Adverse Reactions in Adults with No Antiretroviral Treatment History
The safety assessment of PIFELTRO used in combination with other antiretroviral agents is based on Week 96 data from two Phase 3, randomized, international, multicenter, double-blind, active-controlled trials (DRIVE-FORWARD (Protocol 018) and DRIVE-AHEAD (Protocol 021)).
In DRIVE-FORWARD, 766 adult subjects received either PIFELTRO 100 mg (n=383) or darunavir 800 mg + ritonavir 100 mg (DRV+r) (n=383) once daily, each in combination with emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (FTC/TDF) or abacavir/lamivudine (ABC/3TC). By Week 96, 2% in the PIFELTRO group and 3% in the DRV+r group had adverse events leading to discontinuation of study medication.
In DRIVE-AHEAD, 728 adult subjects received either DELSTRIGO [doravirine (DOR)/3TC/TDF] (n=364) or efavirenz (EFV)/FTC/TDF once daily (n=364). By Week 96, 3% in the DELSTRIGO group and 7% in the EFV/FTC/TDF group had adverse events leading to discontinuation of study medication.
Adverse reactions reported in greater than or equal to 5% of subjects in any treatment group in DRIVE-FORWARD and DRIVE-AHEAD are presented in Table 1.
Table 1: Adverse ReactionsFrequencies of adverse reactions are based on all adverse events attributed to trial drugs by the investigator.
(All Grades) Reported in ≥5%No adverse reactions of Grade 2 or higher (moderate or severe) occurred in ≥ 2% of subjects treated with doravirine.
of Subjects in Any Treatment Group in Adults with No Antiretroviral Treatment History in DRIVE-FORWARD and DRIVE-AHEAD (Week 96) | DRIVE-FORWARD | DRIVE-AHEAD |
|---|
| PIFELTRO+2 NRTIs NRTI = nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor. Once Daily N=383 | DRV+r+2 NRTIs Once Daily N=383 | DELSTRIGO Once Daily N=364 | EFV/FTC/TDF Once Daily N=364 |
|---|
NRTIs = FTC/TDF or ABC/3TC. Fatigue: includes fatigue, asthenia, malaise Abdominal Pain: includes abdominal discomfort, abdominal pain, abdominal pain lower, abdominal pain upper, epigastric discomfort Rash: includes rash, rash erythematous, rash generalized, rash macular, rash maculo-papular, rash papular, rash pruritic, rash pustular |
| Nausea | 7% | 8% | 5% | 7% |
| Headache | 6% | 3% | 4% | 5% |
| Fatigue | 6% | 3% | 4% | 4% |
| Diarrhea | 6% | 13% | 4% | 6% |
| Abdominal Pain | 5% | 2% | 1% | 2% |
| Dizziness | 3% | 2% | 7% | 32% |
| Rash | 2% | 3% | 2% | 12% |
| Abnormal Dreams | 1% | <1% | 5% | 10% |
| Insomnia | 1% | 2% | 4% | 5% |
| Somnolence | 0% | <1% | 3% | 7% |
The majority (77%) of adverse reactions associated with doravirine occurred at severity Grade 1 (mild).
Neuropsychiatric Adverse Events
For DRIVE-AHEAD, the analysis of subjects with neuropsychiatric adverse events by Week 48 is presented in Table 2. The proportion of subjects who reported one or more neuropsychiatric adverse events was 24% and 57% in the DELSTRIGO and EFV/FTC/TDF groups, respectively.
A statistically significantly lower proportion of DELSTRIGO-treated subjects compared to EFV/FTC/TDF-treated subjects reported neuropsychiatric adverse events by Week 48 in the three pre-specified categories of dizziness, sleep disorders and disturbances, and altered sensorium.
Table 2: DRIVE-AHEAD - Analysis of Subjects with Neuropsychiatric Adverse EventsAll causality and all grade events were included in the analysis.
