ZOLADEX
RxNorm 211544· GOSERELIN· SUBCUTANEOUS
TerSera Therapeutics LLC
Indications and usage
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE ZOLADEX is a Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone (GnRH) agonist indicated for: Use in combination with flutamide for the management of locally confined carcinoma of the prostate ( 1.1 ) Use as palliative treatment of advanced carcinoma of the prostate ( 1.2 ) 1.1 Stage B2-C Prostatic Carcinoma ZOLADEX is indicated for use in combination with flutamide for the management of locally confined Stage T2b-T4 (Stage B2-C) carcinoma of the prostate. Treatment with ZOLADEX and flutamide should start 8 weeks prior to initiating radiation therapy and continue during radiation therapy [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.1 ) and Clinical Studies ( 14.1 )]. 1.2 Prostatic Carcinoma ZOLADEX is indicated in the palliative treatment of advanced carcinoma of the prostate [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.2 ) and Clinical Studies ( 14.2 )]. In controlled studies of patients with advanced prostatic cancer comparing ZOLADEX 3.6 mg to orchiectomy, the long-term endocrine responses and objective responses were similar between the two treatment arms. Additionally, duration of survival was similar between the two treatment arms in a major comparative trial. In controlled studies of patients with advanced prostatic cancer, ZOLADEX 10.8 mg implant produced pharmacodynamically similar effect in terms of suppression of serum testosterone to that achieved with ZOLADEX 3.6 mg implant. Clinical outcome similar to that produced with the use of the ZOLADEX 3.6 mg implant administered every 28 days is predicted with the ZOLADEX 10.8 mg implant administered every 12 weeks. The automatic safety feature of the syringe aids in the prevention of needlestick injury.
Dosage and administration
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION ZOLADEX, at a dose of 10.8 mg, should be administered subcutaneously every 12 weeks into the anterior abdominal wall below the navel line using an aseptic technique under the supervision of a physician [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.5 )]. While a delay of a few days is permissible, every effort should be made to adhere to the 12-week schedule. ZOLADEX, at a dose of 10.8 mg, should be administered subcutaneously every 12 weeks into the anterior abdominal wall below the navel line ( 2.1 , 2.5 ) 2.1 Stage B2-C Prostatic Carcinoma When ZOLADEX is given in combination with radiotherapy and flutamide for patients with Stage T2b-T4 (Stage B2-C) prostatic carcinoma, treatment should be started 8 weeks prior to initiating radiotherapy and should continue during radiation therapy. A treatment regimen using one ZOLADEX 3.6 mg depot, followed in 28 days by one ZOLADEX 10.8 mg depot, should be administered. 2.2 Prostatic Carcinoma For the management of advanced prostate cancer, ZOLADEX is intended for long-term administration unless clinically inappropriate. 2.3 Renal or Hepatic Impairment No dosage adjustment is necessary for patients with renal or hepatic impairment. 2.4 Women ZOLADEX 10.8 mg implant is not indicated in women as the data are insufficient to support reliable suppression of serum estradiol. For female patients requiring treatment with goserelin, refer to prescribing information for ZOLADEX 3.6 mg implant. 2.5 Administration Technique The proper method of administration of ZOLADEX is described in the instructions that follow. Put the patient in a comfortable position with the upper part of the body slightly raised. Prepare an area of the anterior abdominal wall below the navel line with an alcohol swab. NOTE: Caution should be taken while injecting ZOLADEX into the anterior abdominal wall due to the proximity of underlying inferior epigastric artery and its branches. Examine the foil pouch and syringe for damage. Remove the syringe from the opened foil pouch and hold the syringe at a slight angle to the light. Check that at least part of the ZOLADEX implant is visible. NOTE: Do not remove the syringe by the plunger. Grasp the blue plastic safety tab and pull away from the syringe, and discard. Remove needle cover. Unlike liquid injections, there is no need to remove air bubbles as attempts to do so may displace