The safety and efficacy of BRENZAVVY (bexagliflozin) were evaluated in 23 clinical studies. Highlighted below are some of the key Phase 3 studies.
Study Design
A phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial evaluated the effectiveness and safety of BRENZAVVY, 20 mg, in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus, moderate renal impairment (stage 3 CKD) and inadequate glycemic control. 312 adults received BRENZAVVY, 20 mg, or placebo in addition to ongoing hypoglycemic medications for 24 weeks. Eligible patients were stratified based on their estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR; either 30 to < 45 mL min-1 per 1.73 m2, stage 3b CKD, or 45 to < 60 mL min-1 per 1.73 m2, stage 3a CKD), baseline HbA1c (> 8.5% or not) or use of insulin. The primary endpoint was the change in HbA1c from baseline to week 24.
At baseline, 166 patients had CKD stage 3a while 146 had CKD stage 3b. The average age was 69.6 years. Enrolled patients had an average duration of diabetes of approximately 16 years, a mean baseline HbA1c level of 7.98%, and a mean BMI of 30.2 kg m-2. Approximately 56% of patients were prescribed insulin prior to study participation and were instructed to continue their insulin dosing throughout their participation in the study. 37% of patients had normal albuminuria (UACR < 30 mg g-1), 38% had moderately increased albuminuria (UACR 30-299 mg g-1) and 25% had severely increased albuminuria (UACR ≥ 300 mg g-1).
247 adults in the randomized population had a baseline BMI ≥ 25 kg m-2. Following 24 weeks of treatment with BRENZAVVY or placebo, a reduction in the mean body weight was observed in both arms. The placebo-adjusted change in the BRENZAVVY arm was −1.76 kg and was statistically significant.
BRENZAVVY treatment improved glycemic control in patients with moderate renal impairment. The reduction of 0.61% from baseline HbA1c and the placebo-corrected treatment effect of −0.37% was clinically meaningful and statistically significant. Rescue medication was provided to 26 patients (9 in the BRENZAVVY arm and 17 in the placebo arm). Including observed values after treatment with rescue medication showed a reduction of 0.59% from baseline HbA1c and a placebo-corrected treatment effect of −0.28%.
- Allegretti AS, Zhang W, Zhou W, et al. Safety and Effectiveness of Bexagliflozin in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Stage 3a/3b CKD. Am J Kidney Dis. 2019;74(3):328-337. doi:10.1053/j.ajkd.2019.03.417; PMID: 31101403; PMCID: PMC10077840.
BRENZAVVY® (bexagliflozin) Safety and Effectiveness in Patients as an Adjunct to Metformin
Study Design
A phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial evaluated the effectiveness and safety of BRENZAVVY, 20 mg, in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus as an adjunct to metformin. 317 adults received BRENZAVVY, 20 mg, or placebo in addition to ongoing metformin treatment for 24 weeks. Eligible patients were stratified based on baseline HbA1c (> 8.5% or not) and country of residence. The primary endpoint was the change in HbA1c from baseline to week 24.
An open label group enrolled an additional 34 patients with HbA1c > 10.5 and ≤ 12.0% and was analyzed separately.
The average age in the double-blind group was 55.8 years. Enrolled patients had an average duration of diabetes of approximately 9.1 years, a mean baseline HbA1c level of 8.6%, fasting plasma glucose (FPG) of 189 mg dL-1 and systolic blood pressure (SBP) of 129 mm Hg. 52.1% of patients had a baseline HbA1c < 8.5% at baseline while 47.9% had baseline HbA1c between 8.5 and 10.5%. 47.6% of study patients were from Japan while 52.4% of patients resided in the United States.
The majority of the open label group resided in the United States (79.4%) and the average age was 52.1 years. The average duration of diabetes was approximately 9.2 years and the mean baseline values for HbA1c, FPG, and SBP were 11.1%, 239.6 mg dL1 and 131 mm Hg, respectively.
