Get your patient on Metaxal - Metaxalone tablet (Metaxalone)
Metaxal - Metaxalone tablet prescribing information
INDICATIONS AND USAGE
Metaxalone is indicated as an adjunct to rest, physical therapy, and other measures for the relief of discomforts associated with acute, painful musculoskeletal conditions. The mode of action of this drug has not been clearly identified, but may be related to its sedative properties. Metaxalone does not directly relax tense skeletal muscles in man.
DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION
The recommended dose for adults and children over 12 years of age is two 400 mg tablets (800 mg) three to four times a day.
CONTRAINDICATIONS
Known hypersensitivity to any components of this product.
Known tendency to drug induced, hemolytic, or other anemias.
Significantly impaired renal or hepatic function.
ADVERSE REACTIONS
The most frequent reactions to metaxalone include:
CNS: drowsiness, dizziness, headache, and nervousness or "irritability";
Digestive : nausea, vomiting, gastrointestinal upset.
Other adverse reactions are:
Immune System : anaphylaxis, hypersensitivity reaction, rash with or without pruritus;
Hematologic : leukopenia; hemolytic anemia;
Hepatobiliary: jaundice.
CNS: cases of serotonin syndrome, a potentially life-threatening condition, have been reported during concomitant use of serotonergic drugs with metaxalone used within the recommended dosage range and with metaxalone as a single agent taken at doses higher than the recommended dose (see WARNINGS , PRECAUTIONS: Drug Interactions , and OVERDOSAGE ).
To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Trifluent Pharma, LLC at 210-944-6920 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or http://www.fda.gov/medwatchDrug Interactions
CNS Depressants
The sedative effects of metaxalone and other CNS depressants (e.g., alcohol, benzodiazepines, opioids, tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) may be additive. Exercise caution with patients who take more than one of these CNS depressants simultaneously. Follow patients closely for signs and symptoms of respiratory depression and sedation (see WARNINGS ).
Serotonergic Drugs
Serotonin syndrome has resulted from concomitant use of serotonergic drugs with metaxalone used within the recommended dosage range (see WARNINGS ). If concomitant use is warranted, carefully observe the patient, particularly during treatment initiation and dose adjustment. Discontinue metaxalone if serotonin syndrome is suspected.
Examples of serotonergic drugs include: selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), triptans, 5-HT3 receptor antagonists, opioids (particularly fentanyl, meperidine, and methadone), drugs that affect the serotonin neurotransmitter system (e.g., mirtazapine, trazodone, tramadol), monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors (those intended to treat psychiatric disorders and also others, such as linezolid and intravenous methylene blue).
DESCRIPTION
Metaxalone Tablets, USP are available as 400mg, 400mg tablets are round shaped, light pink tablets.
Chemically, metaxalone, USP is 5-[(3,5-dimethylphenoxy)methyl]-2-oxazolidinone. The empirical formula is C 12 H 15 NO 3 , which corresponds to a molecular weight of 221.25. The structural formula is:
Metaxalone, USP is a white to almost white, crystalline powder freely soluble in dichloromethane, soluble in methanol, sparingly soluble in ethanol and ethyl acetate, slightly soluble in toluene and isopropanol, insoluble in water and n-hexane.
Each tablet contains 400 mg metaxalone, USP and the following inactive ingredients: alginic acid, corn starch, ferric oxide red, copovidone, magnesium stearate, povidone, pregelatinized starch, sodium alginate.
CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY
Mechanism of Action
The mechanism of action of metaxalone in humans has not been established, but may be due to general central nervous system (CNS) depression. Metaxalone has no direct action on the contractile mechanism of striated muscle, the motor end plate, or the nerve fiber.
Pharmacokinetics
The pharmacokinetics of metaxalone have been evaluated in healthy adult volunteers after single dose administration of metaxalone under fasted and fed conditions at doses ranging from 400 mg to 800 mg.
Absorption
Peak plasma concentrations of metaxalone occur approximately 3 hours after a 400 mg oral dose under fasted conditions. Thereafter, metaxalone concentrations decline log-linearly with a terminal half-life of 9.0 ± 4.8 hours. Doubling the dose of metaxalone from 400 mg to 800 mg results in a roughly proportional increase in metaxalone exposure as indicated by peak plasma concentrations (C max ) and area under the curve (AUC). Dose proportionality at doses above 800 mg has not been studied. The absolute bioavailability of metaxalone is not known.
The single-dose pharmacokinetic parameters of metaxalone in two groups of healthy volunteers are shown in Table 1.
| Dose (mg) | C max (ng/mL) | T max (h) | AUC∞ (ng∙h/mL) | T 1/2 (h) | CL/F (L/h) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 400 Subjects received 1×400 mg tablet under fasted conditions (N=42) | 983 (53) | 3.3 (35) | 7,479 (51) | 9.0 (53) | 68 (50) |
| 800 Subjects received 2×400 mg tablets under fasted conditions (N=59) | 1,816 (43) | 3.0 (39) | 15,044 (46) | 8.0 (58) | 66 (51) |
Food Effects
A randomized, two-way, crossover study was conducted in 42 healthy volunteers (31 males, 11 females) administered one 400 mg metaxalone tablet under fasted conditions and following a standard high-fat breakfast. Subjects ranged in age from 18 to 48 years (mean age = 23.5 ± 5.7 years). Compared to fasted conditions, the presence of a high fat meal at the time of drug administration increased C max by 177.5% and increased AUC (AUC 0-t AUC ∞ ) by 123.5% and 115.4%, respectively. Time-to-peak concentration (T max ) was also delayed (4.3 h versus 3.3 h) and terminal half-life was decreased (2.4 h versus 9.0 h) under fed conditions compared to fasted.
