Array

This fixed combination drug is not indicated for initial therapy of hypertension.

Use Amturnide (Aliskiren hemifumarate; amlodipine besylate; hydrochlorothiazide) for patients not adequately controlled with any two of the following: aliskiren, dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers, and thiazide diuretics.

Switch a patient who experiences dose-limiting adverse reactions attributed to an individual component—while on any dual combination of the components of Amturnide (Aliskiren hemifumarate; amlodipine besylate; hydrochlorothiazide) —to Amturnide (Aliskiren hemifumarate; amlodipine besylate; hydrochlorothiazide) at a lower dose of that component to achieve similar blood pressure reductions.

Renal Impairment
The usual regimens of Amturnide (Aliskiren hemifumarate; amlodipine besylate; hydrochlorothiazide) may be followed as long as the patient’s creatinine clearance is >30 mL/min. In patients with more severe renal impairment, loop diuretics are preferred to thiazides, so Amturnide (Aliskiren hemifumarate; amlodipine besylate; hydrochlorothiazide) is not recommended .

Hepatic Impairment
In patients with severe hepatic impairment, start amlodipine at 2.5 mg per day, a dose that is not available in Amturnide (Aliskiren hemifumarate; amlodipine besylate; hydrochlorothiazide)   .

Elderly Patients
  Patients ≥ 75 years of age should start amlodipine at 2.5 mg, which is not available with Amturnide (Aliskiren hemifumarate; amlodipine besylate; hydrochlorothiazide) .

Tablets are convex ovaloid with a beveled edge, film-coated, and unscored, in the following strengths:

Amturnide (Aliskiren hemifumarate; amlodipine besylate; hydrochlorothiazide) is contraindicated in patients with anuria or hypersensitivity to sulfonamide-derived drugs like HCTZ  . Hypersensitivity reactions may range from urticaria to anaphylaxis.

Angioedema of the face, extremities, lips, tongue, glottis and/or larynx has been reported in patients treated with aliskiren and has necessitated hospitalization and intubation. This may occur at any time during treatment and has occurred in patients with and without a history of angioedema with ACE inhibitors or angiotensin receptor antagonists. If angioedema involves the throat, tongue, glottis or larynx, or if the patient has a history of upper respiratory surgery, airway obstruction may occur and be fatal. Patients who experience these effects, even without respiratory distress, require prolonged observation since treatment with antihistamines and corticosteroids may not be sufficient to prevent respiratory involvement. Prompt administration of subcutaneous epinephrine solution 1:1000 (0.3 to 0.5 mL) and measures to ensure a patent airway may be necessary.

Discontinue Amturnide (Aliskiren hemifumarate; amlodipine besylate; hydrochlorothiazide)  immediately in patients who develop angioedema, and do not re-administer.

An excessive fall in blood pressure (hypotension) was rarely seen (0.3%) in patients with uncomplicated hypertension treated with Amturnide (Aliskiren hemifumarate; amlodipine besylate; hydrochlorothiazide) in a controlled trial. 

In patients with an activated renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, such as volume- and/or salt-depleted patients receiving high doses of diuretics, symptomatic hypotension may occur in patients receiving renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) blockers. Correct these conditions prior to administration of Amturnide (Aliskiren hemifumarate; amlodipine besylate; hydrochlorothiazide) , or start the treatment under close medical supervision. 

If an excessive fall in blood pressure occurs with Amturnide (Aliskiren hemifumarate; amlodipine besylate; hydrochlorothiazide) , place the patient in the supine position and, if necessary, give an intravenous infusion of normal saline. A transient hypotensive response is not a contraindication to further treatment, which usually can be continued without difficulty once the blood pressure has stabilized.

In patients with severe renal impairment (GFR 
Uptitrate HCTZ slowly; in patients with renal disease, thiazides may precipitate azotemia. Cumulative effects of the drug may develop in patients with impaired renal function.

Amlodipine is extensively metabolized by the liver. In patients with severe hepatic impairment, start amlodipine at 2.5 mg per day, a dose that is not available in Amturnide (Aliskiren hemifumarate; amlodipine besylate; hydrochlorothiazide) .

Uptitrate HCTZ slowly; minor alterations of fluid and electrolyte balance may precipitate hepatic coma.

Amturnide (Aliskiren hemifumarate; amlodipine besylate; hydrochlorothiazide) has not been studied in patients with heart failure.

Amlodipine (5-10 mg per day) has been studied in a placebo-controlled trial of 1153 patients with NYHA Class III or IV heart failure on stable doses of ACE inhibitors, digoxin, and diuretics. Follow-up was at least 6 months, with a mean of about 14 months. There was no overall adverse effect on survival or cardiac morbidity (as defined by life-threatening arrhythmia, acute myocardial infarction, or hospitalization for worsened heart failure). Amlodipine has been compared to placebo in four 8-12 week studies of patients with NYHA Class II/III heart failure, involving a total of 697 patients. In these studies, there was no evidence of worsened heart failure based on measures of exercise tolerance, NYHA classification, symptoms, or left ventricular ejection fraction.

In a short-term controlled trial the incidence of hypertensive patients who developed hypokalemia (serum potassium 5.5 mEq/L) was 3.0% compared to 2.0% of amlodipine/HCTZ patients, 0.7% of aliskiren/HCTZ patients, and 0.7% of aliskiren/amlodipine patients. No Amturnide (Aliskiren hemifumarate; amlodipine besylate; hydrochlorothiazide) -treated patients discontinued due to increase or decrease of serum potassium.

Perform periodic determinations of serum electrolytes to detect possible electrolyte imbalance at appropriate intervals.