BRENZAVVY treatment improved glycemic control in patients. The reduction of 1.09% from baseline HbA1c and the placebo-corrected treatment effect of −0.53% was clinically meaningful and statistically significant. Rescue medication was provided to 38 patients (6 in the BRENZAVVY arm and 32 in the placebo arm). Exclusion of values observed after treatment with rescue medication gave a reduction of 1.07% from baseline HbA1c and a placebo-corrected treatment effect of −0.67%.
The open label group had a mean change in HbA1c of −2.82% after 24 weeks of BRENZAVVY treatment.
BRENZAVVY treatment decreased systolic blood pressure. The change from baseline SBP in the BRENZAVVY arm was −5.03 mm Hg with a placebo-adjusted reduction of −7.07 mm Hg as patients in the placebo arm had an overall increase from baseline of 1.67 mm Hg.
The open label group had a mean change in SBP of −8.19 mm Hg after 24 weeks of BRENZAVVY treatment.
- Halvorsen YD, Conery AL, Lock JP, Zhou W, Freeman MW. Bexagliflozin as an adjunct to metformin for the treatment of type 2 diabetes in adults: A 24-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Diabetes Obes Metab. 2023; 1- 9. doi: 10.1111/dom.15192. PMID: 37409573.
BRENZAVVY® (bexagliflozin) Safety and Effectiveness Compared to Glimepiride as an Adjunct to Metformin for Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Adults
Study Design
A phase 3, randomized, double-blind, active-controlled, parallel-group designed trial compared the safety and effectiveness of BRENZAVVY, 20 mg, to glimepiride, optimally titrated up to 6 mg, in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus medicated with metformin (≥ 1500 mg day-1) for at least 8 weeks prior to the screening visit. Patients were eligible if their antidiabetic regimen included another oral hypoglycemic agent (OHA), if they discontinued the second agent for at least 6 weeks prior to entering the 2-week, single blind placebo run-in period that all subjects underwent. 426 adults received BRENZAVVY or glimepiride in addition to ongoing metformin for up to 96 weeks. Eligible patients were stratified based on their baseline HbA1c (> 8.5% or not), treatment history (metformin only or metformin plus another OHA), and their renal function at the screening visit (eGFR 60 to < 90 mL min-1 per 1.73 m2 or ≥ 90 mL min-1 per 1.73 m2). The primary endpoint was the intergroup difference in HbA1c from baseline to week 60. Participants remained enrolled through a safety monitoring period of an additional 36 weeks to allow for assessment of the durability of the treatment effect and the identification of any adverse treatment-related sequelae.
The study population had a mean age of 59.6 years, a mean duration of disease of 8.7 years and body mass of 89.1 kg. The mean HbA1c at baseline was 8.01% and a majority had a treatment history of metformin only (64.3%) while the remainder had received metformin and another OHA prior to randomization (35.7%). Most of the population had near-normal renal function with a mean eGFR of 91.4 mL min-1 per 1.73 m2. 70% of subjects resided in Europe while 30% were from the United States.
BRENZAVVY was superior to glimepiride for the reduction in body mass from baseline to week 60 for study participants with a BMI ≥ 25 kg m-2 at baseline (94.6% of the study population). Following 60 weeks of treatment with BRENZAVVY, the intergroup model-adjusted difference for those treated with glimepiride was −4.31 kg.
BRENZAVVY was noninferior to glimepiride for the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus in a population poorly controlled by metformin or metformin plus one other OHA. The model-adjusted mean change in HbA1c from baseline to week 60 was −0.70% in the BRENZAVVY arm and −0.66% in the glimepiride arm. The improvement in glycemic control was clinically meaningful. At week 60, 70 adults in the BRENZAVVY arm (36.3%) and 65 subjects in the glimepiride arm (34.0%) had achieved an HbA1c < 7.0%.
