Juxtapid (lomitapide mesylate)

Microsomal Triglyceride Transfer Protein Inhibitors Oral Capsule

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Last reviewed · Source: First Databank (FDB) drug data

Overview

Lomitapide mesylate, an inhibitor of the microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTTP), is an antilipemic agent.

Lomitapide mesylate, a synthetic inhibitor of the microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTTP), is an antilipemic agent. MTTP is a lipid transfer protein present in the endoplasmic reticulum of intestinal enterocytes and hepatocytes that mediates the incorporation of neutral lipids (e.g., triglycerides, cholesteryl esters) and phospholipids into newly-formed apo B polypeptides; incorporation of dietary lipids into apo B-48 in enterocytes results in formation of chylomicrons in the intestines, while incorporation of endogenous lipids into apo B-100 in hepatocytes results in formation of very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL)-cholesterol in the liver. Lomitapide binds directly to and inhibits MTTP in enterocytes and hepatocytes, resulting in inhibition of chylomicron synthesis (and subsequently fat absorption) in the intestines and inhibition of VLDL-cholesterol synthesis (and subsequently LDL-cholesterol synthesis) in the liver.

Because of lomitapide's mechanism of action, neutral lipids that are not used in the formation of chylomicrons and VLDL-cholesterol are expected to accumulate in the intestines and liver, resulting in adverse GI and hepatic effects (e.g., diarrhea, nausea, hepatic steatosis). (See Hepatotoxicity under Warnings/Precautions: Warnings and also see GI Effects under Warnings/Precautions: Other Warnings and Precautions, under Cautions.) Lomitapide does not appear to cause clinically important prolongation of the QTc interval.

Pharmacokinetics of lomitapide are approximately dose proportional over the single-dose range of 10-100 mg. Lomitapide is extensively metabolized in the liver, principally by cytochrome P-450 (CYP) isoenzyme 3A4 and, to a lesser extent, by CYP isoenzymes 1A2, 2B6, 2C8, and 2C19 to inactive metabolites. The drug is excreted in urine (53-60%) as metabolites and feces (33-35%) mainly as unchanged drug.

The mean terminal half-life of lomitapide is approximately 40 hours.

USES: This medication is used along with a low-fat diet and other treatments for a certain inherited condition that causes very high cholesterol levels (homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia). Very high cholesterol levels increase your risk of developing heart and blood vessel disease. Lomitapide works by decreasing your body's production of cholesterol.

Generic name: lomitapide mesylate
Pronunciation: (loe-MI-ta-pide)
Drug class: Microsomal Triglyceride Transfer Protein Inhibitors
Therapeutic class: Cardiovascular Therapy Agents

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No reference, biosimilar or interchangeable associated with this drug.

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Indications

The following indications are listed for Juxtapid:

  • Homozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia

Also known as: Familial Homozygous Hypercholesterolemia.

Dosing

Dosage of lomitapide mesylate is expressed in terms of lomitapide.

The recommended initial adult dosage of lomitapide for management of homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia is 5 mg once daily; the initial dosage should be continued for at least 2 weeks. After 2 weeks (or longer), dosage may be increased gradually (i.e., at intervals of at least 4 weeks) in a stepwise manner (i.e., to 10, 20, 40, and then 60 mg once daily) based on safety and tolerability; liver function tests (or, at a minimum, ALT and AST concentrations) should be obtained prior to each dosage increase. The maintenance dosage of lomitapide should be individualized, taking into account the patient's goals and response to therapy; lomitapide dosage should not exceed 60 mg daily.

Drug interactions

Lomitapide is metabolized in the liver principally by cytochrome P-450 (CYP) isoenzyme 3A4; the drug also may be metabolized to a small extent by CYP isoenzymes 1A2, 2B6, 2C8, and 2C19.

In vitro studies indicate that lomitapide inhibits CYP isoenzyme 3A4 but not CYP isoenzymes 1A2, 2B6, 2C9, 2C19, 2D6, or 2E1; the major metabolites of lomitapide, M1 and M3, do not inhibit CYP isoenzymes 1A2, 2A6, 2B6, 2C8, 2C9, 2C19, 2D6, 2E1, or 3A4. In vitro studies indicate that lomitapide does not induce CYP isoenzymes 1A2, 3A4, or 2B6.

Lomitapide is not a substrate of P-glycoprotein (P-gp); however, the drug inhibits P-gp. Lomitapide does not inhibit the breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP).

Contraindications

Lomitapide mesylate is contraindicated in patients with moderate or severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh class B or C); patients with active liver disease, including unexplained, persistent elevations in serum aminotransferase concentrations; women who are pregnant; and patients receiving concomitant therapy with moderate or potent inhibitors of cytochrome P-450 (CYP) isoenzyme 3A4.

Adverse reactions

Adverse effects reported in 10% or more of patients receiving lomitapide in the pivotal study include diarrhea, nausea, dyspepsia, vomiting, abdominal pain, weight loss, chest pain, abdominal discomfort, abdominal distention, constipation, flatulence, influenza, nasopharyngitis, increased ALT, fatigue, gastroenteritis, back pain, pharyngolaryngeal pain, gastroesophageal reflux disease, defecation urgency, rectal tenesmus, fever, headache, dizziness, nasal congestion, angina pectoris, and palpitations.

Precautions

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ICD codes

CodeTypeDescription
Homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia
E78.010ICD10CMHomozygous familial hypercholesterolemia [hoFh]

ICD code information from First Databank (FDB).

Formulary status

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Last reviewed · Source: First Databank (FDB) drug data