ZYFLO

Zileuton is an orally active inhibitor of 5-lipoxygenase, the enzyme that catalyzes the formation of leukotrienes from arachidonic acid. Zileuton has the chemical name (±)-1-(1-Benzo[b]thien-2-ylethyl)-1-hydroxyurea and the following chemical structure: Zileuton Zileuton has the molecular formula C 11 H 12 N 2 O 2 S and a molecular weight of 236.29. It is a racemic mixture (50:50) of R(+) and S(-) enantiomers. Zileuton is a practically odorless, white, crystalline powder that is soluble in methanol and ethanol, slightly soluble in acetonitrile, and practically insoluble in water and hexane. The melting point ranges from 144.2˚C to 145.2˚C. ZYFLO tablets for oral administration are supplied in one dosage strength containing 600 mg of zileuton. Inactive Ingredients: crospovidone, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hypromellose, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, pregelatinized starch, propylene glycol, sodium starch glycolate, talc, and titanium dioxide. Zileuton

ZYFLO is indicated for the prophylaxis and chronic treatment of asthma in adults and children 12 years of age and older.

The recommended dosage of ZYFLO for the symptomatic treatment of patients with asthma is one 600-mg tablet four times a day for a total daily dose of 2400 mg. For ease of administration, ZYFLO may be taken with meals and at bedtime. Hepatic transaminases should be evaluated prior to initiation of ZYFLO and periodically during treatment (see PRECAUTIONS, Hepatic ).

ZYFLO tablets are contraindicated in patients with: Active liver disease or transaminase elevations greater than or equal to three times the upper limit of normal (≥3xULN) (see PRECAUTIONS, Hepatic ). Hypersensitivity to zileuton or any of its inactive ingredients.

Clinical Studies : A total of 5542 patients have been exposed to zileuton in clinical trials, 2252 of them for greater than 6 months and 742 for greater than 1 year. Adverse events most frequently occurring (frequency ≥3%) in ZYFLO-treated patients and at a frequency greater than placebo-treated patients are summarized in Table 2. Proportion of Patients Experiencing Adverse Events in Placebo-Controlled Studies in Asthma Less common adverse events occurring at a frequency of greater than 1% and more commonly in ZYFLO-treated patients included: arthralgia, chest pain, conjunctivitis, constipation, dizziness, fever, flatulence, hypertonia, insomnia, lymphadenopathy, malaise, neck pain/rigidity, nervousness, pruritus, somnolence, urinary tract infection, vaginitis, and vomiting. The frequency of discontinuation from the asthma clinical studies due to any adverse event was comparable between ZYFLO (9.7%) and placebo-treated (8.4%) groups. In placebo-controlled clinical trials, the frequency of ALT elevations ≥3xULN was 1.9% for ZYFLO-treated patients, compared with 0.2% for placebo-treated patients. In controlled and uncontrolled trials, one patient developed symptomatic hepatitis with jaundice, which resolved upon discontinuation of therapy. An additional 3 patients with transaminase elevations developed mild hyperbilirubinemia that was less than three times the upper limit of normal. There was no evidence of hypersensitivity or other alternative etiologies for these findings. ZYFLO is contraindicated in patients with active liver disease or transaminase elevations greater than or equal to 3xULN (see CONTRAINDICATIONS ). It is recommended that hepatic transaminases be evaluated at initiation of and during therapy with ZYFLO (see P RECAUTIONS , Hepatic ). Occurrences of low white blood cell count (≤2.8 x 10 9 /L) were observed in 1.0% of 1,678 patients taking ZYFLO and 0.6% of 1,056 patients taking placebo in placebo-controlled studies. These findings were transient and the majority of cases returned toward normal or baseline with continued ZYFLO dosing. All remaining cases returned toward normal or baseline after discontinuation of ZYFLO. Similar findings were also noted in a long-term safety surveillance study of 2458 patients treated with ZYFLO plus usual asthma care versus 489 patients treated only with usual asthma care for up to one year. The clinical significance of these observations is not known. In the long-term safety surveillance trial of ZYFLO plus usual asthma care versus usual asthma care alone, a similar adverse event profile was seen as in other clinical trials. Post-Marketing Experience : Cases of sleep disorders and behavior changes have been reported ( see PRECAUTIONS, Neuropsychiatric Events ). Rash and urticaria have been also reported with ZYFLO. Proportion of Patients Experiencing Adverse Events in Placebo-Controlled Studies in Asthma