Prescription Drug Information: NAPRELAN

NAPRELAN — naproxen sodium tablet, film coated, extended release
Physicians Total Care, Inc.

Equivalent to 375mg, 500mg and 750mg naproxen
NAPRELAN® Controlled-Release Tablets, 375mg, 500mg and 750mg

Cardiovascular Risk

  • NSAIDs may cause an increased risk of serious cardiovascular thrombotic events, myocardial infarction, and stroke, which can be fatal. This risk may increase with duration of use. Patients with cardiovascular disease or risk factors for cardiovascular disease may be at greater risk. (See WARNINGS).
  • Naproxen as NAPRELAN ® is contraindicated for the treatment of peri-operative pain in the setting of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery (See WARNINGS).

Gastrointestinal Risk

  • NSAIDs cause an increased risk of serious gastrointestinal adverse events including bleeding, ulceration, and perforation of the stomach or intestines, which can be fatal. These events can occur at any time during use and without warning symptoms. Elderly people are at greater risk for serous gastrointestinal events. (See WARNINGS).

DESCRIPTION

NAPRELAN® * Tablets contain naproxen sodium, a member of the arylacetic acid group of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). NAPRELAN® Tablets use the proprietary IPDAS® ** (Intestinal Protective Drug Absorption System) technology. It is a rapidly disintegrating tablet system combining an immediate release component and a sustained release component of microparticles that are widely dispersed, allowing absorption of the active ingredient throughout the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, maintaining blood levels over 24 hours. The chemical name for naproxen sodium is 2-naphthaleneacetic acid, 6-methoxy-a-methyl-sodium salt, (S)- with the following structural formula:

Structural Formula

Naproxen sodium is an odorless crystalline powder, white to creamy in color. It is soluble in methanol and water. NAPRELAN® Tablets contain 412.5 mg, 550 mg, or 825 mg of naproxen sodium, equivalent to 375 mg, 500 mg, and 750 mg of naproxen and 37.5, mg 50 mg, and 75 mg sodium respectively. Each NAPRELAN® Tablet also contains the following inactive ingredients: ammoniomethacrylate copolymer Type A, ammoniomethacrylate copolymer Type B, citric acid, crospovidone, magnesium stearate, methacrylic acid copolymer Type A, microcrystalline cellulose, povidone, and talc. The tablet coating contains hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, polyethylene glycol, and titanium dioxide.

CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY

Naproxen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), with analgesic and antipyretic properties. As with other NSAIDs, its mode of action is not fully understood; however, its ability to inhibit prostaglandin synthesis may be involved in the anti-inflammatory effect.

PHARMACOKINETICS

Although naproxen itself is well absorbed, the sodium salt form is more rapidly absorbed, resulting in higher peak plasma levels for a given dose. Approximately 30% of the total naproxen sodium dose in NAPRELAN® Tablets is present in the dosage form as an immediate release component. The remaining naproxen sodium is coated as microparticles to provide sustained release properties. After oral administration, plasma levels of naproxen are detected within 30 minutes of dosing, with peak plasma levels occurring approximately 5 hours after dosing. The observed terminal elimination half-life of naproxen from both immediate release naproxen sodium and NAPRELAN® Tablets is approximately 15 hours. Steady state levels of naproxen are achieved in 3 days and the degree of naproxen accumulation in the blood is consistent with this.