the ZOLADEX implant. Holding the syringe around the protective sleeve, using an aseptic technique, pinch the skin of the patient's anterior abdominal wall below the navel line. With the bevel of the needle facing up, insert the needle at a 30 to 45 degree angle to the skin in one continuous deliberate motion until the protective sleeve touches the patient's skin. NOTE: The ZOLADEX syringe cannot be used for aspiration. If the hypodermic needle penetrates a large vessel, blood will be seen instantly in the syringe chamber. If a vessel is penetrated, withdraw the needle and inject with a new syringe elsewhere. Monitor patients for signs or symptoms of abdominal hemorrhage. Use extra care when administering ZOLADEX to patients with a low BMI and/or to patients receiving full dose anticoagulation [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.7 )]. Do not penetrate into muscle or peritoneum. To administer the ZOLADEX implant and to activate the protective sleeve, grasp the barrel at the finger grip and depress the plunger until you cannot depress it any further. If the plunger is not depressed fully , the protective sleeve will NOT activate. When the protective sleeve ‘clicks’, the protective sleeve will automatically begin to slide to cover the needle. NOTE : The needle does not retract. Withdraw the needle and allow protective sleeve to slide and cover needle. Dispose of the syringe in an approved sharps collector. NOTE: In the unlikely event of the need to surgically remove ZOLADEX, it may be localized by ultrasound.
Warnings
5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Tumor Flare Phenomenon: Transient worsening of tumor symptoms may occur during the first few weeks of treatment with ZOLADEX, which may include ureteral obstruction and spinal cord compression. Monitor patients at risk for complications of tumor flare ( 5.1 , 6.1 ) Hypersensitivity: Systemic hypersensitivity has been reported in patients receiving goserelin implants ( 4.1 , 5.2 ) Hyperglycemia and Diabetes: Hyperglycemia and an increased risk of developing diabetes have been reported in men receiving GnRH analogs. Monitor blood glucose level and manage according to current clinical practice ( 5.3 ) Cardiovascular Diseases: Increased risk of myocardial infarction, sudden cardiac death and stroke has been reported in association with use of GnRH analogs in men. Monitor for cardiovascular disease and manage according to current clinical practice ( 5.4 ) Severe Cutaneous Adverse Reactions: ZOLADEX can cause severe cutaneous adverse reactions (SCARs), including Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis. Interrupt ZOLADEX if signs or symptoms of SCARs develop. Permanently discontinue ZOLADEX if SCARs are confirmed. ( 5.5 ) Effect on QT/QTc Interval: Androgen deprivation therapy may prolong the QT interval. Consider risks and benefits ( 5.6 ) Injection Site Injury: Injection site injury and vascular injury have been reported during administration ( 5.7 ) 5.1 Tumor Flare Phenomenon Initially, ZOLADEX, like other GnRH agonists, causes transient increases in serum levels of testosterone. Transient worsening of symptoms, or the occurrence of additional signs and symptoms of prostatic cancer, may occasionally develop during the first few weeks of ZOLADEX treatment. A small number of patients may experience a temporary increase in bone pain, which can be managed symptomatically. As with other GnRH agonists, isolated cases of ureteral obstruction and spinal cord compression have been observed. If spinal cord compression or renal impairment secondary to ureteral obstruction develops, standard treatment of these complications should be instituted, and in extreme cases an immediate orchiectomy [see Adverse Reactions ( 6.1 ) and Patient Counseling Information ( 17.2 )]. 5.2 Hypersensitivity Hypersensitivity, antibody formation and acute anaphylactic reactions have been reported with GnRH agonist analogues [see Contraindications ( 4.1 )] . Of 115 women worldwide treated with ZOLADEX and tested for development of binding to goserelin following treatment with ZOLADEX, one patient showed low-titer binding to goserelin. On further testing of this patient's plasma obtained following treatment, her goserelin binding component was found not to be precipitated with rabbit antihuman immunoglobulin polyvalent sera. These findings suggest the possibility of antibody formation. 