Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 1, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, data from the RE-ALIGN™ trial of dabigatran etexilate mesylate in patients with mechanical prosthetic heart valves were presented at the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) congress in Amsterdam, Netherlands, and published online in the New England Journal of Medicine. As part of Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.'s ongoing commitment to transparency, we previously announced on December 11, 2012, that this trial had been discontinued based on interim results which showed an increased incidence of thromboembolic and bleeding events in patients treated with dabigatran compared to warfarin. The RE-ALIGN study did not enroll any U.S. patients. On December 19, 2012, the U.S. prescribing information for Pradaxa® (dabigatran etexilate mesylate) capsules was updated to include a contraindication, as well as a warning and precaution related to its use in patients with prosthetic heart valves. At that time, Boehringer Ingelheim instructed all investigators in the RE-ALIGN trial to switch patients treated with dabigatran in the study to warfarin. In addition, Boehringer Ingelheim sent letters to healthcare professionals in the U.S. informing them of the contraindication in the updated U.S. label. RE-ALIGN was the first, and remains the only, randomized study performed comparing a new oral anticoagulant with warfarin in patients with mechanical prosthetic heart valves. Our commitment to studying populations with unmet needs, such as those with mechanical prosthetic heart valves, serves to expand the body of knowledge around this novel compound and this patient population," said Sabine Luik, M.D., senior vice president, Medicine & Regulatory Affairs, U.S. Regional Medical Director, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. We are confident in the safety and efficacy of dabigatran when used as directed to reduce the risk of stroke in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation. We will continue to study dabigatran in new patient populations in the future. PRADAXA is currently approved by the FDA to reduce the risk of stroke and systemic embolism in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF), and was the first oral anticoagulant approved by the FDA in more than 50 years for this indication. About Pradaxa® (dabigatran etexilate mesylate) Capsules Indications and Usage Pradaxa® (dabigatran etexilate mesylate) capsules is indicated to reduce the risk of stroke and systemic embolism in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation. Discontinuing PRADAXA places patients at an increased risk of thrombotic events. If anticoagulation with PRADAXA must be discontinued for a reason other than pathological bleeding, consider coverage with another anticoagulant. CONTRAINDICATIONS PRADAXA is contraindicated in patients with: active pathological bleeding; known serious hypersensitivity reaction (e.g., anaphylactic reaction or anaphylactic shock) to PRADAXA; mechanical prosthetic heart valve Increased Risk of Stroke with Discontinuation of PRADAXA Discontinuing PRADAXA in absence of adequate alternative anticoagulation increases the risk of thrombotic events. If PRADAXA must be discontinued for a reason other than pathological bleeding, consider coverage with another anticoagulant. Risk of Bleeding PRADAXA increases the risk of bleeding and can cause significant and, sometimes, fatal bleeding. Promptly evaluate any signs or symptoms of blood loss (e.g., a drop in hemoglobin and/or hematocrit or hypotension). Discontinue PRADAXA in patients with active pathological bleeding. Risk factors for bleeding include concomitant use of medications that increase the risk of bleeding (e.g., anti-platelet agents, heparin, fibrinolytic therapy, and chronic use of NSAIDs). PRADAXA's anticoagulant activity and half-life are increased in patients with renal impairment. A specific reversal agent for dabigatran is not available. Hemodialysis can remove dabigatran; however clinical experience for hemodialysis as a treatment for bleeding is limited. Activated prothrombin complex concentrates, recombinant Factor VIIa, or concentrates of factors II, IX or X may be considered but their use has not been evaluated. Protamine sulfate and vitamin K are not expected to affect dabigatran anticoagulant activity. Consider administration of platelet concentrates where thrombocytopenia is present or long-acting antiplatelet drugs have been used. Thromboembolic and Bleeding Events in Patients with Prosthetic Heart Valves The safety and efficacy of PRADAXA in patients with bileaflet mechanical prosthetic heart valves (recently implanted or implanted more than 3 months prior to enrollment) was evaluated in the phase 2 RE-ALIGN trial. RE-ALIGN was terminated early because of significantly more thromboembolic events (valve thrombosis, stroke, transient ischemic attack, and myocardial infarction) and an excess of major bleeding (predominantly post-operative pericardial effusions requiring intervention for hemodynamic compromise) for PRADAXA vs warfarin. Therefore, the use of PRADAXA is contraindicated in patients with mechanical prosthetic valves. Use of PRADAXA for the prophylaxis of thromboembolic events in patients with AFib in the setting of other forms of valvular heart disease, including bioprosthetic heart valve, has not been studied and is not recommended. Effect of P-gp Inducers & Inhibitors on Dabigatran Exposure The concomitant use of PRADAXA with P-gp inducers (e.g., rifampin) reduces exposure to dabigatran and should generally be avoided. P-gp inhibition and impaired renal function are major independent factors in increased exposure to dabigatran. Concomitant use of P-gp inhibitors in patients with renal impairment is expected to increase exposure of dabigatran compared to either factor alone. For patients with moderate renal impairment (CrCl 30-50 mL/min), consider reducing the dose of PRADAXA to 75 mg twice daily when dronedarone or systemic ketoconazole is coadministered with PRADAXA. For patients with severe renal impairment (CrCl 15-30 mL/min), avoid concomitant use of PRADAXA and P-gp inhibitors. ADVERSE REACTIONS In the pivotal trial comparing PRADAXA to warfarin, the most frequent adverse reactions leading to discontinuation of PRADAXA were bleeding and gastrointestinal (GI) events. PRADAXA 150 mg resulted in higher rates of major GI bleeds and any GI bleeds compared to warfarin. In patients >75 years of age, the risk of major bleeding may be greater with PRADAXA than with warfarin. Patients on PRADAXA 150 mg had an increased incidence of GI adverse reactions. These were commonly dyspepsia (including abdominal pain upper, abdominal pain, abdominal discomfort, and epigastric discomfort) and gastritis-like symptoms (including GERD, esophagitis, erosive gastritis, gastric hemorrhage, hemorrhagic gastritis, hemorrhagic erosive gastritis, and GI ulcer). Drug hypersensitivity reactions were reported in <0.1% of patients receiving PRADAXA. Other Measures Evaluated In the pivotal trial, a higher rate of clinical myocardial infarction was reported in patients who received PRADAXA (0.7 per 100 patient-years for 150 mg dose) than in those who received warfarin (0.6). Click here for full Prescribing Information, including Boxed WARNING, and Medication Guide. 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The Boehringer Ingelheim group is one of the world's 20 leading pharmaceutical companies. Headquartered in Ingelheim, Germany, it operates globally with 140 affiliates and more than 46,000 employees. Since it was founded in 1885, the family-owned company has been committed to researching, developing, manufacturing and marketing novel medications of high therapeutic value for human and veterinary medicine. As a central element of its culture, Boehringer Ingelheim has a demonstrated commitment to corporate social responsibility. Involvement in social projects, caring for employees and their families, and providing equal opportunities for all employees form the foundation of the global operations. Mutual cooperation and respect, as well as environmental protection and sustainability are intrinsic factors in all of Boehringer Ingelheim's endeavors. In 2012, Boehringer Ingelheim achieved net sales of about $19.1 billion (14.7 billion euro). 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