Carbaglu
- Generic Name: carglumic acid tablets (Carbaglu)
- Brand Name: Carbaglu
- Drug Class: How Do Urea Cycle Disorder Treatment Agents Work?
Patient Information about carbaglu
No information provided. Please refer to the WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS section.
Description of carbaglu
Carbaglu tablets for oral suspension, contain 200 mg of carglumic acid. Carglumic acid, the active substance, is a Carbamoyl Phosphate Synthetase 1 (CPS 1) activator and is soluble in boiling water, slightly soluble in cold water, and practically insoluble in organic solvents.
Chemically carglumic acid is N-carbamoyl-L-glutamic acid or (2S)-2-(carbamoylamino) pentanedioic acid, with a molecular weight of 190.16.
The structural formula is:
Molecular Formula: C6H10N2O5
The inactive ingredients of CARBAGLU are croscarmellose sodium, hypromellose, microcrystalline cellulose, silica colloidal anhydrous, sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium stearyl fumarate.
Indications of carbaglu
Acute And Chronic Hyperammonemia Due To N-acetylglutamate Synthase (NAGS) Deficiency
CARBAGLU is indicated in pediatric and adult patients as:
- Adjunctive therapy to standard of care for the treatment of acute hyperammonemia due to NAGS deficiency.
- Maintenance therapy for the treatment of chronic hyperammonemia due to NAGS deficiency.
Acute Hyperammonemia Due To Propionic Acidemia (PA) Or Methylmalonic Acidemia (MMA)
CARBAGLU is indicated in pediatric and adult patients as adjunctive therapy to standard of care for the treatment of acute hyperammonemia due to PA or MMA.
Dosage And Administration
Recommended Dosage For Acute Or Chronic Hyperammonemia Due To NAGS Deficiency
Treatment Initiation
Initiate CARBAGLU treatment as soon as the diagnosis of NAGS deficiency is suspected, which may be as soon as at birth, and managed by a physician and medical team experienced in metabolic disorders.
Dosage For Acute Hyperammonemia Due To NAGS Deficiency
- The recommended daily dosage of CARBAGLU in pediatric and adult patients for acute hyperammonemia due to NAGS deficiency is 100 mg/kg to 250 mg/kg.
- Divide the daily dosage into 2 to 4 doses and round to the nearest 100 mg (i.e., half of a CARBAGLU tablet).
- During acute hyperammonemic episodes, administer CARBAGLU with other ammonia lowering therapies, such as alternate pathway medications, hemodialysis, and protein restriction.
Dosage For Chronic Hyperammonemia Due To NAGS Deficiency
- The recommended daily dosage of CARBAGLU in pediatric and adult patients for chronic hyperammonemia due to NAGS deficiency is 10 mg/kg to 100 mg/kg.
- Divide the daily dosage into 2 to 4 doses and round to the nearest 100 mg (i.e., half of a CARBAGLU tablet).
- During maintenance therapy, the concomitant use of other ammonia lowering therapies and protein restriction may be needed based on plasma ammonia levels.
Therapeutic Monitoring
Closely monitor plasma ammonia levels. Titrate the CARBAGLU dosage to maintain the plasma ammonia level within the normal range for the patient’s age, taking into consideration their clinical condition (e.g., nutritional requirements, protein intake, growth parameters, etc.).
Adjust the recommended dosage in patients with moderate or severe renal impairment [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION].
Recommended Dosage For Acute Hyperammonemia Due To PA Or MMA
Treatment Initiation
Initiate CARBAGLU for the treatment of acute hyperammonemia in patients with a suspected or confirmed diagnosis of PA or MMA.
Dosage For Acute Hyperammonemia Due To PA Or MMA
- The recommended daily dosage of CARBAGLU in pediatric and adult patients with acute hyperammonemia due to PA or MMA is:
- 150 mg/kg/day for patients less than or equal to 15 kg
- 3.3 g/m²/day for patients greater than 15 kg
- Divide the daily dosage into 2 equal doses and round up to the nearest 50 mg (i.e., one-quarter of a CARBAGLU tablet). Administer doses 12 hours apart.
