Ondansetron

1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE Ondansetron Injection is a 5-HT 3 receptor antagonist indicated for the prevention of: • nausea and vomiting associated with initial and repeat courses of emetogenic cancer chemotherapy. ( 1.1 ) • postoperative nausea and/or vomiting. ( 1.2 ) 1.1 Prevention of Nausea and Vomiting Associated With Initial and Repeat Courses of Emetogenic Cancer Chemotherapy Ondansetron Injection is indicated for the prevention of nausea and vomiting associated with initial and repeat courses of emetogenic cancer chemotherapy, including high-dose cisplatin. Ondansetron Injection is approved for patients aged 6 months and older. 1.2 Prevention of Postoperative Nausea and/or Vomiting Ondansetron Injection is indicated for the prevention of postoperative nausea and/or vomiting. As with other antiemetics, routine prophylaxis is not recommended for patients in whom there is little expectation that nausea and/or vomiting will occur postoperatively. In patients in whom nausea and/or vomiting must be avoided postoperatively, Ondansetron Injection is recommended even when the incidence of postoperative nausea and/or vomiting is low. For patients who do not receive prophylactic Ondansetron Injection and experience nausea and/or vomiting postoperatively, Ondansetron Injection may be given to prevent further episodes. Ondansetron Injection is approved for patients aged 1 month and older.

2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Prevention of Nausea and Vomiting Associated With Initial and Repeat Courses of Emetogenic Cancer Chemotherapy ( 2.1 ) : • Dilution of Ondansetron Injection in 50 mL of 5% Dextrose Injection or 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection is required before administration to adult and pediatric patients. • Adults and pediatric patients 6 months of age and older: The recommended dosage is 0.15 mg/kg per dose for 3 doses (maximum of 16 mg per dose), infused intravenously over 15 minutes. • Administer the first dose 30 minutes before the start of chemotherapy and subsequent doses 4 and 8 hours after the first dose. Prevention of Postoperative Nausea and/or Vomiting ( 2.2 ) : • Dilution of Ondansetron Injection is not required before administration to adult and pediatric patients. • See full prescribing information for the recommended dosage and administration instructions for adult and pediatric patients 1 month of age and older. Patients With Severe Hepatic Impairment ( 2.3 ) : • Do not exceed a total daily dose of 8 mg. 2.1 Prevention of Nausea and Vomiting Associated With Initial and Repeat Courses of Emetogenic Chemotherapy Important Preparation Instructions • Dilution of Ondansetron Injection in 50 mL of 5% Dextrose Injection or 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection is required before administration to adult and pediatric patients for the prevention of nausea and vomiting associated with emetogenic chemotherapy. For pediatric patients between 6 months and 1 year of age and/or 10 kg or less : Depending on the fluid needs of the patient, Ondansetron Injection may be diluted in 10 to 50 mL of 5% Dextrose Injection or 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection. • Occasionally, ondansetron precipitates at the stopper/vial interface in vials stored upright. Potency and safety are not affected. If a precipitate is observed, resolubilize by shaking the vial vigorously. • Do not mix Ondansetron Injection with solutions for which physical and chemical compatibility has not been established. In particular, this applies to alkaline solutions as a precipitate may form. • Inspect the diluted Ondansetron Injection solution for particulate matter and discoloration before administration; discard if present. • Storage: After dilution, do not use beyond 24 hours. Although Ondansetron Injection is chemically and physically stable when diluted as recommended, sterile precautions should be observed because diluents generally do not contain preservative. • Compatibility : Ondansetron Injection is compatible and stable at room temperature under normal lighting conditions for 48 hours after dilution with the following intravenous fluids: 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, 5% Dextrose Injection, 5% Dextrose and 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, 5% Dextrose and 0.45% Sodium Chloride Injection, and 3% Sodium Chloride Injection. Dosage and Administration The recommended dosage for adult and pediatric patients 6 months of age and older for prevention of nausea and vomiting associated with emetogenic chemotherapy is 0.15-mg/kg per dose for 3 doses (maximum of 16 mg per dose). C aution: Dilution of Ondansetron I njection is required in adult and pediatric patients prior to administration. Infuse intravenously over 15 minutes beginning 30 minutes before the start of emetogenic chemotherapy and then repeat 4 and 8 hours after the first dose. 2.2 Prevention of Postoperative Nausea and/or Vomiting Important Preparation Instructions • Dilution of Ondansetron Injection is not required before administration to adult and pediatric patients. • Inspect Ondansetron Injection visually for particulate matter and discoloration before administration; discard if present. Dosage and Administration The recommended dose and administration instructions for adult and pediatric patients 1 month of age and older for prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting are shown in Table 1. T able 1. Recommended Dose and Administration of Ondansetron Injection for Prevention of P ostoperative N…

