U.S. FDA Approves XARELTO® (rivaroxaban) to Reduce the Risk of Major Cardiovascular Events in Patients with Chronic Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) or Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)

TITUSVILLE, N.J., /PRNewswire/ -- The Janssen Pharmaceutical of Johnson & Johnson announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved XARELTO^® (rivaroxaban) to reduce the risk of major cardiovascular (CV) events, such as CV death, myocardial infarction (MI) and stroke, in people with chronic coronary or peripheral artery disease (CAD/PAD). XARELTO^® is now the first and only Factor Xa inhibitor approved for patients living with these conditions.

Click to Tweet: New treatment option now approved for people with chronic #CAD or #PAD at risk of CV death, myocardial infarction or stroke https://ctt.ac/KB902+

This new indication is based on results from the landmark COMPASS trial, which showed a significant 24% reduction of the risk of major CV events in patients with chronic CAD and/or PAD with the XARELTO^® 2.5-mg vascular dose twice daily plus aspirin 100 mg once daily, compared to aspirin alone. This finding was driven by a 42% reduction in stroke, 22% reduction in CV death and 14% reduction in heart attack. The risk of major bleeding was significantly higher in patients taking the XARELTO^®/aspirin regimen compared to aspirin alone, with no significant increase in fatal or intracranial bleeds.

“Despite the use of guideline-recommended therapies, patients with chronic CAD and/or PAD remain at risk of having a devastating and irreversible CV event,” said Paul Burton, MD, PhD, FACC, Vice President, Medical Affairs, Internal Medicine, Janssen Scientific Affairs, LLC. “The new XARELTO^® vascular 2.5-mg dose, when used with aspirin, represents a true breakthrough for patients with chronic CAD and PAD.”

Click to Tweet: Janssen’s blood thinner is now the first and only Factor Xa inhibitor with FDA approval to help reduce the risk of major CV events in people with chronic #CAD or #PAD https://ctt.ac/n2gD6+

“Treating patients with aspirin only is simply not enough to address the underlying thrombotic risk that comes with chronic CAD and PAD,” said Kelley Branchⁱ, MD, MSc, FACC, FSCCT, Associate Professor in Cardiology, University of Washington, Seattle. “As we saw in the COMPASS trial, the dual pathway approach of aspirin and the 2.5-mg, twice-daily dose of XARELTO^® can help significantly reduce the risk of CV events in these populations.”

Both chronic CAD and PAD occur when arteries become hardened or narrowed due to a buildup of cholesterol and plaque, potentially limiting blood flow to parts of the body. Known as atherosclerosis, this disease is rarely fatal, but is the most frequent underlying cause of chronic CAD and PAD, which affect 16.5 million and 10 million Americans, respectivelyⁱⁱ, 13 million of whom are currently diagnosed. When left untreated, atherosclerosis can lead to serious problems, including heart attack, stroke and death.

About COMPASS
COMPASS, a Phase 3 clinical study of 27,395 patients with chronic CAD or PAD from 33 countries, examined the use of XARELTO^®, alone or in combination with aspirin, for the long-term prevention of major adverse CV events, including heart attack, stroke and CV death. In February 2017, COMPASS was stopped early for efficacy based on recommendation of the Independent Data and Safety Monitoring Board who observed a consistent difference in the primary outcome in favor of XARELTO^® 2.5 mg plus aspirin. The COMPASS results were presented during a Hot Line session at the ESC Congress 2017 and simultaneously published in The New England Journal of Medicine. Two sub-analyses from COMPASS in patients with PAD and CAD were also published in The Lancet.

COMPASS is a part of the industry-leading EXPLORER clinical development program, a collaborative effort between Janssen and Bayer, which seeks to generate important clinical evidence on the safety and efficacy of XARELTO^® and its potential role in addressing a wide range of critical medical needs.

In July 2018, Janssen’s development partner Bayer announced the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) granted a positive opinion to update the XARELTO^® label to include the new vascular indication in the European Union; the European Commission granted approval on August 24, 2018. Since its launch, XARELTO^® has been approved for a variety of indications and prescribed more than 45 million times worldwide.

WHAT IS XARELTO^®?

XARELTO^® is a prescription medicine used to:

• reduce the risk of stroke and blood clots in people who have a medical condition called atrial fibrillation that is not caused by a heart valve problem. With atrial fibrillation, part of the heart does not beat the way it should. This can lead to the formation of blood clots, which can travel to the brain, causing a stroke, or to other parts of the body
• treat blood clots in the veins of your legs (deep vein thrombosis or DVT) or lungs (pulmonary embolism or PE)
• reduce the risk of blood clots happening again in people who continue to be at risk for DVT or PE after receiving treatment for blood clots for at least 6 months
• help prevent a blood clot in the legs and lungs of people who have just had hip or knee replacement surgery

XARELTO^® is also used with low dose aspirin to:

• reduce the reduce the risk of serious heart problems, heart attack and stroke in patients with coronary artery disease (a condition where the blood supply to the heart is reduced or blocked) or peripheral arterial disease (a condition where the blood flow to the legs is reduced)

It is not known if XARELTO^® is safe and effective in children.

WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION I SHOULD KNOW ABOUT XARELTO^®?

XARELTO^® may cause serious side effects, including:

• Increased risk of blood clots if you stop taking XARELTO^®.
  People with atrial fibrillation (an irregular heart beat) that is not caused by a heart valve problem (nonvalvular) are at an increased risk of forming a blood clot in the heart, which can travel to the brain, causing a stroke, or to other parts of the body. XARELTO^® lowers your chance of having a stroke by helping to prevent clots from forming. If you stop taking XARELTO^®, you may have increased risk of forming a clot in your blood.

  Do not stop taking XARELTO^® without talking to the doctor who prescribes it for you. Stopping XARELTO^® increases your risk of having a stroke.

  If you have to stop taking XARELTO^®, your doctor may prescribe another blood thinner medicine to prevent a blood clot from forming.
  

• Increased risk of bleeding. XARELTO^® can cause bleeding which can be serious, and may lead to death. This is because XARELTO^® is a blood thinner medicine (anticoagulant) that lowers blood clotting. During treatment with XARELTO^® you are likely to bruise more easily, and it may take longer for bleeding to stop.

  You may have a higher risk of bleeding if you take XARELTO^® and take other medicines that increase your risk of bleeding, including:
  

  • Aspirin or aspirin-containing products
  • Long-term (chronic) use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
  • Warfarin sodium (Coumadin^®, Jantoven^®)
  • Any medicine that contains heparin
  • Clopidogrel (Plavix^®)
  • Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)
  • Other medicines to prevent or treat blood clots

Tell your doctor if you take any of these medicines. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure if your medicine is one listed above.

Call your doctor or get medical help right away if you develop any of these signs or symptoms of bleeding:

• Unexpected bleeding or bleeding that lasts a long time, such as:
  • Nosebleeds that happen often
  • Unusual bleeding from gums
  • Menstrual bleeding that is heavier than normal, or vaginal bleeding
• Bleeding that is severe or you cannot control
• Red, pink, or brown urine
• Bright red or black stools (looks like tar)
• Cough up blood or blood clots
• Vomit blood or your vomit looks like “coffee grounds”
• Headaches, feeling dizzy or weak
• Pain, swelling, or new drainage at wound sites
• Spinal or epidural blood clots (hematoma). People who take a blood thinner medicine (anticoagulant) like XARELTO^®, and have medicine injected into their spinal and epidural area, or have a spinal puncture, have a risk of forming a blood clot that can cause long-term or permanent loss of the ability to move (paralysis). Your risk of developing a spinal or epidural blood clot is higher if:
  • A thin tube called an epidural catheter is placed in your back to give you certain medicine
  • You take NSAIDs or a medicine to prevent blood from clotting
  • You have a history of difficult or repeated epidural or spinal punctures
  • You have a history of problems with your spine or have had surgery on your spine

If you take XARELTO^® and receive spinal anesthesia or have a spinal puncture, your doctor should watch you closely for symptoms of spinal or epidural blood clots. Tell your doctor right away if you have back pain, tingling, numbness, muscle weakness (especially in your legs and feet), or loss of control of the bowels or bladder (incontinence).

• XARELTO^® is not for people with artificial heart valves.

Do not take XARELTO^® if you:

• Currently have certain types of abnormal bleeding. Talk to your doctor before taking XARELTO^® if you currently have unusual bleeding.
• Are allergic to rivaroxaban or any of the ingredients of XARELTO^®.

Before taking XARELTO^®, tell your doctor about all your medical conditions, including if you:

• Have ever had bleeding problems
• Have liver or kidney problems
• Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if XARELTO^® will harm your unborn baby.
  • Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant during treatment with XARELTO^®. Taking XARELTO^® while you are pregnant may increase the risk of bleeding in you or in your unborn baby.
  • If you take XARELTO^® during pregnancy, tell your doctor right away if you have any signs or symptoms of bleeding or blood loss. See “What is the most important information I should know about XARELTO^®?” for signs and symptoms of bleeding.
• Are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. XARELTO^® may pass into your breast milk. You and your doctor should decide if you will take XARELTO^® or breastfeed.

Tell all of your doctors and dentists that you are taking XARELTO^®. They should talk to the doctor who prescribed XARELTO^® for you before you have any surgery, medical or dental procedure.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Some of your other medicines may affect the way XARELTO^® works, causing side effects. Certain medicines may increase your risk of bleeding. See “What is the most important information I should know about XARELTO^®?”

HOW SHOULD I TAKE XARELTO^®?