BRENZAVVY was superior to glimepiride for the reduction in systolic blood pressure from baseline to week 60 for study participants with an SBP ≥ 140 mmHg at baseline. Patients in the BRENZAVVY-treated arm had a change in SBP of −13.48 mmHg compared to −6.95 mmHg in the glimepiride-treated arm. The intergroup difference of −6.53 mmHg favoring the BRENZAVVY arm was statistically significant.
The mean change from baseline eGFR for BRENZAVVY minus the mean change from baseline for glimepiride was 3.14 mL min-1 per 1.73m2 at 96 weeks. During the treatment period, participants in the BRENZAVVY arm experienced a change in eGFR of −1.33 mL min-1 per 1.73 m2 whereas those in the glimepiride arm experienced a change of −4.47 mL min-1 per 1.73m2. At the follow-up visit conducted 2 weeks after last dose, BRENZAVVY-treated patients exhibited a mean increase in eGFR of 1.38 mL min-1 per 1.73 m2 from the baseline value whereas glimepiride-treated patients exhibited a mean decrease of 4.67 mL min-1 per 1.73 m2 from baseline.
- Halvorsen YD, Lock JP, Frias JP, et al. A 96-week, double-blind, randomized controlled trial comparing bexagliflozin to glimepiride as an adjunct to metformin for the treatment of type 2 diabetes in adults. Diabetes Obes Metab. 2023;25(1):293-301. doi:10.1111/dom.14875; PMID: 36178197.
BRENZAVVY® (bexagliflozin) Safety and Effectiveness Compared to Sitagliptin as an Adjunct to Metformin for Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Adults
Study Design
A phase 3, randomized, double-blind, active-controlled, parallel-group trial compared the safety and effectiveness of BRENZAVVY, 20 mg, to sitagliptin, 100 mg, in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus and medicated with metformin (≥ 1500 mg day-1) for at least 8 weeks prior to the screening visit. 386 adults received BRENZAVVY or sitagliptin in addition to ongoing metformin for 24 weeks. Eligible patients were stratified based on their baseline HbA1c (> 8.5% or not). The primary endpoint was the intergroup difference in the change in HbA1c from baseline to week 24.
The study population had a mean age of 59.4 years, a mean duration of disease of 8.8 years and mean body mass of 89.9 kg. The mean HbA1c at baseline was 7.99%.
BRENZAVVY was noninferior to sitagliptin for the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus in a population poorly controlled by metformin alone. The model-adjusted mean change in HbA1c from baseline to week 24 was −0.74% in the BRENZAVVY arm and −0.82% in the sitagliptin arm. The improvement in glycemic control was clinically meaningful. At week 24, 75 of the BRENZAVVY treated patients (41.7%) achieved a treatment goal of HbA1c < 7.0%.
BRENZAVVY was superior to sitagliptin for the reduction in body mass from baseline to week 24 for study participants with a BMI ≥ 25 kg m-2 at baseline measurement. Following 24 weeks of treatment with BRENZAVVY, the intergroup model-adjusted difference from those treated with sitagliptin was −2.54 kg.
BRENZAVVY was superior to sitagliptin for reduction of fasting plasma glucose concentration from baseline to week 24. A decrease by 32.8 mg dL-1 was observed in the BRENZAVVY arm compared to 26.1 mg dL-1 in the sitagliptin arm.
- Halvorsen YD, Lock JP, Zhou W, Zhu F, Freeman MW. A 24-week, randomized, double-blind, active-controlled clinical trial comparing bexagliflozin with sitagliptin as an adjunct to metformin for the treatment of type 2 diabetes in adults. Diabetes Obes Metab. 2019;21(10):2248-2256. doi:10.1111/dom.13801; PMID: 31161692.
