2.1       Dosing and Administration Information

The recommended dosage of ONGENTYS is 50 mg administered orally once daily at bedtime.  Patients should not eat food for 1 hour before and for at least 1 hour after intake of ONGENTYS [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].

2.2       Dosage Recommendations for Patients with Hepatic Impairment

In patients with moderate hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh B), the recommended dose of ONGENTYS is 25 mg orally once daily at bedtime [see Use in Specific Populations (8.7), Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].   

Avoid use of ONGENTYS in patients with severe (Child-Pugh C) hepatic impairment [see Use in Specific Populations (8.7), Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].  

2.3       Discontinuation and Missed Dose

When discontinuing ONGENTYS, monitor patients and consider adjustment of other dopaminergic therapies as needed.  If a dose of ONGENTYS is missed, the next dose should be taken at the scheduled time the next day.

5.1       Cardiovascular Effects with Concomitant Use of Drugs Metabolized by Catechol-O-Methyltransferase (COMT)

Possible arrhythmias, increased heart rate, and excessive changes in blood pressure may occur with concomitant use of ONGENTYS and drugs metabolized by COMT (e.g., isoproterenol, epinephrine, norepinephrine, dopamine, and dobutamine), regardless of the route of administration (including inhalation).  Monitor patients treated concomitantly with ONGENTYS and drugs metabolized by COMT [see Contraindications (4), Drug Interactions (7.1, 7.2)].

5.2       Falling Asleep During Activities of Daily Living and Somnolence

Patients treated with dopaminergic medications and medications that increase levodopa exposure, including ONGENTYS, have reported falling asleep while engaged in activities of daily living, including the operation of motor vehicles, which sometimes has resulted in accidents.  Patients may not perceive warning signs, such as excessive drowsiness, or they may report feeling alert immediately prior to the event.  

Before initiating treatment with ONGENTYS, advise patients of the potential to develop drowsiness and specifically ask about factors that may increase the risk for somnolence with dopaminergic therapy, such as concomitant sedating medications or the presence of a sleep disorder.  If a patient develops daytime sleepiness or episodes of falling asleep during activities that require full attention (e.g., driving a motor vehicle, conversations, eating), consider discontinuing ONGENTYS or adjusting other dopaminergic or sedating medications.  If a decision is made to continue ONGENTYS, patients should be advised not to drive and to avoid other potentially dangerous activities. 

5.3       Hypotension/Syncope

In Study 1 and Study 2 [see Clinical Studies (14)], hypotension (orthostatic and non-orthostatic), syncope, and presyncope occurred in 5% of patients treated with ONGENTYS 50 mg compared to 1% of patients who received placebo. Monitor patients for hypotension (orthostatic and non-orthostatic) and advise patients about the risk for syncope and presyncope.  If these adverse reactions occur, consider discontinuing ONGENTYS or adjusting the dosage of other medications that can lower blood pressure.

5.4       Dyskinesia

ONGENTYS potentiates the effects of levodopa [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)] and may cause dyskinesia or exacerbate pre-existing dyskinesia.

In controlled clinical trials (Study 1 and Study 2) [see Clinical Studies (14)], dyskinesia occurred in 20% of patients treated with ONGENTYS 50 mg compared to 6% of patients who received placebo.  Dyskinesia was also the most common adverse reaction leading to discontinuation of ONGENTYS [see Adverse Reactions (6.1)].

Reducing the patient’s daily levodopa dosage or the dosage of another dopaminergic drug may mitigate dyskinesia that occurs during treatment with ONGENTYS.

5.5       Hallucinations and Psychosis

In Study 1 and Study 2, hallucinations (hallucinations, auditory hallucinations, visual hallucinations, mixed hallucinations) occurred in 3% of patients treated with ONGENTYS 50 mg compared to 1% of patients who received placebo.  Delusions, agitation, or aggressive behavior occurred in 1% of patients treated with ONGENTYS 50 mg, and in no patient who received placebo.  Consider stopping ONGENTYS if hallucinations or psychotic-like behaviors occur.