(Week 48) | DELSTRIGO Once Daily N=364 | EFV/FTC/TDF Once Daily N=364 | Treatment Difference DELSTRIGO - EFV/FTC/TDF Estimate (95% CI)The 95% CIs were calculated using Miettinen and Nurminen's method. Categories pre-specified for statistical testing were dizziness (p <0.001), sleep disorders and disturbances (p <0.001), and altered sensorium (p=0.033). |
|---|
| Sleep disorders and disturbances Predefined using MedDRA preferred terms, including: abnormal dreams, hyposomnia, initial insomnia, insomnia, nightmare, sleep disorder, somnambulism. | 12% | 26% | -13.5 (-19.1, -7.9) |
| Dizziness | 9% | 37% | -28.3 (-34.0, -22.5) |
| Altered sensorium Predefined using MedDRA preferred terms, including: altered state of consciousness, lethargy, somnolence, syncope. | 4% | 8% | -3.8 (-7.6, -0.3) |
Neuropsychiatric adverse events in the pre-defined category of depression and suicide/self-injury were reported in 4% and 7% of subjects, in the DELSTRIGO and EFV/FTC/TDF groups, respectively.
In DRIVE-AHEAD through 48 weeks of treatment, the majority of subjects who reported neuropsychiatric adverse events reported events that were mild to moderate in severity (97% [83/86] and 96% [198/207], in the DELSTRIGO and EFV/FTC/TDF groups, respectively) and the majority of subjects reported these events in the first 4 weeks of treatment (72% [62/86] in the DELSTRIGO group and 86% [177/207] in the EFV/FTC/TDF group).
Neuropsychiatric adverse events led to treatment discontinuation in 1% (2/364) and 1% (5/364) of subjects in the DELSTRIGO and EFV/FTC/TDF groups, respectively. The proportion of subjects who reported neuropsychiatric adverse events through Week 4 was 17% (62/364) in the DELSTRIGO group and 49% (177/364) in the EFV/FTC/TDF group. At Week 48, the prevalence of neuropsychiatric adverse events was 12% (44/364) in the DELSTRIGO group and 22% (81/364) in the EFV/FTC/TDF group. At Week 96, the prevalence of neuropsychiatric adverse events was 13% (47/364) in the DELSTRIGO group and 23% (82/364) in the EFV/FTC/TDF group.
Laboratory Abnormalities
The percentages of subjects with selected laboratory abnormalities (that represent a worsening from baseline) who were treated with PIFELTRO or DRV+r in DRIVE-FORWARD, or DELSTRIGO or EFV/FTC/TDF in DRIVE-AHEAD are presented in Table 3.
Table 3: Selected Laboratory Abnormalities Reported in Adult Subjects with No Antiretroviral Treatment History in DRIVE-FORWARD and DRIVE-AHEAD (Week 96) | DRIVE-FORWARD | DRIVE-AHEAD |
|---|
| Laboratory Parameter Preferred Term (Unit)/Limit | PIFELTRO+2 NRTIs Once Daily N=383 | DRV+r+2 NRTIs Once Daily N=383 | DELSTRIGO Once Daily N=364 | EFV/FTC/TDF Once Daily N=364 |
|---|
| Blood Chemistry | |
|---|
Each subject is only counted once per parameter at the highest toxicity grade. Only subjects with a baseline value and at least one on-treatment value for a given laboratory parameter are included. ULN = Upper limit of normal range. Note: NRTIs = FTC/TDF or ABC/3TC. |
| Total bilirubin | | |
| 1.1 - < 1.6 × ULN | 6% | 2% | 5% | 0% |
| 1.6 - <2.6 × ULN | 2% | <1% | 2% | 0% |
| ≥2.6 × ULN | <1% | 0% | 1% | <1% |
| Creatinine (mg/dL) | |
| >1.3 - 1.8 × ULN or Increase of >0.3 mg/dL above baseline | 4% | 6% | 3% | 2% |
| >1.8 × ULN or Increase of ≥1.5 × above baseline | 4% | 4% | 3% | 2% |
| Aspartate aminotransferase (IU/L) | | |
| 2.5 - <5.0 × ULN | 5% | 4% | 3% | 3% |
| ≥5.0 × ULN | 2% | 2% | 1% | 4% |
| Alanine aminotransferase (IU/L) | | |
| 2.5 - <5.0 × ULN | 4% | 2% | 4% | 4% |
| ≥5.0 × ULN | 2% | 3% | 1% | 3% |
| Alkaline phosphatase (IU/L) | | |
| 2.5 - <5.0 × ULN | <1% | 1% | <1% | 1% |
| ≥5.0 × ULN | 0% | <1% | 0% | <1% |
| Lipase | | |
| 1.5 - <3.0 × ULN | 7% | 6% | 6% | 4% |
| ≥3.0 × ULN | 3% | 4% | 2% | 3% |
| Creatine kinase (IU/L) | | |
| 6.0 - <10.0 × ULN | 3% | 3% | 3% | 3% |
| ≥10.0 × ULN | 5% | 6% | 4% | 6% |
| Cholesterol, fasted (mg/dL) |
| ≥300 mg/dL | 0% | 1% | 1% | <1% |
| LDL cholesterol, fasted (mg/dL) |
| ≥190 mg/dL | <1% | 4% | <1% | 2% |
| Triglycerides, fasted (mg/dL) |
| >500 mg/dL | 1% | 2% | 1% | 3% |
Change in Lipids from Baseline
For DRIVE-FORWARD and DRIVE-AHEAD, changes from baseline at Week 48 in LDL-cholesterol, non-HDL-cholesterol, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and HDL-cholesterol are shown in Table 4. Changes from baseline at Week 96 were similar to those seen at Week 48.
