Drug Safety-related Labeling Changes (SrLC)

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Drug Safety-related Labeling Changes (SrLC) Database

ANDA	Abbreviated New Drug Application
BLA	Biologics License Application
CDER	Center for Drug Evaluation and Research
MG	Medication Guide
NDA	New Drug Application
PCI	Patient Counseling Information
PI	Patient Information
PLR	Physician Labeling Rule
PLLR	Pregnancy and Lactation Labeling Rule
Italics	For the most part, italics indicate an FDA comment such as: Additions and/or revisions underlined These italics usually appear at the beginning of the section. In some cases, italics may be an inherent part of the label, and will most often appear in the body of the section.
Underlines	Any text that is underlined indicates text that has been added or revised. There are exceptions where underlining occurs in a section subtitle or heading. This is the case when there is just one word underlined in the body of the text.

Sections

BW	Box Warning
WP	Warnings and Precautions all in one section (PLR-format) Warnings as one section (pre-PLR format) Precautions as one section (pre-PLR format)
AR	Adverse Reactions (in pre-PLR format, this may be a subheading under precautions).
DI	Drug Interactions (in pre-PLR format, this may be a subheading under precautions).
USP	Use in Specific Populations (Inclusive on one or more of the following: Pregnancy; Lactation (PLLR- format); Nursing Mothers (pre-PLLR format); Females and Males of Reproductive Potential (PLLR format only); Pediatric Use, Geriatric Use, Renal Impairment, Hepatic Impairment, Sex, Race (these last six may be a subheading of precautions if label in pre-PLLR format.
PCI/PI/MG	Patient Counseling Information (PLR format only) - summarizes the information that a health care provider should convey to a patient (or caregiver when applicable) when a counseling discussion is taking place (e.g., a physician prescribing a drug during an office visit, a nurse providing discharge instructions at a hospital, or a pharmacist conveying information at a pharmacy). Patient Information - FDA approved patient labeling. Medication Guide - paper handouts that come with many prescription medicines. The guides address issues that are specific to particular drugs and drug classes, and they contain FDA-approved information that can help patients avoid serious adverse events.

Only NDAs and CDER regulated BLAs are included in this database. ANDAs are not included.

Applications that remain active, even if the product has been discontinued, undergo safety-related labeling changes.

NOVOTHYROX (NDA-021292)

(LEVOTHYROXINE SODIUM)

Safety-related Labeling Changes Approved by FDA Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER)

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09/14/2018 (SUPPL-4)

Approved Drug Label (PDF)

4 Contraindications

EUTHYROX is contraindicated in patients with uncorrected adrenal insufficiency.

5 Warnings and Precautions

(PLR conversion; subsections created as below, please refer to label for more information)

5.1 Cardiac Adverse Reactions in the Elderly and in Patients with Underlying Cardiovascular Disease

5.2 Myxedema Coma

5.3 Acute Adrenal Crisis in Patients with Concomitant Adrenal Insufficiency

5.4 Prevention of Hyperthyroidism or Incomplete Treatment of Hypothyroidism

5.5 Worsening of Diabetic Control

5.6 Decreased Bone Mineral Density Associated with Thyroid Hormone Over-Replacement

7 Drug Interactions

(PLR conversion; subsections created as below, please refer to label for more information)

7.1 Drugs Known to Affect Thyroid Hormone Pharmacokinetics

7.2 Antidiabetic Therapy

7.3 Oral Anticoagulants

7.4 Digitalis Glycosides

7.5 Antidepressant Therapy

7.6 Ketamine

7.7 Sympathomimetics

7.8 Tyrosine-Kinase Inhibitors

7.9 Drug-Food Interactions

7.10 Drug–Laboratory Test Interactions

8 Use in Specific Populations

8.1 Pregnancy

(PLLR conversion)

Risk Summary

Experience with levothyroxine use in pregnant women, including data from post-marketing studies, have not reported increased rates of major birth defects or miscarriages (see Data). There are risks to the mother and fetus associated with untreated hypothyroidism in pregnancy. Since thyroid- stimulating hormone (TSH) levels may increase during pregnancy, TSH should be monitored and EUTHYROX dosage adjusted during pregnancy (see Clinical Considerations). There are no animal studies conducted with levothyroxine during pregnancy. EUTHYROX should not be discontinued during pregnancy and hypothyroidism diagnosed during pregnancy should be promptly treated.

