2.1 Dosage in Patients Naïve to Levodopa Therapy

The recommended starting dosage of RYTARY in levodopa-naïve patients is 23.75 mg / 95 mg taken orally three times a day for the first 3 days. On the fourth day of treatment, the dosage of RYTARY may be increased to 36.25 mg / 145 mg taken three times a day.

Based upon individual patient clinical response and tolerability, the RYTARY dose may be increased up to a maximum recommended dose of 97.5 mg / 390 mg taken three times a day. The dosing frequency may be changed from three times a day to a maximum of five times a day if more frequent dosing is needed and if tolerated.

Maintain patients on the lowest dosage required to achieve symptomatic control and to minimize adverse reactions such as dyskinesia and nausea. The maximum recommended daily dose of RYTARY is 612.5 mg / 2450 mg.

2.2 Converting from Immediate-Release Carbidopa-Levodopa to RYTARY

The dosages of other carbidopa and levodopa products are not interchangeable on a 1:1 basis with the dosages of RYTARY.

To convert patients from immediate-release carbidopa-levodopa to RYTARY, first calculate the patient’s current total daily dose of levodopa. The starting total daily dose of RYTARY is as recommended in Table 1.

After conversion, any combination of the four RYTARY dosage strengths can be used to achieve an optimal dosing. Adjust the dose and dosing frequency as necessary to maintain patient tolerance and sufficient symptomatic control. Administration of concomitant Parkinson’s disease medications should remain stable while adjusting the RYTARY dose. In clinical trials, RYTARY was administered in divided doses of three to five times a day. The maximum recommended total daily dose of RYTARY is 612.5 mg / 2,450 mg.

For patients currently treated with carbidopa and levodopa plus a catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT) inhibitor (such as entacapone), the initial total daily dose of levodopa in RYTARY described in Table 1 may need to be increased.

Use of RYTARY in combination with other levodopa products has not been studied.

Table 1: Conversion from Immediate-Release Carbidopa-Levodopa to RYTARY

a TID: three times a day

2.3 Discontinuation of RYTARY

Avoid sudden discontinuation or rapid dose reduction of RYTARY. The daily dose of RYTARY should be tapered at the time of treatment discontinuation [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)].

2.4 Administration Information

Swallow RYTARY whole with or without food. A high-fat, high-calorie meal may delay the absorption of levodopa by about 2 hours [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].

Do not chew, divide or crush RYTARY capsules. For patients who have difficulty swallowing intact capsules, administer RYTARY by carefully twisting apart both halves of the capsule. Sprinkle the entire contents of both halves of the capsule on a small amount of applesauce (1 to 2 tablespoons) and consume the mixture immediately. Do not store the drug/food mixture for future use.

5.1 Falling Asleep During Activities of Daily Living and Somnolence

Patients treated with levodopa, a component of RYTARY, have reported falling asleep while engaged in activities of daily living, including the operation of motor vehicles, which sometimes resulted in accidents. Although many of these patients reported somnolence while on levodopa, some perceived that they had no warning signs (sleep attack), such as excessive drowsiness, and believed that they were alert immediately prior to the event. Some of these events have been reported more than 1 year after initiation of treatment.

It has been reported that falling asleep while engaged in activities of daily living usually occurs in a setting of pre-existing somnolence, although patients may not give such a history. For this reason, prescribers should reassess patients for drowsiness or sleepiness in RYTARY-treated patients, especially since some of the events occur well after the start of treatment. Prescribers should also be aware that patients may not acknowledge drowsiness or sleepiness until directly questioned about drowsiness or sleepiness during specific activities.

Before initiating treatment with RYTARY, advise patients of the potential to develop drowsiness and specifically ask about factors that may increase the risk for somnolence with RYTARY such as concomitant sedating medications or the presence of a sleep disorder. Consider discontinuing RYTARY in patients who report significant daytime sleepiness or episodes of falling asleep during activities that require active participation (e.g., conversations, eating, etc.).