The LDL and non-HDL comparisons were pre-specified and are summarized in Table 4. The differences were statistically significant, showing superiority for doravirine for both parameters. The clinical benefit of these findings has not been demonstrated.
Table 4: Mean Change from Baseline in Fasting Lipids in Adult Subjects with No Antiretroviral Treatment History in DRIVE-FORWARD and DRIVE-AHEAD (Week 48)| Subjects on lipid-lowering agents at baseline were excluded from these analyses (in DRIVE-FORWARD: PIFELTRO n=12 and DRV+r n=14; in DRIVE-AHEAD: DELSTRIGO n=15 and EFV/FTC/TDF n=10). Subjects initiating a lipid-lowering agent post-baseline had their last fasted on-treatment value (prior to starting the agent) carried forward (in DRIVE-FORWARD: PIFELTRO n=6 and DRV+r n=4; in DRIVE-AHEAD: DELSTRIGO n=3 and EFV/FTC/TDF n=8). |
| DRIVE-FORWARD | |
| PIFELTRO+2 NRTIs Once Daily N=320 | DRV+r+2 NRTIs Once Daily N=311 | |
| Laboratory Parameter Preferred Term | Baseline | Change | Baseline | Change | Difference Estimates (95% CI) |
| LDL-Cholesterol (mg/dL) p-values for the pre-specified hypothesis testing for treatment difference were <0.0001 in both DRIVE-FORWARD and DRIVE-AHEAD. | 91.4 | -4.6 | 92.3 | 9.5 | -14.4 (-18.0, -10.8) |
| Non-HDL Cholesterol (mg/dL) | 113.6 | -5.4 | 114.5 | 13.7 | -19.4 (-23.4, -15.4) |
| Total Cholesterol (mg/dL) Not pre-specified for hypothesis testing. | 157.2 | -1.4 | 157.8 | 18.0 | - |
| Triglycerides (mg/dL) | 111.0 | -3.1 | 113.7 | 24.5 | - |
| HDL-Cholesterol (mg/dL) | 43.6 | 4.0 | 43.3 | 4.3 | - |
| DRIVE-AHEAD |
| DELSTRIGO Once Daily N=320 | EFV/FTC/TDF Once Daily N=307 | |
| Laboratory Parameter Preferred Term | Baseline | Change | Baseline | Change | Difference Estimates (95% CI) |
| LDL-Cholesterol (mg/dL) | 91.7 | -2.1 | 91.3 | 8.3 | -10.2 (-13.8, -6.7) |
| Non-HDL Cholesterol (mg/dL) | 114.7 | -4.1 | 115.3 | 12.7 | -16.9 (-20.8, -13.0) |
| Total Cholesterol (mg/dL) | 156.8 | -2.2 | 156.8 | 21.1 | - |
| Triglycerides (mg/dL) | 118.7 | -12.0 | 122.6 | 21.6 | - |
| HDL-Cholesterol (mg/dL) | 42.1 | 1.8 | 41.6 | 8.4 | - |
Adverse Reactions in Virologically-Suppressed Adults
The safety of DELSTRIGO in virologically-suppressed adults was based on Week 48 data from 670 subjects in the DRIVE-SHIFT trial (Protocol 024), a randomized, international, multicenter, open-label trial in which virologically-suppressed subjects were switched from a baseline regimen consisting of two NRTIs in combination with a protease inhibitor (PI) plus either ritonavir or cobicistat, or elvitegravir plus cobicistat, or a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) to DELSTRIGO. Overall, the safety profile in virologically-suppressed adult subjects was similar to that in subjects with no antiretroviral treatment history.
