5.1 Risks Associated with Combination Treatment with a Statin, Fenofibrate, or Other LDL-C Lowering Therapies

If ezetimibe tablet is administered with a statin, fenofibrate, or other LDL-C lowering therapies, refer to the Prescribing Information of these products for a description of their risks including, but not limited to, the warnings and precautions [see Contraindications (4)].

5.2 Liver Enzymes

Increases in serum transaminases have been reported with use of ezetimibe tablets [see Adverse Reactions (6.1)]. In controlled clinical combination studies of ezetimibe tablets 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. Perform liver enzyme testing as clinically indicated and consider withdrawal of ezetimibe tablets if increases in ALT or AST ≥3 × ULN persist.

5.3 Myopathy/Rhabdomyolysis

Ezetimibe tablets may cause myopathy [muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness associated with elevated creatine kinase (CK)] and rhabdomyolysis [see Adverse Reactions (6.1)]. In post-marketing reports, most patients who developed rhabdomyolysis were taking a statin or other agents known to be associated with an increased risk of rhabdomyolysis, such as fibrates. If myopathy is suspected, discontinue ezetimibe tablets and other concomitant medications, as appropriate.

8.1 Pregnancy

Risk Summary

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, no adverse developmental effects were observed in pregnant rats and rabbits orally administered ezetimibe during the period of organogenesis at doses that resulted in up to 10 and 150 times, respectively, the human exposure at the MRHD, based on AUC ( see Data). Ezetimibe tablets should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. When ezetimibe tablets is administered with a statin, refer to the Prescribing Information for the statin.

The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. In the U.S. general population, the estimated risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2 to 4% and 15 to 20%, respectively.

Data

Animal Data

In oral (gavage) embryo-fetal development studies of ezetimibe conducted in rats (gestation days 6-15) and rabbits (gestation days 7-19), there was no evidence of maternal toxicity or embryolethal effects at the doses tested (250, 500, 1,000 mg/kg/day). In rats, increased incidences of common fetal skeletal findings (extra pair of thoracic ribs, unossified cervical vertebral centra, shortened ribs) were observed at 1,000 mg/kg/day (~10 times the human exposure at 10 mg daily based on AUC 0-24hr for total ezetimibe). In rabbits treated with ezetimibe, an increased incidence of extra thoracic ribs was observed at 1,000 mg/kg/day (150 times the human exposure at 10 mg daily based on AUC 0-24hr 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 1,000 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 from 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 AUC 0-24hr 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.

8.2 Lactation

Risk Summary

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. Ezetimibe tablets should not be used in nursing mothers unless the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the infant.

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.

8.4 Pediatric Use

The safety and effectiveness of ezetimibe in combination with a statin as an adjunct to diet to reduce LDL-C have been established in pediatric patients 10 years of age and older with HeFH. Use of ezetimibe tablets for this indication is based on a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial in 248 pediatric patients (142 males and 106 postmenarchal females) 10 years of age and older with HeFH [see Clinical Studies (14)]. In this limited controlled trial, there was no significant effect on growth or sexual maturation in the adolescent males or females, or on menstrual cycle length in females.

The safety and effectiveness of ezetimibe in combination with a statin, and other LDL-C lowering therapies, to reduce LDL-C have been established in pediatric patients 10 years of age and older with HoFH. Use of ezetimibe tablets for this indication is based on a 12-week double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial followed by an uncontrolled extension period in 7 pediatric patients 11 years of age and older with HoFH [see Clinical Studies (14)].

The safety and effectiveness of ezetimibe as an adjunct to diet for the reduction of elevated sitosterol and campesterol levels have been established in adults and pediatric patients 9 years of age and older with homozygous familial sitosterolemia. Use of ezetimibe tablets for this indication is based on an 8-week double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial in 4 patients 9 years of age and older with homozygous sitosterolemia with elevated plasma sitosterol levels (>5 mg/dL) [see Clinical Studies (14)].

The safety and effectiveness of ezetimibe have not been established in pediatric patients younger than 10 years of age with HeFH or HoFH, in pediatric patients younger than 9 years of age with homozygous familial sitosterolemia, or in pediatric patients with other types of hyperlipidemia.

