In 20 placebo-controlled clinical trials conducted for different indications, 2,486 patients received bosentan in doses from 100 mg to 2000 mg, and 1,838 patients received a placebo. The duration of treatment averaged 45 weeks.
Unwanted drug reactions (NLR) were considered events that were observed in 1% or more patients who received bosentan, with a frequency of at least 0.5% higher than in patients receiving placebo.Headache (11.5%), edema of the lower extremities or fluid retention (13.2%), changes in functional liver function tests (10.9%) and anemia / decrease in hemoglobin (9.9%) were most often reported.
The use of bosentan was associated with a dose-dependent increase in the activity of "liver" transaminases and a decrease in hemoglobin (see section "Special instructions").
The safety profile of bosentan in uncontrolled clinical trials in children did not differ from the drug safety profile in adult patients with PAH in baseline studies, except for the incidence of infectious diseases that was higher in children (69.0%) than in adults (41.3% ). This difference in the incidence of infectious diseases can be partially explained by the longer average duration of bosentan therapy in children (71.8 weeks) than adults (17.4 weeks). Among the most frequent cases of infectious diseases of the upper respiratory tract (25%), pulmonary (arterial) hypertension (20%), nasopharyngitis (17%), hypertension (15%), vomiting (13%), bronchitis (10%) , abdominal pain (10%) and diarrhea (10%).
The following NLRs are registered in clinical trials and post-marketing period and are presented according to the terminology of the medical vocabulary for regulatory activities MEDDRA. Depending on the frequency of occurrence, NLPs are grouped as follows: very often (> 1/10); often (> 1/100, <1/10); infrequently (> 1/1000, <1/100); rarely (> 1/10 000, <1/1000); very rarely (<1/10 000), the frequency is unknown (can not be estimated from available data).
In each frequency group, NLRs are presented in order of decreasing severity. There were no clinically significant differences between NLR in the common database and separately from the recorded indications.
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Very often: upper respiratory tract infections6, nasopharyngitis6, bronchitis6.
Violations of the blood and lymphatic system
Often: anemia6, decreased hemoglobin6;
Infrequently: thrombocytopenia1, neutropenia, leukopenia1;
The frequency is unknown: anemia or a decrease in hemoglobin, requiring blood transfusion1.
Immune system disorders
Often: hypersensitivity reactions (including dermatitis, skin itching and rash)2;
Rarely: anaphylactic reactions and / or angioedema1.
Disturbances from the nervous system
Very often: headache3,6;
Often: faint1’4.
Heart Disease
Often: a feeling of heartbeat1’4.
Vascular disorders
Often: "tides" of blood to the skin of the face6, a decrease in blood pressure1’4.
Disorders from the gastrointestinal tract
Very often: vomiting6, abdominal pain6, diarrhea6;
Often: gastroesophageal reflux disease, diarrhea.
Disturbances from the liver and bile ducts
Very often: change in the indicators of functional "liver" tests (see section "Special instructions") 6;
Infrequently: increased activity of "liver" transaminases (ACT, ALT) due to hepatitis or jaundice1 (see section "Special instructions");
Rarely: cirrhosis, liver failure1.
Disturbances from the skin and subcutaneous tissues
Often: erythema.
General disorders and disorders at the site of administration
Very often: peripheral edema6, fluid retention5, fever6.
1The data were obtained from post-registration observations, the frequency was determined by statistical modeling of data from placebo-controlled clinical trials.
2Hypersensitivity reactions were noted in 9.9% of patients who received bosentan and 9.1% had a placebo.
3Headache was noted by 11.5% of patients who received bosentan, and 9.8% - placebo.
4These reactions can be due to the underlying disease.
5The appearance of peripheral edema and fluid retention were noted by 13.2% of patients who received bosentan, and 10.9% - placebo.
6Data are obtained from uncontrolled clinical trials in children.
In the post-marketing period, rare cases of liver cirrhosis of unknown etiology were noted against long-term therapy with bosentan in patients with severe concomitant diseases, while using other medications. Also, rare cases of hepatic insufficiency develop. These observations confirm the need for mandatory monthly monitoring of liver function during the entire period of treatment with Trakli® DT (see section "Special instructions").
