Cangrelor (brand name: Cangrelor) is a medication given during a heart procedure called percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). It works by preventing blood cells called platelets from clumping together, which helps reduce the risk of heart attack, the need for repeat procedures, and blood clots forming in stents during and after the procedure..
Typical Cost
$1,000–$5,000 per dose
Status
Rx
Generic
Brand Only
Clopidogrel bisulfate is the lowest-cost Antiplatelet Agents at $4-$25/month/month
Uses & Indications
Cangrelor for injection is indicated as an adjunct to percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) to reduce the risk of periprocedural myocardial infarction (MI), repeat coronary revascularization, and stent thrombosis (ST) in patients who have not been treated with a P2Y 12 platelet inhibitor and are not being given a glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor [see Clinical Studies ]. Cangrelor for injection is a P2Y 12 platelet inhibitor indicated as an adjunct to percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for reducing the risk of periprocedural myocardial infarction (MI), repeat coronary revascularization, and stent thrombosis (ST) in patients in who have not been treated with a P2Y 12 platelet inhibitor and are not being given a glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor.
Dosage & Administration
- Cangrelor for injection is intended for administration via a dedicated IV line, only after reconstitution and dilution.
- Administer 30 mcg/kg intravenous (IV) bolus prior to PCI followed immediately by a 4 mcg/kg/min IV infusion for at least 2 hours or duration of procedure, whichever is longer.
- To maintain platelet inhibition after discontinuation of Cangrelor for injection infusion, administer an oral P2Y 12 platelet inhibitor. 2.1 Recommended Dosing The recommended dosage of Cangrelor for injection is a 30 mcg/kg IV bolus followed immediately by a 4 mcg/kg/min IV infusion. Initiate the bolus infusion prior to PCI. The maintenance infusion should ordinarily be continued for at least 2 hours or for the duration of PCI, whichever is longer. 2.2 Transitioning Patients to Oral P2Y 12 Therapy To maintain platelet inhibition after discontinuation of Cangrelor for injection infusion, administer an oral P2Y12 platelet inhibitor, as described below: Ticagrelor: 180 mg at any time during Cangrelor for injection infusion or immediately after discontinuation [see Clinical Pharmacology ]. Prasugrel: 60 mg immediately after discontinuation of Cangrelor for injection [see Drug Interactions and Clinical Pharmacology ] . Clopidogrel: 600 mg immediately after discontinuation of Cangrelor for injection [see Drug Interactions and Clinical Pharmacology ] . 2.3 Preparation and Administration Cangrelor for injection is intended for IV administration, after reconstitution and dilution. Preparation Reconstitute the vial prior to dilution in a bag. For each 50 mg/vial, reconstitute by adding 5 mL of Sterile Water for Injection. Swirl gently until all material is dissolved. Avoid vigorous mixing. Allow any foam to settle. Ensure that the contents of the vial are fully dissolved and the reconstituted material is a clear, colorless to pale yellow solution. Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter after reconstitution. Before administration, each reconstituted vial must be diluted further with Normal Saline (Sodium Chloride Injection 0.9% USP) or 5% Dextrose Injection USP. Withdraw the contents from one reconstituted vial and add to one 250 mL saline bag. Mix the bag thoroughly. This dilution will result in a concentration of 200 mcg/mL and should be sufficient for at least 2 hours of dosing. Patients 100 kg and over will require a minimum of 2 bags. Reconstituted Cangrelor for injection should be diluted immediately. Diluted Cangrelor for injection is stable for up to 12 hours in 5% Dextrose Injection and 24 hours in Normal Saline at Room Temperature. Discard any unused portion of reconstituted solution remaining in the vial. Administration Administer Cangrelor for injection via a dedicated IV line. Administer the bolus volume rapidly (<1 minute), from the diluted bag via manual IV push or pump. Ensure the bolus is completely administered before the start of PCI. Start the infusion immediately after administration of the bolus [see Dosage and Administration ].