BRENZAVVY® (bexagliflozin) Cardiovascular Safety Profile
Meta-Analysis Design
In 2008, FDA published a Guidance for Industry that required sponsors to comply with standards to ensure the cardiovascular safety of products designed to treat diabetes. The Agency established two criteria: a pre-market threshold and a post-approval threshold. To satisfy the first criterion, the upper bound of the 95% confidence interval for the hazard ratio for major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) caused by the product had to be less than 1.8. For the second criterion, the sponsor had to demonstrate that the upper bound was less than 1.3. The endpoint for the pre-approval standard could include more events than the endpoint for the post-approval standard.
The pre-specified analysis included all BRENZAVVY double-blind, controlled, phase 2 and phase 3 studies. The largest number of events were provided by phase 3 study THR-1442-C-476, which evaluated the safety and efficacy of BRENZAVVY in a population at increased risk for major adverse cardiovascular events. TheracosBio planned THR-1442-C-476 to meet the 1.8 criterion and intended to follow up with a second study if necessary. As a result, THR-1442-C-476 was relatively small, with 1699 evaluated subjects, compared to other SGLT2 inhibitor programs, which had up to 17160 participants. The trial was event-driven and planned to be continued until at least 134 events were recorded.
The primary objective of the meta-analysis was to demonstrate the upper limit of the two-sided 95% confidence interval of the hazard ratio of BRENZAVVY to placebo was below 1.8, for a composite endpoint consisting of cardiovascular death, non-fatal stroke, non-fatal myocardial infarction and hospitalization for unstable angina (MACE+). The first key secondary objective was to demonstrate that the upper limit of the two-sided 95% confidence interval of the hazard ratio of BRENZAVVY to placebo was below 1.3 for a composite endpoint consisting of cardiovascular death, non-fatal stroke and non-fatal myocardial infarction (MACE).
The hazard ratio for MACE+ for patients in the BRENZAVVY arm compared to patients in the placebo arm was 0.795 (95% CI 0.578, 1.094; p-value for noninferiority at 1.8 < 0.0001). Since the upper limit of the two-sided 95% confidence interval was below 1.8, the noninferiority of BRENZAVVY to placebo for the pre-approval criterion was demonstrated.
The hazard ratio for MACE for patients in the BRENZAVVY arm was 0.815 (95% CI 0.590, 1.125; p-value for noninferiority at 1.3 of 0.0023). Since the upper limit of the two-sided 95% confidence interval of the hazard ratio of BRENZAVVY to placebo was below 1.3, the hypothesis that BRENZAVVY would increase the risk of MACE by a factor of 1.3 or more was rejected.
A meta-analysis of major adverse cardiovascular events in the pre-approval program showed that both the pre-approval and post-approval requirements were met for BRENZAVVY. This was possible because the point estimates were substantially less than the value of 1.0 chosen for study planning purposes.
- McMurray JJV, Solomon SD, Lock JP, et al. Meta-analysis of risk of major adverse cardiovascular events in adults with type 2 diabetes treated with bexagliflozin. Diabetes Obes Metab. 2024;26(3):971-979.
BRENZAVVY® (bexagliflozin) Safety and Effectiveness Compared to Dapagliflozin as an Adjunct to Metformin for Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Adults
BRENZAVVY treatment was noninferior to dapagliflozin for the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus in a population poorly controlled by metformin alone. The least-squares mean change in HbA1c from baseline to week 24 was -1.08% in the BRENZAVVY arm and -1.10% in the dapagliflozin arm. The improvement in glycemic control was considered clinically meaningful.
At week 24, 61 patients in the BRENZAVVY arm (32.3%) and 59 patients in the dapagliflozin arm (31.6%) had achieved HbA1c < 7.0%, while 23 patients in the BRENZAVVY arm (12.2%) and 21 patients in the dapagliflozin arm (11.2%) had achieved HbA1c < 6.5%.
BRENZAVVY or dapagliflozin treatment decreased fasting plasma glucose levels in patients from baseline to week 24. The change from baseline FPG in the BRENZAVVY arm was -1.95 mmol L-1 compared to -1.87 mmol L-1 in the dapagliflozin arm.
