Drug Safety-related Labeling Changes (SrLC)

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Drug Safety-related Labeling Changes (SrLC) Database

ANDA	Abbreviated New Drug Application
BLA	Biologics License Application
CDER	Center for Drug Evaluation and Research
MG	Medication Guide
NDA	New Drug Application
PCI	Patient Counseling Information
PI	Patient Information
PLR	Physician Labeling Rule
PLLR	Pregnancy and Lactation Labeling Rule
Italics	For the most part, italics indicate an FDA comment such as: Additions and/or revisions underlined These italics usually appear at the beginning of the section. In some cases, italics may be an inherent part of the label, and will most often appear in the body of the section.
Underlines	Any text that is underlined indicates text that has been added or revised. There are exceptions where underlining occurs in a section subtitle or heading. This is the case when there is just one word underlined in the body of the text.

Sections

BW	Box Warning
WP	Warnings and Precautions all in one section (PLR-format) Warnings as one section (pre-PLR format) Precautions as one section (pre-PLR format)
AR	Adverse Reactions (in pre-PLR format, this may be a subheading under precautions).
DI	Drug Interactions (in pre-PLR format, this may be a subheading under precautions).
USP	Use in Specific Populations (Inclusive on one or more of the following: Pregnancy; Lactation (PLLR- format); Nursing Mothers (pre-PLLR format); Females and Males of Reproductive Potential (PLLR format only); Pediatric Use, Geriatric Use, Renal Impairment, Hepatic Impairment, Sex, Race (these last six may be a subheading of precautions if label in pre-PLLR format.
PCI/PI/MG	Patient Counseling Information (PLR format only) - summarizes the information that a health care provider should convey to a patient (or caregiver when applicable) when a counseling discussion is taking place (e.g., a physician prescribing a drug during an office visit, a nurse providing discharge instructions at a hospital, or a pharmacist conveying information at a pharmacy). Patient Information - FDA approved patient labeling. Medication Guide - paper handouts that come with many prescription medicines. The guides address issues that are specific to particular drugs and drug classes, and they contain FDA-approved information that can help patients avoid serious adverse events.

Only NDAs and CDER regulated BLAs are included in this database. ANDAs are not included.

Applications that remain active, even if the product has been discontinued, undergo safety-related labeling changes.

DIAZEPAM (NDA-020124)

(DIAZEPAM)

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

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01/13/2023 (SUPPL-34)

Approved Drug Label (PDF)

5 Warnings and Precautions

PRECAUTIONS

Extensive changes pertaining to pregnancy and lactation; please refer to label

WARNINGS

Newly added information:

Neonatal Sedation and Withdrawal Syndrome

Use of Diazepam injection late in pregnancy can result in sedation (respiratory depression, lethargy, hypotonia) and/or withdrawal symptoms (hyperreflexia, irritability, restlessness, tremors, inconsolable crying, and feeding difficulties) in the neonate (see PRECAUTIONS: Pregnancy). Monitor neonates exposed to Diazepam injection during pregnancy or labor for signs of sedation and monitor neonates exposed to Diazepam injection during pregnancy for signs of withdrawal; manage these neonates accordingly.

02/05/2021 (SUPPL-33)

Approved Drug Label (PDF)

Boxed Warning

(Additions and/or revisions underlined)

WARNING: RISKS FROM CONCOMITANT USE WITH OPIOIDS; ABUSE, MISUSE, AND

ADDICTION; and DEPENDENCE AND WITHDRAWAL REACTIONS

• Concomitant use of benzodiazepines and opioids may result in profound sedation,

respiratory depression, coma, and death. Reserve concomitant prescribing of

these drugs for patients for whom alternative treatment options are inadequate.

Limit dosages and durations to the minimum required. Follow patients for signs

and symptoms of respiratory depression and sedation (see WARNINGS and

PRECAUTIONS).

• The use of benzodiazepines, including Diazepam injection, exposes users to risks

of abuse, misuse, and addiction, which can lead to overdose or death. Abuse and

misuse of benzodiazepines commonly involve concomitant use of other

medications, alcohol, and/or illicit substances, which is associated with an

increased frequency of serious adverse outcomes. Before prescribing Diazepam

injection and throughout treatment, assess each patient’s risk for abuse, misuse,

and addiction (see WARNINGS).

• The continued use of benzodiazepines may lead to clinically significant physical

dependence. The risks of dependence and withdrawal increase with longer

treatment duration and higher daily dose. Although Diazepam injection is indicated

only for intermittent use (see INDICATIONS AND USAGE and DOSAGE AND

ADMINISTRATION), if used more frequently than recommended, abrupt

discontinuation or rapid dosage reduction of DIAZEPAM INJECTION may

precipitate acute withdrawal reactions, which can be life-threatening. For patients

using DIAZEPAM INJECTION more frequently than recommended, to reduce the

risk of withdrawal reactions, use a gradual taper to discontinue DIAZEPAM

INJECTION (see WARNINGS).

