sanofi-aventis

1 Onslow Street, Guildford, Surrey, GU1 4YS, UK
Telephone: +44 (0)1483 505 515
Fax: +44 (0)1483 535 432
Medical Information e-mail: uk-medicalinformation@sanofi-aventis.com

Summary of Product Characteristics last updated on the eMC: 02/07/2010
SPC Plavix (sanofi-aventis)

When a pharmaceutical company changes an SPC or PIL, a new version is published on the eMC. For each version, we show the dates it was published on the eMC and the reasons for change.

Updated on 02/07/2010 and displayed until Current
Reasons for adding or updating:
  • Change to section 4.4 - Special warnings and precautions for Use
  • Change to section 4.5 - Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction
  • Change to section 10 date of revision of the text
Date of revision of text on the SPC:   29-Apr-2010
Legal Category:   POM
Black Triangle (CHM):   NO

Free-text change information supplied by the pharmaceutical company

Changes relate to interaction of Plavix with proton pump inhibitors. We have also added subtitles and made minor changes to wording e.g. 'drugs' changed to 'medicinal products' etc.

Section 4.4

The paragraph "Since clopidogrel is metabolised to its active metabolite partly by CYP2C19, use of drugs that inhibit the activity of this enzyme would be expected to result in reduced drug levels of the active metabolite of clopidogrel and a reduction in clinical efficacy. Concomitant use of drugs that inhibit CYP2C19 should be discouraged (see section 4.5 for a list of CYP2C19 inhibitors, see also section 5.2). Although the evidence of CYP2C19 inhibition varies within the class of Proton Pump Inhibitors, clinical studies suggest an interaction between clopidogrel and possibly all members of this class. Therefore, concomitant use of Proton Pump Inhibitors should be avoided unless absolutely necessary. There is no evidence that other drugs that reduce stomach acid such as H2 blockers or antacids interfere with antiplatelet activity of clopidogrel."


has been amended to

"Since clopidogrel is metabolised to its active metabolite partly by CYP2C19, use of medicinal products that inhibit the activity of this enzyme would be expected to result in reduced drug levels of the active metabolite of clopidogrel.
The clinical relevance of this interaction is uncertain. As a precaution concomitant use of medicinal products that inhibit CYP2C19 should be discouraged (see section 4.5 for a list of CYP2C19 inhibitors, see also section 5.2). "

Section 4.5

Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors: clopidogrel should be used with caution in patients who may be at risk of increased bleeding from trauma, surgery or other pathological conditions that receive concomitant glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors (see section 4.4).

has been amended to

Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors: clopidogrel should be used with caution in patients who receive concomitant glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors (see section 4.4).

And

"Proton Pump Inhibitors:

Although the evidence of CYP2C19 inhibition varies within the class of Proton Pump Inhibitors, clinical studies suggest an interaction between clopidogrel and possibly all members of this class. Therefore, concomitant use of Proton Pump Inhibitors should be avoided unless absolutely necessary. There is no evidence that other drugs that reduce stomach acid such as H2 blockers or antacids interfere with antiplatelet activity of clopidogrel."

has been amended to:

Other concomitant therapy: Since clopidogrel is metabolised to its active metabolite partly by CYP2C19, use of medicinal products that inhibit the activity of this enzyme would be expected to result in reduced drug levels of the active metabolite of clopidogrel. The clinical relevance of this interaction is uncertain. As a precaution concomitant use of medicinal products that inhibit CYP2C19 should be discouraged (see sections 4.4 and 5.2).

 

Medicinal products that inhibit CYP2C19 include omeprazole and esomeprazole, fluvoxamine, fluoxetine, moclobemide, voriconazole, fluconazole, ticlopidine, ciprofloxacin, cimetidine, carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine and chloramphenicol.

