Rufinamide

1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE Rufinamide is indicated for adjunctive treatment of seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome in pediatric patients 1 year of age and older and in adults. Rufinamide is indicated for adjunctive treatment of seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome (LGS) in pediatric patients 1 year of age and older, and in adults (1)

2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Rufinamide should be given with food. (2.2) Pediatric Patients 1 Year and Older: Starting daily dose: 10 mg/kg per day in two equally divided doses (2.1) Increase by 10 mg/kg increments every other day to maximum dose of 45 mg/kg per day, not to exceed 3200 mg per day, in two divided doses (2.1) Adults: Starting daily dose: 400 to 800 mg per day in two equally divided doses (2.1) Increase by 400 to 800 mg every other day until a maximum dose of 3200 mg per day, in two divided doses, is reached (2.1) 2.1 Dosage Information Pediatric Patients (1 Year to Less than 17 Years): The recommended starting daily dose of rufinamide in pediatric patients with Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome is approximately 10 mg/kg administered in two equally divided doses. The dose should be increased by approximately 10 mg/kg increments every other day until a maximum daily dose of 45 mg/kg, not to exceed 3200 mg, administered in two equally divided doses, is reached. It is not known whether doses lower than the target doses are effective. Adults (17 Years and Older): The recommended starting daily dose of rufinamide in adults with Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome is 400 to 800 mg per day administered in two equally divided doses. The dose should be increased by 400 to 800 mg every other day until a maximum daily dose of 3200 mg, administered in two equally divided doses, is reached. It is not known whether doses lower than 3200 mg are effective. 2.2 Administration Information Administer rufinamide with food. Rufinamide oral suspension should be shaken well before every administration. 2.3 Dosing in Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis Hemodialysis may reduce exposure to a limited (about 30%) extent. Accordingly, adjusting the rufinamide dose during the dialysis process should be considered [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . 2.4 Dosing in Patients with Hepatic Disease Use of rufinamide in patients with hepatic impairment has not been studied. Therefore, use in patients with severe hepatic impairment is not recommended. Caution should be exercised in treating patients with mild to moderate hepatic impairment [see Use in Specific Populations (8.7) ] . 2.5 Dosing in Patients Taking Valproate Patients taking valproate should begin rufinamide at a dose lower than 10 mg/kg per day in pediatric patients or 400 mg per day adults [see Drug Interactions (7.2) ] .

5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Monitor patients for new or worsening depression, suicidal thoughts/behavior, and unusual changes in mood or behavior (5.1) Central nervous system reactions can occur (5.2) Use caution when administering rufinamide with other drugs that shorten the QT interval (5.3) Discontinue rufinamide if multi-organ hypersensitivity reaction occurs (5.4) Withdraw rufinamide gradually to minimize the risk of precipitating seizures, seizure exacerbation, or status epilepticus (5.5) 5.1 Suicidal Behavior and Ideation Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), including rufinamide, increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior in patients taking these drugs for any indication. Patients treated with any AED for any indication should be monitored for the emergence or worsening of depression, suicidal thoughts or behavior, and/or any unusual changes in mood or behavior. Pooled analyses of 199 placebo-controlled clinical trials (mono- and adjunctive therapy) of 11 different AEDs showed that patients randomized to one of the AEDs had approximately twice the risk (adjusted Relative Risk 1.8, 95% CI:1.2, 2.7) of suicidal thinking or behavior compared to patients randomized to placebo. In these trials, which had a median treatment duration of 12 weeks, the estimated incidence rate of suicidal behavior or ideation among 27,863 AED-treated patients was 0.43%, compared to 0.24% among 16,029 placebo-treated patients, representing an increase of approximately one case of suicidal thinking or behavior for every 530 patients treated. There were four suicides in drug-treated patients in the trials and none in placebo-treated patients, but the number is too small to allow any conclusion about drug effect on suicide. The increased risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior with AEDs was observed as early as one week after starting drug treatment with AEDs and persisted for the duration of treatment assessed. Because most trials included in the analysis did not extend beyond 24 weeks, the risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior beyond 24 weeks could not be assessed. The risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior was generally consistent among drugs in the data analyzed. The finding of increased risk with AEDs of varying mechanisms of action and across a range of indications suggests that the risk applies to all AEDs used for any indication. The risk did not vary substantially by age (5 to 100 years) in the clinical trials analyzed. Table 1 shows absolute and relative risk by indication for all evaluated AEDs. Table 1: Absolute and Relative Risk of Suicidal Behavior and Ideation Indication Placebo Patients with Events Per 1000 Patients Drug Patients with Events Per 1000 Patients Relative Risk: Incidence of Events in Drug Patients/Incidence in Placebo Patients Risk Difference: Additional Drug Patients with Events Per 1000 Patients Epilepsy 1.0 3.4 3.5 2.4 Psychiatric 5.7 8.5 1.5 2.9 Other 1.0 1.8 1.9 0.9 Total 2.4 4.3 1.8 1.9 The relative risk for suicidal thoughts or behavior was higher in clinical trials for epilepsy than in clinical trials for psychiatric or other conditions, but the absolute risk differences were similar for the epilepsy and psychiatric indications. Anyone considering prescribing rufinamide or any other AED must balance the risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior with the risk of untreated illness. Epilepsy and many other illnesses for which AEDs are prescribed are themselves associated with morbidity and mortality and an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior. Should suicidal thoughts and behavior emerge during treatment, consider whether the emergence of these symptoms in any given patient may be related to the illness being treated. 5.2 Central Nervous System Reactions Use of rufinamide has been associated with central nervous system-related adverse reactions in the controlled clinical trial of patients 4 years or older with Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome. The most significant of these can be classified into two general categories: 1)…

