Yupelri (revefenacin)
Anticholinergic Agents Long-Acting (Inhaled) Inhalation Vial, Nebulizer (ML)
Last reviewed · Source: First Databank (FDB) drug data
Overview
Revefenacin, a synthetic tertiary amine antimuscarinic agent, is a long-acting orally inhaled bronchodilator.
Revefenacin is a synthetic tertiary amine antimuscarinic agent used as a long-acting, orally inhaled bronchodilator. The drug is a nonselective competitive antagonist at muscarinic (M1-M5) receptors. Revefenacin competitively and reversibly inhibits the actions of acetylcholine and other cholinergic stimuli at M3 receptors in the smooth muscle of the respiratory tract leading to bronchodilation.
Following oral inhalation in healthy individuals or in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), peak plasma concentrations of revefenacin and its active metabolite are reached within 14-41 minutes after initiation of nebulization. The absolute bioavailability following an oral dose of revefenacin is low (less than 3%). The peak effect on FEV1 following oral inhalation is 2-3 hours post dose.
Following repeated dosing of orally inhaled revefenacin, steady-state plasma concentrations are achieved within 7 days. In vitro revefenacin and its active metabolite are 71 and 42% bound to plasma proteins, respectively. Revefenacin is principally metabolized via hydrolysis of the primary amide to a carboxylic acid forming its major active metabolite.
Following oral inhalation of revefenacin, the conversion to its active metabolite occurs rapidly; plasma exposures of the active metabolite exceed those of revefenacin by approximately 4- to 6-fold (based on area under the serum concentration-time curve (AUC)). The active metabolite possesses activity at target muscarinic receptors that is lower (approximately one-third to one-tenth) than that of revefenacin.
Following IV administration in healthy individuals, approximately 54 and 27% of the radiolabeled dose was recovered in feces and urine, respectively. Approximately 19% of the radiolabeled dose was recovered in feces as the active metabolite. Following oral administration, 88 and less than 5% of a radiolabeled dose of revefenacin, was recovered in feces and urine, respectively, suggesting low oral absorption.
Following oral inhalation in patients with COPD, there is minimal renal excretion (less than 1%) of revefenacin and its active metabolite. The terminal half-life of the drug and its active metabolite after once-daily oral inhalation in patients with COPD is 22-70 hours. Age, sex, weight, and smoking status do not affect revefenacin exposure.
USES: Revefenacin is a long-term medication used to treat an ongoing lung disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It must be used regularly to reduce and prevent symptoms such as shortness of breath, cough, and wheezing. This medication belongs to a class of drugs known as anticholinergics.
It works by relaxing the muscles around the airways so that they open up and you can breathe more easily. Revefenacin does not work right away and should not be used to relieve sudden breathing problems. If wheezing or sudden shortness of breath occurs, use your quick-relief inhaler as prescribed.
Generic name: revefenacin
Pronunciation: (REV-e-FEN-a-sin)
Drug class: Anticholinergic Agents Long-Acting (Inhaled)
Therapeutic class: Respiratory Therapy Agents
Reference product & biosimilars
No reference, biosimilar or interchangeable associated with this drug.
Today’s intelligence on Yupelri
Indications
The following indications are listed for Yupelri:
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Dosing
No dosing information is available for this tab.
No dosing information is available for this tab.
| Drug label | Dosing type | Instructions |
|---|---|---|
| Yupelri 175 Mcg/3 Ml Solution | Maintenance | Inhale 3 milliliters (175 mcg) by nebulization route once daily. |
No dosing information is available for this tab.
Drug interactions
There is no enhanced messaging for this drug.
There are no contraindication interactions for this drug.
Severe Interaction: Action is required to reduce the risk of severe adverse interaction.
Inhaled Anticholinergics/Pramlintide
SEVERITY LEVEL: 2-Severe Interaction: Action is required to reduce the risk of severe adverse interaction.
MECHANISM OF ACTION: Pramlintide slows gastric emptying. Anticholinergics may result in additive or synergistic effects.(1)
CLINICAL EFFECTS: Concurrent use of pramlintide and anticholinergics may result in additive or synergistic effects.(1)
PREDISPOSING FACTORS: None determined.
