Mirabegron

Chemical formula: C₂₁H₂₄N₄O₂S  Molecular mass: 396.506 g/mol  PubChem compound: 9865528

Mechanism of action

Mirabegron is a potent and selective beta3-adrenoceptor agonist. Mirabegron showed relaxation of bladder smooth muscle in rat and human isolated tissue, increased cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) concentrations in rat bladder tissue and showed a bladder relaxant effect in rat urinary bladder function models. Mirabegron increased mean voided volume per micturition and decreased the frequency of non-voiding contractions, without affecting voiding pressure, or residual urine in rat models of bladder overactivity. In a monkey model, mirabegron showed decreased voiding frequency. These results indicate that mirabegron enhances urine storage function by stimulating beta3-adrenoceptors in the bladder.

During the urine storage phase, when urine accumulates in the bladder, sympathetic nerve stimulation predominates. Noradrenaline is released from nerve terminals, leading predominantly to beta adrenoceptor activation in the bladder musculature, and hence bladder smooth muscle relaxation. During the urine voiding phase, the bladder is predominantly under parasympathetic nervous system control. Acetylcholine, released from pelvic nerve terminals, stimulates cholinergic M2 and M3 receptors, inducing bladder contraction. The activation of the M2 pathway also inhibits beta3-adrenoceptor induced increases in cAMP. Therefore beta3-adrenoceptor stimulation should not interfere with the voiding process. This was confirmed in rats with partial urethral obstruction, where mirabegron decreased the frequency of non-voiding contractions without affecting the voided volume per micturition, voiding pressure, or residual urine volume.

Pharmacodynamic properties

Pharmacodynamic effects

Urodynamics

Mirabegron at doses of 50 mg and 100 mg once daily for 12 weeks in men with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) showed no effect on cystometry parameters and was safe and well tolerated. The effects of mirabegron on maximum flow rate and detrusor pressure at maximum flow rate were assessed in this urodynamic study consisting of 200 male patients with LUTS and BOO. Administration of mirabegron at doses of 50 mg and 100 mg once daily for 12 weeks did not adversely affect the maximum flow rate or detrusor pressure at maximum flow rate. In this study in male patients with LUTS/BOO, the adjusted mean (SE) change from baseline to end of treatment in post void residual volume (mL) was 0.55 (10.702), 17.89 (10.190), 30.77 (10.598) for the placebo, mirabegron 50 mg and mirabegron 100 mg treatment groups.

Effect on QT interval

Mirabegron at doses of 50 mg or 100 mg had no effect on the QT interval individually corrected for heart rate (QTcI interval) when evaluated either by sex or by the overall group.

A thorough QT (TQT) study (n=164 healthy male and n=153 healthy female volunteers with a mean age of 33 years) evaluated the effect of repeat oral dosing of mirabegron at the indicated dose (50 mg once daily) and two supra-therapeutic doses (100 and 200 mg once daily) on the QTcI interval. The supra-therapeutic doses represent approximately 2.6- and 6.5-fold the exposure of the therapeutic dose, respectively. A single 400 mg dose of moxifloxacin was used as a positive control. Each dose level of mirabegron and moxifloxacin was evaluated in separate treatment arms each including placebo-control (parallel cross-over design). For both males and females administered mirabegron at 50 mg and 100 mg, the upper bound of the one-sided 95% confidence interval did not exceed 10 msec at any time point for the largest time-matched mean difference from placebo in the QTcI interval. In females administered mirabegron at the 50 mg dose, the mean difference from placebo on QTcI interval at 5 hours post dose was 3.67 msec (upper bound of the one-sided 95% CI 5.72 msec). In males, the difference was 2.89 msec (upper bound of the one-sided 95% CI 4.90 msec). At a mirabegron dose of 200 mg, the QTcI interval did not exceed 10 msec at any time point in males, while in females the upper bound of the one-sided 95% confidence interval did exceed 10 msec between 0.5–6 hours, with a maximum difference from placebo at 5 hours where the mean effect was 10.42 msec (upper bound of the one-sided 95% CI 13.44 msec). Results for QTcF and QTcIf were consistent with QTcI.

