Monday, 24 September 2012

Uroeze





Dosage Form: FOR ANIMAL USE ONLY
Uroeze® 400

Each 0.65 g (1/4 level teaspoonful) contains: Ammonium Chloride 400 mg in a palatable protein base.



INDICATION


For use as a urinary acidifier in cats and dogs.



CAUTION: Federal law (USA) restricts this drug to use by on the order of a licensed veterinarian.



Warning


Do not administer to animals with severe liver or kidney damage or to animals exhibiting acidosis.


CAUTION: May cause gastric mucosal irritation.



KEEP THIS AND ALL MEDICATIONS OUT OF THE REACH OF CHILDREN.


STORE AT CONTROLLED ROOM TEMPERATURE OF 15°- 30°C (59°- 86°F).



DOSAGE


The suggested dosage of Uroeze for adult cats and dogs is 0.32 - 0.65 g (1/8 - 1/4 level teaspoonful) per 10 lbs. (4.5 kg) body weight twice daily with food. Daily dose may vary with different diets depending on alkalinity of diet. Dosage should be adjusted to maintain urine pH consistently below 6.6. Not intended for use in kittens.



ID# 854004

301599-02


Mfg. by:

Virbac AH, Inc. • P.O. Box 162059

Fort Worth, TX 76161 • (800) 338-3659



PRINCIPAL DISPLAY PANEL - 4 oz Bottle Label


NDC 051311-850-04


Uroeze® 400


Each 0.65 g (1/4 level teaspoonful) contains:

Ammonium Chloride 400 mg

in a palatable protein base.


INDICATION: For use as a urinary

acidifier in cats and dogs.


4 oz


CAUTION: Federal law (USA) restricts this drug to use

by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian.


Virbac

ANIMAL HEALTH

Mfg. by:

Virbac AH, Inc. • P.O. Box 162059

Fort Worth, TX 76161 • (800) 338-3659










Uroeze 
ammonium chloride  powder










Product Information
Product TypePRESCRIPTION ANIMAL DRUGNDC Product Code (Source)51311-850
Route of AdministrationORALDEA Schedule    








Active Ingredient/Active Moiety
Ingredient NameBasis of StrengthStrength
ammonium chloride (ammonia)ammonium chloride400 mg  in 0.65 g





Inactive Ingredients
Ingredient NameStrength
No Inactive Ingredients Found


















Product Characteristics
ColorBROWNScore    
ShapeSize
FlavorImprint Code
Contains      










Packaging
#NDCPackage DescriptionMultilevel Packaging
151311-850-04113.3981 g In 1 BOTTLENone










Marketing Information
Marketing CategoryApplication Number or Monograph CitationMarketing Start DateMarketing End Date
UNAPPROVED DRUG OTHER01/26/2010


Labeler - Virbac AH, Inc. (131568396)









Establishment
NameAddressID/FEIOperations
Virbac Bridgeton808558100MANUFACTURE
Revised: 01/2010Virbac AH, Inc.



Thursday, 20 September 2012

Triesence



triamcinolone acetonide

Dosage Form: injection
FULL PRESCRIBING INFORMATION

Indications and Usage for Triesence



Ophthalmic Diseases


Triesence® (triamcinolone acetonide injectable suspension) 40 mg/mL is indicated for:


• sympathetic ophthalmia,


• temporal arteritis,


• uveitis, and


• ocular inflammatory conditions unresponsive to topical corticosteroids.



Visualization during Vitrectomy


Triesence® suspension is indicated for visualization during vitrectomy.



Triesence Dosage and Administration



Dosage for Treatment of Ophthalmic Diseases


The initial recommended dose of Triesence® suspension is 4 mg (100 microliters of 40 mg/mL suspension) with subsequent dosage as needed over the course of treatment.



Dosage for Visualization during Vitrectomy


The recommended dose of Triesence® suspension is 1 to 4 mg (25 to 100 microliters of 40 mg/mL suspension) administered intravitreally.



Preparation for Administration


STRICT ASEPTIC TECHNIQUE IS MANDATORY. The vial should be vigorously shaken for 10 seconds before use to ensure a uniform suspension. Prior to withdrawal, the suspension should be inspected for clumping or granular appearance (agglomeration). An agglomerated product results from exposure to freezing temperatures and should not be used. After withdrawal, Triesence® suspension should be injected without delay to prevent settling in the syringe. Careful technique should be employed to avoid the possibility of entering a blood vessel or introducing organisms that can cause infection.



Administration


The injection procedure should be carried out under controlled aseptic conditions, which include the use of sterile gloves, a sterile drape, and a sterile eyelid speculum (or equivalent). Adequate anesthesia and a broad-spectrum microbicide should be given prior to the injection. Following the injection, patients should be monitored for elevation in intraocular pressure and for endophthalmitis. Monitoring may consist of a check for perfusion of the optic nerve head immediately after the injection, tonometry within 30 minutes following the injection, and biomicroscopy between two and seven days following the injection. Patients should be instructed to report any symptoms suggestive of endophthalmitis without delay.


Each vial should only be used for the treatment of a single eye. If the contralateral eye requires treatment, a new vial should be used and the sterile field, syringe, gloves, drapes, eyelid speculum, and injection needles should be changed before Triesence® suspension is administered to the other eye.



Dosage Forms and Strengths


Single use 1 mL vial containing 40 mg/mL of sterile triamcinolone acetonide suspension.



Contraindications


Corticosteroids are contraindicated in patients with systemic fungal infections.


Triamcinolone is contraindicated in patients who are hypersensitive to corticosteroids or any components of this product. Rare instances of anaphylactoid reactions have occurred in patients receiving corticosteroid therapy. [See Adverse Reactions (6)].



Warnings and Precautions



Ophthalmic Effects


Triesence® suspension should not be administered intravenously. Strict aseptic technique is mandatory.


Risk of infection


Corticosteroids may mask some signs of infection, and new infections may appear during their use. There may be decreased resistance and inability to localize infection when corticosteroids are used. Corticosteroids may enhance the establishment of secondary ocular infections due to fungi or viruses. If an infection occurs during corticosteroid therapy, it should be promptly controlled by suitable antimicrobial therapy.


See also Increased Risks Related to Infection (5.3).


Elevated Intraocular Pressure


Increases in intraocular pressure associated with triamcinolone acetonide injection have been observed in 20-60% of patients. This may lead to glaucoma with possible damage to the optic nerve. Effects on intraocular pressure may last up to 6 months following injection and are usually managed by topical glaucoma therapy. A small percentage of patients may require aggressive non-topical treatment. Intraocular pressure as well as perfusion of the optic nerve head should be monitored and managed appropriately.


Endophthalmitis


The rate of infectious culture positive endophthalmitis is 0.5%. Proper aseptic techniques should always be used when administering triamcinolone acetonide. In addition, patients should be monitored following the injection to permit early treatment should an infection occur.


Cataracts


Use of corticosteroids may produce cataracts, particularly posterior subcapsular cataracts.


Patients with Ocular Herpes Simplex


Corticosteroids should be used cautiously in patients with ocular herpes simplex because of possible corneal perforation. Corticosteroids should not be used in active ocular herpes simplex.



Alterations in Endocrine Function


Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis suppression, Cushing's syndrome, and hyperglycemia. Monitor patients for these conditions with chronic use.


Corticosteroids can produce reversible HPA axis suppression with the potential for glucocorticosteroid insufficiency after withdrawal of treatment. Drug induced secondary adrenocortical insufficiency may be minimized by gradual reduction of dosage. This type of relative insufficiency may persist for months after discontinuation of therapy; therefore, in any situation of stress occurring during that period, hormone therapy should be reinstituted.


Metabolic clearance of corticosteroids is decreased in hypothyroid patients and increased in hyperthyroid patients. Changes in thyroid status of the patient may necessitate adjustment in dosage.



Increased Risks Related to Infections


Corticosteroids may increase the risks related to infections with any pathogen, including viral, bacterial, fungal, protozoan, or helminthic infections. The degree to which the dose, route and duration of corticosteroid administration correlates with the specific risks of infection is not well characterized; however, with increasing doses of corticosteroids, the rate of occurrence of infectious complications increases.


Corticosteroids may mask some signs of infection and may reduce resistance to new infections.


Corticosteroids may exacerbate infections and increase risk of disseminated infection. The use of corticosteroids in active tuberculosis should be restricted to those cases of fulminating or disseminated tuberculosis in which the corticosteroid is used for the management of the disease in conjunction with an appropriate antituberculous regimen.


Chickenpox and measles can have a more serious or even fatal course in non-immune children or adults on corticosteroids. In children or adults who have not had these diseases, particular care should be taken to avoid exposure. If a patient is exposed to chickenpox, prophylaxis with varicella zoster immune globulin (VZIG) may be indicated. If patient is exposed to measles, prophylaxis with pooled intramuscular immunoglobulin (IG) may be indicated. If chickenpox develops, treatment with antiviral agents may be considered.