- Continue CARBAGLU treatment until the patient’s ammonia level is less than 50 micromol/L and for a maximum duration of 7 days.
- During acute hyperammonemic episodes, administer CARBAGLU with other ammonia lowering therapies, such as intravenous glucose, insulin, L-carnitine, protein restriction, and dialysis.
Adjust the recommended dosage in patients with moderate or severe renal impairment [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION].
Dosage Adjustment In Patients With Renal Impairment
No dosage adjustment is warranted in patients with mild renal impairment (eGFR 60-89 mL/min/1.73 m²). The recommended dosage of CARBAGLU in patients with moderate or severe renal impairment is shown below.
Moderate Renal Impairment (eGFR 30-59 mL/min/1.73 m²) | Severe Renal Impairment (eGFR ≤29 mL/min/1.73 m²) | |
Acute Hyperammonemia due to NAGS Deficiency | 50 mg/kg/day to 125 mg/kg/day divided into 2 to 4 doses and rounded to the nearest 50 mg (i.e., one-quarter of a CARBAGLU tablet) | 15 mg/kg/day to 60 mg/kg/day divided into 2 to 4 doses and rounded to the nearest 50 mg (i.e., one-quarter of a CARBAGLU tablet) |
Chronic Hyperammonemia due to NAGS Deficiency | 5 mg/kg/day to 50 mg/kg/day divided into 2 to 4 doses and rounded to the nearest 50 mg (i.e., one-quarter of a CARBAGLU tablet) | 2 mg/kg/day to 25 mg/kg/day divided into 2 to 4 doses and rounded to the nearest 50 mg (i.e., one-quarter of a CARBAGLU tablet) |
Acute Hyperammonemia due to PA or MMA |
Divide daily dosage into 2 equal doses and round up to the nearest 50 mg (i.e., one-quarter of a CARBAGLU tablet); administer each dose 12 hours apart. |
Divide daily dosage into 2 equal doses and round up to the nearest 50 mg (i.e., one-quarter of a CARBAGLU tablet); administer each dose 12 hours apart. |
Preparation And Administration
Overview
- Disperse CARBAGLU tablets in water. Do not swallow whole or crushed.
- CARBAGLU tablets do not dissolve completely in water, and undissolved particles of the tablet may remain in the mixing container.
- Take CARBAGLU immediately before meals or feedings.
- The CARBAGLU suspension has a slightly acidic taste.
- For all preparations, use in foods or liquids other than water has not been studied and is not recommended.
Oral Administration
For oral administration, administer CARBAGLU as follows:
- Add a minimum of 2.5 mL of water into a small cup for each CARBAGLU tablet or each ½ or ¼ CARBAGLU tablet needed for the prescribed dose.
- Add the CARBAGLU tablets to the water in the cup.
- Carefully stir the tablet and water mixture.
- Swallow the mixture immediately. Pieces of the tablet may remain in the cup.
- Rinse the cup with additional water and swallow the mixture immediately. Repeat as needed until no pieces of the tablet are left in the cup.
Use Of An Oral Syringe For Oral Administration
For administration via an oral syringe, administer CARBAGLU as follows:
-
- Add a minimum of 2.5 mL of water into a small cup for each CARBAGLU tablet or each ½ or ¼ CARBAGLU tablet needed for the prescribed dose.
- Add the CARBAGLU tablets to the water in the cup.
- Carefully stir the tablet and water mixture.
- Draw up the mixture in an oral syringe and administer immediately. Pieces of the tablet may remain in the oral syringe.
- Refill the oral syringe with a minimum volume of water (1 mL to 2 mL) and administer immediately.
- Flush the oral syringe again, as needed, until no pieces of the tablet are left in the syringe.
