Contents of the package leaflet for the medicine STEGLATRO 5mg tablets
1. NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT
Steglatro 5 mg film-coated tablets
Steglatro 15 mg film-coated tablets
2. QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE COMPOSITION
Steglatro 5 mg film-coated tablets
Each tablet contains ertugliflozin L-pyroglutamic acid, equivalent to 5 mg ertugliflozin.
Excipient with known effectEach tablet contains 28 mg of lactose (as monohydrate).
Steglatro 15 mg film-coated tablets
Each tablet contains ertugliflozin L-pyroglutamic acid, equivalent to 15 mg ertugliflozin.
Excipient with known effectEach tablet contains 85 mg of lactose (as monohydrate).
For the full list of excipients, see section 6.1.
3. PHARMACEUTICAL FORM
Film-coated tablet (tablet)
Steglatro 5 mg film-coated tablets
Pink, 6.4 x 6.6 mm, triangular-shaped, film-coated tablets debossed with “701” on one side and plainon the other side.
Steglatro 15 mg film-coated tablets
Red, 9.0 x 9.4 mm, triangular-shaped, film-coated tablets debossed with “702” on one side and plainon the other side.
4. CLINICAL PARTICULARS
4.1 Therapeutic indications
Steglatro is indicated for the treatment of adults with insufficiently controlled type 2 diabetes mellitusas an adjunct to diet and exercise:
- as monotherapy when metformin is considered inappropriate due to intolerance orcontraindications.
- in addition to other medicinal products for the treatment of diabetes.
For study results with respect to combinations of therapies, effects on glycaemic control,cardiovascular events, and the populations studied, see sections 4.4, 4.5, and 5.1.
4.2 Posology and method of administration
PosologyThe recommended starting dose of ertugliflozin is 5 mg once daily. In patients tolerating ertugliflozin5 mg once daily, the dose can be increased to 15 mg once daily if additional glycaemic control isneeded.
When ertugliflozin is used in combination with insulin or an insulin secretagogue, a lower dose ofinsulin or the insulin secretagogue may be required to reduce the risk of hypoglycaemia (seesections 4.4, 4.5, and 4.8).
In patients with volume depletion, correcting this condition prior to initiation of ertugliflozin isrecommended (see section 4.4).
Missed doseIf a dose is missed, it should be taken as soon as the patient remembers. Patients should not take twodoses of Steglatro on the same day.
Special populationsRenal impairmentAssessment of renal function is recommended prior to initiation of Steglatro and periodicallythereafter (see section 4.4).
Initiation of this medicinal product is not recommended in patients with an estimated glomerularfiltration rate (eGFR) less than 45 mL/min/1.73 m2 or creatinine clearance (CrCl) less than 45 mL/min(see section 4.4).
In patients with an eGFR ≥ 45 to < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2, Steglatro should be initiated at 5 mg and up-titrated to 15 mg as needed for glycaemic control.
Because the glycaemic lowering efficacy of ertugliflozin is reduced in patients with moderate renalimpairment and likely absent in patients with severe renal impairment, if further glycaemic control isneeded, the addition of other anti-hyperglycaemic agents should be considered (see section 4.4).
Steglatro should be discontinued when eGFR is persistently less than 30 mL/min/1.73 m2 or CrCl ispersistently less than 30 mL/min.
Steglatro should not be used in patients with severe renal impairment, with end-stage renal disease(ESRD), or receiving dialysis, as there is no clinical data to support effectiveness in these patients.
Hepatic impairmentNo dose adjustment of ertugliflozin is necessary in patients with mild or moderate hepatic impairment.
Ertugliflozin has not been studied in patients with severe hepatic impairment and is not recommendedfor use in these patients (see section 5.2).
ElderlyNo dose adjustment of ertugliflozin is recommended based on age. Renal function and risk of volumedepletion should be taken into account (see sections 4.4 and 4.8).
Paediatric populationThe safety and efficacy of ertugliflozin in children under 18 years of age have not been established.
No data are available.
Method of administrationSteglatro should be taken orally once daily in the morning, with or without food. In case ofswallowing difficulties, the tablet could be broken or crushed as it is an immediate-release dosageform.
4.3 Contraindications
Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1.
4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use
GeneralSteglatro should not be used in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus. It may increase the risk ofdiabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) in these patients.
Hypotension/Volume depletion
Ertugliflozin causes an osmotic diuresis, which may lead to intravascular volume contraction.
Therefore, symptomatic hypotension may occur after initiating Steglatro (see section 4.8), particularlyin patients with impaired renal function (eGFR less than 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 or CrCl less than60 mL/min), elderly patients (≥ 65 years), patients on diuretics, or patients on anti-hypertensivetherapy with a history of hypotension. Before initiating Steglatro, volume status should be assessedand corrected if indicated. Monitor for signs and symptoms after initiating therapy.
Due to its mechanism of action, ertugliflozin induces an osmotic diuresis and increases serumcreatinine and decreases eGFR. Increases in serum creatinine and decreases in eGFR were greater inpatients with moderate renal impairment (see section 4.8).
In case of conditions that may lead to fluid loss (e.g., gastrointestinal illness), careful monitoring ofvolume status (e.g., physical examination, blood pressure measurements, laboratory tests includinghaematocrit) and electrolytes is recommended for patients receiving ertugliflozin. Temporaryinterruption of treatment with ertugliflozin should be considered until the fluid loss is corrected.
Diabetic ketoacidosisRare cases of DKA, including life-threatening and fatal cases, have been reported in clinical trials andpost-marketing in patients treated with sodium glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, includingertugliflozin. In a number of cases, the presentation of the condition was atypical with only moderatelyincreased blood glucose values, below 14 mmol/L (250 mg/dL). It is not known if DKA is more likelyto occur with higher doses of ertugliflozin.
The risk of DKA must be considered in the event of non-specific symptoms such as nausea, vomiting,anorexia, abdominal pain, excessive thirst, difficulty breathing, confusion, unusual fatigue orsleepiness. Patients should be assessed for ketoacidosis immediately if these symptoms occur,regardless of blood glucose level.
In patients where DKA is suspected or diagnosed, treatment with ertugliflozin should be discontinuedimmediately.
Treatment should be interrupted in patients who are hospitalised for major surgical procedures or acuteserious medical illnesses. Monitoring of ketones is recommended in these patients. Measurement ofblood ketone levels is preferred to urine. Treatment with ertugliflozin may be restarted when theketone values are normal and the patient’s condition has stabilised.
Before initiating ertugliflozin, factors in the patient history that may predispose to ketoacidosis shouldbe considered.
Patients who may be at higher risk of DKA include patients with a low beta-cell function reserve (e.g.,type 2 diabetes patients with low C-peptide or latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA) orpatients with a history of pancreatitis), patients with conditions that lead to restricted food intake orsevere dehydration, patients for whom insulin doses are reduced and patients with increased insulinrequirements due to acute medical illness, surgery, or alcohol abuse. SGLT2 inhibitors should be usedwith caution in these patients.
Restarting SGLT2 inhibitor treatment in patients with previous DKA while on SGLT2 inhibitortreatment is not recommended, unless another clear precipitating factor is identified and resolved.
The safety and efficacy of ertugliflozin in patients with type 1 diabetes have not been established andertugliflozin should not be used for treatment of patients with type 1 diabetes. Limited data fromclinical trials suggest that DKA occurs with common frequency when patients with type 1 diabetes aretreated with SGLT2 inhibitors.
Lower limb amputationsIn a long-term cardiovascular outcomes study VERTIS CV (eValuation of ERTugliflozin effIcacy and
Safety, CardioVascular), a study in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and establishedatherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, non-traumatic lower limb amputations (primarily of the toe)were reported with an incidence of 2% (0.57 subjects with event per 100 patient-years), 2.1% (0.60subjects with event per 100 patient-years) and 1.6% (0.47 subjects with event per 100 patient-years)for ertugliflozin 5 mg, ertugliflozin 15 mg and placebo groups. The event rates of lower limbamputations were 0.75 and 0.96 versus 0.74 events per 100 patient-years for ertugliflozin 5 mg andertugliflozin 15 mg versus placebo, respectively. An increase in cases of lower limb amputation(primarily of the toe) has been observed in long-term clinical studies in type 2 diabetes mellitus with
SGLT2 inhibitors. It is not known whether this constitutes a class effect. It is important to counselpatients with diabetes on routine preventative foot care.