Corticosteroids should be used with great care in patients with known or suspected Strongyloides (threadworm) infestation. In such patients, corticosteroid-induced immunosuppression may lead to Strongyloides hyperinfection and dissemination with widespread larval migration, often accompanied by severe enterocolitis and potentially fatal gram-negative septicemia.


Corticosteroids may increase risk of reactivation or exacerbation of latent infection. If corticosteroids are indicated in patients with latent tuberculosis or tuberculin reactivity, close observation is necessary as reactivation of the disease may occur. During prolonged corticosteroid therapy, these patients should receive chemoprophylaxis.


Corticosteroids may activate latent amebiasis. Therefore, it is recommended that latent or active amebiasis be ruled out before initiating corticosteroid therapy in any patient who has spent time in the tropics or in any patient with unexplained diarrhea.


Corticosteroids should not be used in cerebral malaria.



Alterations in Cardiovascular/Renal Function


Corticosteroids can cause elevation of blood pressure, salt and water retention, and increased excretion of potassium and calcium. These effects are less likely to occur with the synthetic derivatives except when used in large doses. Dietary salt restriction and potassium supplementation may be necessary. These agents should be used with caution in patients with hypertension, congestive heart failure, or renal insufficiency.


Literature reports suggest an association between use of corticosteroids and left ventricular free wall rupture after a recent myocardial infarction; therefore, therapy with corticosteroids should be used with caution in these patients.



Use in Patients with Gastrointestinal Disorders


There is an increased risk of gastrointestinal perforation in patients with certain GI disorders. Signs of GI perforation, such as peritoneal irritation, may be masked in patients receiving corticosteroids.


Corticosteroids should be used with caution if there is a probability of impending perforation, abscess or other pyogenic infections; diverticulitis; fresh intestinal anastomoses; and active or latent peptic ulcer.



Behavioral and Mood Disturbances


Corticosteroid use may be associated with central nervous system effects ranging from euphoria, insomnia, mood swings, personality changes, and severe depression, to frank psychotic manifestations. Also, existing emotional instability or psychotic tendencies may be aggravated by corticosteroids.



Decrease in Bone Density


Corticosteroids decrease bone formation and increase bone resorption both through their effect on calcium regulation (i.e., decreasing absorption and increasing excretion) and inhibition of osteoblast function. This, together with a decrease in the protein matrix of the bone secondary to an increase in protein catabolism, and reduced sex hormone production, may lead to inhibition of bone growth in children and adolescents and the development of osteoporosis at any age. Special consideration should be given to patients at increased risk of osteoporosis (i.e., postmenopausal women) before initiating corticosteroid therapy and bone density should be monitored in patients on long term corticosteroid therapy.



Vaccination


Administration of live or live attenuated vaccines is contraindicated in patients receiving immunosuppressive doses of corticosteroids. Killed or inactivated vaccines may be administered; however, the response to such vaccines cannot be predicted. Immunization procedures may be undertaken in patients who are receiving corticosteroids as replacement therapy, e.g., for Addison's disease.


While on corticosteroid therapy, patients should not be vaccinated against smallpox. Other immunization procedures should not be undertaken in patients who are on corticosteroids, especially on high dose, because of possible hazards of neurological complications and a lack of antibody response.



Effect on Growth and Development


Long-term use of corticosteroids can have negative effects on growth and development in children. Growth and development of pediatric patients on prolonged corticosteroid therapy should be carefully monitored.



Use in Pregnancy


Triamcinolone acetonide can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Human and animal studies suggest that use of corticosteroids during the first trimester of pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of orofacial clefts, intrauterine growth restriction and decreased birth weight. If this drug is used during pregnancy, or if the patient becomes pregnant while using this drug, the patient should be apprised of the potential hazard to the fetus. [See Use inSpecific Populations (8.1)].



Weight Gain


Systemically administered corticosteroids may increase appetite and cause weight gain.



Neuromuscular Effects


Although controlled clinical trials have shown corticosteroids to be effective in speeding the resolution of acute exacerbations of multiple sclerosis, they do not show that they affect the ultimate outcome or natural history of the disease. The studies do show that relatively high doses of corticosteroids are necessary to demonstrate a significant effect.


An acute myopathy has been observed with the use of high doses of corticosteroids, most often occurring in patients with disorders of neuromuscular transmission (e.g., myasthenia gravis), or in patients receiving concomitant therapy with neuromuscular blocking drugs (e.g., pancuronium). This acute myopathy is generalized, may involve ocular and respiratory muscles, and may result in quadriparesis. Elevation of creatine kinase may occur. Clinical improvement or recovery after stopping corticosteroids may require weeks to years.



Kaposi's Sarcoma


Kaposi's sarcoma has been reported to occur in patients receiving corticosteroid therapy, most often for chronic conditions. Discontinuation of corticosteroids may result in clinical improvement.



Adverse Reactions


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 event data were collected from 300 published articles containing data from controlled and uncontrolled clinical trials which evaluated over 14,000 eyes treated with different concentrations of triamcinolone acetonide. The most common dose administered within these trials was triamcinolone acetonide 4 mg administered as primary or adjunctive therapy primarily as a single injection.


The most common reported adverse events following administration of triamcinolone acetonide were elevated intraocular pressure and cataract progression. These events have been reported to occur in 20-60% of patients.


Less common reactions occurring in up to 2% include endophthalmitis (infectious and non-infectious), hypopyon, injection site reactions (described as blurring and transient discomfort), glaucoma, vitreous floaters, and detachment of retinal pigment epithelium, optic disc vascular disorder, eye inflammation, conjunctival hemorrhage and visual acuity reduced. Cases of exophthalmos have also been reported.


Common adverse reactions for systemically administered corticosteroids include fluid retention, alteration in glucose tolerance, elevation in blood pressure, behavioral and mood changes, increased appetite and weight gain.


Other reactions reported to have occurred with the administration of corticosteroids include:


Allergic Reactions: Anaphylactoid reaction, anaphylaxis, angioedema


Cardiovascular: Bradycardia, cardiac arrest, cardiac arrhythmias, cardiac enlargement, circulatory collapse, congestive heart failure, fat embolism, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in premature infants, myocardial rupture following recent myocardial infarction, pulmonary edema, syncope, tachycardia, thromboembolism, thrombophlebitis, vasculitis


Dermatologic: Acne, allergic dermatitis, cutaneous and subcutaneous atrophy, dry scalp, edema, facial erythema, hyper or hypopigmentation, impaired wound healing, increased sweating, petechiae and ecchymoses, rash, sterile abscess, striae, suppressed reactions to skin tests, thin fragile skin, thinning scalp hair, urticaria


Endocrine: Abnormal fat deposits, decreased carbohydrate tolerance, development of Cushingoid state, hirsutism, manifestations of latent diabetes mellitus and increased requirements for insulin or oral hypoglycemic agents in diabetics, menstrual irregularities, moon facies, secondary adrenocortical and pituitary unresponsiveness (particularly in times of stress, as in trauma, surgery or illness), suppression of growth in children


Fluid and Electrolyte Disturbances: Potassium loss, hypokalemic alkalosis, sodium retention


Gastrointestinal: Abdominal distention, elevation in serum liver enzymes levels (usually reversible upon discontinuation), hepatomegaly, hiccups, malaise, nausea, pancreatitis, peptic ulcer with possible perforation and hemorrhage, ulcerative esophagitis


Metabolic: Negative nitrogen balance due to protein catabolism


Musculoskeletal: Aseptic necrosis of femoral and humeral heads, charcot-like arthropathy, loss of muscle mass, muscle weakness, osteoporosis, pathologic fracture of long bones, steroid myopathy, tendon rupture, vertebral compression fractures


Neurological: Arachnoiditis, convulsions, depression, emotional instability, euphoria, headache, increased intracranial pressure with papilledema (pseudo-tumor cerebri) usually following discontinuation of treatment, insomnia, meningitis, neuritis, neuropathy, paraparesis/paraplegia, paresthesia, sensory disturbances, vertigo


Reproductive: Alteration in motility and number of spermatozoa.



Drug Interactions


• Amphotericin B: There have been cases reported in which concomitant use of Amphotericin B and hydrocortisone was followed by cardiac enlargement and congestive heart failure. See Potassium depleting agents.


• Anticholinesterase agents: Concomitant use of anticholinesterase agents and corticosteroids may produce severe weakness in patients with myasthenia gravis. If possible, anticholinesterase agents should be withdrawn at least 24 hours before initiating corticosteroid therapy.


• Anticoagulant agents: Co-administration of corticosteroids and warfarin usually results in inhibition of response to warfarin, although there have been some conflicting reports. Therefore, coagulation indices should be monitored frequently to maintain the desired anticoagulant effect.


• Antidiabetic agents: Because corticosteroids may increase blood glucose concentrations, dosage adjustments of antidiabetic agents may be required.