If a decision is made to continue RYTARY, patients should be advised not to drive and to avoid other potentially dangerous activities that might result in harm if the patients become somnolent. There is insufficient information to establish that dose reduction will eliminate episodes of falling asleep while engaged in activities of daily living.

5.2 Withdrawal-Emergent Hyperpyrexia and Confusion

A symptom complex that resembles neuroleptic malignant syndrome (characterized by elevated temperature, muscular rigidity, altered consciousness, and autonomic instability), with no other obvious etiology, has been reported in association with rapid dose reduction, withdrawal of, or changes in dopaminergic therapy. Avoid sudden discontinuation or rapid dose reduction in patients taking RYTARY. If the decision is made to discontinue RYTARY, the dose should be tapered to reduce the risk of hyperpyrexia and confusion [see Dosage and Administration (2.4)].

5.3 Cardiovascular Ischemic Events

Cardiovascular ischemic events have occurred in patients taking RYTARY. In a placebo controlled clinical study in patients with early Parkinson's disease, 7/289 (2.4%) of RYTARY-treated patients experienced cardiovascular ischemic adverse reactions compared to 1/92 (1.1%) of placebo-treated patients. In an active-controlled clinical study in patients with advanced Parkinson's disease, 3/450 (0.7%) of RYTARY-treated patients experienced cardiovascular ischemic adverse reactions compared to 0/471 oral immediate-release carbidopa-levodopa-treated patients. These patients all had a previous history of ischemic heart disease or risk factors for ischemic heart disease.

In patients with a history of myocardial infarction who have residual atrial, nodal, or ventricular arrhythmias, cardiac function should be monitored in an intensive cardiac care facility during the period of initial dosage adjustment.

5.4 Hallucinations/Psychosis

There is an increased risk for hallucinations and psychosis in patients taking RYTARY. In a controlled clinical trial in patients with advanced Parkinson's disease, 9/201 (4%) of RYTARY-treated patients reported hallucinations or psychosis compared to 2/192 (1%) of oral immediate-release carbidopa-levodopa-treated patients.

Hallucinations present shortly after the initiation of therapy and may be responsive to dose reduction in levodopa. Hallucinations may be accompanied by confusion, insomnia, and excessive dreaming. Abnormal thinking and behavior may present with one or more symptoms, including paranoid ideation, delusions, hallucinations, confusion, psychotic-like behavior, disorientation, aggressive behavior, agitation, and delirium.

Because of the risk of exacerbating psychosis, patients with a major psychotic disorder should not be treated with RYTARY. In addition, medications that antagonize the effects of dopamine used to treat psychosis may exacerbate the symptoms of Parkinson's disease and may decrease the effectiveness of RYTARY [see Drug Interactions (7.2)].

5.5 Impulse Control/Compulsive Behaviors

Case reports suggest that patients can experience intense urges to gamble, increased sexual urges, intense urges to spend money, binge eating, and/or other intense urges, and the inability to control these urges while taking one or more of the medications, including RYTARY, that increase central dopaminergic tone and that are generally used for the treatment of Parkinson's disease. In some cases, although not all, these urges were reported to have stopped when the dose was reduced or the medication was discontinued.

Because patients may not recognize these behaviors as abnormal, it is important for prescribers to specifically ask patients or their caregivers about the development of new or increased gambling urges, sexual urges, uncontrolled spending or other urges while being treated with RYTARY. Consider a dose reduction or stopping the medication if a patient develops such urges while taking RYTARY.

5.6 Dyskinesia

RYTARY can cause dyskinesias that may require a dosage reduction of RYTARY or other medications used for the treatment of Parkinson's disease.

5.7 Peptic Ulcer Disease

Treatment with RYTARY may increase the possibility of upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage in patients with a history of peptic ulcer.