Renal impairmentThe efficacy of ertugliflozin for glycaemic control is dependent on renal function, and glycaemicefficacy is reduced in patients who have moderate renal impairment and likely absent in patients withsevere renal impairment (see section 4.2).
Steglatro should not be initiated in patients with an eGFR below 45 mL/min/1.73 m2 or CrCl below45 mL/min. Steglatro should be discontinued when eGFR is persistently below 30 mL/min/1.73 m2 or
CrCl is persistently below 30 mL/min due to a reduction of efficacy.
Monitoring of renal function is recommended as follows:
- Prior to ertugliflozin initiation and periodically during treatment (see section 4.2).
- More frequently in patients with an eGFR below 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 or a CrCl below60 mL/min.
Hypoglycaemia with concomitant use with insulin and insulin secretagogues
Ertugliflozin may increase the risk of hypoglycaemia when used in combination with insulin and/or aninsulin secretagogue, which are known to cause hypoglycaemia (see section 4.8). Therefore, a lowerdose of insulin or insulin secretagogue may be required to minimise the risk of hypoglycaemia whenused in combination with ertugliflozin (see sections 4.2 and 4.5).
Genital mycotic infections
Ertugliflozin increases the risk of genital mycotic infections. In trials with SGLT2 inhibitors, patientswith a history of genital mycotic infections and uncircumcised males were more likely to developgenital mycotic infections (see section 4.8). Patients should be monitored and treated appropriately.
Urinary tract infections
Urinary glucose excretion may be associated with an increased risk of urinary tract infections (seesection 4.8). Temporary interruption of ertugliflozin should be considered when treatingpyelonephritis or urosepsis.
Necrotising fasciitis of the perineum (Fournier’s gangrene)Post-marketing cases of necrotising fasciitis of the perineum, (also known as Fournier’s gangrene),have been reported in female and male patients taking SGLT2 inhibitors. This is a rare but serious andpotentially life-threatening event that requires urgent surgical intervention and antibiotic treatment.
Patients should be advised to seek medical attention if they experience a combination of symptoms ofpain, tenderness, erythema, or swelling in the genital or perineal area, with fever or malaise. Be awarethat either urogenital infection or perineal abscess may precede necrotising fasciitis. If Fournier’sgangrene is suspected, Steglatro should be discontinued and prompt treatment (including antibioticsand surgical debridement) should be instituted.
Elderly patientsElderly patients may be at an increased risk of volume depletion and renal impairment. Patients65 years and older treated with ertugliflozin had a higher incidence of adverse reactions related tovolume depletion compared to younger patients. In a long-term cardiovascular outcomes study
VERTIS CV, safety and efficacy were similar for patients age 65 years and older compared to patientsyounger than 65 (see sections 4.2 and 4.8).
Cardiac failure
There is no experience in clinical studies with ertugliflozin in New York Heart Association (NYHA)class IV.
Urine laboratory assessmentsDue to its mechanism of action, patients taking Steglatro will test positive for glucose in their urine.
Alternative methods should be used to monitor glycaemic control.
Interference with 1,5-anhydroglucitol (1,5-AG) assayMonitoring glycaemic control with 1,5-AG assay is not recommended as measurements of 1,5-AG areunreliable in assessing glycaemic control in patients taking SGLT2 inhibitors. Alternative methodsshould be used to monitor glycaemic control.
LactoseSteglatro contains lactose monohydrate. Patients with rare hereditary problems of galactoseintolerance, total lactase deficiency, or glucose-galactose malabsorption should not take this medicinalproduct.
SodiumThis medicinal product contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per tablet, that is to say essentially‘sodium-free’.
4.5 Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction
Pharmacodynamic interactionsDiureticsErtugliflozin may add to the diuretic effect of diuretics and may increase the risk of dehydration andhypotension (see section 4.4).
Insulin and insulin secretagoguesInsulin and insulin secretagogues, such as sulphonylureas, cause hypoglycaemia. Ertugliflozin mayincrease the risk of hypoglycaemia when used in combination with insulin and/or an insulinsecretagogue. Therefore, a lower dose of insulin or an insulin secretagogue may be required to reducethe risk of hypoglycaemia when used in combination with ertugliflozin (see sections 4.2, pct. 4.4, and 4.8).
Pharmacokinetic interactionsEffects of other medicinal products on the pharmacokinetics of ertugliflozin
Metabolism by UGT1A9 and UGT2B7 is the primary clearance mechanism for ertugliflozin.
Interaction studies conducted in healthy subjects, using a single dose design, suggest that thepharmacokinetics of ertugliflozin are not altered by sitagliptin, metformin, glimepiride, or simvastatin.
Multiple-dose administration of rifampicin (a uridine 5’-diphospho-glucuronosyltransferase [UGT]and cytochrome P450 [CYP] inducer) decreases ertugliflozin area under the concentration-time curve(AUC) and maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) by 39% and 15%, respectively. This decrease inexposure is not considered clinically relevant and therefore, no dose adjustment is recommended. Aclinically relevant effect with other inducers (e.g., carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital) is notexpected.
The impact of UGT inhibitors on the pharmacokinetics of ertugliflozin has not been studied clinically,but potential increase in ertugliflozin exposure due to UGT inhibition is not considered to be clinicallyrelevant.
Effects of ertugliflozin on the pharmacokinetics of other medicinal products
Interaction studies conducted in healthy volunteers suggest that ertugliflozin had no clinically relevanteffect on the pharmacokinetics of sitagliptin, metformin, and glimepiride.
Coadministration of simvastatin with ertugliflozin resulted in a 24% and 19% increase in AUC and
Cmax of simvastatin, respectively, and 30% and 16% increase in AUC and Cmax of simvastatin acid,respectively. The mechanism for the small increases in simvastatin and simvastatin acid is unknownand is not perpetrated through organic anion transporting polypeptide (OATP) inhibition byertugliflozin. These increases are not considered to be clinically meaningful.
4.6 Fertility, pregnancy and lactation
PregnancyThere are limited data from the use of ertugliflozin in pregnant women. Based on results from animalstudies, ertugliflozin may affect renal development and maturation (see section 5.3). Therefore,
Steglatro should not be used during pregnancy.
Breast-feedingThere is no information regarding the presence of ertugliflozin in human milk, the effects on thebreast-fed infant, or the effects on milk production. Ertugliflozin is present in the milk of lactating ratsand caused effects in the offspring of lactating rats. Pharmacologically-mediated effects were observedin juvenile rats (see section 5.3). Since human kidney maturation occurs in utero and during the first2 years of life when exposure from breast-feeding may occur, a risk to newborns/infants cannot beexcluded. Steglatro should not be used during breast-feeding.
FertilityThe effect of ertugliflozin on fertility in humans has not been studied. No effects on fertility wereobserved in animal studies (see section 5.3).
4.7 Effects on ability to drive and use machines
Ertugliflozin has no or negligible influence on the ability to drive and use machines. Patients should bealerted to the risk of hypoglycaemia when Steglatro is used in combination with insulin or an insulinsecretagogue and to the elevated risk of adverse reactions related to volume depletion, such as posturaldizziness (see sections 4.2, pct. 4.4, and 4.8).
4.8 Undesirable effects
Summary of the safety profileThe safety and tolerability of ertugliflozin were assessed in 7 placebo- or active comparator-controlledstudies with a total of 3 409 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus treated with ertugliflozin 5 mg or15 mg. In addition, the safety and tolerability of ertugliflozin in patients with type 2 diabetes andestablished atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease were assessed in VERTIS CV (see section 5.1) witha total of 5 493 patients treated with ertugliflozin 5 mg or 15 mg and a mean duration of exposure of2.9 years.
Pool of placebo-controlled trials evaluating Steglatro 5 mg and 15 mg
The primary assessment of safety was conducted in a pool of three 26-week, placebo-controlled trials.