• Antitubercular drugs: Serum concentrations of isoniazid may be decreased.


• CYP 3A4 inducers (e.g., barbiturates, phenytoin, carbamazepine, and rifampin): Drugs such as barbiturates, phenytoin, ephedrine, and rifampin, which induce hepatic microsomal drug metabolizing enzyme activity may enhance metabolism of corticosteroid and require that the dosage of corticosteroid be increased.


• CYP 3A4 inhibitors (e.g., ketoconazole, macrolide antibiotics): Ketoconazole has been reported to decrease the metabolism of certain corticosteroids by up to 60% leading to an increased risk of corticosteroid side effects.


• Cholestyramine: Cholestyramine may increase the clearance of corticosteroids.


• Cyclosporine: Increased activity of both cyclosporine and corticosteroids may occur when the two are used concurrently. Convulsions have been reported with concurrent use.


• Digitalis: Patients on digitalis glycosides may be at increased risk of arrhythmias due to hypokalemia.


• Estrogens, including oral contraceptives: Estrogens may decrease the hepatic metabolism of certain corticosteroids thereby increasing their effect.


• NSAIDS including aspirin and salicylates: Concomitant use of aspirin or other non-steroidal antiinflammatory agents and corticosteroids increases the risk of gastrointestinal side effects. Aspirin should be used cautiously in conjunction with corticosteroids in hypoprothrombinemia. The clearance of salicylates may be increased with concurrent use of corticosteroids.


• Potassium depleting agents (e.g., diuretics, Amphotericin B): When corticosteroids are administered concomitantly with potassium-depleting agents, patients should be observed closely for development of hypokalemia.


• Skin tests: Corticosteroids may suppress reactions to skin tests.


• Toxoids and live or inactivated vaccines: Due to inhibition of antibody response, patients on prolonged corticosteroid therapy may exhibit a diminished response to toxoids and live or inactivated vaccines. Corticosteroids may also potentiate the replication of some organisms contained in live attenuated vaccines.



USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS



Pregnancy


Teratogenic Effects: Pregnancy Category D


[See Warnings and Precautions (5.10)]


Multiple cohort and case controlled studies in humans suggest that maternal corticosteroid use during the first trimester increases the rate of cleft lip with or without cleft palate from about 1/1000 infants to 3- 5/1000 infants. Two prospective case control studies showed decreased birth weight in infants exposed to maternal corticosteroids in utero.


Triamcinolone acetonide was teratogenic in rats, rabbits, and monkeys. In rats and rabbits, triamcinolone acetonide was teratogenic at inhalation doses of 0.02 mg/kg and above and in monkeys, triamcinolone acetonide was teratogenic at an inhalation dose of 0.5 mg/kg (1/4 and 7 times the recommended human dose). Dose-related teratogenic effects in rats and rabbits included cleft palate and/or internal hydrocephaly and axial skeletal defects, whereas the effects observed in monkeys were cranial malformations. These effects are similar to those noted with other corticosteroids.


Corticosteroids should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. Infants born to mothers who received corticosteroids during pregnancy should be carefully observed for signs of hypoadrenalism.



Nursing Mothers


Corticosteroids are secreted in human milk. Reports suggest that steroid concentrations in human milk are 5 to 25% of maternal serum levels, and that total infant daily doses are small, less than 0.2% of the maternal daily dose. The risk of infant exposure to steroids through breast milk should be weighed against the known benefits of breastfeeding for both the mother and baby.



Pediatric Use


The efficacy and safety of corticosteroids in the pediatric population are based on the well established course of effect of corticosteroids which is similar in pediatric and adult populations.


The adverse effects of corticosteroids in pediatric patients are similar to those in adults. [See Adverse Reactions (6)].


Like adults, pediatric patients should be carefully observed with frequent measurements of blood pressure, weight, height, intraocular pressure, and clinical evaluation for the presence of infection, psychosocial disturbances, thromboembolism, peptic ulcers, cataracts, and osteoporosis. Children, who are treated with corticosteroids by any route, including systemically administered corticosteroids, may experience a decrease in their growth velocity. This negative impact of corticosteroids on growth has been observed at low systemic doses and in the absence of laboratory evidence of HPA axis suppression (i.e., cosyntropin stimulation and basal cortisol plasma levels). Growth velocity may therefore be a more sensitive indicator of systemic corticosteroid exposure in children than some commonly used tests of HPA axis function. The linear growth of children treated with corticosteroids by any route should be monitored, and the potential growth effects of prolonged treatment should be weighed against clinical benefits obtained and the availability of other treatment alternatives. In order to minimize the potential growth effects of corticosteroids, children should be titrated to the lowest effective dose.



Geriatric Use


No overall differences in safety or effectiveness were observed between elderly subjects and younger subjects, and other reported clinical experience with triamcinolone has not identified differences in responses between the elderly and younger patients. However, the incidence of corticosteroid-induced side effects may be increased in geriatric patients and are dose-related. Osteoporosis is the most frequently encountered complication, which occurs at a higher incidence rate in corticosteroid-treated geriatric patients as compared to younger populations and in age-matched controls. Losses of bone mineral density appear to be greatest early on in the course of treatment and may recover over time after steroid withdrawal or use of lower doses.



Triesence Description


Triesence® (triamcinolone acetonide injectable suspension) 40 mg/mL is a synthetic corticosteroid with anti-inflammatory action. Each mL of the sterile, aqueous suspension provides 40 mg of triamcinolone acetonide, with sodium chloride for isotonicity, 0.5% (w/v) carboxymethylcellulose sodium and 0.015% polysorbate 80. It also contains potassium chloride, calcium chloride (dihydrate), magnesium chloride (hexahydrate), sodium acetate (trihydrate), sodium citrate (dihydrate) and water for injection. Sodium hydroxide and hydrochloric acid may be present to adjust pH to a target value 6 - 7.5.


The chemical name for triamcinolone acetonide is 9-Fluro- 11β, 16α, 17,21-tetrahydroxypregna-1,4-diene-3,20-dione cyclic 16,17- acetal with acetone. Its structural formula of C24H31FO6 is:



434.50 MW


Triamcinolone acetonide occurs as a white to cream-colored, crystalline powder having not more than a slight odor and is practically insoluble in water and very soluble in alcohol.



Triesence - Clinical Pharmacology



Mechanism of Action


Naturally occurring glucocorticoids (hydrocortisone and cortisone), which also have salt-retaining properties, are used as replacement therapy in adrenocortical deficiency states. Their synthetic analogs such as prednisolone and triamcinolone are primarily used for their anti-inflammatory effects in disorders of many organ systems.


Triamcinolone acetonide possesses glucocorticoid activity typical of this class of drug, but with little or no mineralocorticoid activity. For the purposes of comparison, the following is the equivalent milligram dosage of the various glucocorticoids:











Cortisone, 25Prednisone, 5Paramethasone, 2
Hydrocortisone, 20Methylprednisolone, 4Betamethasone, 0.75
Prednisolone, 5Triamcinolone, 4Dexamethasone, 0.75

Corticosteroids have been demonstrated to depress the production of eosinophils and lymphocytes, but erythropoiesis and production of polymorphonuclear leukocytes are stimulated. Inflammatory processes (edema, fibrin deposition, capillary dilatation, migration of leukocytes and phagocytosis) and the later stages of wound healing (capillary proliferation, deposition of collagen, cicatrization) are inhibited.



Pharmacokinetics


Aqueous humor pharmacokinetics of triamcinolone have been assessed in 5 patients following a single intravitreal administration (4 mg) of triamcinolone acetonide. Aqueous humor samples were obtained from 5 patients (5 eyes) via an anterior chamber paracentesis on Days 1, 3, 10, 17 and 31 post injection. Peak aqueous humor concentrations of triamcinolone ranged from 2151 to 7202 ng/mL, half-life 76 to 635 hours, and the area under the concentration-time curve (AUC0-t) from 231 to 1911 ng.h/mL following the single intravitreal administration. The mean elimination half-life was 18.7 ± 5.7 days in 4 nonvitrectomized eyes (4 patients). In a patient who had undergone vitrectomy (1 eye), the elimination half-life of triamcinolone from the vitreous was much faster (3.2 days) relative to patients that had not undergone vitrectomy.



Nonclinical Toxicology



Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility


No evidence of mutagenicity was detected from in-vitro tests conducted with triamcinolone acetonide including a reverse mutation test in Salmonella bacteria and a forward mutation test in Chinese hamster ovary cells. With regard to carcinogenicity, in a two-year study in rats, triamcinolone acetonide caused no treatment-related carcinogenicity at oral doses up to 0.001mg/kg and in a two-year study in mice, triamcinolone acetonide caused no treatment-related carcinogenicity at oral doses up to 0.003 mg/kg (less than 1/25th of the recommended human dose). In male and female rats, triamcinolone acetonide caused no change in pregnancy rate at oral doses up to 0.015 mg/kg, but caused increased fetal resorptions and stillbirths and decreases in pup weight and survival at doses of 0.005 mg/kg (less than 1/10th of the recommended human dose).