• Take XARELTO^® exactly as prescribed by your doctor.
• Do not change your dose or stop taking XARELTO^® unless your doctor tells you to.
• Your doctor may change your dose if needed.
• If you take XARELTO^® for:
  • Atrial Fibrillation that is not caused by a heart valve problem:
    • Take XARELTO^® 1 time a day with your evening meal.
    • If you miss a dose of XARELTO^®, take it as soon as you remember on the same day. Take your next dose at your regularly scheduled time.
  • Blood clots in the veins of your legs or lungs:
    • Take XARELTO^® 1 or 2 times a day as prescribed by your doctor.
    • For the 15-mg and 20-mg doses, XARELTO^® should be taken with food.
    • For the 10-mg dose, XARELTO^® may be taken with or without food.
    • Take your XARELTO^® doses at the same time each day.
    • If you miss a dose:
      • If you take the 15-mg dose of XARELTO 2 times a day (a total of 30 mg of XARELTO in 1 day): Take XARELTO^® as soon as you remember on the same day. You may take 2 doses at the same time to make up for the missed dose. Take your next dose at your regularly scheduled time.
      • If you take XARELTO^® 1 time a day: Take XARELTO^® as soon as you remember on the same day. Take your next dose at your regularly scheduled time.
  • Hip or knee replacement surgery:
    • Take XARELTO^® 1 time a day with or without food.
    • If you miss a dose of XARELTO^®, take it as soon as you remember on the same day. Take your next dose at your regularly scheduled time.
  • Reducing the risk of serious heart problems, heart attack and stroke in coronary artery disease or peripheral arterial disease:
    • Take XARELTO^® 2 times a day with or without food.
    • If you miss a dose of XARELTO^®, take your next dose at your regularly scheduled time.
• If you have difficulty swallowing the XARELTO^® tablet whole, talk to your doctor about other ways to take XARELTO^®.
• Your doctor will decide how long you should take XARELTO^®.
• XARELTO^® may need to be stopped, if possible for one or more days before any surgery or medical/dental procedure. If you need to stop taking XARELTO^® for any reason, talk to your doctor to find out when you should stop taking it. Do not stop taking XARELTO^® without first talking to the doctor who prescribed it to you. Your doctor will tell you when to start taking XARELTO^® again after your surgery or procedure.
• Do not run out of XARELTO^®. Refill your prescription for XARELTO^® before you run out. When leaving the hospital following a hip or knee replacement, be sure that you have XARELTO^® available to avoid missing any doses.
• If you take too much XARELTO^®, go to the nearest hospital emergency room or call your doctor right away.

WHAT ARE THE POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF XARELTO^®?

• The most common side effect of XARELTO^® was bleeding.
• See “What is the most important information I should know about XARELTO^®?”

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may also report side effects to Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., at 1-800-JANSSEN (1-800-526-7736).

Please click here for full Prescribing Information, including Boxed Warnings, and Medication Guide.

Trademarks are those of their respective owners. Janssen and Bayer together are developing rivaroxaban. For more information about XARELTO^®, visit www.xarelto.com.

About the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies

At the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson, we are working to create a world without disease. Transforming lives by finding new and better ways to prevent, intercept, treat and cure disease inspires us. We bring together the best minds and pursue the most promising science.

We are Janssen. We collaborate with the world for the health of everyone in it. Learn more at www.janssen.com. Follow us on Twitter at @JanssenUS. Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Janssen Scientific Affairs, LLC are part of the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson.

Cautions Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains “forward-looking statements,” as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, regarding product development and the presentation of new data and analyses regarding XARELTO^® (rivaroxaban). The reader is cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations of future events. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or known or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results could vary materially from the expectations and projections of Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Janssen Scientific Affairs, LLC, any of the other Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies and/or Johnson & Johnson. Risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: challenges and uncertainties inherent in product research and development, including the uncertainty of clinical success and of obtaining regulatory approvals; uncertainty of commercial success; manufacturing difficulties and delays; competition, including technological advances, new products and patents attained by competitors; challenges to patents; product efficacy or safety concerns resulting in product recalls or regulatory action; changes in behavior and spending patterns of purchasers of health care products and services; changes to applicable laws and regulations, including global health care reforms; and trends toward health care cost containment. A further list and descriptions of these risks, uncertainties and other factors can be found in Johnson & Johnson’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, including in the sections captioned “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” and “Item 1A. Risk Factors,” and in the company’s most recently filed Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, and the company’s subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Copies of these filings are available online at www.sec.gov, www.jnj.com or on request from Johnson & Johnson. Neither the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies nor Johnson & Johnson undertakes to update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information or future events or developments.

ⁱ Dr. Kelley Branch worked directly with Janssen R&D and was compensated for his work on the COMPASS study.
ⁱⁱ Circulation. 2017; CIR.0000000000000485; AHA Statistical Update, Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics—2017 Update: A Report From the American Heart Association, Originally published January 25, 2017, page 360, downloaded from http://circ.ahajournals.org/content/early/2017/01/25/CIR.0000000000000485

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