Ertugliflozin was used as monotherapy in one trial and as add-on therapy in two trials (seesection 5.1). These data reflect exposure of 1 029 patients to ertugliflozin with a mean exposureduration of approximately 25 weeks. Patients received ertugliflozin 5 mg (N=519), ertugliflozin 15 mg(N=510), or placebo (N=515) once daily.
The most commonly reported adverse reactions across the clinical program were urinary tractinfections, vulvovaginal mycotic infection and other female genital mycotic infections. Serious DKAoccurred rarely (see section 4.4).
Tabulated list of adverse reactionsAdverse reactions listed below are classified according to frequency and system organ class (SOC),within each frequency grouping, adverse reactions are presented in the order of decreasingseriousness. Frequency categories are defined according to the following convention: very common(≥ 1/10), common (≥ 1/100 to < 1/10), uncommon (≥ 1/1 000 to < 1/100), rare (≥ 1/10 000 to< 1/1 000), very rare (< 1/10 000), not known (cannot be estimated from the available data).
Table 1: Adverse reactions from placebo- and active comparator-controlled clinical trials andpost-marketing experience
System organ class Adverse reaction
Frequency
Infections and infestationsVery common Urinary tract infections†
Vulvovaginal mycotic infection and otherfemale genital mycotic infections*,†
Common Balanitis candida and other male genitalmycotic infections*,†
Not known Necrotising fasciitis of the perineum(Fournier’s gangrene)*
Metabolism and nutrition disordersCommon Hypoglycaemia*,†
Rare DKA*,†
Vascular disordersCommon Volume depletion*,†
Renal and urinary disordersCommon Increased urination‡
Uncommon Dysuria, Blood creatinineincreased/Glomerular filtration ratedecreased†
Reproductive system and breast disordersCommon Vulvovaginal pruritus
General disorders and administration site conditionsCommon Thirst§
InvestigationsCommon Serum lipids changed¶, Haemoglobinincreased**, BUN increased¶¶
* See section 4.4.† See subsections below for additional information.‡ Includes: pollakiuria, micturition urgency, polyuria, urine output increased, and nocturia.§ Includes: thirst and polydipsia.¶ Mean percent changes from baseline for ertugliflozin 5 mg and 15 mg versus placebo, respectively,were low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) 5.8% and 8.4% versus 3.2%; total cholesterol2.8% and 5.7% versus 1.1%; however, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) 6.2% and 7.6%versus 1.9%. Median percent changes from baseline for ertugliflozin 5 mg and 15 mg versusplacebo, respectively, were triglycerides -3.9% and -1.7% versus 4.5%.
** The proportion of subjects having at least 1 increase in haemoglobin > 2.0 g/dL was higher in theertugliflozin 5 mg and 15 mg groups (4.7% and 4.1%, respectively) compared to the placebo group(0.6%).
¶¶ The proportion of subjects having any occurrence of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) values ≥ 50%increase and value >upper limit of normal (ULN) was numerically higher in the ertugliflozin 5 mggroup and higher in the 15 mg group (7.9% and 9.8%, respectively) relative to the placebo group(5.1%).
Description of selected adverse reactionsVolume depletionErtugliflozin causes an osmotic diuresis, which may lead to intravascular volume contraction andadverse reactions related to volume depletion. In the pool of placebo-controlled studies, the incidenceof adverse events related to volume depletion (dehydration, dizziness postural, presyncope, syncope,hypotension, and orthostatic hypotension) was low (< 2%) and not notably different across theertugliflozin and placebo groups. In the subgroup analyses in the broader pool of phase 3 studies,subjects with eGFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2, subjects ≥ 65 years of age and subjects on diuretics had ahigher incidence of volume depletion in the ertugliflozin groups relative to the comparator group (seesections 4.2 and 4.4). In subjects with eGFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2, the incidence was 5.1%, 2.6%, and0.5% for ertugliflozin 5 mg, ertugliflozin 15 mg, and the comparator group and for subjects witheGFR 45 to < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2, the incidence was 6.4%, 3.7%, and 0% respectively.
HypoglycaemiaIn the pool of placebo-controlled studies, the incidence of documented hypoglycaemia was increasedfor ertugliflozin 5 mg and 15 mg (5% and 4.5%) compared to placebo (2.9%). In this population, theincidence of severe hypoglycaemia was 0.4% in each group. When ertugliflozin was used asmonotherapy, the incidence of hypoglycaemic events in the ertugliflozin groups was 2.6% in bothgroups and 0.7% in the placebo group. When used as add-on to metformin, the incidence ofhypoglycaemic events was 7.2% in the ertugliflozin 5 mg group, 7.8% in the ertugliflozin 15 mggroup and 4.3% in the placebo group.
When ertugliflozin was added to metformin and compared to sulphonylurea, the incidence ofhypoglycaemia was higher for the sulphonylurea (27%) compared to ertugliflozin (5.6% and 8.2% forertugliflozin 5 mg and 15 mg, respectively).
In the VERTIS CV sub-studies, when ertugliflozin was added to insulin with or without metformin,the incidences of documented hypoglycaemia were 39.4%, 38.9% and 37.5% for ertugliflozin 5 mg,ertugliflozin 15 mg and placebo, respectively. When ertugliflozin was added to a sulphonylurea, theincidences of hypoglycaemia were 7.3%, 9.3% and 4.2% for ertugliflozin 5 mg, ertugliflozin 15 mgand placebo, respectively. When ertugliflozin was added to metformin and a sulphonylurea, theincidences of hypoglycaemia were 20%, 26.5% and 14.5% for ertugliflozin 5 mg, ertugliflozin 15 mgand placebo, respectively.
In patients with moderate renal impairment taking insulins, sulphonylurea, or meglitinides asbackground medicinal products, documented hypoglycaemia was 36%, 27% and 36% for ertugliflozin5 mg, ertugliflozin 15 mg, and placebo, respectively (see sections 4.2, pct. 4.4, and 4.5).
Diabetic ketoacidosisIn VERTIS CV, ketoacidosis was identified in 19 (0.3%) ertugliflozin-treated patients and in 2 (0.1%)placebo-treated patients. Across 7 other phase 3 clinical trials in the ertugliflozin developmentprogram, ketoacidosis was identified in 3 (0.1%) ertugliflozin-treated patients and 0 (0%) ofcomparator-treated patients (see section 4.4).
Blood creatinine increased/Glomerular filtration rate decreased and renal-related events
Initial increases in mean creatinine and decreases in mean eGFR in patients treated with ertugliflozinwere generally transient during continuous treatment. Patients with moderate renal impairment atbaseline had larger mean changes that did not return to baseline at Week 26; these changes reversedafter treatment discontinuation.
In VERTIS CV, treatment with ertugliflozin was associated with an initial decrease in mean eGFR (at
Week 6, -2.7, -3.8 and -0.4 mL/min/1.73 m2 in the ertugliflozin 5 mg, ertugliflozin 15 mg and placebogroups, respectively) followed by a return toward baseline. Long-term, continued treatment withertugliflozin was associated with a slower decline in eGFR compared to placebo (up to week 260).
In VERTIS CV, the incidences of renal-related adverse reactions (e.g., acute kidney injury, renalimpairment, acute prerenal failure) were 4.2%, pct. 4.3% and 4.7% in patients treated with ertugliflozin5 mg, ertugliflozin 15 mg and placebo respectively in the overall population; and were 9.7%, 10% and10.2% in patients treated with ertugliflozin 5 mg, ertugliflozin 15 mg and placebo respectively inpatients with an eGFR from 30 to less than 60 mL/min/1.73 m2.
Genital mycotic infections
In the pool of three placebo-controlled clinical trials, female genital mycotic infections (e.g., genitalcandidiasis, genital infection fungal, vaginal infection, vulvitis, vulvovaginal candidiasis, vulvovaginalmycotic infection, vulvovaginitis) occurred in 9.1%, 12%, and 3% of females treated with ertugliflozin5 mg, ertugliflozin 15 mg, and placebo, respectively. In females, discontinuation due to genitalmycotic infections occurred in 0.6% and 0% of patients treated with ertugliflozin and placebo,respectively (see section 4.4).