Animal Toxicology and/or Pharmacology


Studies were conducted with triamcinolone acetonide, including those employing the proposed dosage form, i.e., 4.0% triamcinolone acetonide injectable suspension formulation containing 0.5% carboxymethylcellulose and 0.015% polysorbate-80 in a balanced salt solution.


Triamcinolone acetonide was demonstrated to be non-inflammatory when injected intravitreally in NZW rabbits, non-cytotoxic to mouse L-929 cells in an in-vitro assay and non-sensitizing in a guinea-pig maximization assay. Furthermore, the results of single-dose intravitreal injection studies with triamcinolone acetonide in both rabbits and monkeys demonstrate that the drug is well tolerated for up to one month with only minor findings of slight decrease in body weight gain and slight corneal thinning.



How Supplied/Storage and Handling


Triesence® (triamcinolone acetonide injectable suspension) 40 mg/mL is supplied as 1 mL of a 40 mg/mL sterile triamcinolone acetonide suspension in a flint Type 1 single use glass vial with a gray rubber stopper and an open target aluminum seal. Each labeled vial is sealed in a polycarbonate blister with a backing material which provides tamper evidence and is stored in a carton.


• 1 mL single use vial (NDC 0065-0543-01)


Storage


Store at 4° - 25° C (39° - 77° F); Do Not Freeze. Protect from light by storing in carton.



Patient Counseling Information


Patients should discuss with their physician if they have had recent or ongoing infections or if they have recently received a vaccine.


There are a number of medicines that can interact with corticosteroids such as triamcinolone. Patients should inform their health-care provider of all the medicines they are taking, including over-thecounter and prescription medicines (such as phenytoin, diuretics, digitalis or digoxin, rifampin, amphotericin B, cyclosporine, insulin or diabetes medicines, ketoconazole, estrogens including birth control pills and hormone replacement therapy, blood thinners such as warfarin, aspirin or other NSAIDS, barbiturates), dietary supplements, and herbal products. If patients are taking any of these drugs, alternate therapy, dosage adjustment, and/or special test may be needed during the treatment.


Patients should be advised of common adverse reactions that could occur with corticosteroid use to include elevated intraocular pressure, cataracts, fluid retention, alteration in glucose tolerance, elevation in blood pressure, behavioral and mood changes, increased appetite and weight gain.


     


U.S. Patent No. 6,395,294


    


© 2007, 2008 Alcon, Inc.


    


ALCON LABORATORIES, INC.


Fort Worth, Texas 76134 USA


9003982-0908



PRINCIPAL DISPLAY PANEL


NDC 0065 - 09543 - 01                Sterile


Triesence


(triamcinolone acetonide


Injectable suspension)


40 mg/mL


                                               1 mL


Preservative Free                Alcon®




         









Triesence 
triamcinolone acetonide  injection










Product Information
Product TypeHUMAN PRESCRIPTION DRUGNDC Product Code (Source)0065-0543
Route of AdministrationOPHTHALMICDEA Schedule    








Active Ingredient/Active Moiety
Ingredient NameBasis of StrengthStrength
TRIAMCINOLONE ACETONIDE (TRIAMCINOLONE ACETONIDE)TRIAMCINOLONE ACETONIDE40 mg  in 1 mL


























Inactive Ingredients
Ingredient NameStrength
SODIUM CHLORIDE 
CARBOXYMETHYLCELLULOSE SODIUM 
POLYSORBATE 80 
POTASSIUM CHLORIDE 
CALCIUM CHLORIDE 
MAGNESIUM CHLORIDE 
SODIUM ACETATE 
SODIUM CITRATE 
WATER 
SODIUM HYDROXIDE 
HYDROCHLORIC ACID 


















Product Characteristics
Color    Score    
ShapeSize
FlavorImprint Code
Contains      










Packaging
#NDCPackage DescriptionMultilevel Packaging
10065-0543-011 mL In 1 VIAL, GLASSNone










Marketing Information
Marketing CategoryApplication Number or Monograph CitationMarketing Start DateMarketing End Date
NDANDA02204810/01/2010


Labeler - Alcon Laboratories, Inc. (008018525)

Registrant - Alcon Laboratories, Inc. (008018525)









Establishment
NameAddressID/FEIOperations
Alcon Laboratories, Inc.008018525MANUFACTURE
Revised: 06/2011Alcon Laboratories, Inc.

More Triesence resources


  • Triesence Side Effects (in more detail)
  • Triesence Dosage
  • Triesence Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
  • Triesence Drug Interactions
  • Triesence Support Group
  • 0 Reviews for Triesence - Add your own review/rating


  • Triesence Suspension MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)

  • Triesence Consumer Overview



Compare Triesence with other medications


  • Temporal Arteritis
  • Uveitis
  • Vitrectomy

Monday, 17 September 2012

Persantin 25mg tablets





1. Name Of The Medicinal Product



PERSANTIN Tablets 25 mg


2. Qualitative And Quantitative Composition



Dipyridamole 25 mg.



For excipients, see 6.1



3. Pharmaceutical Form



Coated tablets



Orange sugar-coated tablets.



4. Clinical Particulars



4.1 Therapeutic Indications



An adjunct to oral anti-coagulation for prophylaxis of thrombo-embolism associated with prosthetic heart valves.



4.2 Posology And Method Of Administration



Adults:300-600 mg daily in three or four doses.



Children:PERSANTIN is not recommended for children.



PERSANTIN should usually be taken before meals.



4.3 Contraindications



Hypersensitivity to any of the components of the product.



4.4 Special Warnings And Precautions For Use



Among other properties, dipyridamole acts as a vasodilator. It should be used with caution in patients with severe coronary artery disease, including unstable angina and/or recent myocardial infarction, left ventricular outflow obstruction or haemodynamic instability (e.g. decompensated heart failure).



Patients being treated with regular oral doses of PERSANTIN should not receive additional intravenous dipyridamole. Clinical experience suggests that patients being treated with oral dipyridamole who also require pharmacological stress testing with intravenous dipyridamole, should discontinue drugs containing oral dipyridamole for twenty-four hours prior to stress testing.



In patients with myasthenia gravis, readjustment of therapy may be necessary after changes in dipyridamole dosage (see Drug Interactions).



PERSANTIN should be used with caution in patients with coagulation disorders.



4.5 Interaction With Other Medicinal Products And Other Forms Of Interaction



Dipyridamole increases plasma levels and cardiovascular effects of adenosine. Adjustment of adenosine dosage should be considered if use with dipyridamole is unavoidable.



There is evidence that the effects of aspirin and dipyridamole on platelet behaviour are additive.



The administration of antacids may reduce the efficacy of PERSANTIN.



It is possible that PERSANTIN may enhance the effects of oral anti-coagulants. When dipyridamole is used in combination with anticoagulants and acetylsalicylic acid, the statements on intolerance and risks for these preparations must be observed. Addition of dipyridamole to acetylsalicylic acid does not increase the incidence of bleeding events. When dipyridamole was administered concomitantly with warfarin, bleeding was no greater in frequency or severity than that observed when warfarin was administered alone.



Dipyridamole may increase the hypotensive effect of drugs which reduce blood pressure and may counteract the anticholinesterase effect of cholinesterase inhibitors thereby potentially aggravating myasthenia gravis.



4.6 Pregnancy And Lactation



There is inadequate evidence of safety in human pregnancy, but PERSANTIN has been used for many years without apparent ill-consequence. Animal studies have shown no hazard. Medicines should not be used in pregnancy, especially the first trimester unless the expected benefit is thought to outweigh the possible risk to the foetus.



Dipyridamole is excreted in breast milk at levels approximately 6% of the plasma concentration. Therefore PERSANTIN should only be used during lactation if considered essential by the physician.



4.7 Effects On Ability To Drive And Use Machines



None stated.



4.8 Undesirable Effects



If these occur, it is usually during the early part of treatment. The vasodilating properties of PERSANTIN may occasionally produce a vascular headache which normally disappears with long-term use. Vomiting, diarrhoea and symptoms such as dizziness, faintness, nausea, dyspepsia and myalgia have been observed.



As a result of its vasodilator properties, PERSANTIN may cause hypotension, hot flushes and tachycardia. Worsening of symptoms of coronary heart disease such as angina and arrhythmias.



Hypersensitivity reactions such as rash, urticaria, severe bronchospasm and angio-oedema have been reported.



In very rare cases, increased bleeding during or after surgery has been observed. Isolated cases of thrombocytopenia have been reported in conjunction with treatment with PERSANTIN.



Dipyridamole has been shown to be incorporated into gallstones.



