Abstract
Each month, subscribers to The Formulary Monograph Service receive 5 to 6 well-documented monographs on drugs that are newly released or are in late phase 3 trials. The monographs are targeted to Pharmacy & Therapeutics Committees. Subscribers also receive monthly 1-page summary monographs on agents that are useful for agendas and pharmacy/nursing in-services. A comprehensive target drug utilization evaluation/medication use evaluation (DUE/MUE) is also provided each month. With a subscription, the monographs are available online to subscribers. Monographs can be customized to meet the needs of a facility. Through the cooperation of The Formulary, Hospital Pharmacy publishes selected reviews in this column. For more information about The Formulary Monograph Service, contact Wolters Kluwer customer service at 866-397-3433.
Keywords: anticoagulants, formulary management/P&T, critical care
Generic Name: Betrixaban
Proprietary Name: Bevyxxa (Portola Pharmaceuticals)
Approval Rating: 1P
Therapeutic Class: Factor Xa Inhibitors
Similar Drugs: Apixaban, Dabigatran, Edoxaban, Enoxaparin, Rivaroxaban
Sound-/Look-Alike Names: Apixaban, Baricitinib, Edoxaban
Indications
Betrixaban is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for prophylaxis of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in adult patients hospitalized for an acute medical illness who are at risk for thromboembolic complications due to moderate or severe restricted mobility and other risk factors for VTE.1,2 The safety and effectiveness of betrixaban in patients with prosthetic heart valves have not been evaluated.1 Betrixaban may also have a role in stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation, and in VTE prevention following total hip or knee replacement.3,4,5
Table 1 summarizes the approved indications for the various oral factor Xa inhibitors.1,6,7,8,9
Table 1.
Betrixaban |
Apixaban |
Dabigatran |
Edoxaban |
Rivaroxaban |
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Brand name (manufacturer) | Bevyxxa (Portola) |
Eliquis (Bristol-Myers Squibb) |
Pradaxa (Boehringer Ingelheim) |
Savaysa (Daiichi Sankyo) |
Xarelto (Janssen) |
Approved indications | |||||
Prophylaxis of VTE in adult patients hospitalized for an acute medical illness who are at risk for thromboembolic complications due to moderate or severe restricted mobility and other risk factors for VTE | X | ||||
To reduce the risk of stroke and systemic embolism in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation | X | X | X | X | |
Prophylaxis of DVT, which may lead to PE, in patients who have undergone hip or knee replacement surgery | X | X | |||
Prophylaxis of DVT and PE in patients who have undergone hip replacement surgery | X | ||||
To reduce the risk of recurrence of DVT and PE in patients who have previously been treated | X | X | X | ||
Treatment of DVT | X | X | |||
Treatment of PE | X | X | |||
Treatment of DVT and PE following initial therapy | X | X |
Note. VTE = venous thromboembolism; DVT = deep vein thrombosis; PE = pulmonary embolism.
Clinical Pharmacology
Betrixaban is a direct factor Xa inhibitor anticoagulant. Betrixaban exerts its antithrombotic effect by inhibiting free and prothrombinase-bound factor Xa, an important validated target in the blood coagulation pathway, in a concentration-dependent manner.1,3,10 Inhibition of factor Xa results in decreased thrombin generation.1
Pharmacokinetics
Peak plasma concentrations occur within 3 to 4 hours after oral administration of betrixaban. The oral bioavailability after a dose of betrixaban 80 mg is 34%. Absorption is affected by fatty food; peak concentration and area under the curve were decreased an average of 70% and 61%, respectively, when administered with a low-fat meal, and 50% and 48%, respectively, when administered with a high-fat meal.1,3
The primary route of elimination is hepatobiliary into the gut (82%-89%).3 Following oral administration, approximately 85% of betrixaban was recovered in the feces and 11% in the urine. Metabolism by cytochrome P450 (CYP-450) enzymes is very low (less than 1%). The effective half-life is 19 to 27 hours. Apparent volume of distribution is 32 L/kg. Protein binding is 60%.1
Table 2 provides a comparison of select pharmacokinetic parameters for the oral factor Xa inhibitors.1,6,7,8,9
Table 2.
