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Drug Safety-related Labeling Changes (SrLC)

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SODIUM NITRITE (NDA-203922)

(SODIUM NITRITE)

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

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01/13/2021 (SUPPL-3)

Approved Drug Label (PDF)

8 Use in Specific Populations

Data

Animal Data

There are no intravenous toxicology studies of sodium nitrite that evaluate the potential for reproductive and developmental toxicity. In a published study, sodium nitrite treatment of pregnant guinea pigs with 60 or 70 mg/kg/day resulted in … to treat cyanide poisoning (based on a body surface area comparison).

In a published study, treatment of pregnant rats via drinking water with sodium nitrite at concentrations of either 2000 or 3000 mg/L during gestation and throughout lactation resulted in  severe anemia, reduced growth and increased mortality  in the offspring. This exposure regimen in the rat model would result in dosing of approximately 220 and 300 mg/kg/day ( 4.7 and 6.5 times the highest clinical dose of sodium nitrite that would be used to treat cyanide poisoning, based on a body surface area comparison).

In a published study, treatment of pregnant mice with approximately 243 mg/kg sodium nitrite daily (2.6 times the maximum recommended daily dose of 450 mg/day based on body surface are) via the drinking water (1000 mg/L) from Gestation Day 7-18 did not result in evidence of malformations or embryofetal toxicity or maternal toxicity.

Behavioral and neurodevelopmental studies … were detectable postnatally. Specifically, animals that were exposed prenatally to sodium nitrite (2000 mg/L via drinking water) demonstrated impaired discrimination …

8.1 Pregnancy

PLLR conversion; additions and/or revisions underlined:

Risk Summary

Life-sustaining therapy should not be withheld. Cyanide poisoning is a medical emergency in pregnancy, which can be fatal for the pregnant woman and fetus if left untreated (see Clinical Considerations). Therefore, if a pregnant woman has known or suspected cyanide poisoning, Sodium Nitrite Injection for sequential use with Sodium Thiosulfate Injection is recommended [see Indications and Usage (1)]. There are no available data on Sodium Nitrite Injection use in pregnant women to establish a drug-associated risk for major birth defects, miscarriage, or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. If available, consider alternative therapies not associated with methemoglobinemia. There are no intravenous animal studies to evaluate the effect of sodium nitrite on embryofetal development. In published animal studies, fetal mortality was reported when pregnant guinea pigs were subcutaneously administered sodium nitrite at 1.7 times the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD) of 450 mg sodium nitrite when maternal and fetal methemoglobin concentrations were at their peak. In other published studies, no evidence of malformations were reported in guinea pigs, mice, or rats; however, severe anemia, reduced growth, and increased pup mortality was reported when pregnant rats were treated with 4.7 times the MRHD of sodium nitrite via drinking water during gestation and throughout lactation (see Data).

Clinical Considerations

Disease-associated maternal and/or embryo/fetal risk

Cyanide readily crosses the placenta. Cyanide poisoning is a medical emergency in pregnancy, which can be fatal for the pregnant woman and fetus if left untreated. Treatment for cyanide poisoning should not be withheld because of potential concerns regarding the effects of Sodium Nitrite Injection on the fetus.

Fetal/neonatal adverse reactions

Sodium nitrite produces methemoglobin. Fetal hemoglobin is oxidized to methemoglobin more easily than adult hemoglobin. In addition, the fetus has lower levels of methemoglobin reductase than adults [see Use in Specific Populations (8.4)]. Based on animal studies, prenatal exposure to sodium nitrite resulted in impaired neural development likely the result of prenatal hypoxia (see Data). If available, consider alternative therapy not known to be associated with methemoglobinemia.

8.2 Lactation

PLLR conversion; additions and/or revisions underlined:

Risk Summary

There are no data on the presence of sodium nitrite in human or animal milk, the effects on the breastfed infant, or the effects on milk production. Cyanide is present in human milk. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in the breastfed infant, breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment with Sodium Nitrite Injection. There are no data to determine when breastfeeding may be safely restarted following the administration of Sodium Nitrite Injection.

17 PCI/PI/MG (Patient Counseling Information/Patient Information/Medication Guide)

PATIENT COUNSELING INFORMATION

Newly added information:

Lactation

Advise women that breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment with Sodium Nitrite Injection [see Use in Specific Populations (8.2)].