 

Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPI): In a crossover clinical study, clopidogrel (300-mg loading dose followed by 75 mg/day) alone and with omeprazole (80 mg at the same time as clopidogrel) were administered for 5 days. The exposure to the active metabolite of clopidogrel was decreased by 45% (Day 1) and 40% (Day 5) when clopidogrel and omeprazole were administered together. Mean inhibition of platelet aggregation (IPA) with 5 μM ADP was diminished by 39% (24 hours) and 21% (Day 5) when clopidogrel and omeprazole were administered together. In another study it was shown that administering clopidogrel and omeprazole 12 hours apart did not prevent their interaction that is likely to be driven by the inhibitory effect of omeprazole on CYP2C19. Esomeprazole is expected to give a similar interaction with clopidogrel.

 

Inconsistent data on the clinical implications of this pharmacokinetic (PK)/pharmacodynamic (PD) interaction in terms of major cardiovascular events have been reported from both observational and clinical studies. As a precaution, concomitant use of omeprazole or esomeprozole should be discouraged (see section 4.4). No conclusive data on the pharmacodynamic interaction of clopidogrel and other PPIs are available.

 

There is no evidence that other medicinal products that reduce stomach acid such as H2 blockers (except cimetidine which is a CYP2C19 inhibitor) or antacids interfere with antiplatelet activity of clopidogrel.

Section 10

New date of revision

Updated on 21/09/2009 and displayed until 02/07/2010
Reasons for adding or updating:
  • Change to section 4.2 - Posology and method of administration
  • Change to section 4.4 - Special warnings and precautions for Use
  • Change to section 4.5 - Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction
  • Change to section 5.1 - Pharmacodynamic Properties
  • Change to section 5.2 - Pharmacokinetic Properties
  • Change to section 10 date of revision of the text
Date of revision of text on the SPC:   28-Aug-2009
Legal Category:   POM
Black Triangle (CHM):   NO

Free-text change information supplied by the pharmaceutical company



Section 4.2: Addition of section on Pharmacogenetics

CYP2C19 poor metaboliser status is associated with diminished response to clopidogrel. The optimal dose regimen for poor metabolisers has yet to be determined.

 

Section 4.4 Addition of following paragraphs:

Pharmacogenetics: Based on literature data, patients with genetically reduced CYP2C19 function have lower systemic exposure to the active metabolite of clopidogrel and diminished antiplatelet responses, and generally exhibit higher cardiovascular event rates following myocardial infarction than do patients with normal CYP2C19 function (see section 5.2).

 

Since clopidogrel is metabolised to its active metabolite partly by CYP2C19, use of drugs that inhibit the activity of this enzyme would be expected to result in reduced drug levels of the active metabolite of clopidogrel and a reduction in clinical efficacy. Concomitant use of drugs that inhibit CYP2C19 should be discouraged (see section 4.5 for a list of CYP2C19 inhibitors, see also section 5.2). Although the evidence of CYP2C19 inhibition varies within the class of Proton Pump Inhibitors, clinical studies suggest an interaction between clopidogrel and possibly all members of this class. Therefore, concomitant use of Proton Pump Inhibitors should be avoided unless absolutely necessary. There is no evidence that other drugs that reduce stomach acid such as H2 blockers or antacids interfere with antiplatelet activity of clopidogrel.

 

Section 4.5: Addition of following paragraphs:

Other concomitant therapy:

Since clopidogrel is metabolised to its active metabolite partly by CYP2C19, use of drugs that inhibit the activity of this enzyme would be expected to result in reduced drug levels of the active metabolite of clopidogrel and a reduction in clinical efficacy. Concomitant use of drugs that inhibit CYP2C19  should be discouraged (see sections 4.4 and 5.2).

 

Drugs that inhibit CYP2C19 include omeprazole and esomeprazole, fluvoxamine, fluoxetine, moclobemide, voriconazole, fluconazole, ticlopidine, ciprofloxacin, cimetidine, carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine and chloramphenicol.

 

Proton Pump Inhibitors:

Although the evidence of CYP2C19 inhibition varies within the class of Proton Pump Inhibitors, clinical studies suggest an interaction between clopidogrel and possibly all members of this class. Therefore, concomitant use of Proton Pump Inhibitors should be avoided unless absolutely necessary. There is no evidence that other drugs that reduce stomach acid such as H2 blockers or antacids interfere with antiplatelet activity of clopidogrel.

