DEXTROMETHORPHAN HYDROBROMIDE AND QUINIDINE SULFATE

Dextromethorphan hydrobromide and quinidine sulfate capsules are an oral formulation of dextromethorphan hydrobromide USP and quinidine sulfate USP in a fixed dose combination. Dextromethorphan hydrobromide is the pharmacologically active ingredient of dextromethorphan hydrobromide and quinidine sulfate capsules that acts on the central nervous system (CNS). The chemical name of dextromethorphan hydrobromide is morphinan, 3-methoxy-17-methyl-, (9α, 13α, 14α), hydrobromide monohydrate. Dextromethorphan hydrobromide has the molecular formula C 18 H 25 NO•HBr•H 2 O with a molecular weight of 370.33. The structural formula is: Quinidine sulfate is a specific inhibitor of CYP2D6-dependent oxidative metabolism used in dextromethorphan hydrobromide and quinidine sulfate capsules to increase the systemic bioavailability of dextromethorphan. The chemical name of quinidine sulfate is cinchonan-9-o1, 6’-methoxy-, (9S) sulfate (2:1), (salt), dihydrate. Quinidine sulfate dihydrate has the molecular formula of (C 20 H 24 N 2 O 2 )2•H 2 SO 4 •2H 2 O with a molecular weight of 782.96. The structural formula is: The combination product, dextromethorphan hydrobromide and quinidine sulfate capsules, is a white to off-white powder. Dextromethorphan hydrobromide and quinidine sulfate capsules are available for oral use, which contains 20 mg dextromethorphan hydrobromide, USP and 10 mg quinidine sulfate, USP. The active ingredients are dextromethorphan hydrobromide, USP and quinidine sulfate, USP. Inactive ingredients in the capsule are colloidal silicon dioxide, croscarmellose sodium, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate and microcrystalline cellulose. The capsule shell contains gelatin and titanium dioxide. The black imprinting ink contains ammonia solution, iron oxide black, potassium hydroxide, propylene glycol, and shellac. dextromethorphan-hydrobromide-structure quinidine-sulfate-structure

Dextromethorphan hydrobromide and quinidine sulfate capsules are indicated for the treatment of pseudobulbar affect (PBA). PBA occurs secondary to a variety of otherwise unrelated neurologic conditions, and is characterized by involuntary, sudden, and frequent episodes of laughing and/or crying. PBA episodes typically occur out of proportion or incongruent to the underlying emotional state. PBA is a specific condition, distinct from other types of emotional lability that may occur in patients with neurological disease or injury. Dextromethorphan hydrobromide and quinidine sulfate capsules are a combination product containing dextromethorphan hydrobromide (an uncompetitive NMDA receptor antagonist and sigma-1 agonist) and quinidine sulfate (a CYP450 2D6 inhibitor) indicated for the treatment of pseudobulbar affect (PBA). ( 1 )

Starting dose: one capsule daily by mouth for 7 days. ( 2.1 ) Maintenance dose: After 7 days, 1 capsule every 12 hours. ( 2.1 ) 2.1 Recommended Dose The recommended starting dose of dextromethorphan hydrobromide and quinidine sulfate capsules are one capsule daily by mouth for the initial seven days of therapy. On the eighth day of therapy and thereafter, the daily dose should be a total of two capsules a day, given as one capsule every 12 hours. The need for continued treatment should be reassessed periodically, as spontaneous improvement of PBA occurs in some patients.

Concomitant use with quinidine, quinine, or mefloquine. ( 4.1 ) Patients with a history of quinidine, quinine or mefloquine-induced thrombocytopenia, hepatitis, or other hypersensitivity reactions. ( 4.2 ) Patients with known hypersensitivity to dextromethorphan. ( 4.2 ) Use with an MAOI or within 14 days of stopping an MAOI. Allow 14 days after stopping dextromethorphan hydrobromide and quinidine sulfate before starting an MAOI. ( 4.3 ) Prolonged QT interval, congenital long QT syndrome, history suggestive of torsades de pointes, or heart failure. ( 4.4 ) Complete atrioventricular (AV) block without implanted pacemaker, or patients at high risk of complete AV block. ( 4.4 ) Concomitant use with drugs that both prolong QT interval and are metabolized by CYP2D6 (e.g., thioridazine or pimozide). ( 4.4 ) 4.1 Quinidine and Related Drugs Dextromethorphan hydrobromide and quinidine sulfate capsules contain quinidine and should not be used concomitantly with other drugs containing quinidine, quinine, or mefloquine. 4.2 Hypersensitivity Dextromethorphan hydrobromide and quinidine sulfate capsules are contraindicated in patients with a history of dextromethorphan hydrobromide and quinidine sulfate, quinine, mefloquine or quinidine-induced thrombocytopenia, hepatitis, bone marrow depression or lupus-like syndrome. Dextromethorphan hydrobromide and quinidine sulfate capsules are also contraindicated in patients with a known hypersensitivity to dextromethorphan (e.g. rash, hives) [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] . 4.3 MAOIs Dextromethorphan hydrobromide and quinidine sulfate capsules are contraindicated in patients taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) or in patients who have taken MAOIs within the preceding 14 days, due to the risk of serious and possibly fatal drug interactions, including serotonin syndrome. Allow at least 14 days after stopping dextromethorphan hydrobromide and quinidine sulfate capsules before starting an MAOI [see Drug Interactions ( 7.1 )] . 4.4 Cardiovascular Dextromethorphan hydrobromide and quinidine sulfate capsules are contraindicated in patients with a prolonged QT interval, congenital long QT syndrome or a history suggestive of torsades de pointes, and in patients with heart failure [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )] . Dextromethorphan hydrobromide and quinidine sulfate capsules are contraindicated in patients receiving drugs that both prolong QT interval and are metabolized by CYP2D6 (e.g., thioridazine and pimozide), as effects on QT interval may be increased [see Drug Interactions ( 7.2 )] . Dextromethorphan hydrobromide and quinidine sulfate capsules are contraindicated in patients with complete atrioventricular (AV) block without implanted pacemakers, or in patients who are at high risk of complete AV block.