Betrixaban | Apixaban | Dabigatran | Edoxaban | Rivaroxaban | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Time to peak concentration | 3-4 h | 3-4 h | 1 h | 1-2 h | 2-4 h |
Effect of food | Decreased bioavailability | No effect | No effect | No effect | No effect with 10 mg dose Increased absorption with 20 mg dose |
Metabolism via CYP-450 | <1% | Major route | None | Minimal | CYP3A4/5, CYP2J2, and hydrolysis |
Renal clearance | 11% | 27% | 80% | 50% | 36% |
Half-life | 19-27 h | 12 h | 12-17 h | 10-14 h | 5-9 h |
Volume of distribution (apparent) | 32 L/kg | 21 L | 50-70 L | 107 L | 50 L |
Protein binding (plasma) | 60% | 87% | 35% | 55% | 92%-95% |
Comparative Efficacy
Indication: Extended-Duration Prophylaxis of VTE in Acute Medically Ill Patients
Guidelines
Guideline: Antithrombotic therapy for VTE disease: CHEST Guideline and Expert Panel report
Reference: American College of Chest Physicians11
Comments: An American College of Chest Physicians guideline and expert panel report regarding antithrombotic therapy for VTE in noncancer patients states that direct oral anticoagulants (ie, apixaban, edoxaban, dabigatran, rivaroxaban) are favored over vitamin K antagonist therapy for long-term (3 months) and extended treatment of VTE. Initial parenteral anticoagulation (ie, low-dose unfractionated heparin, low-molecular-weight heparin) should be given prior to dabigatran and edoxaban, but is not required before administering rivaroxaban or apixaban. If a decision is made to extend treatment in VTE patients with risk factors for recurrence, the direct oral anticoagulants are effective in reducing the incidence of recurrent VTE; the same anticoagulant used for long-term treatment should be used for extended-duration treatment unless patient circumstances warrant a change in anticoagulant therapy. Betrixaban was not available when these guidelines were created.
Studies
Drug: Betrixaban versus Enoxaparin
Reference: Cohen AT, et al 2014; Cohen AT, et al 2016 (APEX trial)1,12,13
Study Design: Randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, active-controlled, multicenter, international study
Study Funding: Portola Pharmaceuticals
Patients: 7,513 patients 40 years and older hospitalized for a specified acute medical illness (eg, heart failure, infectious disease, respiratory failure, rheumatic disease, ischemic stroke) and who had additional risk factors for VTE were expected to be severely immobilized for 24 hours during hospitalization and moderately and/or severely immobilized for at least 4 days after study enrollment, and had an anticipated survival of at least 8 weeks. Key exclusion criteria included hospitalization for more than 96 hours prior to randomization; inability to take enteral feeding; increased risk of bleeding or history of intracranial bleeding; need for major surgery or invasive procedure; contraindications to anticoagulant therapy; and elevated liver function tests, active liver disease, or cirrhosis. Average patient age was approximately 76 years, with approximately 68% of patients aged 75 years or older; 45% were male; 93% were white; mean weight was approximately 80 kg; body mass index was approximately 29.4 kg/m2; and median duration of hospitalization was 10 days. Two cohorts were established within the overall population: Cohort 1 included patients with elevated baseline d-dimer level at least 2 times the upper limit of normal (n = 3870), and cohort 2 included patients meeting criteria for cohort 1 plus those 75 years of age and older (n = 5735). The overall study population cohort included patients from cohorts 1 and 2 who were included in the primary efficacy outcome analysis (n = 6286).
Intervention: Patients were randomized (1:1) to receive oral betrixaban plus subcutaneous enoxaparin placebo or subcutaneous enoxaparin plus oral betrixaban placebo using a double-blind, double-dummy design. On day 1, all patients received 2 capsules of either betrixaban 80 mg or placebo orally, followed by one 80-mg capsule orally once daily for the remainder of the study (35-42 days). Patients receiving a concomitant strong P-glycoprotein (P-gp) inhibitor or who had severe renal insufficiency (creatinine clearance [CrCl] more than 15 mL/min and less than 30 mL/min) received a reduced dose of betrixaban 80 mg initially and 40 mg once daily thereafter. Enoxaparin (or matching placebo) was administered at a dose of 40 mg subcutaneously daily for 6 to 14 days (patients with CrCl more than 15 mL/min and less than 30 mL/min received enoxaparin 20 mg). The median duration of treatment was 36 days in the betrixaban group and 9 days in the enoxaparin group.
