SOLIRIS
RxNorm 700384· ECULIZUMAB· INTRAVENOUS
Complement Inhibitor [EPC] · Alexion Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Boxed Warning
WARNING: SERIOUS MENINGOCOCCAL INFECTIONS SOLIRIS, a complement inhibitor, increases the risk of serious infections caused by Neisseria meningitidis [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] . Life-threatening and fatal meningococcal infections have occurred in patients treated with complement inhibitors. These infections may become rapidly life-threatening or fatal if not recognized and treated early. Complete or update vaccination for meningococcal bacteria (for serogroups A, C, W, Y, and B) at least 2 weeks prior to the first dose of SOLIRIS, unless the risks of delaying therapy with SOLIRIS outweigh the risk of developing a serious infection. Comply with the most current Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendations for vaccinations against meningococcal bacteria in patients receiving a complement inhibitor. See Warnings and Precautions (5.1) for additional guidance on the management of the risk of serious infections caused by meningococcal bacteria. Patients receiving SOLIRIS are at increased risk for invasive disease caused by Neisseria meningitidis , even if they develop antibodies following vaccination. Monitor patients for early signs and symptoms of serious meningococcal infections and evaluate immediately if infection is suspected. Because of the risk of serious meningococcal infections, SOLIRIS is available only through a restricted program under a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) called ULTOMIRIS and SOLIRIS REMS [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] . WARNING: SERIOUS MENINGOCOCCAL INFECTIONS See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning SOLIRIS increases the risk of serious and life-threatening infections caused by Neisseria meningitidis . Complete or update meningococcal vaccination at least 2 weeks prior to the first dose of SOLIRIS, unless the risks of delaying SOLIRIS outweigh the risk of developing a serious infection. Comply with the most current Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) re…
Indications and usage
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE SOLIRIS is a complement inhibitor indicated for: the treatment of patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) to reduce hemolysis. ( 1.1 ) the treatment of patients with atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) to inhibit complement-mediated thrombotic microangiopathy. ( 1.2 ) Limitation of Use SOLIRIS is not indicated for the treatment of patients with Shiga toxin E. coli related hemolytic uremic syndrome (STEC-HUS). the treatment of generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG) in adult and pediatric patients six years of age and older who are anti-acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibody positive. ( 1.3 ) the treatment of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) in adult patients who are anti-aquaporin-4 (AQP4) antibody positive. ( 1.4 ) 1.1 Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria (PNH) SOLIRIS is indicated for the treatment of patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) to reduce hemolysis. 1.2 Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (aHUS) SOLIRIS is indicated for the treatment of patients with atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) to inhibit complement-mediated thrombotic microangiopathy. Limitation of Use SOLIRIS is not indicated for the treatment of patients with Shiga toxin E. coli related hemolytic uremic syndrome (STEC-HUS). 1.3 Generalized Myasthenia Gravis (gMG) SOLIRIS is indicated for the treatment of generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG) in adult and pediatric patients six years of age and older who are anti-acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibody positive. 1.4 Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder (NMOSD) SOLIRIS is indicated for the treatment of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) in adult patients who are anti-aquaporin-4 (AQP4) antibody positive.