In this TQT study, mirabegron increased heart rate on ECG in a dose dependent manner across the 50 mg to 200 mg dose range examined. The maximum mean difference from placebo in heart rate ranged from 6.7 bpm with mirabegron 50 mg up to 17.3 bpm with mirabegron 200 mg in healthy subjects.

Effects on pulse rate and blood pressure in patients with OAB

In OAB patients (mean age of 59 years) across three 12-week phase 3 double blind, placebo controlled studies receiving mirabegron 50 mg once daily, an increase in mean difference from placebo of approximately 1 bpm for pulse rate and approximately 1 mm Hg or less in systolic blood pressure/diastolic blood pressure (SBP/DBP) was observed. Changes in pulse rate and blood pressure are reversible upon discontinuation of treatment.

Effect on intraocular pressure (IOP)

Mirabegron 100 mg once daily did not increase IOP in healthy subjects after 56 days of treatment. In a phase 1 study assessing the effect of mirabegron on IOP using Goldmann applanation tonometry in 310 healthy subjects, a dose of mirabegron 100 mg was non-inferior to placebo for the primary endpoint of the treatment difference in mean change from baseline to day 56 in subject-average IOP; the upper bound of the two-sided 95% CI of the treatment difference between mirabegron 100 mg and placebo was 0.3 mmHg.

Pharmacokinetic properties

Absorption

After oral administration of mirabegron in healthy volunteers mirabegron is absorbed to reach peak plasma concentrations (Cmax) between 3 and 4 hours. The absolute bioavailability increased from 29% at a dose of 25 mg to 35% at a dose of 50 mg. Mean Cmax and AUC increased more than dose proportionally over the dose range. In the overall population of males and females, a 2-fold increase in dose from 50 mg to 100 mg mirabegron increased Cmax and AUC tau by approximately 2.9- and 2.6-fold, respectively, whereas a 4-fold increase in dose from 50 mg to 200 mg mirabegron increased Cmax and AUC tau by approximately 8.4- and 6.5-fold. Steady state concentrations are achieved within 7 days of once daily dosing with mirabegron. After once daily administration, plasma exposure of mirabegron at steady state is approximately double that seen after a single dose.

Effect of food on absorption

Co-administration of a 50 mg tablet with a high-fat meal reduced mirabegron Cmax and AUC by 45% and 17%, respectively. A low-fat meal decreased mirabegron Cmax and AUC by 75% and 51%, respectively. In the phase 3 studies, mirabegron was administered with or without food and demonstrated both safety and efficacy. Therefore, mirabegron can be taken with or without food at the recommended dose.

Distribution

Mirabegron is extensively distributed. The volume of distribution at steady state (Vss) is approximately 1670 L. Mirabegron is bound (approximately 71%) to human plasma proteins, and shows moderate affinity for albumin and alpha-1 acid glycoprotein. Mirabegron distributes to erythrocytes. In vitro erythrocyte concentrations of 14C-mirabegron were about 2-fold higher than in plasma.

Biotransformation

Mirabegron is metabolised via multiple pathways involving dealkylation, oxidation, (direct) glucuronidation, and amide hydrolysis. Mirabegron is the major circulating component following a single dose of 14C-mirabegron. Two major metabolites were observed in human plasma; both are phase 2 glucuronides representing 16% and 11% of total exposure. These metabolites are not pharmacologically active.

Based on in vitro studies, mirabegron is unlikely to inhibit the metabolism of co-administered medicinal products metabolised by the following cytochrome P450 enzymes: CYP1A2, CYP2B6, CYP2C8, CYP2C9, CYP2C19 and CYP2E1 because mirabegron did not inhibit the activity of these enzymes at clinically relevant concentrations. Mirabegron did not induce CYP1A2 or CYP3A. Mirabegron is predicted not to cause clinically relevant inhibition of OCT-mediated drug transport.

Although in vitro studies suggest a role for CYP2D6 and CYP3A4 in the oxidative metabolism of mirabegron, in vivo results indicate that these isozymes play a limited role in the overall elimination. In vitro and ex vivo studies have shown the involvement from butyrylcholinesterase, UGT and possibly alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) in the metabolism of mirabegron, in addition to CYP3A4 and CYP2D6.