Results
Primary End Point(s)
- Composite of asymptomatic proximal DVT between days 32 and 47, symptomatic proximal or distal DVT, symptomatic nonfatal PE, or death from VTE between days 1 and 42:
- Cohort 1: 6.9% of patients in the betrixaban group and 8.5% in the enoxaparin group (relative risk [RR], 0.81; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.65-1; P = .054).
- Cohort 2: 5.6% of patients in the betrixaban group and 7.1% in the enoxaparin group (RR, 0.8; 95% CI, 0.66-0.98; P = .03).
- Overall population cohort: 5.3% of patients in the betrixaban group and 7% in the enoxaparin group (RR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.63-0.92; P = .006).
In the overall safety population (n = 7432), major bleeding at any point up to 7 days after discontinuation occurred in 0.7% of the betrixaban group and 0.6% of the enoxaparin group (RR, 1.19; 95% CI, 0.67-2.12; P = .55).
Secondary End Point(s)
Composite of symptomatic VTE through day 42 (death from VTE, nonfatal PE, or symptomatic DVT) occurred in 0.9% of patients in the betrixaban group and 1.5% in the enoxaparin group (RR, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.42-0.98; P = .04).
Composite of primary efficacy outcome plus death from any cause (instead of death from VTE) for the overall population changed to an occurrence of 9.2% in the betrixaban group and 10.8% in the enoxaparin group (RR, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.73-0.98; P = .02).
Net clinical benefit (composite of the primary efficacy outcome and the primary safety outcome) occurred in 5.8% of the betrixaban group and 7.3% of the enoxaparin group (RR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.65-0.95; P = .01).
Major or clinically relevant nonmajor bleeding occurred in 3.1% of the betrixaban group and 1.6% of the enoxaparin group (RR, 1.97; 95% CI, 1.44-2.68; P < .001).
New ischemic stroke occurred in 0.5% of patients in the betrixaban group and 0.9% in the enoxaparin group (RR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.3-0.94; P = .03). Incidence for the development of any type of stroke was 0.6% in the betrixaban group and 1.1% in the enoxaparin group (RR, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.35-0.97; P = .03).13 A subgroup analysis also found that betrixaban decreased the risk of all-cause stroke and ischemic stroke in patients whose index event for enrollment was congestive heart failure or ischemic stroke.14
Comments: The study was conducted in North America, Europe, South America, South Africa, Asia, and Australia. This pivotal study was evaluated for betrixaban’s approval in the United States; the information included in the betrixaban prescribing information is based on the overall study population and not the subgroup cohorts. The study was designed to assess the safety and efficacy of extended-duration oral betrixaban compared with standard-duration enoxaparin for thromboprophylaxis in patients with acute medical illness. Testing for superiority was done using a fixed hierarchical sequence: superiority for primary end point in cohort 1, followed by cohort 2, then the overall study population followed by sequential analysis for various secondary end points. Superiority was not established for cohort 1, so the results for the other primary and secondary end points can only be considered exploratory. The inability to meet superiority may have been influenced by the smaller number of patients in cohort 1 compared with cohort 2 and the overall modified intention-to-treat (mITT) efficacy population. Efficacy was assessed using the mITT population (n = 7441) (ie, patients who received at least 1 dose of study medication and had an adequate assessment of VTE). Sensitivity analysis was conducted using imputation to account for missing data and found similar results. Subgroup analysis of full- versus reduced-dose betrixaban found that the 80-mg dose achieved higher serum concentrations than the 40-mg dose and was associated with improved efficacy across all cohorts relative to enoxaparin.15 Post hoc analysis found that extended-duration betrixaban had an approximately 30% reduction in fatal or irreversible ischemic or bleeding events compared with standard-duration enoxaparin.16
Limitations: Superiority was not established for cohort 1, so the results for the other primary and secondary end points can only be considered exploratory. A new analysis process was used, in which the first primary end point evaluated was in patients with higher risk, and subsequent statistical analysis was based on a fixed hierarchical sequence; if the between-group difference of the previous analysis (ie, the first primary end point) was not significant, then subsequent end points were considered only exploratory. If the overall mITT population and cohort 2 had been used as the first 2 data sets for this study, it would have been considered a success and these 2 end points would not have been classified as exploratory.