4.9 Overdose



Symptoms



Due to the low number of observations, experience with dipyridamole overdose is limited. Symptoms such as a warm feeling, flushes, sweating, restlessness, feeling of weakness, dizziness and anginal complaints can be expected. A drop in blood pressure and tachycardia might be observed.



Therapy



Symptomatic therapy is recommended. Administration of xanthine derivatives (e.g. aminophylline) may reverse the haemodynamic effects of dipyridamole overdose. Due to its wide distribution to tissues and its predominantly hepatic elimination, dipyridamole is not likely to be accessible to enhanced removal procedures.



5. Pharmacological Properties



5.1 Pharmacodynamic Properties



Dipyridamole has an antithrombotic action based on its ability to modify various aspects of platelet function, such as platelet aggregation, adhesion and survival, which have been shown to be factors associated with the initiation of thrombus formation. Dipyridamole also has coronary vasodilator properties.



5.2 Pharmacokinetic Properties



Oral administration of dipyridamole gives a peak plasma level 1-2 hours after dosing. The drug has an apparent bioavailability of 37-66%.



In man the volume of distribution is 2.43±1.1 l/kg. When given orally the elimination half life is 30-50 minutes. In man the major route of excretion of dipyridamole is in the bile.



5.3 Preclinical Safety Data



None



6. Pharmaceutical Particulars



6.1 List Of Excipients



Core:



Lactose monohydrate



Maize starch, dried



Soluble maize starch



Colloidal silica, anhydrous



Magnesium stearate



Sunset yellow, E110



Coating:



Sucrose



Talc



Acacia



Titanium dioxide, E171



Macrogol 6000



Wax, bleached



Carnauba wax



Sunset yellow, E110



6.2 Incompatibilities



Not applicable.



6.3 Shelf Life



5 years.



6.4 Special Precautions For Storage



Do not store above 30°C. Protect from light.



6.5 Nature And Contents Of Container



Marketed packs: Blister pack containing 84 orange sugar coated tablets



Non-marketed packs: Blister packs of 100, 112 and 840 orange sugar coated tablets.



6.6 Special Precautions For Disposal And Other Handling



None.



7. Marketing Authorisation Holder



Boehringer Ingelheim Limited



Ellesfield Avenue



Bracknell



Berkshire



RG12 8YS



United Kingdom



8. Marketing Authorisation Number(S)



PL 00015/0052R



9. Date Of First Authorisation/Renewal Of The Authorisation



28 July 1988 /01 May 2007



10. Date Of Revision Of The Text



01/05/2007



11. Legal category


POM



P2c/25mg/UK/SPC/7




Toviaz



Pronunciation: FES-oh-TER-oh-deen
Generic Name: Fesoterodine
Brand Name: Toviaz


Toviaz is used for:

Treating overactive bladder with symptoms of urinary frequency, urgency, and leakage. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.


Toviaz is an antimuscarinic agent. It works by blocking a chemical that causes contractions of the bladder.


Do NOT use Toviaz if:


  • you are allergic to any ingredient in Toviaz or to tolterodine

  • you have delayed or slow emptying of your stomach (gastric retention), uncontrolled narrow-angle glaucoma, or severe liver problems, or you are unable to urinate

  • you are taking a solid oral potassium product (eg, tablet)

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.



Before using Toviaz:


  • if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding

  • if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement

  • if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances

  • if you have glaucoma or increased pressure in the eye; a blockage of the bladder, stomach, or bowel; stomach or bowel problems (eg, severe constipation); liver or kidney problems; myasthenia gravis (muscle weakness); or trouble urinating

  • if you or a family member has a history of irregular heartbeat (eg, prolonged QT)

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Toviaz. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:


  • Anticholinergics (eg, scopolamine), clarithromycin, ketoconazole, itraconazole, nefazodone, posaconazole, protease inhibitors (eg, ritonavir), or telithromycin because they may increase the risk of Toviaz's side effects

  • Solid oral potassium products (eg, tablets) because the risk of stomach or bowel irritation may be increased by Toviaz

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Toviaz may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.


How to use Toviaz:


Use Toviaz as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.


  • An extra patient leaflet is available with Toviaz. Talk to your pharmacist if you have questions about this information.

  • Take Toviaz by mouth with or without food. Take it with liquid.

  • Swallow Toviaz whole. Do not break, crush, or chew before swallowing.

  • If you miss a dose of Toviaz, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses on the same day.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Toviaz.



Important safety information:


  • Toviaz may cause drowsiness, dizziness, or blurred vision. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Toviaz with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.

  • A severe and sometimes life-threatening side effect called angioedema has been reported with Toviaz. Contact your doctor at once if you develop swelling of the hands, face, lips, eyes, throat, or tongue; difficulty swallowing or breathing; or hoarseness.

  • Do not become overheated in hot weather or while you are being active; heat exhaustion may occur.

  • Drink plenty of fluids, maintain good oral hygiene, and suck on sugarless hard candy to relieve dry mouth.

  • Use Toviaz with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially an increased risk of urinary tract infection, urinary retention, dry mouth, constipation, indigestion, heartburn, or dizziness.

  • Toviaz should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.

  • PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: It is not known if Toviaz can cause harm to the fetus. If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Toviaz while you are pregnant. It is not known if Toviaz is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Toviaz, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.


Possible side effects of Toviaz:


All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:



Blurred vision; constipation; dizziness; drowsiness; dry eyes; dry mouth; indigestion; stomach pain.



Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, throat, or tongue; unusual hoarseness); chest pain; confusion; difficult or painful urination; disorientation; fast or irregular heartbeat; hallucinations; memory problems; severe dizziness; severe or persistent constipation or diarrhea; severe stomach cramps or pain; swelling of the hands, ankles, or feet.



This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.


See also: Toviaz side effects (in more detail)


If OVERDOSE is suspected:


Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include difficulty breathing; difficulty urinating; dilated pupils; excitation; fast heartbeat; hallucinations; seizures.


Proper storage of Toviaz:

Store Toviaz at room temperature, between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C). Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Toviaz out of the reach of children and away from pets.


General information:


  • If you have any questions about Toviaz, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

  • Toviaz is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.

  • If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

  • Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Toviaz. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.



Issue Date: February 1, 2012

Database Edition 12.1.1.002

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

More Toviaz resources


  • Toviaz Side Effects (in more detail)
  • Toviaz Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
  • Drug Images
  • Toviaz Drug Interactions
  • Toviaz Support Group
  • 18 Reviews for Toviaz - Add your own review/rating


  • Toviaz Prescribing Information (FDA)

  • Toviaz Monograph (AHFS DI)

  • Toviaz Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information

  • Toviaz Consumer Overview



Compare Toviaz with other medications


  • Overactive Bladder
  • Urinary Incontinence

Saturday, 15 September 2012

Leukine



sargramostim

Dosage Form: liquid, injection

Rx only



Leukine Description


Leukine®  (sargramostim) is a recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (rhu GM-CSF) produced by recombinant DNA technology in a yeast (S. cerevisiae) expression system. GM-CSF is a hematopoietic growth factor which stimulates proliferation and differentiation of hematopoietic progenitor cells. Leukine is a glycoprotein of 127 amino acids characterized by three primary molecular species having molecular masses of 19,500, 16,800 and 15,500 daltons. The amino acid sequence of Leukine differs from the natural human GM-CSF by a substitution of leucine at position 23, and the carbohydrate moiety may be different from the native protein. Sargramostim has been selected as the proper name for yeast-derived rhu GM-CSF.


The liquid Leukine presentation is formulated as a sterile, preserved (1.1% benzyl alcohol), injectable solution (500 mcg/mL) in a vial. Lyophilized Leukine is a sterile, white, preservative-free powder (250 mcg) that requires reconstitution with 1 mL Sterile Water for Injection, USP or 1 mL Bacteriostatic Water for Injection, USP. Liquid Leukine has a pH range of 6.7 - 7.7 and lyophilized Leukine has a pH range of 7.1 - 7.7.


Liquid Leukine and reconstituted lyophilized Leukine are clear, colorless liquids suitable for subcutaneous injection (SC) or intravenous infusion (IV).


Liquid Leukine contains 500 mcg (2.8 x 106 IU/mL) sargramostim and 1.1% benzyl alcohol in a 1 mL solution. The vial of lyophilized Leukine contains 250 mcg (1.4 x 106 IU/vial) sargramostim.


The liquid Leukine vial and reconstituted lyophilized Leukine vial also contain 40 mg/mL mannitol, USP; 10 mg/mL sucrose, NF; and 1.2 mg/mL tromethamine, USP, as excipients. Biological potency is expressed in International Units (IU) as tested against the WHO First International Reference Standard. The specific activity of Leukine is approximately 5.6 x 106 IU/mg.



Leukine - Clinical Pharmacology



General


GM-CSF belongs to a group of growth factors termed colony stimulating factors which support survival, clonal expansion, and differentiation of hematopoietic progenitor cells. GM-CSF induces partially committed progenitor cells to divide and differentiate in the granulocyte-macrophage pathways which include neutrophils, monocytes/macrophages and myeloid-derived dendritic cells.


