Excretion:
Following administration of Noxafil oral suspension, posaconazole is predominantly eliminated in the feces (71% of the radiolabeled dose up to 120 hours) with the major component eliminated as parent drug (66% of the radiolabeled dose). Renal clearance is a minor elimination pathway, with 13% of the radiolabeled dose excreted in urine up to 120 hours (<0.2% of the radiolabeled dose is parent drug).
Posaconazole delayed-release tablet is eliminated with a mean half-life (t½) ranging between 26 to 31 hours.
Posaconazole oral suspension is eliminated with a mean half-life (t½) of 35 hours (range: 20-66 hours).
Specific Populations
No clinically significant differences in the pharmacokinetics of posaconazole were observed based on age, sex, renal impairment, and indication (prophylaxis or treatment).
Patients with Renal Impairment:
After Noxafil oral administration, there were no significant differences in the posaconazole pharmacokinetics in patients with eGFR 20 mL/minute/1.73 m2 or higher compared to those with eGFR >80 mL/minute/1.73 m2. Although the mean posaconazole plasma exposure (AUC) was similar in patients with eGFR less than 20 mL/minute/1.73 m2 treated with Noxafil oral suspension to those with eGFR >80 mL/minute/1.73 m2 treated with Noxafil oral suspension, the range of the AUC estimates was highly variable (CV=96%) in patients with eGFR less than 20 mL/minute/1.73 m2 compared to those with eGFR >80 mL/minute/1.73 m2 (CV <40%).Similar posaconazole pharmacokinetic results are expected after administration of Posaconazole delayed-release tablets [see Use in Specific Populations (8.6)].
Patients with Hepatic Impairment:
After a single oral dose of Noxafil oral suspension 400 mg, the mean AUC was 43%, 27%, and 21% higher in subjects with mild (Child-Pugh Class A, N=6), moderate (Child-Pugh Class B, N=6), or severe (Child-Pugh Class C, N=6) hepatic impairment, respectively, compared to subjects with normal hepatic function (N=18). Compared to subjects with normal hepatic function, the mean Cmax was 1% higher, 40% higher, and 34% lower in subjects with mild, moderate, or severe hepatic impairment, respectively [see Use in Specific Populations (8.7)].
Race/Ethnicity:
In a population pharmacokinetic analysis of posaconazole, AUC was found to be 25% higher in Chinese patients relative to patients from other races/ethnicities. This higher exposure is not expected to be clinically relevant given the expected variability in posaconazole exposure [see Use in Specific Populations (8.9)].
Patients Weighing More Than 120 kg:
Weight has a clinically significant effect on posaconazole clearance. Relative to 70 kg patients, the Cavg is decreased by 25% in patients greater than 120 kg. Patients administered posaconazole weighing more than 120 kg may be at higher risk for lower posaconazole plasma concentrations compared to lower weight patients [see Use in Specific Populations (8.10)].
Pediatric Patients:
Treatment of invasive aspergillosis in pediatric patients 2 years of age and older: A total of 31 patients 2 to less than 18 years of age (body weight of ≥12 kg) received pediatric dosing based on body weight of Noxafil delayed-release tablets, Noxafil Injection, and Noxafil PowderMix for delayed-release oral suspension [see Dosage and Administration (2.3].
The mean population pharmacokinetic model parameters after multiple dose administration of Noxafil delayed-release tablets, Noxafil Injection, and Noxafil PowderMix for delayed-release oral suspension in pediatric patients 2 to less than 18 years of age for the treatment of invasive aspergillosis (Pediatric Study 2) are shown in Table 21. [see Adverse Reactions (6.1)].
Table 21: Summary of Steady-State Geometric Mean Pharmacokinetic Parameters (% Geometric CV) After Multiple Dosing with Noxafil Injection, Noxafil PowderMix for Delayed-Release Oral Suspension, and Noxafil Delayed-Release Tablets in Pediatric Patients being Treated for Invasive Aspergillosis| Age Group | Dose Type | N
| AUC0-24 hours
(ng·hr/mL) | Cav
(ng/mL) | Cmax
(ng/mL) | Cmin
(ng/mL) | Tmax
(hr) | CL/F
(L/hr) |
|---|
| IV = Noxafil injection; PFS = Noxafil PowderMix for delayed-release oral suspension; Tablet= Noxafil delayed-release tablets; AUC0-24 hours = Area under the plasma concentration-time curve from time zero to 24 hr; Cmax = maximum observed concentration; Cmin = minimum observed plasma concentration; Tmax = time of maximum observed concentration; CL/F = apparent total body clearance |
| 2 to <12 years | IV | 9 | 61900 (49.8) | 2580 (49.8) | 3630 (30.8) | 1710 (82.2) | 1.50 (1.25-1.77) | 2.56 (47.8) |
| PFS | 6 | 45200 (30.2) | 1880 (30.2) | 2220 (26.5) | 1370 (41.8) | 7.00 (6.40-7.20) | 3.25 (34.6) |
| 12 to <18 years | IV | 13 | 60800 (35.6) | 2530 (35.6) | 3510 (26.8) | 1740 (48.5) | 1.50 (1.30-1.63) | 4.41 (41.8) |
| Tablet | 10 | 47800 (52.7) | 1990 (52.7) | 2250 (48.3) | 1580 (62.6) | 7.15 (6.70-7.30) | 6.27 (52.7) |
The population pharmacokinetic analysis of posaconazole in pediatric patients, including Pediatric Study 2, suggests that age, sex, ethnicity, and disease status have no clinically meaningful effect on the pharmacokinetics of posaconazole.
