Approved Drug Label (PDF)
8
Use in Specific Populations
Data
Animal Data
Sodium
nitrite
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 abortion … 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 in rats suggest persistent effects of prenatal
exposure to sodium nitrite that were detectable postnatally. Specifically,
animals that were exposed prenatally to sodium nitrite (2000 mg/L via
drinking water) demonstrated impaired discrimination …prenatal hypoxia
following nitrite exposure.
No
malformations or evidence of embryo-fetal toxicity were noted when pregnant
mice, rats, hamsters, or rabbits were administered oral doses of sodium
thiosulfate of up to 550, 400, 400, or 580 mg/kg, respectively during
organogenesis (0.2, 0.3, 0.26, and 0.9 times the human dose of 12.5 g/60 kg
person for cyanide poisoning based on body surface area). Published studies
suggest that treatment with sodium thiosulfate ameliorates the teratogenic
effects of maternal cyanide poisoning in hamsters.
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 NITHIODOTE 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,
sodium thiosulfate, or the combination 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.
In
published animal studies, no evidence of embryotoxicity or malformations was
reported when sodium thiosulfate was administered orally during organogenesis
to pregnant mice, rats, hamsters, or rabbits at 0.2 to 0.9 times the human
daily dose of 12.5 g for cyanide poisoning. The sodium thiosulfate studies did
not test doses that were comparable to the human dose for cyanide poisoning (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 Nithiodote 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 or sodium thiosulfate in human or
animal milk, the effects on the breastfed infant, or the effects on milk
production. Cyanide and thiocyanate (which is formed when sodium thiosulfate
combines with cyanide) are present in human milk. Because of the potential for
serious adverse reactions in the breastfed infant, breastfeeding is not recommended
during treatment with NITHIODOTE. There are no data to determine when
breastfeeding may be safely restarted following the administration of
NITHIODOTE.
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 NITHIODOTE [see Use in Specific Populations (8.2)].