8.5 Geriatric Use

Of the 2,396 patients who received ezetimibe in clinical trials, 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 in combination with a statin in clinical trials, 3587 (32%) were 65 years of age and older, and 924 (8%) were 75 years of age and older [see Clinical Studies (14)]. No overall differences in safety or effectiveness of ezetimibe have been 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 (12.3)].

8.6 Renal Impairment

No dosage adjustment of ezetimibe tablets is necessary in patients with renal impairment.

8.7 Hepatic Impairment

Ezetimibe tablets is not recommended for use in patients with moderate to severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh B or C) due to the unknown effects of the increased exposure to ezetimibe [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].

12.1 Mechanism of Action

Ezetimibe reduces blood cholesterol by inhibiting the absorption of cholesterol by the small intestine.

The molecular target of ezetimibe has been shown to be the sterol transporter, Niemann-Pick C1-Like 1 (NPC1L1), which is involved in the intestinal uptake of cholesterol and phytosterols. Ezetimibe localizes at the brush border of the small intestine and inhibits the absorption of cholesterol, leading to a decrease in the delivery of intestinal cholesterol to the liver. This causes a reduction of hepatic cholesterol stores and an increase in LDL receptors, resulting in clearance of cholesterol from the blood.

12.2 Pharmacodynamics

Ezetimibe reduces total cholesterol (total-C), LDL-C, apolipoprotein (Apo) B, and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) in patients with hyperlipidemia.

In a 2-week clinical trial in 18 hypercholesterolemic patients, ezetimibe inhibited intestinal cholesterol absorption by 54%, compared with placebo. Ezetimibe had no clinically meaningful effect on the plasma concentrations of the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, and E (in a trial of 113 patients) and did not impair adrenocortical steroid hormone production (in a trial of 118 patients).

12.3 Pharmacokinetics

Absorption

After oral administration, ezetimibe is absorbed and extensively conjugated to a pharmacologically active phenolic glucuronide (ezetimibe-glucuronide). After a single 10-mg dose of ezetimibe tablet to fasted adults, mean ezetimibe peak plasma concentrations (C max) of 3.4 to 5.5 ng/mL were attained within 4 to 12 hours (T max). Ezetimibe-glucuronide mean C max values of 45 to 71 ng/mL were achieved between 1 and 2 hours (T max). There was no substantial deviation from dose proportionality between 5 and 20 mg. The absolute bioavailability of ezetimibe cannot be determined, as the compound is virtually insoluble in aqueous media suitable for injection.

Effect of Food

Concomitant food administration (high-fat or non-fat meals) had no effect on the extent of absorption of ezetimibe when administered as ezetimibe 10-mg tablets. The C max value of ezetimibe was increased by 38% with consumption of high-fat meals.

Distribution

Ezetimibe and ezetimibe-glucuronide are highly bound (>90%) to human plasma proteins.

Elimination

Metabolism

Ezetimibe is primarily metabolized in the small intestine and liver via glucuronide conjugation (a phase II reaction) with subsequent biliary and renal excretion. Minimal oxidative metabolism (a phase I reaction) has been observed in all species evaluated. In humans, ezetimibe is rapidly metabolized to ezetimibe-glucuronide. Ezetimibe and ezetimibe-glucuronide are the major drug-derived compounds detected in plasma, constituting approximately 10 to 20% and 80 to 90% of the total drug in plasma, respectively.

Both ezetimibe and ezetimibe-glucuronide are eliminated from plasma with a half-life of approximately 22 hours for both ezetimibe and ezetimibe-glucuronide. Plasma concentration-time profiles exhibit multiple peaks, suggesting enterohepatic recycling.

Excretion

Following oral administration of 14C-ezetimibe (20 mg) to human subjects, total ezetimibe (ezetimibe + ezetimibe-glucuronide) accounted for approximately 93% of the total radioactivity in plasma. After 48 hours, there were no detectable levels of radioactivity in the plasma.

Approximately 78% and 11% of the administered radioactivity were recovered in the feces and urine, respectively, over a 10-day collection period. Ezetimibe was the major component in feces and accounted for 69% of the administered dose, while ezetimibe-glucuronide was the major component in urine and accounted for 9% of the administered dose.