Laboratory Abnormalities
Serum ALT and AST Elevations: In the DRIVE-SHIFT trial, 22% and 16% of subjects in the immediate switch group experienced ALT and AST elevations greater than 1.25 × ULN, respectively, through 48 weeks on DELSTRIGO. For these ALT and AST elevations, no apparent patterns with regard to time to onset relative to switch were observed. One percent of subjects had ALT or AST elevations greater than 5 × ULN through 48 weeks on DELSTRIGO. The ALT and AST elevations were generally asymptomatic and not associated with bilirubin elevations. In comparison, 4% and 4% of subjects in the delayed switch group experienced ALT and AST elevations of greater than 1.25 × ULN through 24 weeks on their baseline regimen.
Change in Lipids from Baseline
Changes from baseline at Week 24 in LDL-cholesterol, non-HDL-cholesterol, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and HDL-cholesterol in subjects on a PI plus ritonavir-based regimen at baseline are shown in Table 5. The LDL and non-HDL comparisons were pre-specified, and the differences were statistically significant, showing superiority for an immediate switch to DELSTRIGO for both parameters. The clinical benefit of these findings has not been demonstrated.
Table 5: Mean Change from Baseline in Fasting Lipids in Adult Virologically-Suppressed Subjects on a PI plus Ritonavir-based Regimen at Baseline in DRIVE-SHIFT (Week 24)| Laboratory Parameter Preferred Term | DELSTRIGO (Week 0-24) Once Daily N=244 | PI+ritonavir (Week 0-24) Once Daily N=124 | Difference Estimates |
|---|
| Baseline | Change | Baseline | Change | Difference (95% CI) |
|---|
| Subjects on lipid-lowering agents at baseline were excluded from these analyses (DELSTRIGO n=26 and PI+ritonavir n=13). |
| Subjects initiating a lipid-lowering agent post-baseline had their last fasted on-treatment value (prior to starting the agent) carried forward (DELSTRIGO n=4 and PI+ritonavir n=2). |
| LDL-Cholesterol (mg/dL) P-value for the pre-specified hypothesis testing for treatment difference was <0.0001. | 108.7 | -16.3 | 110.5 | -2.6 | -14.5 (-18.9, -10.1) |
| Non-HDL Cholesterol (mg/dL) | 138.6 | -24.8 | 138.8 | -2.1 | -22.8 (-27.9, -17.7) |
| Total Cholesterol (mg/dL) Not pre-specified for hypothesis testing. | 188.5 | -26.1 | 187.4 | -0.2 | - |
| Triglycerides (mg/dL) | 153.1 | -44.4 | 151.4 | -0.4 | - |
| HDL-Cholesterol (mg/dL) | 50.0 | -1.3 | 48.5 | 1.9 | - |
Adverse Reactions in Pediatric Patients
The safety of doravirine as a component of DELSTRIGO was evaluated in 45 HIV-1-infected virologically-suppressed or treatment-naïve pediatric patients 12 to less than 18 years of age through Week 24 in an open-label trial (IMPAACT 2014 (Protocol 027)) [see Clinical Studies (14.3)]. The safety profile in pediatric subjects was similar to that in adults. There were no serious or Grade 3 or 4 adverse reactions. No subjects discontinued due to an adverse event.
Pregnancy Exposure Registry
There is a pregnancy exposure registry that monitors pregnancy outcomes in individuals exposed to PIFELTRO during pregnancy. Healthcare providers are encouraged to register patients by calling the Antiretroviral Pregnancy Registry (APR) at 1-800-258-4263.
Risk Summary
No adequate human data are available to establish whether or not PIFELTRO poses a risk to pregnancy outcomes. In animal reproduction studies, no adverse developmental effects were observed when doravirine was administered at exposures ≥8 times the exposure in humans at the recommended human dose (RHD) of PIFELTRO (see Data).
The background rate of major birth defects is 2.7% in a U.S. reference population of the Metropolitan Atlanta Congenital Defects Program (MACDP). The rate of miscarriage is not reported in the APR. The estimated background rate of miscarriage in the clinically recognized pregnancies in the U.S. general population is 15-20%. Methodological limitations of the APR include the use of MACDP as the external comparator group. The MACDP population is not disease-specific, evaluates individuals and infants from the limited geographic area, and does not include outcomes for births that occurred at less than 20 weeks gestation.
