Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., (NYSE and TASE: TEVA) today announced the launch of ALYQ™, a generic version of ADCIRCA®1 (tadalafil) tablets, 20 mg in the U.S.
ALYQ™ is a phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitor indicated for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) (WHO Group 1) to improve exercise ability. PAH is high blood pressure in the blood vessels of the lungs.
Brendan O’Grady, EVP and Head of North America Commercial at Teva said, “This launch is an important addition to our portfolio of generic medicines that treat complex conditions and we’re proud to offer an affordable treatment option for this rare disease.”
With over 550 generic medicines available, Teva has the largest portfolio of FDA-approved generic products on the market and holds the leading position in first-to-file opportunities, with over 100 pending first-to-files in the U.S. Currently, one in seven generic prescriptions dispensed in the U.S. is filled with a Teva generic product.
ADCIRCA® had annual total sales of approximately $490 million in the U.S., according to IQVIA data as of November 2018.
About ALYQ™
ALYQ™ is indicated for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) (WHO Group 1) to improve exercise ability. Studies establishing effectiveness included predominately patients with NYHA Functional Class II – III symptoms and etiologies of idiopathic or heritable PAH (61%) or PAH associated with connective tissue diseases (23%).
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Do not use ALYQ™ in patients who are using any form of organic nitrate, either regularly or intermittently. ALYQ™ potentiates the hypotensive effect of nitrates. Do not use ALYQ™ in patients who are using a guanylate cyclase (GC) stimulator, such as riociguat. ALYQ™ may potentiate the hypotensive effects of GC stimulators. ALYQ™ is contraindicated in patients with a known serious hypersensitivity to tadalafil. Hypersensitivity reactions have been reported, including Stevens-Johnson syndrome and exfoliative dermatitis.
Patients who experience anginal chest pain after taking ALYQ™ should seek immediate medical attention. PDE5 inhibitors, including tadalafil, have mild systemic vasodilatory properties that may result in transient decreases in blood pressure. Patients with severely impaired autonomic control of blood pressure or with left ventricular outflow obstruction may be particularly sensitive to the actions of vasodilators, including PDE5 inhibitors. Pulmonary vasodilators may significantly worsen the cardiovascular status of patients with pulmonary veno-occlusive disease (PVOD).
PDE5 inhibitors, including ALYQ™, and alpha-adrenergic blocking agents are vasodilators with blood pressure-lowering effects. When vasodilators are used in combination, an additive effect on blood pressure may be anticipated. Safety of combined use of PDE5 inhibitors and alpha blockers may be affected by other variables, including intravascular volume depletion and use of other antihypertensive drugs. Both alcohol and tadalafil are mild vasodilators. When mild vasodilators are taken in combination, blood pressure-lowering effects are increased.
Use of ALYQ™ in patients taking ritonavir requires dosage adjustment. Avoid use of ALYQ™ in patients taking potent inhibitors of CYP3A such as ketoconazole and itraconazole, and in patients chronically taking potent inducers of CYP3A, such as rifampin. A lower starting dose of ALYQ™ should be used in patients with mild or moderate renal or hepatic impairment. Avoid use of ALYQ™ in patients with severe renal or hepatic impairment.
Patients should seek immediate medical attention in the event of a sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes. Such an event may be a sign of non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), a cause of decreased vision, including permanent loss of vision. Patients should seek immediate medical attention in the event of sudden decrease or loss of hearing.
Tadalafil is also marketed as CIALIS®2. The safety and efficacy of taking ALYQ™ together with CIALIS® or other PDE5 inhibitors have not been studied. Patients taking ALYQ™ should not take CIALIS® or other PDE5 inhibitors. There have been rare reports of prolonged erections greater than 4 hours and priapism for this class of compounds. Patients who have an erection lasting greater than 4 hours, whether painful or not, should seek emergency medical attention.
In a placebo-controlled clinical study, the most common adverse events (reported by ≥9% of patients in the tadalafil tablets 40 mg group and more frequent than placebo by 2%) were: headache, myalgia, nasopharyngitis, flushing, respiratory tract infection, extremity pain, nausea, back pain, dyspepsia, and nasal congestion.
For more information, please see accompanying Full Prescribing Information. A copy may be requested from Teva US Medical Information at 888-TEVA-USA (888-838-2872) or druginfo@tevapharm.com, or Teva’s Public Relations or Investor Relations contacts.
About Teva
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (NYSE and TASE: TEVA) is a global leader in generic medicines, with innovative treatments in select areas, including CNS, pain and respiratory. We deliver high-quality generic products and medicines in nearly every therapeutic area to address unmet patient needs. We have an established presence in generics, specialty, OTC and API, building on more than a century-old legacy, with a fully integrated R&D function, strong operational base and global infrastructure and scale. We strive to act in a socially and environmentally responsible way. Headquartered in Israel, with production and research facilities around the globe, we employ 45,000 professionals, committed to improving the lives of millions of patients. Learn more at www.tevapharm.com.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding Teva's tadalafil tablets, which are based on management’s current beliefs and expectations and are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties, both known and unknown, that could cause our future results, performance or achievements to differ significantly from that expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include risks relating to:
and other factors discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, including in the section captioned “Risk Factors,” and in our other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, which are available at www.sec.gov and www.tevapharm.com . Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and we assume no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements or other information contained herein, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. You are cautioned not to put undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.
1 ADCIRCA® is a registered trademark of Eli Lilly and Company.
2 CIALIS® is a registered trademark of Eli Lilly and Company.
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