Tasimelteon
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Clinical data | |
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Trade names | Hetlioz |
Pregnancy category |
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Routes of administration |
Oral |
ATC code | N05CH03 (WHO) |
Legal status | |
Legal status |
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Pharmacokinetic data | |
Bioavailability | not determined in humans[1] |
Protein binding | 89–90% |
Metabolism | extensive hepatic, primarily CYP1A2 and CYP3A4-mediated |
Biological half-life | 0.9–1.7 h / 0.8–5.9 h (terminal) |
Excretion | 80% in urine, 4% in feces |
Identifiers | |
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CAS Number | 609799-22-6 ![]() |
PubChem (CID) | 10220503 |
IUPHAR/BPS | 7393 |
ChemSpider | 8395995 ![]() |
UNII | SHS4PU80D9 ![]() |
ChEBI | CHEBI:79042 ![]() |
ECHA InfoCard | 100.114.889 |
Chemical and physical data | |
Formula | C15H19NO2 |
Molar mass | 245.32 g/mol |
3D model (Jmol) | Interactive image |
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Tasimelteon (trade name Hetlioz) is a drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)[2] in January 2014 for the treatment of non-24-hour sleep–wake disorder (also called Non-24, N24 and N24HSWD).[3] In June 2014, the European Medicines Agency accepted an EU filing application for tasimelteon[4] and in July 2015, the drug was approved in Europe for the treatment of non-24-hour sleep-wake rhythm disorder in totally blind adults,[5] but not in the rarer case of non-24 in sighted people.
Tasimelteon is a selective agonist for the melatonin receptors MT1 and MT2, similar to other members of the melatonin receptor agonist class of which ramelteon (2005) and agomelatine (2009) were the first approved.[6] As a treatment for N24HSWD, as with melatonin or other melatonin derivatives, the patient may experience improved sleep timing while taking the drug. Reversion to baseline sleep performance occurs within a month of discontinuation.[7]
Development[edit]
Tasimelteon (previously known as BMS-214,778) was developed for the treatment of insomnia and other sleep disorders. A phase II trial on circadian rhythm sleep disorders was concluded in March 2005.[8] A phase III insomnia trial was conducted in 2006.[9] A second phase III trial on insomnia, this time concerning primary insomnia, was completed in June 2008.[10] In 2010, the FDA granted orphan drug status to tasimelteon, then regarded as an investigational medication, for use in totally blind adults with N24HSWD.[11] (Through mechanisms such as easing the approval process and extending exclusivity periods, orphan drug status encourages development of drugs for rare conditions that otherwise might lack sufficient commercial incentive.)
On completion of Phase III trials, interpretations of the clinical trials by the research team concluded that the drug may have therapeutic potential for transient insomnia in circadian rhythm sleep disorders.[12] A year-long (2011–2012) study at Harvard tested the use of tasimelteon in blind subjects with non-24-hour sleep-wake disorder. The drug has not been tested in children nor in any non-blind people.
FDA approval[edit]
In May 2013 Vanda Pharmaceuticals submitted a New Drug Application to the Food and Drug Administration for tasimelteon for the treatment of non-24-hour sleep–wake disorder in totally blind people. It was approved by the FDA on January 31, 2014 under the brand name Hetlioz.[3] In the opinion of Public Citizen, an advocacy group, the FDA erroneously allowed it to be labelled without stating that it is only approved for use by totally blind people.[13] However, FDA updated its press release on Oct. 2, 2014 to clarify the approved use of Hetlioz, which includes both sighted and blind individuals. The update did not change the drug labeling (prescribing information).[14]
Toxicity[edit]
Experiments with rodents revealed fertility impairments, an increase in certain cancers, and serious adverse events during pregnancy at dosages in excess of what is considered the "human dose".[15][16]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ "Tasimelteon Advisory Committee Meeting Briefing Materials" (PDF). Vanda Pharmaceuticals Inc. November 2013.
- ^ "FDA transcript approval minutes" (PDF). FDA. November 14, 2013.
- ^ a b Food and Drug Administration (January 31, 2014). "FDA approves Hetlioz: first treatment for non-24 hour sleep-wake disorder". FDA.
- ^ "tasimelteon (Hetlioz) UKMi New Drugs Online Database". Retrieved August 6, 2014.
- ^ "HETLIOZ® Receives European Commission Approval for the Treatment of Non-24-Hour Sleep-Wake Disorder in the Totally Blind". MarketWatch. PR Newswire. 7 July 2015. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
- ^ Vachharajani, Nimish N.; Yeleswaram, Krishnaswamy; Boulton, David W. (April 2003). "Preclinical pharmacokinetics and metabolism of BMS-214778, a novel melatonin receptor agonist". Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences. 92 (4): 760–72. doi:10.1002/jps.10348. PMID 12661062.
- ^ Sack, R. L.; Brandes, R. W.; Kendall, A. R.; Lewy, A. J. (2000). "Entrainment of Free-Running Circadian Rhythms by Melatonin in Blind People". New England Journal of Medicine. 343 (15): 1070–7. doi:10.1056/NEJM200010123431503. PMID 11027741.
- ^ "Safety and Efficacy of VEC-162 on Circadian Rhythm in Healthy Adult Volunteers". ClinicalTrials.gov. |accessdate=May 15, 2014
- ^ "VEC-162 Study in Healthy Adult Volunteers in a Model of Insomnia". ClinicalTrials.gov. Retrieved May 15, 2014.
- ^ "VEC-162 Study in Adult Patients With Primary Insomnia". ClinicalTrials.gov. Retrieved May 15, 2014.
- ^ Lynne Lamberg. "Improving Sleep and Alertness in the Blind (Part 5)". Matilda Ziegler Magazine for the Blind. Retrieved May 15, 2014.
- ^ Shantha MW Rajaratnam; Mihael H Polymeropoulos; Dennis M Fisher; Thomas Roth; Christin Scott; Gunther Birznieks; Elizabeth B Klerman (2009-02-07). "Melatonin agonist tasimelteon (VEC-162) for transient insomnia after sleep-time shift: two randomised controlled multicentre trials". The Lancet. 373 (9662): 482–491. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(08)61812-7. PMID 19054552. Retrieved 2010-02-23.
- ^ Carome, Michael (1 July 2015). "Outrage of the Month: FDA Makes Major Blunder After Approving Drug for Rare Sleep Disorder". Huffington Post. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
- ^ Food and Drug Administration (January 31, 2014). "FDA NEWS RELEASE: FDA approves Hetlioz: first treatment for non-24 hour sleep–wake disorder in blind individuals". FDA.
- ^ "Side Effects Drug Center: Hetlioz Clinical Pharmacology". RxList. February 10, 2014.
- ^ "Side Effects Drug Center: Hetlioz Warnings and Precautions". RxList. February 10, 2014.
In animal studies, administration of tasimelteon during pregnancy resulted in developmental toxicity (embryofetal mortality, neurobehavioral impairment, and decreased growth and development in offspring) at doses greater than those used clinically.