Prucalopride 1 mg Film Coated · Tablets

Prucalopride, a selective serotonin type 4 (5-HT4) receptor agonist, is a gastrointestinal (GI) prokinetic agent that stimulates colonic peristalsis (high-amplitude propagating contractions [HAPCs]), which increases bowel motility.

Prucalopride was devoid of effects mediated via 5-HT2A, 5-HT2B, 5-HT3, motilin or CCK-A receptors in vitro at concentrations exceeding 5-HT4 receptor affinity by 150-fold or greater. In isolated GI tissues from various animal species, prucalopride facilitated acetylcholine release to enhance the amplitude of contractions and stimulate peristalsis. In rats and dogs, prucalopride stimulated gastrointestinal motility with contractions starting from the proximal colon to the anal sphincter.

The pharmacokinetics of prucalopride has been evaluated in healthy subjects and is dose-proportional within and beyond the therapeutic range (tested up to 20 mg, 10 times the maximum approved recommended dose). Prucalopride administered once daily displays time-independent kinetics during prolonged treatment. With once daily administration of 2 mg prucalopride, pharmacokinetic steady-state is attained within 3 to 4 days, and steady-state plasma concentrations fluctuate between trough and peak values of 2.5 and 7 ng/mL, respectively, with mean plasma AUC0-24h of 109 ng∙h/mL. The accumulation ratio after once daily dosing ranged from 1.9 to 2.3. The terminal half-life is approximately 1 day.

Pharmacokinetic parameters in patients with CIC are similar to those seen in healthy subjects.

Absorption — Following a single oral dose of 2 mg prucalopride in healthy subjects, peak plasma concentrations are observed within 2 to 3 hours after administration. The absolute oral bioavailability is >90%.

Effect of Food — Concomitant intake with a high-fat meal (1,000 kcal total, 500 kcal from fat) does not influence the oral bioavailability of prucalopride [see Dosage and Administration (2)].

Distribution — Prucalopride has a steady-state volume of distribution (Vss) of 567 liters after intravenous administration. The plasma protein binding of prucalopride is approximately 30%.

Elimination — Renal excretion is the main route of elimination of prucalopride. Non-renal elimination contributes up to about 35% of the total. The plasma clearance of prucalopride averages 317 mL/min.

Metabolism — Prucalopride is a substrate of CYP3A4, in vitro. In an oral dose study with radiolabeled prucalopride in healthy subjects, prucalopride made up 92 to 94% of the total radioactivity in plasma. There are 7 different known minor metabolites, the most abundant metabolite (O-desmethyl prucalopride acid) represents 0 to 1.7% of the total plasma exposure.

Excretion — Following oral administration of radiolabeled prucalopride in healthy subjects, 60 to 65% of the administered dose is excreted unchanged in urine and about 5% in feces. On average, 84.2% of administered radioactive dose was recovered in urine and 13.3% of the dose was recovered in feces. Seven metabolites were recovered in urine and feces, with the most abundant metabolite (O-desmethyl prucalopride acid) accounting for 3.2% and 3.1% of the dose in urine and feces, respectively. None of the other metabolites accounted for more than 3% of the dose. Renal elimination of prucalopride involves both passive filtration and active secretion.

Use in Specific Populations — Population pharmacokinetic analysis of a combined study population of 1,343 subjects indicated that there were no clinically significant differences in the pharmacokinetics of prucalopride based on age (17 to 95 years), sex, race (89% white, 7% black, 4% other), or body weight (37 to 161 kg), after accounting for the effect of renal function.

Geriatric Patients — After once daily dosing of 1 mg, peak plasma concentrations (Cmax) and AUC of prucalopride in geriatric subjects were 26% to 28% higher than in younger adult subjects. The effect of age appeared to be related to decreased renal function in the elderly. Additionally, a population pharmacokinetic analysis indicated that age was not a significant covariate, after accounting for the effect of renal function [see Use in Specific Populations (8.5)].

Patients with Renal Impairment — After a single 2-mg oral dose, the mean AUC0-inf of prucalopride increased 1.23-fold in subjects with mild renal impairment (creatinine clearance 60 to ≤89 mL/min), 1.4-fold in subjects with moderate renal impairment (creatinine clearance 30 to ≤59 mL/min), and 2.38-fold in subjects with severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance 15 to ≤29 mL/min), compared to subjects with normal renal function. The pharmacokinetics of prucalopride in patients with end-stage renal disease or undergoing dialysis is not fully known [see Dosage and Administration (2), Use in Specific Populations (8.6)].