Data
Animal Data
Doravirine was administered orally to pregnant rabbits (up to 300 mg/kg/day on gestation days (GD) 7 to 20) and rats (up to 450 mg/kg/day on GD 6 to 20 and separately from GD 6 to lactation/postpartum day 20). No significant toxicological effects on embryo-fetal (rats and rabbits) or pre/post-natal (rats) development were observed at exposures (AUC) approximately 9 times (rats) and 8 times (rabbits) the exposure in humans at the RHD. Doravirine was transferred to the fetus through the placenta in embryo-fetal studies, with fetal plasma concentrations of up to 40% (rabbits) and 52% (rats) that of maternal concentrations observed on gestation day 20.
Risk Summary
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that HIV-1-infected mothers in the United States not breastfeed their infants to avoid risking potential transmission of HIV-1 infection.
It is unknown whether doravirine is present in human milk, affects human milk production, or has effects on the breastfed infant. Doravirine is present in the milk of lactating rats (see Data). Because of the potential for (1) HIV-1 transmission (in HIV-negative infants), (2) developing viral resistance (in HIV-positive infants), and (3) serious adverse reactions in a breastfed infant, instruct mothers not to breastfeed if they are receiving PIFELTRO.
Data
Doravirine was excreted into the milk of lactating rats following oral administration (450 mg/kg/day) from gestation day 6 to lactation day 14, with milk concentrations approximately 1.5 times that of maternal plasma concentrations observed 2 hours post dose on lactation day 14.
Cardiac Electrophysiology
At a doravirine dose of 1200 mg, which provides approximately 4 times the peak concentration observed following the recommended dose of PIFELTRO, doravirine does not prolong the QT interval to any clinically relevant extent.
Specific Populations
In adults, no clinically significant difference on the pharmacokinetics of doravirine were observed based on age (18 to 78 years of age), sex, and race/ethnicity, mild to severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance (CLcr) >15 mL/min, estimated by Cockcroft-Gault), or moderate hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh B). The pharmacokinetics of doravirine in patients with end-stage renal disease or undergoing dialysis, or severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh C) is unknown.
Patients with Renal Impairment
In a study comparing 8 subjects with severe renal impairment to 8 subjects without renal impairment, the single dose exposure of doravirine was 43% higher in subjects with severe renal impairment. In a population pharmacokinetic analysis, renal function did not have a clinically relevant effect on doravirine pharmacokinetics. Doravirine has not been studied in patients with end-stage renal disease or in patients undergoing dialysis [see Use in Specific Populations (8.6)].
Patients with Hepatic Impairment
No clinically significant difference in the pharmacokinetics of doravirine was observed in subjects with moderate hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh score B) compared to subjects without hepatic impairment. Doravirine has not been studied in subjects with severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh score C) [see Use in Specific Populations (8.7)].
Pediatric Patients
Mean doravirine exposures were similar in 54 pediatric patients aged 12 to less than 18 years and weighing at least 35 kg who received doravirine or DELSTRIGO in IMPAACT 2014 (Protocol 027) relative to adults following administration of doravirine or DELSTRIGO (Table 8). For pediatric patients weighing ≥ 35 kg and < 45 kg who receive doravirine 100 mg or DELSTRIGO, the population pharmacokinetic model-predicted mean C24 of doravirine was comparable to that achieved in adults, whereas mean AUC0-24 and Cmax of doravirine were 25% and 36% higher than adult values, respectively. However, the predicted AUC0-24 and Cmax increases are not considered clinically significant.
Table 8: Steady State Pharmacokinetics for Doravirine Following Administration of Doravirine or DELSTRIGO in HIV-1-Infected Pediatric Patients Aged 12 to Less than 18 Years and Weighing at Least 35 kg| Parameter Presented as geometric mean (%CV: geometric coefficient of variation) | Doravirine From population PK analysis (n=53 weighing ≥45 kg, n=1 weighing ≥35 kg to <45 kg) |
|---|
| Abbreviations: AUC=area under the time concentration curve; Cmax=maximum concentration; C24=concentration at 24 hours |
AUC0-24 (mcg∙h/mL) | 16.4 (24) |
Cmax (mcg/mL) | 1.03 (16) |
C24 (mcg/mL) | 0.379 (42) |
Drug Interaction Studies
Doravirine is primarily metabolized by CYP3A, and drugs that induce or inhibit CYP3A may affect the clearance of doravirine. Co-administration of doravirine and drugs that induce CYP3A may result in decreased plasma concentrations of doravirine. Co-administration of doravirine and drugs that inhibit CYP3A may result in increased plasma concentrations of doravirine.
