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)