How It Works
12.1 Mechanism of Action Cangrelor is a direct P2Y 12 platelet receptor inhibitor that blocks ADP-induced platelet activation and aggregation. Cangrelor binds selectively and reversibly to the P2Y 12 receptor to prevent further signaling and platelet activation.
Side Effects
The following adverse reactions are also discussed elsewhere in the labeling:
- Bleeding [see Warnings and Precautions ] The most common adverse reaction is bleeding To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Gland Pharma Limited at 866-770-7144 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch . 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reactions rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. The safety of cangrelor has been evaluated in 13,301 subjects in controlled trials, in whom, 5,529 were in the CHAMPION PHOENIX trial. Bleeding There was a greater incidence of bleeding with cangrelor than with clopidogrel. No baseline demographic factor altered the relative risk of bleeding with cangrelor (see Table 1 and Figure 1). Table 1: Major Bleeding Results in the CHAMPION PHOENIX Study (Non-CABG related Bleeding) a CHAMPION PHOENIX Cangrelor (N=5529) Clopidogrel (N=5527) Any GUSTO bleeding, n (%) 857 602 Severe/life-threatening b 11 6 Moderate c 21 14 Mild d 825 582 Any TIMI bleeding, n (%) 45 17 Major e 12 6 Minor f 33 11 Abbreviations: GUSTO: Global Utilization of Streptokinase and Tissue Plasminogen Activator for Occluded Arteries; TIMI: Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction a Safety population is all randomized subjects who received at least one dose of study drug b intracranial hemorrhage or bleeding resulting in substantial hemodynamic compromise requiring treatment c requiring blood transfusion but not resulting in hemodynamic compromise d all other bleeding not included in severe or moderate e any intracranial hemorrhage, or any overt bleeding associated with a reduction in hemoglobin of ≥5 g/dL (or, when hemoglobin is not available, an absolute reduction in hematocrit ≥15%) f any overt sign of bleeding (including observation by imaging techniques) that is associated with a reduction in hemoglobin of ≥3 g/dL and <5 g/dL (or, when hemoglobin is not available, an absolute reduction in hematocrit of ≥9% and <15%) Figure 1: Bleeding Results in the CHAMPION PHOENIX Study a (All Non-CABG related) a Safety population is all randomized subjects who received at least one dose of study drug Note: The figure above presents effects in various subgroups most of which are baseline characteristics and most of which were pre-specified (patient presentation and weight were not pre-specified subgroups). The 95% confidence limits that are shown do not take into account how many comparisons were made, nor do they reflect the effect of a particular factor after adjustment for all other factors. Apparent homogeneity or heterogeneity among groups should not be over-interpreted. Drug Discontinuation In CHAMPION PHOENIX the rate of discontinuation for bleeding events was 0.3% for cangrelor and 0.1% for clopidogrel. Discontinuation for non-bleeding adverse events was low and similar for cangrelor (0.6%) and for clopidogrel (0.4%). Coronary artery dissection, coronary artery perforation, and dyspnea were the most frequent events leading to discontinuation in patients treated with cangrelor. Non-Bleeding Adverse Reactions Hypersensitivity Serious cases of hypersensitivity were more frequent with cangrelor (7/13301) than with control (2/12861). These included anaphylactic reactions, anaphylactic shock, bronchospasm, angioedema, and stridor. Decreased renal function Worsening renal function was reported in 3.2% of cangrelor patients with severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance <30 mL/min) compared to 1.4% of clopidogrel patients with severe renal impairment. Dyspnea Dyspnea was reported more frequently in patients treated with cangrelor (1.3%) than with control (0.4%). cangrelor-spl-figure-1
Warnings & Precautions
- Bleeding: Like other drugs that inhibit platelet P2Y 12 function, cangrelor can increase the risk of bleeding 5.1 Bleeding Drugs that inhibit platelet P2Y 12 function, including cangrelor, increase the risk of bleeding. In CHAMPION PHOENIX bleeding events of all severities were more common with cangrelor than with clopidogrel [see Adverse Reactions ]. Bleeding complications with cangrelor were consistent across a variety of clinically important subgroups (see Figure 1). Once cangrelor is discontinued, there is no antiplatelet effect after an hour [see Clinical Pharmacology ].