 

Section 5.1: Revision to the paragraph on mode of action:

Clopidogrel is a prodrug, one of whose metabolites is an inhibitor of platelet aggregation. Clopidogrel must be metabolised by CYP450 enzymes to produce the active metabolite that inhibits platelet aggregation. The active metabolite of clopidogrel selectively inhibits the binding of adenosine diphosphate (ADP) to its platelet P2Y12 receptor and the subsequent ADP‑mediated activation of the glycoprotein GPIIb/IIIa complex, thereby inhibiting platelet aggregation. Due to the irreversible binding, platelets exposed are affected for the remainder of their lifespan (approximately 7-10 days) and recovery of normal platelet function occurs at a rate consistent with platelet turnover. Platelet aggregation induced by agonists other than ADP is also inhibited by blocking the amplification of platelet activation by released ADP.

 

Because the active metabolite is formed by CYP450 enzymes, some of which are polymorphic or subject to inhibition by other drugs, not all patients will have adequate platelet inhibition.

 

Section 5.2 Addition of following paragraphs:

Pharmacogenetics

Several polymorphic CYP450 enzymes activate clopidogrel. CYP2C19 is involved in the formation of both the active metabolite and the 2-oxo-clopidogrel intermediate metabolite. Clopidogrel active metabolite pharmacokinetics and antiplatelet effects, as measured by ex vivo platelet aggregation assays, differ according to CYP2C19 genotype. The CYP2C19*1 allele corresponds to fully functional metabolism while the CYP2C19*2 and CYP2C19*3 alleles correspond to reduced metabolism. The CYP2C19*2 and CYP2C19*3 alleles account for 85% of reduced function alleles in whites and 99% in Asians. Other alleles associated with reduced metabolism include CYP2C19*4, *5, *6, *7, and *8, but these are less frequent in the general population. Published frequencies for the common CYP2C19 phenotypes and genotypes are listed in the table below.

 

CYP2C19 Phenotype and Genotype Frequency

                                                                                                            Frequency (%)

 

White (n=1356)

Black (n=966)

Chinese (n=573)

Extensive metabolism:

CYP2C19*1/*1

74

66

38

Intermediate metabolism:

 CYP2C19*1/*2 or *1/*3

26

29

50

Poor metabolism:

CYP2C19*2/*2, *2/*3 or *3/*3

2

4

14

 

To date, the impact of CYP2C19 genotype on the pharmacokinetics of the active metabolite of clopidogrel has been evaluated in 227 subjects from 7 reported studies. Reduced CYP2C19 metabolism in intermediate and poor metabolisers decreased the Cmax and AUC of the active metabolite by 30‑50% following 300- or 600‑mg loading doses and 75‑mg maintenance doses. Lower active metabolite exposure results in less platelet inhibition or higher residual platelet reactivity. To date, diminished antiplatelet responses to clopidogrel have been described for intermediate and poor metabolisers in 21 reported studies involving 4,520 subjects. The relative difference in antiplatelet response between genotype groups varies across studies depending on the method used to evaluate response, but is typically greater than 30%.

 

The association between CYP2C19 genotype and clopidogrel treatment outcome was evaluated in 2 post hoc clinical trial analyses (substudies of CLARITY [n=465] and TRITON‑TIMI 38 [n=1,477]) and 5 cohort studies (total n=6,489). In CLARITY and one of the cohort studies (n=765; Trenk), cardiovascular event rates did not differ significantly by genotype. In TRITON‑TIMI 38 and 3 of the cohort studies (n= 3,516; Collet, Sibbing, Giusti), patients with an impaired metaboliser status (intermediate and poor combined) had a higher rate of cardiovascular events (death, myocardial infarction, and stroke) or stent thrombosis compared to extensive metabolisers. In the fifth cohort study (n=2,208; Simon), the increased event rate was observed only in poor metabolisers.

 

Pharmacogenetic testing can identify genotypes associated with variability in CYP2C19 activity.

