2.1 Important Dosage and Administration Information

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Ensure serum calcium is below 9.8 mg/dL before initiating treatment [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)].

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Instruct patients to swallow RAYALDEE capsules whole.

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Instruct patients to skip a missed dose and to resume taking the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not administer an extra dose.

2.2 Starting Dose and Dose Titration

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The initial dose of RAYALDEE is 30 mcg administered orally once daily at bedtime.

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The maintenance dose of RAYALDEE should target serum total 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels between 30 and 100 ng/mL, intact parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels within the desired therapeutic range, serum calcium (corrected for low albumin) within the normal range and serum phosphorus below 5.5 mg/dL.

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Monitor serum calcium, serum phosphorus, serum total 25-hydroxyvitamin D and intact PTH levels at a minimum of 3 months after initiation of therapy or dose adjustment, and subsequently at least every 6 to 12 months.

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Increase the dose to 60 mcg orally once daily at bedtime after approximately 3 months, if intact PTH remains above the desired therapeutic range. Prior to raising the dose, ensure serum calcium is below 9.8 mg/dL, serum phosphorus is below 5.5 mg/dL and serum total 25-hydroxyvitamin D is below 100 ng/mL.

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Suspend dosing if intact PTH is persistently and abnormally low to reduce the risk of adynamic bone disease [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3)], if serum calcium is consistently above the normal range to reduce the risk of hypercalcemia [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)], or if serum total 25-hydroxyvitamin D is consistently above 100 ng/mL. Restart at a reduced dose after these laboratory values have normalized.

5.1 Hypercalcemia

Hypercalcemia may occur during RAYALDEE treatment [see Adverse Reactions (6.1)]. Acute hypercalcemia may increase the risk of cardiac arrhythmias and seizures and may potentiate the effect of digitalis on the heart [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)]. Chronic hypercalcemia can lead to generalized vascular calcification and other soft-tissue calcification. Severe hypercalcemia may require emergency attention.

Hypercalcemia may be exacerbated by concomitant administration of high doses of calcium containing preparations, thiazide diuretics, or other vitamin D compounds. In addition, high intake of calcium and phosphate concomitantly with vitamin D compounds may lead to hypercalciuria and hyperphosphatemia. In these circumstances, frequent serum calcium monitoring and RAYALDEE dose adjustments may be required. Patients with a history of hypercalcemia prior to initiating therapy with RAYALDEE should be monitored more frequently for possible hypercalcemia during therapy.

Patients should be informed about the symptoms of elevated serum calcium, which include feeling tired, difficulty thinking clearly, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, constipation, increased thirst, increased urination, and weight loss.

5.2 Digitalis Toxicity

Hypercalcemia of any cause, including RAYALDEE [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)], increases the risk of digitalis toxicity. In patients using RAYALDEE concomitantly with digitalis compounds, monitor both serum calcium and patients for signs and symptoms of digitalis toxicity and increase the frequency of monitoring when initiating or adjusting the dose of RAYALDEE [see Dosage and Administration (2)].

5.3 Adynamic Bone Disease

Adynamic bone disease with subsequent increased risk of fractures may develop if intact PTH levels are suppressed by RAYALDEE to abnormally low levels. Monitor intact PTH levels and adjust RAYALDEE dose, if needed [see Dosage and Administration (2.2)].

6.1 Clinical Trial Experience

Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed cannot be directly compared to rates in other trials and may not reflect the rates observed in clinical practice.

The data in Table 1 are derived from two pivotal studies described below [see Clinical Studies (14)]. These data reflect exposure of 285 subjects to RAYALDEE 30 or 60 mcg daily for up to 6 months (mean 24 weeks, range 1 to 31 weeks). The mean age of the study population was 66 years old (range 25-85 years). Half of the subjects were male, 65% were White, and 32% were African-American or Black. At baseline, subjects had secondary hyperparathyroidism, stage 3 (52%) or 4 (48%) chronic kidney disease without macroalbuminuria and serum total 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels less than 30 ng/mL. The most common causes of chronic kidney disease were diabetes and hypertension and the mean estimated GFR at baseline was 31 mL/min/1.73m2. At baseline, mean plasma intact PTH was 148 pg/mL, mean serum calcium was 9.2 mg/dL, mean serum phosphorus was 3.7 mg/dL and mean serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D was 20 ng/mL.