Patients with a major psychotic disorder should ordinarily not be treated with ONGENTYS because of the risk of exacerbating the psychosis with an increase in central dopaminergic tone.  In addition, treatments for psychosis that antagonize the effects of dopaminergic medications may exacerbate the symptoms of PD.

5.6       Impulse Control/Compulsive Disorders

Patients treated with ONGENTYS can experience intense urges to gamble, increased sexual urges, intense urges to spend money, binge eating, and/or other intense urges, and the inability to control these urges while taking one or more dopaminergic therapies that increase central dopaminergic tone.  In some cases, these urges were reported to have stopped when the dose was reduced, or the medication was discontinued.  Because patients may not recognize these behaviors as abnormal, it is important for prescribers to specifically ask patients or their caregivers about the development of new or increased gambling urges, sexual urges, uncontrolled spending, or other urges while being treated with ONGENTYS.  

In Study 1 and Study 2, impulse control disorders occurred in 1% of patients treated with ONGENTYS 50 mg, and in no patient who received placebo. Re-evaluate the patient’s current therapy(ies) for Parkinson’s disease and consider stopping ONGENTYS if a patient develops such urges while taking ONGENTYS.

Use with caution in Parkinson’s patients with suspected or diagnosed dopamine dysregulation syndrome.

5.7       Withdrawal-Emergent Hyperpyrexia and Confusion

A symptom complex resembling neuroleptic malignant syndrome (characterized by elevated temperature, muscular rigidity, altered consciousness, and autonomic instability), with no other obvious etiology, has been reported in association with rapid dose reduction, withdrawal of, or changes in drugs that increase central dopaminergic tone.  In the controlled clinical studies of ONGENTYS, patients discontinued ONGENTYS treatment without dose tapering or gradual withdrawal.  There were no reports of neuroleptic malignant syndrome in ONGENTYS controlled clinical studies.  When discontinuing ONGENTYS, monitor patients and consider adjustment of other dopaminergic therapies as needed [see Dosage and Administration (2.3)].

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.

The safety of ONGENTYS was evaluated in 265 patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) in two 14-15 week placebo- and active-controlled (Study 1) or placebo-controlled (Study 2) studies [see Clinical Studies (14)].  All patients were taking a stable dose of levodopa and a DOPA decarboxylase inhibitor, alone or in combination with other PD medications. In Study 1 and Study 2, the mean age of patients was 63.6 years, 59% of patients were male, and 89% of patients were Caucasian. At baseline, the mean duration of PD was 7.6 years. 

Adverse Reactions Leading to Discontinuation of Treatment  

In Study 1 and Study 2, a total of 8% of ONGENTYS 50 mg-treated patients and 6% of patients who received placebo discontinued due to adverse events.  The most common adverse reaction leading to discontinuation was dyskinesia, reported in 3% of ONGENTYS 50 mg-treated patients and 0.4% of patients who received placebo.

Common Adverse Reactions

Adverse reactions that occurred in the pooled studies at an incidence of at least 2% and greater than placebo are presented in Table 1. The most common adverse reactions (incidence at least 4% and greater than placebo) were dyskinesia, constipation, blood creatine kinase increased, hypotension/syncope, and weight decreased.  

Table 1:       Adverse Reactions with an Incidence of at Least 2% in Patients Treated with ONGENTYS and Greater than on Placebo, in Pooled Study 1 and Study 2 

1 Includes hallucinations, hallucinations visual, hallucinations auditory, and hallucinations mixed

2 Includes hypotension, orthostatic hypotension, syncope, and presyncope

6.2 Postmarketing Experience

The following adverse reactions have been identified during postapproval use of ONGENTYS. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish causal relationship to drug exposure.

