Adempas (riociguat) is a soluble guanylate cyclase stimulator tablet for oral administration. Riociguat is methyl 4,6-diamino-2-[1-(2-fluorobenzyl)-1H-pyrazolo [3,4-b]pyridin-3-yl]-5-pyrimidinyl(methyl)carbamate with the following structural formula: C 20 H 19 FN 8 O 2 Riociguat is a white to yellowish, crystalline, non-hygroscopic substance with a molecular weight of 422.42 g/mol. In solid form it is stable to temperature, light, and humidity. The solubility at 25°C in water: 4 mg/L, in ethanol: 800 mg/L, in 0.1 HCl (pH 1): 250 mg/L and in buffer (phosphate) pH 7: 3 mg/L. In the pH range of 2 to 4 the solubility showed strong pH-dependency. Solubility increases at lower pH values. Each round film-coated tablet contains 0.5 mg (1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5 mg) riociguat. The inactive ingredients are cellulose microcrystalline, crospovidone, hypromellose 5cP, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, sodium laurylsulfate, hydroxypropylcellulose, hypromellose 3cP, propylene glycol, and titanium dioxide. Adempas 1, 1.5, 2, and 2.5 mg tablets contain, in addition, ferric oxide yellow. Adempas 2 and 2.5 mg tablets contain, in addition, ferric oxide red. Chemical Structure

Adempas is a soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) stimulator indicated for the treatment of adults with: • Persistent/recurrent Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension (CTEPH) (WHO Group 4) after surgical treatment or inoperable CTEPH to improve exercise capacity and WHO functional class. • Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH) (WHO Group 1) to improve exercise capacity, improve WHO functional class and to delay clinical worsening

Chronic-Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension Adempas is indicated for the treatment of adults with persistent/recurrent chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH), (WHO Group 4) after surgical treatment, or inoperable CTEPH, to improve exercise capacity and WHO functional class

Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Adempas is indicated for the treatment of adults with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), (WHO Group 1), to improve exercise capacity, WHO functional class and to delay clinical worsening. Efficacy was shown in patients on Adempas monotherapy or in combination with endothelin receptor antagonists or prostanoids. Studies establishing effectiveness included predominately patients with WHO functional class II–III and etiologies of idiopathic or heritable PAH (61%) or PAH associated with connective tissue diseases (25%) .

Tablets: film-coated, round, bi-convex: • 0.5 mg, white, with "BAYER" cross on one side and "0.5" and "R" on the other side • 1 mg, pale-yellow, with "BAYER" cross on one side and "1" and "R" on the other side • 1.5 mg, yellow-orange, with "BAYER" cross on one side and "1.5" and "R" on the other side • 2 mg, pale orange, with "BAYER" cross on one side and "2" and "R" on the other side • 2.5 mg, red-orange, with "BAYER" cross on one side and "2.5" and "R" on the other side Tablets: 0.5 mg, 1 mg, 1.5 mg, 2 mg and 2.5 mg

• Initiate treatment at 1 mg taken three times a day. • For patients who may not tolerate the hypotensive effect of Adempas, consider a starting dose of 0.5 mg, three times a day. • Increase dosage by 0.5 mg at intervals of no sooner than 2-weeks as tolerated to a maximum of 2.5 mg three times a day. • Tablets may be crushed and mixed with water or soft foods for patients who have difficulty swallowing

Recommended Dosage in Adult Patients The recommended starting dosage is 1 mg taken 3 times a day. For patients who may not tolerate the hypotensive effect of Adempas, consider a starting dose of 0.5 mg taken three times a day. If systolic blood pressure remains greater than 95 mmHg and the patient has no signs or symptoms of hypotension, up-titrate the dose by 0.5 mg taken three times a day. Dose increases should be no sooner than 2 weeks apart. The dose can be increased to the highest tolerated dosage, up to a maximum of 2.5 mg taken three times a day. If at any time, the patient has symptoms of hypotension, decrease the dosage by 0.5 mg taken three times a day. Crushed Tablets For patients who are unable to swallow whole tablets, Adempas may be crushed and mixed with water or soft foods (such as applesauce) immediately before administration

Dosage Interruption If a dose is missed, advise patients to continue with the next regularly scheduled dose. In case Adempas is interrupted for 3 days or more, re-titrate Adempas

Pregnancy Testing in Females of Reproductive Potential Exclude pregnancy before initiating Adempas.

Use in Patients who Smoke Consider titrating to dosages higher than 2.5 mg three times a day, if tolerated, in patients who smoke. A dose decrease may be required in patients who stop smoking

Strong CYP and P-gp/BCRP Inhibitors Consider a starting dose of 0.5 mg, three times a day when initiating Adempas in patients receiving strong cytochrome P450 (CYP) and P-glycoprotein/breast cancer resistance protein (P-gp/BCRP) inhibitors such as azole antimycotics (for example, ketoconazole, itraconazole) or HIV protease inhibitors (for example, ritonavir). Monitor for signs and symptoms of hypotension on initiation and on treatment with strong CYP and P-gp/BCRP inhibitors

Transitioning to and from Adempas • Discontinue sildenafil at least 24 hours prior to administering Adempas . • Discontinue tadalafil at least 48 hours prior to administering Adempas . Consider initiating Adempas at a starting dose of 0.5 mg in patients at risk of hypotension . Monitor for signs and symptoms of hypotension on initiation. • Discontinue Adempas at least 24 hours prior to administering a PDE5-inhibitor . Monitor for signs and symptoms of hypotension on initiation.