 

There may be genetic variants of other CYP450 enzymes with effects on the ability to form the active metabolite of clopidogrel.

Updated on 21/04/2009 and displayed until 21/09/2009
Reasons for adding or updating:
  • Change to section 6. 4 - Special Precautions for Storage
  • Change to section 10 date of revision of the text
Date of revision of text on the SPC:   29-Jan-2009
Legal Category:   POM
Black Triangle (CHM):   NO

Free-text change information supplied by the pharmaceutical company

Section 6.4: Special precautions for storage
Addition for Plavix 75mg tablets to be stored under 30oC

Section 10: Date of revision of text
29 Januray 2009
Updated on 17/12/2008 and displayed until 21/04/2009
Reasons for adding or updating:
  • Addition of joint SPC covering all presentations
Date of revision of text on the SPC:   30-Oct-2008
Legal Category:   POM
Black Triangle (CHM):   NO

Free-text change information supplied by the pharmaceutical company

Amalgamation of 75mg and 300mg SPCs.

Section 6.3: Shelf life of 300mg tablet extended from 2 years to 3 years.
Updated on 28/09/2007 and displayed until 17/12/2008
Reasons for adding or updating:
  • Change to section 6. 5 - Nature and Contents of Container
Date of revision of text on the SPC:   07/2007
Legal Category:   POM
Black Triangle (CHM):   NO

Free-text change information supplied by the pharmaceutical company

Change of pack size from 28 to 30
Updated on 31/07/2007 and displayed until 28/09/2007
Reasons for adding or updating:
  • Change to section 4.1 - Therapeutic indications
  • Change to section 5.1 - Pharmacodynamic Properties
  • Change to section 10 date of revision of the text
Date of revision of text on the SPC:   07/2007
Legal Category:   POM
Black Triangle (CHM):   NO

Free-text change information supplied by the pharmaceutical company

4.1     Therapeutic indications (addtion of wording under non-ST elevation ACS indication only)

 

Clopidogrel is indicated for the prevention of atherothrombotic events in:

 

·                Patients suffering from myocardial infarction (from a few days until less than 35 days), ischaemic stroke (from 7 days until less than 6 months) or established peripheral arterial disease.

 

·                Patients suffering from acute coronary syndrome:

-          Non-ST segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (unstable angina or non-Q-wave myocardial infarction), including patients undergoing a stent placement following percutaneous coronary intervention, in combination with acetylsalicylic acid (ASA).

-          ST segment elevation acute myocardial infarction, in combination with ASA in medically treated patients eligible for thrombolytic therapy.

 

5.       PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES

 

5.1     Pharmacodynamic properties

 

Acute coronary syndrome (addition of following wording under this section)

 

The results obtained in populations with different characteristics (e.g. unstable angina or non-Q-wave MI, low to high risk levels, diabetes, need for revascularisation, age, gender, etc.) were consistent with the results of the primary analysis. In particular, in a post-hoc analysis in 2172 patients (17% of the total CURE population) who underwent stent placement (Stent-CURE), the data showed that clopidogrel compared to placebo, demonstrated a significant RRR of 26.2% favouring clopidogrel for the co-primary endpoint (CV death, MI, stroke) and also a significant RRR of 23.9% for the second co-primary endpoint (CV death, MI, stroke or refractory ischaemia). Moreover, the safety profile of clopidogrel in this subgroup of patients did not raise any particular concern. Thus, the results from this subset are in line with the overall trial results.

 

Updated on 19/09/2006 and displayed until 31/07/2007
Reasons for adding or updating:
  • Change to section 4.1 - Therapeutic Indications
  • Change to section 4.2 - Posology and Method of Administration
  • Change to section 4.4 - Special Warnings and Precautions for Use
  • Change to section 4.8 - Undesirable Effects
  • Change to section 5.1 - Pharmacodynamic Properties
  • Change to section 10 (date of (partial) revision of the text
Date of revision of text on the SPC:   09/2006
Legal Category:   POM
Black Triangle (CHM):   NO

Free-text change information supplied by the pharmaceutical company

Section 4.1: Therapeutic indications: Addition of :

Clopidogrel is indicated for the prevention of atherothrombotic events in:       

·                Patients suffering from acute coronary syndrome:

-         ST segment elevation acute myocardial infarction, in combination with

ASA in medically treated patients eligible for thrombolytic therapy.

