AMRIX

The development of a potentially life-threatening serotonin syndrome has been reported with cyclobenzaprine when used in combination with other drugs, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), tramadol, bupropion, meperidine, verapamil, or MAO inhibitors. The concomitant use of AMRIX with MAO inhibitors is contraindicated [see Contraindications (4)]. Serotonin syndrome symptoms may include mental status changes (e.g., confusion, agitation, hallucinations), autonomic instability (e.g., diaphoresis, tachycardia, labile blood pressure, hyperthermia), neuromuscular abnormalities (e.g., tremor, ataxia, hyperreflexia, clonus, muscle rigidity), and/or gastrointestinal symptoms (e.g., nausea, vomiting, diarrhea). Treatment with AMRIX and any concomitant serotonergic agents should be discontinued immediately if the above reactions occur and supportive symptomatic treatment should be initiated. If concomitant treatment with AMRIX and other serotonergic drugs is clinically warranted, careful observation is advised, particularly during treatment initiation or dose increases.

Cyclobenzaprine is structurally related to the tricyclic antidepressants, e.g., amitriptyline and imipramine. Tricyclic antidepressants have been reported to produce arrhythmias, sinus tachycardia, prolongation of the conduction time leading to myocardial infarction and stroke [see Contraindications (4)]. AMRIX may enhance the effects of alcohol, barbiturates, and other CNS depressants.

Some of the more serious central nervous system (CNS) reactions noted with the tricyclic antidepressants have occurred in short-term studies of cyclobenzaprine for indications other than muscle spasm associated with acute musculoskeletal conditions, and usually at doses somewhat greater than those recommended for skeletal muscle spasm. If clinically significant CNS symptoms develop, consider discontinuation of AMRIX.

As a result of a 40% increase in cyclobenzaprine plasma levels and a 56% increase in plasma half-life following administration of AMRIX in elderly subjects as compared to young adults, use of AMRIX is not recommended in the elderly [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].

As a result of two-fold higher cyclobenzaprine plasma levels in subjects with mild hepatic impairment, as compared to healthy subjects, following administration of immediate-release cyclobenzaprine and because there is limited dosing flexibility with AMRIX, use of AMRIX is not recommended in patients with mild, moderate, or severe hepatic impairment [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].

Because of its atropine-like action, AMRIX should be used with caution in patients with a history of urinary retention, angle-closure glaucoma, increased intraocular pressure, and in patients taking anticholinergic medication.

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 clinical practice.

The data described below reflect exposure to AMRIX in 253 patients in 2 clinical trials. AMRIX was studied in two double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled, active-controlled trials of identical design [see Clinical Studies (14)]. The study population was composed of patients with muscle spasms associated with acute painful musculoskeletal conditions. Patients received 15 mg or 30 mg of AMRIX taken orally once daily, cyclobenzaprine immediate-release (IR) 10 mg three times a day, or placebo for 14 days.

The most common adverse reactions (incidence ≥3% in any treatment group and greater than placebo) were dry mouth, dizziness, fatigue, constipation, nausea, dyspepsia, and somnolence (see Table 1).

Table 1: Incidence of the Most Common Adverse Reactions Occurring in ≥ 3% of Patients in any Treatment Group* and Greater Than Placebo in the Two Phase 3, Double-Blind AMRIX Trials

*AMRIX 15 mg QD, AMRIX 30 mg QD, or cyclobenzaprine IR tablets TID

The following adverse reactions have been reported in clinical studies or postmarketing experience with AMRIX, cyclobenzaprine IR, or tricyclic drugs. Because some of these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure.

In a postmarketing surveillance program of cyclobenzaprine IR, the adverse reactions reported most frequently were drowsiness, dry mouth, and dizziness and adverse reactions reported in 1% to 3% of the patients were: fatigue/tiredness, asthenia, nausea, constipation, dyspepsia, unpleasant taste, blurred vision, headache, nervousness, and confusion.

The following adverse reactions have been reported in postmarketing experience (AMRIX or cyclobenzaprine IR), in clinical studies of cyclobenzaprine IR (incidence <1%), or in postmarketing experience with other tricyclic drugs:

Body as a Whole: Syncope; malaise; chest pain; edema.

Cardiovascular: Tachycardia; arrhythmia; vasodilatation; palpitation; hypotension; hypertension; myocardial infarction; heart block; stroke.

Digestive: Vomiting; anorexia; diarrhea; gastrointestinal pain; gastritis; thirst; flatulence; edema of the tongue; abnormal liver function and rare reports of hepatitis, jaundice, and cholestasis; paralytic ileus, tongue discoloration; stomatitis; parotid swelling.

Endocrine: Inappropriate ADH syndrome.

Hematologic and Lymphatic: Purpura; bone marrow depression; leukopenia; eosinophilia; thrombocytopenia.