Contraindications, Warnings, and Precautions
Contraindications
The contraindications for betrixaban are similar to those of other oral factor Xa inhibitors: active pathological bleeding and severe hypersensitivity reactions to the drug and its inactive ingredients (ie, dextrose monohydrate, croscarmellose sodium, magnesium stearate, hard gelatin capsule; see Table 3).1,6,7,8,9
Table 3.
Betrixaban | Apixaban | Dabigatran | Edoxaban | Rivaroxaban | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Contraindications | |||||
Active pathological bleeding | X | X | X | X | X |
Severe hypersensitivity reaction to the drug | X | X | X | X | |
Prosthetic heart valves | a | a | X | a | a |
Warnings and precautions | |||||
Risk of bleeding | X | X | X | X | X |
Spinal/epidural anesthesia or puncture | X | X | X | X | X |
Mechanical heart valves or moderate to severe mitral stenosis | X | ||||
Reduced efficacy in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation and CrCL greater than 95 mL/min | X | ||||
Severe renal impairment | X | X | |||
Hepatic impairment | X | X | |||
Concomitant use of P-gp inhibitors | X | X | |||
Concomitant use of P-gp inducers | X | ||||
Concomitant use of P-gp and strong CYP3A4 inhibitors or inducers | X | ||||
Increased risk of thrombotic events with premature discontinuation | X | X | X | X | |
Pregnancy | No adequate and well-controlled studies | No adequate and well-controlled studies | No adequate and well-controlled studies | No adequate and well-controlled studies | No adequate and well-controlled studies |
Breastfeeding | No data | No data | No data | No data | No data |
Pediatric patients | Safety and effectiveness not established | Safety and effectiveness not established | Safety and effectiveness not established | Safety and effectiveness not established | Safety and effectiveness not established |
Specific agent for reversal of anticoagulant effect | No | No | Yes | No | No |
Note. CrCL = creatinine clearance; P-gp = P-glycoprotein.
Safety and effectiveness not established.
Use of dabigatran is contraindicated in patients with mechanical heart valves; safety and efficacy of factor Xa inhibitors, including betrixaban, have not been evaluated in this population. Contraindications to use of the factor Xa inhibitors are summarized in Table 3.1,6,7,8,9
Warnings and Precautions
The warnings and precautions associated with betrixaban therapy are similar to those of other oral factor Xa inhibitors (see Table 3).1,6,7,8,9
Betrixaban prescribing information includes a boxed warning regarding the risk of spinal or epidural hematomas, which may occur after neuraxial anesthesia or spinal puncture. Frequently monitor patients for signs and symptoms of neurological impairment (eg, numbness or weakness of legs, bowel or bladder dysfunction). The risk of these events may be increased by the use of indwelling epidural catheters or by concomitant use of medical products affecting hemostasis. Do not remove an epidural catheter earlier than 72 hours after the last administration of betrixaban. Do not administer the next betrixaban dose earlier than 5 hours after the removal of the catheter. If traumatic puncture occurs, delay the administration of betrixaban for 72 hours. Hematomas may result in long-term or permanent paralysis. If neurological signs or symptoms are noted, urgent diagnosis and treatment are necessary.1
Use of oral factor Xa inhibitors, including betrixaban, is associated with an increased risk of bleeding, which can be fatal. Concomitant use of drugs affecting hemostasis (eg, aspirin and other antiplatelet agents, other anticoagulants, heparin, thrombolytic agents, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors [SSRIs], serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors [SNRIs], nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs [NSAIDs]) increases the risk of bleeding. Patients should be evaluated for signs or symptoms of blood loss, and therapy should be discontinued in patients with active pathological bleeding. There is no established way to reverse the anticoagulant effects of betrixaban; effects of hemodialysis are unknown, and protamine sulfate, vitamin K, and tranexamic acid are not expected to reverse betrixaban’s anticoagulant activity.1
