Men with Primary or Hypogonadal Osteoporosis and Postmenopausal Women with Osteoporosis
The safety of teriparatide in the treatment of osteoporosis in men and postmenopausal women was assessed in two randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials of 1382 patients (21% men, 79% women) aged 28 to 86 years (mean 67 years) [see Clinical Studies (14.1, 14.2)]. The median durations of the trials were 11 months for men and 19 months for women, with 691 patients exposed to teriparatide and 691 patients to placebo. All patients received 1000 mg of calcium plus at least 400 IU of vitamin D supplementation per day.
The incidence of all-cause mortality was 1% in the teriparatide group and 1% in the placebo group. The incidence of serious adverse events was 16% in the teriparatide group and 19% in the placebo group. Early discontinuation due to adverse events occurred in 7% in the teriparatide group and 6% in the placebo group.
Table 1 lists adverse events from these two trials that occurred in ≥2% of teriparatide-treated and more frequently than placebo-treated patients.
Table 1. Percentage of Patients with Adverse Events Reported by at Least 2% of Teriparatide-Treated Patients and in More Teriparatide-Treated Patients than Placebo-Treated Patients from the Two Principal Osteoporosis Trials in Women and Men (Adverse Events are Shown Without Attribution of Causality) | Teriparatide N=691 | Placebo N=691 |
|---|
| Event Classification | (%) | (%) |
|---|
| Body as a Whole | | |
| Pain | 21.3 | 20.5 |
| Headache | 7.5 | 7.4 |
| Asthenia | 8.7 | 6.8 |
| Neck pain | 3.0 | 2.7 |
| Cardiovascular | | |
| Hypertension | 7.1 | 6.8 |
| Angina pectoris | 2.5 | 1.6 |
| Syncope | 2.6 | 1.4 |
| Digestive System | | |
| Nausea | 8.5 | 6.7 |
| Constipation | 5.4 | 4.5 |
| Diarrhea | 5.1 | 4.6 |
| Dyspepsia | 5.2 | 4.1 |
| Vomiting | 3.0 | 2.3 |
| Gastrointestinal disorder | 2.3 | 2.0 |
| Tooth disorder | 2.0 | 1.3 |
| Musculoskeletal | | |
| Arthralgia | 10.1 | 8.4 |
| Leg cramps | 2.6 | 1.3 |
| Nervous System | | |
| Dizziness | 8.0 | 5.4 |
| Depression | 4.1 | 2.7 |
| Insomnia | 4.3 | 3.6 |
| Vertigo | 3.8 | 2.7 |
| Respiratory System | | |
| Rhinitis | 9.6 | 8.8 |
| Cough increased | 6.4 | 5.5 |
| Pharyngitis | 5.5 | 4.8 |
| Dyspnea | 3.6 | 2.6 |
| Pneumonia | 3.9 | 3.3 |
| Skin and Appendages | | |
| Rash | 4.9 | 4.5 |
| Sweating | 2.2 | 1.7 |
Laboratory Findings
Serum Calcium - Teriparatide transiently increased serum calcium, with the maximal effect observed at approximately 4 to 6 hours post-dose. Serum calcium measured at least 16 hours post-dose was not different from pretreatment levels. In clinical trials, the frequency of at least 1 episode of transient hypercalcemia in the 4 to 6 hours after teriparatide administration was 11% of women and 6% of men treated with teriparatide compared to 2% of women and 0% of the men treated with placebo. The percentage of patients treated with teriparatide whose transient hypercalcemia was verified on consecutive measurements was 3% of women and 1% of men.
Urinary Calcium - Teriparatide increased urinary calcium excretion, but the frequency of hypercalciuria in clinical trials was similar for patients treated with teriparatide and placebo [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.2)].
Serum Uric Acid - Teriparatide increased serum uric acid concentrations. In clinical trials, 3% of teriparatide-treated patients had serum uric acid concentrations above the upper limit of normal compared with 1% of placebo-treated patients. However, the hyperuricemia did not result in an increase in gout, arthralgia, or urolithiasis.
Renal Function - No clinically important adverse renal effects were observed in clinical studies. Assessments included creatinine clearance; measurements of blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, and electrolytes in serum; urine specific gravity and pH; and examination of urine sediment.
Men and Women with Glucocorticoid-Induced Osteoporosis
The safety of teriparatide in the treatment of men and women with glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis was assessed in a randomized, double-blind, active-controlled trial of 428 patients (19% men, 81% women) aged 22 to 89 years (mean 57 years) treated with ≥5 mg per day prednisone or equivalent for a minimum of 3 months [see Clinical Studies (14.3)]. The duration of the trial was 18 months with 214 patients exposed to teriparatide and 214 patients exposed to an oral daily bisphosphonate (active control). All patients received 1000 mg of calcium plus 800 IU of vitamin D supplementation per day.
