BISOPROLOL FUMARATE

Bisoprolol fumarate, USP is a synthetic, beta 1 -selective (cardioselective) adrenoceptor blocking agent. The chemical name for bisoprolol fumarate is (±)-1-[4-[[2-(1-Methylethoxy)ethoxy]methyl]phenoxy]-3-[(1-methylethyl)amino]-2-propanol( E )-2-butenedioate (2:1) (salt). It possesses an asymmetric carbon atom in its structure and is provided as a racemic mixture. The S(-) enantiomer is responsible for most of the beta-blocking activity. Its molecular formula is (C 18 H 31 NO 4 ) 2 •C 4 H 4 O 4 and its structure is: Bisoprolol fumarate has a molecular weight of 766.96. It is a white crystalline powder which is approximately equally hydrophilic and lipophilic and is very soluble in water and methanol; freely soluble in chloroform, glacial acetic acid and ethanol; slightly soluble in ethyl acetate and acetone. Bisoprolol fumarate tablets, USP is available as 5 mg and 10 mg tablets for oral administration. Each tablet contains following inactive ingredients: butylated hydroxyanisole, colloidal silicon dioxide, crospovidone, dibasic calcium phosphate anhydrous, hypromellose, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, polyethylene glycol and titanium dioxide. Additionally, each 5 mg tablet contains D&C yellow #10 Aluminum Lake and FD&C red #40 Aluminum Lake. FDA approved dissolution test specifications differ from USP. Image

Bisoprolol fumarate tablets are indicated in the management of hypertension. It may be used alone or in combination with other antihypertensive agents.

The dose of bisoprolol fumarate tablets, USP must be individualized to the needs of the patient. The usual starting dose is 5 mg once daily. In some patients, 2.5 mg may be an appropriate starting dose (see Bronchospastic Disease in WARNINGS ). If the antihypertensive effect of 5 mg is inadequate, the dose may be increased to 10 mg and then, if necessary, to 20 mg once daily. Patients with Renal or Hepatic Impairment In patients with hepatic impairment (hepatitis or cirrhosis) or renal dysfunction (creatinine clearance less than 40 mL/min), the initial daily dose should be 2.5 mg and caution should be used in dose-titration. Since limited data suggest that bisoprolol fumarate is not dialyzable, drug replacement is not necessary in patients undergoing dialysis. Geriatric Patients It is not necessary to adjust the dose in the elderly, unless there is also significant renal or hepatic dysfunction (see above and Geriatric Use in PRECAUTIONS ). Pediatric Patients There is no pediatric experience with bisoprolol fumarate.

Bisoprolol fumarate is contraindicated in patients with cardiogenic shock, overt cardiac failure, second or third degree AV block and marked sinus bradycardia.

Safety data are available in more than 30,000 patients or volunteers. Frequency estimates and rates of withdrawal of therapy for adverse events were derived from two U.S. placebo-controlled studies. In Study A, doses of 5 mg, 10 mg and 20 mg bisoprolol fumarate were administered for 4 weeks. In Study B, doses of 2.5 mg, 10 mg and 40 mg of bisoprolol fumarate were administered for 12 weeks. A total of 273 patients were treated with 5 mg to 20 mg of bisoprolol fumarate; 132 received placebo. Withdrawal of therapy for adverse events was 3.3% for patients receiving bisoprolol fumarate and 6.8% for patients on placebo. Withdrawals were less than 1% for either bradycardia or fatigue/lack of energy. The following table presents adverse experiences, whether or not considered drug related, reported in at least 1% of patients in these studies, for all patients studied in placebo-controlled clinical trials (2.5 mg to 40 mg), as well as for a subgroup that was treated with doses within the recommended dosage range (5 mg to 20 mg). Of the adverse events listed in the table, bradycardia, diarrhea, asthenia, fatigue and sinusitis appear to be dose related. a percentage of patients with event Body System/Adverse Experience All Adverse Experiences (% a ) Bisoprolol Fumarate Placebo (n=132) 5 mg to 20 mg (n=273) 2.5 mg to 40 mg (n=404) % % % Skin increased sweating 1.5 0.7 1 Musculoskeletal arthralgia 2.3 2.2 2.7 Central Nervous System dizziness 3.8 2.9 3.5 headache 11.4 8.8 10.9 hypoaesthesia 0.8 1.1 1.5 Autonomic Nervous System dry mouth 1.5 0.7 1.3 Heart Rate/Rhythm bradycardia 0 0.4 0.5 Psychiatric vivid dreams 0 0 0 insomnia 2.3 1.5 2.5 depression 0.8 0 0.2 Gastrointestinal diarrhea 1.5 2.6 3.5 nausea 1.5 1.5 2.2 vomiting 0 1.1 1.5 Respiratory bronchospasm 0 0 0 cough 4.5 2.6 2.5 dyspnea 0.8 1.1 1.5 pharyngitis 2.3 2.2 2.2 rhinitis 3 2.9 4 sinusitis 1.5 2.2 2.2 URI 3.8 4.8 5 Body as a Whole asthenia 0 0.4 1.5 chest pain 0.8 1.1 1.5 fatigue 1.5 6.6 8.2 edema (peripheral) 3.8 3.7 3 The following is a comprehensive list of adverse experiences reported with bisoprolol fumarate in worldwide studies or in postmarketing experience (in italics): Central Nervous System Dizziness, unsteadiness , vertigo, syncope, headache, paresthesia, hypoesthesia, hyperesthesia, somnolence, sleep disturbances , anxiety/restlessness, decreased concentration/memory. Autonomic Nervous System Dry mouth. Cardiovascular Bradycardia, palpitations and other rhythm disturbances, cold extremities, claudication, hypotension, orthostatic hypotension, chest pain, congestive heart failure, dyspnea on exertion. Psychiatric Vivid dreams, insomnia, depression. Gastrointestinal Gastric/epigastric/abdominal pain, gastritis, dyspepsia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, peptic ulcer. Musculoskeletal Muscle/joint pain, arthralgia , back/neck pain, muscle cramps, twitching/tremor. Skin Rash, acne, eczema, psoriasis , skin irritation, pruritus, flushing, sweating, alopecia, dermatitis, angioedema, exfoliative dermatitis , cutaneous vasculitis. Special Senses Visual disturbances, ocular pain/pressure, abnormal lacrimation, tinnitus, decreased hearing , earache, taste abnormalities. Metabolic Gout. Respiratory Asthma/bronchospasm, bronchitis, coughing, dyspnea, pharyngitis, rhinitis, sinusitis, URI. Genitourinary Decreased libido/impotence, Peyronie's disease , cystitis, renal colic, polyuria. Hematologic Purpura. General Fatigue, asthenia, chest pain, malaise, edema, weight gain, angioedema. In addition, a variety of adverse effects have been reported with other beta-adrenergic blocking agents and should be considered potential adverse effects of bisoprolol fumarate: Central Nervous System Reversible mental depression progressing to catatonia, hallucinations, an acute reversible syndrome characterized by disorientation to time and place, emotional lability, slightly clouded sensorium. Allergic Fever, combined with aching and sore throat, laryngospasm, respiratory distress. Hematologic Agranulocytosis, thrombocytopenia, thrombocytopenic purpura. Gastrointestinal Mesenteric arterial thrombosis, ischemic colitis. Miscellaneous The oculomucocutaneous syndrome associated with the beta-blocker practolol has not been reported with bisoprolol fumarate during investigational use or extensive foreign marketing experience.