PATIENT MANAGEMENT: The manufacturer of pramlintide states that pramlintide therapy should not be considered in patients requiring the use of drugs that stimulate gastrointestinal motility or in patients taking drugs that alter gastrointestinal motility.(1) Patients receiving inhaled anticholinergics should be evaluated for signs of systemic effects, which may include constipation.
DISCUSSION: Patients using drugs that alter gastrointestinal motility have not been studied in clinical trials for pramlintide.(1) Constipation has been reported as a side effect of inhaled anticholinergic agents such as ipratropium(2) and tiotropium.(3)
Moderate Interaction: Assess the risk to the patient and take action as needed.
Anticholinergics/Select Antipsychotics;Select Phenothiazines
SEVERITY LEVEL: 3-Moderate Interaction: Assess the risk to the patient and take action as needed.
MECHANISM OF ACTION: Multiple mechanisms may be involved: 1. additive peripheral and CNS blockade of muscarinic receptors. 2. anticholinergic-induced inhibition of gastrointestinal absorption of phenothiazines. 3. antagonism of the dopamine blocking effects of selected antipsychotics and phenothiazines.
CLINICAL EFFECTS: The dopamine blocking effects of selected antipsychotic agents or phenothiazines may be decreased while anticholinergic adverse effects may be increased.
PREDISPOSING FACTORS: The risk for severe anticholinergic toxicities, e.g. delirium, hyperthermia, paralytic ileus is increased in the elderly and in patients on multiple anticholinergic agents.
PATIENT MANAGEMENT: Anticholinergic agents may be required to treat or prevent antipsychotic induced extrapyramidal symptoms. When other indications lead to co-prescribing of the combination, assess patient response to the combination. Review patient medication list for other anticholinergic agents. When needed, decrease the dosage or number of prescribed anticholinergic agents, particularly in the elderly.
DISCUSSION: Although numerous studies have been published regarding a possible interaction between phenothiazines and anticholinergics, the earlier reports were not double-blind or placebo controlled and patients may have received other drugs concomitantly. These earlier investigations reported increased side effects as well as increased, decreased and no effect on the therapeutic outcome. Double-blind studies have also reported conflicting results. Anticholinergic therapy varied from having no effect on phenothiazine concentration or patient outcome, to increasing phenothiazine levels. The discrepancies reported may be due to interpatient variability including age of the patient, type and duration of illness and treatment setting.
Beta-Agonists; Anticholinergics; Theophylline/Methacholine
SEVERITY LEVEL: 3-Moderate Interaction: Assess the risk to the patient and take action as needed.
MECHANISM OF ACTION: Beta-agonists, anticholinergics, and theophylline may inhibit the action of methacholine on the airway.(1)
CLINICAL EFFECTS: The result of the methacholine challenge test may not be accurate.(1)
PREDISPOSING FACTORS: None determined.
PATIENT MANAGEMENT: The following drugs should be held before a methacholine challenge for the the duration indicated:(1) - short-acting beta-agonists: 6 hours - long-acting beta-agonists: 36 hours - short-acting anti-cholinergics: 12 hours - long-acting anti-cholinergics: at least 168 hours (7 days) - oral theophylline: 12-48 hours
DISCUSSION: Beta-agonists, anticholinergics, and theophylline may inhibit the action of methacholine on the airway and cause inaccurate test results.
Inhaled Anticholinergics/Solid Oral Potassium Capsules
SEVERITY LEVEL: 3-Moderate Interaction: Assess the risk to the patient and take action as needed.