Injury, poisoning and procedural complications: Fall

7.1       Non-Selective Monoamine Oxidase (MAO) Inhibitors

Both ONGENTYS and non-selective MAO inhibitors (e.g., phenelzine, isocarboxazid, and tranylcypromine) inhibit catecholamine metabolism, leading to increased levels of catecholamines.  Concomitant use may increase the risk of possible arrhythmias, increased heart rate, and excessive changes in blood pressure. 

Concomitant use of ONGENTYS with non-selective MAO inhibitors is contraindicated [see Contraindications (4)].  Selective MAO-B inhibitors can be used concomitantly with ONGENTYS.

7.2       Effect of ONGENTYS on Other Drugs

Drugs Metabolized by Catechol-O-Methyltransferase (COMT)

Concomitant use of ONGENTYS with drugs metabolized by COMT may affect the pharmacokinetics of those drugs, which may increase the risk of possible arrhythmias, increased heart rate, and excessive changes in blood pressure [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)].  Drugs known to be metabolized by COMT should be administered with caution. Monitor for changes in heart rate, rhythm, and blood pressure in patients concomitantly treated with ONGENTYS and drugs metabolized by COMT [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)].

8.1       Pregnancy

Risk Summary

There are no adequate data on the developmental risk associated with use of ONGENTYS in pregnant women. In animal studies, oral administration of opicapone during pregnancy resulted in adverse effects on embryofetal development (increased incidence of fetal abnormalities) at clinically relevant plasma exposures in one of two species tested.  In addition, opicapone is always given concomitantly with levodopa/carbidopa, which is known to cause developmental toxicity in rabbits (see Data).

The background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in the U.S. general population is 2-4% and 15-20% of clinically recognized pregnancies, respectively. The background risk for major birth defects and miscarriage in patients with Parkinson’s disease is unknown.

Data 

Animal Data

Oral administration of opicapone (0, 150, 375, or 1000 mg/kg/day) to pregnant rats throughout gestation resulted in no adverse effects on embryofetal development.  Plasma exposure (AUC) at the highest dose tested (1000 mg/kg/day) was approximately 40 times that in humans at the recommended human dose (50 mg/day).

In pregnant rabbits, oral administration of opicapone (0, 100, 175, or 225 mg/kg/day) during the period of organogenesis resulted in increased incidence of structural abnormalities at all doses tested; maternal toxicity was observed at all but the lowest dose tested. A no-effect dose for adverse effects on embryofetal development was not identified. Plasma exposure (AUC) at the low-effect dose (100 mg/kg/day) was less than that in humans at the RHD.

Oral administration of opicapone (0, 150, 375, or 1000 mg/kg/day) throughout gestation and lactation resulted in no adverse effects on pre- and postnatal development; however, effects on neurobehavioral development in the offspring were not rigorously assessed.  Plasma exposure (AUC) at the highest dose tested (1000 mg/kg/day) was approximately 40 times that in humans at the RHD.

Opicapone is always given concomitantly with levodopa/carbidopa, which is known to cause visceral and skeletal malformations in rabbits.  The developmental toxicity of opicapone in combination with levodopa/carbidopa was not assessed in animals.

8.2       Lactation

Risk Summary

There are no data on the presence of opicapone in human milk, the effects on the breastfed infant, or the effects on milk production. In lactating rats, oral administration of opicapone resulted in levels of opicapone or metabolites in milk similar to those in maternal plasma.  The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother’s clinical need for ONGENTYS and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed infant from ONGENTYS or from the underlying maternal condition.

8.4       Pediatric Use

Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients have not been established.  

8.5       Geriatric Use

No dose adjustment is required for elderly patients.  Of the total number of patients who received ONGENTYS 50 mg in Study 1 and Study 2, 52% of patients were 65 years and older.  No overall differences in safety and effectiveness were observed between these patients and younger patients, but greater sensitivity to adverse reactions of some older individuals cannot be ruled out.

8.6       Renal Impairment

The renal route of elimination plays a minor role in the clearance of opicapone [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].  Avoid use of ONGENTYS in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) (CLcr <15 mL/min).  No dosage adjustment is required for patients with mild, moderate, or severe renal impairment.  However, because of a potential for increased exposure, monitor patients with severe renal impairment for adverse reactions and discontinue ONGENTYS if tolerability issues arise.