Hypersensitivity: Anaphylaxis; angioedema; pruritus; facial edema; urticaria; rash.

Metabolic, Nutritional, and Immune: Elevation and lowering of blood sugar levels; weight gain or loss.

Musculoskeletal: Local weakness; myalgia.

Nervous System and Psychiatric: Seizures; ataxia; vertigo; dysarthria; tremors; hypertonia; convulsions; muscle twitching; disorientation; insomnia; depressed mood; abnormal sensations; anxiety; agitation; psychosis; abnormal thinking and dreaming; hallucinations; excitement; paresthesia; diplopia; serotonin syndrome; neuroleptic malignant syndrome; decreased or increased libido; abnormal gait; delusions; aggressive behavior; paranoia; peripheral neuropathy; Bell’s palsy; alteration in EEG patterns; extrapyramidal symptoms.

Respiratory: Dyspnea.

Skin: Sweating; photosensitization; alopecia.

Special Senses: Ageusia; tinnitus.

Urogenital: Urinary frequency and/or retention; impaired urination; dilatation of urinary tract; impotence; testicular swelling; gynecomastia; breast enlargement; galactorrhea.

Risk Summary

Available data from case reports with AMRIX use in pregnancy have not identified a drug-associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage, or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes.  In rats, decreased pup body weight and survival was noted at cyclobenzaprine doses ≥10 mg/kg/day (approximately ≥3 times the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD) of 30 mg/day), when administered orally during pregnancy and lactation (see Data).

The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated populations is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. In the US 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.

Data

Animal Data

No adverse embryofetal effects were reported following oral administration of cyclobenzaprine during organogenesis to mice and rabbits at maternal doses up to 20 mg/kg/day (approximately 3 and 15 times the MRHD, respectively, on a mg/m² basis). Maternal toxicity characterized by decreased body weight gain was observed only in mice at the highest tested dose of 20 mg/kg/day.

Decreased pup body weight and survival were reported in a prenatal and postnatal study where pregnant rats were treated orally with cyclobenzaprine during pregnancy and lactation with maternal doses of 10 and 20 mg/kg/day (approximately 3 and 6 times the MRHD on a mg/m² basis). Maternal toxicity, characterized by a decreased body weight gain, was observed only at the highest tested dose of 20 mg/kg/day.

Risk Summary

There are no data on the presence of cyclobenzaprine in either human or animal milk, the effects on a breastfed infant, or the effects on milk production. The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother’s clinical need for AMRIX and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed child from AMRIX or from the underlying maternal condition.

Safety and effectiveness of AMRIX have not been studied in pediatric patients.

Clinical studies of AMRIX did not include sufficient numbers of patients aged 65 and over to determine the safety and efficacy of AMRIX in the elderly population. The plasma concentration and half-life of cyclobenzaprine are substantially increased in the elderly when compared to the general patient population. Accordingly, use of AMRIX is not recommended in the elderly [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].

The use of AMRIX is not recommended in patients with mild, moderate, or severe hepatic impairment [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.4 ) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].

Pharmacologic similarities among the tricyclic drugs require that certain withdrawal symptoms be considered when AMRIX is administered, even though they have not been reported to occur with this drug.  Abrupt cessation of treatment after prolonged administration rarely may produce nausea, headache, and malaise.  These are not indicative of addiction.

Cyclobenzaprine relieves skeletal muscle spasm of local origin without interfering with muscle function. Cyclobenzaprine has not been shown to be effective in muscle spasm due to central nervous system disease. In animal models, cyclobenzaprine reduced or abolished skeletal muscle hyperactivity. Animal studies indicate that cyclobenzaprine does not act at the neuromuscular junction or directly on skeletal muscle. Such studies show that cyclobenzaprine acts primarily within the central nervous system at the brain stem as opposed to the spinal cord level, although an overlapping action on the latter may contribute to its overall skeletal muscle relaxant activity. Evidence suggests that the net effect of cyclobenzaprine is a reduction of tonic somatic motor activity, influencing both gamma (γ) and alpha (α) motor systems. Pharmacological studies in animals demonstrated a similarity between the effects of cyclobenzaprine and the structurally related tricyclic antidepressants, including reserpine antagonism, norepinephrine potentiation, potent peripheral and central anticholinergic effects, and sedation. Cyclobenzaprine caused slight to moderate increase in heart rate in animals.

Absorption

Following single-dose administration of AMRIX 15 mg and 30 mg in healthy adult subjects (n=15), C_max, AUC_0-168h and AUC_0-∞ increased in an approximately dose-proportional manner from 15 mg to 30 mg. The time to peak plasma cyclobenzaprine concentration (T_max) was 7 to 8 hours for both doses of AMRIX.