Dosage and administration
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION For intravenous infusion only; recommended dosage for: PNH: ( 2.2 ) aHUS, gMG, and NMOSD in adults: ( 2.3 ) aHUS and gMG in pediatric patients: ( 2.4 ) 2.1 Recommended Vaccination and Prophylaxis for Meningococcal Infection Vaccinate patients against meningococcal infection (serogroups A, C, W, Y and B) according to current ACIP recommendations at least 2 weeks prior to initiation of SOLIRIS [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] . If urgent SOLIRIS therapy is indicated in a patient who is not up to date with meningococcal vaccines according to ACIP recommendations, provide the patient with antibacterial drug prophylaxis and administer these vaccines as soon as possible. Healthcare providers who prescribe SOLIRIS must enroll in the ULTOMIRIS and SOLIRIS REMS [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] . 2.2 Recommended Dosage for Adults – PNH The recommended dosage of SOLIRIS for the treatment of PNH in patients 18 years of age and older is administered as an intravenous infusion [see Dosage and Administration (2.7) ] as follows: 600 mg weekly for the first 4 weeks, followed by 900 mg for the fifth dose 1 week later, then 900 mg every 2 weeks thereafter. Administer SOLIRIS at the recommended dosage regimen time points, or within two days of these time points [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] . 2.3 Recommended Dosage for Adults – aHUS, gMG, and NMOSD The recommended dosage of SOLIRIS for the treatment of aHUS, gMG, or NMOSD in patients 18 years of age and older is administered as an intravenous infusion [see Dosage and Administration (2.7) ] as follows: 900 mg weekly for the first 4 weeks, followed by 1200 mg for the fifth dose 1 week later, then 1200 mg every 2 weeks thereafter. 2.4 Recommended Dosage for Pediatric Patients – aHUS and gMG The recommended dosage of SOLIRIS for the treatment of aHUS in pediatric patients less than 18 years of age or gMG in pediatric patients 6 years of age and older is administered as an intravenous infusion based upon body weight, according to the following schedule (Table 1): Table 1: Dosing Recommendations in Pediatric Patients Less Than 18 Years of Age with aHUS and Pediatric Patients 6 Years of Age and Older with gMG Patient Body Weight Induction Maintenance 40 kg and over 900 mg weekly for the first 4 weeks 1200 mg at week 5; then 1200 mg every 2 weeks 30 kg to less than 40 kg 600 mg for the first 2 weeks 900 mg at week 3; then 900 mg every 2 weeks 20 kg to less than 30 kg 600 mg for the first 2 weeks 600 mg at week 3; then 600 mg every 2 weeks 10 kg to less than 20 kg 600 mg single dose at Week 1 300 mg at week 2; then 300 mg every 2 weeks 5 kg to less than 10 kg 300 mg single dose at Week 1 300 mg at week 2; then 300 mg every 3 weeks Administer SOLIRIS at the recommended dosage regimen time points, or within two days of these time points. 2.5 Dose Adjustment in Case of Plasmapheresis, Plasma Exchange, Fresh Frozen Plasma Infusion or IVIg For adult and pediatric patients with aHUS or gMG, and adult patients with NMOSD, supplemental dosing of SOLIRIS is required in the setting of concomitant plasmapheresis or plasma exchange, or fresh frozen plasma infusion (PE/PI) (Table 2). Table 2: Supplemental Dose of SOLIRIS after Plasmapheresis/PE/PI Type of Plasma Intervention Most Recent SOLIRIS Dose Supplemental SOLIRIS Dose with Each Plasma Intervention Timing of Supplemental SOLIRIS Dose Plasmapheresis or plasma exchange 300 mg 300 mg per each plasmapheresis or plasma exchange session Within 60 minutes after each plasmapheresis or plasma exchange ≥600 mg 600 mg per each plasmapheresis or plasma exchange session Fresh frozen plasma infusion ≥300 mg 300 mg per infusion of fresh frozen plasma 60 minutes prior to each infusion of fresh frozen plasma For patients with gMG, a supplemental dose of SOLIRIS is required in the setting of concomitant use of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) treatment as described in Table 3. Table 3: Supplemental Dose of SOLIRIS with concomitant IV…
Warnings
5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Use caution when administering SOLIRIS to patients with any other systemic infection. ( 5.3 ) Infusion-Related Reactions: Monitor patients during infusion, interrupt for reactions, and institute appropriate supportive measures. ( 5.6 ) 5.1 Serious Meningococcal Infections SOLIRIS, a complement inhibitor, increases a patient's susceptibility to serious, life-threatening, or fatal infections caused by meningococcal bacteria (septicemia and/or meningitis) in any serogroup, including non-groupable strains. Life-threatening and fatal meningococcal infections have occurred in both vaccinated and unvaccinated patients treated with complement inhibitors. The initiation of SOLIRIS treatment is contraindicated in patients with unresolved serious Neisseria meningitidis infection. Complete or update meningococcal vaccination (for serogroups A, C, W, Y and B) at least 2 weeks prior to administration of the first dose of SOLIRIS, according to current ACIP recommendations for patients receiving a complement inhibitor. Revaccinate patients in accordance with ACIP recommendations, considering the duration of therapy with SOLIRIS. Note that ACIP recommends an administration schedule in patients receiving complement inhibitors that differs from the administration schedule in the vaccine prescribing information. If urgent SOLIRIS therapy is indicated in a patient who is not up to date with meningococcal vaccines according to ACIP recommendations, provide the patient with antibacterial drug prophylaxis and administer meningococcal vaccines as soon as possible. Various durations and regimens of antibacterial drug prophylaxis have been considered, but the optimal durations and drug regimens for prophylaxis and their efficacy have not been studied in unvaccinated or vaccinated patients receiving complement inhibitors, including