Patients with severe renal impairment (CrCl 15 mL/min to less than 30 mL/min) taking betrixaban may have an increased risk of bleeding events. Loading and maintenance doses of betrixaban should be reduced, and the patient should be monitored for any signs or symptoms of blood loss.1
Patients with hepatic impairment were not evaluated because these patients may have intrinsic coagulation abnormalities. Therefore, use of betrixaban in these patients is not recommended.1
Patients receiving concomitant P-gp inhibitors with betrixaban may have an increased risk of bleeding. The loading and maintenance doses should be reduced in patients receiving or starting P-gp inhibitors. If the patient has severe renal impairment and requires treatment with a P-gp inhibitor, betrixaban should not be prescribed. Monitor patients closely, and promptly evaluate any signs or symptoms of blood loss.1
There are no adequate and well-controlled studies regarding use of oral factor Xa inhibitors, including betrixaban, in pregnancy.1,6,7,8,9 These drugs should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit outweighs the potential risk to the mother and fetus.
It is unknown whether oral factor Xa inhibitors are excreted in human milk.1,6,7,8,9 No data are available regarding the presence of betrixaban or its metabolites in human milk, or its effects of breastfeeding infants or milk production.1
Safety and efficacy of the oral factor Xa inhibitors, including betrixaban, have not been established in pediatric patients.1
Adverse Reactions
The most common adverse reaction associated with betrixaban therapy is bleeding.1,12,13 Potential serious adverse reactions with betrixaban include bleeding, spinal or epidural hematomas (in patients receiving neuraxial anesthesia or undergoing spinal puncture), and major bleeding.1 Tables 4 and 5 summarize the adverse reactions reported in a clinical trial (APEX) that compared betrixaban and enoxaparin.1
Table 4.
Adverse reaction | Betrixaban (n = 3716) |
Enoxaparin (n = 3716) |
---|---|---|
Bleeding-related event (all sources) | ||
Epistaxis | 2% | 1% |
Hematuria | 2% | 1% |
Nonbleeding event | ||
Urinary tract infection | 3% | 2% |
Constipation | 3% | 3% |
Hypokalemia | 3% | 2% |
Hypertension | 2% | 2% |
Headache | 2% | 2% |
Nausea | 2% | 2% |
Diarrhea | 2% | 2% |
Note. VTE = venous thromboembolism.
Table 5.
Bleeding event | Betrixaban (n = 3716) | Enoxaparin (n = 3716) | Betrixaban versus Enoxaparin relative risk |
---|---|---|---|
Major bleeding | |||
Any | 0.67% | 0.57% | 1.19 (95% CI, 0.67-2.12) (P = .554) |
Gastrointestinal bleeding | 0.51% | 0.24% | |
Intracranial hemorrhage | 0.05% | 0.19% | |
Intraocular bleeding | 0% | 0.03% | |
Fatal bleeding | 0.03% | 0.03% | |
Clinically relevant nonmajor bleeding | |||
Any | 2.45% | 1.02% | 2.39 (95% CI, 1.64-3.49) (P < .001) |
QTc prolongation is concentration dependent. The mean QTc prolongation after 80 mg was 4 ms; after a 4.7-fold increase in exposure, QTc prolongation was 13 ms.1
Drug Interactions
Betrixaban is mainly excreted unchanged via biliary secretion. Betrixaban is not a CYP-450 substrate, and no drug-drug interactions with CYP-450 inducers or inhibitors are expected. Betrixaban is not an inducer of CYP1A2, 2C9, or 3A4 activity.17 Betrixaban is not an inducer or inhibitor of CYP-450 enzymes.3
Betrixaban is a substrate of P-gp, and concomitant use of P-gp inhibitors (eg, amiodarone, azithromycin, verapamil, ketoconazole, clarithromycin) results in increased exposure to betrixaban. Reduce the dose of betrixaban for patients receiving or starting concomitant P-gp inhibitors.1
Coadministration of betrixaban with anticoagulants, antiplatelet drugs, and thrombolytics may increase the risk of bleeding. Promptly evaluate any signs or symptoms of blood loss if the patient is being treated concomitantly with anticoagulants, aspirin, other platelet aggregation inhibitors, and/or NSAIDs.1 Table 6 provides a comparison of the drug interactions associated with factor Xa inhibitors.1,6,7,8,9
Table 6.