4 CONTRAINDICATIONS Rufinamide is contraindicated in patients with Familial Short QT syndrome [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] . Rufinamide is contraindicated in patients with Familial Short QT syndrome (4)

7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Patients on valproate should begin at a rufinamide dose lower than 10 mg/kg per day (pediatric patients) or 400 mg per day (adults) (7.2) Hormonal contraceptives may be less effective with rufinamide; use additional non-hormonal forms of contraception (7.3) 7.1 Effects of Rufinamide on other AEDs Population pharmacokinetic analysis of average concentration at steady state of carbamazepine, lamotrigine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, topiramate, and valproate showed that typical rufinamide C avss levels had little effect on the pharmacokinetics of other AEDs. Any effects, when they occur, have been more marked in the pediatric population. Table 6 summarizes the drug-drug interactions of rufinamide with other AEDs. Table 6: Summary of Drug-Drug Interactions of Rufinamide with Other Antiepileptic Drugs AED Co-administered Influence of Rufinamide on AED concentration Predictions are based on rufinamide concentrations at the maximum recommended dose of rufinamide. Influence of AED on Rufinamide Concentration Carbamazepine Decrease by 7 to 13% Maximum changes predicted to be in pediatric patients and in adult patients who achieve significantly higher levels of rufinamide, as the effect of rufinamide on these AEDs is concentration-dependent. Decrease by 19 to 26% Dependent on dose of carbamazepine Lamotrigine Decrease by 7 to 13% No Effect Phenobarbital Increase by 8 to 13% Decrease by 25 to 46% Larger effects in pediatric patients at high doses/concentrations of AEDs. , Phenobarbital, primidone and phenytoin were treated as a single covariate (phenobarbital-type inducers) to examine the effect of these agents on rufinamide clearance. Independent of dose or concentration of phenobarbital Phenytoin Increase by 7 to 21% Decrease by 25 to 46% , Independent of dose or concentration of phenytoin Topiramate No Effect No Effect Valproate No Effect Increase by <16 to 70% Dependent on concentration of valproate Primidone Not Investigated Decrease by 25 to 46% , Independent of dose or concentration of primidone Benzodiazepines All compounds of the benzodiazepine class were pooled to examine for 'class effect' on rufinamide clearance. Not Investigated No Effect Phenytoin: The decrease in clearance of phenytoin estimated at typical levels of rufinamide (C avss 15 mcg/mL) is predicted to increase plasma levels of phenytoin by 7 to 21%. As phenytoin is known to have non-linear pharmacokinetics (clearance becomes saturated at higher doses), it is possible that exposure will be greater than the model prediction. 7.2 Effects of Other AEDs on Rufinamide Potent cytochrome P450 enzyme inducers, such as carbamazepine, phenytoin, primidone, and phenobarbital, appear to increase the clearance of rufinamide (see Table 6). Given that the majority of clearance of rufinamide is via a non-CYP-dependent route, the observed decreases in blood levels seen with carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital, and primidone are unlikely to be entirely attributable to induction of a P450 enzyme. Other factors explaining this interaction are not understood. Any effects, where they occurred, were likely to be more marked in the pediatric population. Valproate: Patients stabilized on rufinamide before being prescribed valproate should begin valproate therapy at a low dose, and titrate to a clinically effective dose. Similarly, patients on valproate should begin at a rufinamide dose lower than 10 mg/kg per day (pediatric patients) or 400 mg per day (adults) [see Dosage and Administration (2.5) , Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . 7.3 Effects of Rufinamide on Hormonal Contraceptives Female patients of childbearing age should be warned that the concurrent use of rufinamide with hormonal contraceptives may render this method of contraception less effective. Additional non-hormonal forms of contraception are recommended when using rufinamide [see Use in Specific Populations (8.3) , Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) and Patient Counseling Information (17) ].

