Fifty-Two Week Safety Study on Symproic® (naldemedine) for Opioid-induced Constipation (OIC) in Adul

Shionogi, Inc  and Purdue Pharma, L.P. today announced the publication of a study known as COMPOSE-3. The study is the first to investigate a peripherally-acting mu-opioid receptor antagonist (PAMORA) over the course of 52 weeks in a randomized, placebo-controlled and double-blind manner. The study was published online ahead of print in PAIN, the journal of the International Association for the Study of Pain.

"The publication of the results of COMPOSE-3 in PAIN is significant as the study provides additional important information regarding the safety and tolerability of Symproic over the course of 52 weeks for adults with OIC and chronic non-cancer pain," said Dr. Tsutae "Den" Nagata, Chief Medical Officer, Shionogi.

Study Design and Results
This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, Phase 3 clinical trial (COMPOSE-3) evaluated the long-term safety and tolerability of once-daily oral Symproic 0.2 mg for 52 weeks in patients with chronic non-cancer pain, on a stable opioid therapy, and who could be on a routine laxative regimen but still had OIC.

In the study, 2,414 patients were screened. Patients had to be aged 18 to 80, have had chronic non-cancer pain for at least 3 months, were receiving a stable daily dose of opioids (greater than or equal to 30 mg oral morphine equivalents) for at least one month prior to screening, and had self-reported OIC. From the patients screened, 1,246 eligible patients with confirmed OIC were randomized 1:1 to receive once-daily oral Symproic 0.2 mg (n=623) or placebo (n=623) for 52 weeks.

The primary endpoint was summary measures of treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs). Similar proportions of patients taking Symproic and placebo experienced TEAEs (Symproic, 68.4% (n=425) vs placebo 72.1% (n=446); difference: −3.6% [95% CI: −8.7-1.5]) and TEAEs leading to study discontinuation (Symproic 6.3% vs placebo 5.8%; difference: 0.5% [95% CI: –2.2-3.1]). Diarrhea was the most common TEAE in the Symproic group (11%) and was reported more frequently vs placebo (5.3%; difference: 5.6% [95% CI: 2.6-8.6]). A greater proportion of patients treated with Symproic vs placebo reported other gastrointestinal-related treatment-emergent adverse events, including abdominal pain (8.2% vs 3.1%) and vomiting (6.0% vs 3.1%). The incidences of treatment-related serious adverse events (Symproic, 0.5% vs placebo, 1.0%; difference: −0.5% [95% CI: −1.4-0.5]) and serious TEAEs leading to study discontinuation (Symproic, 1.1% vs placebo, 1.9%; difference: −0.8% [95% CI: −2.2-0.6]) were consistent between treatment groups.

The 52-week safety study included efficacy endpoints as well, which were secondary. One of these endpoints, frequency of bowel movements, was also assessed in the primary endpoint of the two 12-week pivotal studies, and the results were consistent.

"We are pleased to share with the scientific community the publication of the first 52-week double-blind study evaluating the safety of a PAMORA in adult patients with OIC and chronic non-cancer pain," said Monica Kwarcinski, PharmD, Head of Medical Affairs, Purdue Pharma L.P. "In collaboration with our partners at Shionogi, we are committed to supporting adult patients who live with OIC and chronic non-cancer pain and the physicians who treat them."

Symproic, a once-daily oral PAMORA medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in March 2017, is indicated for the treatment of OIC in adult patients with chronic non-cancer pain, including patients with chronic pain related to prior cancer or its treatment who do not require frequent (e.g., weekly) opioid dosage escalation. Symproic is available as a 0.2 mg once-daily oral tablet and may be taken at any time of day, with or without food, and with or without laxatives. Alteration of analgesic dosing regimen prior to initiating Symproic is not required. Patients receiving opioids for less than 4 weeks may be less responsive to Symproic. Treatment with Symproic should be discontinued if treatment with the opioid medicine is also discontinued.