5.3 Hyperglycemia and Diabetes Hyperglycemia and an increased risk of developing diabetes have been reported in men receiving GnRH agonists. Hyperglycemia may represent development of diabetes mellitus or worsening of glycemic control in patients with diabetes. Monitor blood glucose and/or glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) periodically in patients receiving a GnRH agonist and manage with current practice for treatment of hyperglycemia or diabetes [see Patient Counseling Information ( 17.2 )]. 5.4 Cardiovascular Diseases Increased risk of developing myocardial infarction, sudden cardiac death and stroke has been reported in association with use of GnRH agonists in men. The risk appears low based on the reported odds ratios, and should be evaluated carefully along with cardiovascular risk factors when determining a treatment for patients with prostate cancer. Patients receiving a GnRH agonist should be monitored for symptoms and signs suggestive of development of cardiovascular disease and be managed according to current clinical practice [see Patient Counseling Information ( 17.2 )]. 5.5 Severe Cutaneous Adverse Reactions ZOLADEX can cause severe cut…
Contraindications
4 CONTRAINDICATIONS Hypersensitivity ( 4.1 ) Pregnancy ( 4.2 , 8.1 ) 4.1 Hypersensitivity Anaphylactic reactions to ZOLADEX have been reported in the medical literature. ZOLADEX is contraindicated in those patients who have a known hypersensitivity to GnRH, GnRH agonist analogues or any of the components in ZOLADEX [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )]. 4.2 Pregnancy Expected hormonal changes that occur with ZOLADEX treatment increase the risk for pregnancy loss. ZOLADEX may cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. If this drug is used during pregnancy, or if the patient becomes pregnant while taking this drug, the patient should be apprised of the potential hazard to the fetus [see Use in Specific Populations ( 8.1 )].
Drug interactions
7 DRUG INTERACTIONS No formal drug-drug interaction studies have been performed. No drug interaction studies with other drugs have been conducted with ZOLADEX. No confirmed interactions have been reported between ZOLADEX and other drugs. None 7.1 Drug/Laboratory Test Interactions Administration of ZOLADEX in therapeutic doses results in suppression of the pituitary-gonadal system. Because of this suppression, diagnostic tests of pituitary-gonadotropic and gonadal functions conducted during treatment may show results which are misleading.
Pregnancy
8.1 Pregnancy Based on mechanism of action in humans and findings of increased pregnancy loss in animal studies, ZOLADEX may cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Expected hormone changes that occur with ZOLADEX treatment increase the risk for pregnancy loss. If this drug is used during pregnancy, or if the patient becomes pregnant while taking this drug, the patient should be apprised of the potential hazard to the fetus [see Contraindications ( 4.2 )]. ZOLADEX crosses the placenta in rats and rabbits following subcutaneous administration. Administration of goserelin to pregnant rats and rabbits during organogenesis resulted in increased preimplantation loss and increased resorptions. When pregnant rats received goserelin throughout gestation and lactation, there was a dose-related increase in umbilical hernia in offspring. In additional reproduction studies in rats, goserelin decreased fetus and pup survival. Human dose/exposure multiples could not be calculated from available animal data. Actual animal doses: rat (≥ 2 mcg/kg/day for pregnancy loss; ≥ 10 mcg/kg/day for umbilical hernia in offspring); rabbits (> 20 mcg/kg/day).
Nursing mothers
8.3 Nursing Mothers It is not known if goserelin is excreted in human milk. Goserelin is excreted in the milk of lactating rats. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk, and because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants from ZOLADEX, a decision should be made to either discontinue nursing or discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother.
Adverse events
Most frequently reported events (FDA FAERS). Report frequency does not imply causation.