Specific Populations

Geriatric Patients

In a multiple-dose trial with ezetimibe given 10 mg once daily for 10 days, plasma concentrations for total ezetimibe were about 2-fold higher in older (≥65 years) healthy subjects compared to younger subjects. However, the difference in plasma concentrations is not clinically meaningful.

Gender

In a multiple-dose trial with ezetimibe given 10 mg once daily for 10 days, plasma concentrations for total ezetimibe were slightly higher (<20%) in females than in males.

Race

Based on a meta-analysis of multiple-dose pharmacokinetic studies, there were no pharmacokinetic differences between Black and White subjects. Studies in Asian subjects indicated that the pharmacokinetics of ezetimibe were similar to those seen in White subjects.

Renal Impairment

After a single 10-mg dose of ezetimibe in patients with severe renal disease (n=8; mean CrCl ≤30 mL/min/1.73 m 2), the mean AUC values for total ezetimibe, ezetimibe-glucuronide, and ezetimibe were increased approximately 1.5-fold, compared to healthy subjects (n=9).

Hepatic Impairment

After a single 10-mg dose of ezetimibe, the mean AUC for total ezetimibe was increased approximately 1.7-fold in patients with mild hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh score 5 to 6), compared to healthy subjects. The mean AUC values for total ezetimibe and ezetimibe were increased approximately 3- to 4-fold and 5- to 6-fold, respectively, in patients with moderate (Child-Pugh score 7 to 9) or severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh score 10 to 15). In a 14-day, multiple-dose study (10 mg daily) in patients with moderate hepatic impairment, the mean AUC values for total ezetimibe and ezetimibe were increased approximately 4-fold on Day 1 and Day 14 compared to healthy subjects [see Use in Specific Populations (8.7)].

Drug Interactions

Ezetimibe had no significant effect on a series of probe drugs (caffeine, dextromethorphan, tolbutamide, and IV midazolam) known to be metabolized by cytochrome P450 (1A2, 2D6, 2C8/9 and 3A4) in a "cocktail" trial of twelve healthy adult males. This indicates that ezetimibe is neither an inhibitor nor an inducer of these cytochrome P450 isozymes, and it is unlikely that ezetimibe will affect the metabolism of drugs that are metabolized by these enzymes.

13.1 Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility

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 X the human exposure at 10 mg daily based on AUC 0–24hr 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 X the human exposure at 10 mg daily based on AUC 0–24hr 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 X the human exposure at 10 mg daily based on AUC 0–24hr for total ezetimibe).

Combination with Statins: Ezetimibe Initiated Concurrently with a Statin

In four multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 12-week trials, in 2382 (age range 18 to 87 years, 57% female; 88% White, 5% Black or African American, 2% Asian, 5% other races mostly identified as Hispanic or Latino) with hyperlipidemia, ezetimibe or placebo was administered alone or with various doses of atorvastatin, simvastatin, pravastatin, or lovastatin.

When all patients receiving ezetimibe with a statin were compared to all those receiving the corresponding statin alone, ezetimibe significantly lowered total-C, LDL-C, Apo B, and non-HDL-C compared to the statin administered alone. LDL-C reductions induced by ezetimibe were generally consistent across all statins. (See footnote ‡, Tables 8 to 11.)

†Baseline- on no lipid-lowering drug

‡Ezetimibe + all doses of atorvastatin pooled (10 to 80 mg) significantly reduced total-C, LDL-C, Apo B, and non-HDL-C compared to all doses of atorvastatin pooled (10 to 80 mg).

†Baseline- on no lipid-lowering drug

‡Ezetimibe + all doses of simvastatin pooled (10 to 80 mg) significantly reduced total-C, LDL-C, Apo B, and non-HDL-C compared to all doses of simvastatin pooled (10 to 80 mg).

†Baseline- on no lipid-lowering drug

‡Ezetimibe + all doses of pravastatin pooled (10 to 40 mg) significantly reduced total-C, LDL-C, Apo B, and non-HDL-C compared to all doses of pravastatin pooled (10 to 40 mg).

†Baseline- on no lipid-lowering drug

‡Ezetimibe + all doses of lovastatin pooled (10 to 40 mg) significantly reduced total-C, LDL-C, Apo B, and non-HDL-C compared to all doses of lovastatin pooled (10 to 40 mg).