In the same pool, male genital mycotic infections (e.g., balanitis candida, balanoposthitis, genitalinfection, genital infection fungal) occurred in 3.7%, 4.2%, and 0.4% of males treated withertugliflozin 5 mg, ertugliflozin 15 mg, and placebo, respectively. Male genital mycotic infectionsoccurred more commonly in uncircumcised males. In males, discontinuations due to genital mycoticinfections occurred in 0.2% and 0% of patients treated with ertugliflozin and placebo, respectively. Inrare instances, phimosis was reported and sometimes circumcision was performed (see section 4.4).
Urinary tract infections
In VERTIS CV, urinary tract infections occurred in 12.2%, 12% and 10.2% of patients treated withertugliflozin 5 mg, ertugliflozin 15 mg and placebo, respectively. The incidences of serious urinarytract infections were 0.9%, 0.4%, and 0.8% with ertugliflozin 5 mg, ertugliflozin 15 mg and placebo,respectively.
Across 7 other phase 3 clinical trials in the ertugliflozin development program, the incidences ofurinary tract infections were 4% and 4.1% for ertugliflozin 5 mg and 15 mg groups and 3.9% forplacebo. Most of the events were mild or moderate, and no serious cases were reported.
Reporting of suspected adverse reactionsReporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. Itallows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcareprofessionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the national reporting systemlisted in Appendix V.
4.9 Overdose
Ertugliflozin did not show any toxicity in healthy subjects at single oral doses up to 300 mg andmultiple doses up to 100 mg daily for 2 weeks. No potential acute symptoms and signs of overdosewere identified.
In the event of an overdose, employ the usual supportive measures (e.g., remove unabsorbed materialfrom the gastrointestinal tract, employ clinical monitoring, and institute supportive treatment) asdictated by the patient’s clinical status. Removal of ertugliflozin by haemodialysis has not beenstudied.
5. PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES
5.1 Pharmacodynamic properties
Pharmacotherapeutic group: Drugs used in diabetes, sodium glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2)inhibitors, ATC code: A10BK04.
Mechanism of actionSGLT2 is the predominant transporter responsible for reabsorption of glucose from the glomerularfiltrate back into the circulation. Ertugliflozin is a potent, selective, and reversible inhibitor of SGLT2.
By inhibiting SGLT2, ertugliflozin reduces renal reabsorption of filtered glucose and lowers the renalthreshold for glucose, and thereby increases urinary glucose excretion.
Pharmacodynamic effectsUrinary glucose excretion and urinary volume
Dose-dependent increases in the amount of glucose excreted in urine were observed in healthysubjects and in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus following single- and multiple-doseadministration of ertugliflozin. Dose-response modelling indicates that ertugliflozin 5 mg and 15 mgresult in near maximal urinary glucose excretion (UGE) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus,providing 87% and 96% of maximal inhibition, respectively.
Clinical efficacy and safetyBoth improvement of glycaemic control and reduction of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality areintegral parts of the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Ertugliflozin has been studied as monotherapy and in combination with metformin, sitagliptin, asulphonylurea, insulin (with or without metformin), metformin plus sitagliptin, metformin plus asulphonylurea and compared to a sulphonylurea (glimepiride). Ertugliflozin has also been studied inpatients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and moderate renal impairment.
The glycaemic efficacy and safety of ertugliflozin have been studied in 7 multi-centre, randomised,double-blind, placebo- or active comparator-controlled, phase 3 clinical studies involving4 863 patients with type 2 diabetes, including a study of 468 patients with moderate renal impairment.
The racial distribution was 76.8% White, 13.3% Asian, 5.0% Black and 4.8% other. Hispanic or
Latino patients comprised 24.2% of the population. Patients had an average age of 57.8 years (range21 years to 87 years), with 25.8% of patients ≥ 65 years of age and 4.5% ≥ 75 years of age.
In addition, a cardiovascular outcomes study (VERTIS CV) was conducted. VERTIS CV enrolled8 246 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and established atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseaseincluding 1 776 patients with moderate renal impairment. VERTIS CV also included sub-studies toevaluate the glycaemic efficacy and safety of ertugliflozin added to other glycaemic treatments.
Glycaemic controlMonotherapyA total of 461 patients with type 2 diabetes inadequately controlled on diet and exercise participated ina randomised, double-blind, multi-centre, 26-week, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the efficacyand safety of ertugliflozin monotherapy. These patients, who were not receiving any background anti-hyperglycaemic treatment, were randomised to ertugliflozin 5 mg, ertugliflozin 15 mg, or placeboadministered once daily (see Table 2).
Table 2: Results at week 26 from a placebo-controlled monotherapy study of ertugliflozin*
Ertugliflozin Ertugliflozin5 mg 15 mg Placebo
HbA1c (%) N = 156 N = 151 N = 153
Baseline (mean) 8.2 8.4 8.1
Change from baseline (LS mean†) -0.8 -1.0 0.2
Difference from placebo (LS mean†, -1.0‡ (-1.2, -0.8) -1.2‡ (-1.4, -0.9)95% CI)
Patients [N (%)] with HbA1c < 7% 44 (28.2)§ 54 (35.8)§ 20 (13.1)
Body weight (kg) N = 156 N = 152 N = 153
Baseline (mean) 94.0 90.6 94.2
Change from baseline (LS mean†) -3.2 -3.6 -1.4
Difference from placebo (LS mean†, -1.8‡ (-2.6, -0.9) -2.2‡ (-3.0, -1.3)95% CI)
* N includes all randomised, treated patients who had at least one measurement of the outcomevariable.
† Least squares means adjusted for time, prior anti-hyperglycaemic medicinal products, baselineeGFR and the interaction of time by treatment.
‡ p< 0.001 compared to placebo.§ p< 0.001 compared to placebo (based on adjusted odds ratio comparisons from a logistic regressionmodel using multiple imputation for missing data values).
Ertugliflozin as add-on combination therapy with metformin
A total of 621 patients with type 2 diabetes inadequately controlled on metformin monotherapy(≥ 1 500 mg/day) participated in a randomised, double-blind, multi-centre, 26-week, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ertugliflozin in combination with metformin.
Patients were randomised to ertugliflozin 5 mg, ertugliflozin 15 mg, or placebo administered oncedaily in addition to continuation of background metformin therapy (see Table 3).
Table 3: Results at week 26 from a placebo-controlled study for ertugliflozin used incombination with metformin*
Ertugliflozin Ertugliflozin5 mg 15 mg Placebo
HbA1c (%) N = 207 N = 205 N = 209
Baseline (mean) 8.1 8.1 8.2
Change from baseline (LS mean†) -0.7 -0.9 -0.0
Difference from placebo (LS mean†, -0.7‡ (-0.9, -0.5) -0.9‡ (-1.1, -0.7)95% CI)
Patients [N (%)] with HbA1c < 7% 73 (35.3)§ 82 (40.0)§ 33 (15.8)
Body weight (kg) N = 207 N = 205 N = 209
Baseline (mean) 84.9 85.3 84.5
Change from baseline (LS mean†) -3.0 -2.9 -1.3
Difference from placebo (LS mean†, -1.7‡ (-2.2, -1.1) -1.6‡ (-2.2, -1.0)95% CI)
* N includes all randomised, treated patients who had at least one measurement of the outcomevariable.
† Least squares means adjusted for time, prior anti-hyperglycaemic medicinal products, baselineeGFR, menopausal status randomisation stratum, and the interaction of time by treatment.
‡ p 0.001 compared to placebo.§ p< 0.001 compared to placebo (based on adjusted odds ratio comparisons from a logistic regressionmodel using multiple imputation for missing data values).
Active-controlled study of ertugliflozin versus glimepiride as add-on combination therapy withmetformin
A total of 1 326 patients with type 2 diabetes inadequately controlled on metformin monotherapyparticipated in a randomised, double-blind, multi-centre, 52-week, active comparator-controlled studyto evaluate the efficacy and safety of ertugliflozin in combination with metformin. These patients, whowere receiving metformin monotherapy (≥ 1 500 mg/day), were randomised to ertugliflozin 5 mg,ertugliflozin 15 mg, or glimepiride administered once daily in addition to continuation of backgroundmetformin therapy. Glimepiride was initiated at 1 mg/day and titrated up to a maximum dose of 6 or8 mg/day (depending on maximum approved dose in each country) or a maximum tolerated dose ordown-titrated to avoid or manage hypoglycaemia. The mean daily dose of glimepiride was 3.0 mg (see
Table 4).