There was no increase in mortality in the teriparatide group compared to the active control group. The incidence of serious adverse events was 21% in teriparatide patients and 18% in active control patients, and included pneumonia (3% teriparatide, 1% active control). Early discontinuation because of adverse events occurred in 15% of teriparatide patients and 12% of active control patients, and included dizziness (2% teriparatide, 0% active control).
Adverse events reported at a higher incidence in the teriparatide group and with at least a 2% difference in teriparatide-treated patients compared with active control-treated patients were: nausea (14%, 7%), gastritis (7%, 3%), pneumonia (6%, 3%), dyspnea (6%, 3%), insomnia (5%, 1%), anxiety (4%, 1%), and herpes zoster (3%, 1%), respectively.
Effects on Mineral Metabolism - Teriparatide affects calcium and phosphorus metabolism in a pattern consistent with the known actions of endogenous PTH (e.g., increases serum calcium and decreases serum phosphorus).
Serum Calcium Concentrations - When teriparatide 20 mcg was administered once daily, the serum calcium concentration increased transiently, beginning approximately 2 hours after dosing and reaching a maximum concentration between 4 and 6 hours (median increase, 0.4 mg/dL). The serum calcium concentration began to decline approximately 6 hours after dosing and returned to baseline by 16 to 24 hours after each dose.
In a clinical study of postmenopausal women with osteoporosis, the median peak serum calcium concentration measured 4 to 6 hours after dosing with teriparatide (20 mcg subcutaneous once daily) was 9.68 mg/dL at 12 months. The peak serum calcium remained below 11 mg/dL in >99% of women at each visit. Sustained hypercalcemia was not observed.
In this study, 11.1% of women treated with teriparatide had at least 1 serum calcium value above the upper limit of normal (ULN) (10.6 mg/dL) compared with 1.5% of women treated with placebo. The percentage of women treated with teriparatide whose serum calcium was above the ULN on consecutive 4- to 6-hour post-dose measurements was 3% compared with 0.2% of women treated with placebo. In these women, calcium supplements and/or teriparatide doses were reduced. The timing of these dose reductions was at the discretion of the investigator. Teriparatide dose adjustments were made at varying intervals after the first observation of increased serum calcium (median 21 weeks). During these intervals, there was no evidence of progressive increases in serum calcium.
In a clinical study of men with either primary or hypogonadal osteoporosis, the effects on serum calcium were similar to those observed in postmenopausal women. The median peak serum calcium concentration measured 4 to 6 hours after dosing with teriparatide was 9.44 mg/dL at 12 months. The peak serum calcium remained below 11 mg/dL in 98% of men at each visit. Sustained hypercalcemia was not observed.
In this study, 6% of men treated with teriparatide daily had at least 1 serum calcium value above the ULN (10.6 mg/dL) compared with none of the men treated with placebo. The percentage of men treated with teriparatide whose serum calcium was above the ULN on consecutive measurements was 1.3% (2 men) compared with none of the men treated with placebo. Calcium supplementation was reduced in these men [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2), Adverse Reactions (6.1)].
In a clinical study of women previously treated for 18 to 39 months with raloxifene (n=26) or alendronate (n=33), mean serum calcium >12 hours after teriparatide treatment was increased by 0.36 to 0.56 mg/dL, after 1 to 6 months of teriparatide treatment compared with baseline. Of the women pretreated with raloxifene, 3 (11.5%) had a serum calcium >11 mg/dL, and of those pretreated with alendronate, 3 (9.1%) had a serum calcium >11 mg/dL. The highest serum calcium reported was 12.5 mg/dL. None of the women had symptoms of hypercalcemia. There were no placebo controls in this study.
In the study of patients with glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis, the effects of teriparatide on serum calcium were similar to those observed in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis not taking glucocorticoids.
Urinary Calcium Excretion - In a clinical study of postmenopausal women with osteoporosis who received 1000 mg of supplemental calcium and at least 400 IU of vitamin D, daily teriparatide increased urinary calcium excretion. The median urinary excretion of calcium was 190 mg/day at 6 months and 170 mg/day at 12 months. These levels were 30 mg/day and 12 mg/day higher, respectively, than in women treated with placebo. The incidence of hypercalciuria (>300 mg/day) was similar in the women treated with teriparatide or placebo.
In a clinical study of men with either primary or hypogonadal osteoporosis who received 1000 mg of supplemental calcium and at least 400 IU of vitamin D, daily teriparatide had inconsistent effects on urinary calcium excretion. The median urinary excretion of calcium was 220 mg/day at 1 month and 210 mg/day at 6 months. These levels were 20 mg/day higher and 8 mg/day lower, respectively, than in men treated with placebo. The incidence of hypercalciuria (>300 mg/day) was similar in the men treated with teriparatide or placebo.