In a second food effect study of similar design, two 400 mg metaxalone tablets (800 mg) were administered to healthy volunteers (N=59, 37 males, 22 females), ranging in age from 18 to 50 years (mean age = 25.6± 8.7 years). Compared to fasted conditions, the presence of a high fat meal at the time of drug administration increased C max by 193.6% and increased AUC (AUC 0-t AUC ∞ ) by 146.4% and 142.2%, respectively. Time-to-peak concentration (T max ) was also delayed (4.9 h versus 3.0 h) and terminal half-life was decreased (4.2 h versus 8.0 h) under fed conditions compared to fasted conditions. Similar food effect results were observed in the above study when one metaxalone 800 mg tablet was administered in place of two metaxalone 400 mg tablets. The increase in metaxalone exposure coinciding with a reduction in half-life may be attributed to more complete absorption of metaxalone in the presence of a high fat meal (Figure 1).
Distribution, Metabolism, and Excretion
Although plasma protein binding and absolute bioavailability of metaxalone are not known, the apparent volume of distribution (V/F ~ 800 L) and lipophilicity (log P = 2.42) of metaxalone suggest that the drug is extensively distributed in the tissues. Metaxalone is metabolized by the liver and excreted in the urine as unidentified metabolites. Hepatic Cytochrome P450 enzymes play a role in the metabolism of metaxalone. Specifically, CYP1A2, CYP2D6, CYP2E1, and CYP3A4 and, to a lesser extent, CYP2C8, CYP2C9, and CYP2C19 appear to metabolize metaxalone.
Metaxalone does not significantly inhibit major CYP enzymes such as CYP1A2, CYP2A6, CYP2B6, CYP2C8, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, CYP2E1, and CYP3A4. Metaxalone does not significantly induce major CYP enzymes such as CYP1A2, CYP2B6, and CYP3A4 in vitro.
Pharmacokinetics in Special Populations
Age
The effects of age on the pharmacokinetics of metaxalone were determined following single administration of two 400 mg tablets (800 mg) under fasted and fed conditions. The results were analyzed separately, as well as in combination with the results from three other studies. Using the combined data, the results indicate that the pharmacokinetics of metaxalone are significantly more affected by age under fasted conditions than under fed conditions, with bioavailability under fasted conditions increasing with age.
The bioavailability of metaxalone under fasted and fed conditions in three groups of healthy volunteers of varying age is shown in Table 2.
| Younger Volunteers | Older Volunteers | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Age (years) | 25.6 ± 8.7 | 39.3 ± 10.8 | 71.5 ± 5.0 | |||
| N | 59 | 21 | 23 | |||
| Food | Fasted | Fed | Fasted | Fed | Fasted | Fed |
| C max (ng/mL) | 1,816 (43) | 3,510 (41) | 2,719 (46) | 2,915 (55) | 3,168 (43) | 3,680 (59) |
| T max (h) | 3.0 (39) | 4.9 (48) | 3.0 (40) | 8.7 (91) | 2.6 (30) | 6.5 (67) |
| AUC 0-t (ng∙h/mL) | 14,531 (47) | 20,683 (41) | 19,836 (40) | 20,482 (37) | 23,797 (45) | 24,340 (48) |
| AUC ∞ (ng∙h/mL) | 15,045 (46) | 20,833 (41) | 20,490 (39) | 20,815 (37) | 24,194 (44) | 24,704 (47) |
Gender
The effect of gender on the pharmacokinetics of metaxalone was assessed in an open label study, in which 48 healthy adult volunteers (24 males, 24 females) were administered two metaxalone 400 mg tablets (800 mg) under fasted conditions. The bioavailability of metaxalone was significantly higher in females compared to males as evidenced by C max (2,115 ng/mL versus 1,335 ng/mL) and AUC ∞ (17,884 ng∙h/mL versus 10,328 ng∙h/mL). The mean half-life was 11.1 hours in females and 7.6 hours in males. The apparent volume of distribution of metaxalone was approximately 22% higher in males than in females, but not significantly different when adjusted for body weight. Similar findings were also seen when the previously described combined dataset was used in the analysis.
Hepatic/Renal Insufficiency
The impact of hepatic and renal disease on the pharmacokinetics of metaxalone has not been determined. In the absence of such information, metaxalone should be used with caution in patients with hepatic and/or renal impairment.
HOW SUPPLIED
Metaxal™ (Metaxalone Tablets, USP) 400 mg are available as light pink, round shaped tablet debossed with 'SG 474' on one side and plain on the other.
NDC 73352-508-10: Bottles of 100 Tablets
Store at 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F); excursions permitted to 15° to 30°C (59° to 86°F) [See USP Controlled Room Temperature]. Dispense in well-closed, light-resistant containers.
Mechanism of Action
The mechanism of action of metaxalone in humans has not been established, but may be due to general central nervous system (CNS) depression. Metaxalone has no direct action on the contractile mechanism of striated muscle, the motor end plate, or the nerve fiber.