Use Of Nasogastric Tube (NG Tube) Or Gastrostomy Tube (G-Tube) For Feeding Tube Administration
For patients who have a NG tube or G-tube in place, administer CARBAGLU as follows:
- Add a minimum of 2.5 mL of water into a small cup for each CARBAGLU tablet or each ½ or ¼ CARBAGLU tablet needed for the prescribed dose.
- Add the CARBAGLU tablets to the water in the cup.
- Carefully stir the tablet and water mixture.
- Draw up the mixture into a catheter-tip syringe.
- Administer the mixture immediately through the NG tube or G-tube. Pieces of the tablet may remain in the catheter-tip syringe or the feeding tube.
- Flush immediately with 1 to 2 mL of additional water to clear the NG tube or G-tube.
- Flush the NG tube or G-tube again, as needed, until no pieces of the tablet are left in the syringe or the feeding tube.
How Supplied the carbaglu
Dosage Forms And Strengths
CARBAGLU is a white and elongated 200 mg tablet for oral suspension, functionally scored with 3 lines for splitting into 4 equal portions, and coded “C” on one side.
Storage And Handling
CARBAGLU is a white and elongated 200 mg tablet for oral suspension, functionally scored with 3 lines for splitting into 4 equal portions, and coded “C” on one side.
CARBAGLU is available in 5 or 60 tablets in a high-density polyethylene bottle with child resistant polypropylene cap and desiccant unit.
NDC 52276-312-05 Bottles of 5 tablets
NDC 52276-312-60 Bottles of 60 tablets
Storage
Store in the original unopened container at 2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F).
After first opening of the container:
- Do not refrigerate, store at room temperature between 15°C and 30°C (59°F and 86°F).
- Keep the container tightly closed between openings in order to protect from moisture.
- Write the date of opening on the tablet container.
- Do not use after the expiration date stated on the tablet container.
- Discard one month after first opening.
Supplied by: Recordati Rare Diseases Puteaux, France. Revised: Aug 2021
Side Effects of carbaglu
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.
Acute And Chronic Hyperammonemia Due To NAGS Deficiency
In a retrospective case series of 23 NAGS deficiency patients treated with CARBAGLU, 17 of the 23 patients reported any adverse reaction. The most common adverse reactions (occurring in ≥ 13% of patients) were vomiting, abdominal pain, pyrexia, tonsillitis, anemia, diarrhea, ear infection, infections, nasopharyngitis, hemoglobin decreased, and headache.
Table 1 summarizes adverse reactions occurring in 2 or more patients with NAGS deficiency treated with CARBAGLU in the retrospective case series (≥ 9%).
Table 1: Adverse Reactions Reported in ≥ 2 Patients with NAGS deficiency Treated with CARBAGLU in the Retrospective Case Series
Adverse Reaction | Number of Patients (N) (%) |
Vomiting | 6 (26) |
Abdominal pain | 4 (17) |
Pyrexia | 4 (17) |
Tonsillitis | 4 (17) |
Anemia | 3 (13) |
Diarrhea | 3 (13) |
Ear infection | 3 (13) |
Infections | 3 (13) |
Nasopharyngitis | 3 (13) |
Hemoglobin decreased | 3 (13) |
Headache | 3 (13) |
Dysgeusia | 2 (9) |
Asthenia | 2 (9) |
Hyperhidrosis | 2 (9) |
Influenza | 2 (9) |
Pneumonia | 2 (9) |
Weight decreased | 2 (9) |
Anorexia | 2 (9) |
Somnolence | 2 (9) |
Rash | 2 (9) |
Acute Hyperammonemia Due To PA And MMA
In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, 24 patients (15 with PA and 9 with MMA) experienced a total of 90 hyperammonemic episodes which were randomized 1:1 to be treated with either CARBAGLU or placebo, each in addition to standard-of-care therapy, with randomization based on each hyperammonemic episode. The average patient age (SD) was 9.2 years (7.7) and 12 (50 %) were males.