GM-CSF is also capable of activating mature granulocytes and macrophages. GM-CSF is a multilineage factor and, in addition to dose-dependent effects on the myelomonocytic lineage, can promote the proliferation of megakaryocytic and erythroid progenitors.1 However, other factors are required to induce complete maturation in these two lineages. The various cellular responses (i.e., division, maturation, activation) are induced through GM-CSF binding to specific receptors expressed on the cell surface of target cells.2



In vitro Studies of Leukine in Human Cells


The biological activity of GM-CSF is species-specific. Consequently, in vitro studies have been performed on human cells to characterize the pharmacological activity of Leukine. In vitro exposure of human bone marrow cells to Leukine at concentrations ranging from 1–100 ng/mL results in the proliferation of hematopoietic progenitors and in the formation of pure granulocyte, pure macrophage and mixed granulocytemacrophage colonies.3 Chemotactic, anti-fungal and anti-parasitic4 activities of granulocytes and monocytes are increased by exposure to Leukine in vitro. Leukine increases the cytotoxicity of monocytes toward certain neoplastic cell lines3 and activates polymorphonuclear neutrophils to inhibit the growth of tumor cells.



In vivo Primate Studies of Leukine


Pharmacology/toxicology studies of Leukine were performed in cynomolgus monkeys. An acute toxicity study revealed an absence of treatment-related toxicity following a single IV bolus injection at a dose of 300 mcg/kg. Two subacute studies were performed using IV injection (maximum dose 200 mcg/kg/day x 14 days) and subcutaneous injection (SC) (maximum dose 200 mcg/kg/day x 28 days). No major visceral organ toxicity was documented. Notable histopathology findings included increased cellularity in hematologic organs and heart and lung tissues. A dose-dependent increase in leukocyte count, which consisted primarily of segmented neutrophils, occurred during the dosing period; increases in monocytes, basophils, eosinophils and lymphocytes were also noted. Leukocyte counts decreased to pretreatment values over a 1-2 week recovery period.



Pharmacokinetics


Pharmacokinetic profiles have been analyzed in controlled studies of 24 normal male volunteers. Liquid and lyophilized Leukine, at the recommended dose of 250 mcg/m2, have been determined to be bioequivalent based on the statistical evaluation of AUC.5


When Leukine (either liquid or lyophilized) was administered IV over two hours to normal volunteers, the mean beta half-life was approximately 60 minutes. Peak concentrations of GM-CSF were observed in blood samples obtained during or immediately after completion of Leukine infusion. For liquid Leukine, the mean maximum concentration (Cmax) was 5.0 ng/mL, the mean clearance rate was approximately 420 mL/min/m2 and the mean AUC (0–inf) was 640 ng/mL•min. Corresponding results for lyophilized Leukine in the same subjects were mean Cmax of 5.4 ng/mL, mean clearance rate of 431 mL/min/m2, and mean AUC (0–inf) of 677 ng/mL•min. GM-CSF was last detected in blood samples obtained at three or six hours.


When Leukine (either liquid or lyophilized) was administered SC to normal volunteers, GM-CSF was detected in the serum at 15 minutes, the first sample point. The mean beta half-life was approximately 162 minutes. Peak levels occurred at one to three hours post injection, and Leukine remained detectable for up to six hours after injection. The mean Cmax was 1.5 ng/mL. For liquid Leukine, the mean clearance was 549 mL/min/m2 and the mean AUC (0-inf) was 549 ng/mL•min. For lyophilized Leukine, the mean clearance was 529 mL/min/m2 and the mean AUC (0-inf) was 501 ng/mL•min.



Indications and Usage for Leukine



Use Following Induction Chemotherapy in Acute Myelogenous Leukemia


Leukine is indicated for use following induction chemotherapy in older adult patients with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) to shorten time to neutrophil recovery and to reduce the incidence of severe and life-threatening infections and infections resulting in death. The safety and efficacy of Leukine have not been assessed in patients with AML under 55 years of age.


The term acute myelogenous leukemia, also referred to as acute non-lymphocytic leukemia (ANLL), encompasses a heterogeneous group of leukemias arising from various non-lymphoid cell lines which have been defined morphologically by the French-American-British (FAB) system of classification.



Use in Mobilization and Following Transplantation of Autologous Peripheral Blood Progentior Cells


Leukine is indicated for the mobilization of hematopoietic progenitor cells into peripheral blood for collection by leukapheresis. Mobilization allows for the collection of increased numbers of progenitor cells capable of engraftment as compared with collection without mobilization. After myeloablative chemotherapy, the transplantation of an increased number of progenitor cells can lead to more rapid engraftment, which may result in a decreased need for supportive care. Myeloid reconstitution is further accelerated by administration of Leukine following peripheral blood progenitor cell transplantation.



Use in Myeloid Reconstitution After Autologous Bone Marrow Transplantation


Leukine is indicated for acceleration of myeloid recovery in patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and Hodgkin's disease undergoing autologous bone marrow transplantation (BMT). After autologous BMT in patients with NHL, ALL, or Hodgkin's disease, Leukine has been found to be safe and effective in accelerating myeloid engraftment, decreasing median duration of antibiotic administration, reducing the median duration of infectious episodes and shortening the median duration of hospitalization. Hematologic response to Leukine can be detected by complete blood count (CBC) with differential cell counts performed twice per week.



Use in Myeloid Reconstitution After Allogeneic Bone Marrow Transplantation


Leukine is indicated for acceleration of myeloid recovery in patients undergoing allogeneic BMT from HLA-matched related donors. Leukine has been found to be safe and effective in accelerating myeloid engraftment, reducing the incidence of bacteremia and other culture positive infections, and shortening the median duration of hospitalization.



Use in Bone Marrow Transplantation Failure or Engraftment Delay


Leukine is indicated in patients who have undergone allogeneic or autologous bone marrow transplantation (BMT) in whom engraftment is delayed or has failed. Leukine has been found to be safe and effective in prolonging survival of patients who are experiencing graft failure or engraftment delay, in the presence or absence of infection, following autologous or allogeneic BMT. Survival benefit may be relatively greater in those patients who demonstrate one or more of the following characteristics: autologous BMT failure or engraftment delay, no previous total body irradiation, malignancy other than leukemia or a multiple organ failure (MOF) score ≤ two (see CLINICAL EXPERIENCE). Hematologic response to Leukine can be detected by complete blood count (CBC) with differential performed twice per week.



CLINICAL EXPERIENCE



Acute Myelogenous Leukemia


The safety and efficacy of Leukine in patients with AML who are younger than 55 years of age have not been determined. Based on Phase II data suggesting the best therapeutic effects could be achieved in patients at highest risk for severe infections and mortality while neutropenic, the Phase III clinical trial was conducted in older patients. The safety and efficacy of Leukine in the treatment of AML were evaluated in a multi-center, randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled trial of 99 newly diagnosed adult patients, 55–70 years of age, receiving induction with or without consolidation.6 A combination of standard doses of daunorubicin (days 1–3) and ara-C (days 1–7) was administered during induction and high dose ara-C was administered days 1–6 as a single course of consolidation, if given. Bone marrow evaluation was performed on day 10 following induction chemotherapy. If hypoplasia with <5% blasts was not achieved, patients immediately received a second cycle of induction chemotherapy. If the bone marrow was hypoplastic with <5% blasts on day 10 or four days following the second cycle of induction chemotherapy, Leukine (250 mcg/m2/day) or placebo was given IV over four hours each day, starting four days after the completion of chemotherapy. Study drug was continued until an ANC ≥1500/mm3 for three consecutive days was attained or a maximum of 42 days. Leukine or placebo was also administered after the single course of consolidation chemotherapy if delivered (ara-C 3–6 weeks after induction following neutrophil recovery). Study drug was discontinued immediately if leukemic regrowth occurred.


Leukine significantly shortened the median duration of ANC <500/mm3 by 4 days and <1000/mm3 by 7 days following induction (see Table 1). 75% of patients receiving Leukine achieved ANC >500/mm3 by day 16, compared to day 25 for patients receiving placebo. The proportion of patients receiving one cycle (70%) or two cycles (30%) of induction was similar in both treatment groups; Leukine significantly shortened the median times to neutrophil recovery whether one cycle (12 versus 15 days) or two cycles (14 versus 23 days) of induction chemotherapy was administered. Median times to platelet (>20,000/mm3) and RBC transfusion independence were not significantly different between treatment groups.

























Table 1 Hematological Recovery (in Days): Induction

*

Patients with missing data censored.


p=Generalized Wilcoxon


2 patients on sargramostim and 4 patients on placebo had missing values.

§

2 patients on sargramostim and 3 patients on placebo had missing values.


4 patients on placebo had missing values.

