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Drug Safety-related Labeling Changes (SrLC)

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PHOTOFRIN (NDA-021525)

(PORFIMER SODIUM)

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

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01/01/2020 (SUPPL-5)

Approved Drug Label (PDF)

5 Warnings and Precautions

(The following subsections were created to comply with Physician Labeling Rule (PLR); please refer to label for complete information)

5.1 Gastroesophageal Fistula and Perforation

5.2 Pulmonary and Gastroesophageal Hemorrhage

5.3 High-Grade Dysplasia (HGD) in Barrett’s Esophagus (BE)

5.4 Photosensitivity

5.5 Ocular Sensitivity

5.6 Use Before or After Radiotherapy

5.7  Chest Pain

5.8  Airway Obstruction and Respiratory Distress

5.9 Esophageal Strictures

5.10 Risk of Prolonged Duration of Photosensitivity in Patients with Hepatic and Renal Impairment

5.11 Thromboembolism

5.12 Embryo-Fetal Toxicity

6 Adverse Reactions

(Additions and/or revisions underlined)

The following clinically significant adverse reactions are described elsewhere in the labeling:

  • Gastroesophageal Fistula and Perforation

  • Pulmonary and Gastroesophageal Hemorrhage

  • High-Grade Dysplasia (HGD) in Barrett’s Esophagus (BE)

  • Photosensitivity

  • Ocular Sensitivity

  • Use Before or After Radiotherapy

  • Chest Pain

  • Airway Obstruction and Respiratory Distress

  • Esophageal Strictures

  • Thromboembolism

6.1 Clinical Trials Experience

(Physician Labeling Rule (PLR) conversion with extensive changes; please refer to label for complete information)

6.2 Postmarketing Experience

(Newly added subsection)

The following adverse reactions have been identified during post-approval use of PHOTOFRIN with PDT. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. Infusion reactions: Infusion reactions including urticaria, bradycardia, hypotension, dizziness, and hypertension.

7 Drug Interactions

7.1 Use with Other Photosensitizing Agents

(Subsection title revised; Additions and/or revisions underlined)

PHOTOFRIN can cause photosensitivity. The concomitant use of PHOTOFRIN with other photosensitizing agents (e.g., tetracyclines, sulfonamides, phenothiazines, sulfonylurea hypoglycemic agents, thiazide diuretics, griseofulvin, and fluoroquinolones) may increase the risk of a photosensitivity reaction. Avoid the concomitant use of PHOTOFRIN with other products known to cause photosensitivity.

8 Use in Specific Populations

8.1 Pregnancy

(PLLR conversion)

Risk Summary

Based on animal studies, PHOTOFRIN may cause embryo-fetal toxicity when administered to a pregnant woman. There are no available data on PHOTOFRIN use in pregnant women to evaluate for a drug-associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage, or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. Intraveneous administration of porfimer sodium to pregnant rats and rabbits during the period of organogenesis at dose levels approximately 0.64 times the recommended human dose of PHOTOFRIN based on body surface area (BSA) resulted in increased fetal resorptions, decreased litter size, and reduced fetal weight, but did not cause fetal malformations.

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.

Data

Animal Data

Intravenous administration of porfimer sodium to pregnant rats for 10 days during the period of organogenesis at dose levels 0.64 times the recommended human dose of PHOTOFRIN based on BSA resulted in maternal and embryo-fetal toxicity resulting in increased resorptions, decreased litter size, delayed ossification, and reduced fetal weight but did not cause major fetal malformations. Intravenous administration of porfimer sodium to pregnant rabbits for 13 days during the period of organogenesis at dose levels 0.65 times the recommended human dose of PHOTOFRIN based on BSA caused maternal toxicity resulting in increased resorptions, decreased litter size, and reduced fetal body weight but did not cause major fetal malformations. Intravenous administration of porfimer sodium to rats for at least 42 days during late pregnancy (post- organogenesis, GD17-PND21) through lactation at dose levels 0.32 times the recommended human dose of PHOTOFRIN based on BSA caused a reversible decrease in growth of offspring. Parturition was unaffected.

8.2 Lactation

(PLLR conversion)

Risk Summary

There are no data on the presence of porfimer sodium in human or animal milk, the effects on the breastfed infant, or the effects on milk production. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in the breastfed infant, advise patients that breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment with PHOTOFRIN and for 5 months after the last dose.

8.3 Females and Males of Reproductive Potential

(PLLR conversion)

Pregnancy Testing

Verify pregnancy status in females of reproductive potential prior to the initiation of PHOTOFRIN therapy.

Contraception

PHOTOFRIN may cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman.

Females

Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with PHOTOFRIN and for 5 months after the final dose.

Males

Advise male patients with female partners of reproductive potential to use condoms during treatment with PHOTOFRIN and for 5 months following the final dose.

8.5 Geriatric Use

(Additions and/or revisions underlined)

Approximately 70% of the patients treated with PDT using PHOTOFRIN in clinical trials were over 60 years of age. No overall differences in safety or effectiveness were observed between these patients compared to younger patients.

Other

(Physician Labeling Rule (PLR) conversion)