Figure 1
Pharmacokinetic Parameters at Steady State Day 5 (Mean of 24 Subjects)
Parameter (units) naproxen 500 mg
Q12h/5 days
(1000 mg)
NAPRELAN® 2 x 500 mg
tablets (1000 mg)
Q24h/5 days
Mean SD Range Mean SD Range
AUC 0-24
(mcgxh/mL)
1446 168 1167 — 1858 1448 145 1173 — 1774
Cmax
(mcg/mL)
95 13 71 — 117 94 13 74 — 127
Cavg
(mcg/mL)
60 7 49 — 77 60 6 49 — 74
Cmin
(mcg/mL)
36 9 13 — 51 33 7 23 — 48
Tmax
(hrs)
3 1 1 — 4 5 2 2-10

Absorption

Naproxen itself is rapidly and completely absorbed from the GI tract with an in vivo bioavailability of 95%. Based on the pharmacokinetic profile, the absorption phase of NAPRELAN® Tablets occurs in the first 4-6 hours after administration. This coincides with disintegration of the tablet in the stomach, the transit of the sustained release microparticles through the small intestine and into the proximal large intestine. An in vivo imaging study has been performed in healthy volunteers that confirms rapid disintegration of the tablet matrix and dispersion of the microparticles.

The absorption rate from the sustained release particulate component of NAPRELAN® Tablets is slower than that for conventional naproxen sodium tablets. It is this prolongation of drug absorption processes that maintains plasma levels and allows for once daily dosing.

Food Effects

No significant food effects were observed when twenty-four subjects were given a single dose of NAPRELAN® Tablets 500 mg either after an overnight fast or 30 minutes after a meal. In common with conventional naproxen and naproxen sodium formulations, food causes a slight decrease in the rate of naproxen absorption following NAPRELAN® Tablets administration.

Distribution

Naproxen has a volume of distribution of 0.16 L/kg. At therapeutic levels, naproxen is greater than 99% albumin-bound. At doses of naproxen greater than 500 mg/day, there is a less than proportional increase in plasma levels due to an increase in clearance caused by saturation of plasma protein binding at higher doses. However the concentration of unbound naproxen continues to increase proportionally to dose. NAPRELAN® Tablets exhibit similar dose proportional characteristics.

Metabolism

Naproxen is extensively metabolized to 6-0-desmethyl naproxen and both parent and metabolites do not induce metabolizing enzymes.

Elimination

The elimination half-life of NAPRELAN® Tablets and conventional naproxen is approximately 15 hours. Steady state conditions are attained after 2-3 doses of NAPRELAN® Tablets. Most of the drug is excreted in the urine, primarily as unchanged naproxen (less than 1%), 6-0-desmethyl naproxen (less than 1%) and their glucuronide or other conjugates (66-92%). A small amount (<5%) of the drug is excreted in the feces. The rate of excretion has been found to coincide closely with the rate of clearance from the plasma. In patients with renal failure, metabolites may accumulate.

Special Populations

Pediatric Use

No pediatric studies have been performed with NAPRELAN® Tablets, thus safety of NAPRELAN® Tablets in pediatric populations has not been established.

Renal Insufficiency

Naproxen pharmacokinetics have not been determined in subjects with renal insufficiency. Given that naproxen is metabolized and conjugates are primarily excreted by the kidneys, the potential exists for naproxen metabolites to accumulate in the presence of renal insufficiency. Elimination of naproxen is decreased in patients with severe renal impairment. Naproxen-containing products are not recommended for use in patients with moderate to severe and severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance <30mL/min)(see WARNINGS – Renal Effects).

CLINICAL STUDIES

RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

The use of NAPRELAN® Tablets for the management of the signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis was assessed in a 12 week double-blind, randomized, placebo and active-controlled study in 348 patients. Two NAPRELAN® 500 mg tablets (1000 mg) once daily and naproxen 500 mg tablets twice daily (1000 mg) were more effective than placebo. Clinical effectiveness was demonstrated at one week and continued for the duration of the study.

OSTEOARTHRITIS

The use of NAPRELAN® Tablets for the management of the signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis of the knee was assessed in a 12 week double-blind, placebo and active-controlled study in 347 patients. Two NAPRELAN® 500 mg tablets (1000 mg) once daily and naproxen 500 mg tablets twice daily (1000 mg) were more effective than placebo. Clinical effectiveness was demonstrated at one week and continued for the duration of the study.

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