8.1 Pregnancy Pregnancy Exposure Registry: There is a pregnancy exposure registry that monitors pregnancy outcomes in women exposed to AEDs, such as rufinamide, during pregnancy. Encourage women who are taking rufinamide during pregnancy to enroll in the North American Antiepileptic Drug (NAAED) Pregnancy Registry by calling 1-888-233-2334 or visiting http://www.aedpregnancyregistry.org . Risk Summary: There are no adequate data on the developmental risks associated with use of rufinamide in pregnant women. In animal reproduction studies, oral administration of rufinamide resulted in developmental toxicity in pregnant rats and rabbits at clinically relevant doses [see Data] . 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. The background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. Data: Animal data: Oral administration of rufinamide (0, 20, 100, or 300 mg/kg/day) to pregnant rats throughout organogenesis resulted in decreased fetal weight and increased incidence of fetal skeletal abnormalities at 100 and 300 mg/kg/day, which were associated with maternal toxicity. The maternal plasma exposure (AUC) at the no-adverse effect dose (20 mg/kg/day) for developmental toxicity was less than that in humans at the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD) of 3200 mg/day. Oral administration of rufinamide (0, 30, 200, or 1000 mg/kg/day) to pregnant rabbits throughout organogenesis resulted in embryofetal death, decreased fetal body weight, and increased incidence of fetal visceral and skeletal abnormalities at doses of 200 and 1000 mg/kg/day. The high dose (1000 mg/kg/day) was associated with abortion. Plasma exposure (AUC) at the no-adverse effect dose (30 mg/kg/day) was less than that in humans at the MRHD. When rufinamide was orally administered (0, 5, 30, or 150 mg/kg/day) to pregnant rats throughout pregnancy and lactation, decreased offspring growth and survival were observed at all doses tested. A no-effect dose for adverse effects on pre- and postnatal development was not established. At the lowest dose tested (5 mg/kg/day), plasma exposure (AUC) was less than that in humans at the MRHD.

6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following serious adverse reactions are described below and elsewhere in the labeling: Suicidal Behavior and Ideation [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] Central Nervous System Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] QT Shortening [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] Multi-Organ Hypersensitivity/ Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS) [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] Leukopenia [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7) ] Most common adverse reactions (≥10% and greater than placebo) were headache, dizziness, fatigue, somnolence, and nausea (6.1) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Hikma Pharmaceuticals USA Inc. at 1-800-962-8364 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. Adverse Reactions in Adult and Pediatric Patients Ages 3 to 17 Years of Age: In the pooled, double-blind, adjunctive therapy studies in adult and pediatric patients ages 3 to 17 years of age, the most common (≥10%) adverse reactions in rufinamide-treated patients, in all doses studied (200 to 3200 mg per day) with a higher frequency than in patients on placebo were: headache, dizziness, fatigue, somnolence, and nausea. Table 2 lists adverse reactions that occurred in at least 3% of pediatric patients (ages 3 to less than 17 years) with epilepsy treated with rufinamide in controlled adjunctive studies and were numerically more common in patients treated with rufinamide than in patients on placebo. At the target dose of 45 mg/kg per day for adjunctive therapy in pediatric patients (ages 3 to less than 17 years), the most common (≥3%) adverse reactions with an incidence greater than in placebo for rufinamide were somnolence, vomiting, and headache. Table 2: Adverse Reactions in Pediatric Patients (Ages 3 to less than 17 years) in Pooled Double-Blind Adjunctive Trials Adverse Reaction Rufinamide (N=187) % Placebo (N=182) % Somnolence 17 9 Vomiting 17 7 Headache 16 8 Fatigue 9 8 Dizziness 8 6 Nausea 7 3 Influenza 5 4 Nasopharyngitis 5 3 Decreased Appetite 5 2 Rash 4 2 Ataxia 4 1 Diplopia 4 1 Bronchitis 3 2 Sinusitis 3 2 Psychomotor Hyperactivity 3 1 Upper Abdominal Pain 3 2 Aggression 3 2 Ear Infection 3 1 Disturbance in Attention 3 1 Pruritis 3 0 Table 3 lists adverse reactions that occurred in at least 3% of adult patients with epilepsy treated with rufinamide (up to 3200 mg per day) in adjunctive controlled studies and were numerically more common in patients treated with rufinamide than in patients on placebo. In these studies, either rufinamide or placebo was added to the current AED therapy. At all doses studied of up to 3200 mg per day given as adjunctive therapy in adults, the most common (≥3%) adverse reactions, and with the greatest increase in incidence compared to placebo, for rufinamide were dizziness, fatigue, nausea, diplopia, vision blurred, and ataxia. Table 3: Adverse Reactions in Adults in Pooled Double-Blind Adjunctive Trials Adverse Reaction Rufinamide (N=823) % Placebo (N=376) % Headache 27 26 Dizziness 19 12 Fatigue 16 10 Nausea 12 9 Somnolence 11 9 Diplopia 9 3 Tremor 6 5 Nystagmus 6 5 Blurred Vision 6 2 Vomiting 5 4 Ataxia 4 0 Upper Abdominal Pain 3 2 Anxiety 3 2 Constipation 3 2 Dyspepsia 3 2 Back Pain 3 1 Gait Disturbance 3 1 Vertigo 3 1 Discontinuation in Controlled Clinical Studies: In controlled, double-blind, adjunctive clinical studies, 9% of pediatric and adult patients receiving rufinamide as adjunctive therapy and 4% receiving placebo discontinued as a result of an adverse reaction. The adverse reactions most commonly leading to discontinuation of rufinamide (>1%) used as adjunctive therapy were generally similar in adults and pediatric patients. In pediatric patients …