Table 1 shows common adverse reactions associated with the use of RAYALDEE in the pooled placebo-controlled trials. These adverse reactions were not present at baseline, occurred more commonly on RAYALDEE than on placebo, and occurred in at least 1.4% of patients treated with RAYALDEE.

Increase in Serum Calcium

Patients randomized to RAYALDEE experienced a greater mean (SE) increase in serum calcium (P<0.001) than patients randomized to placebo [i.e., 0.2 (0.02) mg/dL on RAYALDEE versus 0.1 (0.03) mg/dL on placebo from baseline to trial end]. Six subjects (2%) in the RAYALDEE treatment group and no subjects (0%) in the placebo group required dose reductions for protocol-defined hypercalcemia (two consecutive serum calcium values greater than 10.3 mg/dL). A total of 4.2% of RAYALDEE treated subjects and 2.1% of placebo treated subjects experienced at least one elevation in serum calcium above the upper limit of normal (10.5 mg/dL).

Increase in Serum Phosphorus

Patients randomized to RAYALDEE experienced a greater mean (SE) increase in serum phosphorus than patients randomized to placebo [i.e., 0.2 (0.03) mg/dL on RAYALDEE versus 0.1 (0.04) mg/dL on placebo from baseline to trial end]. One subject (0.4%) in the RAYALDEE treatment group met protocol-defined hyperphosphatemia (two consecutive serum phosphorus values greater than 5.5 mg/dL deemed to be study drug related) compared to no subjects in the placebo group. A total of 45% of RAYALDEE treated subjects and 44% of placebo treated subjects experienced at least one elevation in serum phosphorus above the upper limit of normal (4.5 mg/dL).

7.1 CYP3A Inhibitors

Cytochrome P450 inhibitors, such as ketoconazole, atazanavir, clarithromycin, indinavir, itraconazole, nefazodone, nelfinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir, telithromycin or voriconazole, may inhibit enzymes involved in vitamin D metabolism (CYP24A1 and CYP27B1), and may alter serum levels of calcifediol. Dose adjustment of RAYALDEE may be required, and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D, intact PTH and serum calcium concentrations should be closely monitored if a patient initiates or discontinues therapy with a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor.

7.2 Thiazides

Thiazides are known to induce hypercalcemia by reducing excretion of calcium in the urine.

Concomitant administration of thiazides with RAYALDEE may cause hypercalcemia. Patients may require more frequent serum calcium monitoring in this setting [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)].

7.3 Cholestyramine

Cholestyramine has been reported to reduce intestinal absorption of fat-soluble vitamins and may impair the absorption of calcifediol, the active ingredient in RAYALDEE. Dose adjustment of RAYALDEE may be required, and serum total 25-hydroxyvitamin D, intact PTH and serum calcium concentrations should be closely monitored if a patient initiates or discontinues therapy with cholestyramine.

7.4 Other Agents

Phenobarbital or other anticonvulsants or other compounds that stimulate microsomal hydroxylation reduce the half-life of calcifediol, the active ingredient in RAYALDEE. Dose adjustment of RAYALDEE may be required, and serum total 25-hydroxyvitamin D, intact PTH and serum calcium concentrations should be closely monitored if a patient initiates or discontinues therapy with phenobarbital or other anticonvulsants.

8.1 Pregnancy

8.2 Lactation

8.4 Pediatric Use

The safety and efficacy of RAYALDEE have not been established in pediatric patients.