Table 4: Results at week 52 from an active-controlled study comparing ertugliflozin toglimepiride as add-on therapy in patients inadequately controlled on metformin*
Ertugliflozin Ertugliflozin5 mg 15 mg Glimepiride
HbA1c (%) N = 448 N = 440 N = 437
Baseline (mean) 7.8 7.8 7.8
Change from baseline (LS mean†) -0.6 -0.6 -0.7
Difference from glimepiride (LS mean†, 0.2 (0.1, 0.3) 0.1‡ (-0.0, 0.2)95% CI)
Patients [N (%)] with HbA1c < 7% 154 (34.4) 167 (38.0) 190 (43.5)
Body weight (kg) N = 448 N = 440 N = 437
Baseline (mean) 87.9 85.6 86.8
Change from baseline (LS mean†) -3.0 -3.4 0.9
Difference from glimepiride (LS mean†, -3.9 (-4.4, -3.4) -4.3§ (-4.8, -3.8)95% CI)
* N includes all randomised, treated patients who had at least one measurement of the outcomevariable.
† Least squares means adjusted for time, prior anti-hyperglycaemic medicinal products, baselineeGFR and the interaction of time by treatment.
‡ Non-inferiority is declared when the upper bound of the two-sided 95% confidence interval (CI) forthe mean difference is less than 0.3%.
§ p< 0.001 compared to glimepiride.
Factorial study with ertugliflozin and sitagliptin as add-on combination therapy with metformin
A total of 1 233 patients with type 2 diabetes participated in a randomised, double-blind, multi-centre,26-week, active-controlled study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ertugliflozin 5 mg or 15 mg incombination with sitagliptin 100 mg compared to the individual components. Patients with type 2diabetes inadequately controlled on metformin monotherapy (≥ 1 500 mg/day) were randomised to oneof five active-treatment arms: ertugliflozin 5 mg or 15 mg, sitagliptin 100 mg, or sitagliptin 100 mg incombination with 5 mg or 15 mg ertugliflozin administered once daily in addition to continuation ofbackground metformin therapy (see Table 5).
Table 5: Results at week 26 from a factorial study with ertugliflozin and sitagliptin as add-oncombination therapy with metformin compared to individual components alone*
Ertugliflozin Ertugliflozin Sitagliptin Ertugliflozin Ertugliflozin5 mg 15 mg 100 mg 5 mg + 15 mg +
Sitagliptin Sitagliptin100 mg 100 mg
HbA1c (%) N = 250 N = 248 N = 247 N = 243 N = 244
Baseline (mean) 8.6 8.6 8.5 8.6 8.6
Change from baseline (LS -1.0 -1.1 -1.1 -1.5 -1.5mean†)
Difference from
Sitagliptin -0.4‡ (-0.6, -0.3) -0.5‡ (-0.6, -0.3)
Ertugliflozin 5 mg -0.5‡ (-0.6, -0.3)
Ertugliflozin 15 mg -0.4‡ (-0.6, -0.3)(LS mean†, 95% CI)
Patients [N (%)] with HbA1c66 (26.4) 79 (31.9) 81 (32.8) 127 (52.3)§ 120 (49.2)§< 7%
Body weight (kg) N = 250 N = 248 N = 247 N = 243 N = 244
Baseline (mean) 88.6 88.0 89.8 89.5 87.5
Change from baseline (LS -2.7 -3.7 -0.7 -2.5 -2.9mean†)
Difference from Sitagliptin -1.8‡ (-2.5, -1.2) -2.3‡ (-2.9, -1.6)(LS mean†, 95% CI)
* N includes all randomised, treated patients who had at least one measurement of the outcomevariable.
† Least squares means adjusted for time, baseline eGFR and the interaction of time by treatment.‡ p< 0.001 compared to control group.§ p< 0.001 compared to corresponding dose of ertugliflozin or sitagliptin (based on adjusted odds ratiocomparisons from a logistic regression model using multiple imputation for missing data values).
Ertugliflozin as add-on combination therapy with metformin and sitagliptin
A total of 463 patients with type 2 diabetes inadequately controlled on metformin (≥ 1 500 mg/day)and sitagliptin 100 mg once daily participated in a randomised, double-blind, multi-centre, 26-week,placebo-controlled study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ertugliflozin. Patients were randomisedto ertugliflozin 5 mg, ertugliflozin 15 mg, or placebo administered once daily in addition tocontinuation of background metformin and sitagliptin therapy (see Table 6).
Table 6: Results at week 26 from an add-on study of ertugliflozin in combination withmetformin and sitagliptin*
Ertugliflozin Ertugliflozin Placebo5 mg 15 mg
HbA1c (%) N = 156 N = 153 N = 153
Baseline (mean) 8.1 8.0 8.0
Change from baseline (LS mean†) -0.8 -0.9 -0.1
Difference from placebo (LS mean†, 95% -0.7‡ (-0.9, -0.5) -0.8‡ (-0.9, -0.6)
CI)
Patients [N (%)] with HbA1c < 7% 50 (32.1) § 61 (39.9) § 26 (17.0)
Body weight (kg) N = 156 N = 153 N = 153
Baseline (mean) 87.6 86.6 86.5
Change from baseline (LS mean†) -3.3 -3.0 -1.3
Difference from placebo (LS mean†, 95% -2.0‡ (-2.6, -1.4) -1.7‡ (-2.3, -1.1)
CI)
* N includes all randomised, treated patients who had at least one measurement of the outcomevariable.† Least squares means adjusted for time, prior anti-hyperglycaemic medicinal products, baselineeGFR, and the interaction of time by treatment.‡ p< 0.001 compared to placebo.§ p< 0.001 compared to placebo (based on adjusted odds ratio comparisons from a logistic regressionmodel using multiple imputation for missing data values).
Combination therapy of ertugliflozin and sitagliptin
A total of 291 patients with type 2 diabetes inadequately controlled on diet and exercise participated ina randomised, double-blind, multi-centre, placebo-controlled 26-week study to evaluate the efficacyand safety of ertugliflozin in combination with sitagliptin. These patients, who were not receiving anybackground anti-hyperglycaemic treatment, were randomised to ertugliflozin 5 mg or ertugliflozin15 mg in combination with sitagliptin (100 mg) or to placebo once daily (see Table 7).
Table 7: Results at Week 26 from a combination therapy study of ertugliflozin and sitagliptin*
Ertugliflozin Ertugliflozin Placebo5 mg 15 mg+ Sitagliptin + Sitagliptin
HbA1c (%) N = 98 N = 96 N = 96
Baseline (mean) 8.9 9.0 9.0
Change from baseline (LS mean†) -1.6 -1.7 -0.4
Difference from placebo (LS mean† -1.2‡ (-1.5, -0.8) -1.2‡ (-1.6, -0.9)and 95% CI)
Patients [N (%)] with HbA1c <7% 35 (35.7) § 30 (31.3)§ 8 (8.3)
Body weight (kg) N = 98 N = 96 N = 97
Baseline (mean) 90.8 91.3 95.0
Change from baseline (LS mean†) -2.9 -3.0 -0.9
Difference from placebo (LS mean†, -2.0‡ (-3.0, -1.0) -2.1‡ (-3.1, -1.1)95% CI)
* N includes all patients who received at least one dose of study medication and had at least onemeasurement of the outcome variable.
† Least squares means adjusted for time, and the interaction of time by treatment.‡ p< 0.001 compared to placebo.§ p< 0.001 compared to placebo (based on adjusted odds ratio comparisons from a logistic regressionmodel using multiple imputation for missing data values).
Ertugliflozin as add-on combination therapy with insulin (with or without metformin)
In an 18-week randomised, double-blind, multi-centre, placebo-controlled, glycaemic sub-study of
VERTIS CV, a total of 1 065 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and established atheroscleroticcardiovascular disease with inadequate glycaemic control (haemoglobin A1c [HbA1c] between 7%and 10.5%) with background therapy of insulin ≥20 units/day (59% patients were also on metformin≥1 500 mg/day) were randomised to ertugliflozin 5 mg, ertugliflozin 15 mg or placebo once daily (see
Table 8).