CARBAGLU was administered at a dosage of 150 mg/kg/day for patients ≤15 kg or 3.3 g/m²/day for patients >15 kg, divided into 2 doses, for a median duration of 4.14 days.
At least 1 adverse reaction was reported during the course of hyperammonemic episodes in 42.2% of hyperammonemic episodes. The most common adverse reactions (≥5%) during hyperammonemic episodes were neutropenia, anemia, vomiting, electrolyte imbalance, decreased appetite, hypoglycemia, lethargy/stupor, encephalopathy and pancreatitis/lipase increased.
Table 2 summarizes adverse reactions (≥2%) during hyperammonemic episodes in patients with PA or MMA treated with CARBAGLU or placebo.
Table 2: Adverse Reactions (≥ 2%) During Hyperammonemic Episodes in Patients with PA or MMA Treated with CARBAGLU or Placebo
Adverse Reaction | Treatment Arm | |
CARBAGLU N=42 episodes N (%) |
PLACEBO N=48 episodes N (%) |
|
Neutropenia | 6 (14) | 4 (8) |
Anemia | 5 (12) | 4 (8) |
Vomiting | 3 (7) | 1 (2) |
Electrolyte imbalance | 3 (7) | 2 (4) |
Decreased appetite | 2 (5) | 1 (2) |
Hypoglycemia | 2 (5) | 1 (2) |
Lethargy/Stupor | 2 (5) | 1 (2) |
Encephalopathy | 2 (5) | 0 (0) |
Pancreatitis/Lipase increased | 2 (5) | 0 (0) |
Cardiomyopathy | 1 (2) | 0 (0) |
Alanine aminotransferase increased | 1 (2) | 0 (0) |
Aspartate aminotransferase increased | 1 (2) | 0 (0) |
Infusion site extravasation | 1 (2) | 0 (0) |
White blood cell count increased | 1 (2) | 0 (0) |
Behavior disorder | 1 (2) | 0 (0) |
Sleep disorder | 1 (2) | 0 (0) |
Apnea | 1 (2) | 0 (0) |
Hyperventilation | 1 (2) | 0 (0) |
Postmarketing Experience
The following adverse reactions have been identified during postapproval use of CARBAGLU. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or to establish a causal relationship to drug exposure.
Psychiatric disorders: mania
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders: pruritus, rash including rash erythematous, rash maculopapular, rash pustular
Drug Interactions of carbaglu
No Information provided
Warnings
Included as part of the PRECAUTIONS section.
Precautions
No Information provided
Patient Counseling Information
Advise the patient to read the FDA-approved patient labeling (Instructions for Use).
Instruct the patient on the following:
Preparation And Administration
[see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION]
- Disperse CARBAGLU tablets in water. Do not swallow whole or crushed.
- Take CARBABLU immediately before meals or feedings.
- CARBAGLU tablets dispersed in water can be administered orally or via a nasogastric tube or gastrostomy tube as described in the Instructions for Use.
Storage
[see HOW SUPPLIED/Storage And Handling]
- Store UNOPENED container in a refrigerator at 2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F).
- After first opening of the container: do not refrigerate, store at room temperature between 15°C and 30°C (59°F and 86°F). Keep the container tightly closed in order to protect from moisture. Write the date of opening on the tablet container.
- Discard one month after first opening. Do not use after the expiration date stated on the tablet container.
Pregnancy
[see Use In Specific Populations]
Advise women with NAGS deficiency who are exposed to CARBAGLU during pregnancy that there is a pregnancy surveillance program that monitors pregnancy outcomes.
Nonclinical Toxicology
Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment Of Fertility
The carcinogenic potential of carglumic acid was assessed in a 2-year carcinogenicity study in rats. Carglumic acid was not tumorigenic at oral doses up to 1000 mg/kg/day (approximately 34 times the maximum reported human maintenance dose [100 mg/kg/day] based on AUC).
Carglumic acid was negative in the Ames test, chromosomal aberration assay in human lymphocytes, and the in vivo micronucleus assay in rats.