Based on experience with the use of the other substances that affect the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), concomitant use of Amturnide (Aliskiren hemifumarate; amlodipine besylate; hydrochlorothiazide) with potassium-sparing diuretics, potassium supplements, salt substitutes containing potassium, or other drugs that increase potassium levels may lead to increases in serum potassium.

When aliskiren was given with cyclosporine or itraconazole, the blood concentrations of aliskiren were significantly increased. Avoid concomitant use of Amturnide (Aliskiren hemifumarate; amlodipine besylate; hydrochlorothiazide)  with cyclosporine or itraconazole .

The following serious adverse reactions are discussed in greater detail in other sections of the label:

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 clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice.

Amturnide (Aliskiren hemifumarate; amlodipine besylate; hydrochlorothiazide)
Amturnide (Aliskiren hemifumarate; amlodipine besylate; hydrochlorothiazide) has been evaluated for safety in 1155 patients treated with Amturnide (Aliskiren hemifumarate; amlodipine besylate; hydrochlorothiazide) , including 182 patients for over 1 year.

In a short-term controlled trial, there were 60.5% males, 84.1% Caucasians, 10% Blacks, 6.4% Hispanics, and 19.1% who were ≥ 65 years of age. In this study, the overall incidence of adverse events on therapy with Amturnide (Aliskiren hemifumarate; amlodipine besylate; hydrochlorothiazide) was similar to that observed with the individual components. The overall frequency of adverse events was similar between men and women and Black and White patients. Discontinuation of therapy because of a clinical adverse event in this study occurred in 3.6% of patients treated with Amturnide (Aliskiren hemifumarate; amlodipine besylate; hydrochlorothiazide) versus 2.4% in aliskiren/amlodipine, 0.7% in aliskiren/HCTZ, and 2.7% in amlodipine/HCTZ.

In a long-term safety trial, the safety profile was similar to that seen in the short-term controlled trial.

Aliskiren has been evaluated for safety in 6460 patients, including 1740 treated for longer than 6 months, and 1250 for longer than 1 year. In placebo-controlled clinical trials, discontinuation of therapy because of a clinical adverse event, including uncontrolled hypertension, occurred in 2.2% of patients treated with aliskiren, versus 3.5% of patients given placebo.

Two cases of angioedema with respiratory symptoms were reported with aliskiren use in the clinical studies. Two other cases of periorbital edema without respiratory symptoms were reported as possible angioedema and resulted in discontinuation. The rate of these angioedema cases in the completed studies was 0.06%.

In addition, 26 other cases of edema involving the face, hands, or whole body were reported with aliskiren use, including 4 leading to discontinuation.

In the placebo-controlled studies, however, the incidence of edema involving the face, hands, or whole body was 0.4% with aliskiren compared with 0.5% with placebo. In a long-term active-controlled study with aliskiren and HCTZ arms, the incidence of edema involving the face, hands, or whole body was 0.4% in both treatment arms.

Aliskiren produces dose-related gastrointestinal (GI) adverse reactions. Diarrhea was reported by 2.3% of patients at 300 mg, compared to 1.2% in placebo patients. In women and the elderly (age ≥65) increases in diarrhea rates were evident starting at a dose of 150 mg daily, with rates for these subgroups at 150 mg similar to those seen at 300 mg for men or younger patients (all rates about 2%). Other GI symptoms included abdominal pain, dyspepsia, and gastroesophageal reflux, although increased rates for abdominal pain and dyspepsia were distinguished from placebo only at 600 mg daily. Diarrhea and other GI symptoms were typically mild and rarely led to discontinuation.

Aliskiren was associated with a slight increase in cough in the placebo-controlled studies (1.1% for any aliskiren use versus 0.6% for placebo). In active-controlled trials with ACE inhibitor (ramipril, lisinopril) arms, the rates of cough for the aliskiren arms were about one-third to one-half the rates in the ACE inhibitor arms.

Other adverse reactions with increased rates for aliskiren compared to placebo included rash (1% versus 0.3%), elevated uric acid (0.4% versus 0.1%), gout (0.2% versus 0.1%), and renal stones (0.2% versus 0%).

Single episodes of tonic-clonic seizures with loss of consciousness were reported in 2 patients treated with aliskiren in the clinical trials. One patient had predisposing causes for seizures and had a negative electroencephalogram (EEG) and cerebral imaging following the seizures; for the other patient, EEG and imaging results were not reported. Aliskiren was discontinued and there was no re-challenge in either case.

No clinically meaningful changes in vital signs or in ECG (including QTc interval) were observed in patients treated with aliskiren.

Amlodipine
Amlodipine (Norvasc) has been evaluated for safety in more than 11,000 patients in U.S. and foreign clinical trials. Other adverse events that have been reported at 0.1% of patients in controlled clinical trials or under conditions of open trials or marketing experience where a causal relationship is uncertain were:

Cardiovascular:
Central and Peripheral Nervous System:
Gastrointestinal:
General:
Musculoskeletal System:
Psychiatric:
Respiratory System:
Skin and Appendages:
**These events occurred in less than 1% in placebo-controlled trials, but the incidence of these side effects was between 1% and 2% in all multiple dose studies.

Special Senses:
Urinary System:
Autonomic Nervous System:
Metabolic and Nutritional:
Other events reported with amlodipine at a frequency of ≤0.1% of patients include: cardiac failure, pulse irregularity, extrasystoles, skin discoloration, urticaria, skin dryness, alopecia, dermatitis, muscle weakness, twitching, ataxia, hypertonia, migraine, cold and clammy skin, apathy, agitation, amnesia, gastritis, increased appetite, loose stools, rhinitis, dysuria, polyuria, parosmia, taste perversion, abnormal visual accommodation, and xerophthalmia. Other reactions occurred sporadically and cannot be distinguished from medications or concurrent disease states such as myocardial infarction and angina.