 

Section 4.2: Posology and method of administration: Addition of:

In patients suffering from acute coronary syndrome:

-          ST segment elevation acute myocardial infarction: clopidogrel should be given as a single daily dose of 75 mg initiated with a loading dose in combination with ASA and with or without thrombolytics. For patients greater than 75 years of age clopidogrel should be initiated without a loading dose. Combined therapy should be started as early as possible after symptoms start and continued for at least four weeks The benefit of the combination of clopidogrel with ASA beyond four weeks has not been studied in this setting (see section 5.1).

 

Section 4.4: Special warnings and precautions for use: Addition of:

Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs): in a clinical study conducted in healthy volunteers, the concomitant administration of clopidogrel and naproxen increased occult gastrointestinal blood loss. However, due to the lack of interaction studies with other NSAIDs it is presently unclear whether there is an increased risk of gastrointestinal bleeding with all NSAIDs. Consequently, NSAIDs including Cox-2 inhibitors and clopidogrel should be co-administered with caution (see section 4.4).

 

Section 4.8: Undesirable effects and Section 5.1: Pharmacodynamic properties: details are provided from the CLARITY and COMMIT studies.

 

Section 10: Date of Revision of the Text: 1st September 2006

 

 

Updated on 12/06/2006 and displayed until 19/09/2006
Reasons for adding or updating:
  • Change to section 4.4 - Special Warnings and Precautions for Use
  • Change to section 4.8 - Undesirable Effects
Date of revision of text on the SPC:   20/01/06
Legal Category:   POM
Black Triangle (CHM):   NO

Free-text change information supplied by the pharmaceutical company

Section 4.4: (Special warnings and precautions for use): addition of: Patients with rare hereditary problems of galactose intolerance, the Lapp lactase deficiency or glucose galactose malabsorption should not take this medicine

 

Section 4.8: (Undesirable effects):Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders, very rare: toxic epidermal necrolysis has been added.

Updated on 21/02/2005 and displayed until 12/06/2006
Reasons for adding or updating:
  • Change to section 4.8 - Undesirable Effects
  • Change to section 10 (date of (partial) revision of the text
Updated on 28/09/2004 and displayed until 21/02/2005
Reasons for adding or updating:
  • Change to section 4.4 - Special Warnings and Precautions for Use
  • Change to section 4.8 - Undesirable Effects
  • Change to section 4.9 - Overdose
  • Change to section 10 (date of (partial) revision of the text
Updated on 23/10/2003 and displayed until 28/09/2004
Reasons for adding or updating:
  • Change to section 4.6 - Pregnancy and Lactation
  • Change to section 4.8 - Undesirable Effects
  • Change to section 6.1 - List of Excipients
  • Change to section 6. 4 - Special Precautions for Storage
  • Change to section 6. 6 - Instruction for Use/Handling
  • Change to section 9 - Date of Renewal of Authorisation
  • Change to section 10 (date of (partial) revision of the text
Updated on 12/02/2003 and displayed until 23/10/2003
Reasons for adding or updating:
  • Change to section 6. 3 - Shelf Life
  • Removal of Black Triangle
Updated on 18/09/2002 and displayed until 12/02/2003
Reasons for adding or updating:
  • Change to section 4.1 - Therapeutic Indications
  • Change to section 4.2 - Posology and Method of Administration
  • Change to section 4.4 - Special Warnings and Precautions for Use
  • Change to section 4.8 - Undesirable Effects
  • Change to section 4.9 - Overdose
  • Change to section 5.1 - Pharmacodynamic Properties
Updated on 08/07/2002 and displayed until 18/09/2002
Reasons for adding or updating:
  • Change to section 4.8 - Undesirable Effects

Active Ingredients/Generics

 
   clopidogrel hydrogen sulphate