MECHANISM OF ACTION: Concentrated potassium may damage the lining of the GI tract. Anticholinergics delay gastric emptying, resulting in the potassium product remaining in the gastrointestinal tract for a longer period of time.(1-16)
CLINICAL EFFECTS: Use of solid oral dosage forms of potassium in patients treated with inhaled anticholinergics could potentially result in gastrointestinal erosions, ulcers, stenosis and bleeding.(1-16)
PREDISPOSING FACTORS: Diseases or conditions which may increase risk for GI damage include: preexisting dysphagia, strictures, cardiomegaly, diabetic gastroparesis, elderly status, or insufficient oral intake to allow dilution of potassium.(1-10,21) Other drugs which may add to risk for GI damage include: nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), bisphosphonates, or tetracyclines.(21)
PATIENT MANAGEMENT: Regulatory agency and manufacturer recommendations regarding this interaction: - In the US, all solid oral dosage forms (including tablets and extended release capsules) of potassium are contraindicated in patients receiving anticholinergics at sufficient dosages to result in systemic effects.(2-8) Patients receiving such anticholinergic therapy should use a liquid form of potassium chloride.(2) - In Canada, solid oral potassium is contraindicated in any patient with a cause for arrest or delay in tablet/capsule passage through the gastrointestinal tract and the manufacturers recommend caution with concurrent anticholinergic medications.(1,9-10) Evaluate each patient for predisposing factors which may increase risk for GI damage. In patients with multiple risk factors for harm, consider use of liquid potassium supplements, if tolerated. For patients receiving concomitant therapy, assure any potassium dose form is taken after meals with a large glass of water or other fluid. To decrease potassium concentration in the GI tract, limit each dose to 20 meq; if more than 20 meq daily is required, give in divided doses.(2) If concurrent therapy is warranted, monitor patients receiving concurrent therapy for signs of blood loss, including decreased hemoglobin, hematocrit, fecal occult blood, and/or decreased blood pressure and promptly evaluate patients with any symptoms. Patients should be instructed to immediately report any difficulty swallowing, abdominal pain, distention, severe vomiting, or gastrointestinal bleeding. Instruct patients to report any signs and symptoms of bleeding, such as unusual bleeding from the gums or nose; unusual bruising; red or black, tarry stools; red, pink or dark brown urine; acute abdominal or joint pain and/or swelling.
DISCUSSION: In clinical trials, there was a higher incidence of gastric and duodenal lesions in patients receiving a high dose of a wax-matrix controlled-release formulation with a concurrent anticholinergic agent. Some lesions were asymptomatic and not accompanied by bleeding, as shown by a lack of positive Hemoccult tests.(1-17) Several studies suggest that the incidence of gastric and duodenal lesions may be less with the microencapsulated formulation of potassium chloride.(14-17) Constipation has been reported as a side effect of inhaled anticholinergic agents such as ipratropium(22) and tiotropium.(23)
Inhaled Anticholinergics/Solid Oral Potassium Tablets
SEVERITY LEVEL: 3-Moderate Interaction: Assess the risk to the patient and take action as needed.
MECHANISM OF ACTION: Concentrated potassium may damage the lining of the GI tract. Anticholinergics delay gastric emptying, resulting in the potassium product remaining in the gastrointestinal tract for a longer period of time.(1-16)
CLINICAL EFFECTS: Use of solid oral dosage forms of potassium in patients treated with inhaled anticholinergics could potentially result in gastrointestinal erosions, ulcers, stenosis and bleeding.(1-16)
PREDISPOSING FACTORS: Diseases or conditions which may increase risk for GI damage include: preexisting dysphagia, strictures, cardiomegaly, diabetic gastroparesis, elderly status, or insufficient oral intake to allow dilution of potassium.(1-10,21) Other drugs which may add to risk for GI damage include: nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), bisphosphonates, or tetracyclines.(21)
PATIENT MANAGEMENT: Regulatory agency and manufacturer recommendations regarding this interaction: - In the US, all solid oral dosage forms (including tablets and extended release capsules) of potassium are contraindicated in patients receiving anticholinergics at sufficient dosages to result in systemic effects.(2-8) Patients receiving such anticholinergic therapy should use a liquid form of potassium chloride.(2) - In Canada, solid oral potassium is contraindicated in any patient with a cause for arrest or delay in tablet/capsule passage through the gastrointestinal tract and the manufacturers recommend caution with concurrent anticholinergic medications.(1,9-10) Evaluate each patient for predisposing factors which may increase risk for GI damage. In patients with multiple risk factors for harm, consider use of liquid potassium supplements, if tolerated. For patients receiving concomitant therapy, assure any potassium dose form is taken after meals with a large glass of water or other fluid. To decrease potassium concentration in the GI tract, limit each dose to 20 meq; if more than 20 meq daily is required, give in divided doses.(2) If concurrent therapy is warranted, monitor patients receiving concurrent therapy for signs of blood loss, including decreased hemoglobin, hematocrit, fecal occult blood, and/or decreased blood pressure and promptly evaluate patients with any symptoms. Patients should be instructed to immediately report any difficulty swallowing, abdominal pain, distention, severe vomiting, or gastrointestinal bleeding. Instruct patients to report any signs and symptoms of bleeding, such as unusual bleeding from the gums or nose; unusual bruising; red or black, tarry stools; red, pink or dark brown urine; acute abdominal or joint pain and/or swelling.