HCTZ
Other adverse reactions not listed above that have been reported with HCTZ, without regard to causality, are listed below:

Body as a Whole:
Digestive:
Hypersensitivity:
Metabolic:
Musculoskeletal:
Nervous System/Psychiatric:
Renal:
Skin:
Special Senses:
Clinical laboratory findings for Amturnide (Aliskiren hemifumarate; amlodipine besylate; hydrochlorothiazide) were obtained in a controlled trial of Amturnide (Aliskiren hemifumarate; amlodipine besylate; hydrochlorothiazide) administered at the maximal dose of 300/10/25 mg compared to maximal doses of dual therapies, i.e., aliskiren/amlodipine 300/10 mg, aliskiren/HCTZ 300/25 mg and amlodipine/HCTZ 10/25 mg.

Small mean changes from baseline were seen in RBC count, hemoglobin and hematocrit in patients treated with Amturnide (Aliskiren hemifumarate; amlodipine besylate; hydrochlorothiazide) . This effect is also seen with other agents acting on the renin angiotensin system. In aliskiren monotherapy trials these decreases led to slight increases in rates of anemia compared to placebo (0.1% for any aliskiren use, 0.3% for aliskiren 600 mg daily, versus 0% for placebo). No patients discontinued Amturnide (Aliskiren hemifumarate; amlodipine besylate; hydrochlorothiazide) because of anemia.

No patients treated with Amturnide (Aliskiren hemifumarate; amlodipine besylate; hydrochlorothiazide) had elevations in BUN >40 mg/dL or creatinine >2.0 mg/dL. 

Liver Function Tests
Occasional elevations (greater than 150% from baseline) in ALT (SGPT) were observed in 2.7% of patients treated with Amturnide (Aliskiren hemifumarate; amlodipine besylate; hydrochlorothiazide) , compared with 1.7-2.7% in patients treated with the dual combinations. No patients were discontinued due to abnormal liver function tests.

Serum Uric Acid
Uric acid increase >50% from baseline was more commonly observed in patients treated with Amturnide (Aliskiren hemifumarate; amlodipine besylate; hydrochlorothiazide) (4.7%) compared with the dual combinations (0.4-2.8%). Gout was less commonly observed (0.3% in Amturnide (Aliskiren hemifumarate; amlodipine besylate; hydrochlorothiazide) -treated patients) and renal stones were not reported.

Serum Electrolytes
The following adverse reactions have been identified during post-approval use of either aliskiren or amlodipine. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure:

Aliskiren
Amlodipine

No drug interaction studies have been conducted between Amturnide (Aliskiren hemifumarate; amlodipine besylate; hydrochlorothiazide) and other drugs. In a phase III sub-study, there was no clinically relevant change in the exposure of aliskiren, amlodipine, and HCTZ observed with Amturnide (Aliskiren hemifumarate; amlodipine besylate; hydrochlorothiazide) compared to the dual combinations of aliskiren and amlodipine, amlodipine and HCTZ, and aliskiren and HCTZ. Studies with the individual aliskiren, amlodipine, and HCTZ components are described below.

In clinical trials, amlodipine has been safely administered with thiazide diuretics, beta-blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, long-acting nitrates, sublingual nitroglycerin, digoxin, warfarin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics, and oral hypoglycemic drugs.

When administered concurrently, the following drugs may interact with thiazide diuretics.

Pregnancy Category D .

The use of drugs that act directly on the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy can cause fetal and neonatal morbidity and death. In addition, first trimester use of ACE inhibitors has been associated with birth defects in retrospective data. 

Thiazides can cross the placenta, and use of thiazides during pregnancy is associated with a risk of fetal or neonatal jaundice, thrombocytopenia, and possibly other adverse reactions that have occurred in adults.

No animal studies were conducted with Amturnide (Aliskiren hemifumarate; amlodipine besylate; hydrochlorothiazide) ; however, decreased fetal birth weight was observed in animal studies with aliskiren and intrauterine deaths were observed in animal studies with amlodipine. Amturnide (Aliskiren hemifumarate; amlodipine besylate; hydrochlorothiazide) can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. When pregnancy is detected, discontinue Amturnide (Aliskiren hemifumarate; amlodipine besylate; hydrochlorothiazide)  as soon as possible. If Amturnide (Aliskiren hemifumarate; amlodipine besylate; hydrochlorothiazide) is used during pregnancy, or if the patient becomes pregnant while taking this drug, apprise the patient of the potential hazard to the fetus.

Human Data and Clinical Considerations
Maternal hypertension is associated with increased risks for preterm delivery, intrauterine growth restriction, placental abruption, preeclampsia, and perinatal mortality. Appropriate management of maternal hypertension during pregnancy is important to optimize outcomes for both mother and fetus. Renin inhibitors (like aliskiren), angiotensin II receptor antagonists, and angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors exert similar effects on the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. Based on several dozen published cases, ACE inhibitor use during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy is associated with fetal and neonatal injury, including hypotension, neonatal skull hypoplasia, anuria, reversible or irreversible renal failure, and death. Decreased fetal renal function may result in oligohydramnios and is associated with fetal limb contractures, craniofacial deformation, and hypoplastic lung development. Prematurity, intrauterine growth retardation, and patent ductus arteriosus have been reported in women using these drugs, but it is not clear whether these occurrences were due to drug exposure. Limited data are conflicting about whether first trimester use of ACE inhibitors is associated with an increased risk of birth defects, but the drugs’ mechanism of action raises a theoretical concern.