Doravirine is not likely to have a clinically relevant effect on the exposure of medicinal products metabolized by CYP enzymes. Doravirine did not inhibit major drug metabolizing enzymes in vitro, including CYPs 1A2, 2B6, 2C8, 2C9, 2C19, 2D6, 3A4, and UGT1A1 and is not likely to be an inducer of CYP1A2, 2B6, or 3A4. Based on in vitro assays, doravirine is not likely to be an inhibitor of OATP1B1, OATP1B3, P-glycoprotein, BSEP, OAT1, OAT3, OCT2, MATE1, and MATE2K. Drug interaction studies were performed with doravirine and other drugs likely to be co-administered or commonly used as probes for pharmacokinetic interactions. The effects of co-administration with other drugs on the exposure (Cmax, AUC, and C24) of doravirine are summarized in Table 9. A single doravirine 100 mg dose was administered in these studies unless otherwise noted.
Table 9: Drug Interactions: Changes in Pharmacokinetic Parameter Values of Doravirine in the Presence of Co-administered Drug| Co-administered Drug | Regimen of Co-administered Drug | N | Geometric Mean Ratio (90% CI) of Doravirine Pharmacokinetics with/without Co-administered Drug (No Effect=1.00) |
|---|
| AUC AUC0-∞ for single-dose, AUC0-24 for once daily. | Cmax | C24 |
|---|
| CI = confidence interval; QD = once daily; BID = twice daily |
| Azole Antifungal Agents |
| ketoconazole Changes in doravirine pharmacokinetic values are not clinically relevant. | 400 mg QD | 10 | 3.06 (2.85, 3.29) | 1.25 (1.05, 1.49) | 2.75 (2.54, 2.98) |
| Antimycobacterials |
| rifampin | 600 mg QD | 10 | 0.12 (0.10, 0.15) | 0.43 (0.35, 0.52) | 0.03 (0.02, 0.04) |
| rifabutin | 300 mg QD | 12 | 0.50 (0.45, 0.55) | 0.99 (0.85, 1.15) | 0.32 (0.28, 0.35) |
| 300 mg QD Doravirine 100 mg BID resulted in similar pharmacokinetic values when compared to 100 mg QD without rifabutin. | 15 | 1.03 (0.94, 1.14) | 0.97 (0.87, 1.08) | 0.98 (0.88, 1.10) |
| HIV Antiviral Agents |
| ritonavir, A single doravirine 50 mg dose (0.5 times the recommended approved dose) was administered. | 100 mg BID | 8 | 3.54 (3.04, 4.11) | 1.31 (1.17, 1.46) | 2.91 (2.33, 3.62) |
| efavirenz | 600 mg QD The first day following the cessation of efavirenz therapy and initiation of doravirine 100 mg QD. | 17 | 0.38 (0.33, 0.45) | 0.65 (0.58, 0.73) | 0.15 (0.10, 0.23) |
| 600 mg QD 14 days following the cessation of efavirenz therapy and initiation of doravirine 100 mg QD. | 17 | 0.68 (0.58, 0.80) | 0.86 (0.77, 0.97) | 0.50 (0.39, 0.64) |
Based on drug interaction studies conducted with doravirine, no clinically significant drug interactions have been observed following the co-administration of doravirine and the following drugs: dolutegravir, ritonavir, TDF, lamivudine, elbasvir and grazoprevir, ledipasvir and sofosbuvir, ketoconazole, aluminum hydroxide/magnesium hydroxide/simethicone containing antacid, pantoprazole, atorvastatin, an oral contraceptive containing ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel, metformin, methadone, and midazolam.
Mechanism of Action
Doravirine is a pyridinone non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor of HIV-1 and inhibits HIV-1 replication by non-competitive inhibition of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT). The inhibitory concentration at 50% (IC50) of doravirine for RNA-dependent DNA polymerization of recombinant wild-type HIV-1 RT in a biochemical assay was 12.2±2.0 nM (n=3). Doravirine does not inhibit the human cellular DNA polymerases α, β, and mitochondrial DNA polymerase γ.
Antiviral Activity in Cell Culture
Doravirine exhibited an EC50 value of 12.0±4.4 nM against wild-type laboratory strains of HIV-1 when tested in the presence of 100% normal human serum (NHS) using MT4-GFP reporter cells and a median EC50 value for HIV-1 subtype B primary isolates (n=118) of 4.1 nM (range: 1.0 nM-16.0 nM). Doravirine demonstrated antiviral activity against a broad panel of primary HIV-1 isolates (A, A1, AE, AG, B, BF, C, D, G, H) with EC50 values ranging from 1.2 nM to 10.0 nM.