SOLIRIS. The benefits and risks of treatment with SOLIRIS, as well as the benefits and risks of antibacterial drug prophylaxis in unvaccinated or vaccinated patients, must be considered against the known risks for serious infections caused by Neisseria meningitidis . Vaccination does not eliminate the risk of serious meningococcal infections, despite development of antibodies following vaccination. Closely monitor patients for early signs and symptoms of meningococcal infection and evaluate patients immediately if infection is suspected. Inform patients of these signs and symptoms and instruct patients to seek immediate medical care if these signs and symptoms occur. Promptly treat known infections. Meningococcal infection may become rapidly life-threatening or fatal if not recognized and treated early. Consider interruption of SOLIRIS in patients who are undergoing treatment for serious meningococcal infection depending on the risks of interrupting treatment in the disease being treated. SOLIRIS is available only through a restricted program under a REMS [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] . 5.2 ULTOMIRIS and SOLIRIS REMS SOLIRIS is available only through a restricted program under a REMS called ULTOMIRIS and SOLIRIS REMS, because of the risk of serious meningococcal infections [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ]. Notable requirements of the ULTOMIRIS and SOLIRIS REMS include the following: Prescribers must enroll in the REMS. Prescribers must counsel patients about the risk of serious meningococcal infection. Prescribers must provide the patients with the REMS educational materials. Prescribers must assess patient vaccination status for meningococcal vaccines (against serogroups A, C, W, Y and B) and vaccinate if needed according to current ACIP recommendations two weeks prior to the first dose of SOLIRIS. Prescribers must provide a prescription for antibacterial drug prophylaxis if treatment must be started urgently and the patient is not up to date with meningococcal vaccines according to current ACIP recommendations at least two weeks prior to the first dose of SOLIRIS. Healthcare settings a…
Contraindications
4 CONTRAINDICATIONS SOLIRIS is contraindicated for initiation in patients with unresolved serious Neisseria meningitidis infection [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] . SOLIRIS is contraindicated for initiation in patients with unresolved serious Neisseria meningitidis infection. ( 4 )
Drug interactions
7 DRUG INTERACTIONS 7.1 Plasmapheresis, Plasma Exchange, Fresh Frozen Plasma Infusion or IVIg Concomitant use of SOLIRIS with plasma exchange (PE), plasmapheresis (PP) , fresh frozen plasma infusion (PE/PI), or in patients with gMG on concomitant IVIg treatment can reduce serum eculizumab concentrations and requires a supplemental dose of SOLIRIS [see Dosage and Administration (2.5) ]. 7.2 Neonatal Fc Receptor Blockers Concomitant use of SOLIRIS with neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) blockers may lower systemic exposures and reduce effectiveness of SOLIRIS. Closely monitor for reduced effectiveness of SOLIRIS.
Pregnancy
8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary Limited data on outcomes of pregnancies that have occurred following SOLIRIS use in pregnant women have not identified a concern for specific adverse developmental outcomes ( see Data ). There are risks to the mother and fetus associated with untreated paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) and atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) in pregnancy ( see Clinical Considerations ). Animal studies using a mouse analogue of the SOLIRIS molecule (murine anti-C5 antibody) showed increased rates of developmental abnormalities and an increased rate of dead and moribund offspring at doses 2-8 times the human dose ( see Data ) . The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated populations is 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 defect and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2-4% and 15-20%, respectively. Clinical Considerations Disease-associated maternal and/or fetal/neonatal risk PNH in pregnancy is associated with adverse maternal outcomes, including worsening cytopenias, thrombotic events, infections, bleeding, miscarriages and increased maternal mortality, and adverse fetal outcomes, including fetal death and premature delivery. aHUS in pregnancy is associated with adverse maternal outcomes, including pre-eclampsia and preterm delivery, and adverse fetal/neonatal outcomes, including intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), fetal death and low birth weight. Data Human Data A pooled analysis of prospectively (50.3%) and retrospectively (49.7%) collected data in more than 300 pregnant women with live births following exposure to SOLIRIS have not suggested safety concerns. However, these data cannot definitively exclude any drug-associated risk during pregnancy, because of the limited sample size. Animal Data Animal reproduction studies were conducted in mice using doses of a murine anti-C5 antibody that approximated 2-4 times (low dose) and 4-8 times (high dose) the recommended human SOLIRIS dose, based on a body weight comparison. When animal exposure to the antibody occurred in the time period from before mating until early gestation, no decrease in fertility or reproductive performance was observed. When maternal exposure to the antibody occurred during organogenesis, two cases of retinal dysplasia and one case of umbilical hernia were observed among 230 offspring born to mothers exposed to the higher antibody dose; however, the exposure did not increase fetal loss or neonatal death. When maternal exposure to the antibody occurred in the time period from implantation through weaning, a higher number of male offspring became moribund or died (1/25 controls, 2/25 low dose group, 5/25 high dose group). Surviving offspring had normal development and reproductive function.