Additional Information
Use in children
The safety profile of bosentan in children in the first uncontrolled study of film-coated tablets did not differ from the corresponding safety profile in adult patients with PAH in baseline studies. The most frequent cases in children were "hot flushes" of blood (21%), headache and changes in functional "liver" tests (16% for each NLR).
A generalized analysis of the results of bosentan studies in the dosage form of a dispersible tablet of 32 mg included data from 100 children with PAH. Boszentan was administered at a dose of 2 mg / kg body weight 2 times / day (n= 33), 2 mg / kg body weight 3 times / day (n= 31) or 4 mg / kg body weight 2 times / day (n= 36). At the time of enrollment, the age of six patients ranged from 3 months to 1 year, 15 patients from 1 to 2 years and 79 patients from 2 to 12 years. The average duration of treatment was 71.8 weeks (0.4 to 258 weeks).
The incidence of HLR did not differ significantly in patients younger or older than 2 years, but this finding is based on data from only 21 patients under 2 years of age and 6 patients aged 3 months to 1 year. NLR as a violation of liver function and anemia / hemoglobin reduction were observed in 9% and 5% of patients, respectively.
In addition, 13 newborns received dispersible bosentan tablets at a dose of 2 mg / kg body weight 2 times / day (8 patients received a placebo). The average duration of treatment with bosentan and placebo was 4.5 days (0.5 to 10 days) and 4.0 days (2.5 to 6.5 days), respectively. The most frequent NLDs in children who received bosentan and placebo, were respectively anemia or a decrease in hemoglobin (7 and 2 patients), generalized edema (3 and 0 patients), and vomiting (2 and 0 patients).
Changes in laboratory indicators
Increased activity of "liver" transaminases (ACT and ALT)
The use of bosentan was accompanied by a dose-dependent increase in the activity of "hepatic" transaminases (ACT and ALT) for 26 weeks of treatment, developed gradually and, as a rule, is asymptomatic. In the post-marketing period, rare cases of liver cirrhosis and liver failure are noted. The mechanism of development of these NLRs is unclear. This increased activity of "hepatic" transaminases can spontaneously normalize with the use of the drug Trakli® DT in a maintenance dose or after its reduction. However, discontinuation of treatment or a brief interruption in therapy may still be required (see section "Special instructions").
In 20 placebo-controlled studies, an increase in the activity of "hepatic" transaminases at 3 times or more of the upper limit of the norm (VGN) was noted in 11.2% of patients who received bosentan, and 2.4% had a placebo. An increase of 8 or more times higher than ULN was registered in 3.6% of patients receiving bosentan, and in 0.4% - placebo. It was noted that against the background of bosentan treatment, an increase in the activity of "hepatic" transaminases was combined with an increase in the concentration of bilirubin in the blood plasma (2 and more times higher than UGN) in the absence of bile duct obstruction in patients in 0.2% of cases (5 patients),and against the background of placebo - in 0.3% of cases (6 patients).
In a generalized analysis of the data obtained in 100 children, an increase in the activity of "hepatic" transaminases in 3 times or more of IGN was observed in 2% of patients.
In 13 newborns with PGHN who received bosentan in a dose of 2 mg / kg body weight 2 times / day for less than 10 days (0.5 to 10 days), no increase in the activity of "liver" transaminases was observed 3 times or more, but 3 days after the cancellation of bosentan in one patient was hepatitis is diagnosed.
Hemoglobin
Reduction of hemoglobin was observed in 8.0% patients receiving bosentan, and y 3,9% - Placebo. In a generalized analysis of the data obtained in 100 children, a decrease in the initial hemoglobin below 100 g / l was observed in 10% of patients. A decrease in hemoglobin below 80 g / l was not observed.
In 6 out of 13 newborns with PGHN, a decrease in baseline normal hemoglobin was lower than the lower limit of the norm when treated with bosentan.