Drug Interaction Studies:
Posaconazole is primarily metabolized via UDP glucuronidation (phase 2 enzymes) and is a substrate for p-glycoprotein (P-gp) efflux. Therefore, inhibitors or inducers of these clearance pathways may affect posaconazole plasma concentrations. A summary of drugs studied clinically with the oral suspension or another tablet formulation, which affect posaconazole concentrations, is provided in Table 22.
Table 23 and Table 24 include a summary of the drug effects of concomitant medications that may impact the absorption of posaconazole when administered as either the oral suspension or delayed-release tablets.
A clinical study in healthy volunteers also indicates that posaconazole is a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor as evidenced by a >5-fold increase in midazolam AUC. Therefore, plasma concentrations of drugs predominantly metabolized by CYP3A4 may be increased by posaconazole. A summary of the drugs studied clinically, for which plasma concentrations were affected by posaconazole, is provided in Table 25 [see Contraindications (4) and Drug Interactions (7.2) including recommendations].
Effects of Other Drugs on Posaconazole:
Table 22: Summary of the Effects of Coadministered Drugs on Noxafil in Healthy Volunteers| Coadministered Drug (Postulated Mechanism of Interaction) | Coadministered Drug Dose/Schedule | Noxafil Dose/Schedule | Effect on Bioavailability of Posaconazole |
|---|
Change in Mean Cmax
(ratio estimate; 90% CI of the ratio estimate) | Change in Mean AUC (ratio estimate; 90% CI of the ratio estimate) |
|---|
Efavirenz (UDP-G Induction) | 400 mg once daily × 10 and 20 days | 400 mg (oral suspension) twice daily × 10 and 20 days | ↓45% (0.55; 0.47-0.66) | ↓50% (0.50; 0.43-0.60) |
Fosamprenavir (unknown mechanism) | 700 mg twice daily x 10 days | 200 mg once daily on the 1st day, 200 mg twice daily on the 2nd day, then 400 mg twice daily x 8 Days | ↓21% 0.79 (0.71-0.89) | ↓23% 0.77 (0.68-0.87) |
Rifabutin (UDP-G Induction) | 300 mg once daily x 17 days | 200 mg (tablets) once daily × 10 days
| ↓43% (0.57; 0.43-0.75) | ↓49% (0.51; 0.37-0.71) |
Phenytoin (UDP-G Induction) | 200 mg once daily x 10 days | 200 mg (tablets) once daily × 10 days
| ↓41% (0.59; 0.44-0.79) | ↓50% (0.50; 0.36-0.71) |
Posaconazole Oral Suspension: Concomitant administration of Noxafil oral suspension with drugs affecting gastric pH or gastric motility results in lower posaconazole exposure. (see Table 23.)
Table 23: The Effect of Concomitant Medications that Affect the Gastric pH and Gastric Motility on the Pharmacokinetics of Noxafil Oral Suspension in Healthy Volunteers | Coadministered Drug (Postulated Mechanism of Interaction) | Coadministered Drug Dose/Schedule | Noxafil Dose/Schedule | Effect on Bioavailability of Posaconazole |
|---|
Change in Mean Cmax
(ratio estimate; 90% CI of the ratio estimate) | Change in Mean AUC (ratio estimate; 90% CI of the ratio estimate) |
|---|
Cimetidine (Alteration of gastric pH) | 400 mg twice daily × 10 days | 200 mg (tablets) once daily × 10 days
| ↓39% (0.61; 0.53-0.70) | ↓39% (0.61; 0.54-0.69) |
| Esomeprazole (Increase in gastric pH)
| 40 mg every morning × 3 days | 400 mg (oral suspension) single dose | ↓46% (0.54; 0.43-0.69) | ↓32% (0.68; 0.57-0.81) |
| Metoclopramide (Increase in gastric motility)
| 10 mg three times a day × 2 days | 400 mg (oral suspension) single dose | ↓21% (0.79; 0.72-0.87) | ↓19% (0.81; 0.72-0.91) |
Posaconazole Delayed-Release Tablets: Concomitant administration of Noxafil delayed-release tablets with drugs affecting gastric pH or gastric motility did not demonstrate any significant effects on posaconazole pharmacokinetic exposure (see Table 24).