Betrixaban | Apixaban | Dabigatran | Edoxaban | Rivaroxaban | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
P-gp inhibitors (eg, amiodarone, azithromycin, verapamil, ketoconazole, clarithromycin) | X | X | X | X | |
Moderate CYP3A4 inhibitors | X | ||||
P-gp plus strong CYP3A4 inhibitors | X | X | |||
P-gp plus moderate CYP3A4 inhibitors | X | ||||
P-gp plus strong CYP3A4 inducers | X | X | |||
Anticoagulants | X | X | a | X | X |
Antiplatelet drugs | X | X | a | X | X |
Thrombolytics | X | X | X | X | |
NSAIDs | X | X | a | X | X |
CYP3A4 inhibitors | X | X | |||
P-gp inducers (eg, rifampin) | X | X | X | ||
CYP3A4 inducers | X | X | X | ||
SSRIs | a | X | a | a | X |
SNRIs | a | X | a | a | X |
Note. NSAIDs = nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; P-gp = P-glycoprotein; SSRIs = selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors; SNRIs = serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors.
Not listed in prescribing information, but potentially could occur.
Andexanet alfa binds betrixaban and reserves its anticoagulant activity.18,19,20
Recommended Monitoring
Renal function prior to initiation and periodically as clinically indicated; signs/symptoms of bleeding.1
Routine monitoring of coagulation tests is not required. Anti–factor Xa assay may be helpful (plasma concentrations and anti–factor Xa activity exhibit linear relationship) in guiding clinical decisions.21
Dosing
The recommended dosage for betrixaban is an initial single oral dose of 160 mg, followed by 80 mg once daily. Betrixaban should be given at the same time of day with food. The recommended duration of treatment is 35 to 42 days.1 Table 7 provides a comparison of the dosing recommendations for the factor Xa inhibitors.1,6,7,8,9
Table 7.
Betrixaban | Apixaban | Dabigatran | Edoxaban | Rivaroxaban | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Recommended oral dose | |||||
Loading dose | Single dose of 160 mg | ||||
Maintenance dose | 80 mg once daily | 2.5-10 mg twice daily; dose depends on the indication. | 150 mg twice daily | 60 mg once daily | 10-20 mg once daily or 15 mg twice daily; dose depends on the indication. |
Can be crushed | No information | Yes | Not recommended | No information | Yes |
Food | With | With or without | With or without | With or without | 10-mg tablet can be taken with or without food 15- and 20-mg tablets should be taken with food. |
Dosage reduction and/or recommendation to avoid use | |||||
Concomitant use of P-gp inhibitors | X | Xa | |||
CrCl 15 to <30 mL/min (severe renal impairment) | X | Xa | X | Xa | |
CrCl 30-50 mL/min (moderate renal impairment) | Xa | ||||
CrCl 15-50 mL/min | X | X | |||
CrCl <15 mL/min (renal failure) | X | Xa | |||
CrCl >95 mL/min | X | ||||
Serum creatinine 1.5 mg/dL or higher | Xa | ||||
Body weight 60 kg or less | Xa | ||||
Age 80 y or older | Xa | ||||
Strong dual inhibitors or inducers of CYP3A4 and P-gp | X | ||||
Renal impairment and concomitant use of P-gp inhibitor | Xa |
Note. CrCL = creatinine clearance; P-gp = P-glycoprotein.
Not applicable to all indications.