Table 8: Results at Week 18 from an add-on study of ertugliflozin in combination with insulin(with or without metformin) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus*
Ertugliflozin Ertugliflozin Placebo5 mg 15 mg
HbA1c (%) N = 348 N = 370 N = 347
Baseline (mean) 8.4 8.4 8.4
Change from baseline (LS mean†) -0.8 -0.8 -0.2
Difference from placebo (LS mean†, 95% -0.6‡ (-0.7, -0.4) -0.6‡ (-0.8, -0.5)
CI)
Patients [N (%)] with HbA1c <7% 72 (20.7) § 78 (21.1) § 37 (10.7)
Body weight (kg) N = 348 N = 370 N = 347
Baseline (mean) 93.8 92.1 93.3
Change from baseline (LS mean†) -1.9 -2.1 -0.2
Difference from placebo (LS mean†, 95% -1.6‡ (-2.1, -1.1) -1.9‡ (-2.4, -1.4)
CI)
* N includes all randomised, treated patients who had at least one measurement of the outcomevariable.
† Least squares means adjusted for time, insulin stratum, baseline eGFR, and the interaction of timeby treatment.‡ p< 0.001 compared to placebo.§p< 0.001 compared to placebo (based on adjusted odds ratio comparisons from a logistic regressionmodel using multipleimputation for missing data values).
Ertugliflozin as add-on combination therapy with metformin and sulphonylurea
In an 18-week randomised, double-blind, multi-centre, placebo-controlled, glycaemic sub-study of
VERTIS CV, a total of 330 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and established atheroscleroticcardiovascular disease with inadequate glycaemic control (HbA1c between 7% and 10.5%) withbackground therapy of metformin ≥1 500 mg/day and a sulphonylurea were randomised toertugliflozin 5 mg, ertugliflozin 15 mg or placebo once daily (see Table 9).
Table 9: Results at Week 18 from an add-on study of ertugliflozin in combination withmetformin and a sulphonylurea in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus*
Ertugliflozin Ertugliflozin Placebo5 mg 15 mg
HbA1c (%) N = 100 N = 113 N = 117
Baseline (mean) 8.4 8.3 8.3
Change from baseline (LS mean†) -0.9 -1.0 -0.2
Difference from placebo (LS mean†, 95% -0.7‡ (-0.9, -0.4) -0.8‡ (-1.0, -0.5)
CI)§ §
Patients [N (%)] with HbA1c <7% 37 (37.0) 37 (32.7) 15 (12.8)
Body weight (kg) N = 100 N = 113 N = 117
Baseline (mean) 92.1 92.9 90.5
Change from baseline (LS mean†) -2.0 -2.4 -0.5
Difference from placebo (LS mean†, 95% -1.6‡ (-2.3, -0.8) -1.9‡ (-2.6, -1.2)
CI)
* N includes all randomised, treated patients who had at least one measurement of the outcomevariable.
† Least squares means adjusted for time, baseline eGFR, and the interaction of time by treatment.‡ p< 0.001 compared to placebo.§p< 0.001 compared to placebo (based on adjusted odds ratio comparisons from a logistic regressionmodel using multiple imputation for missing data values).
Moderate renal impairment26 week placebo-controlled study
The efficacy of ertugliflozin was also assessed separately in a dedicated study of diabetic patients withmoderate renal impairment (468 patients with eGFR ≥ 30 to < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2).
The least square (LS) mean (95% CI) changes from baseline in HbA1c were -0.26 (-0.42, -0.11), -0.29(-0.44, -0.14), and -0.41 (-0.56, -0.27) in the placebo, ertugliflozin 5 mg, and ertugliflozin 15 mggroups, respectively. The HbA1c reductions in the ertugliflozin arms were not significantly differentfrom placebo. The pre-specified analysis of glycaemic efficacy was confounded by use of prohibitedconcomitant anti-hyperglycaemic medicinal products. In a subsequent analysis excluding thosesubjects who used the prohibited medicinal products, ertugliflozin 5 mg and 15 mg were associatedwith placebo-corrected reductions in HbA1c of -0.14 (-0.36, 0.08) and -0.33 (-0.55, -0.11).
18 week placebo-controlled study
In the VERTIS CV study, 1 776 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and established atheroscleroticcardiovascular disease had moderate renal impairment (eGFR ≥30 to <60 mL/min/1.73 m2). Amongthem, 1 319 patients had an eGFR ≥45 to <60 mL/min/1.73 m2, including 879 patients exposed toertugliflozin (see Table 10), and 457 patients had an eGFR ≥30 to <45 mL/min/1.73 m2, including299 patients exposed to ertugliflozin.
Table 10: Results at Week 18 of ertugliflozin in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus andcardiovascular disease with baseline eGFR ≥45 to <60 mL/min/1.73 m2*
Ertugliflozin Ertugliflozin Placebo5 mg 15 mg
HbA1c (%) N = 465 N = 413 N = 439
Baseline (mean) 8.2 8.2 8.2
Change from baseline (LS mean†) -0.5 -0.6 -0.3
Difference from placebo (LS mean†, 95% -0.3‡ (-0.4, -0.1) -0.3‡ (-0.4, -0.2)
CI)
Body weight (kg) N = 465 N = 413 N = 439
Baseline (mean) 92.1 92.5 92.3
Change from baseline (LS mean†) -1.8 -1.9 -0.5
Difference from placebo (LS mean†, 95% -1.3‡ (-1.7, -0.9) -1.4‡ (-1.8, -1.0)
CI)
* N includes all randomised, treated patients who had at least one measurement of the outcomevariable.
† Least squares means adjusted for time, baseline eGFR, and the interaction of time by treatment.‡ p< 0.001 compared to placebo.
In patients with an eGFR ≥30 to <45 mL/min/1.73 m2, the HbA1c reduction from baseline to Week 18was significantly different between placebo and ertugliflozin 5 mg but was not significantly differentbetween placebo and ertugliflozin 15 mg.
Fasting plasma glucoseIn three placebo-controlled studies, ertugliflozin resulted in statistically significant reductions infasting plasma glucose (FPG). For ertugliflozin 5 mg and 15 mg, respectively, the placebo-correctedreductions in FPG were 1.92 and 2.44 mmol/L as monotherapy, 1.48 and 2.12 mmol/L as add-on tometformin, and 1.40 and 1.74 mmol/L as add-on to metformin and sitagliptin.
The combination of ertugliflozin and sitagliptin resulted in significantly greater reductions in FPGcompared to sitagliptin or ertugliflozin alone or placebo. The combination of ertugliflozin 5 or 15 mgand sitagliptin resulted in incremental FPG reductions of 0.46 to 0.65 mmol/L compared to theertugliflozin alone or 1.02 to 1.28 mmol/L compared to sitagliptin alone. The placebo-correctedreductions of ertugliflozin 5 or 15 mg in combination with sitagliptin were 2.16 and 2.56 mmol/L.
Efficacy in patients with baseline HbA1c ≥ 8%
In the monotherapy study conducted on a background of diet and exercise in patients with baseline
HbA1c from 7-10.5%, the subgroup of patients in the study with a baseline HbA1c ≥ 8% hadplacebo-corrected reductions in HbA1c of 1.11% and 1.52% with ertugliflozin 5 or 15 mg,respectively.
In the study of ertugliflozin added-on to metformin in patients with baseline HbA1c from 7-10.5%, theplacebo-corrected reductions in HbA1c for the subgroup of patients in the study with baseline HbA1c≥ 9% were 1.31% and 1.43% with ertugliflozin 5 and 15 mg, respectively.
In the study of patients inadequately controlled on metformin with baseline HbA1c from 7.5-11%,among the subgroup of patients with a baseline HbA1c ≥ 10%, the combination of ertugliflozin 5 mgor 15 mg with sitagliptin resulted in reductions of HbA1c of 2.35% and 2.66% compared to 2.10%,1.30%, and 1.82% for ertugliflozin 5 mg, ertugliflozin 15 mg and sitagliptin alone, respectively.