CYP2D6 polymorphism

In healthy subjects who are genotypically poor metabolisers of CYP2D6 substrates (used as a surrogate for CYP2D6 inhibition), mean Cmax and AUC inf of a single 160 mg dose of a mirabegron IR formulation were 14% and 19% higher than in extensive metabolisers, indicating that CYP2D6 genetic polymorphism has minimal impact on the mean plasma exposure to mirabegron. Interaction of mirabegron with a known CYP2D6 inhibitor is not expected and was not studied. No dose adjustment is needed for mirabegron when administered with CYP2D6 inhibitors or in patients who are CYP2D6 poor metabolisers.

Elimination

Total body clearance (CLtot) from plasma is approximately 57 L/h. The terminal elimination half-life (t½) is approximately 50 hours. Renal clearance (CLR) is approximately 13 L/h, which corresponds to nearly 25% of CLtot. Renal elimination of mirabegron is primarily through active tubular secretion along with glomerular filtration. The urinary excretion of unchanged mirabegron is dose-dependent and ranges from approximately 6.0% after a daily dose of 25 mg to 12.2% after a daily dose of 100 mg. Following the administration of 160 mg 14C-mirabegron to healthy volunteers, approximately 55% of the radiolabel was recovered in the urine and 34% in the faeces. Unchanged mirabegron accounted for 45% of the urinary radioactivity, indicating the presence of metabolites. Unchanged mirabegron accounted for the majority of the faecal radioactivity.

Age

The Cmax and AUC of mirabegron and its metabolites following multiple oral doses in elderly volunteers (≥65 years) were similar to those in younger volunteers (18–45 years).

Gender

The Cmax and AUC are approximately 40% to 50% higher in females than in males. Gender differences in Cmax and AUC are attributed to differences in body weight and bioavailability.

Race

The pharmacokinetics of mirabegron are not influenced by race.

Renal impairment

Following single dose administration of 100 mg mirabegron in volunteers with mild renal impairment (eGFR-MDRD 60 to 89 mL/min/1.73 m²), mean mirabegron Cmax and AUC were increased by 6% and 31% relative to volunteers with normal renal function. In volunteers with moderate renal impairment (eGFR-MDRD 30 to 59 mL/min/1.73 m²), Cmax and AUC were increased by 23% and 66%, respectively. In volunteers with severe renal impairment (eGFR-MDRD 15 to 29 mL/min/1.73 m²), mean Cmax and AUC values were 92% and 118% higher. Mirabegron has not been studied in patients with end stage renal disease (GFR <15 mL/min/1.73 m² or patients requiring haemodialysis).

Hepatic impairment

Following single dose administration of 100 mg mirabegron in volunteers with mild hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh Class A), mean mirabegron Cmax and AUC were increased by 9% and 19% relative to volunteers with normal hepatic function. In volunteers with moderate hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh Class B), mean Cmax and AUC values were 175% and 65% higher. Mirabegron has not been studied in patients with severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh Class C).

Preclinical safety data

Pre-clinical studies have identified target organs of toxicity that are consistent with clinical observations. Transient increases in liver enzymes and hepatocyte changes (necrosis and decrease in glycogen particles) were seen in rats. An increase in heart rate was observed in rats, rabbits, dogs and monkeys. Genotoxicity and carcinogenicity studies have shown no genotoxic or carcinogenic potential in vivo.

No effects on fertility were seen at sub-lethal doses (human equivalent dose was 19-fold higher than the maximum human recommended dose (MHRD)). The main findings in rabbit embryofetal development studies included malformations of the heart (dilated aorta, cardiomegaly) at systemic exposures 36-fold higher than observed at the MHRD. In addition, malformations of the lung (absent accessory lobe of the lung) and increased post-implantation loss were observed in the rabbit at systemic exposures 14-fold higher than observed at the MHRD, while in the rat reversible effects on ossification were noted (wavy ribs, delayed ossification, decreased number of ossified sternebrae, metacarpi or metatarsi) at systemic exposures 22-fold higher than observed at the MHRD. The observed embryofetal toxicity occurred at doses associated with maternal toxicity. The cardiovascular malformations observed in the rabbit were shown to be mediated via activation of the beta1-adrenoceptor.

Pharmacokinetic studies performed with radio-labelled mirabegron have shown that the parent compound and/or its metabolites are excreted in the milk of rats at levels that were approximately 1.7-fold higher than plasma levels at 4 hours post administration.

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