DISCUSSION: In clinical trials, there was a higher incidence of gastric and duodenal lesions in patients receiving a high dose of a wax-matrix controlled-release formulation with a concurrent anticholinergic agent. Some lesions were asymptomatic and not accompanied by bleeding, as shown by a lack of positive Hemoccult tests.(1-17) Several studies suggest that the incidence of gastric and duodenal lesions may be less with the microencapsulated formulation of potassium chloride.(14-17) Constipation has been reported as a side effect of inhaled anticholinergic agents such as ipratropium(22) and tiotropium.(23)
Contraindications
Revefenacin is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to the drug or any ingredient in the formulation.
There are no contraindication contraindications for this drug.
- Exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- Angle-closure glaucoma
- Benign prostatic hyperplasia
- Bladder outflow obstruction
Adverse reactions
Adverse events occurring in at least 2% of patients receiving revefenacin include cough, nasopharyngitis, upper respiratory tract infection, headache, and back pain.
Less Frequent
- Hypertension
Rare or Very Rare
- Hypersensitivity drug reaction
- Paradoxical bronchospasm
- Secondary angle-closure glaucoma
More Frequent
- Back pain
- Cough
- Headache disorder
- Pharyngitis
- Upper respiratory infection
Less Frequent
- Bronchitis
- Dizziness
- Pain in oropharynx
- Urinary retention
Rare or Very Rare
- Anticholinergic toxicity
- Xerostomia
Precautions
No enhanced messaging available.
Safety and efficacy of revefenacin have not been established in pediatric patients.
There are no adequate and well-controlled studies of orally inhaled revefenacin in pregnant women. Women should be advised to contact their clinician if they become pregnant while using revefenacin.
In reproduction studies in pregnant rats receiving subcutaneous revefenacin during the period of organogenesis from gestation days 6 to 17, the drug was not teratogenic and did not affect fetal survival at exposures up to 209 times the maximum recommended human dose. In pregnant rabbits receiving revefenacin during the period of organogenesis from gestation days 7 to 19, the drug was not teratogenic and did not affect fetal survival at exposures up to 694 times the maximum recommended human dose. Placental transfer of revefenacin and its active metabolite has been observed in pregnant rabbits.
In a prenatal and postnatal development study in pregnant rats receiving revefenacin during the periods of organogenesis and lactation from gestation day 6 to lactation day 20, the drug had no adverse developmental effects on pups at exposures up to 196 times the maximum recommended human dose.
Revefenacin and its active metabolite are distributed into milk in rats. Following administration of revefenacin to lactating rats, the drug and its metabolite were distributed into breast milk in concentrations up to 10 times greater than plasma.
It is not known whether revefenacin is distributed into human milk following oral inhalation. Data also are not available on the effects of the drug on the breast-fed child or on milk production. Because revefenacin is less than 3% absorbed orally, it is unlikely to affect the breast-fed child. However, because long-term use of revefenacin has the potential to reduce milk production, it has been suggested that nursing women receiving the drug should be observed for signs of decreased lactation (e.g., insatiety or poor weight gain in the nursing infant). The benefits of breast-feeding should be considered along with the importance of the drug to the woman and any potential adverse effects on the breast-fed child from the drug or underlying maternal condition.
Although no overall differences in efficacy or safety were observed between geriatric and younger patients in revefenacin clinical trials, the possibility that some older patients may exhibit increased sensitivity to the drug cannot be ruled out. Dosage adjustment is not necessary in geriatric patients.
ICD codes
| Code | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease | ||
| J44 | ICD10CM | Other chronic obstructive pulmonary disease |
| J44.8 | ICD10CM | Other specified chronic obstructive pulmonary disease |
| J44.89 | ICD10CM | Other specified chronic obstructive pulmonary disease |
| J44.9 | ICD10CM | Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, unspecified |
ICD code information from First Databank (FDB).
Formulary status
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Last reviewed · Source: First Databank (FDB) drug data
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