When pregnancy occurs in a patient using Amturnide (Aliskiren hemifumarate; amlodipine besylate; hydrochlorothiazide) , discontinue Amturnide (Aliskiren hemifumarate; amlodipine besylate; hydrochlorothiazide)  treatment as soon as possible. Inform the patient about potential risks to the fetus based on the time of gestational exposure to Amturnide (Aliskiren hemifumarate; amlodipine besylate; hydrochlorothiazide)  (first trimester only or later). If exposure occurs beyond the first trimester, perform an ultrasound examination.

In rare cases when another antihypertensive agent cannot be used to treat the pregnant patient, use serial ultrasound examinations to assess the intraamniotic environment. Routine fetal testing with non-stress tests, biophysical profiles, or contraction stress tests may be appropriate based on gestational age and standards of care in the community. If oligohydramnios occurs in these situations, individualized decisions about continuing or discontinuing Amturnide (Aliskiren hemifumarate; amlodipine besylate; hydrochlorothiazide) treatment and about pregnancy management should be made by the patient and her physicians. Be aware that oligohydramnios may not appear until after the fetus has sustained irreversible injury. 

Closely observe infants exposed to Amturnide (Aliskiren hemifumarate; amlodipine besylate; hydrochlorothiazide)    for hypotension, oliguria, and hyperkalemia. If oliguria occurs, these infants may require blood pressure and renal perfusion support. Exchange transfusion or dialysis may be required to reverse hypotension or support decreased renal function.

Animal Data
No reproductive toxicity studies have been conducted with the combination of aliskiren, amlodipine besylate and HCTZ. However, these studies have been conducted for aliskiren, amlodipine besylate and HCTZ alone.

Aliskiren
In developmental toxicity studies, pregnant rats and rabbits received oral aliskiren hemifumarate during organogenesis at doses up to 20 and 7 times the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD) based on body surface area (mg/m), respectively, in rats and rabbits. (Actual animal doses were up to 600 mg/kg/day in rats and up to 100 mg/kg/day in rabbits.) No teratogenicity was observed; however, fetal birth weight was decreased in rabbits at doses 3.2 times the MRHD based on body surface area (mg/m). Aliskiren was present in placentas, amniotic fluid and fetuses of pregnant rabbits.

In developmental toxicity studies, pregnant rats and rabbits received oral amlodipine maleate during organogenesis at doses approximately 10 and 20 times the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD) based on body surface area (mg/m), respectively, in rats and rabbits. (Actual animal doses were up to 10 mg/kg/day.) No evidence of teratogenicity or other embryofetal toxicity was observed. However, litter size was decreased approximately 50% and the number of intrauterine deaths was increased approximately 5-fold for rats receiving amlodipine maleate at doses approximately 10 times the MRHD based on body surface area (mg/m) for 14 days before mating and throughout mating and gestation. Amlodipine maleate has been shown to prolong both the gestation period and the duration of labor in rats at this dose. 

HCTZ
When pregnant mice and rats were given HCTZ at doses up to 3000 and 1000 mg/kg/day, respectively (about 600 and 400 times the MRHD), during their respective periods of major organogenesis, there was no evidence of fetal harm.

Limited data are available related to overdosage in humans. The most likely manifestation of overdosage would be hypotension. If symptomatic hypotension occurs, provide supportive treatment.

Single oral doses of amlodipine maleate equivalent to 40 mg amlodipine/kg and 100 mg amlodipine/kg in mice and rats, respectively, caused deaths. Single oral amlodipine maleate doses equivalent to 4 or more mg amlodipine/kg or higher in dogs (11 or more times the maximum recommended human dose on a mg/m basis) caused a marked peripheral vasodilation and hypotension.

Overdosage might be expected to cause excessive peripheral vasodilation with marked hypotension and possibly a reflex tachycardia. In humans, experience with intentional overdosage of amlodipine is limited. Reports of intentional overdosage include a patient who ingested 250 mg and was asymptomatic and was not hospitalized; another (120 mg) was hospitalized, underwent gastric lavage and remained normotensive; the third patient (105 mg) was hospitalized and had hypotension (90/50 mmHg), which normalized following plasma expansion. A case of accidental drug overdose has been documented in a 19-month-old male who ingested 30 mg amlodipine (about 2 mg/kg). During the emergency room presentation, vital signs were stable with no evidence of hypotension but a heart rate of 180 bpm. Ipecac was administered 3.5 hours after ingestion, and on subsequent observation (overnight) no sequelae were noted.

If massive overdose occurs, institute active cardiac and respiratory monitoring. Frequent blood pressure measurements are essential. If hypotension occurs, initiate cardiovascular support including elevation of the extremities and the judicious administration of fluids. If hypotension remains unresponsive to these conservative measures, consider administration of vasopressors (such as phenylephrine), with attention to circulating volume and urine output. Intravenous calcium gluconate may help to reverse the effects of calcium entry blockade. As amlodipine is highly protein bound, hemodialysis is not likely to be of benefit.

The most common signs and symptoms of overdose observed in humans are those caused by electrolyte depletion (hypokalemia, hypochloremia, hyponatremia) and dehydration resulting from excessive diuresis. If digitalis has also been administered, hypokalemia may accentuate cardiac arrhythmias. The degree to which HCTZ is removed by hemodialysis has not been established. The oral LD of HCTZ is greater than 10 g/kg in both mice and rats. These doses are 1946 and 3892 times, respectively, the MRHD of 25 mg/day, when based on a mg/m basis of a 60-kg individual.

Amturnide (Aliskiren hemifumarate; amlodipine besylate; hydrochlorothiazide) is a single tablet for oral administration of aliskiren hemifumarate (an orally active, nonpeptide, potent direct renin inhibitor), amlodipine besylate (a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker) and HCTZ (a diuretic).

