Orkambi (lumacaftor/ivacaftor)

Cystic Fibrosis Transmemb. Conduct. Reg. (CFTR) Potentiators Oral Granules In Packet (Ea); Oral Tablet

Advertisement

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

Overview

The fixed combination of lumacaftor and ivacaftor contains 2 drugs that act directly on the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein in bronchial epithelial cells and other cell lines harboring the F508del-CFTR mutation; lumacaftor is a CFTR corrector and ivacaftor is a CFTR potentiator.

The fixed combination of lumacaftor and ivacaftor (lumacaftor/ivacaftor) contains 2 drugs acting directly on the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein; lumacaftor is a CFTR corrector and ivacaftor is a CFTR potentiator. The CFTR protein is a chloride channel present at the surface of epithelial cells in multiple organs that is involved in salt and fluid transport. Cystic fibrosis is caused by mutations in the gene encoding the CFTR protein that affect the quantity or function of this protein at the cell surface resulting in the clinical manifestations of cystic fibrosis (e.g., GI, hepatic, pulmonary, or reproductive dysfunction or symptoms).

The F508del mutation in the CFTR protein results in protein misfolding, causing a defect in cellular processing and trafficking that targets the protein for degradation and reduces the quantity of CFTR at the cell surface. The small amount of F508del-CFTR that reaches the cell surface is less stable and has low probability for channel opening (defective gating activity) when compared with wild-type CFTR protein. Lumacaftor improves the conformational stability of F508del-CFTR, resulting in increased processing and trafficking of mature protein to the cell surface.

Ivacaftor facilitates increased chloride transport by potentiating the probability of channel opening (or gating) of the CFTR protein at the cell surface. In vitro, lumacaftor and ivacaftor demonstrate direct activity on the CFTR protein in primary human bronchial epithelial cultures and other cell lines harboring the F508del-CFTR mutation to increase quantity, stability, and function of F508del-CFTR at the cell surface, resulting in increased chloride ion transport. In vitro responses do not necessarily correspond to in vivo pharmacodynamic response or clinical benefit.

Steady-state concentrations of lumacaftor and ivacaftor are achieved in approximately 7 days after twice-daily administration. As lumacaftor reaches steady state, systemic exposure increases with an accumulation ratio of approximately 1.9; steady-state exposure of ivacaftor is lower than that observed on the first day of administration as a result of cytochrome P-450 (CYP) isoenzyme 3A induction by lumacaftor. Peak plasma concentrations of lumacaftor and ivacaftor are attained approximately 4 hours after a dose administered in the fed state.

AUC of lumacaftor is approximately twofold higher in healthy adults when compared with patients with cystic fibrosis; the AUC of ivacaftor is similar between healthy adults and patients with cystic fibrosis. Following administration of a single dose of the fixed combination of lumacaftor and ivacaftor with fat-containing foods, exposures of lumacaftor and ivacaftor are increased approximately twofold and threefold, respectively, when compared with administration in the fasting state. Both lumacaftor and ivacaftor are extensively bound to plasma proteins (approximately 99%); lumacaftor principally binds to albumin and ivacaftor principally binds to alpha1-acid glycoprotein and albumin.

Lumacaftor is not extensively metabolized in humans; in vitro and in vivo studies indicate that lumacaftor is principally metabolized by oxidation and glucuronidation. Ivacaftor is extensively metabolized in humans; in vitro and in vivo studies indicate that ivacaftor is principally metabolized by CYP3A. The M1 and M6 metabolites are the 2 major metabolites of ivacaftor in humans.

Following oral administration, lumacaftor is mainly excreted unchanged in feces (51%); lumacaftor and its metabolites are minimally excreted in urine (8.6%). Following oral administration of the single-entity preparation of ivacaftor, 87.8% is excreted in feces after metabolic conversion; ivacaftor and its metabolites are minimally excreted in urine (6.6%). The half-life of lumacaftor is approximately 26 hours in patients with cystic fibrosis; the half-life of ivacaftor is approximately 9 hours in healthy individuals.

USES: This medication is a combination of 2 medications: lumacaftor and ivacaftor. It is used to treat cystic fibrosis in certain people (those with 2 copies of an abnormal "CFTR" gene). It may help to improve breathing, reduce the risk of lung infections, and improve weight gain.

Generic name: lumacaftor/ivacaftor
Pronunciation: (LOO-ma-KAF-tor/EYE-va-KAF-tor)
Drug class: Cystic Fibrosis Transmemb. Conduct. Reg. (CFTR) Potentiators
Therapeutic class: Respiratory Therapy Agents

Reference product & biosimilars

No reference, biosimilar or interchangeable associated with this drug.

Today’s intelligence on Orkambi

Intelligence content is not available yet.

Indications

The following indications are listed for Orkambi:

  • Cystic Fibrosis With Homozygous F508del Mutation In Cftr Gene

Also known as: Cf With Homozygous Deltaf508 Cftr.

Dosing

Lumacaftor in fixed combination with ivacaftor is commercially available as tablets containing 100 mg of lumacaftor and 125 mg of ivacaftor or 200 mg of lumacaftor and 125 mg of ivacaftor.

Lumacaftor in fixed combination with ivacaftor also is commercially available as oral granules in packets containing 75 mg of lumacaftor and 94 mg of ivacaftor, 100 mg of lumacaftor and 125 mg of ivacaftor, or 150 mg of lumacaftor and 188 mg of ivacaftor.

Drug interactions

There is no enhanced messaging for this drug.

Contraindications

*None.

Adverse reactions

Adverse effects occurring in >=5% of patients receiving lumacaftor/ivacaftor fixed-combination therapy include dyspnea, nasopharyngitis, nausea, diarrhea, upper respiratory tract infection, fatigue, abnormal respiration, increased creatine kinase (CK, creatine phosphokinase, CPK) concentrations, rash, flatulence, rhinorrhea, and influenza.

Precautions

No enhanced messaging available.

ICD codes

CodeTypeDescription
Cystic fibrosis with homozygous f508del mutation in CFTR gene
E84ICD10CMCystic fibrosis
E84.0ICD10CMCystic fibrosis with pulmonary manifestations
E84.1ICD10CMCystic fibrosis with intestinal manifestations
E84.11ICD10CMMeconium ileus in cystic fibrosis
E84.19ICD10CMCystic fibrosis with other intestinal manifestations
E84.8ICD10CMCystic fibrosis with other manifestations
E84.9ICD10CMCystic fibrosis, unspecified

ICD code information from First Databank (FDB).

Formulary status

Search health-plan coverage for this drug by ZIP code.

Enter a ZIP code to view available health plans.

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