Antiviral Activity in Combination with other HIV Antiviral Agents
The antiviral activity of doravirine in cell culture was not antagonistic when combined with the NNRTIs delavirdine, efavirenz, etravirine, nevirapine, or rilpivirine; the NRTIs abacavir, didanosine, emtricitabine, lamivudine, stavudine, tenofovir DF, or zidovudine; the PIs darunavir or indinavir; the gp41 fusion inhibitor enfuvirtide; the CCR5 co-receptor antagonist maraviroc; or the integrase strand transfer inhibitor raltegravir.
Resistance
In Cell Culture
Doravirine-resistant strains were selected in cell culture starting from wild-type HIV-1 of different origins and subtypes, as well as NNRTI-resistant HIV-1. Observed emergent amino acid substitutions in RT included: V106A, V106I, V106M, V108I, H221Y, F227C, F227I, F227L, F227V, M230I, L234I, P236L, and Y318F. The V106A, V106M, V108I, H221Y, F227C, M230I, P236L, and Y318F substitutions conferred 3.4-fold to 70-fold reductions in susceptibility to doravirine. Y318F in combination with V106A, V106M, V108I, and F227C conferred greater decreases in susceptibility to doravirine than Y318F alone, which conferred a 10-fold reduction in susceptibility to doravirine.
In Clinical Trials
Clinical Trial Results in Adults with No Antiretroviral Treatment History
In the doravirine treatment arms of the DRIVE-FORWARD and DRIVE-AHEAD trials (n=747) through Week 96, 13 subjects showed the emergence of doravirine resistance-associated substitutions in their HIV among 36 (36%) subjects in the resistance analysis subset (subjects with HIV-1 RNA greater than 400 copies per mL at virologic failure or early study discontinuation and having post-baseline resistance samples). Emergent doravirine resistance-associated substitutions in RT included one or more of the following: V90G/I, A98G, V106A, V106I, V106M/T, V108I, E138G, Y188L, H221Y, P225H, P225L, P225P/S, F227C, F227C/R, Y318Y/F and Y318Y/S. Eight of 13 (62%) subjects with emergent doravirine resistance-associated substitutions showed doravirine phenotypic resistance and most of them had at least a 100-fold reduction in doravirine susceptibility (range >95- to >211–fold reduction in doravirine susceptibility). The other 5 virologic failures who had only amino acid mixtures of NNRTI resistance substitutions showed doravirine phenotypic fold-changes of less than 2-fold. Of the 36 subjects in the resistance analysis subset, 10 subjects (28%) developed genotypic and/or phenotypic resistance to the other drugs (abacavir, emtricitabine, lamivudine, or tenofovir) in the regimens of the DRIVE-FORWARD and DRIVE-AHEAD trials. The resistance-associated substitutions that emerged were RT M41L (n=1), A62A/V (n=1), K65R (n=2), T69T/A (n=1), V75V/I (n=1), and M184I or V (n=7).
In the DRV/r treatment arm of the DRIVE-FORWARD trial (n=383) through Week 96, no subjects showed the emergence of darunavir resistance-associated substitutions among 15 subjects with resistance data and 2 of the subjects had emergent genotypic or phenotypic resistance to lamivudine or tenofovir. In the EFV/FTC/TDF treatment arm of the DRIVE-AHEAD trial (n=364) through Week 96, 15 subjects showed the emergence of efavirenz resistance-associated substitutions among 25 (60%) subjects in the resistance analysis subset and genotypic resistance to emtricitabine or tenofovir developed in 5 evaluable subjects; emergent resistance-associated substitutions were RT K65R (n=1), D67G/K70E (n=1), L74V/V75M/V118I (n=1), M184I or V (n=5), and K219K/E (n=1).
Clinical Trial Results in Virologically-Suppressed Adults
In the DRIVE-SHIFT clinical trial [see Clinical Studies (14.2)], there were 6 subjects in the immediate switch group (n=447) and 2 subjects in the delayed switch group (n=209) who met the protocol-defined virologic failure criteria (confirmed HIV-1 RNA ≥ 50 copies/mL). Two of the 6 virologic failure subjects in the immediate switch group had available resistance data and neither developed detectable genotypic or phenotypic resistance to doravirine, lamivudine, or tenofovir during treatment with DELSTRIGO. One of the two virologic failure subjects in the delayed switch group who had available resistance data developed the RT M184M/I substitution and phenotypic resistance to emtricitabine and lamivudine during treatment with their baseline regimen.