Post-prandial glucose
In the monotherapy study, ertugliflozin 5 and 15 mg resulted in statistically significant placebo-corrected reductions in 2-hour post-prandial glucose (PPG) of 3.83 and 3.74 mmol/L.
Blood pressureIn three 26-week, placebo-controlled studies, ertugliflozin reduced systolic blood pressure (SBP). Forertugliflozin 5 mg and 15 mg, the statistically significant placebo-corrected reductions in SBP rangedfrom 2.9 mmHg to 3.7 mmHg and 1.7 mmHg to 4.5 mmHg, respectively.
In a 52-week, active-controlled study versus glimepiride, reductions from baseline in SBP were2.2 mmHg and 3.8 mmHg for ertugliflozin 5 mg and 15 mg respectively, while subjects treated withglimepiride had an increase in SBP from baseline of 1.0 mmHg.
Subgroup analysisIn patients with type 2 diabetes treated with ertugliflozin, clinically meaningful reductions in HbA1cwere observed in subgroups defined by age, sex, race, ethnicity, geographic region, baseline bodymass index (BMI), baseline HbA1c, and duration of type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Cardiovascular outcomes
The effect of ertugliflozin on cardiovascular risk in adult patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus andestablished atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease was evaluated in the VERTIS CV study, amulti-centre, multi-national, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, event-driven trial. Thestudy compared the risk of experiencing a major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE) betweenertugliflozin and placebo when these were added to and used concomitantly with standard of caretreatments for diabetes and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
A total of 8 246 patients were randomised (placebo N=2 747, ertugliflozin 5 mg N=2 752, ertugliflozin15 mg N=2 747) and followed for a median of 3 years. The mean age was 64 years and approximately70% were male.
All patients in the study had inadequately controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus at baseline (HbA1cgreater than or equal to 7%). The mean duration of type 2 diabetes mellitus was 13 years, the mean
HbA1c at baseline was 8.2% and the mean eGFR was 76 mL/min/1.73 m2. At baseline, patients weretreated with one (32%) or more (67%) antidiabetic medicinal products including metformin (76%),insulin (47%), sulphonylureas (41%), dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors (11%) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists (3%).
Almost all patients (99%) had established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease at baseline.
Approximately 24% patients had a history of heart failure. The primary endpoint in VERTIS CV wasthe time to first occurrence of MACE (cardiovascular death, non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI) ornon-fatal stroke).
Ertugliflozin demonstrated non-inferiority versus placebo for MACE (see Table 11). Results for theindividual 5 mg and 15 mg doses were consistent with results for the combined dose groups.
In patients treated with ertugliflozin, the rate of hospitalisation for heart failure was lower than inpatients treated with placebo (see Table 11 and Figure 1).
Table 11: Analysis of MACE and its components and hospitalisation for heart failure from the
VERTIS CV study*
Placebo (N=2 747) Ertugliflozin (N=5 499)
Endpoint† N (%) Event rate N (%) Event rate Hazard ratio(per 100 (per 100 vs placeboperson- person- (CI)‡years) years)
MACE (CV death, non- 327 (11.9) 4.0 653 (11.9) 3.9 0.97fatal MI, or non-fatal (0.85, 1.11)stroke)
Non-fatal MI 148 (5.4) 1.6 310 (5.6) 1.7 1.04(0.86, 1.27)
Non-fatal stroke 78 (2.8) 0.8 157 (2.9) 0.8 1.00(0.76, 1.32)
CV death 184 (6.7) 1.9 341 (6.2) 1.8 0.92(0.77, 1.11)
Hospitalisation for heart 99 (3.6) 1.1 139 (2.5) 0.7 0.70failure#(0.54, 0.90)
N=Number of patients, CI=Confidence interval, CV=Cardiovascular, MI=Myocardial infarction.
* Intent-to-treat analysis set.† MACE was evaluated in subjects who took at least one dose of study medication and, for subjectswho discontinued study medication prior to the end of the study, events that occurred more than365 days after the last dose of study medication were censored. Other endpoints were evaluated usingall randomised subjects and events that occurred any time after the first dose of study medication untilthe last contact date. The total number of first events was analysed for each endpoint.‡ For MACE a 95.6% CI is presented, for other endpoints a 95% CI is presented.#Not evaluated for statistical significance as it was not a part of the prespecified sequential testingprocedure.
Figure 1: Time to first occurrence of hospitalisation for heart failure
Paediatric populationThe European Medicines Agency has deferred the obligation to submit the results of studies withertugliflozin in one or more subsets of the paediatric population in type 2 diabetes mellitus (seesection 4.2 for information on paediatric use).
5.2 Pharmacokinetic properties
General introduction
The pharmacokinetics of ertugliflozin are similar in healthy subjects and patients with type 2 diabetes.
The steady state mean plasma AUC and Cmax were 398 ng∙hr/mL and 81 ng/mL, respectively, with5 mg ertugliflozin once daily treatment, and 1 193 ng∙hr/mL and 268 ng/mL, respectively, with 15 mgertugliflozin once daily treatment. Steady-state is reached after 4 to 6 days of once-daily dosing withertugliflozin. Ertugliflozin does not exhibit time-dependent pharmacokinetics and accumulates inplasma up to 10-40% following multiple dosing.
AbsorptionFollowing single-dose oral administration of 5 mg and 15 mg of ertugliflozin, peak plasmaconcentrations (median time to maximum plasma concentration [Tmax]) of ertugliflozin occur at 1 hourpost-dose under fasted conditions. Plasma Cmax and AUC of ertugliflozin increase in a dose-proportional manner following single doses from 0.5 mg to 300 mg and following multiple doses from1 mg to 100 mg. The absolute oral bioavailability of ertugliflozin following administration of a 15 mgdose is approximately 100%.
Administration of ertugliflozin with a high-fat and high-calorie meal decreases ertugliflozin Cmax by29% and prolongs Tmax by 1 hour but does not alter AUC as compared with the fasted state. Theobserved effect of food on ertugliflozin pharmacokinetics is not considered clinically relevant, andertugliflozin may be administered with or without food. In phase 3 clinical trials, ertugliflozin wasadministered without regard to meals.
Ertugliflozin is a substrate of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP)transporters.
DistributionThe mean steady-state volume of distribution of ertugliflozin following an intravenous dose is 86 L.
Plasma protein binding of ertugliflozin is 93.6% and is independent of ertugliflozin plasmaconcentrations. Plasma protein binding is not meaningfully altered in patients with renal or hepaticimpairment. The blood-to-plasma concentration ratio of ertugliflozin is 0.66.
Ertugliflozin is not a substrate of organic anion transporters (OAT1, OAT3), organic cationtransporters (OCT1, OCT2), or organic anion transporting polypeptides (OATP1B1, OATP1B3) invitro.
BiotransformationMetabolism is the primary clearance mechanism for ertugliflozin. The major metabolic pathway forertugliflozin is UGT1A9 and UGT2B7-mediated O-glucuronidation to two glucuronides that arepharmacologically inactive at clinically relevant concentrations. CYP-mediated (oxidative)metabolism of ertugliflozin is minimal (12%).
EliminationThe mean systemic plasma clearance following an intravenous 100 µg dose was 11 L/hr. The meanelimination half-life in type 2 diabetic patients with normal renal function was estimated to be17 hours based on the population pharmacokinetic analysis. Following administration of an oral[14C]-ertugliflozin solution to healthy subjects, approximately 41% and 50% of the drug-relatedradioactivity was eliminated in faeces and urine, respectively. Only 1.5% of the administered dose wasexcreted as unchanged ertugliflozin in urine and 34% as unchanged ertugliflozin in faeces, which islikely due to biliary excretion of glucuronide metabolites and subsequent hydrolysis to parent.
Special populationsRenal impairmentIn a phase 1 clinical pharmacology study in patients with type 2 diabetes and mild, moderate, or severerenal impairment (as determined by eGFR), following a single-dose administration of 15 mgertugliflozin, the mean increases in AUC of ertugliflozin were ≤ 1.7-fold, compared to subjects withnormal renal function. These increases in ertugliflozin AUC are not considered clinically relevant.