#

3 patients on sargramostim and 4 patients on placebo had missing values.


Sargramostim


n=52*


Median (25%, 75%)

Placebo


n=47


Median (25%,75%)

p-value


ANC>500/mm313 (11, 16)17 (13, 25)0.009
ANC>1000/mm3§14 (12, 18)21 (13, 34)0.003
PLT>20,000/mm311 (7, 14)12 (9, >42)0.10
RBC#12 (9, 24)14 (9, 42)0.53

During the consolidation phase of treatment, Leukine did not shorten the median time to recovery of ANC to 500/mm3 (13 days) or 1000/mm3 (14.5 days) compared to placebo. There were no significant differences in time to platelet and RBC transfusion independence.


The incidence of severe infections and deaths associated with infections was significantly reduced in patients who received Leukine. During induction or consolidation, 27 of 52 patients receiving Leukine and 35 of 47 patients receiving placebo had at least one grade 3, 4 or 5 infection (p=0.02). Twenty-five patients receiving Leukine and 30 patients receiving placebo experienced severe and fatal infections during induction only. There were significantly fewer deaths from infectious causes in the Leukine arm (3 versus 11, p=0.02). The majority of deaths in the placebo group were associated with fungal infections with pneumonia as the primary infection.


Disease outcomes were not adversely affected by the use of Leukine. The proportion of patients achieving complete remission (CR) was higher in the Leukine group (69% as compared to 55% for the placebo group), but the difference was not significant (p=0.21). There was no significant difference in relapse rates; 12 of 36 patients who received Leukine and five of 26 patients who received placebo relapsed within 180 days of documented CR (p=0.26). The overall median survival was 378 days for patients receiving Leukine and 268 days for those on placebo (p=0.17). The study was not sized to assess the impact of Leukine treatment on response or survival.



Mobilization and Engraftment of PBPC


A retrospective review was conducted of data from patients with cancer undergoing collection of peripheral blood progenitor cells (PBPC) at a single transplant center. Mobilization of PBPC and myeloid reconstitution post-transplant were compared between four groups of patients (n=196) receiving Leukine for mobilization and a historical control group who did not receive any mobilization treatment [progenitor cells collected by leukapheresis without mobilization (n=100)]. Sequential cohorts received Leukine. The cohorts differed by dose (125 or 250 mcg/m2/day), route (IV over 24 hours or SC) and use of Leukine post-transplant. Leukaphereses were initiated for all mobilization groups after the WBC reached 10,000/mm3. Leukaphereses continued until both a minimum number of mononucleated cells (MNC) were collected (6.5 or 8.0 x 108/kg body weight) and a minimum number of phereses (5-8) were performed. Both minimum requirements varied by treatment cohort and planned conditioning regimen. If subjects failed to reach a WBC of 10,000 cells/mm3 by day five, another cytokine was substituted for Leukine; these subjects were all successfully leukapheresed and transplanted. The most marked mobilization and post-transplant effects were seen in patients administered the higher dose of Leukine (250 mcg/m2) either IV (n=63) or SC (n=41).


PBPCs from patients treated at the 250 mcg/m2/day dose had significantly higher number of granulocyte-macrophage colony-forming units (CFU-GM) than those collected without mobilization. The mean value after thawing was 11.41 x 104 CFU-GM/kg for all Leukine-mobilized patients, compared to 0.96 x 104/kg for the non-mobilized group. A similar difference was observed in the mean number of erythrocyte burst-forming units (BFU-E) collected (23.96 x 104/kg for patients mobilized with 250 mcg/m2 doses of Leukine administered SC vs. 1.63 x 104/kg for non-mobilized patients).


After transplantation, mobilized subjects had shorter times to myeloid engraftment and fewer days between transplantation and the last platelet transfusion compared to non-mobilized subjects. Neutrophil recovery (ANC >500/mm3) was more rapid in patients administered Leukine following PBPC transplantation with Leukine-mobilized cells (see Table 2). Mobilized patients also had fewer days to the last platelet transfusion and last RBC transfusion, and a shorter duration of hospitalization than did non-mobilized subjects.

































Table 2 ANC and Platelet Recovery after PBPC Transplant

Route for


Mobilization

Post-transplant


Leukine

ENGRAFTMENT


(median value in days)


ANC>500/mm3

Last platelet


transfusion


   
No Mobilizationno2928

Leukine


250 mcg/m2
IVno2124
IVyes1219 
SCyes1217 

A second retrospective review of data from patients undergoing PBPC at another single transplant center was also conducted. Leukine was given SC at 250 mcg/m2/day once a day (n=10) or twice a day (n=21) until completion of the phereses. Phereses were begun on day 5 of Leukine administration and continued until the targeted MNC count of 9 x 108/kg or CD34+ cell count of 1 x 106/kg was reached. There was no difference in CD34+ cell count in patients receiving Leukine once or twice a day. The median time to ANC>500/mm3 was 12 days and to platelet recovery (>25,000/mm3) was 23 days.


Survival studies comparing mobilized study patients to the nonmobilized patients and to an autologous historical bone marrow transplant group showed no differences in median survival time.



Autologous Bone Marrow Transplantation7


Following a dose-ranging Phase I/II trial in patients undergoing autologous BMT for lymphoid malignancies,8, 9 three single center, randomized, placebo-controlled and double-blinded studies were conducted to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Leukine for promoting hematopoietic reconstitution following autologous BMT. A total of 128 patients (65 Leukine, 63 placebo) were enrolled in these three studies. The majority of the patients had lymphoid malignancy (87 NHL, 17 ALL), 23 patients had Hodgkin's disease, and one patient had acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML). In 72 patients with NHL or ALL, the bone marrow harvest was purged prior to storage with one of several monoclonal antibodies. No chemical agent was used for in vitro treatment of the bone marrow. Preparative regimens in the three studies included cyclophosphamide (total dose 120-150 mg/kg) and total body irradiation (total dose 1,200-1,575 rads). Other regimens used in patients with Hodgkin's disease and NHL without radiotherapy consisted of three or more of the following in combination (expressed as total dose): cytosine arabinoside (400 mg/m2) and carmustine (300 mg/m2), cyclophosphamide (140-150 mg/kg), hydroxyurea (4.5 grams/m2) and etoposide (375-450 mg/m2).


Compared to placebo, administration of Leukine in two studies (n=44 and 47) significantly improved the following hematologic and clinical endpoints: time to neutrophil engraftment, duration of hospitalization and infection experience or antibacterial usage. In the third study (n=37) there was a positive trend toward earlier myeloid engraftment in favor of Leukine. This latter study differed from the other two in having enrolled a large number of patients with Hodgkin's disease who had also received extensive radiation and chemotherapy prior to harvest of autologous bone marrow. A subgroup analysis of the data from all three studies revealed that the median time to engraftment for patients with Hodgkin's disease, regardless of treatment, was six days longer when compared to patients with NHL and ALL, but that the overall beneficial Leukine treatment effect was the same. In the following combined analysis of the three studies, these two subgroups (NHL and ALL vs. Hodgkin's disease) are presented separately.

























Table 3 Autologous BMT: Combined Analysis from Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trials of Responses in Patients with NHL and ALL
Note: The single AML patient was not included.

*

p <0.05 Wilcoxon or CMH ridit chi-squared


p <0.05 Log rank

Median Values (days)

ANC


≥500/mm3

ANC


≥1000/mm3

Duration of


Hospitalization

Duration of


Infection

Duration of


Antibacterial Therapy



Leukine


(n=54)


18*24*25*1*21*

Placebo


(n=50)


243231425
Patients with Lymphoid Malignancy (Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma and Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia)

Myeloid engraftment (absolute neutrophil count [ANC]≥500 cells/mm3) in 54 patients receiving Leukine was observed 6 days earlier than in 50 patients treated with placebo (see Table 3). Accelerated myeloid engraftment was associated with significant clinical benefits. The median duration of hospitalization was six days shorter for the Leukine group than for the placebo group. Median duration of infectious episodes (defined as fever and neutropenia; or two positive cultures of the same organism; or fever >38°C and one positive blood culture; or clinical evidence of infection) was three days less in the group treated with Leukine. The median duration of antibacterial administration in the post-transplantation period was four days shorter for the patients treated with Leukine than for placebo-treated patients. The study was unable to detect a significant difference between the treatment groups in rate of disease relapse 24 months post-transplantation. As a group, leukemic subjects receiving Leukine derived less benefit than NHL subjects. However, both the leukemic and NHL groups receiving Leukine engrafted earlier than controls.


Patients with Hodgkin's Disease

If patients with Hodgkin's disease are analyzed separately, a trend toward earlier myeloid engraftment is noted. Leukine-treated patients engrafted earlier (by five days) than the placebo-treated patients (p=0.189, Wilcoxon) but the number of patients was small (n=22).