5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS H y pe r sensitivity Reactions: Hypersensitivity reactions including anaphylaxis and bronchospasm have been reported in patients who have exhibited hypersensitivity to other selective 5-HT 3 receptor antagonists. ( 5.1 ) Q T Prolongation and Torsade de Pointes: QT prolongation occurs in a dose-dependent manner. Cases of Torsade de Pointes have been reported. Avoid Ondansetron Injection in patients with congenital long QT syndrome. ( 5.2 ) S e ro t o ni n Syndrome: Serotonin syndrome has been reported with 5-HT 3 receptor antagonists alone but particularly with concomitant use of serotonergic drugs. ( 5.3 ) Myocardial Ischemia: Do not exceed the recommended infusion rate and monitor patients during and after administration. ( 2.1 , 2.2 , 5.4 ) Masking of Progressive Ileus and/or Gastric Distention Following Abdominal Surgery or Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Monitor for decreased bowel activity, particularly in patients with risk factors for gastrointestinal obstruction. ( 5.5 ) 5.1 Hypersensitivity Reactions Hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis and bronchospasm, have been reported in patients who have exhibited hypersensitivity to other selective 5-HT 3 receptor antagonists. 5.2 QT Prolongation Ondansetron prolongs the QT interval in a dose-dependent manner [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.2) ] . In addition, postmarketing cases of Torsade de Pointes have been reported in patients using ondansetron. Avoid Ondansetron Injection in patients with congenital long QT syndrome. Electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring is recommended in patients with electrolyte abnormalities (e.g., hypokalemia or hypomagnesemia), congestive heart failure, bradyarrhythmias, or patients taking other medicinal products that lead to QT prolongation. 5.3 Serotonin Syndrome The development of serotonin syndrome has been reported with 5-HT 3 receptor antagonists. Most reports have been associated with concomitant use of serotonergic drugs (e.g., selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), monoamine oxidase inhibitors, mirtazapine, fentanyl, lithium, tramadol, and intravenous methylene blue). Some of the reported cases were fatal. Serotonin syndrome occurring with overdose of Ondansetron Injection alone has also been reported. The majority of reports of serotonin syndrome related to 5-HT 3 receptor antagonist use occurred in a post-anesthesia care unit or an infusion center. Symptoms associated with serotonin syndrome may include the following combination of signs and symptoms: mental status changes (e.g., agitation, hallucinations, delirium, and coma), autonomic instability (e.g., tachycardia, labile blood pressure, dizziness, diaphoresis, flushing, hyperthermia), neuromuscular symptoms (e.g., tremor, rigidity, myoclonus, hyperreflexia, incoordination), seizures, with or without gastrointestinal symptoms (e.g., nausea, vomiting, diarrhea). Patients should be monitored for the emergence of serotonin syndrome, especially with concomitant use of Ondansetron Injection and other serotonergic drugs. If symptoms of serotonin syndrome occur, discontinue Ondansetron Injection and initiate supportive treatment. Patients should be informed of the increased risk of serotonin syndrome, especially if Ondansetron Injection is used concomitantly with other serotonergic drugs [see Drug Interactions (7.5 ), Overdosage (10) ] . 5.4 Myocardial Ischemia Myocardial ischemia has been reported in patients treated with ondansetron. In some cases, predominantly during intravenous administration, the symptoms appeared immediately after administration but resolved with prompt treatment. Coronary artery spasm appears to be the most common underlying cause. Therefore, do not exceed the recommended infusion rate of Ondansetron Injection and monitor patients for signs and symptoms of myocardial ischemia during and after administration [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.1 , 2.2 ) and …

4 CONTRAINDICATIONS Ondansetron Injection is contraindicated for patients known to have hypersensitivity (e.g., anaphylaxis) to this product or any of its components. Anaphylactic reactions have been reported in patients taking ondansetron [see Adverse Reactions (6.2) ]. The concomitant use of apomorphine with ondansetron is contraindicated based on reports of profound hypotension and loss of consciousness when apomorphine was administered with ondansetron. Patients known to have hypersensitivity (e.g., anaphylaxis) to this product or any of its components. ( 4 ) Concomitant use of apomorphine. ( 4 , 7.2 )