Aliskiren hemifumarate is chemically described as (2S,4S,5S,7S)-N-(2-carbamoyl-2-methylpropyl)-5-amino-4-hydroxy-2,7-diisopropyl-8-[4-methoxy-3-(3-methoxypropoxy)phenyl]-octanamide hemifumarate, and its structural formula is

Molecular formula: CHNO • 0.5 CHO

Aliskiren hemifumarate is a white to slightly yellowish powder with a molecular weight of 609.8 (free base- 551.8). It is highly soluble in water, and freely soluble in methanol, ethanol and isopropanol.

Amlodipine besylate, USP is chemically described as 3-ethyl 5-methyl (±)-2-[(2-aminoethoxy)methyl]-4-(-chlorophenyl)-1,4-dihydro-6-methyl-3,5-pyridinedicarboxylate, monobenzenesulfonate and its structural formula is

Molecular formula: CHCINO•CHOS

Amlodipine besylate is a white to pale yellow crystalline powder with a molecular weight of 567.1. It is slightly soluble in water and sparingly soluble in ethanol.

HCTZ, USP is a white, or practically white, practically odorless, crystalline powder. It is slightly soluble in water; freely soluble in sodium hydroxide solution, in -butylamine, and in dimethylformamide; sparingly soluble in methanol; and insoluble in ether, in chloroform, and in dilute mineral acids. HCTZ is chemically described as 6-chloro-3,4-dihydro-2-1,2,4-benzothiadiazine-7-sulfonamide 1,1-dioxide.

HCTZ is a thiazide diuretic. Its empirical formula is CHClNOS, its molecular weight is 297.73, and its structural formula is

     

The inactive ingredients for all strengths of the tablets may contain colloidal silicon dioxide, crospovidone, hypromellose, iron oxide red, iron oxide yellow, iron oxide black, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, polyethylene glycol, povidone, talc, and titanium dioxide.

Amturnide (Aliskiren hemifumarate; amlodipine besylate; hydrochlorothiazide)
The effects of combined treatment of aliskiren, amlodipine and HCTZ arise from the actions of these three agents on different but complementary mechanisms that regulate blood pressure. Together, inhibition of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), inhibition of calcium channel-mediated vasoconstriction, and increase of sodium chloride excretion lowers blood pressure to a greater degree than the individual components.

Aliskiren
Renin is secreted by the kidney in response to decreases in blood volume and renal perfusion. Renin cleaves angiotensinogen to form the inactive decapeptide angiotensin I (Ang I). Ang I is converted to the active octapeptide angiotensin II (Ang II) by angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and non-ACE pathways. Ang II is a powerful vasoconstrictor and leads to the release of catecholamines from the adrenal medulla and prejunctional nerve endings. It also promotes aldosterone secretion and sodium reabsorption. Together, these effects increase blood pressure. Ang II also inhibits renin release, thus providing a negative feedback to the system. This cycle, from renin through angiotensin to aldosterone and its associated negative feedback loop, is known as the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS). Aliskiren is a direct renin inhibitor, decreasing plasma renin activity (PRA) and inhibiting the conversion of angiotensinogen to Ang I. Whether aliskiren affects other RAAS components, e.g., ACE or non-ACE pathways, is not known.

All agents that inhibit the RAAS, including renin inhibitors, suppress the negative feedback loop, leading to a compensatory rise in plasma renin concentration. When this rise occurs during treatment with ACE inhibitors and ARBs, the result is increased levels of PRA. During treatment with aliskiren, however, the effect of increased renin levels is blocked, so that PRA, Ang I and Ang II are all reduced, whether aliskiren is used as monotherapy or in combination with other antihypertensive agents.

Amlodipine
Amlodipine is a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker that inhibits the transmembrane influx of calcium ions into vascular smooth muscle and cardiac muscle. Experimental data suggest that amlodipine binds to both dihydropyridine and nondihydropyridine binding sites. The contractile processes of cardiac muscle and vascular smooth muscle are dependent upon the movement of extracellular calcium ions into these cells through specific ion channels. Amlodipine inhibits calcium ion influx across cell membranes selectively, with a greater effect on vascular smooth muscle cells than on cardiac muscle cells. Negative inotropic effects can be detected but such effects have not been seen in intact animals at therapeutic doses. Serum calcium concentration is not affected by amlodipine. Within the physiologic pH range, amlodipine is an ionized compound (pKa=8.6), and its kinetic interaction with the calcium channel receptor is characterized by a gradual rate of association and dissociation with the receptor binding site, resulting in a gradual onset of effect.

Amlodipine is a peripheral arterial vasodilator that acts directly on vascular smooth muscle to cause a reduction in peripheral vascular resistance and reduction in blood pressure.

HCTZ
The mechanism of action of the antihypertensive effect of thiazides is unknown.

HCTZ is a thiazide diuretic. Thiazides affect the renal tubular mechanisms of electrolyte reabsorption, directly increasing excretion of sodium and chloride in approximately equivalent amounts. Indirectly, the diuretic action of HCTZ reduces plasma volume, with consequent increases in plasma renin activity, increases in aldosterone secretion, increases in urinary potassium loss, and decreases in serum potassium. The renin-aldosterone link is mediated by angiotensin II, so coadministration of agents that block the production or function of angiotensin II tends to reverse the potassium loss associated with these diuretics.

Aliskiren
PRA reductions in clinical trials ranged from approximately 50% to 80%, were not dose-related and did not correlate with blood pressure reductions. The clinical implications of the differences in effect on PRA are not known.

Amlodipine
Following administration of therapeutic doses to patients with hypertension, amlodipine produces vasodilation resulting in a reduction of supine and standing blood pressures. These decreases in blood pressure are not accompanied by a significant change in heart rate or plasma catecholamine levels with chronic dosing. Although the acute intravenous administration of amlodipine decreases arterial blood pressure and increases heart rate in hemodynamic studies of patients with chronic stable angina, chronic oral administration of amlodipine in clinical trials did not lead to clinically significant changes in heart rate or blood pressures in normotensive patients with angina.