There were no effects on fertility or reproductive performance in female rats at oral doses up to 2000 mg/kg/day (approximately 38 times the maximum reported human maintenance dose [100 mg/kg/day] based on AUC). In a separate study, mating and fertility were unaffected in male rats at oral doses up to 1000 mg/kg/day (approximately 34 times the maximum reported human maintenance dose [100 mg/kg/day] based on AUC).
Use In Specific Populations
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Exposure Registry
There is a pregnancy exposure registry that monitors pregnancy outcomes in women with NAGS deficiency exposed to CARBAGLU. If CARBAGLU is administered during pregnancy, health care providers should report CARBAGLU exposure by calling 1-888-575-8344.
Risk Summary
Although rare case reports of CARBAGLU use in pregnant women are insufficient to inform a drug-associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage, or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes, untreated NAGS deficiency, PA and MMA can result in irreversible neurologic damage and death in pregnant women [see Clinical Considerations].
In an animal reproduction study, decreased survival and growth occurred in offspring born to rats that received carglumic acid at a dose approximately 38 times the maximum reported human maintenance dose.
The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, miscarriage, or other adverse outcomes. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2% to 4% and 15% to 20%, respectively.
Clinical Considerations
Disease-Associated Maternal And/Or Embryo/Fetal Risk
Pregnant women with urea cycle disorders, PA, and MMA may experience an increase in catabolic stress which can trigger a hyperammonemic crisis both in the intrapartum and in the post-partum (3-14 days post-partum) periods. Maternal complications related to hyperammonemic crisis can include neurological impairment, coma and in some cases death.
Data
Animal Data
No effects on embryo-fetal development were observed in pregnant rats treated with up to 2000 mg/kg/day (approximately 38 times the maximum reported human maintenance dose [100 mg/kg/day] based on AUC [area under the plasma concentration-time curve]) from two weeks prior to mating through organogenesis or in pregnant rabbits treated with up to 1000 mg/kg/day (approximately 6 times the maximum reported human maintenance dose [100 mg/kg/day] based on AUC) during organogenesis.
In a pre-and post-natal developmental study, female rats received oral carglumic acid from organogenesis through lactation at doses of 500 mg/kg/day and 2000 mg/kg/day. Decreased growth of offspring was observed at 500 mg/kg/day and higher (approximately 38 times the maximum reported human maintenance dose [100 mg/kg/day] based on AUC), and reduction in offspring survival during lactation was observed at 2000 mg/kg/day (approximately 38 times the maximum reported human maintenance dose [100 mg/kg/day] based on AUC). No effects on physical and sexual development, learning and memory, or reproductive performance were observed through maturation of the surviving offspring at maternal doses up to 2000 mg/kg/day. The high dose (2000 mg/kg/day) produced maternal toxicity (impaired weight gain and approximately 10% mortality).
Lactation
Risk Summary
It is not known whether carglumic acid is present in human milk. There are no available data on the effects of carglumic acid on the breastfed infant or the effects on milk production. Carglumic acid is present in milk from treated rats. When a drug is present in animal milk, it is likely that the drug will be present in human milk.
The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother’s clinical need for CARBAGLU and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed child from CARBAGLU or from the underlying maternal condition.
Pediatric Use
The safety and effectiveness of CARBAGLU for the treatment of pediatric patients (birth to 17 years of age) with acute or chronic hyperammonemia due to NAGS deficiency and acute hyperammonemia due to PA or MMA have been established, and the information on these uses are discussed throughout the labeling. There are insufficient data to determine if there is a difference in clinical or biochemical responses between adult and pediatric patients treated with CARBAGLU.
Geriatric Use
Clinical studies of CARBAGLU did not include patients 65 years of age and older.
Renal Impairment
Plasma concentrations of carglumic acid increased in patients with renal impairment [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY]. Reduce the CARBAGLU dosage in patients with moderate or severe renal impairment [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION]. The pharmacokinetics of carglumic acid have not been evaluated in patients with end stage renal disease.