Contraindications
- Significant active bleeding
- Hypersensitivity to cangrelor or any component of the product 4.1 Significant Active Bleeding Cangrelor is contraindicated in patients with significant active bleeding [see Warnings and Precautions and Adverse Reactions ]. 4.2 Hypersensitivity Cangrelor is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity (e.g., anaphylaxis) to cangrelor or any component of the product [see Adverse Reactions ].
Drug Interactions
- Clopidogrel: Do not administer during cangrelor infusion.
- Prasugrel: Do not administer during cangrelor infusion. 7.1 Thienopyridines Clopidogrel or prasugrel administered during cangrelor infusion will have no antiplatelet effect until the next dose is administered. Therefore, administer Clopidogrel or prasugrel after cangrelor infusion is discontinued [see Dosage and Administration and Clinical Pharmacology ].
Use in Specific Populations
8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary There are no available data on cangrelor use in pregnant women to evaluate for a drug-associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. Untreated myocardial infarction can be fatal to the pregnant women and fetus ( see Clinical Considerations ). In animal reproduction studies, continuous infusion of cangrelor in pregnant rats and rabbits throughout organogenesis at dose approximately 2-times the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD) did not result in fetal malformations ( see Data ). The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2-4% and 15-20%, respectively. Clinical Considerations Disease-associated maternal and/or embryo/fetal risk Myocardial infarction is a medical emergency in pregnancy which can be fatal to the pregnant woman and fetus if left untreated. Life-sustaining therapy for the pregnant woman should not be withheld due to potential concerns regarding the effects of cangrelor on the fetus. Labor or delivery Cangrelor use during labor and delivery may increase the risk for maternal bleeding and hemorrhage. Performance of neuraxial blockade procedures is not advised during cangrelor use due to potential risk of spinal hematoma. When possible, discontinue cangrelor 1 hour prior to labor, delivery, or neuraxial blockade [see Clinical Pharmacology ]. Data Animal Data A prenatal and postnatal development study in female rats demonstrated a slight increase in the incidence of maternal mortality in dams treated at doses up to 30 mcg/kg/min (approximately 7.5 times the MRHD) cangrelor continuous infusion from Day 6 of gestation up to Day 23 postpartum. Pregnancy rates, gestation index, length of gestation, numbers of live, dead and malformed pups, sex ratio, live birth index, and lactation of the maternal animals were unaffected. Cangrelor administered at dose levels of ≥ 3 mcg/kg/min in pregnant rats from Day 6 to 17 postcoitum resulted in dose-related fetal growth retardation characterized by increased incidences of incomplete ossification and unossified hind limb metatarsals. An embryo-fetal development study in rabbits administered 4, 12, or 36 mcg/kg/min cangrelor continuous IV infusion from Day 6 to Day 19 post-coitum resulted in increased incidences of abortion and intrauterine losses at ≥12 mcg/kg/min (3 times the MRHD). Fetal growth retardation occurred at 36 mcg/kg/min (9 times the MRHD) and was characterized by decreased fetal weights, slight reduction in ossification, and a slight increase in skeletal variants. Cangrelor did not produce malformations in either the rat or rabbit embryo-fetal development studies and is not considered to be a teratogen. 8.2 Lactation Risk Summary There are no data on the presence of cangrelor in human milk or animal milk, the effects on the breastfed infant, or the effects on milk production. However, due to its short-half life, cangrelor exposure is expected to be very low in the breastfed infant. 8.4 Pediatric Use Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients have not been established. 8.5 Geriatric Use In CHAMPION PHOENIX, 18% of patients were ≥75 years. No overall differences in safety or effectiveness were observed between these patients and those patients <75 years [see Clinical Studies ]. 8.6 Renal Impairment No dosage adjustment is required for patients with mild, moderate, or severe renal impairment [see Clinical Pharmacology ]. 8.7 Hepatic Impairment Cangrelor has not been studied in patients with hepatic impairment. However, the metabolism of cangrelor is not dependent of hepatic function, so dosage adjustment is not required for patients with hepatic impairment [see Clinical Pharmacology ].