There were no clinically meaningful differences in the ertugliflozin Cmax values among the differentrenal function groups. The 24-hour urinary glucose excretion declined with increasing severity of renalimpairment (see section 4.4). The plasma protein binding of ertugliflozin was unaffected in patientswith renal impairment.
Hepatic impairmentModerate hepatic impairment (based on the Child-Pugh classification) did not result in an increase inexposure of ertugliflozin. The AUC of ertugliflozin decreased by approximately 13%, and Cmaxdecreased by approximately 21% compared to subjects with normal hepatic function. This decrease inertugliflozin exposure is not considered clinically meaningful. There is no clinical experience inpatients with Child-Pugh class C (severe) hepatic impairment. The plasma protein binding ofertugliflozin was unaffected in patients with moderate hepatic impairment.
Paediatric populationNo studies with ertugliflozin have been performed in paediatric patients.
Effects of age, body weight, gender, and race
Based on a population pharmacokinetic analysis, age, body weight, gender, and race do not have aclinically meaningful effect on the pharmacokinetics of ertugliflozin.
Drug interactionsIn vitro assessment of ertugliflozin
In in vitro studies, ertugliflozin and ertugliflozin glucuronides did not inhibit or inactivate CYPs 1A2,2C9, 2C19, 2C8, 2B6, 2D6, or 3A4, and did not induce CYPs 1A2, 2B6, or 3A4. Ertugliflozin andertugliflozin glucuronides did not inhibit the activity of UGTs 1A6, 1A9 or 2B7 in vitro. Ertugliflozinwas a weak inhibitor of UGTs 1A1 and 1A4 in vitro at higher concentrations that are not clinicallyrelevant. Ertugliflozin glucuronides had no effect on these isoforms. Overall, ertugliflozin is unlikelyto affect the pharmacokinetics of concurrently administered medicinal products eliminated by theseenzymes.
Ertugliflozin or ertugliflozin glucuronides do not meaningfully inhibit P-gp, OCT2, OAT1, or OAT3transporters or transporting polypeptides OATP1B1 and OATP1B3 at clinically relevantconcentrations in vitro. Overall, ertugliflozin is unlikely to affect the pharmacokinetics of concurrentlyadministered medicinal products that are substrates of these transporters.
5.3 Preclinical safety data
Non-clinical data reveal no special hazard for humans based on conventional studies of safetypharmacology, acute toxicity, repeated dose toxicity, genotoxicity, and carcinogenic potential.
General toxicityRepeat-dose oral toxicity studies were conducted in mice, rats, and dogs for up to 13, 26, and39 weeks, respectively. Signs of toxicity that were considered adverse were generally observed atexposures greater than or equal to 77 times the human unbound exposure (AUC) at the maximumrecommended human dose (MRHD) of 15 mg/day. Most toxicity was consistent with pharmacologyrelated to urinary glucose loss and included decreased body weight and body fat, increased foodconsumption, diarrhoea, dehydration, decreased serum glucose and increases in other serumparameters reflective of increased protein metabolism, gluconeogenesis and electrolyte imbalances,and urinary changes such as polyuria, glucosuria, and calciuria. Microscopic changes related toglucosuria and/or calciuria observed only in rodents included dilatation of renal tubules, hypertrophyof zona glomerulosa in adrenal glands (rats), and increased trabecular bone (rats). Except for emesis,there were no adverse toxicity findings in dogs at 379 times the human unbound exposure (AUC) atthe MRHD of 15 mg/day.
CarcinogenesisIn the 2-year mouse carcinogenicity study, ertugliflozin was administered by oral gavage at doses of 5,15, and 40 mg/kg/day. There were no ertugliflozin-related neoplastic findings at doses up to40 mg/kg/day (approximately 41 times human unbound exposure at the MRHD of 15 mg/day based on
AUC). In the 2-year rat carcinogenicity study, ertugliflozin was administered by oral gavage at dosesof 1.5, 5, and 15 mg/kg/day. Ertugliflozin-related neoplastic findings included an increased incidenceof benign adrenal medullary pheochromocytoma in male rats at 15 mg/kg/day. This finding wasattributed to carbohydrate malabsorption leading to altered calcium homeostasis and was notconsidered relevant to human risk. The no-observed-effect level (NOEL) for neoplasia was5 mg/kg/day (approximately 16 times human unbound exposure at the MRHD of 15 mg/day).
MutagenesisErtugliflozin was not mutagenic or clastogenic with or without metabolic activation in the microbialreverse mutation, in vitro cytogenetic (human lymphocytes), and in vivo rat micronucleus assays.
Reproductive toxicologyIn the rat fertility and embryonic development study, male and female rats were administeredertugliflozin at 5, 25, and 250 mg/kg/day. No effects on fertility were observed at 250 mg/kg/day(approximately 386 times human unbound exposure at the MRHD of 15 mg/day based on AUCcomparisons). Ertugliflozin did not adversely affect developmental outcomes in rats and rabbits atmaternal exposures that were 239 and 1 069 times, respectively, the human exposure at the maximumclinical dose of 15 mg/day, based on AUC. At a maternally toxic dose in rats (250 mg/kg/day), lowerfoetal viability and a higher incidence of a visceral malformation were observed at maternal exposurethat was 510 times the maximum clinical dose of 15 mg/day.
In the pre- and postnatal development study, decreased postnatal growth and development wereobserved in rats administered ertugliflozin gestation day 6 through lactation day 21 at≥ 100 mg/kg/day (estimated 239 times the human exposure at the maximum clinical dose of15 mg/day, based on AUC). Sexual maturation was delayed in both sexes at 250 mg/kg/day (estimated620 times the MRHD at 15 mg/day, based on AUC).
When ertugliflozin was administered to juvenile rats from postnatal day (PND) 21 to PND 90, a periodof renal development corresponding to the late second and third trimesters of human pregnancy,increased kidney weights, dilatation of the renal pelvis and tubules, and renal tubular mineralisationwere seen at an exposure 13 times the maximum clinical dose of 15 mg/day, based on AUC. Effectson bone (shorter femur length, increased trabecular bone in the femur) as well as effects of delayedpuberty were observed at an exposure 817 times the MRHD of 15 mg/day based on AUC. The effectson kidney and bone did not fully reverse after the 1-month recovery period.
6. PHARMACEUTICAL PARTICULARS
6.1 List of excipients
Tablet coreMicrocrystalline cellulose (E460)
Lactose monohydrate
Sodium starch glycolate (Type A)
Magnesium stearate (E470b)
Film coatingHypromellose 2910/6 (E464)
Lactose monohydrate
Macrogol 3350 (E1521)
Triacetin (E1518)
Titanium dioxide (E171)
Iron oxide red (E172)
6.2 Incompatibilities
6.3 Shelf life
6.4 Special precautions for storage
This medicinal product does not require any special storage conditions.
6.5 Nature and contents of container
Alu/PVC/PA/Alu blisters.
Packs of 14, 28, 30, 84, 90 and 98 film-coated tablets in non-perforated blisters.
Packs of 30x1 film-coated tablets in perforated unit dose blisters.
Not all pack sizes may be marketed.
6.6 Special precautions for disposal and other handling
Any unused medicinal product or waste material should be disposed of in accordance with localrequirements.
7. MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER
Merck Sharp & Dohme B.V.
Waarderweg 392031 BN Haarlem
The Netherlands
8. MARKETING AUTHORISATION NUMBER(S)
Steglatro 5 mg film-coated tablets
EU/1/18/1267/001
EU/1/18/1267/002
EU/1/18/1267/003
EU/1/18/1267/004
EU/1/18/1267/005
EU/1/18/1267/006
EU/1/18/1267/013
Steglatro 15 mg film-coated tablets
EU/1/18/1267/007
EU/1/18/1267/008
EU/1/18/1267/009
EU/1/18/1267/010
EU/1/18/1267/011
EU/1/18/1267/012
EU/1/18/1267/014
9. DATE OF FIRST AUTHORISATION/RENEWAL OF THE AUTHORISATION
Date of first authorisation: 21 March 2018
Date of latest renewal: 15 November 2022
10. DATE OF REVISION OF THE TEXT
Detailed information on this medicinal product is available on the website of the European Medicines
Agency http://www.ema.europa.eu.