Cross-Resistance
Cross-resistance has been observed among NNRTIs. Treatment-emergent doravirine resistance-associated substitutions can confer cross-resistance to efavirenz, etravirine, nevirapine, and rilpivirine. Of the 8 virologic failure subjects who developed doravirine phenotypic resistance, all had phenotypic resistance to nevirapine, 6 had phenotypic resistance to efavirenz, 4 had phenotypic resistance to rilpivirine, and 4 had resistance to etravirine in the Monogram PhenoSense assay. Of the 11 virologic failure subjects in DRIVE-AHEAD phenotypically resistant to efavirenz, 2 (18%) had decreased susceptibility to doravirine (18- and 36-fold).
The treatment-emergent doravirine resistance-associated substitution Y318F did not confer reduced susceptibility to efavirenz, etravirine, or rilpivirine.
A panel of 96 diverse clinical isolates containing NNRTI resistance-associated substitutions was evaluated for susceptibility to doravirine. Clinical isolates containing the Y188L substitution alone or in combination with K103N or V106I, V106A in combination with G190A and F227L, or E138K in combination with Y181C and M230L showed greater than 100-fold reduced susceptibility to doravirine.
Carcinogenesis
Doravirine was not carcinogenic in long-term oral carcinogenicity studies in mice and rats at exposures up to 6 and 7 times, respectively, the human exposures at the RHD. A statistically significant incidence of thyroid parafollicular cell adenoma and carcinoma seen only in female rats at the high dose was within the range observed in historical controls.
Mutagenesis
Doravirine was not genotoxic in a battery of in vitro or in vivo assays, including microbial mutagenesis, chromosomal aberration in Chinese hamster ovary cells, and in in vivo rat micronucleus assays.
Impairment of fertility
There were no effects on fertility, mating performance or early embryonic development when doravirine was administered to rats at systemic exposures (AUC) approximately 7 times the exposure in humans at the RHD.
Drug Interactions
Inform patients that PIFELTRO may interact with certain other drugs; therefore, advise patients to report to their healthcare provider the use of any other prescription or nonprescription medication or herbal products, including St. John's wort [see Contraindications (4), Warnings and Precautions (5.1), and Drug Interactions (7.1)].
For patients concomitantly receiving rifabutin, take one tablet of PIFELTRO twice daily (approximately 12 hours apart) [see Dosage and Administration (2.2)].
Immune Reconstitution Syndrome
Inform patients that in some patients with advanced HIV infection (AIDS), signs and symptoms of inflammation from previous infections may occur soon after anti-HIV treatment is started. It is believed that these symptoms are due to an improvement in the body's immune response, enabling the body to fight infections that may have been present with no obvious symptoms. Advise patients to inform their healthcare provider immediately of any symptoms of infection [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)].
Dosing Instructions
Advise patients to take PIFELTRO every day at a regularly scheduled time with or without food. Inform patients that it is important not to miss or skip doses as it can result in development of resistance. If a patient forgets to take PIFELTRO, tell the patient to take the missed dose right away, unless it is almost time for the next dose. Advise the patient not to take 2 doses at one time and to take the next dose at the regularly scheduled time.
Pregnancy Registry
Inform patients that there is an antiretroviral pregnancy registry to monitor fetal outcomes in pregnant individuals exposed to PIFELTRO [see Use in Specific Populations (8.1)].
Lactation
Instruct mothers with HIV-1 infection not to breastfeed because HIV-1 can be passed to the baby in breast milk [see Use in Specific Populations (8.2)].
Manufactured for: Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC
Rahway, NJ 07065, USA
For patent information: www.msd.com/research/patent
The trademarks depicted herein are owned by their respective companies.
Copyright © 2018-2022 Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, and its affiliates.
All rights reserved.
uspi-mk1439-t-2206r005
Manufactured for: Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC
Rahway, NJ 07065, USA
U.S. License No. 0002
For patent information: www.msd.com/research/patent
The trademarks depicted herein are owned by their respective companies.
Copyright © 2018-2022 Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, and its affiliates.
All rights reserved.
usppi-mk1439-t-2206r003
For more information, go to www.PIFELTRO.com or call 1-877-888-4231.
This Patient Information has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Revised: 06/2022