Phosphorus and Vitamin D - In single-dose studies, teriparatide produced transient phosphaturia and mild transient reductions in serum phosphorus concentration. However, hypophosphatemia (<2.4 mg/dL) was not observed in clinical trials with teriparatide.
In clinical trials of daily teriparatide, the median serum concentration of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D was increased at 12 months by 19% in women and 14% in men, compared with baseline. In the placebo group, this concentration decreased by 2% in women and increased by 5% in men. The median serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration at 12 months was decreased by 19% in women and 10% in men compared with baseline. In the placebo group, this concentration was unchanged in women and increased by 1% in men.
In the study of patients with glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis, the effects of teriparatide on serum phosphorus were similar to those observed in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis not taking glucocorticoids.
Effects on Markers of Bone Turnover - Daily administration of teriparatide to men and postmenopausal women with osteoporosis in clinical studies stimulated bone formation, as shown by increases in the formation markers serum bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BSAP) and procollagen I carboxy-terminal propeptide (PICP). Data on biochemical markers of bone turnover were available for the first 12 months of treatment. Peak concentrations of PICP at 1 month of treatment were approximately 41% above baseline, followed by a decline to near-baseline values by 12 months. BSAP concentrations increased by 1 month of treatment and continued to rise more slowly from 6 through 12 months. The maximum increases of BSAP were 45% above baseline in women and 23% in men. After discontinuation of therapy, BSAP concentrations returned toward baseline. The increases in formation markers were accompanied by secondary increases in the markers of bone resorption: urinary N-telopeptide (NTX) and urinary deoxypyridinoline (DPD), consistent with the physiological coupling of bone formation and resorption in skeletal remodeling. Changes in BSAP, NTX, and DPD were lower in men than in women, possibly because of lower systemic exposure to teriparatide in men.
In the study of patients with glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis, the effects of teriparatide on serum markers of bone turnover were similar to those observed in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis not taking glucocorticoids.
Absorption — Teriparatide is absorbed after subcutaneous injection; the absolute bioavailability is approximately 95% based on pooled data from 20-, 40-, and 80-mcg doses (1-, 2-, and 4-times the recommended dosage, respectively). The peptide reaches peak serum concentrations about 30 minutes after subcutaneous injection of a 20-mcg dose and declines to non-quantifiable concentrations within 3 hours.
Distribution — Volume of distribution following intravenous injection is approximately 0.12 L/kg.
Elimination — Systemic clearance of teriparatide (approximately 62 L/hour in women and 94 L/hour in men) exceeds the rate of normal liver plasma flow, consistent with both hepatic and extra-hepatic clearance.
No metabolism or excretion studies have been performed with teriparatide. Peripheral metabolism of PTH is believed to occur by non-specific enzymatic mechanisms in the liver followed by excretion via the kidneys.
Specific Populations
Geriatric Patients - No age-related differences in teriparatide pharmacokinetics were detected (range 31 to 85 years).
Male and Female Patients - Although systemic exposure to teriparatide was approximately 20% to 30% lower in men than women, the recommended dosage for men and women is the same.
Racial Groups - The influence of race has not been determined.
Patients with Renal Impairment - No pharmacokinetic differences were identified in 11 patients with creatinine clearance (CrCl) 30 to 72 mL/minute administered a single dose of teriparatide. In 5 patients with severe renal impairment (CrCl <30 mL/minute), the AUC and T1/2 of teriparatide were increased by 73% and 77%, respectively. Maximum serum concentration of teriparatide was not increased. No studies have been performed in patients undergoing dialysis for chronic renal failure.
Patients with Hepatic Impairment - No studies have been performed in patients with hepatic impairment. Non-specific proteolytic enzymes in the liver (possibly Kupffer cells) cleave PTH(1-34) and PTH(1-84) into fragments that are cleared from the circulation mainly by the kidney.
Drug Interaction Studies
Digoxin — In a study of 15 healthy people administered digoxin daily to steady state, a single teriparatide dose did not alter the effect of digoxin on the systolic time interval (from electrocardiographic Q-wave onset to aortic valve closure, a measure of digoxin's calcium-mediated cardiac effect).
Hydrochlorothiazide — In a study of 20 healthy people, the coadministration of hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg with 40 mcg of teriparatide (2 times the recommended dose) did not affect the serum calcium response to teriparatide. The 24-hour urine excretion of calcium was reduced by a clinically unimportant amount (15%). The effect of coadministration of a higher dose of hydrochlorothiazide with teriparatide on serum calcium levels has not been studied.