Adverse events
Most frequently reported events (FDA FAERS). Report frequency does not imply causation.
- fatigue5,845
- off label use4,663
- haemoglobin decreased3,904
- headache3,463
- death2,623
- pyrexia2,398
- dyspnoea2,162
- asthenia2,006
- nausea1,983
- drug ineffective1,906
- haemolysis1,855
- platelet count decreased1,820
- malaise1,785
- blood lactate dehydrogenase increased1,581
- abdominal pain1,537
- vomiting1,482
Adverse reactions (label)
6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following serious adverse reactions are discussed in greater detail in other sections of the labeling: Serious Meningococcal Infections [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] Other Infections [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] Monitoring Disease Manifestations after SOLIRIS Discontinuation [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] Thrombosis Prevention and Management [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ] Infusion-Related Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6) ] The most frequently reported adverse reactions in the PNH randomized trial (≥10% overall and greater than placebo) are: headache, nasopharyngitis, back pain, and nausea. ( 6.1 ) The most frequently reported adverse reactions in aHUS single arm prospective trials (≥20%) are: headache, diarrhea, hypertension, upper respiratory infection, abdominal pain, vomiting, nasopharyngitis, anemia, cough, peripheral edema, nausea, urinary tract infections, pyrexia. ( 6.1 ) The most frequently reported adverse reaction in the gMG placebo-controlled clinical trial (≥10%) in adult patients is musculoskeletal pain. ( 6.1 ) The most frequently reported adverse reactions in the NMOSD placebo- controlled trial (≥10%) are: upper respiratory infection, nasopharyngitis, diarrhea, back pain, dizziness, influenza, arthralgia, pharyngitis, and contusion. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. at 1-844-259-6783 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trial 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. Meningococcal infections are the most important adverse reactions experienced by patients receiving SOLIRIS. In PNH clinical studies, two patients experienced meningococcal sepsis. Both patients had previously received a meningococcal vaccine. In clinical studies among patients without PNH, meningococcal meningitis occurred in one unvaccinated patient. Meningococcal sepsis occurred in one previously vaccinated patient enrolled in the retrospective aHUS study during the post-study follow-up period [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] . PNH The data described below reflect exposure to SOLIRIS in 196 adult patients with PNH, age 18-85, of whom 55% were female. All had signs or symptoms of intravascular hemolysis. SOLIRIS was studied in a placebo-controlled clinical study (PNH Study 1, in which 43 patients received SOLIRIS and 44, placebo); a single arm clinical study (PNH Study 2); and a long term extension study (E05-001). 182 patients were exposed for greater than one year. All patients received the recommended SOLIRIS dose regimen. Table 5 summarizes the adverse reactions that occurred at a numerically higher rate in the SOLIRIS group than the placebo group and at a rate of 5% or more among patients treated with SOLIRIS. Table 5: Adverse Reactions Reported in 5% or More of SOLIRIS Treated Patients with PNH and Greater than Placebo in the Controlled Clinical Study Reaction SOLIRIS (N=43) N (%) Placebo (N=44) N (%) Headache 19 (44) 12 (27) Nasopharyngitis 10 (23) 8 (18) Back pain 8 (19) 4 (9) Nausea 7 (16) 5 (11) Fatigue 5 (12) 1 (2) Cough 5 (12) 4 (9) Herpes simplex infections 3 (7) 0 Sinusitis 3 (7) 0 Respiratory tract infection 3 (7) 1 (2) Constipation 3 (7) 2 (5) Myalgia 3 (7) 1 (2) Pain in extremity 3 (7) 1 (2) Influenza-like illness 2 (5) 1 (2) In the placebo-controlled clinical study, serious adverse reactions occurred among 4 (9%) patients receiving SOLIRIS and 9 (21%) patients receiving placebo. The serious reactions included infections and progression of PNH. No deaths occurred in the study and no patients receiving SOLIRIS experienced a thrombotic event; one thrombotic event occurred in a patient receiving placebo. Among 193 patients with PNH treated with SOLIRIS in th…
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