generally excluded patients with serum ALT >2.5 times the upper limit of the reference range. Use caution in patients with liver disease [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ]. Geriatric Patients In health