- death1,579
- malignant neoplasm progression1,314
- fatigue862
- metastases to bone686
- neutropenia637
- nausea571
- hot flush514
- asthenia503
- diarrhoea476
- pain471
- off label use460
- dyspnoea439
- metastases to liver434
- arthralgia424
- headache395
- anaemia378
Adverse reactions (label)
6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The most common, clinically significant adverse reactions occurring in >10% of men: hot flashes, sexual dysfunction, decreased erections and lower urinary tract symptoms ( 6 ) Tumor flare can occur on the initiation of ZOLADEX therapy ( 5.1 , 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact TerSera Therapeutics at 1-844-334-4035 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trials ZOLADEX has been found to be generally well tolerated in clinical trials. Adverse reactions reported in these trials were rarely severe enough to result in the patients' withdrawal from ZOLADEX treatment. As seen with other hormonal therapies, the most commonly observed adverse events during ZOLADEX therapy were due to the expected physiological effects from decreased testosterone levels. These included hot flashes, sexual dysfunction and decreased erections. Tumor Flare Phenomenon: Initially, ZOLADEX, like other GnRH agonists, causes transient increases in serum levels of testosterone. A small percentage of patients experienced a temporary worsening of signs and symptoms, usually manifested by an increase in cancer-related pain which was managed symptomatically. Isolated cases of exacerbation of disease symptoms, either ureteral obstruction or spinal cord compression, occurred at similar rates in controlled clinical trials with both ZOLADEX and orchiectomy. The relationship of these events to therapy is uncertain [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 ) and Patient Counseling Information ( 17.2 )]. 6.2 Stage B2-C Prostatic Carcinoma Treatment with ZOLADEX and flutamide did not add substantially to the toxicity of radiation treatment alone. The following adverse experiences were reported during a multicenter clinical trial comparing ZOLADEX + flutamide + radiation versus radiation alone. The most frequently reported (greater than 5%) adverse experiences are listed below: Table 1 ADVERSE EVENTS DURING ACUTE RADIATION THERAPY (within first 90 days of radiation therapy) (n=231) flutamide + ZOLADEX + Radiation % All (n=235) Radiation Only % All Rectum/Large Bowel 80 76 Bladder 58 60 Skin 37 37 Table 2 ADVERSE EVENTS DURING LATE RADIATION PHASE (after 90 days of radiation therapy) (n=231) flutamide + ZOLADEX + Radiation % All (n=235) Radiation Only % All Diarrhea 36 40 Cystitis 16 16 Rectal Bleeding 14 20 Proctitis 8 8 Hematuria 7 12 Additional adverse event data was collected for the combination therapy with radiation group over both the hormonal treatment and hormonal treatment plus radiation phases of the study. Adverse experiences occurring in more than 5% of patients in this group, over both parts of the study, were hot flashes (46%), diarrhea (40%), nausea (9%), and skin rash (8%). 6.3 Prostatic Carcinoma Two controlled clinical trials using ZOLADEX 10.8 mg versus ZOLADEX 3.6 mg were conducted. During a comparative phase, patients were randomized to receive either a single 10.8 mg implant or three consecutive 3.6 mg implants every 4 weeks over weeks 0-12. During this phase, the only adverse event reported in greater than 5% of patients was hot flashes, with an incidence of 47% in the ZOLADEX 10.8 mg group and 48% in the ZOLADEX 3.6 mg group. From weeks 12-48 all patients were treated with a 10.8 mg implant every 12 weeks. During this noncomparative phase, the following adverse events were reported in greater than 5% of patients: Table 3 ADVERSE EVENTS WERE REPORTED IN GREATER THAN 5% OF PATIENTS ADVERSE EVENTS ZOLADEX 10.8 mg (n=157) % Hot Flashes 64 Pain (general) 14 Gynecomastia 8 Pelvic Pain 6 Bone Pain 6 Asthenia 5 The following adverse events were reported in greater than 1%, but less than 5% of patients treated with ZOLADEX 10.8 mg implant every 12 weeks. Some of these are commonly reported in elderly patients. WHOLE BODY – Abdominal pain, Back pain, Flu syndrome, Headache, Sepsis, Aggravation reaction CARDIOVASCULAR – Angina pectoris, Cerebral ischemia, Cerebrovascular accident, Heart failure, Pulmonary e…
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