Tafamidis: A Novel Drug in the Transthyretin Stabilization Group for ATTR-Cardiac Amyloidosis

Authors

  • Pitchapa Kaewkan Pharmacy Department, Ramathibodi Hospital
  • Nuntawan Loessaksrisakul Pharmacy Department, Ramathibodi Hospital
  • Pitiphon Suansiri Pharmacy Department, Ramathibodi Hospital
  • Wipharak Rattanavipanon Faculty of Pharmacy, Mahidol University
  • Teerapat Yingchoncharoen Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital

Keywords:

cardiac amyloidosis, transthyretin, ATTR-CM, tafamidis

Abstract

One of the currently available treatments for cardiac amyloidosis (CM) is a disease-modifying therapy. In case of the ATTR subtypes of CM (ATTR-CM), it is suggested to use the drug targeting at the transthyretin protein (TTR) to reduce an accumulation of the amyloid protein. There are three main drug groups, which can be characterized by their mechanism of action as follows (1) TTR silencing, (2) TTR stabilization, and (3) TTR disruption. Tafamidis is a novel drug in the TTR stabilization group. It prevents accumulation of the amyloid fibrils by preventing protein disfiguration. This drug was approved by the Thai FDA in May 2022. Its indication of use is in the ATTR-CM to reduce mortality rate and admission rate. The drug also increases the quality of life. It is well absorbed, highly protein bound and eliminated via feces in unchanged form. However, tafamidis must be used with caution when taking with other drug that is metabolized by cytochromes P450 as it can induce CYP2B6 and CYP3A4. The drug can inhibit breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP) efflux transporter and thus may have drug-drug interaction with BCRP substrate.

Author Biographies

Pitchapa Kaewkan, Pharmacy Department, Ramathibodi Hospital

Pharm.D. (Pharmaceutical Care), M.B.A.

Nuntawan Loessaksrisakul, Pharmacy Department, Ramathibodi Hospital

Pharm.D. (Pharmaceutical Care)

Pitiphon Suansiri, Pharmacy Department, Ramathibodi Hospital

Pharm.D. (Pharmaceutical Care)

Wipharak Rattanavipanon, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mahidol University

B.Sc.(Pharmacy), BCP.

Teerapat Yingchoncharoen, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital

MD, FACC, FASE

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Published

2023-08-28

How to Cite

1.
Kaewkan P, Loessaksrisakul N, Suansiri P, Rattanavipanon W, Yingchoncharoen T. Tafamidis: A Novel Drug in the Transthyretin Stabilization Group for ATTR-Cardiac Amyloidosis. Thai J Hosp Pharm [internet]. 2023 Aug. 28 [cited 2026 Jan. 3];33(2):230-42. available from: https://he02.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/TJHP/article/view/259993

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Section

Drug Monograph