Macimorelin (Macrilen) - Uses, Dose, Side effects, MOA

Macimorelin (Macrilen) is a synthetic growth hormone secretagogue receptor agonist that is used in the diagnosis of adult patients with growth hormone deficiency.

Macimorelin Uses:

  • Diagnostic use:

    • It is indicated for diagnostic purposes in adult patients with growth hormone deficiency.
    • Limitations of use:

      • The safety and diagnostic performance of the drug in patients with a BMI (Body Mass Index) exceeding 40 kg/m² has not been established.

Macimorelin (Macrilen) Dose in Adults:

Macimorelin (Macrilen) Dose for Diagnostic purposes:

  • Growth hormone deficiency: Oral:

    • ≤40 kg/m²:
      • 5 mg/kg as single dose
    • >40 kg/m²:
      • Dose has not been established

Macimorelin (Macrilen) Dose in Childrens:

Macimorelin (Macrilen) Dose for Diagnostic purposes:

  • Growth hormone deficiency: Oral:

    • ≤40 kg/m²:
      • 5 mg/kg as single dose
    • >40 kg/m²:
      • Dose has not been established

Pregnancy Risk Category: N (Not assigned)

  • It has not been used in animal reproduction studies.

Macimorelin use during breastfeeding:

  • It is unknown if the drug will be excreted into breastmilk.
  • Manufacturers recommend that you weigh the risks to infants and the benefits to nursing mothers of giving the drug to them.

Dose in Kidney Disease:

There are no dosage adjustments provided in the manufacturer's labeling.

Dose in Liver disease:

There are no dosage adjustments provided in the manufacturer's labeling.


Side Effects of Macimorelin (Macrilen):

  • Cardiovascular:

    • Sinus bradycardia
  • Central nervous system:

    • Dizziness
    • Fatigue
    • Headache
    • Feeling hot
  • Dermatologic:

    • Hyperhidrosis
  • Gastrointestinal:

    • Dysgeusia
    • Hunger
    • Nausea
    • Diarrhea
  • Respiratory:

    • Upper respiratory tract infection
    • Nasopharyngitis

Macimorelin (Macrilen) Rare Side effects:

  • Cardiovascular:

    • Prolonged Q-T interval on ECG

Contraindications to Macimorelin (Macrilen):

The manufacturer's labeling does not contain any contraindications.

Warnings and precautions

  • Extension of QT

    • Clinical trials have shown that the QTc interval lengthening of approximately 11mseconds can be observed when the drug dose is increased by two to four times the recommended dose. Avoid using other agents which may prolong the QT interval with concomitant drug administration.
  • Endocrine disorders:

    • Before the drug can be administered, it must be checked for thyroid, gonadotropin, and glucocorticoid deficiency.
  • Hypothalamic disease

    • Hypothalamus dysfunction may cause growth hormone deficiency, which can be difficult to detect early in the disease process.
    • Macimorelin stimulates release of anterior pituitary growth hormone, which can lead to false-negative results. These patients may need repeat testing.

Macimorelin: Drug Interaction

Risk Factor C (Monitor therapy)

Bosentan

May diminish the diagnostic effect of Macimorelin.

CYP3A4 Inducers (Moderate)

May lower the serum level of CYP3A4 substrates (High risk with Inducers).

Deferasirox

May lower the serum level of CYP3A4 substrates (High risk with Inducers).

Efavirenz

May lessen Macimorelin's diagnostic effectiveness.

Erdafitinib

May lower the serum level of CYP3A4 substrates (High risk with Inducers).

Etravirine

May lessen Macimorelin's diagnostic effectiveness.

Haloperidol

The QTcprolonging action of haloperidol may be enhanced by QT-prolonging agents (Indeterminate Risk - Avoid).

Ivosidenib

May lower the serum level of CYP3A4 substrates (High risk with Inducers).

Modafinil

May lessen Macimorelin's diagnostic effectiveness.

QT-prolonging Agents (Highest Risk)

The QTc-prolonging action of QT-prolonging Agents may be enhanced by QT-prolonging Agents (Indeterminate Risk - Avoid) (Highest Risk). Management: When these medications are combined, keep an eye out for QTc interval prolongation and cardiac arrhythmias. Patients may be considerably more at risk for QTc prolongation if they have additional risk factors.

Sarilumab

May lower the serum level of CYP3A4 substrates (High risk with Inducers).

Siltuximab

May lower the serum level of CYP3A4 substrates (High risk with Inducers).

Tocilizumab

May lower the serum level of CYP3A4 substrates (High risk with Inducers).

Risk Factor D (Consider therapy modification)

Dabrafenib

May lower the serum level of CYP3A4 substrates (High risk with Inducers). Management: When possible, look for substitutes for the CYP3A4 substrate. If concurrent therapy cannot be avoided, pay special attention to the substrate's clinical consequences (particularly therapeutic effects).

Lorlatinib

May lower the serum level of CYP3A4 substrates (High risk with Inducers). Management: Avoid taking lorlatinib at the same time as any CYP3A4 substrates for which even a small drop in serum levels of the substrate could result in therapeutic failure and negative clinical outcomes.

Risk Factor X (Avoid combination)

Aspirin

May diminish the diagnostic effect of Macimorelin.

Atropine (Systemic

May diminish the diagnostic effect of Macimorelin.

CloNIDine

May diminish the diagnostic effect of Macimorelin.

Corticosteroids (Systemic)

May lessen Macimorelin's diagnostic effectiveness.

CYP3A4 Inducers (Strong)

May lower the level of Macimorelin in the serum.

Growth Hormone Products

May diminish the diagnostic effect of Macimorelin.

Insulins

May diminish the diagnostic effect of Macimorelin.

Levodopa-Containing Products

May diminish the diagnostic effect of Macimorelin.

Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Agents

May diminish the diagnostic effect of Macimorelin.

Propylthiouracil

May diminish the diagnostic effect of Macimorelin.

Somatostatin Analogs

May diminish the diagnostic effect of Macimorelin.

St John's Wort

May lower the level of Macimorelin in the serum.

 

Monitoring parameters:

  • Monitor serum GH at 30, 45, 60, and 90 minutes after the drug administration.

How to administer Macimorelin (Macrilen)?

It is administered orally. The patient must drink the entire dose within thirty minutes after fasting for at least eight hours.


Mechanism of action of Macimorelin (Macrilen):

It stimulates growth hormone release by activating Growth hormone secretagogue (hypothalamus) receptors.

Metabolism:

  • It is metabolized in the liver via CYP3A4

Half-life elimination:

  • 4.1 hours

Time to peak plasma concentration:

  • 0.5 to 1.5 hours

International Brand Names of Macimorelin:

  • Macrilen
  • Macimorelin Aaterna Zentaris
  • Macimorelin Aeterna Zentaris

Brand Names in Pakistan:

No Brand Names are available in Pakistan.