Vernakalant
| Systematic (IUPAC) name | |
|---|---|
| (3R)-1-{(1R,2R)-2-[2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl) ethoxy]cyclohexyl}pyrrolidin-3-ol |
|
| Clinical data | |
| Licence data | EMA:Link |
| Pregnancy cat. | ? |
| Legal status | ℞ Prescription only |
| Routes | Intravenous, oral |
| Identifiers | |
| CAS number | 794466-70-9 748810-28-8 (HCl) |
| ATC code | C01BG11 |
| PubChem | CID 9930049 |
| UNII | 9G468C8B13 |
| Chemical data | |
| Formula | C20H31NO4 |
| Mol. mass | 349.464 g/mol |
| |
Vernakalant (INN; codenamed RSD1235, proposed tradenames Kynapid and Brinavess) is an investigational drug under regulatory review for the acute conversion of atrial fibrillation. It was initially developed by Cardiome Pharma, and the intravenous formulation has been bought for further development by Merck in April 2009.[1]
On December 11, 2007, the Cardiovascular and Renal Drugs Advisory Committee of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) voted to recommend the approval of vernakalant,[2] but in August 2008 the FDA judged that additional information was necessary for approval.[1] The drug was approved in Europe on September 1, 2010.[3]
An oral formulation underwent Phase II clinical trials between 2005 and 2008.[4][5]
[edit] Mechanism of action
Like other class III antiarrhythmics, vernakalant blocks atrial potassium channels, thereby prolonging repolarization. It differs from typical class III agents by blocking a certain type of potassium channel, the cardiac transient outward potassium current, with increased potency as the heart rate increases. This means that it is more effective at high heart rates, while other class III agents tend to lose effectiveness under these circumstances. It also slightly blocks the hERG potassium channel, leading to a prolonged QT interval. This may theoretically increase the risk of ventricular tachycardia, though this does not seem to be clinically relevant.[6]
The drug also blocks atrial sodium channels.[6]
[edit] References
- ^ a b "Merck and Cardiome Pharma Sign License Agreement for Vernakalant, an Investigational Drug for Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation". FierceBiotech. 9 April 2009. http://www.fiercebiotech.com/press-releases/merck-and-cardiome-pharma-sign-license-agreement-vernakalant-investigational-drug-tre. Retrieved 12 October 2010.
- ^ "FDA Advisory Committee Recommends Approval of Kynapid for Acute Atrial Fibrillation". Drugs.com. http://www.drugs.com/nda/kynapid_071212.html. Retrieved 2008-03-15.
- ^ "BRINAVESS (vernakalant) for Infusion Approved in the European Union for Rapid Conversion of Recent Onset Atrial Fibrillation" (Press release). Merck & Co., Inc.. 2010-09-01. http://www.merck.com/newsroom/news-release-archive/research-and-development/2010_0901.html. Retrieved September 28, 2010.
- ^ ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00267930 Study of RSD1235-SR for the Prevention of Atrial Fibrillation/Atrial Flutter Recurrence
- ^ ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00526136 Vernakalant (Oral) Prevention of Atrial Fibrillation Recurrence Post-Conversion Study
- ^ a b Miki Finnin, Vernakalant: A Novel Agent for the Termination of Atrial Fibrillation: Pharmacology, Medscape Today, http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/725628_4, retrieved 12 October 2010
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