A total of 946 patients participated in four Phase 3 controlled and uncontrolled PBA studies and received at least one dose of the combination product of dextromethorphan/quinidine in various strengths at the recommended or higher than the recommended dose. Of those patients, 393 patients were exposed for at least 180 days and 294 patients were exposed for at least one year. Median exposure was 168 days. Controlled trials enrolled only patients with either ALS or MS. Uncontrolled studies enrolled 136 patients with PBA secondary to a wide variety of underlying neurological conditions including stroke (45 patients) and traumatic brain injury (23 patients). Consequently, patients with other underlying neurologic diseases may experience other adverse reactions not described below. The most common adverse reactions (incidence of ≥ 3% and two-fold greater than placebo) in patients taking dextromethorphan hydrobromide and quinidine sulfate are diarrhea, dizziness, cough, vomiting, asthenia, peripheral edema, urinary tract infection, influenza, increased gamma-glutamyltransferase, and flatulence. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Hetero Labs Limited at 1-866-495-1995 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience A 12-week, placebo-controlled study evaluated dextromethorphan hydrobromide and quinidine sulfate (dextromethorphan 20 mg/quinidine 10 mg) (N=107) and a 30 mg dextromethorphan/10 mg quinidine combination (N=110) compared to placebo (N=109). Approximately 60% of patients had ALS and 40% had MS. Patients were 25 to 80 years of age, with a mean age of approximately 51 years. Three (3) ALS patients in each drug treatment arm and 1 ALS patient in the placebo arm died during the 12-week placebo-control period. All deaths were consistent with the natural progression of ALS. Adverse Reactions Leading to Discontinuation The most commonly reported adverse reactions (incidence ≥ 2% and greater than placebo) that led to discontinuation with the 20 mg dextromethorphan/10 mg quinidine twice daily dose were muscle spasticity (3%), respiratory failure (1%), abdominal pain (2%), asthenia (2%), dizziness (2%), fall (1%), and muscle spasms (2%). Most Common Adverse Reactions Adverse drug reactions that occurred in ≥ 3% of patients receiving the 20 mg dextromethorphan/10 mg quinidine twice daily dose, and at an incidence of ≥ 2 times placebo in short-term clinical trials in ALS and MS are provided in Table 1. 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 the rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in clinical practice. Table 1: Adverse Drug Reactions with an Incidence of ≥3% of Patients and ≥ 2x Placebo in Dextromethorphan Hydrobromide and Quinidine Sulfate-treated Patients by System-Organ Class and Preferred Term Dextromethorphan Hydrobromide and Quinidine Sulfate N=107 % Placebo N=109 % Diarrhea 13 6 Dizziness 10 5 Cough 5 2 Vomiting 5 1 Asthenia 5 2 Peripheral edema 5 1 Urinary tract infection 4 1 Influenza 4 1 Increased gamma- glutamyltransferase 3 0 Flatulence 3 1 6.2 Long-Term Exposure with Dextromethorphan Hydrobromide and Quinidine Sulfate The experience in open-label clinical trials is consistent with the safety profile observed in the placebo-controlled clinical trials. 6.3 Safety Experience of Individual Components The following adverse reactions have been reported with the use of the individual components of dextromethorphan hydrobromide and quinidine sulfate, dextromethorphan and quinidine, from post-marketing experience. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of unknown size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. Dextromethorphan Drowsiness, dizziness, nervousness or restlessness, nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain. Quinidine Cinchonism is most often a sign of chronic quinidine toxicity, but it may appear in sensitive patients after a single moderate dose of several hundred milligrams. Cinchonism is characterized by nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache tinnitus, hearing loss, vertigo, blurred vision, diplopia, photophobia, confusion, and delirium. Convulsions, apprehension, and ataxia have been reported with quinidine therapy, but it is not clear that these were not simply the results of hypotension and consequent cerebral hypoperfusion in patients being treated for cardiovascular indications. Acute psychotic reactions have been reported to follow the first dose of quinidine, but these reactions appear to be extremely rare. Other adverse reactions occasionally reported with quinidine therapy include depression, mydriasis, disturbed color perception, night blindness, scotomata, optic neuritis, visual field loss, photosensitivity, keratopathy, and abnormalities of skin pigmentation.

