U.S. flag An official website of the United States government
  1. Home
  2. Drug Databases
  3. Drug Safety-related Labeling Changes

Drug Safety-related Labeling Changes (SrLC)

Get Email Alerts | Guide

TOBI PODHALER (NDA-201688)

(TOBRAMYCIN)

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

Download Data

Expand all

02/10/2023 (SUPPL-19)

Approved Drug Label (PDF)

5 Warnings and Precautions

5.2 Ototoxicity

Newly added information:

Risk of Ototoxicity Due to Mitochondrial DNA Variants

Cases of ototoxicity with aminoglycosides have been observed in patients with certain variants in the mitochondrially encoded 12S rRNA gene (MT-RNR1), particularly the m.1555A>G variant. Ototoxicity occurred in some patients even when their aminoglycoside serum levels were within the recommended range. Mitochondrial DNA variants are present in less than 1% of the general US population, and the proportion of the variant carriers who may develop ototoxicity as well as the severity of ototoxicity is unknown. In case of known maternal history of ototoxicity due to aminoglycoside use or a known mitochondrial DNA variant in the patient, consider alternative treatments other than aminoglycosides unless the increased risk of permanent hearing loss is outweighed by the severity of infection and lack of safe and effective alternative therapies.

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

Patient Information

Additions and revisions underlined:

Before using TOBI Podhaler, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

  • have or have had hearing problems (including noises in your ears such as ringing or hissing), hearing loss, or your mother has had hearing problems after taking an aminoglycoside.

  • have been told you have certain gene variants (a change in the gene) related to hearing abnormalities inherited from your mother.

07/13/2020 (SUPPL-10)

Approved Drug Label (PDF)

5 Warnings and Precautions

5.5       Embryo-Fetal Toxicity

(Additions and/or revisions underlined)

Aminoglycosides can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Aminoglycosides cross the placenta, and streptomycin has been associated with several reports of total, irreversible, bilateral congenital deafness in pediatric patients exposed in utero. However, systemic absorption of tobramycin following inhaled administration is expected to be minimal. Patients who use TOBI Podhaler during pregnancy, or become pregnant while taking TOBI Podhaler should be apprised of the potential hazard to the fetus.

5.6 Concomitant Use of Systemic Aminoglycosides

(Newly added subsection)

Patients receiving concomitant TOBI and parenteral aminoglycoside therapy should be monitored as clinically appropriate for toxicities associated with aminoglycosides as a class. Serum tobramycin levels should be monitored.

8 Use in Specific Populations

8.1 Pregnancy

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

Risk Summary

Aminoglycosides can cause fetal harm. Published literature reports that use of streptomycin, an aminoglycoside, can cause total, irreversible, bilateral congenital deafness when administered to a pregnant woman. Although there are no available data on TOBI Podhaler use in pregnant women to inform a drug-associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes, systemic absorption of tobramycin following inhaled administration is expected to be minimal. There are risks to the mother associated with cystic fibrosis in pregnancy. In animal reproduction studies with subcutaneous administration of tobramycin in pregnant rats and rabbits during organogenesis there were no adverse developmental outcomes; however, ototoxicity was not evaluated in the offspring from these studies. Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus.

The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated populations are 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% to 4% and 15% to 20%, respectively.

Clinical Considerations

D isease-Associated Maternal and/or Embryo/Fetal Risk

Cystic fibrosis may increase the risk for preterm delivery.

Data

Animal Data

No reproduction toxicology studies have been conducted with TOBI Podhaler. However, subcutaneous administration of tobramycin at doses of up to 100 (rat) or 20 (rabbit) mg/kg/day during organogenesis was not associated with adverse developmental outcomes. Doses of tobramycin greater than or equal to 40 mg/kg/day were severely maternally toxic to rabbits and precluded the evaluation of adverse developmental outcomes. Ototoxicity was not evaluated in offspring during non-clinical reproductive toxicity studies with tobramycin.

8.2 Lactation

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

Risk Summary

There are no data on the presence of tobramycin following administration of TOBI Podhaler in either human or animal milk, the effects on the breastfed infant, or the effects on milk production. Limited published data on other formulations of tobramycin in lactating women indicate that tobramycin is present in human milk. However, systemic absorption of tobramycin following inhaled administration is expected to be minimal. Tobramycin may cause alteration in the intestinal flora of the breastfeeding infant. The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother's clinical need for TOBI Podhaler and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed infant from TOBI Podhaler or from the underlying maternal condition.

Clinical Considerations

Tobramycin may cause intestinal flora alteration. Advise a woman to monitor the breastfed infant for loose or bloody stools and candidiasis (thrush, diaper rash).

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

17 PATIENT COUNSELING INFORMATION

(Additions and/or revisions underlined)

For patients taking several different inhaled medications and/or performing chest physiotherapy, advise the patient regarding the order in which they should take the therapies. It is recommended that TOBI Podhaler be taken last.

Difficulty Breathing:

Advise patients to inform their physicians if they experience shortness of breath or wheezing after administration of Tobi Podhaler. Tobi Podhaler can cause a narrowing of the airway.

Hearing Loss:

Advise patients to inform their physician if they experience ringing in the ears, dizziness, or any changes in hearing because Tobi Podhaler.

Inform patients of adverse reactions has been associated with hearing loss.

Kidney Damage:

Advise patients to inform their physician if they have any history of kidney problems because Tobi Podhaler is in a class of drugs that have caused kidney damage.

Embryo-Fetal Toxicity:

Advise pregnant women that aminoglycosides can cause irreversible congenital deafness when administered to a pregnant woman.

Lactation:

Advise a woman to monitor their breastfed infants for diarrhea and/or bloody stools.