With chronic once-daily administration, antihypertensive effectiveness is maintained for at least 24 hours. Plasma concentrations correlate with effect in both young and elderly patients. The magnitude of reduction in blood pressure with amlodipine is also correlated with the height of pretreatment elevation; thus, individuals with moderate hypertension (diastolic pressure 105-114 mmHg) had about 50% greater response than patients with mild hypertension (diastolic pressure 90-104 mmHg). Normotensive subjects experienced no clinically significant change in blood pressure (+1/-2 mmHg).

In hypertensive patients with normal renal function, therapeutic doses of amlodipine resulted in a decrease in renal vascular resistance and an increase in glomerular filtration rate and effective renal plasma flow without change in filtration fraction or proteinuria.

As with other calcium channel blockers, hemodynamic measurements of cardiac function at rest and during exercise (or pacing) in patients with normal ventricular function treated with amlodipine have generally demonstrated a small increase in cardiac index without significant influence on dP/dt or on left ventricular end diastolic pressure or volume. In hemodynamic studies, amlodipine has not been associated with a negative inotropic effect when administered in therapeutic dose range to intact animals and man, even when co-administered with beta-blockers to man. Similar findings, however, have been observed in normal or well-compensated patients with heart failure with agents possessing significant negative inotropic effects.

Amlodipine does not change sinoatrial nodal function or atrioventricular conduction in intact animals or man. In patients with chronic stable angina, intravenous administration of 10 mg did not significantly alter A-H and H-V conduction and sinus node recovery time after pacing. Similar results were obtained in patients receiving amlodipine and concomitant beta-blockers. In clinical studies in which amlodipine was administered in combination with beta-blockers to patients with either hypertension or angina, no adverse effects of electrocardiographic parameters were observed. In clinical trials with angina patients alone, amlodipine therapy did not alter electrocardiographic intervals or produce higher degrees of AV blocks.

Amlodipine has indications other than hypertension, which can be found in the Norvasc package insert.

HCTZ
After oral administration of HCTZ, diuresis begins within 2 hours, peaks in about 4 hours, and lasts about 6 to 12 hours.

Amturnide (Aliskiren hemifumarate; amlodipine besylate; hydrochlorothiazide)
In an active-controlled trial which established the clinical efficacy of Amturnide (Aliskiren hemifumarate; amlodipine besylate; hydrochlorothiazide)  in hypertensive patients, Amturnide (Aliskiren hemifumarate; amlodipine besylate; hydrochlorothiazide) was associated with a 34% reduction in PRA compared to a 63% reduction with aliskiren/amlodipine, 64% reduction with aliskiren/HCTZ and a 170% elevation with amlodipine/HCTZ.

Amturnide (Aliskiren hemifumarate; amlodipine besylate; hydrochlorothiazide)
Following oral administration of the fixed combination of aliskiren, amlodipine, and HCTZ, peak concentrations were achieved within 1-2 hours, 6-12 hours, and 1-4 hours for aliskiren, amlodipine and HCTZ, respectively. The rate and extent of absorption of aliskiren, amlodipine, and HCTZ following administration of the fixed combination are similar to when they are administered as individual dosage forms.

When Amturnide (Aliskiren hemifumarate; amlodipine besylate; hydrochlorothiazide)  is taken with food, mean AUC and C of aliskiren are decreased by 78% and 89%, respectively. There is no impact of food on the exposures of amlodipine and HCTZ.

Aliskiren
Aliskiren is poorly absorbed (bioavailability about 2.5%) with an accumulation half life of about 24 hours. Steady state blood levels are reached in about 7-8 days. Following oral administration, peak plasma concentrations of aliskiren are reached within 1-3 hours. When taken with a high fat meal, mean AUC and Cmax of aliskiren are decreased by 71% and 85% respectively. In the clinical trials, aliskiren was administered without a fixed relation to meals.

Amlodipine
Peak plasma concentrations of amlodipine are reached 6-12 hours after an oral administration of amlodipine. Absolute bioavailability has been estimated to be between 64% and 90%. The bioavailability of amlodipine is not altered by the presence of food. Steady state plasma levels of amlodipine are reached after 7 to 8 days of consecutive daily dosing.

Approximately 93% of circulating amlodipine is bound to plasma proteins in hypertensive patients.

HCTZ
HCTZ crosses the placental but not the blood-brain barrier and is excreted in breast milk.

Metabolism and Elimination
Aliskiren
About one-fourth of the absorbed dose appears in the urine as parent drug. How much of the absorbed dose is metabolized is unknown. Based on the studies, the major enzyme responsible for aliskiren metabolism appears to be CYP 3A4. Aliskiren does not inhibit the CYP450 isoenzymes (CYP 1A2, 2C8, 2C9, 2C19, 2D6, 2E1, and 3A) or induce CYP 3A4.

Transporters:
Drug interactions:
Warfarin: There was no clinically significant effect of a single dose of warfarin 25 mg on the pharmacokinetics of aliskiren.

Amlodipine
Amlodipine is extensively (about 90%) converted to inactive metabolites via hepatic metabolism, with 10% of the parent compound and 60% of the metabolites excreted in the urine.

Elimination of amlodipine from the plasma is biphasic, with a terminal elimination half-life of about 30-50 hours. 

HCTZ
HCTZ is not metabolized but is eliminated rapidly by the kidney. At least 61% of the oral dose is eliminated as unchanged drug within 24 hours. The elimination half-life is between 5.8 and 18.9 hours.