Overdose
One patient treated with 650 mg/kg/day of CARBAGLU developed symptoms resembling monosodium glutamate intoxication-like syndrome and characterized by tachycardia, profuse sweating, increased bronchial secretions, increased body temperature, and restlessness. These symptoms resolved upon reduction of the dose.
Contraindications
None.
Clinical Pharmacology
Mechanism Of Action
Carglumic acid is a synthetic structural analogue of N-acetylglutamate (NAG) which is produced from glutamate and acetyl-CoA in a reaction catalyzed by N-acetylglutamate synthase (NAGS), a mitochondrial liver enzyme. NAG acts as the essential allosteric activator of carbamoyl phosphate synthetase 1 (CPS 1), a mitochondrial liver enzyme which catalyzes the first reaction of the urea cycle. The urea cycle, whose role is the disposition of ammonia, includes a series of biochemical reactions in the liver resulting in the conversion of ammonia into urea, which is then excreted through the urine. Carglumic acid acts as a CPS1 activator, improves or restores the function of the urea cycle, and facilitates ammonia detoxification and urea production.
Pharmacodynamics
In a retrospective review of the clinical course in 23 patients with NAGS deficiency, carglumic acid reduced plasma ammonia levels within 24 hours when administered with and without concomitant ammonia lowering therapies. No dose-response relationship has been identified.
Cardiac Electrophysiology
The effect of carglumic acid was evaluated in a Phase 1, randomized study in 76 healthy volunteers. The study suggests a lack of clinically relevant QT prolongation effect at the highest therapeutic dose level (250 mg/kg/day).
Pharmacokinetics
The pharmacokinetics of carglumic acid in healthy subjects following an intravenous (IV) infusion over 2 hours at 8 mg/kg or an oral administration at 100 mg/kg are summarized in Table 3.
Table 3: Mean (SD) Pharmacokinetic Parameter Values of Carglumic Acid in Healthy Subjects
PK parameter | IV infusion 8 mg/kg (N=10) |
Oral 100 mg/kg (N=12) |
Cmax (ng/mL) | 8613 (558) | 3284 (321) |
Tmax (hr)# | 2 (1-2) | 3 (2-4) |
AUC (ng*hr/mL) | 24501 (1613) | 31426 (2150) |
T½ (hr) | 31 (3) | 25 (2) |
CL (L/hr/kg) | 0.34 (0.02) | N/A |
Vd (L/kg) | 15 (1) | N/A |
#Median (range); N/A, not applicable |
Absorption
Following an oral administration of CARBAGLU 100 mg/kg in healthy subjects, the absolute bioavailability was approximately 10%.
Distribution
Carglumic acid is not bound to plasma proteins.
Elimination
Carglumic acid is predominantly excreted by the kidneys as unchanged product.
Metabolism
A proportion of carglumic acid may be metabolized by the intestinal bacterial flora.
The likely end product of carglumic acid metabolism is carbon dioxide, eliminated through the lungs.
Excretion
Following an oral administration of radiolabeled CARBAGLU at 100 mg/kg, 9% of the dose is excreted unchanged in the urine and up to 60% of the dose is recovered unchanged in the feces.
Specific Populations
Patients With Renal Impairment
The pharmacokinetics of carglumic acid in subjects with renal impairment were compared with healthy subjects with normal renal function following oral administration of a single dose of CARBAGLU 40 mg/kg or 80 mg/kg. The Cmax and AUC0-t of carglumic acid are summarized in Table 4. The geometric mean ratio (90% CI) of AUC0-t in subjects with mild, moderate, and severe renal impairment relative to those in their matched control subjects with normal renal function were approximately 1.3 (1.01, 1.68), 2.0 (1.65, 2.54), and 4.6 (3.36, 6.34) respectively [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION].