8.7       Hepatic Impairment

Opicapone exposure is increased in patients with hepatic impairment [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)]. Avoid use of ONGENTYS in patients with severe (Child-Pugh C) hepatic impairment.  Dosage adjustment is recommended for patients with moderate (Child-Pugh B) hepatic impairment [see Dosage and Administration (2.2)].  No dosage adjustment is required in patients with mild (Child-Pugh A) hepatic impairment.

12.1       Mechanism of Action

Opicapone is a selective and reversible inhibitor of catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT).

COMT catalyzes the transfer of the methyl group of S-adenosyl-L-methionine to the phenolic group of substrates that contain a catechol structure.  Physiological substrates of COMT include DOPA, catecholamines (dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine), and their hydroxylated metabolites.  When decarboxylation of levodopa is prevented by carbidopa, COMT becomes the major metabolizing enzyme for levodopa, catalyzing its metabolism to 3-methoxy-4-hydroxy-L-phenylalanine (3-OMD).  

12.2       Pharmacodynamics

COMT Activity

Once-daily administration of ONGENTYS 50 mg caused inhibition of COMT activity in erythrocytes; the maximal inhibition seen was 84% and was maintained >65% over a 24-hour dosing interval in patients with Parkinson’s disease. Following termination of treatment, COMT inhibition slowly returns to baseline levels, with >35% inhibition still observed 5 days after the last dose.

Effects on Levodopa

Peak (Cmax) and overall levodopa exposure (AUC) increased by 43-44% and 62-94%, respectively, in PD patients following once-daily administration of ONGENTYS at bedtime with levodopa/carbidopa administered every three or every four hours, as compared to after administration of levodopa/carbidopa alone.

Cardiac Electrophysiology

At a dose 16 times the recommended dosage, ONGENTYS does not prolong the QT interval to any clinically relevant extent.

12.3       Pharmacokinetics

Opicapone demonstrates dose-proportional pharmacokinetics over a 25 mg (0.5 times the recommended dosage) to 50 mg dose range.  The pharmacokinetics of opicapone are similar in both PD patients and healthy subjects.  

Absorption

After single-dose administration of ONGENTYS 50 mg, the median (range) plasma Tmax value was 2.0 (1.0-4.0) hours.

Effect of Food

Following a moderate fat/moderate calorie meal, the mean peak plasma concentration (Cmax) for opicapone decreased 62%, the mean overall plasma exposure (AUC) decreased 31%, and the Tmax was delayed by 4 hours. In Study 1, ONGENTYS was administered without regard to food.  In Study 2, ONGENTYS administration and food consumption were separated by 1 hour [see Dosage and Administration (2.1), Clinical Studies (14)].

Distribution

Opicapone is highly bound to plasma proteins (>99%), which is independent of concentration.  

Elimination

The mean elimination half-life of opicapone is 1 to 2 hours.

Metabolism

Sulphation is the primary metabolic pathway of opicapone, based on clinical studies and in vitro assessments. Other metabolic pathways include glucuronidation, methylation (by COMT), reduction, and glutathione conjugation.

Excretion

After administration of a single dose of radiolabeled opicapone 100 mg (2 times the recommended dosage) to healthy subjects, approximately 70% of the dose was recovered in feces (22% as unchanged), 20% in expired air, and 5% in urine (<1% as unchanged).

Specific Populations

No clinically significant differences in the pharmacokinetics of opicapone were observed based on age (i.e., 18 to 40 years of age and ≥ 65 years of age), sex, or race/ethnicity (i.e., Japanese, Caucasian, Asian, and Black).

Renal Impairment

Based on population pharmacokinetic analyses, no clinically significant differences in the pharmacokinetics of opicapone were observed in patients with mild or moderate renal impairment (CLcr 30-89 mL/min using the Cockcroft-Gault equation) relative to those with normal renal function (CLcr >90 mL/min).  Patients with severe renal impairment or ESRD (CLcr <30 mL/min) have not been studied [see Use in Specific Populations (8.6)].  