Special Populations
The pharmacokinetics of Amturnide (Aliskiren hemifumarate; amlodipine besylate; hydrochlorothiazide) have not been investigated in patients
The pharmacokinetics of aliskiren were studied in the elderly (≥65 years). Exposure (measured by AUC) is increased in elderly patients. Adjustment of the starting dose of aliskiren is not required in these patients   

Elderly patients have decreased clearance of amlodipine, with a resulting increase in AUC of approximately 40%-60%; therefore, a lower initial dose of amlodipine may be required [ ].

Race
With Amturnide (Aliskiren hemifumarate; amlodipine besylate; hydrochlorothiazide) , pharmacokinetic differences due to race have not been studied. The pharmacokinetic differences among Blacks, Caucasians, and Japanese are minimal with aliskiren therapy.

Aliskiren
The pharmacokinetics of aliskiren were evaluated in patients with varying degrees of renal impairment. Rate and extent of exposure (AUC and C) of aliskiren in subjects with renal impairment did not show a consistent correlation with the severity of renal impairment. Adjustment of the starting dose is not required in patients with mild to moderate renal impairment, but Amturnide (Aliskiren hemifumarate; amlodipine besylate; hydrochlorothiazide) is not recommended in patients with severe renal impairment  .

Amlodipine
The pharmacokinetics of amlodipine is not significantly influenced by renal impairment. Patients with renal failure may therefore receive the usual initial dose .

Aliskiren
The pharmacokinetics of aliskiren were not significantly affected in patients with mild-to-severe liver disease. Consequently, adjustment of the starting dose is not required in these patients  .

Amlodipine
Patients with hepatic insufficiency have decreased clearance of amlodipine with resulting increase in AUC of approximately 40%-60%. A lower initial dose of amlodipine is required for patients with severe hepatic impairment 

No carcinogenicity, mutagenicity or fertility studies have been conducted with the combination of aliskiren hemifumarate, amlodipine besylate and HCTZ. However, these studies have been conducted for aliskiren hemifumarate, amlodipine besylate and HCTZ alone.

Carcinogenic potential was assessed in a 2-year rat study and a 6-month transgenic (rasH2) mouse study with aliskiren hemifumarate at oral doses of up to 1500 mg aliskiren/kg/day. Although there were no statistically significant increases in tumor incidence associated with exposure to aliskiren, mucosal epithelial hyperplasia (with or without erosion/ulceration) was observed in the lower gastrointestinal tract at doses of 750 or more mg/kg/day in both species, with a colonic adenoma identified in one rat and a cecal adenocarcinoma identified in another, rare tumors in the strain of rat studied. On a systemic exposure (AUC) basis, 1500 mg/kg/day in the rat is about 4 times and in the mouse about 1.5 times the maximum recommended human dose (300 mg aliskiren/day). Mucosal hyperplasia in the cecum or colon of rats was also observed at doses of 250 mg/kg/day (the lowest tested dose) as well as at higher doses in 4- and 13-week studies.

Aliskiren hemifumarate was devoid of genotoxic potential in the Ames reverse mutation assay with  and  , the Chinese hamster ovary cell chromosomal aberration assay, the Chinese hamster V79 cell gene mutation test and the  rat bone marrow micronucleus assay.

Fertility of male and female rats was unaffected at doses of up to aliskiren 250 mg/kg/day (8 times the maximum recommended human dose of aliskiren 300 mg/60 kg on a mg/m basis).

Rats and mice treated with amlodipine maleate in the diet for up to two years, at concentrations calculated to provide daily dosage levels of 0.5, 1.25, and 2.5 mg amlodipine/kg/day, showed no evidence of a carcinogenic effect of the drug. For the mouse, the highest dose was, on mg/m basis, similar to the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD) of 10 mg amlodipine/day. For the rat, the highest dose was, on a mg/m basis, about two and half times the MRHD. (Calculations are based on a 60-kg patient.)

Mutagenicity studies conducted with amlodipine maleate revealed no drug-related effects at either the gene or chromosome level.

There was no effect on the fertility of rats treated orally with amlodipine maleate (males for 64 days and females for 14 days prior to mating) at doses of up to 10 mg amlodipine/kg/day (about 10 times the MRHD of 10 mg/day on a mg/m basis).

Two-year feeding studies in mice and rats conducted under the auspices of the National Toxicology Program (NTP) uncovered no evidence of a carcinogenic potential of HCTZ in female mice (at doses of up to approximately 600 mg/kg/day) or in male and female rats (at doses of up to approximately 100 mg/kg/day). These doses in mice and rats are about 117 and 39 times, respectively, the MRHD of 25 mg/day, when based on a mg/m basis of a 60 kg individual. The NTP, however, found equivocal evidence for hepatocarcinogenicity in male mice.

HCTZ was not genotoxic  in the Ames mutagenicity assay of   strains TA 98, TA 100, TA 1535, TA 1537, and TA 1538 and in the Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) test for chromosomal aberrations, or in assays using mouse germinal cell chromosomes, Chinese hamster bone marrow chromosomes, and the Drosophila sex-linked recessive lethal trait gene. Positive test results were obtained only in the CHO Sister Chromatid Exchange (clastogenicity) and in the Mouse Lymphoma Cell (mutagenicity) assays, using concentrations of HCTZ from 43 to 1300 mcg/mL, and in the  nondisjunction assay at an unspecified concentration.

HCTZ had no adverse effects on the fertility of mice and rats of either sex in studies wherein these species were exposed, via their diet, to doses of up to 100 and 4 mg/kg, respectively, prior to mating and throughout gestation. These doses of HCTZ in mice and rats represent 19 and 1.5 times, respectively, the maximum recommended human dose on a mg/m basis. (Calculations assume an oral dose of 25 mg/day and a 60-kg patient.)