Combination with Fenofibrate

In a multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled, clinical trial in patients with mixed hyperlipidemia, 625 patients (age range 20 to 76 years, 44% female; 79% White, 1% Black or African American, 20% other races; and 11% identified as Hispanic or Latino ethnicity) were treated for up to 12 weeks and 576 for up to an additional 48 weeks. Patients were randomized to receive placebo, ezetimibe alone, 160 mg fenofibrate alone, or ezetimibe and 160 mg fenofibrate in the 12-week trial. After completing the 12-week trial, eligible patients were assigned to ezetimibe coadministered with fenofibrate or fenofibrate monotherapy for an additional 48 weeks.

Ezetimibe coadministered with fenofibrate significantly lowered total-C, LDL-C, Apo B, and non-HDL-C compared to fenofibrate administered alone.(see Table12).

The changes in lipid endpoints after an additional 48 weeks of treatment with ezetimibe coadministered with fenofibrate or with fenofibrate alone were consistent with the 12-week data displayed above.

HeFH in Pediatric Patients

The effects of ezetimibe coadministered with simvastatin (n=126) compared to simvastatin monotherapy (n=122) have been evaluated in males and females with HeFH. In a multicenter, double-blind, controlled trial followed by an open-label phase, 142 males and 106 postmenarchal females, 10 to 17 years of age (mean age 14.2 years, 43% females, 82% White, 4% Asian, 2% Black or African American, 13% multiracial; 14% identified as Hispanic or Latino ethnicity) with HeFH were randomized to receive either ezetimibe coadministered with simvastatin or simvastatin monotherapy. Inclusion in the trial required 1) a baseline LDL-C level between 160 and 400 mg/dL and 2) a medical history and clinical presentation consistent with HeFH. The mean baseline LDL-C value was 225 mg/dL (range: 161 to 351 mg/dL) in the ezetimibe coadministered with simvastatin group compared to 219 mg/dL (range: 149 to 336 mg/dL) in the simvastatin monotherapy group. The patients received coadministered ezetimibe and simvastatin (10 mg, 20 mg, or 40 mg) or simvastatin monotherapy (10 mg, 20 mg, or 40 mg) for 6 weeks, coadministered ezetimibe and 40-mg simvastatin or 40-mg simvastatin monotherapy for the next 27 weeks, and open-label coadministered ezetimibe and simvastatin (10 mg, 20 mg, or 40 mg) for 20 weeks thereafter.

The results of the trial at Week 6 are summarized in Table 13. Results at Week 33 were consistent with those at Week 6.

HoFH in Adults and Pediatric Patients

A trial was conducted to assess the efficacy of ezetimibe in the treatment of HoFH. This double-blind, randomized, 12-week trial enrolled 50 patients (age range 11 to 74 years, 58% female; 90% White, 2% Black or African American, 8% other races identified as Hispanic or Latino) with a clinical and/or genotypic diagnosis of HoFH, with or without concomitant LDL apheresis, already receiving atorvastatin or simvastatin (40 mg). Patients were randomized to one of three treatment groups, atorvastatin or simvastatin (80 mg), ezetimibe administered with atorvastatin or simvastatin (40 mg), or ezetimibe administered with atorvastatin or simvastatin (80 mg). Due to decreased bioavailability of ezetimibe in patients concomitantly receiving cholestyramine [ see Drug Interactions (7)], ezetimibe was dosed at least 4 hours before or after administration of resins. Mean baseline LDL-C was 341 mg/dL in those patients randomized to atorvastatin 80 mg or simvastatin 80 mg alone and 316 mg/dL in the group randomized to ezetimibe plus atorvastatin 40 or 80 mg or simvastatin 40 or 80 mg. Ezetimibe, administered with atorvastatin or simvastatin (40- and 80-mg statin groups, pooled), significantly reduced LDL-C (21%) compared with increasing the dose of simvastatin or atorvastatin monotherapy from 40 to 80 mg (7%). In those treated with ezetimibe plus 80-mg atorvastatin or with ezetimibe plus 80-mg simvastatin, LDL-C was reduced by 27%.