Furosemide — In a study of 9 healthy people and 17 patients with CrCl 13 to 72 mL/minute, coadministration of intravenous furosemide (20 to 100 mg) with teriparatide 40 mcg (2 times the recommended dose) resulted in small increases in the serum calcium (2%) and 24 hour urine calcium (37%); however, these changes did not appear to be clinically important.
Effect on Fracture Incidence
New Vertebral Fractures — Teriparatide, when taken with calcium and vitamin D and compared with calcium and vitamin D alone, reduced the risk of 1 or more new vertebral fractures from 14.3% of women in the placebo group to 5.0% in the teriparatide group (444 of the 541 patients treated with 20 mcg once daily of teriparatide were included in this analysis). This difference was statistically significant (p <0.001); the absolute reduction in risk was 9.3% and the relative reduction was 65%. Teriparatide was effective in reducing the risk for vertebral fractures regardless of age, baseline rate of bone turnover, or baseline BMD (see Table 3).
Table 3. Effect of Teriparatide on Risk of Vertebral Fractures in Postmenopausal Women with Osteoporosis| Percent of Women With Fracture |
|---|
| Teriparatide (N=444) | Placebo (N=448) | Absolute Risk Reduction (%, 95% CI) | Relative Risk Reduction (%, 95% CI) |
|---|
| New fracture (≥1) | 5.0 p ≤0.001 compared with placebo. | 14.3 | 9.3 (5.5-13.1) | 65 (45-78) |
| 1 fracture | 3.8 | 9.4 | | |
| 2 fractures | 0.9 | 2.9 | | |
| ≥3 fractures | 0.2 | 2.0 | | |
New Nonvertebral Osteoporotic Fractures — Teriparatide significantly reduced the risk of any nonvertebral fracture from 5.5% in the placebo group to 2.6% in the teriparatide group (p <0.05). The absolute reduction in risk was 2.9% and the relative reduction was 53%. The incidence of new nonvertebral fractures in the teriparatide group compared with the placebo group was ankle/foot (0.2%, 0.7%), hip (0.2%, 0.7%), humerus (0.4%, 0.4%), pelvis (0%, 0.6%), ribs (0.6%, 0.9%), wrist (0.4%, 1.3%), and other sites (1.1%, 1.5%), respectively.
The cumulative percentage of postmenopausal women with osteoporosis who sustained new nonvertebral fractures was lower in women treated with teriparatide than in women treated with placebo (see Figure 1).
Figure 1: Cumulative Percentage of Postmenopausal Women with Osteoporosis Sustaining New Nonvertebral Osteoporotic Fractures
Effect on Bone Mineral Density (BMD)
Teriparatide increased lumbar spine BMD in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. Statistically significant increases were seen at 3 months and continued throughout the treatment period. Postmenopausal women with osteoporosis who were treated with teriparatide had statistically significant increases in BMD from baseline to endpoint at the lumbar spine, femoral neck, total hip, and total body (see Table 4).
Table 4. Mean Percent Change in BMD from Baseline to EndpointIntent-to-treat analysis, last observation carried forward.
in Postmenopausal Women with Osteoporosis, Treated with Teriparatide or Placebo for a Median of 19 Months | Teriparatide N=541 | Placebo N=544 |
|---|
| Lumbar spine BMD | 9.7 p <0.001 compared with placebo. | 1.1 |
| Femoral neck BMD | 2.8 p <0.05 compared with placebo. | -0.7 |
| Total hip BMD | 2.6‡ | -1.0 |
| Trochanter BMD | 3.5‡ | -0.2 |
| Intertrochanter BMD | 2.6‡ | -1.3 |
| Ward's triangle BMD | 4.2‡ | -0.8 |
| Total body BMD | 0.6‡ | -0.5 |
| Distal 1/3 radius BMD | -2.1 | -1.3 |
| Ultradistal radius BMD | -0.1 | -1.6 |
Teriparatide treatment increased lumbar spine BMD from baseline in 96% of postmenopausal women treated. Seventy-two percent of patients treated with teriparatide achieved at least a 5% increase in spine BMD, and 44% gained 10% or more.
Both treatment groups lost height during the trial. The mean decreases were 3.61 and 2.81 mm in the placebo and teriparatide groups, respectively.
Bone Histology
The effects of teriparatide on bone histology were evaluated in iliac crest biopsies of 35 postmenopausal women treated for 12 to 24 months with calcium and vitamin D and teriparatide. Normal mineralization was observed with no evidence of cellular toxicity. The new bone formed with teriparatide was of normal quality (as evidenced by the absence of woven bone and marrow fibrosis).
BONSITY® is a registered trademark of Pfenex, Inc.
Distributed by:
Alvogen, Inc.
Morristown, NJ 07960 USA
PI852-00