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Drug Safety-related Labeling Changes (SrLC)

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ARIXTRA (NDA-021345)

(FONDAPARINUX SODIUM)

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

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08/11/2017 (SUPPL-35)

Approved Drug Label (PDF)

5 Warnings and Precautions

5.2 Hemorrhage

(Additions and/or revisions are underlined)

ARIXTRA increases the risk of hemorrhage in patients at risk for bleeding, including conditions such as…

5.3 Renal Impairment and Bleeding Risk

(Additions and/or revisions are underlined)

In these patient populations, the following is recommended:

  • ARIXTRA may cause prolonged anticoagulation in patients with CrCl 30 to 50 mL/min.

6 Adverse Reactions

(Additions and/or revisions are underlined)

The following serious adverse reactions are described elsewhere in the labeling:

  • Spinal or epidural hematomas

  • Hemorrhage

  • Renal impairment and bleeding risk

  • Body weight <50 Kg and bleeding risk

  • Thrombocytopenia

6.1 Clinical Trials Experience

(Additions and/or revisions are underlined)

Hemorrhage

Hip Fracture, Hip Replacement, and Knee Replacement Surgery

The rates of major bleeding events reported during 3 active-controlled peri-operative VTE prophylaxis trials with enoxaparin sodium in hip fracture, hip replacement, or knee replacement surgery (N = 3,616) and in an extended VTE prophylaxis trial (n = 327) with ARIXTRA 2.5 mg are provided in Table 2.

Treatment of Deep Vein Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism

The rates of bleeding events reported during a dose-response trial (n = 111) and an active- controlled trial with enoxaparin sodium in DVT treatment (n = 1,091) and an active-controlled trial with heparin in PE treatment (n = 1,092) with ARIXTRA are provided in Table 4.

6.3 Elevations of Serum Aminotransferases

(Additions and/or revisions are underlined)

…These elevations are reversible and may be associated with increases in bilirubin…

8 Use in Specific Populations

8.1 Pregnancy

(Pregnancy and Lactation Labeling Rule (PLLR) Conversion; additions and/or revisions are underlined)

Risk Summary

Available data from published literature and postmarketing reports have not reported a clear association with fondaparinux sodium and adverse developmental outcomes. Fondaparinux sodium plasma concentrations obtained from four women treated with ARIXTRA during pregnancy and their newborn infants demonstrated low placental transfer of fondaparinux sodium. There are risks to the mother associated with untreated venous thromboembolism in pregnancy and a risk of hemorrhage in the mother and fetus associated with use of anticoagulants. In animal reproduction studies, there was no evidence of adverse developmental outcomes when fondaparinux sodium was administered to pregnant rats and rabbits during organogenesis at doses 32 and 65 times, respectively, the recommended human dose based on body surface area.

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 2-4% and 15-20%, respectively.


Clinical Considerations

Disease-associated maternal and/or embryo/fetal risk

Pregnancy confers an increased risk for thromboembolism that is higher for women with underlying thromboembolic disease and certain high-risk pregnancy conditions. Published data describe that women with a previous history of venous thrombosis are at high risk for recurrence during pregnancy.

Fetal/Neonatal adverse reactions

Fondaparinux sodium has been demonstrated to cross the placenta in humans (see Data). Use of anticoagulants, including fondaparinux sodium, may increase the risk of bleeding in the fetus and neonate. Monitor neonates for bleeding.

Labor or delivery

All patients receiving anticoagulants, including pregnant women, are at risk for bleeding. Fondaparinux sodium use during labor or delivery in women who are receiving neuraxial anesthesia may result in epidural or spinal hematomas. Pregnant women receiving fondaparinux sodium should be carefully monitored for evidence of bleeding or unexpected changes in coagulation parameters. Consideration for use of a shorter acting anticoagulant should be specifically addressed as delivery approaches.

 

Data

Human Data

In a study of five pregnant women treated with fondaparinux sodium during the third trimester of pregnancy at a dose of 2.5 mg/day, four of the women had elevated anti-factor Xa activity noted in the cord blood. Anti-factor Xa clotting times in these four cases were between 37.5 and 50.9 seconds. The patient who did not have elevated anti-factor Xa activity had received only one dose of fondaparinux sodium 22 hours prior to delivery. The concentration of fondaparinux sodium in umbilical cord plasma was approximately 1/10th the level of fondaparinux sodium in maternal plasma. None of the infants experienced adverse effects.

Animal Data

Embryo-fetal development studies have been conducted with fondaparinux sodium in pregnant rats at subcutaneous doses up to 10 mg/kg/day (about 32 times the recommended human dose based on body surface area) administered from days 6 to 17 of gestation and pregnant rabbits at subcutaneous doses up to 10 mg/kg/day (about 65 times the recommended human dose based on body surface area) administered from days 6 to 18 of gestation. These studies have revealed no evidence of adverse developmental outcomes when fondaparinux sodium was administered to pregnant rats and rabbits during organogenesis. Additionally, there were no effects on pre and postnatal development in a study conducted in rats at subcutaneous doses up to 10 mg/kg/day (about 32 times the recommended human dose based on body surface area).

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 fondaparinux sodium in human milk, or the effects on milk production. Limited clinical data during lactation preclude a clear determination of the risk of ARIXTRA to an infant during lactation; therefore, the developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother’s clinical need for ARIXTRA and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed infant from ARIXTRA or from the underlying maternal condition.

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

PATIENT INFORMATION

(Additions and/or revisions are underlined)

What is the most important information I should know about ARIXTRA?

ARIXTRA may cause serious side effects, including:

What should I tell my doctor before taking ARIXTRA?

Before taking ARIXTRA, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

  • have kidney or liver problems
  • are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. ARIXTRA may harm your unborn baby. If you are pregnant, talk to your doctor about the best way for you to prevent or treat blood clots.
  • are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if ARIXTRA passes into breast milk. You and your doctor should decide if you will breastfeed during treatment with ARIXTRA.

What are possible side effects of ARIXTRA?

  • Increased bleeding risk in people undergoing certain surgeries who weigh less than 110 pounds (50Kg).

The most common side effects of ARIXTRA include:

  • bleeding problems
  • bleeding, rash, and itching at the injection site (injection site reactions)
  • sleep problems (insomnia)
  • low red blood cell count (anemia)
  • increased wound drainage
  • low potassium in your blood (hypokalemia)
  • dizziness
  • purplish spots on skin (purpura)
  • low blood pressure (hypotension)
  • confusion
  • fluid-filled blisters (bullous eruption)
  • blood clots (hematoma)
  • severe bleeding after surgery (post-operative hemorrhage)

General information about the safe and effective use of ARIXTRA