• Symptomatic hypotension • Bleeding • Pulmonary edema in patients with pulmonary veno-occlusive disease. If confirmed, discontinue treatment 5.1 Embryo-Fetal Toxicity Based on data from animal reproduction studies, Adempas may cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant patient and is contraindicated during pregnancy. The available human data for riociguat do not establish the presence or absence of major birth defects related to the use of Adempas. Counsel patients who can become pregnant on the potential risk to a fetus. Exclude pregnancy prior to initiation of treatment with Adempas. Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception prior to initiation of treatment, during treatment with Adempas and for at least one month after the last dose. When pregnancy is detected, discontinue Adempas as soon as possible

Hypotension Adempas reduces blood pressure. Consider the potential for symptomatic hypotension or ischemia in patients with hypovolemia, severe left ventricular outflow obstruction, resting hypotension, autonomic dysfunction, or concomitant treatment with antihypertensives or strong CYP and P-gp/BCRP inhibitors . Consider a dose reduction if patient develops signs or symptoms of hypotension

Bleeding In the placebo-controlled clinical trials, serious bleeding occurred in 2.4% of patients taking Adempas compared to 0% of placebo patients. Serious hemoptysis occurred in 5 (1%) patients taking Adempas compared to 0 placebo patients, including one event with fatal outcome. Serious hemorrhagic events also included 2 patients with vaginal hemorrhage, 2 with catheter site hemorrhage, and 1 each with subdural hematoma, hematemesis, and intra-abdominal hemorrhage

Pulmonary Veno-Occlusive Disease Pulmonary vasodilators may significantly worsen the cardiovascular status of patients with pulmonary veno-occlusive disease (PVOD). Therefore, administration of Adempas to such patients is not recommended. Should signs of pulmonary edema occur, the possibility of associated PVOD should be considered and, if confirmed, discontinue treatment with Adempas.

• Strong CYP and P-gp/BCRP inhibitors: For patients receiving strong CYP and P-gp/BCRP inhibitors, consider a starting dose of 0.5 mg three times a day. Monitor for hypotension. (7.2 ) • Antacids: Separate administration by at least 1 hour

Pharmacodynamic Interactions with Adempas Other Soluble Guanylate Cyclase Stimulators: Co-administration of Adempas is contraindicated in patients with use of other soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) stimulators . Nitrates: Co-administration of Adempas with nitrates or nitric oxide donors (such as amyl nitrite) in any form is contraindicated because of hypotension . PDE Inhibitors: Co-administration of Adempas with specific PDE-5 inhibitors (such as sildenafil, tadalafil, or vardenafil) and nonspecific PDE inhibitors (such as dipyridamole or theophylline), is contraindicated because of hypotension. Do not administer within 24 hours of sildenafil. Do not administer 24 hours before or within 48 hours after tadalafil . Clinical experience with co-administration of Adempas and other phosphodiesterase inhibitors (for example, milrinone, cilostazole, roflumilast) is limited

Pharmacokinetic Interactions with Adempas Smoking: Plasma concentrations in smokers are reduced by 50% to 60% compared to nonsmokers. Based on pharmacokinetic modeling, for patients who are smokers, doses higher than 2.5 mg three times a day may be considered in order to match exposure seen in nonsmoking patients. Safety and effectiveness of Adempas doses higher than 2.5 mg three times a day have not been established. A dose reduction should be considered in patients who stop smoking . Strong CYP and P-gp/BCRP inhibitors: Concomitant use of riociguat with strong cytochrome CYP inhibitors and P-gp/BCRP inhibitors such as azole antimycotics (for example, ketoconazole, itraconazole) or HIV protease inhibitors (such as ritonavir) increase riociguat exposure and may result in hypotension. Consider a starting dose of 0.5 mg 3 times a day when initiating Adempas in patients receiving strong CYP and P-gp/BCRP inhibitors. Monitor for signs and symptoms of hypotension on initiation and on treatment with strong CYP and P-gp/BCRP inhibitors. A dose reduction should be considered in patients who may not tolerate the hypotensive effect of riociguat . Strong CYP3A inducers: Strong inducers of CYP3A (for example, rifampin, phenytoin, carbamazepine, phenobarbital or St. John's Wort) may significantly reduce riociguat exposure. Data are not available to guide dosing of riociguat when strong CYP3A inducers are co-administered . Antacids: Antacids such as aluminum hydroxide/magnesium hydroxide decrease riociguat absorption and should not be taken within 1 hour of taking Adempas .