Effient Special Precautions

Bleeding Risk: In the phase 3 clinical trial, key exclusion criteria included an increased risk of bleeding; anaemia, thrombocytopaenia; history of pathological intracranial findings. Patients with acute coronary syndromes undergoing PCI treated with Effient and ASA showed an increased risk of major and minor bleeding according to the TIMI classification system. Therefore, the use of Effient in patients at increased risk of bleeding should only be considered when the benefits in terms of prevention of ischaemic events are deemed to outweigh the risk of serious bleedings. This concern applies especially to patients: ≥75 years of age (see text as follows); with a propensity to bleed (e.g. due to recent trauma, recent surgery, recent or recurrent gastrointestinal bleeding, or active peptic ulcer disease); with body weight <60 kg (see Dosage & Administration and Adverse Reactions). In these patients the 10 mg maintenance dose is not recommended. A 5 mg maintenance dose should be used; with concomitant administration of medicinal products that may increase the risk of bleeding, including oral anticoagulants, clopidogrel, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and fibrinolytics.
For patients with active bleeding for whom reversal of the pharmacological effects of Effient is required, platelet transfusion may be appropriate.
Because of the risk of bleeding (including fatal bleeding) and uncertain effectiveness in patients ≥75 years of age, use of Effient is generally not recommended in these patients, except in high-risk situations (patients with diabetes or history of myocardial infarction) where its effect appears to be greater and its use may be considered which should only be undertaken with caution after a careful individual benefit/risk evaluation by the prescribing physician indicates that benefits in terms of prevention of ischaemic events outweigh the risk of serious bleedings. In the phase 3 clinical trial these patients were at greater risk of bleeding, including fatal bleeding, compared to patients <75 years of age. If prescribed, a lower maintenance dose of 5 mg should be used; the 10 mg maintenance dose is not recommended (see Dosage & Administration and Adverse Reactions).
Therapeutic experience with prasugrel is limited in patients with renal impairment (including ESRD) and in patients with moderate hepatic impairment. These patients may have an increased bleeding risk. Therefore, prasugrel should be used with caution in these patients.
Literature suggests that selected populations in Japan and China may have a greater incidence of intracranial bleeding than that observed in western countries. Prasugrel was not associated with an increased incidence of intracranial bleeding in the overall population in the global registration trial (TRITON TIMI-38).
Patients should be told that it might take longer than usual to stop bleeding when they take prasugrel (in combination with ASA), and that they should report any unusual bleeding (site or duration) to their physician.
Bleeding Risk Associated with Timing of Loading Dose in NSTEMI: In a clinical trial of NSTEMI patients (the ACCOAST study), where patients were scheduled to undergo coronary angiography within 2 to 48 hours after randomization, a prasugrel loading dose given on average 4 hours prior to coronary angiography increased the risk of major and minor peri-procedural bleeding compared with a prasugrel loading dose at the time of PCI. Therefore, in UA/NSTEMI patients, where coronary angiography is performed within 48 hours after admission, the loading dose should be given at the time of PCI. (see Dosage & Administration, Adverse Reactions and Pharmacology: Pharmacodynamics under Actions).
Surgery: Patients should be advised to inform physicians and dentists that they are taking prasugrel before any surgery is scheduled and before any new medicinal product is taken. If a patient is to undergo elective surgery, and an antiplatelet effect is not desired, Effient should be discontinued at least 7 days prior to surgery. Increased frequency (3-fold) and severity of bleeding may occur in patients undergoing CABG surgery within 7 days of discontinuation of prasugrel (see Adverse Reactions). The benefits and risks of prasugrel should be carefully considered in patients in whom the coronary anatomy has not been defined and urgent CABG is a possibility.
Hypersensitivity including Angioedema: Hypersensitivity reactions including angioedema have been reported in patients receiving prasugrel, including in patients with a history of hypersensitivity reaction to clopidogrel. Monitoring for signs of hypersensitivity in patients with a known allergy to thienopyridines is advised (see Adverse Reactions).
Thrombotic Thrombocytopaenic Purpura (TTP): TTP has been reported with the use of prasugrel. TTP is a serious condition and requires prompt treatment.
Lactose: Patients with rare hereditary problems of galactose intolerance, the Lapp lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption should not take Effient.
Morphine and other opioids: Reduced prasugrel efficacy has been seen in patients co-administered prasugrel and morphine (see Interactions).
Effects on ability to drive and use machines: Prasugrel is expected to have no or negligible influence on the ability to drive and use machines.