7 DRUG INTERACTIONS 7.1 Drugs Affecting Cytochrome P-450 Enzymes Ondansetron does not appear to induce or inhibit the cytochrome P-450 drug-metabolizing enzyme system of the liver. Because ondansetron is metabolized by hepatic cytochrome P-450 drug-metabolizing enzymes (CYP3A4, CYP2D6, CYP1A2), inducers or inhibitors of these enzymes may change the clearance and, hence, the half-life of ondansetron [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . On the basis of limited available data, no dosage adjustment is recommended for patients on these drugs. 7.2 Apomorphine Based on reports of profound hypotension and loss of consciousness when apomorphine was administered with ondansetron, the concomitant use of apomorphine with ondansetron is contraindicated [see Contraindications (4) ]. 7.3 Phenytoin, Carbamazepine, and Rifampin In patients treated with potent inducers of CYP3A4 (i.e., phenytoin, carbamazepine, and rifampin), the clearance of ondansetron was significantly increased and ondansetron blood concentrations were decreased. However, on the basis of available data, no dosage adjustment for ondansetron is recommended for patients on these drugs [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . 7.4 Tramadol Although there are no data on pharmacokinetic drug interactions between ondansetron and tramadol, data from two small trials indicate that concomitant use of ondansetron may result in reduced analgesic activity of tramadol. Patients on concomitant ondansetron self-administered tramadol more frequently in these trials, leading to an increased cumulative dose in patient-controlled administration of tramadol. 7.5 Serotonergic Drugs Serotonin syndrome (including altered mental status, autonomic instability, and neuromuscular symptoms) has been described following the concomitant use of 5-HT 3 receptor antagonists and other serotonergic drugs, including SSRIs and SNRIs [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] . 7.6 Chemotherapy In humans, carmustine, etoposide, and cisplatin do not affect the pharmacokinetics of ondansetron. In a crossover trial in 76 pediatric patients, intravenous ondansetron did not increase blood levels of high-dose methotrexate. 7.7 Temazepam The coadministration of ondansetron had no effect on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of temazepam. 7.8 Alfentanil and Atracurium Ondansetron does not alter the respiratory depressant effects produced by alfentanil or the degree of neuromuscular blockade produced by atracurium. Interactions with general or local anesthetics have not been studied. 7.5 Serotonergic Drugs Serotonin syndrome (including altered mental status, autonomic instability, and neuromuscular symptoms) has been described following the concomitant use of 5-HT 3 receptor antagonists and other serotonergic drugs, including SSRIs and SNRIs [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] .

8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary Published epidemiological studies on the association between ondansetron use and major birth defects have reported inconsistent findings and have important methodological limitations that preclude conclusions about the safety of ondansetron use in pregnancy [see Data ] . Available postmarketing data have not identified a drug-associated risk of miscarriage or adverse maternal outcomes. Reproductive studies in rats and rabbits did not show evidence of harm to the fetus when ondansetron was administered intravenously during organogenesis at approximately 3.6 and 2.9 times the maximum recommended human intravenous dose of 0.15 mg/kg given three times a day, based on body surface area (BSA), respectively [see Data ] . The background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, miscarriages, or other adverse outcomes. In the US general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriages in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2% to 4% and 15% to 20%, respectively. Data Human Data Available data on ondansetron use in pregnant women from several published epidemiological studies preclude an assessment of a drug-associated risk of adverse fetal outcomes due to important methodological limitations, including the uncertainty of whether women who filled a prescription actually took the medication, the concomitant use of other medications or treatments, recall bias, and other unadjusted confounders. Ondansetron exposure in utero has not been associated with overall major congenital malformations in aggregate analyses. One large retrospective cohort study examined 1970 women who received a prescription for ondansetron during pregnancy and reported no association between ondansetron exposure and major congenital malformations, miscarriage, stillbirth, preterm delivery, infants of low birth weight, or infants small for gestational age. Two large retrospective cohort studies and one case-control study have assessed ondansetron exposure in the first trimester and risk of cardiovascular defects with inconsistent findings. Relative risks (RR) ranged from 0.97 (95% CI 0.86 to 1.10) to 1.62 (95% CI 1.04, 2.54). A subset analysis in one of the cohort studies observed that ondansetron was specifically associated with cardiac septal defects (RR 2.05, 95% CI 1.19, 3.28); however this association was not confirmed in other studies. Several studies have assessed ondansetron and the risk of oral clefts with inconsistent findings. A retrospective cohort study of 1.8 million pregnancies in the US Medicaid Database showed an increased risk of oral clefts among 88,467 pregnancies in which oral ondansetron was prescribed in the first trimester (RR 1.24, 95% CI 1.03, 1.48), but no such association was reported with intravenous ondansetron in 23,866 pregnancies (RR 0.95, 95% CI 0.63, 1.43). In the subgroup of women who received both forms of administration, the RR was 1.07 (95% CI 0.59, 1.93). Two case-control studies, using data from birth defects surveillance programs, reported conflicting associations between maternal use of ondansetron and isolated cleft palate (OR 1.6 [95% CI 1.1, 2.3] and 0.5 [95% CI 0.3, 1.0]). It is unknown whether ondansetron exposure in utero in the cases of cleft palate occurred during the time of palate formation (the palate is formed between the 6th and 9th weeks of pregnancy). Animal Data In embryo-fetal development studies in rats and rabbits, pregnant animals received intravenous doses of ondansetron up to 10 mg/kg/day and 4 mg/kg/day, respectively, during the period of organogenesis. With the exception of short periods of maternal weight loss and a slight increase in the incidence of early uterine deaths at the high dose level in rabbits, there were no significant effects of ondansetron on the maternal animals or the development of the offspring. At doses of 10 mg/kg/day in rat…