5.8 Glaucoma

RYTARY may cause increased intraocular pressure in patients with glaucoma. Monitor intraocular pressure in patients with glaucoma after starting RYTARY.

5.9 Melanoma

Epidemiological studies have shown that patients with Parkinson's disease have a higher risk (2- to approximately 6-fold higher) of developing melanoma than the general population. Whether the increased risk observed was due to Parkinson's disease or other factors, such as drugs used to treat Parkinson's disease, is unclear.

Perform periodic skin examinations to monitor for melanoma in patients receiving RYTARY.

6.1 Clinical Trials Experience

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

The safety population consisted of a total of 978 Parkinson’s disease patients who received at least one dose of RYTARY, and had an average duration of exposure of 40 weeks.

Adverse Reactions in Early Parkinson’s Disease

In a placebo-controlled clinical study in patients with early Parkinson’s disease (Study 1), the most common adverse reactions with RYTARY (in at least 5% of patients and more frequently than in placebo) were nausea, dizziness, headache, insomnia, abnormal dreams, dry mouth, dyskinesia, anxiety, constipation, vomiting, and orthostatic hypotension.

Table 2 lists adverse reactions occurring in at least 5% of RYTARY-treated patients and at a higher rate than placebo in Study 1.

Table 2:   Adverse Reactions in Study 1 in Patients with Early Stage Parkinson’s Disease

Adverse Reactions Leading to Discontinuation in Study 1

In Study 1, 12% of patients discontinued RYTARY early due to adverse reactions; a higher proportion of patients in the 61.25 mg / 245 mg RYTARY-treated group (14%) and in the 97.5 mg / 390 mg RYTARY-treated group (15%) experienced adverse reactions leading to early discontinuation compared to (4%) in the placebo group. The most common adverse reactions resulting in early discontinuation were nausea, dizziness, and vomiting.

Adverse Reactions in Advanced Parkinson’s Disease

In an active-controlled clinical study in patients with advanced Parkinson’s disease (Study 2), the most common adverse reactions with RYTARY that occurred during dose conversion or maintenance (in at least 5% of patients and more frequently than on oral immediate-release carbidopa-levodopa) were nausea and headache.

Table 3 lists adverse reactions occurring in at least 5% of RYTARY-treated patients and at a higher rate than oral immediate-release carbidopa-levodopa in Study 2.

Table 3:   Adverse Reactions in Study 2 in Patients with Advanced Parkinson’s Disease

a  All patients were converted to RYTARY in the open-label Dose Conversion period and then received randomized treatment during maintenance.

Adverse Reactions Leading to Discontinuation in Study 2

In Study 2, 5% of patients discontinued treatment due to adverse reactions during conversion to RYTARY. The common adverse reactions leading to discontinuation during dose conversion were dyskinesia, anxiety, dizziness, and on and off phenomenon.

6.2 Postmarketing Experience

The following adverse reactions have been identified during post approval use of RYTARY. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of unknown size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish causal relationship to RYTARY exposure.

Psychiatric: Suicide attempt, suicidal ideation.

7.1 Monoamine Oxidase (MAO) Inhibitors

The use of nonselective MAO inhibitors with RYTARY is contraindicated [see Contraindications (4)]. Discontinue use of any nonselective MAO inhibitors at least two weeks prior to initiating RYTARY.

The use of selective MAO-B inhibitors (e.g., rasagiline and selegiline) with RYTARY may be associated with orthostatic hypotension. Monitor patients who are taking these drugs concurrently.

7.2 Dopamine D2 Receptor Antagonists and Isoniazid

Dopamine D2 receptor antagonists (e.g., phenothiazines, butyrophenones, risperidone, metoclopramide) and isoniazid may reduce the effectiveness of levodopa. Monitor patients for worsening Parkinson's symptoms.

7.3 Iron Salts

Iron salts or multivitamins containing iron salts can form chelates with levodopa and carbidopa and can cause a reduction in the bioavailability of RYTARY. If iron salts or multivitamins containing iron salts are co-administered with RYTARY, monitor patients for worsening Parkinson's symptoms.