Table 4: Mean (SD) Cmax and AUC0-t of Carglumic Acid Following Single Oral Dose Administration of CARBAGLU 80 mg/kg or 40 mg/kg in Subjects with Renal Impairment and Matched Healthy Control Subjects with Normal Renal Function
PK Parameters | Normal Renal Function 1a: eGFR ≥90 mL/min /1.73m² (N=8) |
Mild Renal Impairment: eGFR 60-89mL /min/1.73m² (N=8) |
Moderate Renal Impairment: eGFR 30-59mL/min /1.73m² (N=8) |
Normal Renal Function 1b :eGFR ≥90mL /min/1.73m² (N=8) |
Severe Renal Impairment: eGFR ≤29mL/min/ 1.73m² (N=8) |
80 mg/kg | 40 mg/kg | ||||
Cmax (ng/mL) | 2983 (552) | 4310 (1937) | 6129 (1854) | 1890 (901) | 8377 (3815) |
AUC0-t (ng*hr/mL) | 28313 (6204) | 39545 (12109) | 79766 (19708) | 20212 (6186) | 143075 (55910) |
Treatment groups 1a and 1b represent two separate matched control groups of healthy subjects with normal renal function. |
Drug Interaction Studies
Based on in vitro studies, carglumic acid is not an inducer of CYP1A1/2, CYP2B6, CYP2C, and CYP3A4/5 enzymes, and not an inhibitor of CYP1A2, CYP2A6, CYP2B6, CYP2C8, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, CYP2E1, and CYP3A4/5 enzymes.
Based on in vitro studies, carglumic acid is a substrate of the human OAT1 transporter. Carglumic acid is not a substrate of MDR1, BCRP, MATE1, MATE2-K, OAT1, OAT3, OATP1B1, OATP1B3, OCT1, and OCT2. Carglumic acid is not an inhibitor of human BSEP, BCRP, MDR1, MATE1, MATE2-K, OAT1, OAT3, OATP1B1, OATP1B3, OCT1, and OCT2 transporters.
Clinical Studies
Acute And Chronic Hyperammonemia Due To NAGS Deficiency
The efficacy of CARBAGLU in the treatment of acute and chronic hyperammonemia due to NAGS deficiency was evaluated in a retrospective case series of 23 NAGS deficiency patients treated with CARBAGLU over a median duration of 7.9 years (range 0.6 to 20.8 years). For acute treatment, patients received CARBAGLU at 100 mg/kg/day to 250 mg/kg/day primarily administered in 2 to 4 divided doses. For maintenance treatment, the dosage was reduced over time based on plasma ammonia level and clinical response. The baseline characteristics of the patient population are shown in Table 5.
Table 5: Baseline Characteristics of 23 NAGS Deficiency Patients Treated with CARBAGLU
Patients N=23 |
||
Sex | Male | 14 (61%) |
Female | 9 (39%) | |
Age at initiation of CARBAGLU therapy (years) | Mean (SD) | 2 (4) |
Min-Max | 0-13 | |
<30 days | 9 (39%) | |
Age groups at initiation of CARBAGLU therapy | >30 days – 11 months | 9 (39%) |
≥1 – 13 years | 5 (22%) | |
Homozygous | 14 (61%) | |
NAGS gene mutations by DNA testing | Heterozygous | 4 (17%) |
Not available | 5 (22%) | |
Patients current treatment status | On-going | 18 (78%) |
Discontinued | 5 (22%) |
The clinical and biochemical data in the 23-patient case series were retrospectively collected, unblinded, and uncontrolled and preclude formal statistical testing. Short-term efficacy was evaluated using mean and median change in plasma ammonia levels from baseline to days 1 to 3. Persistence of the effect was evaluated using long-term mean and median change in plasma ammonia level. Of the 23 NAGS deficiency patients in the case series, 13 patients had documented plasma ammonia levels prior to CARBAGLU treatment and after long-term treatment with CARBAGLU and were evaluable. Table 5 summarizes the plasma ammonia levels at baseline, days 1 to 3 post-CARBAGLU treatment, and long-term CARBAGLU treatment (mean 8 years) in the 13 evaluable patients.