8.5 Geriatric Use

Of the total number of subjects in phase 3 placebo-controlled clinical studies of RAYALDEE, 63% were ≥65 years of age and 22% were ≥75 years of age. No overall differences in the safety or efficacy of RAYALDEE were observed between subjects older than 65 years and younger subjects.

8.6 Renal Impairment

No difference in efficacy was observed between patients with stage 3 chronic kidney disease or those with stage 4 disease in subgroup analysis. Safety outcomes were similar in these subgroups. The safety and efficacy of RAYALDEE in the treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism in patients with stage 2 or stage 5 chronic kidney disease and patients with end-stage renal disease on dialysis have not been established [see Indications and Usage (1)].

12.1 Mechanism of Action

Calcifediol (25-hydroxyvitamin D3) is a prohormone of the active form of vitamin D3, calcitriol (1,25‑dihydroxyvitamin D3). Calcifediol is converted to calcitriol by cytochrome P450 27B1 (CYP27B1), also called 1-alpha hydroxylase, primarily in the kidney. Calcitriol binds to the vitamin D receptor in target tissues and activates vitamin D responsive pathways that result in increased intestinal absorption of calcium and phosphorus and reduced parathyroid hormone synthesis.

12.2 Pharmacodynamics

In repeat-dose clinical studies with RAYALDEE, increased levels of serum total 25-hydroxyvitamin D were associated with corresponding increases in serum total 1,25‑dihydroxyvitamin D concentrations and reductions in circulating plasma intact PTH observed within the first two weeks of RAYALDEE treatment [see Clinical Studies (14)].

12.3 Pharmacokinetics

Absorption

No food effect study was conducted with 30 mcg and 60 mcg doses of RAYALDEE. However, a food effect study with a supratherapeutic dose of 450 mcg in healthy subjects showed an approximately 5-fold increase in maximum serum calcifediol concentration (Cmax) and a 3.5-fold increase in AUC0-t when RAYALDEE was administered with a high fat, high calorie meal compared to fasting.

Exposure to calcifediol increased proportionally over the dose range of 30 to 90 mcg following repeated daily administration of RAYALDEE at bedtime to subjects with secondary hyperparathyroidism, chronic kidney disease and vitamin D insufficiency. Steady-state levels of serum total 25-hydroxyvitamin D are reached after approximately 3 months [see Clinical Studies (14)].

Distribution

Calcifediol is extensively bound to plasma proteins (>98%). The mean apparent volume of distribution is 8.8 L in healthy subjects following a single oral dose of RAYALDEE, and 30.1 L in subjects with stage 3 or 4 chronic kidney disease following repeated dosing.

Elimination

The mean elimination half-life of calcifediol is approximately 11 days in healthy individuals following a single dose of RAYALDEE, and approximately 25 days in patients with stage 3 or stage 4 chronic kidney disease following repeated once daily dosing.

Metabolism

Production of calcitriol from calcifediol is catalyzed by the 1-alpha-hydroxylase enzyme, CYP27B1, located in the kidney and other tissues. CYP24A1, located in all vitamin D-responsive tissues, catabolizes both calcifediol and calcitriol to inactive metabolites.

Excretion

Excretion of calcifediol occurs primarily through the biliary fecal route.

Specific Populations

Age, Gender and Race

Based on a population pharmacokinetic analysis, age, gender and race had no meaningful impact on steady-state concentrations of calcifediol following RAYALDEE administration.

Hepatic Impairment

The pharmacokinetics of RAYALDEE have not been investigated in patients with hepatic impairment.

Renal Impairment

Based on the population pharmacokinetics analysis, there was no meaningful difference in calcifediol steady-state concentrations following repeated RAYALDEE administration in patients with stage 3 or stage 4 chronic kidney disease.

13.1 Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility

No neoplastic changes attributable to calcifediol were observed at subcutaneous doses of 3, 10 and 33 mcg/kg/day in a 26-week rasH2 transgenic mouse study.

In vitro or in vivo mutagenicity studies have not been performed with RAYALDEE.

Calcifediol has not been shown to have significant effects on fertility in rats.