8.1 Pregnancy

Pregnancy Category C
There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. It has been reported from individual cases that levodopa crosses the human placental barrier, enters the fetus, and is metabolized. In animal studies, carbidopa-levodopa has been shown to be developmentally toxic (including teratogenic effects) at clinically relevant doses. RYTARY should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.

When administered to pregnant rabbits throughout organogenesis, carbidopa-levodopa caused both visceral and skeletal malformation in fetuses at all doses and ratios of carbidopa-levodopa tested. No teratogenic effects were observed when carbidopa-levodopa was administered to pregnant mice throughout organogenesis.

There was a decrease in the number of live pups delivered by rats receiving carbidopa-levodopa during organogenesis.

8.3 Nursing Mothers

Carbidopa is excreted in rat milk. In a study of one nursing mother with Parkinson's disease, excretion of levodopa in human milk was reported. Caution should be exercised when RYTARY is administered to a nursing woman.

8.4 Pediatric Use

Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients have not been established.

8.5 Geriatric Use

In controlled clinical trials of RYTARY, 418 patients were 65 years or older and no overall differences in safety and efficacy were observed between these patients and those under 65 years of age.

12.1 Mechanism of Action

Carbidopa

When levodopa is administered orally, it is rapidly decarboxylated to dopamine in extracerebral tissues so that only a small portion of a given dose is transported unchanged to the central nervous system. Carbidopa inhibits the decarboxylation of peripheral levodopa, making more levodopa available for delivery to the brain.

Levodopa

Levodopa is the metabolic precursor of dopamine, does cross the blood-brain barrier, and presumably is converted to dopamine in the brain. This is thought to be the mechanism whereby levodopa relieves symptoms of Parkinson's disease.

12.2 Pharmacodynamics

Because its decarboxylase inhibiting activity is limited to extracerebral tissues, administration of carbidopa with levodopa makes more levodopa available to the brain. The addition of carbidopa to levodopa reduces the peripheral effects (nausea, vomiting) due to decarboxylation of levodopa; however, carbidopa does not decrease the adverse reactions due to the central effects of levodopa.

Patients treated with levodopa therapy for Parkinson's disease may develop motor fluctuations characterized by end-of-dose failure, peak dose dyskinesia, 'on-off' phenomenon, and akinesia.

12.3 Pharmacokinetics

Absorption

Carbidopa

Following oral dosing of RYTARY the maximum concentration occurred at approximately 3 hours. The bioavailability of carbidopa from RYTARY relative to immediate-release carbidopa-levodopa tablets was approximately 50%.

Levodopa

The pharmacokinetics of RYTARY were evaluated following single-doses in healthy subjects and following single- and multiple-doses in patients with Parkinson’s disease. The bioavailability of levodopa from RYTARY in patients was approximately 70% relative to immediate-release carbidopa-levodopa. For comparable doses, RYTARY results in a levodopa peak concentration (Cmax) that is 30% that of immediate-release carbidopa-levodopa. Following an initial peak at about one hour, plasma concentrations are maintained for about 4 to 5 hours before declining.

In patients with Parkinson’s disease, multiple-dose pharmacokinetics was comparable to single-dose pharmacokinetics, i.e. there was minimal accumulation of levodopa. Variation in levodopa peak to trough plasma concentrations at steady-state defined as (Cmax-Cmin)/Cavg was approximately 1.5 for RYTARY compared to approximately 3.2 for immediate-release levodopa.

Distribution

Carbidopa is approximately 36% bound to plasma proteins. Approximately 10% to 30% of levodopa is bound to plasma protein.

Metabolism and Elimination

Carbidopa

The terminal phase elimination half-life of carbidopa is approximately 2 hours.