BRENZAVVY or dapagliflozin treatment decreased body mass in patients from baseline to week 24. The change from baseline body mass in the BRENZAVVY arm was -2.52 kg compared to -2.22 kg in the dapagliflozin arm.
BRENZAVVY or dapagliflozin treatment decreased systolic blood pressure from baseline to week 24. The change from baseline SBP in the BRENZAVVY arm was -6.4 mm Hg whereas patients in the dapagliflozin arm saw a change of -6.3 mm Hg.
The number of patients that experienced adverse events was comparable between the BRENZAVVY and dapagliflozin arms. 62.6% of patients treated with BRENZAVVY and 65.0% of patients treated with dapagliflozin reported events during the trial with 4.4% and 3.5% of patients reporting serious adverse events in the BRENZAVVY and dapagliflozin arms, respectively.
- Xie L, Han J, Cheng Z, Liu D, Liu, J, Xu C, Sun W, Li Q, Bian F, Zhang W, Chen, J, Zhu Q, Thurber TK, Lock JP. Efficacy and safety of Bexagliflozin compared with Dapagliflozin as an adjunct to metformin in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a 24 week, randomized, double blind, active-controlled, phase 3 trial. Journal of Diabetes. 2024; 16(4):e13526. doi:10.1111/1753-0407.13526
Limitation of Use: BRENZAVVY (bexagliflozin) is not recommended for use to improve glycemic control in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus. It may increase the risk of diabetic ketoacidosis in these patients.
Contraindications
BRENZAVVY is contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity to bexagliflozin or any excipient in BRENZAVVY. Anaphylaxis and angioedema have been reported with sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors.
Warnings and Precautions
Diabetic Ketoacidosis in Patients with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus and Other Ketoacidosis
BRENZAVVY increases the risk of life-threatening ketoacidosis in patients with type 1 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes and pancreatic disorders are also risk factors for ketoacidosis and fatal events of ketoacidosis have been reported in patients with type 2 diabetes using SGLT2 inhibitors. Precipitating conditions for diabetic ketoacidosis or other ketoacidosis include under-insulinization due to insulin dose reduction or missed insulin doses, acute febrile illness, reduced caloric intake, ketogenic diet, surgery, volume depletion, and alcohol abuse. Signs and symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis are consistent with dehydration and severe metabolic acidosis and include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, generalized malaise, and shortness of breath. Assess patients who present with signs and symptoms of metabolic ketoacidosis, regardless of blood glucose levels. If suspected, discontinue BRENZAVVY, treat promptly and monitor for resolution before restarting. Consider ketone monitoring in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus as well as in others at risk for ketoacidosis. Withhold BRENZAVVY in clinical situations known to predispose to ketoacidosis and resume when clinically stable. Educate all patients on the signs and symptoms of ketoacidosis and instruct patients to discontinue BRENZAVVY and seek medical attention immediately if signs and symptoms occur.
Lower Limb Amputation
Lower limb amputations have been observed in patients treated with BRENZAVVY in a study of patients with type 2 diabetes who had either established cardiovascular disease (CVD) or were at risk for CVD. Of the 23 BRENZAVVY-treated patients who had amputations, 15 were amputations of the toe and midfoot and 8 were amputations above and below the knee. Some patients had multiple amputations. Lower limb infections, gangrene, ischemia, and osteomyelitis were the most common precipitating medical events leading to the need for an amputation. The risk of amputation was highest in patients with a baseline history of prior amputation, peripheral vascular disease, and neuropathy.
Before initiating BRENZAVVY, consider factors in the patient’s history that may predispose to the need for amputations, such as a history of prior amputation, peripheral vascular disease, neuropathy, and diabetic foot ulcers. Counsel patients receiving BRENZAVVY about the importance of routine preventative foot care and monitor for signs and symptoms of diabetic foot infection (including osteomyelitis), new pain or tenderness, sores or ulcers involving the lower limbs, and institute appropriate treatment.