About Opioid-Induced Constipation
Constipation is one of the most commonly reported side effects associated with opioid treatment, including among patients with chronic non-cancer pain.^1,2 When opioids bind to specific proteins called mu-opioid receptors in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, constipation may occur. Opioid-induced constipation (OIC) is a result of increased fluid absorption and reduced GI motility due to opioid receptor binding in the GI tract. OIC is defined as a change in bowel habits that is characterized by any of the following after initiating opioid therapy: reduced bowel movement frequency, development or worsening of straining to pass bowel movements, a sense of incomplete rectal evacuation, or harder stool consistency.³ In patients with chronic non-cancer pain, the prevalence of OIC ranges from approximately 40-50 percent.^4-7

INDICATION
Symproic^® (naldemedine) is indicated for the treatment of opioid-induced constipation (OIC) in adult patients with chronic non-cancer pain, including patients with chronic pain related to prior cancer or its treatment who do not require frequent (e.g., weekly) opioid dosage escalation.

Important Safety Information about Symproic

CONTRAINDICATIONS

• Patients with known or suspected gastrointestinal (GI) obstruction and patients at increased risk of recurrent obstruction, due to the potential for GI perforation.
• Patients with a history of a hypersensitivity reaction to Symproic. Reactions have included bronchospasm and rash.

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
Cases of GI perforation have been reported with use of another peripherally acting opioid antagonist in patients with conditions that may be associated with localized or diffuse reduction of structural integrity in the wall of the GI tract. Monitor for the development of severe, persistent, or worsening abdominal pain; discontinue if this symptom develops.

Symptoms consistent with opioid withdrawal, including hyperhidrosis, chills, increased lacrimation, hot flush/flushing, pyrexia, sneezing, feeling cold, abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting have occurred in patients treated with Symproic.

Patients having disruptions to the blood-brain barrier may be at increased risk for opioid withdrawal or reduced analgesia. Take into account the overall risk-benefit profile when using Symproic in such patients. Monitor for symptoms of opioid withdrawal in such patients.

DRUG INTERACTIONS

Avoid use with strong CYP3A inducers (e.g., rifampin) because they may reduce the efficacy of Symproic.

Use with moderate (e.g., fluconazole) and strong (e.g., itraconazole) CYP3A inhibitors and P-glycoprotein inhibitors (e.g., cyclosporine) may increase Symproic concentrations. Monitor for potential adverse reactions.

Avoid use of Symproic with another opioid antagonist due to potential for additive effect and increased risk of opioid withdrawal.

USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS
Symproic crosses the placenta and may precipitate opioid withdrawal in a fetus due to the immature fetal blood-brain barrier. Symproic should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions, including opioid withdrawal in breastfed infants, a decision should be made to discontinue breastfeeding or discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother.

Avoid use in patients with severe hepatic impairment. No dose adjustment of Symproic is required in patients with mild or moderate hepatic impairment.

ADVERSE REACTIONS
The most common adverse reactions with Symproic as compared to placebo in clinical trials were: abdominal pain (8% vs 2%), diarrhea (7% vs 2%), nausea (4% vs 2%), and gastroenteritis (2% vs 1%).

In pooled Studies 1 and 2, the incidence of adverse reactions of opioid withdrawal was 1% (8/542) for Symproic and 1% (3/546) for placebo. In Study 3 (52-week data), the incidence was 3% (20/621) for Symproic and 1% (9/619) for placebo.

About Shionogi
Shionogi & Co., Ltd., is a Japanese pharmaceutical company with a 139-year history discovering and developing innovative therapies. Shionogi Inc., the U.S. based subsidiary of Shionogi & Co., Ltd., continues this focus on the development and commercialization of high quality medicines that protect the health and well-being of the patients we serve. The company currently markets products in several therapeutic areas including anti-infectives, pain and cardiovascular diseases. Our pipeline is focused on infectious disease, pain, CNS and oncology. 

About Purdue Pharma L.P.
Purdue Pharma L.P. is a privately held pharmaceutical company headquartered in Stamford, Conn. Purdue Pharma is part of a network of independent associated companies dedicated to providing patients and providers with innovative medicines. The company’s leadership and employees are committed to serving healthcare professionals, patients and caregivers by providing quality products and educational resources that make a positive impact on healthcare — and on lives. 

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