Overdosage
There is no specific treatment to reverse the antiplatelet effect of Cangrelor for injection but the effect is gone within one hour after the drug is discontinued. In clinical trials, 36 patients received an overdose of Cangrelor for injection, ranging from 36 to 300 mcg/kg (bolus dose) or 4.8 to 13.7 mcg/kg/min (infusion dose). The maximum overdose received was 10 times the PCI bolus dose or 3.5 times the PCI infusion dose in 4 patients. No clinical sequela were noted as a result of overdose following completion of Cangrelor for injection therapy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CANGRELOR used for?
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE Cangrelor for injection is indicated as an adjunct to percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) to reduce the risk of periprocedural myocardial infarction (MI), repeat coronary revascularization, and stent thrombosis (ST) in patients who have not been treated with a P2Y 12 platelet inhibitor and are not being given a glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor [see Clinical Studies (14.1) ]. Cangrelor for injection is a P2Y 12 platelet inhibitor indicated as an adjunct to percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for reducing the risk of periprocedural myocardial infarction (MI),…
What is the recommended dosage for CANGRELOR?
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION • Cangrelor for injection is intended for administration via a dedicated IV line, only after reconstitution and dilution. ( 2.3 ) • Administer 30 mcg/kg intravenous (IV) bolus prior to PCI followed immediately by a 4 mcg/kg/min IV infusion for at least 2 hours or duration of procedure, whichever is longer. ( 2.1 ) • To maintain platelet inhibition after discontinuation of Cangrelor for injection infusion, administer an oral P2Y 12 platelet inhibitor. ( 2.2 ) 2.1 Recommended Dosing The recommended dosage of Cangrelor for injection is a 30 mcg/kg IV bolus followed…
How does CANGRELOR work?
12.1 Mechanism of Action Cangrelor is a direct P2Y 12 platelet receptor inhibitor that blocks ADP-induced platelet activation and aggregation. Cangrelor binds selectively and reversibly to the P2Y 12 receptor to prevent further signaling and platelet activation.
Who should not take CANGRELOR?
4 CONTRAINDICATIONS • Significant active bleeding ( 4.1 ) • Hypersensitivity to cangrelor or any component of the product ( 4.2 ) 4.1 Significant Active Bleeding Cangrelor is contraindicated in patients with significant active bleeding [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) and Adverse Reactions (6.1) ]. 4.2 Hypersensitivity Cangrelor is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity (e.g., anaphylaxis) to cangrelor or any component of the product [see Adverse Reactions (6.1) ].
What are the side effects of CANGRELOR?
6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following adverse reactions are also discussed elsewhere in the labeling: • Bleeding [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] The most common adverse reaction is bleeding ( 5.1 , 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Gland Pharma Limited at 866-770-7144 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch . 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reactions rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not…
What drugs interact with CANGRELOR?
7 DRUG INTERACTIONS • Clopidogrel: Do not administer during cangrelor infusion. ( 7.1 ) • Prasugrel: Do not administer during cangrelor infusion. ( 7.1 ) 7.1 Thienopyridines Clopidogrel or prasugrel administered during cangrelor infusion will have no antiplatelet effect until the next dose is administered. Therefore, administer Clopidogrel or prasugrel after cangrelor infusion is discontinued [see Dosage and Administration (2.2) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ].
What are the important warnings for CANGRELOR?
5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS • Bleeding: Like other drugs that inhibit platelet P2Y 12 function, cangrelor can increase the risk of bleeding ( 5.1 ) 5.1 Bleeding Drugs that inhibit platelet P2Y 12 function, including cangrelor, increase the risk of bleeding. In CHAMPION PHOENIX bleeding events of all severities were more common with cangrelor than with clopidogrel [see Adverse Reactions (6.1) ]. Bleeding complications with cangrelor were consistent across a variety of clinically important subgroups (see Figure 1). Once cangrelor is discontinued, there is no antiplatelet effect after an hour…
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