No dosage adjustment is necessary for patients with mild to moderate renal insufficiency. For patients with severe renal insufficiency (CrCl 15 to <30 mL/min) or those who are receiving or starting treatment with strong P-gp inhibitors, the recommended dose of betrixaban is an initial single dose of 80 mg followed by 40 mg once daily.1,12
Product Availability
A New Drug Application for betrixaban was submitted to the FDA in October 2016, with a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) date of June 24, 2017.10,22 Betrixaban was approved by the FDA on June 23, 2017.2 Table 8 provides a comparison of the product availability and storage recommendations for factor Xa inhibitors.1,6,7,8,9
Table 8.
Betrixaban | Apixaban | Dabigatran | Edoxaban | Rivaroxaban | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dose form | Capsule | Tablet | Capsule | Tablet | Tablet |
Strength | 40 mg, 80 mg | 2.5 mg, 5 mg | 75 mg, 150 mg | 15 mg, 30 mg, 60 mg | 10 mg, 15 mg, 20 mg |
Packaging | Bottles of 100 | Bottles of 60 and 74, depending on strength; blister package | Bottles of 60; blister package | Bottles of 30, 90, and 500, depending on strength; blister package | Bottles of 30 and 90, depending on strength; blister package; starter pack with blister packaging |
Storage | 20°C-25°C (68°F-77°F) | 20°C-25°C (68°F-77°F); excursions permitted between 15°C and 30°C (59°F and 86°F). | 25°C (77°F); excursions permitted to 15°C-30°C (59°F-86°F) Store in the original package to protect from moisture |
20°C-25°C (68°F-77°F); excursions permitted to 15°C-30°C (59°F-86°F) | 25°C (77°F) or room temperature; excursions permitted to 15°C-30°C (59°F-86°F) |
Betrixaban is available as a 40- and 80-mg capsule in bottles of 100. It should be stored at room temperature (20°C-25°C [68°F-77°F]).1
Drug Safety/REMS
No Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) is required for betrixaban.1,2
Conclusion
Betrixaban, an oral factor Xa inhibitor (anticoagulant) for once-daily administration, is approved for prophylaxis of VTE in adult patients hospitalized for an acute medical illness who are at risk for thromboembolic complications due to moderate or severe restricted mobility and other risk factors for VTE. Betrixaban is the only oral factor Xa inhibitor approved for this indication. The recommended duration of treatment with betrixaban is 35 to 42 days. Because betrixaban is not a CYP3A4 substrate, the risk of certain drug-drug interactions with betrixaban is decreased.
Footnotes
Declaration of Conflicting Interests: The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.
Funding: The author(s) received no financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.
References
- 1. Bevyxxa (betrixaban) [prescribing information]. South San Francisco, CA: Portola Pharmaceuticals; June 2017. [Google Scholar]
- 2. Pazdur R. NDA approval letter: Bevyxxa (betrixaban NDA 208383). Food and Drug Administration. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/appletter/2017/208383Orig1s000ltr.pdf. Published June 23, 2017. Accessed July 3, 2017.
- 3. Chan NC, Bhagirath V, Eikelboom JW. Profile of betrixaban and its potential in the prevention and treatment of venous thromboembolism. Vasc Health Risk Manag. 2015;11:343-351. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 4. Connolly SJ, Eikelboom J, Dorian P, et al. Betrixaban compared with warfarin in patients with atrial fibrillation: results of a phase 2, randomized, dose-ranging study (Explore-Xa). Eur Heart J. 2013;34(20):1498-1505. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 5. Feng W, Wu K, Liu Z, et al. Oral direct factor Xa inhibitor versus enoxaparin for thromboprophylaxis after hip or knee arthroplasty: systemic review, traditional meta-analysis, dose-response meta-analysis and network meta-analysis. Thromb Res. 2015;136(6):1133-1144. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 6. Eliquis (apixaban) [prescribing information]. Princeton, NJ: Bristol-Myers Squibb Company; April 2017. [Google Scholar]
- 7. Pradaxa (dabigatran) [prescribing information]. Ridgefield, CT: Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals; July 2017. [Google Scholar]
- 8. Savaysa (edoxaban) [prescribing information]. Parsippany, NJ: Daiichi Sankyo Inc; September 2016. [Google Scholar]
- 9. Xarelto (rivaroxaban) [prescribing information]. Titusville, NJ: Janssen Pharmaceuticals Inc; March 2017. [Google Scholar]
- 10. Portola Pharmaceuticals. Portola Pharmaceuticals submits new drug application to U.S. FDA for betrixaban for extended duration prophylaxis of venous thromboembolism in acute medically ill patients [news release]. https://globenewswire.com/news-release/2016/10/25/882523/0/en/Portola-Pharmaceuticals-Submits-New-Drug-Application-to-U-S-FDA-for-Betrixaban-for-Extended-Duration-Prophylaxis-of-Venous-Thromboembolism-in-Acute-Medically-Ill-Patients.html. Published October 25, 2016. Accessed January 12, 2017.
