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Drug Safety-related Labeling Changes (SrLC)

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BENZNIDAZOLE (NDA-209570)

(BENZNIDAZOLE)

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

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12/15/2021 (SUPPL-2)

Approved Drug Label (PDF)

4 Contraindications

4.3 Patients with Cockayne Syndrome

New subsection added

Benznidazole Tablets are contraindicated in patients with Cockayne syndrome. Severe irreversible hepatotoxicity/acute liver failure with fatal outcomes have been reported after initiation of metronidazole, another nitroimidazole drug, structurally related to benznidazole in patients with Cockayne syndrome [see Adverse Reactions (6.2)].

6 Adverse Reactions

6.2 Postmarketing Experience

Additions underlined

The following adverse reactions have been identified during the use of other formulations of benznidazole outside of the United States, or other nitroimidazole agents. Because these reactions are reported from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure.

…

Metronidazole, Another Nitroimidazole Agent, Structurally Related to Benznidazole

Cases of severe irreversible hepatotoxicity/acute liver failure, including cases with fatal outcomes with very rapid onset after initiation of systemic use of metronidazole, another nitroimidazole agent structurally related to benznidazole, have been reported in patients with Cockayne syndrome (latency from drug start to signs of liver failure as short as 2 days) [see Contraindications (4.3)].

11/07/2019 (SUPPL-1)

5 Warnings and Precautions

5.3 Hypersensitivity Skin Reactions

Additions and/or revisions underlined:

Serious skin and subcutaneous disorders including acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP), toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), erythema multiforme, and drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) have been reported with benznidazole …

7 Drug Interactions

7.2 Alcohol and Products Containing Propylene Glycol

Newly added information:

In vitro studies showed that benznidazole, at concentrations from 0.03 µM to 100 µM, does not inhibit the enzymatic activity of human alcohol dehydrogenase (ALDH). Benznidazole Tablets are not expected to cause alcohol aversion or a disulfiram-like reaction as a result of ethanol ingestion.

8 Use in Specific Populations

8.1 Pregnancy

Risk Summary

Additions and/or revisions underlined:

Based on findings from animal studies, Benznidazole Tablets may cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Published postmarketing reports on benznidazole use during pregnancy are insufficient to inform a drug-associated risk of adverse pregnancy-related outcomes. There are risks to the fetus associated with Chagas Disease. In embryo-fetal development studies, benznidazole administered orally to pregnant rats and rabbits during organogenesis was associated with fetal malformations at doses approximately 1-3 times the MRHD in rats (anasarca, anophthalmia, and/or microphthalmia) and doses approximately 0.3-1.0 times the MRHD in rabbits (ventricular septal defect). In pregnant rats administered benznidazole during gestation and through lactation, effects in first generation offspring included reduced fertility in individual males and reduced numbers of live embryos and fetuses in pregnant females at a maternal dose equivalent to approximately 1.5 times the MRHD. Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus.

Data

Animal Data

In an embryo-fetal toxicity study in pregnant rats, benznidazole was administered in oral doses of 15, 50, and 150 mg/kg/day during organogenesis (days 6-17 of gestation), and the high dose was associated with maternal weight loss, reduced fetal weights, and smaller litter sizes. Benznidazole was also associated with a low incidence of fetal malformations including anasarca in one fetus at a dose of 50 mg/kg/day and anasarca and eye abnormalities (anophthalmia and microphthalmia) in 5 fetuses in 5 litters at a high dose of 150 mg/kg/day (approximately equivalent to 1 and 3 times, respectively, the MRHD based on whole body surface area comparisons). No maternal toxicity was observed at a benznidazole dose of 50 mg/kg/day (approximately equal to the MRHD based on body surface area comparison), and no fetal toxicity was observed at a dose of 15 mg/kg/day (approximately equivalent to 0.3 times the MRHD based on whole body surface area comparison).

In an embryo-fetal study in pregnant rabbits benznidazole administered by oral (gavage) in doses of 2.5, 7.5, and 25 mg/kg/day during organogenesis (days 6 to 19 of gestation) was associated with maternal toxicity at the high dose, including reduced weight gain and food consumption and abortions in 2/20 females. Benznidazole was also associated with a low incidence of fetal abnormalities including ventricular septal defect in 2 fetuses in 2 litters at a dose of 7.5 mg/kg/day and in 1 fetus at a dose of 25 mg/kg/day (approximately equivalent to 0.3 and 1 times respectively the MRHD based on whole body surface area comparison).The benznidazole doses that were not associated with maternal and fetal toxicity in this study were 7.5 and 2.5 mg/kg/day respectively, which are respectively equivalent to approximately 0.3 and 0.1 times the MRHD based on whole body surface area comparison.

In a pre- postnatal study in rats, first generation (F1) pups born to dams administered 15, 50, and 75 mg/kg/day benznidazole from day 6 of gestation to day 20 of lactation demonstrated normal pre-weaning behavior, physical and functional development, neurological findings, and reproductive parameters. However, cesarean section data for the pregnant first generation (F1) females … The number of live second generation (F2) fetuses born to F1 dams was reduced in the high-dose group. The benznidazole dose that was not associated with adverse effects was considered to be 50 mg/kg/day which is approximately equal to the MRHD based on whole body surface area comparison.

8.3 Females and Males of Reproductive Potential

Infertility

Additions and/or revisions underlined:

Males

Based on findings in rats, Benznidazole Tablets may impair fertility in males of reproductive potential. In rats, the effects on fertility were reversible 22 weeks after dosing; however, the effects in humans are unknown.