6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following clinically significant adverse reactions are described elsewhere in the labeling: Hypersensitivity Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] QT Prolongation [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] Serotonin Syndrome [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )] Myocardial Ischemia [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 )] Masking of Progressive Ileus and Gastric Distention [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5 )] Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: The most common adverse reactions (≥ 7%) in adults are diarrhea, headache, and fever. ( 6.1 ) Postoperative Nausea and/or Vomiting: The most common adverse reaction (≥ 10%) which occurs at a higher frequency compared with placebo in adults is headache. ( 6.1 ) The most common adverse reaction (≥ 2 %) which occurs at a higher frequency compared with placebo in pediatric patients aged 1 to 24 months is diarrhea. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Hikma Pharmaceuticals USA Inc. at 1-877-845-0689 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 with rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in clinical practice. The following adverse reactions have been reported in clinical trials of adult patients treated with ondansetron, the active ingredient of intravenous Ondansetron Injection across a range of dosages. A causal relationship to therapy with Ondansetron Injection (ondansetron) was unclear in many cases. Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting T able 2. Adverse Reactions Reported in >5% of Adult Patients Who Received Ondansetron at a Dosage of Three 0.15-mg/kg Doses Adverse Reaction Number of Adult Patients With Reaction Ondansetron Injection 0.15 mg/kg x 3 (n = 419) Met oclopramide ( n = 156) P lacebo ( n = 34) Diarrhea 16% 44% 18% Headache 17% 7% 15% Fever 8% 5% 3% Cardiovascular: Rare cases of angina (chest pain), electrocardiographic alterations, hypotension, and tachycardia have been reported. Gastrointestinal: Constipation has been reported in 11% of chemotherapy patients receiving multiday ondansetron. Hepatic: In comparative trials in cisplatin chemotherapy patients with normal baseline values of aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT), these enzymes have been reported to exceed twice the upper limit of normal in approximately 5% of patients. The increases were transient and did not appear to be related to dose or duration of therapy. On repeat exposure, similar transient elevations in transaminase values occurred in some courses, but symptomatic hepatic disease did not occur. Integumentary: Rash has occurred in approximately 1% of patients receiving ondansetron. Neurological: There have been rare reports consistent with, but not diagnostic of, extrapyramidal reactions in patients receiving Ondansetron Injection, and rare cases of grand mal seizure. Other: Rare cases of hypokalemia have been reported. Po stoperative Nausea and/or Vomiting The adverse reactions in Table 3 have been reported in ≥2% of adults receiving ondansetron at a dosage of 4 mg intravenous over 2 to 5 minutes in clinical trials. T able 3. Adverse Reactions Reported in ≥ 2 % (and with Greater Frequency than the P lacebo Group) of Adult Patients Receiving Ondansetron at a Dosage of 4 mg Intravenous Over 2 to 5 Minutes Adverse Reaction a,b Ondansetron Injection 4 mg Intravenous (n = 547) Placebo (n = 547) Headache 92 (17%) 77 (14%) Drowsiness/Sedation 44 (8%) 37 (7%) Injection-site reaction 21 (4%) 18 (3%) Fever 10 (2%) 6 (1%) Cold sensation 9 (2%) 8 (1%) Pruritus 9 (2%) 3 (<1%) Paresthesia 9 (2%) 2 (<1%) a Adverse reactions: Rates of these reactions were not significantly different in the ondansetron and placebo groups. b Patients were receiving multiple concomitant perioperative and postoperative me…