Genetic Implications:
Pronunciation:
pi-tol-i-sant
Trade Name(s)
Ther. Class.
central nervous system stimulants
Pharm. Class.
histamine H3 antagonist/agonist
Excessive daytime sleepiness or cataplexy in patients with narcolepsy.
Acts as a histamine-3 receptor antagonist/reverse agonist. Exact mechanism by which it minimizes excessive daytime sleepiness in narcolepsy unknown.
Therapeutic Effect(s):
Reduced perception of falling asleep during daily life activities.
Absorption: 90% absorbed following oral administration.
Distribution: Extensively distributed to tissues.
Protein Binding: 91–96%.
Metabolism and Excretion: Primarily metabolized by the liver via the CYP2D6 isoenzyme and to a lesser extent by the CYP3A4 isoenzyme; the CYP2D6 isoenzyme exhibits genetic polymorphism (~7% of population may be poor metabolizers and may have significantly ↑ pitolisant concentrations and an ↑ risk of adverse effects).Primarily excreted in urine (90%; <2% as unchanged drug), with only 2% excreted in feces.
Half-life: 20 hr.
TIME/ACTION PROFILE (plasma concentrations)
ROUTE | ONSET | PEAK | DURATION |
---|---|---|---|
PO | unknown | 2–5 hr | 24 hr |
Contraindicated in:
Use Cautiously in:
CV: QT interval prolongation, tachycardia
Derm: rash
GI: abdominal pain, dry mouth, ↓ appetite, nausea
MS: cataplexy, pain
Neuro: headache, anxiety, hallucinations, insomnia, irritability, sleep disturbances
Resp: upper respiratory tract infection
Misc: HYPERSENSITIVITY REACTIONS (including anaphylaxis)
* CAPITALS indicate life-threatening.
Underline indicate most frequent.
Drug-Drug
Excessive Daytime Sleepiness
PO (Adults): 8.9 mg once daily in the morning on awakening for 1 wk; then ↑ to 17.8 mg once daily in the morning on awakening for 1 wk; may then ↑ to 35.6 mg once daily in the morning on awakening. Concurrent use of strong CYP2D6 inhibitors (initiation of therapy): 8.9 mg once daily in the morning on awakening for 1 wk; then ↑ to 17.8 mg once daily in the morning on awakening. Concurrent use of strong CYP2D6 inhibitors (stabilized on therapy): ↓ pitolisant dose by 50%. Concurrent use of strong CYP3A4 inducers: If stable on 8.9 mg once daily, ↑ to 17.8 mg once daily over 7 days; if stable on 17.8 mg once daily, ↑ to 35.6 mg once daily over 7 days. Poor CYP2D6 metabolizers: 8.9 mg once daily in the morning on awakening for 1 wk; then ↑ to 17.8 mg once daily in the morning on awakening.
PO (Children ≥6 yr and ≥40 kg): 4.45 mg once daily in the morning on awakening for 1 wk; then ↑ to 8.9 mg once daily in the morning on awakening for 1 wk; then ↑ to 17.8 mg once daily in the morning on awakening for 1 wk; then ↑ to 35.6 mg once daily in the morning on awakening. Concurrent use of strong CYP2D6 inhibitors (initiation of therapy): 4.45 mg once daily in the morning on awakening for 1 wk; then ↑ to 8.9 mg once daily in the morning on awakening for 1 wk; then ↑ to 17.8 mg once daily in the morning on awakening. Concurrent use of strong CYP2D6 inhibitors (stabilized on therapy): ↓ pitolisant dose by 50%. Concurrent use of strong CYP3A4 inducers: If stable on 8.9 mg once daily, ↑ to 17.8 mg once daily over 7 days; if stable on 17.8 mg once daily, ↑ to 35.6 mg once daily over 7 days. Poor CYP2D6 metabolizers: 4.45 mg once daily in the morning on awakening for 1 wk; then ↑ to 8.9 mg once daily in the morning on awakening for 1 wk; then ↑ to 17.8 mg once daily in the morning on awakening.