The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2 to 4% and 15 to 20%, respectively.

Clinical Considerations

Disease-Associated Maternal and/or Embryo/Fetal Risk

Maternal hypothyroidism during pregnancy is associated with a higher rate of complications, including spontaneous abortion, gestational hypertension, pre-eclampsia, stillbirth, and premature delivery. Untreated maternal hypothyroidism may have an adverse effect on fetal neurocognitive development.

Dose Adjustments During Pregnancy and Postpartum Period

Pregnancy may increase EUTHYROX requirements. Serum TSH level should be monitored and the EUTHYROX dosage adjusted during pregnancy. Since postpartum TSH levels are similar to preconception values, the EUTHYROX dosage should return to the pre-pregnancy dose immediately after delivery.

Data

Human Data

Levothyroxine is approved for use as a replacement therapy for hypothyroidism. There is a long experience of levothyroxine use in pregnant women, including data from post-marketing studies that have not reported increased rates of fetal malformations, miscarriages or other adverse maternal or fetal outcomes associated with levothyroxine use in pregnant women.

8.2 Lactation

(PLLR conversion)

Risk Summary

Limited published studies report that levothyroxine is present in human milk. However, there is insufficient information to determine the effects of levothyroxine on the breastfed infant and no available information on the effects of levothyroxine on milk production. Adequate levothyroxine treatment during lactation may normalize milk production in hypothyroid lactating mothers. The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother's clinical need for EUTHYROX and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed infant from EUTHYROX or from the underlying maternal

8.5 Geriatric Use

(additions underlined)

Because of the increased prevalence of cardiovascular disease among the elderly, initiate EUTHYROX at less than the full replacement dose. Atrial arrhythmias can occur in elderly patients. Atrial fibrillation is the most common of the arrhythmias observed with levothyroxine overtreatment in the elderly.

PATIENT COUNSELING INFORMATION

(PLR conversion; new section added)

Inform the patient of the following information to aid in the safe and effective use of EUTHYROX:

Dosing and Administration

Instruct patients to take EUTHYROX only as directed by their healthcare provider.
Instruct patients to take EUTHYROX as a single dose, preferably on an empty stomach, one-half to one hour before breakfast.
Inform patients that agents such as iron and calcium supplements and antacids can decrease the absorption of levothyroxine. Instruct patients not to take EUTHYROX tablets within 4 hours of these agents.
Instruct patients to notify their healthcare provider if they are pregnant or breastfeeding or are thinking of becoming pregnant while taking EUTHYROX.
Important Information
Inform patients that it may take several weeks before they notice an improvement in symptoms.
Inform patients that the levothyroxine in EUTHYROX is intended to replace a hormone that is normally produced by the thyroid gland. Generally, replacement therapy is to be taken for life.
Inform patients that EUTHYROX should not be used as a primary or adjunctive therapy in a weight control program.
Instruct patients to notify their healthcare provider if they are taking any other medications, including prescription and over-the-counter preparations.
Instruct patients to notify their physician of any other medical conditions they may have, particularly heart disease, diabetes, clotting disorders, and adrenal or pituitary gland problems, as the dose of medications used to control these other conditions may need to be adjusted while they are taking EUTHYROX. If they have diabetes, instruct patients to monitor their blood and/or urinary glucose levels as directed by their physician and immediately report any changes to their physician. If patients are taking anticoagulants, their clotting status should be checked frequently.
Instruct patients to notify their physician or dentist that they are taking EUTHYROX prior to any surgery.

Adverse Reactions
Instruct patients to notify their healthcare provider if they experience any of the following symptoms: rapid or irregular heartbeat, chest pain, shortness of breath, leg cramps, headache, nervousness, irritability, sleeplessness, tremors, change in appetite, weight gain or loss, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive sweating, heat intolerance, fever, changes in menstrual periods, hives or skin rash, or any other unusual medical event.
Inform patients that partial hair loss may occur rarely during the first few months of EUTHYROX therapy, but this is usually temporary.

Other

(conversion of the prescribing information to Physician’s Labeling Rule (PLR))