Hepatic Impairment

The single-dose pharmacokinetics of opicapone was evaluated in subjects with mild (Child-Pugh: A) and moderate (Child-Pugh: B) hepatic impairment. In subjects with mild hepatic impairment, the mean overall opicapone plasma exposure (AUC) increased by 35%, which is not expected to be clinically significant. In subjects with moderate hepatic impairment, the mean overall opicapone plasma exposure (AUC) increased by 84%. Dosage adjustment for ONGENTYS is required in subjects with moderate hepatic impairment [see Dosage and Administration (2.2)].  ONGENTYS has not been studied in patients with severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh: C) [see Use in Specific Populations (8.7)]. 

Drug Interaction Studies

Clinical Studies

No clinically significant differences in the pharmacokinetics of opicapone were observed when administered concomitantly with quinidine (index substrate of P-gp [MDR1]), acetaminophen, or rasagiline.

No clinically significant differences in the pharmacokinetics of the following drugs were observed when administered concomitantly with opicapone: S-warfarin (index substrate of CYP2C9), R-Warfarin (substrate of CYP1A2 and CYP3A4), or repaglinide (index substrate of CYP2C8 and OATP1B1).

No clinically significant differences in the pharmacokinetics of the following drugs for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease were observed when administered concomitantly with opicapone: rasagiline, selegiline, pramipexole, ropinirole, or amantadine.

In Vitro Studies

Opicapone does not affect protein binding of warfarin, diazepam, digoxin, or tolbutamide, in vitro.

CYP Enzymes: Opicapone is not an inhibitor or inducer of major CYPs.

Transporter Systems: Opicapone is a substrate of P-gp (MDR1) (see Clinical Studies), BCRP, MRP2, OATP1B3, and OATP2B1.  No clinically significant transporter mediated interaction is expected for opicapone. Opicapone is not an inhibitor of P-gp (MDR1), BCRP, OAT1, OAT3, OCT1, OCT2, OATP1B3, BSEP, MATE1, or MATE2-K.

13.1       Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility

Carcinogenesis

No increase in tumors was observed when opicapone was administered orally to mice (0, 100, 375, or 750 mg/kg/day) for up to 2 years (84-93 weeks at the high dose).  The highest dose tested is approximately 70 times the recommended dose (RHD) in humans (50 mg/day) on a body surface area (mg/m2) basis.

No increase in tumors was observed when opicapone was administered orally to rats (0, 100, 500, or 1000 mg/kg/day) for 2 years. Plasma exposure (AUC) at the highest dose tested is approximately 24 times that in humans at the RHD (50 mg/day). 

Mutagenesis

Opicapone was negative in in vitro (bacterial reverse mutation test (Ames), chromosomal aberrations in human peripheral blood lymphocytes) and in in vivo (rat bone marrow micronucleus) assays.

Impairment of Fertility

In male and female rats, oral administration of opicapone (0, 100, 500, or 1000 mg/kg/day) prior to and during mating and continuing in females to gestation day 6, resulted in no adverse effects on fertility or general reproductive performance. Plasma exposure (AUC) at the highest dose tested is approximately 40 times that in humans at the RHD.

16.1       How Supplied

ONGENTYS (opicapone) capsules are available as:

•       50 mg hard gelatin capsules, Size 1; dark blue opaque cap and dark pink opaque body; axially printed with “OPC” over “50” in white ink, on both the cap and body

- Bottle of 30 with child-resistant closure: NDC 64896-403-01

•       25 mg hard gelatin capsules, Size 1; light blue opaque cap and light pink opaque body; axially printed with “OPC” over “25” in blue ink, on both the cap and body

- Bottle of 30 with child-resistant closure: NDC 64896-402-01

16.2       Storage and Handling

Store at a temperature below 30°C (86°F).