- 11. Kearon C, Akl EA, Ornelas J, et al. Antithrombotic therapy for VTE disease: CHEST guideline and expert panel report. Chest. 2016;149(2):315-352. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 12. Cohen AT, Harrington R, Goldhaber SZ, et al. The design and rationale for the Acute Medically Ill Venous Thromboembolism Prevention with Extended Duration Betrixaban (APEX) study. Am Heart J. 2014;167(3):335-341. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 13. Cohen AT, Harrington RA, Goldhaber SZ, et al. ; APEX Investigators. Extended thromboprophylaxis with betrixaban in acutely ill medical patients. N Engl J Med. 2016;375(6):534-544. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 14. Gibson CM, Chi G, Halaby R, et al. ; APEX Investigators. Extended-duration betrixaban reduces the risk of stroke versus standard-dose enoxaparin among hospitalized medically ill patients: An APEX trial substudy (acute medically ill venous thromboembolism prevention with extended duration betrixaban). Circulation. 2017;135(7):648-655. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 15. Gibson CM, Halaby R, Korjian S, et al. ; APEX Investigators. The safety and efficacy of full- versus reduced-dose betrixaban in the Acute Medically Ill VTE (Venous Thromboembolism) Prevention with Extended-Duration Betrixaban (APEX) trial. Am Heart J. 2017;185:93-100. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 16. Gibson CM, Korjian S, Chi G, et al. Comparison of fatal or irreversible events with extended-duration betrixaban versus standard dose enoxaparin in acutely ill medical patients: an APEX trial substudy. J Am Heart Assoc. 2017;6(7):e006015. doi: 10.1161/JAHA.117.006015. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 17. Hutchaleelaha A, Ye C, Song Y, Lorenz T, Gretler D, Lambing JL. Metabolism and disposition of betrixaban and its lack of interaction with major CYP enzymes [abstract]. Blood. 2012;120:2266. [Google Scholar]
- 18. Crowther MD, Lu G, Leeds JM, et al. Reversal of betrixaban-induced anticoagulation in healthy volunteers by andexanet alfa [abstract]. Blood. 2016;128(22):143. [Google Scholar]
- 19. Greinacher A, Thiele T, Selleng K. Reversal of anticoagulants: an overview of current developments. Thromb Haemost. 2015;113(5):931-942. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 20. Leeds JM, Lu G, Kwok E, et al. The effect of andexanet alfa on the pharmacokinetics and renal clearance of the direct factor Xa inhibitors apixaban, rivaroxaban, edoxaban and betrixaban [abstract] (Abstract CA08). Paper presented at 62nd Annual Scientific and Standardization Committee Meeting of the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis; May 25-28, 2016; Montpellier, France. [Google Scholar]
- 21. Samama MM, Amiral J, Guinet C, et al. Monitoring plasma levels of factor Xa inhibitors: how, why and when? Expert Rev Hematol. 2013;6(2):155-164. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 22. Portola Pharmaceuticals. Portola Pharmaceuticals announces FDA accepts New Drug Application for priority review and EMA validates marketing authorization application for oral, factor Xa inhibitor anticoagulant betrixaban [news release]. http://investors.portola.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=198136&p=irol-newsArticle_pf&ID=2232798. Published December 23, 2016. Accessed January 12, 2017.