Homozygous Sitosterolemia (Phytosterolemia) in Adults and Pediatric Patients

A trial was conducted to assess the efficacy of ezetimibe in the treatment of homozygous sitosterolemia. In this multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 8-week trial, 37 patients (age range 9 to 72 years, 65% females; 89% White, 3% Asian, 8% other races identified as Hispanic or Latino) with homozygous sitosterolemia with elevated plasma sitosterol levels (>5 mg/dL) on their current therapeutic regimen (diet, bile-acid-binding resins, statins, ileal bypass surgery and/or LDL apheresis), were randomized to receive ezetimibe (n=30) or placebo (n=7). Due to decreased bioavailability of ezetimibe in patients concomitantly receiving cholestyramine [ see Drug Interactions (7)], ezetimibe was dosed at least 2 hours before or 4 hours after resins were administered. Excluding the one subject receiving LDL apheresis, ezetimibe significantly lowered plasma sitosterol and campesterol, by 21% and 24% from baseline, respectively. In contrast, patients who received placebo had increases in sitosterol and campesterol of 4% and 3% from baseline, respectively. For patients treated with ezetimibe, mean plasma levels of plant sterols were reduced progressively over the course of the trial. Reductions in sitosterol and campesterol were consistent between patients taking ezetimibe concomitantly with bile acid sequestrants (n=8) and patients not on concomitant bile acid sequestrant therapy (n=21).

6.1 Clinical Trials Experience

Because clinical studies are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical studies of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical studies of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in clinical practice.

Monotherapy

In 10 double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials, 2396 patients with primary hyperlipidemia (age range 9 to 86 years, 50% female, 90% White, 5% Black or African American, 2% Asians, 3% other races; 3% identified as Hispanic or Latino ethnicity) and elevated LDL-C were treated with ezetimibe 10 mg daily for a median treatment duration of 12 weeks (range 0 to 39 weeks).

Adverse reactions reported in ≥2% of patients treated with ezetimibe and at an incidence greater than placebo in placebo-controlled studies of ezetimibere shown in Table 1.

Combination with a Statin

In 28 double-blind, controlled (placebo or active-controlled) clinical trials, 11,308 patients with primary hyperlipidemia (age range 10 to 93 years, 48% female, 85% White, 7% Black or African American, 3% Asians, 5% other races; 4% identified as Hispanic or Latino ethnicity) and elevated LDL-C were treated with ezetimibe 10 mg/day concurrently with or added to on-going statin therapy for a median treatment duration of 8 weeks (range 0 to 112 weeks).

The incidence of consecutive increased transaminases (≥3 × ULN) was higher in patients receiving ezetimibe administered with statins (1.3%) than in patients treated with statins alone (0.4%).

Adverse reactions reported in ≥2% of patients treated with ezetimibe + statin and at an incidence greater than statin are shown in Table 2.

*All Statins = all doses of all statins

Combination with Fenofibrate

This clinical trial involving 625 patients with mixed dyslipidemia (age range 20 to 76 years, 44% female, 79% White, 1% Black or African American, 20% other races; 11% identified as Hispanic or Latino ethnicity) treated for up to 12 weeks and 576 patients treated for up to an additional 48 weeks evaluated coadministration of ezetimibe and fenofibrate. Incidence rates for clinically important elevations (≥3 × ULN, consecutive) in hepatic transaminase levels were 4.5% and 2.7% for fenofibrate monotherapy (n=188) and ezetimibe coadministered with fenofibrate (n=183), respectively, adjusted for treatment exposure. Corresponding incidence rates for cholecystectomy were 0.6% and 1.7% for fenofibrate monotherapy and ezetimibe coadministered with fenofibrate, respectively [see Drug Interactions (7)].

6.2 Post-Marketing Experience

Because the reactions below are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is generally not possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure.

The following additional adverse reactions have been identified during post-approval use of ezetimibe tablets:

Blood Disorders: thrombocytopenia

Gastrointestinal Disorders: abdominal pain; pancreatitis; nausea

Hepatobiliary Disorders: elevations in liver transaminases; including elevations more than 5 X ULN; hepatitis; cholelithiasis; cholecystitis

Immune System Disorders: Hypersensitivity reactions including: anaphylaxis, angioedema, rash, and urticaria

Musculoskeletal Disorders: elevated creatine phosphokinase; myopathy/rhabdomyolysis

Nervous System Disorders: dizziness; paresthesia; depression; headache

Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders: erythema multiforme