Carbidopa is metabolized to two main metabolites: α-methyl-3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylpropionic acid and α-methyl-3,4-dihydroxy-phenylpropionic acid. These two metabolites are primarily eliminated in the urine unchanged or as a glucuronide. Unchanged carbidopa accounts for 30% of the total urinary excretion.

Peripheral dopa-decarboxylase may be saturated by carbidopa in other carbidopa-levodopa products at 70 mg per day to 100 mg per day, which produces equivalent exposure to 140 mg to 200 mg of carbidopa provided by RYTARY.

Levodopa

The terminal phase elimination half-life of levodopa, the active moiety of antiparkinsonian activity, is approximately 2 hours in the presence of carbidopa.

Levodopa is extensively metabolized to various metabolites. The two major metabolic pathways are decarboxylation by dopa decarboxylase (DDC) and O-methylation by catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT).

Dose Proportionality

RYTARY shows approximately dose proportional pharmacokinetics for both carbidopa and levodopa over the levodopa dosage strength range of 95 mg to 245 mg.  

Effect of Food

In healthy adults, oral administration of RYTARY after a high-fat, high-calorie meal reduced Cmax approximately 21% and increased AUCinf approximately 13% for levodopa compared to administration in the fasted state. There may be a delay by 2 hours in the absorption of levodopa when RYTARY is taken with a high-fat, high-calorie meal. In addition, absorption of levodopa may be decreased by a high protein meal.

Specific Populations

Elderly

In pharmacokinetics studies following a single-dose of RYTARY, the peak concentrations of carbidopa and levodopa are generally similar between younger (45 to 60 years) and older (60 to 75 years) subjects.

Gender

In pharmacokinetics studies following a single-dose of RYTARY:

• Carbidopa

At comparable doses females are reported to have higher carbidopa peak concentrations and systemic exposure (approximately 33%) compared to males. Median time to peak concentration and terminal half-life are comparable between males and females.

• Levodopa

At comparable doses females are reported to have higher levodopa peak concentrations (approximately 23% to 33%) and systemic exposure (approximately 33% to 37%) compared to males. Median time to peak concentration and terminal half-life are comparable between males and females.

13.1 Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility

Carcinogenesis

In rats, oral administration of carbidopa-levodopa for two years resulted in no evidence of carcinogenicity.

Mutagenesis

Carbidopa was mutagenic in the in vitro Ames test and in the in vitro mouse lymphoma tk assay but was negative in the in vivo mouse micronucleus assay.

Impairment of Fertility

In reproduction studies, no effects on fertility were observed in rats receiving carbidopa-levodopa.

14.1 Patients with Early Parkinson's Disease

The effectiveness of RYTARY in patients with early Parkinson’s disease was established in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, fixed-dose, parallel-group, 30-week clinical trial (Study 1). Patients enrolled in Study 1 (n=381) were Hoehn and Yahr Stage I–III with a median disease duration of 1 year, and had limited or no prior exposure to levodopa and dopamine agonists. Patients continued taking concomitant selective monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) inhibitors, amantadine, and anticholinergics provided the doses were stable for at least 4 weeks before screening. Eligible patients were randomized (1:1:1:1) to placebo or one of three fixed doses of RYTARY (carbidopa/levodopa doses of 36.25 mg / 145 mg, 61.25 mg / 245 mg, or 97.5 mg / 390 mg, three times a day). Patients were not allowed to receive supplemental levodopa or catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT) inhibitors. Patients receiving RYTARY initiated treatment at 23.75 mg / 95 mg three times daily (TID). The dose was increased on Day 4 and the maximum study dose (97.5 mg / 390 mg TID) was achieved by Day 22.

The clinical outcome measure in Study 1 was the mean change from baseline in the sum of the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) Part II (activities of daily living) score, and UPDRS Part III (motor score) for RYTARY, compared to placebo at Week 30 (or early termination). The mean score decrease (i.e. improvement) from baseline to Week 30 for each of the three RYTARY dosage groups was significantly greater than for placebo. The results of Study 1 are shown in Table 4.

