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Drug Safety-related Labeling Changes (SrLC)

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PEDIAPRED (NDA-019157)

(PREDNISOLONE SODIUM PHOSPHATE)

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

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06/05/2024 (SUPPL-25)

Approved Drug Label (PDF)

5 Warnings and Precautions

WARNINGS

Additions and/or revisions underlined:

Immunosuppression and Increased Risk of Infection

Corticosteroids, including PEDIAPRED, suppress the immune system and increase the risk of infection with any pathogen, including viral, bacterial, fungal, protozoan, or helminthic pathogens. Corticosteroids can:

  • Reduce resistance to new infections

  • Exacerbate existing infections

  • Increase the risk of disseminated infections

  • Increase the risk of reactivation or exacerbation of latent infections

Mask some signs of infection

Corticosteroid-associated infections can be mild but can be severe, and, with increasing doses of corticosteroids, the and at times fatal. The rate of occurrence of infectious complications increases. Corticosteroids may also mask some signs of infection after it has already started with increasing corticosteroid dosages.

Monitor for the development of infection and consider PEDIAPRED withdrawal or dosage reduction as needed.

Tuberculosis

If PEDIAPRED is used to treat a condition in patients with latent tuberculosis or tuberculin reactivity, reactivation of the disease may occur. Closely monitor such patients for reactivation. During prolonged PEDIAPRED therapy, patients with latent tuberculosis or tuberculin reactivity should receive chemoprophylaxis.

Varicella Zoster and Measles Viral Infections

Varicella and measles can have a serious or even fatal course in non-immune patients taking corticosteroids, including PEDIAPRED. In corticosteroid-treated patients who have not had these diseases or are non-immune, particular care should be taken to avoid exposure to varicella and measles:

  • If a PEDIAPRED-treated patient is exposed to varicella, prophylaxis with varicella zoster immune globulin (VZIG) may be indicated. If varicella develops, treatment with antiviral agents may be considered.

  • If a PEDIAPRED-treated patient is exposed to measles, prophylaxis with immunoglobulin (IG) may be indicated.

Hepatitis B Virus Reactivation

Hepatitis B virus reactivation can occur in patients who are hepatitis B carriers treated with immunosuppressive dosages of corticosteroids, including PEDIAPRED. Reactivation can also occur infrequently in corticosteroid-treated patients who appear to have resolved hepatitis B infection.

Screen patients for hepatitis B infection before initiating immunosuppressive (e.g., prolonged) treatment with PEDIAPRED. For patients who show evidence of hepatitis B infection, recommend consultation with physicians with expertise in managing hepatitis B regarding monitoring and consideration for hepatitis B antiviral therapy.

Fungal Infections

Corticosteroids, including PEDIAPRED, may exacerbate systemic fungal infections; therefore, avoid PEDIAPRED use in the presence of such infections unless PEDIAPRED is needed to control drug reactions. For patients on chronic PEDIAPRED therapy who develop systemic fungal infections, PEDIAPRED withdrawal or dosage reduction is recommended.

Amebiasis

Corticosteroids, including PEDIAPRED, may activate latent amebiasis. Therefore, it is recommended that latent amebiasis or active amebiasis be ruled out before initiating PEDIAPRED in patients who have spent time in the tropics or patients with unexplained diarrhea.

Strongyloides Infestation

Corticosteroids, including PEDIAPRED, should be used with great care in patients with known or suspected Strongyloides (threadworm) infestation. In such patients, corticosteroid-induced immunosuppression may lead to Strongyloides hyperinfection and dissemination with widespread larval migration, often accompanied by severe enterocolitis and potentially fatal gram-negative septicemia.

Cerebral Malaria

Avoid corticosteroids, including PEDIAPRED, in patients with cerebral malaria.

…

Kaposi’s Sarcoma

Kaposi’s sarcoma has been reported to occur in patients receiving corticosteroid therapy, most often for chronic conditions. Discontinuation of corticosteroids may result in clinical improvement of Kaposi’s sarcoma.