(Additions
and/or revisions underlined)
Serious
or otherwise clinically significant adverse reactions reported in other
sections of labeling:
- Hypersensitivity
Reactions
- Serotonin Syndrome
6.1 Clinical Trials
Experience
(Extensive
changes; please refer to label)
6.2 Postmarketing Experience
(Newly added subsection)
The following adverse reactions have been identified
during postapproval use of palonosetron HCl. 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.
- Hypersensitivity
reactions: including dyspnea, bronchospasm, swelling/edema, erythema,
pruritus, rash, urticaria, anaphylaxis and anaphylactic shock
- Injection
site reactions: including burning, induration, discomfort and pain
8.1 Pregnancy
(Pregnancy and Lactation Labeling Rule (PLLR)
conversion; additions and/or revisions are underlined)
Risk
Summary
There
are no available data on palonosetron HCl use in pregnant women to inform a drug-associated risk.
In
animal reproduction studies, no effects on embryo-fetal development were
observed with the administration of oral palonosetron HCl during the
period of organogenesis at doses up to 1,894 and 3,789 times the
recommended human intravenous dose in rats and rabbits, respectively.
The
estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated
population is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect,
loss, or other adverse outcomes. 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
In
animal reproduction studies, no effects on embryo-fetal development were
observed in pregnant rats given oral palonosetron HCl at doses up to 60
mg/kg/day (1,894 times the recommended human intravenous dose based on
body surface area) or pregnant rabbits given oral doses up to 60 mg/kg/day (3,789
times the recommended human intravenous dose based on body surface area) during
the period of organogenesis.
8.2 Lactation
(Pregnancy and Lactation Labeling Rule (PLLR)
conversion; additions and/or revisions are underlined)
Risk
Summary
There
are no data on the presence of palonosetron in human milk, the effects of
palonosetron on the breastfed infant, or the effects of palonosetron on milk
production. The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be
considered along with the mother’s clinical need for ALOXI and any potential
adverse effect on the breastfed infant from palonosetron or from the underlying
maternal condition.
8.4 Pediatric Use
(Newly added subsection)
Chemotherapy-Induced
Nausea and Vomiting
Safety
and effectiveness of ALOXI injection have been established in pediatric
patients aged 1 month to less than 17 years for the prevention of acute nausea
and vomiting associated with initial and repeat courses of emetogenic cancer
chemotherapy, including HEC. Use is supported by a clinical trial where 165
pediatric patients aged 2 months to less than 17 years were randomized to
receive a single dose of ALOXI injection 20 mcg/kg (maximum 1.5 mg)
administered as an intravenous infusion 30 minutes prior to the start of
emetogenic chemotherapy. While this study demonstrated that pediatric patients
require a higher palonosetron dose than adults to prevent chemotherapy-induced
nausea and vomiting, the safety profile is consistent with the established
profile in adults.
Safety
and effectiveness of ALOXI in neonates (less than 1 month of age) have not been
established. Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting Studies
Safety
and effectiveness have not been established in pediatric patients for prevention
of postoperative nausea and vomiting. Two pediatric trials were performed.
Pediatric
Study 1, a dose finding study was conducted to compare two doses of
palonosetron, 1 mcg/kg (maximum 0.075 mg) versus 3 mcg/kg (maximum 0.25 mg). A
total of 150 pediatric surgical patients participated, age range 1 month to less
than 17 years. No dose response was observed.
Pediatric
Study 2, a multicenter, double-blind, double-dummy, randomized, parallel group,
active control, single-dose non-inferiority study, compared intravenous
palonosetron HCl (1 mcg/kg, maximum 0.075 mg) versus intravenous ondansetron. A
total of 670 pediatric surgical patients participated, age 30 days to less than
17 years. The primary efficacy endpoint, Complete Response (CR: no vomiting, no
retching, and no antiemetic rescue medication) during the first 24 hours
postoperatively was achieved in 78.2% of patients in the palonosetron group and
82.7% in the ondansetron group. Given the pre-specified non- inferiority margin
of -10%, the stratum adjusted Mantel-Haenszel statistical non-inferiority
confidence interval for the difference in the primary endpoint, complete
response (CR), was [-10.5, 1.7%], therefore non-inferiority was not
demonstrated. Adverse reactions to palonosetron were similar to those reported
in adults.
8.5 Geriatric Use
(Additions and/or revisions underlined)
Of the 1374 adult
cancer patients in clinical studies of intravenously administered palonosetron
HCl, 316 (23%) were 65 years and over, while 71 (5%) were at least 75 years and
over. Of the 1520 adult patients in clinical studies of intravenously
administered palonosetron HCl, 73 (5%) were at least 65 years old. No overall
differences in safety or effectiveness were observed between these subjects and
younger subjects, but greater sensitivity in some older individuals cannot be
ruled out.
Population pharmacokinetics analysis did not reveal any differences in
palonosetron pharmacokinetics between cancer patients 65 years of age and
older compared to younger patients. No dose adjustment is required for geriatric patients.
(Additions and/or revisions underlined)
Advise the patient or caregiver to
read the FDA-approved
patient labeling (Patient Information).
Hypersensitivity Reactions
Advise
patients that hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis and
anaphylactic shock, have been reported in patients with or without known
hypersensitivity to other 5-HT3 receptor antagonists. Advise patients to
seek immediate medical attention if any signs or symptoms of a hypersensitivity
reaction occur with administration of ALOXI injection.
Serotonin
Syndrome
Advise
patients of the possibility of serotonin syndrome, especially with concomitant
use of ALOXI injection and another serotonergic agent such as
medications to treat depression and migraines. Advise patients to seek
immediate medical attention if the following symptoms occur: changes in mental
status, autonomic instability, neuromuscular symptoms with or without gastrointestinal
symptoms.