Table 4: Study 1: Change from Baseline in UPDRS Part II plus Part III Score at Week 30 (or at Early Termination) in Levodopa-Naïve Patients with Early Parkinson’s Disease

a  For the UPDRS, higher scores indicate greater severity of impairment
b  All values based on 361 patients who had valid End-of-Study values
c  Negative numbers indicate improvement as compared with the baseline value
d  P-value is less than 0.05

14.2 Patients with Advanced Parkinson's Disease

Study 2 was a 22-week trial consisting of a 3-week dose adjustment of current levodopa treatment prior to a 6-week conversion to RYTARY, which was followed by a 13-week, randomized, multicenter, double-blind, levodopa-containing active control, double-dummy, parallel group trial. The study enrolled 471 (393 randomized) patients (Hoehn & Yahr Stages I-IV) who had been maintained on a stable regimen of at least 400 mg per day of levodopa prior to entry into the trial. Patients were continued on concomitant dopamine agonists, selective monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) inhibitors, amantadine, and anticholinergics provided the doses were stable for at least 4 weeks prior to screening. Patients were randomized to receive either RYTARY or immediate-release carbidopa-levodopa at the dose determined during the adjustment or conversion phases. Patients were not allowed to receive supplemental carbidopa-levodopa or catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT) inhibitor products during the trial. 

In Study 2, approximately 60% of patients required further up titration and approximately 16% of patients required down titration compared to the recommended starting dose of RYTARY. The final total daily dose of levodopa from RYTARY was approximately double that of the final total daily dose of levodopa from immediate-release tablets. The majority (88%) of patients in Study 2 received less than 2,400 mg; the median dose was 1,365 mg.

The clinical outcome measure in Study 2 was the percentage of “off” time during waking hours at Week 22 (or at early termination), as assessed by the patient’s Parkinson’s Disease Diary. The “off” time was significantly improved in RYTARY-treated patients compared to immediate-release carbidopa-levodopa-treated patients (Table 5). The decrease in “off” time observed with RYTARY occurred with a concomitant increase in “on time” without troublesome dyskinesia.

Table 5: Study 2: Parkinson’s Disease Diary Measures in Patients with Advanced Parkinson’s Disease

a  P-value is less than 0.05

16.1 How Supplied

RYTARY (carbidopa and levodopa) Extended-release Capsules are available in the following strengths:

• 23.75 mg Carbidopa and 95 mg of Levodopa: blue and white capsule imprinted with IPX066 on the capsule cap and 95 on the capsule body.
  They are available as follows:
  
  Bottles of 100:               (NDC 64896-661-01)
  Bottles of 240:               (NDC 64896-661-43)
  

  
  

• 36.25 mg Carbidopa and 145 mg Levodopa: blue and light blue capsule imprinted with IPX066 on the capsule cap and 145 on the capsule body.
  They are available as follows:
  
  Bottles of 100:               (NDC 64896-662-01)
  Bottles of 240:               (NDC 64896-662-43)
  

  
  

• 48.75 mg Carbidopa and 195 mg Levodopa: blue and yellow capsule imprinted with IPX066 on the capsule cap and 195 on the capsule body.
  They are available as follows:
  
  Bottles of 100:               (NDC 64896-663-01)
  Bottles of 240:               (NDC 64896-663-43)
  

  
  

• 61.25 mg Carbidopa and 245 mg Levodopa: blue capsule imprinted with IPX066 on the capsule cap and 245 on the capsule body.
  They are available as follows:
  
  Bottles 100:                  (NDC 64896-664-01)
  Bottles of 240:              (NDC 64896-664-43)

16.2 Storage and Handling

Store at 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F); excursions permitted between 15° to 30°C (59° to 86°F) [see USP Controlled Room Temperature]. Store in a tightly closed container, protected from light and moisture.

Dispense in a tightly closed, light-resistant container.