Desipramine: Exposure increases 8-fold. Reduce desipramine dose and adjust based on clinical response. ( 7.5 , 12.4 ) Paroxetine: Exposure increases 2-fold. Reduce paroxetine dose and adjust based on clinical response. ( 7.5 , 12.4 ) Digoxin: Increased digoxin substrate plasma concentration may occur. ( 7.6 ) 7.1 MAOIs Do not use dextromethorphan hydrobromide and quinidine sulfate with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) or in patients who have taken MAOIs within the preceding 14 days [see Contraindications ( 4.3 )] . 7.2 Drugs that Prolong QT and are Metabolized by CYP2D6 Do not use with drugs that both prolong QT interval and are metabolized by CYP2D6 (e.g., thioridazine or pimozide) [see Contraindications ( 4.4 )] . 7.3 Drugs that Prolong QT and Concomitant CYP3A4 Inhibitors Recommend ECG in patients taking drugs with dextromethorphan hydrobromide and quinidine sulfate that prolong the QT interval and in patients taking concomitant moderate or strong CYP3A4 inhibitors [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )] . 7.4 SSRIs and Tricyclic Antidepressants Use of dextromethorphan hydrobromide and quinidine sulfate with SSRIs or tricyclic antidepressants increases the risk of ‘serotonin syndrome’ [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.6 )] . 7.5 CYP2D6 Substrate The co-administration of dextromethorphan hydrobromide and quinidine sulfate with drugs that undergo extensive CYP2D6 metabolism may result in altered drug effects, due to accumulation of parent drug and/or failure of metabolite formation [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 )]. Therapy with medications that are primarily metabolized by CYP2D6 and that have a relatively narrow therapeutic index should be initiated at a low dose if a patient is receiving dextromethorphan hydrobromide and quinidine sulfate concurrently. If dextromethorphan hydrobromide and quinidine sulfate is added to the treatment regimen of a patient already receiving a drug primarily metabolized by CYP2D6, the need for a dose modification of the original medication should be considered. The extent to which CYP2D6 interactions may pose clinical problems will depend on the pharmacokinetics of the substrate involved. In cases of prodrugs whose actions are mediated by the CYP2D6-produced metabolites (for example, codeine and hydrocodone, whose analgesic and antitussive effects appear to be mediated by morphine and hydromorphone, respectively), it may not be possible to achieve the desired clinical benefits in the presence of dextromethorphan hydrobromide and quinidine sulfate due to quinidine-mediated inhibition of CYP2D6. Consider use of alternative treatment with dextromethorphan hydrobromide and quinidine sulfate when clinically indicated. Drug interactions with desipramine and paroxetine have been studied in controlled clinical trials with a higher dose combination of dextromethorphan/quinidine (dextromethorphan 30 mg/quinidine 30 mg) than dextromethorphan hydrobromide and quinidine sulfate; study results are described below. No other drug interactions with CYP2D6 substrates have been systematically investigated, although concomitant use of such drugs was allowed in clinical trials with dextromethorphan hydrobromide and quinidine sulfate and in clinical trials with higher dose formulations of dextromethorphan/quinidine. Desipramine (CYP2D6 substrate): The tricyclic antidepressant desipramine is metabolized primarily by CYP2D6. A drug interaction study was conducted between a higher combination dose of dextromethorphan (dextromethorphan 30 mg/quinidine 30 mg) and desipramine 25 mg. The combination dose of dextromethorphan/quinidine increased steady state desipramine levels approximately 8-fold. If dextromethorphan hydrobromide and quinidine sulfate and desipramine are prescribed concomitantly, the initial dose of desipramine should be markedly reduced. The dose of desipramine can then be adjusted based on clinical response; however, a dose above 40 mg/day is not recommended. Paroxetine (CYP2D6 inhibitor and substrate): When the combination dose of dextromethorphan 30 mg/quinidine 30 mg was added to paroxetine at steady state, paroxetine exposure (AUC 0-24 ) increased by 1.7 fold and C max increased by 1.5 fold. Consideration should be given to initiating treatment with a lower dose of paroxetine if given with dextromethorphan hydrobromide and quinidine sulfate. The dose of paroxetine can then be adjusted based on clinical response; however, dosage above 35 mg/day is not recommended. 7.6 Digoxin Quinidine is an inhibitor of P-glycoprotein. Concomitant administration of quinidine with digoxin, a P-glycoprotein substrate, results in serum digoxin levels that may be as much as doubled. Plasma digoxin concentrations should be closely monitored in patients taking dextromethorphan hydrobromide and quinidine sulfate concomitantly, and the digoxin dose reduced, as necessary. 7.7 Alcohol As with any other CNS drug, caution should be used when dextromethorphan hydrobromide and quinidine sulfate is taken in combination with other centrally acting drugs and alcohol.