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Drug Safety-related Labeling Changes (SrLC)

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NOVOLIN 70/30 (BLA-019991)

(INSULIN RECOMBINANT HUMAN; INSULIN SUSP ISOPHANE RECOMBINANT HUMAN)

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

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11/15/2019 (SUPPL-82)

Approved Drug Label (PDF)

5 Warnings and Precautions

5.2 Hyperglycemia or Hypoglycemia with Changes in Insulin Regimen

(Additions and/or revisions are underlined)

Changes in an insulin regimen (e.g., insulin strength, manufacturer, type, injection site or method of administration) may affect glycemic control and predispose to hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia. Repeated insulin injections into areas of lipodystrophy or localized cutaneous amyloidosis have been reported to result in hyperglycemia; and a sudden change in the injection site (to an unaffected area) has been reported to result in hypoglycemia.

Make any changes to a patient’s insulin regimen under close medical supervision with increased frequency of blood glucose monitoring. Advise patients who have repeatedly injected into areas of lipodystrophy or localized cutaneous amyloidosis to change the injection site to unaffected areas and closely monitor for hypoglycemia. For patients with type 2 diabetes, dosage adjustments of concomitant anti-diabetic products may be needed.

6 Adverse Reactions

(Additions and/or revisions are underlined)

The following adverse reactions are also discussed elsewhere in the labeling:

  • Hypoglycemia

  • Medication Errors

  • Hypersensitivity Reactions

  • Hypokalemia

Adverse Reactions from Clinical Studies or Postmarketing Reports

The following additional adverse reactions have been identified during clinical studies or from postmarketing reports with use of NOVOLIN 70/30. Because some of these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or to establish a causal relationship to drug exposure.

Adverse reactions associated with insulin initiation and glucose control intensification

Intensification or rapid improvement in glucose control has been associated with a transitory, reversible ophthalmologic refraction disorder, worsening of diabetic retinopathy, and acute painful peripheral neuropathy. Over the long-term, improved glycemic control decreases the risk of diabetic retinopathy and neuropathy.

Hypersensitivity reactions

Severe, life-threatening, generalized allergy, including anaphylaxis.

Hypoglycemia

Hypoglycemia is the most commonly observed adverse reaction in NOVOLIN 70/30.

Hypokalemia

NOVOLIN 70/30 can cause a shift in potassium from the extracellular to intracellular space, possibly leading to hypokalemia.

Injection site reactions

NOVOLIN 70/30 can cause local injection site reactions including redness, swelling, or itching at the site of injection. These reactions usually resolve in a few days to a few weeks, but in some occasions, may require discontinuation. Localized reactions and generalized myalgias have been reported with the use of metacresol, which is an excipient in NOVOLIN 70/30.

Lipodystrophy

Administration of insulin subcutaneously, including NOVOLIN 70/30, has resulted in lipoatrophy (depression in the skin) or lipohypertrophy (enlargement or thickening of tissue) in some patients.

Localized Cutaneous Amyloidosis

Localized cutaneous amyloidosis at the injection site has occurred. Hyperglycemia has been reported with repeated insulin injections into areas of localized cutaneous amyloidosis; hypoglycemia has been reported with a sudden change to an unaffected injection site.

Medication Errors

Medication errors in which other insulins have been accidentally substituted for NOVOLIN 70/30 have been identified during postapproval use.

Peripheral edema

Insulins, including NOVOLIN 70/30, may cause sodium retention and edema, particularly if previously poor metabolic control is improved by intensified insulin therapy.

Weight gain

Weight gain can occur with insulin therapies, including NOVOLIN 70/30, and has been attributed to the anabolic effects of insulin and the decrease in glucosuria.

Immunogenicity

As with all therapeutic peptides, insulin administration may cause anti-insulin antibodies to form. The incidence of antibody formation with NOVOLIN 70/30 is unknown.

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

PATIENT COUNSELING INFORMATION

(Additions and/or revisions are underlined)

Advise the patient to read the FDA-approved patient labeling (Patient Information and Instructions for Use).

Never Share a NOVOLIN 70/30 FlexPen or Syringe between Patients

Advise patients using NOVOLIN 70/30 vials or NOVOLIN 70/30 FlexPen not to share needles, syringes, or FlexPen with another person. Sharing poses a risk for transmission of blood-borne pathogens.

Hyperglycemia or Hypoglycemia

Inform patients that hypoglycemia is the most common adverse reaction with insulin. Instruct patients on self-management procedures including glucose monitoring, proper injection technique, and management of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia, especially at initiation of NOVOLIN 70/30 therapy. Instruct patients on handling of special situations such as intercurrent conditions (illness, stress, or emotional disturbances), an inadequate or skipped insulin dose, inadvertent administration of an increased insulin dose, inadequate food intake, and skipped meals. Instruct patients on the management of hypoglycemia.

Inform patients that their ability to concentrate and react may be impaired as a result of hypoglycemia. Advise patients who have frequent hypoglycemia or reduced or absent warning signs of hypoglycemia to use caution when driving or operating machinery.

Advise patients that changes in insulin regimen can predispose to hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia and that changes in insulin regimen should be made under close medical supervision.

Hypoglycemia due to Medication Errors

Instruct patients to always check the insulin label before each injection to avoid mix-ups between insulin products.

Hypersensitivity Reactions

Advise patients that hypersensitivity reactions have occurred with NOVOLIN 70/30. Inform patients on the symptoms of hypersensitivity reactions and to seek medical attention if they occur.

PATIENT INFORMATION

(Extensive changes; please refer to labeling)

06/01/2018 (SUPPL-75)

Approved Drug Label (PDF)

4 Contraindications

PLR conversion; as below:

NOVOLIN N is contraindicated:

  • During episodes of hypoglycemia

  • In patients who have hypersensitivity reactions to NOVOLIN N or any of its excipients

5 Warnings and Precautions

PLR Conversion; subsections as below; please refer to label for complete information.

5.1 Never Share a NOVOLIN N FlexPen or Syringe Between Patients

5.2 Hyperglycemia or Hypoglycemia with Changes in Insulin Regimen

5.3 Hypoglycemia

5.4 Hypoglycemia Due to Medication Errors

5.5 Hypersensitivity and Allergic Reactions

5.6 Hypokalemia

5.7 Fluid Retention and Heart Failure with Concomitant Use of PPAR-gamma agonists

6 Adverse Reactions

PLR conversion; please refer to label for complete information.

7 Drug Interactions

PLR conversion; please refer to label for complete information.

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

PATIENT COUNSELING INFORMATION

PLR conversion; newly created section; please refer to label for complete information.


PATIENT INFORMATION

PLR conversion; extensive changes; please refer to label for complete information.

Other

PLR conversion; see label for complete information

06/01/2018 (SUPPL-79)

Approved Drug Label (PDF)

8 Use in Specific Populations

PLLR conversion; please see label for complete information