| North American Study
|
|
| TOR60
| TAM20
|
| n = 221
| n = 215
|
Hot Flashes
| 35%
| 30%
|
Sweating
| 20%
| 17%
|
Nausea
| 14%
| 15%
|
Vaginal Discharge
| 13%
| 16%
|
Dizziness
| 9%
| 7%
|
Edema
| 5%
| 5%
|
Vomiting
| 4%
| 2%
|
Vaginal Bleeding
| 2%
| 4%
|
Approximately 1% of patients receiving toremifene citrate tablets (n = 592) in the three controlled studies discontinued treatment as a result of adverse reactions (nausea and vomiting, fatigue, thrombophlebitis, depression, lethargy, anorexia, ischemic attack, arthritis, pulmonary embolism, and myocardial infarction).
Serious adverse reactions occurring in at least 1% of patients receiving toremifene citrate tablets in the three major trials are listed in the table below.
Three prospective, randomized, controlled clinical studies (North American, Eastern European, and Nordic) were conducted. The patients were randomized to parallel groups receiving toremifene citrate tablets 60 mg (TOR60) or tamoxifen 20 mg (TAM20) in the North American Study or tamoxifen 40 mg (TAM40) in the Eastern European and Nordic studies. The North American and Eastern European studies also included high-dose toremifene arms of 200 and 240 mg daily, respectively [see Clinical Studies (14)].
Adverse Reactions
| North American
| Eastern European
| Nordic
|
| TOR60
| TAM20
| TOR60
| TAM40
| TOR60
| TAM40
|
| n=221(%)
| n=215(%)
| n=157(%)
| n=149(%)
| n=214(%)
| n=201(%)
|
Cardiac
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cardiac Failure
| 2 (1)
| 1 (<1)
| -
| 1 (<1)
| 2 (1)
| 3 (1.5)
|
Myocardial Infarction
| 2 (1)
| 3 (1.5)
| 1 (<1)
| 2 (1)
| -
| 1 (<1)
|
Arrhythmia
| -
| -
| -
| -
| 3 (1.5)
| 1 (<1)
|
Angina Pectoris
| -
| -
| 1 (<1)
| -
| 1 (<1)
| 2 (1)
|
Ocular*
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cataracts
| 22 (10)
| 16 (7.5)
| -
| -
| -
| 5 (3)
|
Dry Eyes
| 20 (9)
| 16 (7.5)
| -
| -
| -
| -
|
Abnormal Visual Fields
| 8 (4)
| 10 (5)
| -
| -
| -
| 1 (<1)
|
Corneal Keratopathy
| 4 (2)
| 2 (1)
| -
| -
| -
| -
|
Glaucoma
| 3 (1.5)
| 2 (1)
| 1 (<1)
| -
| -
| 1 (<1)
|
Abnormal Vision/Diplopia
| -
| -
| -
| -
| 3 (1.5)
| -
|
Thromboembolic
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pulmonary Embolism
| 4 (2)
| 2 (1)
| 1 (<1)
| -
| -
| 1 (<1)
|
Thrombophlebitis
| -
| 2 (1)
| 1 (<1)
| 1 (<1)
| 4 (2)
| 3 (1.5)
|
Thrombosis
| -
| 1 (<1)
| 1 (<1)
| -
| 3 (1.5)
| 4 (2)
|
CVA/TIA
| 1 (<1)
| -
| -
| 1 (<1)
| 4 (2)
| 4 (2)
|
Elevated Liver Tests**
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
AST
| 11 (5)
| 4 (2)
| 30 (19)
| 22 (15)
| 32 (15)
| 35 (17)
|
Alkaline Phosphatase
| 41 (19)
| 24 (11)
| 16 (10)
| 13 (9)
| 18 (8)
| 31 (15)
|
Bilirubin
| 3 (1.5)
| 4 (2)
| 2 (1)
| 1 (<1)
| 2 (1)
| 3 (1.5)
|
Hypercalcemia
| 6 (3)
| 6 (3)
| 1 (<1)
| -
| -
| -
|
* Most of the ocular abnormalities were observed in the North American Study in which on-study and biannual ophthalmic examinations were performed. No cases of retinopathy were observed in any arm.
** Elevated defined as follows: North American Study: AST >100 IU/L; alkaline phosphatase >200 IU/L; bilirubin > 2 mg/dL. Eastern European and Nordic studies: AST, alkaline phosphatase, and bilirubin – WHO Grade 1 (1.25 times the upper limit of normal).
Other adverse reactions included leukopenia and thrombocytopenia, skin discoloration or dermatitis, constipation, dyspnea, paresis, tremor, vertigo, pruritus, anorexia, reversible corneal opacity (corneal verticulata), asthenia, alopecia, depression, jaundice, and rigors.
The incidence of AST elevations was greater in the 200 and 240 mg toremifene citrate tablets dose arms than in the tamoxifen arms. Higher doses of toremifene citrate tablets were also associated with an increase in nausea.
Approximately 4% of patients were withdrawn for toxicity from the high-dose toremifene citrate tablets treatment arms. Reasons for withdrawal included hypercalcemia, abnormal liver function tests, and one case each of toxic hepatitis, depression, dizziness, incoordination, ataxia, blurry vision, diffuse dermatitis, and a constellation of symptoms consisting of nausea, sweating, and tremor.
Effects on Cardiac Electrophysiology
The effect of 20 mg, 80 mg, and 300 mg of toremifene on QT interval was evaluated in a double-blind, randomized study in healthy male subjects aged 18 to 45 years. The QT interval was measured at steady state of toremifene (Day 5 of dosing), including the time of peak plasma concentration (Tmax), at 13 time points (4 ECGs/time point) over 24 hours post dose in a time matched analysis. The 300 mg dose of toremifene (approximately five times the highest recommended dose 60 mg) was chosen because this dose produces exposure to toremifene that will cover the expected exposures that may result from potential drug interactions and hepatic impairment [see Drug Interactions (7.2)].
Dose and concentration-related increases in the QTc interval and T wave changes were observed (see Table 1). These effects are believed to be caused by toremifene and N-demethyltoremifene. Toremifene had no effects on heart rate, PR and QRS interval duration [see Boxed Warning and Warnings and Precautions (5.1)].
Table 1: QTc Prolongation in Healthy Male Volunteers
Treatment Arm
| Mean (90% CI) ΔΔQTc, ms
| ΔQTc > 60 ms (n, %)
| QTc > 500 ms (n, %)
|
Toremifene 20 mg (N = 47)
| 7 (0.9, 13.6)
| 0
| 0
|
Toremifene 80 mg (N = 47)
| 26 (21.1, 31.2)
| 2 (4.3%)
| 0
|
Toremifene 300 mg (N = 48)
| 65 (60.1, 69.2)
| 43 (89.6%)
| 5 (10.4%)
|