Reproductive Toxicology Studies

Amturnide (Aliskiren hemifumarate; amlodipine besylate; hydrochlorothiazide) was studied in a double-blind, active-controlled study in 1181 treated hypertensive patients, of whom 773 were classified as moderately hypertensive (SBP 160-180 mmHg) and 408 as severely hypertensive (SBP 180-200 mmHg) at baseline. The mean baseline systolic/diastolic blood pressure for all randomized patients was approximately 173/105 mmHg. A total of 61% of patients were male, 19% were 65 years or older, 84% were Caucasian, and 10% were Black. 

At study initiation, patients assigned to the dual combination treatments received lower doses of their treatment combination (aliskiren 150 mg plus amlodipine 5 mg, aliskiren 150 mg plus HCTZ 12.5 mg, or amlodipine 5 mg plus HCTZ 12.5 mg), while patients assigned to the Amturnide (Aliskiren hemifumarate; amlodipine besylate; hydrochlorothiazide) arm received aliskiren/HCTZ 150/12.5 mg. After 3 days, Amturnide (Aliskiren hemifumarate; amlodipine besylate; hydrochlorothiazide) patients were titrated to aliskiren/amlodipine/HCTZ 150/5/12.5 mg, while all other patients continued receiving their initial doses. After 4 weeks, all patients were titrated to their full target doses of aliskiren/amlodipine/HCTZ 300/10/25 mg, aliskiren/amlodipine 300/10, aliskiren/HCTZ 300/25 mg, or amlodipine/HCTZ 10/25 mg. 

Amturnide (Aliskiren hemifumarate; amlodipine besylate; hydrochlorothiazide) produced greater reductions in blood pressure than did any of the 3 dual combination treatments (p

In the severe hypertensive patients, Amturnide (Aliskiren hemifumarate; amlodipine besylate; hydrochlorothiazide)  produced greater reductions in blood pressure than each of the 3 dual combination treatments (p

The distribution of reductions in blood pressure on each treatment are shown in Figure 3 for diastolic blood pressure and in Figure 4 for systolic blood pressure. For example, Figure 3 shows that 50% of patients on Amturnide (Aliskiren hemifumarate; amlodipine besylate; hydrochlorothiazide) had more than 20.2 mmHg reduction in diastolic blood pressure compared to 18.7 mmHg on aliskiren/amlodipine combination, 12.7 mmHg on aliskiren/HCTZ combination, and 15.3 mmHg on amlodipine/HCTZ combination. Similarly, Figure 4 shows that 50% of patients on Amturnide (Aliskiren hemifumarate; amlodipine besylate; hydrochlorothiazide) had more than 36.3 mmHg reduction in systolic blood pressure compared to 30.8 mmHg on aliskiren/amlodipine combination, 28.3 mmHg on aliskiren/HCTZ combination, and 31.0 mmHg on amlodipine/HCTZ combination. The time course over which blood pressure effects developed is shown in Figures 5 and 6. As the trial had no placebo control, the treatment effects shown in Figures 3-6 include a placebo effect of unknown size.

The antihypertensive effect of Amturnide (Aliskiren hemifumarate; amlodipine besylate; hydrochlorothiazide) was similar in patients with and without diabetes, obese and non-obese patients, in patients ≥65 years of age and

There are no trials of the Amturnide (Aliskiren hemifumarate; amlodipine besylate; hydrochlorothiazide) triple combination tablet demonstrating reductions in cardiovascular risk in patients with hypertension, but two of the components, amlodipine and hydrochlorothiazide, have demonstrated such benefits.

Tablets are convex ovaloid with a beveled edge, film-coated, and unscored, in the following strengths and packages:

Store at 25ºC (77ºF); excursions permitted to 15-30ºC (59-86ºF) in original container.

Protect from heat and moisture.

Dispense in original container.

See FDA-Approved Patient Labeling (Patient Information)

Instruct patients to read the Patient Package Insert before starting Amturnide (Aliskiren hemifumarate; amlodipine besylate; hydrochlorothiazide)  and to reread each time the prescription is renewed. Instruct patients to inform their doctor or pharmacist if they develop any unusual symptom, or if any known symptom persists or worsens.

Inform pregnant patients that use of drugs that act on the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system during pregnancy is associated with fetal and neonatal injury, including hypotension, neonatal skull hypoplasia, anuria, reversible or irreversible renal failure, and death. Decreased fetal renal function may result in oligohydramnios and is associated with fetal limb contractures, craniofacial deformation, and hypoplastic lung development. 

Tell female patients of childbearing potential about the consequences of pregnancy exposure to drugs that act on the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. Discuss other treatment options with female patients planning to become pregnant. Ask these patients to report pregnancies to their physicians as soon as possible.

Caution patients receiving Amturnide (Aliskiren hemifumarate; amlodipine besylate; hydrochlorothiazide) that lightheadedness can occur, especially during the first days of therapy, and that it should be reported to the prescribing physician. Tell patients that if syncope occurs, discontinue Amturnide (Aliskiren hemifumarate; amlodipine besylate; hydrochlorothiazide) until the physician has been consulted.

Caution all patients that inadequate fluid intake, excessive perspiration, diarrhea, or vomiting can lead to an excessive fall in blood pressure, with the same consequences of lightheadedness and possible syncope.

Advise patients to report immediately any signs or symptoms suggesting angioedema (swelling of face, extremities, eyes, lips, tongue, difficulty in swallowing or breathing) and to take no more drug until they have consulted with the prescribing physician.

Tell patients receiving Amturnide (Aliskiren hemifumarate; amlodipine besylate; hydrochlorothiazide) not to use potassium supplements or salt substitutes containing potassium without consulting the prescribing physician.

Patient should establish a routine pattern for taking Amturnide (Aliskiren hemifumarate; amlodipine besylate; hydrochlorothiazide) either with or without a meal. High-fat meals decrease absorption substantially .

T2011-129