All 13 patients had increased plasma ammonia levels at baseline (mean 271 micromol/L; normal range: 5 to 50 micromol/L). By day 3 and with long-term treatment, normal plasma ammonia levels were attained (Table 6).
Table 6: Plasma Ammonia Levels in NAGS Deficiency Patients at Baseline and After Treatment with CARBAGLU
Timepoint | Patients (N = 13) |
Ammonia level (micromol/L) |
Baseline (prior to first dose of CARBAGLU) | N | 13 |
Mean (SD) | 271 (359) | |
Median | 157 | |
Range | 72-1428 | |
Missing Data | 0 | |
Day 1 | N | 10 |
Mean (SD) | 181 (358) | |
Median | 65 | |
Range | 25-1190 | |
Missing Data | 3 | |
Day 2 | N | 8 |
Mean (SD) | 69 (78) | |
Median | 44 | |
Range | 11-255 | |
Missing Data | 5 | |
Day 3 | N | 5 |
Mean (SD) | 27 (11) | |
Median | 25 | |
Range | 12-42 | |
Missing Data | 8 | |
Long-term treatment (mean duration 8 years; median duration 6 years; range 1-16 years based on last available value while on CARBAGLU treatment) | N | 13 |
Mean (SD) | 23 (7) | |
Median | 24 | |
Range | 9-34 | |
Missing Data | 0 |
The mean plasma ammonia level at baseline and the decline that is observed after treatment with CARBAGLU in 13 evaluable patients with NAGS deficiency is illustrated in Figure 1.
Figure 1: Mean Plasma Ammonia in 13 Evaluable NAGS Deficiency Patients at Baseline and After Treatment with CARBAGLU
Acute Hyperammonemia Due To PA And MMA
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter clinical trial evaluated the efficacy of CARBAGLU in the treatment of hyperammonemia in patients with PA and MMA (NCT01599286).
Eligible hyperammonemic episodes, defined as an admission to the hospital with a plasma ammonia level ≥ 70 micromol/L, were randomized 1:1 to receive either CARBAGLU or placebo for 7 days or until hospital discharge, whichever occurred earlier. All patients received standard of care, including a combination of protein restriction, intravenous glucose, insulin, and/or Lcarnitine; the use of alternative pathway medications (e.g., sodium benzoate and medications with phenylacetate as an active metabolite) was prohibited. CARBAGLU was dosed at 150 mg/kg/day for patients ≤ 15 kg or 3.3 g/m²/day for patients > 15 kg and was divided into 2 equal doses administered 12 hours apart by NG tube, G-tube, or oral syringe. Plasma ammonia testing was performed at pre-randomization and at post-dosing intervals of every 6 -12 hours for the first 48 hours and every day thereafter if the ammonia level was ≥ 50 micromol/L.
The efficacy evaluation was based on 90 hyperammonemic episodes (42 treated with CARBAGLU and 48 with placebo) in 24 patients (12 male and 12 female) with PA (n = 15) or MMA (n = 9). The median patient age was 8 years (range 4 days to 29 years). The primary endpoint was the time from the first dose of drug to the earlier of plasma ammonia level ≤ 50 micromol/L (normal range) or hospital discharge. The median time to reach the primary endpoint was 1.5 days in the CARBAGLU group compared to 2.0 days in the placebo group, a difference of 0.5 days (95% confidence interval: -1.2, 0.1), driven exlusively by an effect on plasma ammonia normalization. Throughout the first three days of treatment, a higher proportion of CARBAGLU-treated episodes reached the primary endpoint compared to placebo-treated episodes (Figure 2).
Figure 2: Episodes Reaching the Earlier of Plasma Ammonia Level ≤ 50 micromol/L or Hospital Discharge in Patients with PA or MMA Treated with CARBAGLU or Placebo for up to7 days