Volume Depletion
BRENZAVVY can cause intravascular volume contraction which may sometimes manifest as symptomatic hypotension or acute transient changes in creatinine. Acute kidney injury requiring hospitalization and dialysis has been reported in patients with type 2 diabetes receiving SGLT2 inhibitors. Before initiating, assess volume status and renal function in patients with impaired renal function (eGFR less than 60 mL/min/1.73 m2), elderly patients, patients with low systolic blood pressure, or patients on loop diuretics. In patients with volume depletion, correct this condition. After initiating, monitor for signs and symptoms of volume depletion and renal function.
Urosepsis and Pyelonephritis
Serious urinary tract infections including urosepsis and pyelonephritis requiring hospitalization have been identified in patients receiving SGLT2 inhibitors, including BRENZAVVY. Treatment with BRENZAVVY increases the risk for urinary tract infections. Evaluate patients for signs and symptoms of urinary tract infections and treat them promptly.
Hypoglycemia with Concomitant Use with Insulin and Insulin Secretagogues
Insulin and insulin secretagogues (e.g., sulfonylureas) are known to cause hypoglycemia. BRENZAVVY may increase the risk of hypoglycemia when used in combination with insulin and/or an insulin secretagogue. A lower dose of insulin or insulin secretagogue may be required to minimize the risk of hypoglycemia when used in combination with BRENZAVVY.
Necrotizing Fasciitis of the Perineum (Fournier’s Gangrene)
Serious, life-threatening cases requiring urgent surgical intervention have been identified in postmarketing surveillance in both males and females with diabetes mellitus receiving SGLT2 inhibitors. Serious outcomes have included hospitalization, multiple surgeries, and death. Assess patients presenting with pain or tenderness, erythema, or swelling in the genital or perineal areas, along with fever or malaise. If suspected, start treatment, and discontinue BRENZAVVY.
Genital Mycotic Infections
BRENZAVVY increases the risk of genital mycotic infections. Patients who have a history of genital mycotic infections or who are uncircumcised are more likely to develop genital mycotic infections. Monitor and treat appropriately.
MOST COMMON ADVERSE REACTIONS (>5%): Female genital mycotic infections, urinary tract infection and increased urination.
USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS
• Pregnancy: BRENZAVVY is not recommended during the second and third trimesters.
• Lactation: BRENZAVVY is not recommended when breastfeeding.
• Geriatric patients: There is a higher incidence of adverse reactions related to volume depletion.
• Renal Impairment: There is a higher incidence of adverse reactions related to reduced renal function.
• Hepatic Impairment: BRENZAVVY is not recommended for patients with severe hepatic impairment.
DRUG INTERACTIONS:
Inducers of UGT1A9 could result in more rapid clearance of BRENZAVVY by metabolism. Doses of insulin and sulfonylureas may need to be reduced to offset the action of BRENZAVVY. The safety of BRENZAVVY is compromised when it is coupled with insulin or an insulin secretagogue (sulfonylureas and meglitinides – the latter rarely used in the US). Lithium carbonate is used as a mood stabilizer in bipolar disorder. Lithium ions might be preferentially (compared to sodium ions) taken up with glucose in the kidney. Empirical evidence has shown that lithium levels can be lower when SGLT2 inhibitors are administered. SGLT2 inhibitors produce pronounced glucosuria, which makes urine testing for glucose diagnostically useless. Measurements of 1,5 anhydroglucitol are also compromised.
For additional important safety information about BRENZAVVY, please see the full Prescribing Information.
Limitation of Use: BRENZAVVY (bexagliflozin) is not recommended for use to improve glycemic control in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus. It may increase the risk of diabetic ketoacidosis in these patients.
Contraindications
BRENZAVVY is contraindicated in patients
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