Table 24: The Effect of Concomitant Medications that Affect the Gastric pH and Gastric Motility on the Pharmacokinetics of Noxafil Delayed-Release Tablets in Healthy Volunteers| Coadministered Drug | Administration Arms | Change in Cmax
(ratio estimate; 90% CI of the ratio estimate) | Change in AUC0-last
(ratio estimate; 90% CI of the ratio estimate) |
|---|
| Mylanta® Ultimate strength liquid (Increase in gastric pH) | 25.4 mEq/5 mL, 20 mL | ↑6% (1.06; 0.90-1.26)↑ | ↑4% (1.04; 0.90-1.20) |
| Ranitidine (Zantac®) (Alteration in gastric pH) | 150 mg (morning dose of 150 mg Ranitidine twice daily) | ↑4% (1.04; 0.88-1.23)↑ | ↓3% (0.97; 0.84-1.12) |
| Esomeprazole (Nexium®) (Increase in gastric pH) | 40 mg (every morning for 5 days, Day -4 to 1) | ↑2% (1.02; 0.88-1.17)↑ | ↑5% (1.05; 0.89-1.24) |
| Metoclopramide (Reglan®) (Increase in gastric motility) | 15 mg four times daily for 2 days (Day -1 and 1) | ↓14% (0.86, 0.73,1.02) | ↓7% (0.93, 0.803,1.07) |
Effects of Posaconazole on Other Drugs:
Table 25: Summary of the Effect of Noxafil on Coadministered Drugs in Healthy Volunteers and PatientsCoadministered Drug (Postulated Mechanism of Interaction is Inhibition of CYP3A4 by posaconazole) | Coadministered Drug Dose/Schedule | Noxafil Dose/ Schedule | Effect on Bioavailability of Coadministered Drugs |
|---|
Change in Mean Cmax
(ratio estimate; 90% CI of the ratio estimate) | Change in Mean AUC (ratio estimate; 90% CI of the ratio estimate) |
|---|
| Sirolimus | 2-mg single oral dose | 400 mg (oral suspension) twice daily x 16 days | ↑572% (6.72; 5.62-8.03) | ↑788% (8.88; 7.26-10.9) |
| Cyclosporine | Stable maintenance dose in heart transplant recipients | 200 mg (tablets) once daily x 10 days
| ↑ Cyclosporine whole blood trough concentrations Cyclosporine dose reductions of up to 29% were required |
| Tacrolimus | 0.05-mg/kg single oral dose | 400 mg (oral suspension) twice daily × 7 days | ↑121% (2.21; 2.01-2.42) | ↑358% (4.58; 4.03-5.19) |
| Simvastatin | 40-mg single oral dose | 100 mg (oral suspension) once daily x 13 days | Simvastatin ↑841% (9.41, 7.13-12.44) Simvastatin Acid ↑817% (9.17, 7.36-11.43) | Simvastatin ↑931% (10.31, 8.40-12.67) Simvastatin Acid ↑634% (7.34, 5.82-9.25) |
| | 200 mg (oral suspension) once daily x 13 days | Simvastatin ↑1041% (11.41, 7.99-16.29) Simvastatin Acid ↑851% (9.51, 8.15-11.10) | Simvastatin ↑960% (10.60, 8.63-13.02) Simvastatin Acid ↑748% (8.48, 7.04-10.23) |
| Midazolam | 0.4-mg single intravenous dose
| 200 mg (oral suspension) twice daily x 7 days | ↑30% (1.3; 1.13-1.48) | ↑362% (4.62; 4.02-5.3) |
| 0.4-mg single intravenous dose
| 400 mg (oral suspension) twice daily x 7 days | ↑62% (1.62; 1.41-1.86) | ↑524% (6.24; 5.43-7.16) |
| 2-mg single oral dose
| 200 mg (oral suspension) once daily x 7 days | ↑169% (2.69; 2.46-2.93) | ↑470% (5.70; 4.82-6.74) |
| 2-mg single oral dose
| 400 mg (oral suspension) twice daily x 7 days | ↑138% (2.38; 2.13-2.66) | ↑397% (4.97; 4.46-5.54) |
| Rifabutin | 300 mg once daily x 17 days | 200 mg (tablets) once daily × 10 days
| ↑31% (1.31; 1.10-1.57) | ↑72% (1.72;1.51-1.95) |
| Phenytoin | 200 mg once daily PO x 10 days | 200 mg (tablets) once daily x 10 days
| ↑16% (1.16; 0.85-1.57) | ↑16% (1.16; 0.84-1.59) |
| Ritonavir | 100 mg once daily x 14 days | 400 mg (oral suspension) twice daily x 7 days | ↑49% (1.49; 1.04-2.15) | ↑80% (1.8;1.39-2.31) |
| Atazanavir | 300 mg once daily x 14 days | 400 mg (oral suspension) twice daily x 7 days | ↑155% (2.55; 1.89-3.45) | ↑268% (3.68; 2.89-4.70) |
| Atazanavir/ritonavir boosted regimen | 300 mg/100 mg once daily x 14 days | 400 mg (oral suspension) twice daily x 7 days | ↑53% (1.53; 1.13-2.07) | ↑146% (2.46; 1.93-3.13) |