Drugplain

Wakix 4.45 mg/1

PITOLISANT HYDROCHLORIDE · TABLET, FILM COATED · Harmony Biosciences, LLC

No Recall History
Plain English

Wakix is a prescription tablet used to treat narcolepsy, a sleep disorder that causes excessive daytime sleepiness. It works by affecting histamine levels in the brain to help patients stay awake during the day.

Key Facts

Brand Name
Wakix
Generic Name
PITOLISANT HYDROCHLORIDE
NDC Code (Product)
72028-045
Manufacturer
Harmony Biosciences, LLC
Strength
4.45 mg/1
Dosage Form
TABLET, FILM COATED
Route
ORAL
Marketing Status
Application #
NDA211150
Marketing Start
08/14/2019

Recall History

No Recall History

Side Effects Reported to FDA

FDA FAERS database · These are reported events, not confirmed side effects

drug ineffective231 reports
nausea229 reports
anxiety223 reports
headache214 reports
insomnia214 reports
product administration interrupted199 reports
somnolence180 reports
fatigue173 reports
product dose omission issue171 reports
middle insomnia118 reports

Full Prescribing Information

Source: FDA Drug Label (SPL)For healthcare professionals

Indications & Usage

1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE WAKIX is indicated for the treatment of excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) or cataplexy in patients 6 years of age and older with narcolepsy. WAKIX is a histamine-3 (H3) receptor antagonist/inverse agonist indicated for the treatment of excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) or cataplexy patients 6 years of age and older with narcolepsy ( 1 )

Dosage & Administration

2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION See Full Prescribing Information for complete dosage instructions ( 2.2 , 2.3 ) Administer orally once daily in the morning upon wakening ( 2.2 , 2.3 ) Dosage Recommendations: Adults ( 2.2 ) Week 1 Initiate with a dosage of 8.9 mg once daily Week 2 Increase dosage to 17.8 mg once daily Week 3 May increase to the maximum recommended dosage of 35.6 mg once daily Pediatric Patients (6 years and older) ( 2.3 ) Week 1 Initiate with a dosage of 4.45 mg once daily Week 2 Increase dosage to 8.9 mg once daily Week 3 Increase dosage to 17.8 mg once daily, the maximum recommended dosage for patients weighing <40 kg Week 4 For patients weighing ≥40 kg, may increase to the maximum recommended dosage of 35.6 mg once daily Hepatic impairment ( 2.4 , 8.6 , 12.3 ): Moderate hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh Class B): Adults: Initial dosage is 8.9 mg once daily. Increase to a maximum dosage of 17.8 mg once daily after 14 days Pediatric Patients: Initial dosage is 4.45 mg once daily. Increase to 8.9 mg once daily after 14 days; for patients weighing ≥40 kg, may increase to 17.8 mg once daily after another 14 days Renal impairment (eGFR less than 60 mL/minute/1.73 m 2 ) ( 2.5

Contraindications

4 CONTRAINDICATIONS WAKIX is contraindicated in patients with: known hypersensitivity to pitolisant or any component of the formulation. Anaphylaxis has been reported in patients treated with WAKIX [see Adverse Reactions ( 6.2 )] . severe hepatic impairment. WAKIX is extensively metabolized by the liver and there is a significant increase in WAKIX exposure in patients with moderate hepatic impairment [see Use in Specific Populations ( 8.6 )] . Known hypersensitivity to pitolisant or any component of the formulation ( 4 ) Severe hepatic impairment ( 4 )

Drug Interactions

7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Strong CYP2D6 Inhibitors: Increased exposure of WAKIX; reduce the maximum recommended dose of WAKIX by half ( 2.6 , 7.1 ) Strong CYP3A4 Inducers: Decreased exposure of WAKIX; consider dosage adjustment of WAKIX ( 2.6 , 7.1 ) Sensitive CYP3A4 Substrates (including hormonal contraceptives): WAKIX may reduce effectiveness of sensitive CYP3A4 substrates. Use an alternative non-hormonal contraceptive method during treatment with WAKIX and for at least 21 days after discontinuation of treatment ( 7.1 , 8.3 ) 7.1 Drugs Having Clinically Important Interactions with WAKIX Table 2: Clinically Significant Drug Interactions with WAKIX Effect of Other Drugs on WAKIX Strong CYP2D6 Inhibitors Clinical Implication: Concomitant administration of WAKIX with strong CYP2D6 inhibitors increases pitolisant exposure by 2.2-fold. Prevention or Management: Reduce the dose of WAKIX by half [see see Dosage and Administration ( 2.6 ), Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] . Strong CYP3A4 Inducers Clinical Implication: Concomitant use of WAKIX with strong CYP3A4 inducers decreases exposure of pitolisant by 50%. Prevention or Management: Assess for loss of efficacy after initiation of a strong CYP

Adverse Reactions

6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following adverse reactions are discussed in more detail in other sections of the labeling: QT Interval Prolongation [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] Most common adverse reactions (≥5% and at least twice placebo) in adults: insomnia, nausea, and anxiety ( 6.1 ). Most common adverse reactions (≥5% and greater than placebo) in pediatric patients 6 years and older: headache and insomnia ( 6.1 ). To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Harmony Biosciences at 1-800-833-7460 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 reaction 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. Adult Patients with Narcolepsy In clinical trials for narcolepsy, 172 adult patients were treated with WAKIX in placebo-controlled trials for up to 8 weeks and in open-label extension trials for up to 5 years. In trials in which WAKIX was directly compared to placebo, 6 of the 152 patients (3.9%) who received WAKIX and 4 of the 114 patients

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Wakix used for?

Wakix is a prescription tablet used to treat narcolepsy, a sleep disorder that causes excessive daytime sleepiness. It works by affecting histamine levels in the brain to help patients stay awake during the day.

Is Wakix a controlled substance?

Wakix is not classified as a controlled substance by the DEA.

What is the generic name for Wakix?

The generic name for Wakix is PITOLISANT HYDROCHLORIDE. There are no other listed brand versions of PITOLISANT HYDROCHLORIDE.

What is the NDC code for Wakix 4.45 mg/1?

The NDC (National Drug Code) for Wakix 4.45 mg/1 is 72028-045, listed by Harmony Biosciences, LLC.

Product NDC

72028-045

Package NDC

72028-045-03

Other Wakix Dosages

Not medical advice. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist before making any medication decisions.

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