5 Warnings and Precautions

Warnings

(Newly added information)

Abuse, Misuse, and Addiction

The use of benzodiazepines, including Diazepam injection, exposes users to the risks of abuse, misuse, and addiction, which can lead to overdose or death. Abuse and misuse of benzodiazepines often (but not always) involve the use of doses greater than the maximum recommended dosage and commonly involve concomitant use of other medications, alcohol, and/or illicit substances, which is associated with an increased frequency of serious adverse outcomes, including respiratory depression, overdose, or death (see DRUG ABUSE AND DEPENDENCE: Abuse).

Before prescribing Diazepam injection and throughout treatment, assess each patient’s risk for abuse, misuse, and addiction. Use of Diazepam injection, particularly in patients at elevated risk, necessitates counseling about the risks and proper use of Diazepam injection along with monitoring for signs and symptoms of abuse, misuse, and addiction. Do not exceed the recommended dosing frequency; avoid or minimize concomitant use of CNS depressants and other substances associated with abuse, misuse, and addiction (e.g., opioid analgesics, stimulants); and advise patients on the proper disposal of unused drug. If a substance use disorder is suspected, evaluate the patient and institute (or refer them for) early treatment, as appropriate.

Dependence and Withdrawal Reactions After Use of Diazepam injection More Frequently Than Recommended

For patients using Diazepam injection more frequently than recommended, to reduce the risk of withdrawal reactions, use a gradual taper to discontinue Diazepam injection (a patient-specific plan should be used to taper the dose).

Patients at an increased risk of withdrawal adverse reactions after benzodiazepine discontinuation or rapid dosage reduction include those who take higher dosages, and those who have had longer durations of use.

Acute Withdrawal Reactions

The continued use of benzodiazepines may lead to clinically significant physical dependence. Although Diazepam injection is indicated only for intermittent use (see INDICATIONS AND USAGE and DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION), if used more

frequently than recommended, abrupt discontinuation or rapid dosage reduction of Diazepam injection, or administration of flumazenil (a benzodiazepine antagonist) may precipitate acute withdrawal reactions, which can be life-threatening (e.g., seizures) (see DRUG ABUSE AND DEPENDENCE: Dependence).

Protracted Withdrawal Syndrome

In some cases, benzodiazepine users have developed a protracted withdrawal syndrome with withdrawal symptoms lasting weeks to more than 12 months (see DRUG ABUSE AND DEPENDENCE: Dependence).

12/16/2016 (SUPPL-32)

Approved Drug Label (PDF)

Boxed Warning

(New section added)

WARNING: RISKS FROM CONCOMITANT USE WITH OPIOIDS

Concomitant use of benzodiazepines and opioids may result in profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death.

· Reserve concomitant prescribing of these drugs for use in patients for whom alternative treatment options are inadequate.

· Limit dosages and durations to the minimum required.

· Follow patients for signs and symptoms of respiratory depression and sedation.

5 Warnings and Precautions

WARNING

(additions underlined)

Risks from Concomitant Use With Opioids

Concomitant use of benzodiazepines, including diazepam, and opioids may result in profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death. Because of these risks, reserve concomitant prescribing of benzodiazepines and opioids for use in patients for whom alternative treatment options are inadequate.

Observational studies have demonstrated that concomitant use of opioid analgesics and benzodiazepines increases the risk of drug-related mortality compared to use of opioids alone. If a decision is made to prescribe diazepam concomitantly with opioids, prescribe the lowest effective dosages and minimum durations of concomitant use, and follow patients closely for signs and symptoms of respiratory depression and sedation. Advise both patients and caregivers about the risks of respiratory depression and sedation when diazepam is used with opioids..

7 Drug Interactions

(additions underlined)

Effect of Concomitant Use of Benzodiazepines and Opioids

The concomitant use of benzodiazepines and opioids increases the risk of respiratory depression because of actions at different receptor sites in the CNS that control respiration. Benzodiazepines interact at GABAA sites, and opioids interact primarily at mu receptors. When benzodiazepines and opioids are combined, the potential for benzodiazepines to significantly worsen opioid-related respiratory depression exists. Limit dosage and duration of concomitant use of benzodiazepines and opioids, and follow patients closely for respiratory depression and sedation.

Concomitant Use with Other Psychotropic Agents or Anticonvulsant Drugs

If diazepam is to be combined with other psychotropic agents or anticonvulsant drugs, careful consideration should be given to the pharmacology of the agents to be employed

particularly with known compounds which may potentiate the action of diazepam,

such as phenothiazines, narcotics, barbiturates, MAO inhibitors and other antidepressants. In highly anxious patients with evidence of accompanying depression, particularly those who may have suicidal tendencies, protective measures may be necessary. The usual precautions in treating patients with impaired hepatic function should be observed. Metabolites of diazepam are excreted by the kidney; to avoid their excess accumulation, caution should be exercised in the administration to patients with compromised kidney function.

Concomitant Use with Cimetidine

The clearance of diazepam and certain other benzodiazepines can be delayed in association with Tagamet (cimetidine) administration. The clinical significance of this is unclear.