A food effect study conducted in healthy adult subjects (n=15) utilizing a single dose of AMRIX 30 mg demonstrated a statistically significant increase in bioavailability when AMRIX 30 mg was given with food relative to the fasted state. There was a 35% increase in peak plasma cyclobenzaprine concentration (C_max) and a 20% increase in exposure (AUC_0-168h and AUC_0-∞) in the presence of food. No effect, however, was noted in T_max or the shape of the mean plasma cyclobenzaprine concentration versus time profile. Cyclobenzaprine in plasma was first detectable in both the fed and fasted states at 1.5 hours.

When the contents of AMRIX capsules were administered by sprinkling on applesauce, it was found to be bioequivalent to the same dose when administered as an intact capsule.

In a multiple-dose study utilizing AMRIX 30 mg administered once daily for 7 days in a group of healthy adult subjects (n=35), a 2.5-fold accumulation of plasma cyclobenzaprine levels was noted at steady-state.

Metabolism and Excretion

Cyclobenzaprine is extensively metabolized and is excreted primarily as glucuronides via the kidney.  Cytochromes P-450 3A4, 1A2, and, to a lesser extent, 2D6, mediate N-demethylation, one of the oxidative pathways for cyclobenzaprine.  Cyclobenzaprine has an elimination half-life of 32 hours (range 8-37 hours; n=18); plasma clearance is 0.7 L/min following single-dose administration of AMRIX.

Special Populations

Elderly

Although there were no notable differences in C_max or T_max, cyclobenzaprine plasma AUC is increased by 40% and the plasma half-life of cyclobenzaprine is prolonged in elderly subjects greater than 65 years of age (50 hours) after dosing with AMRIX compared to younger subjects 18 to 45 years of age (32 hours).  Pharmacokinetic characteristics of cyclobenzaprine following multiple-dose administration of AMRIX in the elderly were not evaluated.

Hepatic Impairment

In a pharmacokinetic study of immediate-release cyclobenzaprine in 16 subjects with hepatic impairment (15 mild, 1 moderate per Child-Pugh score), both AUC and C_max were approximately double the values seen in the healthy control group. The pharmacokinetics of cyclobenzaprine in subjects with severe hepatic impairment is not known.

Carcinogenesis

Long-term studies were conducted in CD-1 mice and Sprague-Dawley rats with oral cyclobenzaprine to evaluate its carcinogenic potential. In an 81-week carcinogenicity study, metastatic hemangiosarcoma was seen in 3 of 21 male mice at 10 mg/kg/day (approximately 2 times the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD) of 30 mg/day on a mg/m² basis). In a 105-week carcinogenicity study, malignant astrocytoma was seen in 3 of 50 male rats at 10 mg/kg/day (approximately 3 times the MRHD on a mg/m² basis). There were no tumor findings in female mice or rats.

Mutagenesis

Cyclobenzaprine HCl was not mutagenic or clastogenic in the following assays: an in vitro Ames bacterial mutation assay, in vitro Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell chromosomal aberration test, and in vivo mouse bone marrow micronucleus assay.

Impairment of Fertility

Cyclobenzaprine HCl, when administered 70 and 14 days prior to mating to male and female rats, respectively, had no effects on fertility or reproductive performance at oral doses up to 20 mg/kg/day (approximately 6.5 times the MRHD on a mg/m² basis).

In a 67-week study with rats that received cyclobenzaprine at oral doses of 10, 20, or 40 mg/kg/day (3 to 15 times the MRHD on mg/m² basis), there were findings in the liver consisting of midzonal vacuolation with lipidosis for males and midzonal and centrilobular hepatocytic enlargement for females. In addition, there were findings of centrilobular coagulative necrosis. In the higher dose groups, these microscopic changes were seen after 26 weeks and even earlier in rats that died prior to 26 weeks; at lower doses, these changes were not seen until after 26 weeks.

In a 26-week study with Cynomolgus monkeys that received cyclobenzaprine at oral of doses of 2.5, 5, 10, or 20 mg/kg/day, one monkey at 20 mg/kg/day (15 times the MRHD on mg/m² basis) was euthanized in week 17. Morbidity for this animal was attributed to findings of chronic pancreatitis, cholecystitis, cholangitis, and focal liver necrosis.

AMRIX extended-release capsules are available in 15 and 30 mg strengths, packaged in bottles of 60 capsules.  AMRIX 15 mg capsules (NDC 63459-700-60) are orange/orange and are embossed in blue ink with “15 mg” on the body, and Cephalon “C” logo, “Cephalon”, and a dashed band on the cap.  AMRIX 30 mg capsules (NDC 63459-701-60) are blue/red and are embossed in white ink with “30 mg” on the body, and Cephalon “C” logo, “Cephalon”, and a dashed band on the cap.

Dispense in a tight, light-resistant container as defined in the USP/NF.

Store at 25°C (77°F); excursions permitted to 15 - 30°C (59 - 86°F) [see USP Controlled Room Temperature].