PO (Children ≥6 yr and <40 kg): 4.45 mg once daily in the morning on awakening for 1 wk; then ↑ to 8.9 mg once daily in the morning on awakening for 1 wk; then ↑ to 17.8 mg once daily in the morning on awakening for 1 wk. Concurrent use of strong CYP2D6 inhibitors (initiation of therapy): 4.45 mg once daily in the morning on awakening for 1 wk; then ↑ to 8.9 mg once daily in the morning on awakening. Concurrent use of strong CYP2D6 inhibitors (stabilized on therapy): ↓ pitolisant dose by 50%. Concurrent use of strong CYP3A4 inducers: If stable on 8.9 mg once daily, ↑ to 17.8 mg once daily over 7 days; if stable on 17.8 mg once daily, ↑ to 35.6 mg once daily over 7 days. Poor CYP2D6 metabolizers: 4.45 mg once daily in the morning on awakening for 1 wk; then ↑ to 8.9 mg once daily in the morning on awakening.
Hepatic Impairment
PO (Adults): Moderate hepatic impairment: 8.9 mg once daily in the morning on awakening for 2 wk; then ↑ to 17.8 mg once daily in the morning on awakening.
Hepatic Impairment
PO (Children ≥6 yr and ≥40 kg): Moderate hepatic impairment: 4.45 mg once daily in the morning on awakening for 2 wk; then ↑ to 8.9 mg once daily in the morning on awakening for 2 wk; then ↑ to 17.8 mg once daily in the morning on awakening.
Hepatic Impairment
PO (Children ≥6 yr and <40 kg): Moderate hepatic impairment: 4.45 mg once daily in the morning on awakening for 2 wk; then ↑ to 8.9 mg once daily in the morning on awakening.
Renal Impairment
PO (Adults): CCr 15–59 mL/min/1.73 m2 : 8.9 mg once daily in the morning on awakening for 1 wk; then ↑ to 17.8 mg once daily in the morning on awakening.
Renal Impairment
PO (Children ≥6 yr and ≥40 kg): CCr 15–59 mL/min/1.73 m2 : 4.45 mg once daily in the morning on awakening for 1 wk; then ↑ to 8.9 mg once daily in the morning on awakening for 1 wk; then ↑ to 17.8 mg once daily in the morning on awakening.
Renal Impairment
PO (Children ≥6 yr <40 kg): CCr 15–59 mL/min/1.73 m2 : 4.45 mg once daily in the morning on awakening for 1 wk; then ↑ to 8.9 mg once daily in the morning on awakening.
Cataplexy
PO (Adults): 8.9 mg once daily in the morning on awakening for 1 wk; then ↑ to 17.8 mg once daily in the morning on awakening for 1 wk; may then ↑ to 35.6 mg once daily in the morning on awakening. Concurrent use of strong CYP2D6 inhibitors (initiation of therapy): 8.9 mg once daily in the morning on awakening for 1 wk; then ↑ to 17.8 mg once daily in the morning on awakening. Concurrent use of strong CYP2D6 inhibitors (stabilized on therapy): ↓ pitolisant dose by 50%. Concurrent use of strong CYP3A4 inducers: If stable on 8.9 mg once daily, ↑ to 17.8 mg once daily over 7 days; if stable on 17.8 mg once daily, ↑ to 35.6 mg once daily over 7 days. Poor CYP2D6 metabolizers: 8.9 mg once daily in the morning on awakening for 1 wk; then ↑ to 17.8 mg once daily in the morning on awakening.
Hepatic Impairment
PO (Adults): Moderate hepatic impairment: 8.9 mg once daily in the morning on awakening for 2 wk; then ↑ to 17.8 mg once daily in the morning on awakening.
Renal Impairment
PO (Adults): CCr 15–59 mL/min/1.73 m2 : 8.9 mg once daily in the morning on awakening for 1 wk; then ↑ to 17.8 mg once daily in the morning on awakening.
Tablets: 4.45 mg, 17.8 mg
Lab Test Considerations:
Monitor baseline renal and hepatic function and as clinically indicated.
Reduced perception of falling asleep during daily life activities.