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Drug Safety-related Labeling Changes (SrLC)

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ZOVIRAX (NDA-018603)

(ACYCLOVIR SODIUM)

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

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01/25/2019 (SUPPL-30)

Approved Drug Label (PDF)

5 Warnings and Precautions

PRECAUTIONS

(Additions and/or revisions are underlined)

 

Pediatric Use: The safety and efficacy of ZOVIRAX for Injection has been evaluated in pediatric patients, including neonates.

Geriatric Use: Clinical studies of ZOVIRAX for Injection did not include sufficient numbers of patients aged 65 and older to determine whether they respond differently from younger patients. Other reported clinical experience has identified differences in the severity of CNS adverse events between elderly and younger patients.

6 Adverse Reactions

ADVERSE REACTIONS

(Additions and/or revisions are underlined)

 

Adult and Pediatric Clinical Trials

The adverse reactions listed below have been observed in controlled and uncontrolled clinical trials in approximately 700 patients who received ZOVIRAX at ~5 mg/kg (250 mg/m2) 3 times daily, and approximately 300 patients who received ~10 mg/kg (500 mg/m2) 3 times daily.

The most frequent adverse reactions reported during administration of ZOVIRAX were inflammation or phlebitis at the injection site in approximately 9% of the patients, and transient elevations of serum creatinine or BUN in 5% to 10% (the higher incidence occurred usually following rapid [less than 10 minutes] intravenous infusion). Nausea and/or vomiting occurred in approximately 7% of the patients (the majority occurring in non-hospitalized patients who received 10 mg/kg). Itching, rash, or hives occurred in approximately 2% of patients. Elevation of transaminases occurred in 1% to 2% of patients.

The following hematologic abnormalities occurred at a frequency of less than 1%: anemia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, thrombocytosis, leukocytosis, and neutrophilia. In addition, anorexia and hematuria were observed.

Neonatal Clinical Trial

In Study 2, 72 of the 88 enrolled neonates received 60 mg/kg/day. Among subjects with recorded normal baseline values, the following laboratory abnormalities were reported: 6% (4/64) with Grade 3 or 4 increase in creatinine; 4% (2/52) with total bilirubin Grade 3 or 4 toxicity; 13% (8/64) with hemoglobin <8 gram%; 16% (10/64) and 3% (2/64) with absolute neutrophil count 500 to 1,000 cells/mm3 and <500 cells/mm3, respectively; 10% (6/63) and 5% (3/63) with platelet count 50,000 to 100,000 and <50,000, respectively.

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