Allogeneic Bone Marrow Transplantation


A multi-center, randomized, placebo-controlled, and double-blinded study was conducted to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Leukine for promoting hematopoietic reconstitution following allogeneic BMT. A total of 109 patients (53 Leukine, 56 placebo) were enrolled in the study. Twenty-three patients (11 Leukine, 12 placebo) were 18 years old or younger. Sixty-seven patients had myeloid malignancies (33 AML, 34 CML), 17 had lymphoid malignancies (12 ALL, 5 NHL), three patients had Hodgkin's disease, six had multiple myeloma, nine had myelodysplastic disease, and seven patients had aplastic anemia. In 22 patients at one of the seven study sites, bone marrow harvests were depleted of T cells. Preparative regimens included cyclophosphamide, busulfan, cytosine arabinoside, etoposide, methotrexate, corticosteroids, and asparaginase. Some patients also received total body, splenic, or testicular irradiation. Primary graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis was cyclosporine A and a corticosteroid.


Accelerated myeloid engraftment was associated with significant laboratory and clinical benefits. Compared to placebo, administration of Leukine significantly improved the following: time to neutrophil engraftment, duration of hospitalization, number of patients with bacteremia and overall incidence of infection (see Table 4).
























Table 4 Allogeneic BMT: Analysis of Data from Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial

*

p <0.05 generalized Wilcoxon test


p <0.05 simple chi-square test


Median Values (days or number of patients)



ANC ≥


500/mm3



ANC ≥


1000/mm3

Number of Patients with Infections


Number of Patients with Bacteremia

Days of


Hospitalization

Leukine


(n=53)


13*14*30*925*

Placebo


(n=56)


1719421926

Median time to myeloid engraftment (ANC ≥ 500 cells/mm3) in 53 patients receiving Leukine was 4 four days less than in 56 patients treated with placebo (see Table 4). The number of patients with bacteremia and infection was significantly lower in the Leukine group compared to the placebo group (9/53 versus 19/56 and 30/53 versus 42/56, respectively). There were a number of secondary laboratory and clinical endpoints. Of these, only the incidence of severe (grade 3/4) mucositis was significantly improved in the Leukine group (4/53) compared to the placebo group (16/56) at p<0.05. Leukine-treated patients also had a shorter median duration of post-transplant IV antibiotic infusions, and shorter median number of days to last platelet and RBC transfusions compared to placebo patients, but none of these differences reached statistical significance.



Bone Marrow Transplantation Failure or Engraftment Delay


A historically-controlled study was conducted in patients experiencing graft failure following allogeneic or autologous BMT to determine whether Leukine improved survival after BMT failure.


Three categories of patients were eligible for this study:


  1. patients displaying a delay in engraftment (ANC ≤ 100 cells/mm3 by day 28 post-transplantation);

  2. patients displaying a delay in engraftment (ANC ≤ 100 cells/mm3 by day 21 post-transplantation) and who had evidence of an active infection; and

  3. patients who lost their marrow graft after a transient engraftment (manifested by an average of ANC ≥ 500 cells/mm3 for at least one week followed by loss of engraftment with ANC < 500 cells/mm3 for at least one week beyond day 21 post-transplantation).

A total of 140 eligible patients from 35 institutions were treated with Leukine and evaluated in comparison to 103 historical control patients from a single institution. One hundred sixty-three patients had lymphoid or myeloid leukemia, 24 patients had non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, 19 patients had Hodgkin's disease and 37 patients had other diseases, such as aplastic anemia, myelodysplasia or non-hematologic malignancy. The majority of patients (223 out of 243) had received prior chemotherapy with or without radiotherapy and/or immunotherapy prior to preparation for transplantation.


One hundred day survival was improved in favor of the patients treated with Leukine after graft failure following either autologous or allogeneic BMT. In addition, the median survival was improved by greater than two-fold. The median survival of patients treated with Leukine after autologous failure was 474 days versus 161 days for the historical patients. Similarly, after allogeneic failure, the median survival was 97 days with Leukine treatment and 35 days for the historical controls. Improvement in survival was better in patients with fewer impaired organs.


The MOF score is a simple clinical and laboratory assessment of seven major organ systems: cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, hematologic, renal, hepatic and neurologic.10 Assessment of the MOF score is recommended as an additional method of determining the need to initiate treatment with Leukine in patients with graft failure or delay in engraftment following autologous or allogeneic BMT (see Table 5).

































Table 5 Median Survival by Multiple Organ Failure (MOF) Category

Median Survival (days)


MOF ≤ 2 OrgansMOF > 2 Organs

MOF (Composite


of Both Groups)



Autologous BMT


Leukine474 (n=58)78.5 (n=10)474 (n=68)
Historical165 (n=14)39 (n=3)161 (n=17)

Allogeneic BMT


Leukine174 (n=50)27 (n=22)97 (n=72)
Historical52.5(n=60)15.5(n=26)35 (n=86)
Factors that Contribute to Survival

The probability of survival was relatively greater for patients with any one of the following characteristics: autologous BMT failure or delay in engraftment, exclusion of total body irradiation from the preparative regimen, a non-leukemic malignancy or MOF score ≤ two (zero, one or two dysfunctional organ systems). Leukemic subjects derived less benefit than other subjects.



Contraindications


Leukine is contraindicated:


  1. in patients with excessive leukemic myeloid blasts in the bone marrow or peripheral blood (≥ 10%);

  2. in patients with known hypersensitivity to GM-CSF, yeast-derived products or any component of the product;

  3. for concomitant use with chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Due to the potential sensitivity of rapidly dividing hematopoietic progenitor cells, Leukine should not be administered simultaneously with cytotoxic chemotherapy or radiotherapy or within 24 hours proceeding or following chemotherapy or radiotherapy. In one controlled study, patients with small cell lung cancer received Leukine and concurrent thoracic radiotherapy and chemotherapy or the identical radiotherapy and chemotherapy without Leukine. The patients randomized to Leukine had significantly higher incidence of adverse events, including higher mortality and a higher incidence of grade 3 and 4 infections and grade 3 and 4 thrombocytopenia.11



Warnings



Pediatric Use


Benzyl alcohol is a constituent of liquid Leukine and Bacteriostatic Water for Injection diluent. Benzyl alcohol has been reported to be associated with a fatal "Gasping Syndrome" in premature infants. Liquid solutions containing benzyl alcohol (including liquid Leukine ) or lyophilized Leukine reconstituted with Bacteriostatic Water for Injection, USP (0.9% benzyl alcohol) should not be administered to neonates (see PRECAUTIONS and DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION).



Fluid Retention


Edema, capillary leak syndrome, pleural and/or pericardial effusion have been reported in patients after Leukine administration. In 156 patients enrolled in placebo-controlled studies using Leukine at a dose of 250 mcg/m2/day by 2-hour IV infusion, the reported incidences of fluid retention (Leukine vs. placebo) were as follows: peripheral edema, 11% vs. 7%; pleural effusion, 1% vs. 0%; and pericardial effusion, 4% vs. 1%. Capillary leak syndrome was not observed in this limited number of studies; based on other uncontrolled studies and reports from users of marketed Leukine, the incidence is estimated to be less than 1%. In patients with preexisting pleural and pericardial effusions, administration of Leukine may aggravate fluid retention; however, fluid retention associated with or worsened by Leukine has been reversible after interruption or dose reduction of Leukine with or without diuretic therapy. Leukine should be used with caution in patients with preexisting fluid retention, pulmonary infiltrates or congestive heart failure.



Respiratory Symptoms


Sequestration of granulocytes in the pulmonary circulation has been documented following Leukine infusion12 and dyspnea has been reported occasionally in patients treated with Leukine. Special attention should be given to respiratory symptoms during or immediately following Leukine infusion, especially in patients with preexisting lung disease. In patients displaying dyspnea during Leukine administration, the rate of infusion should be reduced by half. If respiratory symptoms worsen despite infusion rate reduction, the infusion should be discontinued. Subsequent IV infusions may be administered following the standard dose schedule with careful monitoring. Leukine should be administered with caution in patients with hypoxia.



Cardiovascular Symptoms


Occasional transient supraventricular arrhythmia has been reported in uncontrolled studies during Leukine administration, particularly in patients with a previous history of cardiac arrhythmia. However, these arrhythmias have been reversible after discontinuation of Leukine. Leukine should be used with caution in patients with preexisting cardiac disease.



Renal and Hepatic Dysfunction


In some patients with preexisting renal or hepatic dysfunction enrolled in uncontrolled clinical trials, administration of Leukine has induced elevation of serum creatinine or bilirubin and hepatic enzymes. Dose reduction or interruption of Leukine administration has resulted in a decrease to pretreatment values. However, in controlled clinical trials the incidences of renal and hepatic dysfunction were comparable between Leukine (250 mcg/m2/day by 2-hour IV infusion) and placebo-treated patients. Monitoring of renal and hepatic function in patients displaying renal or hepatic dysfunction prior to initiation of treatment is recommended at least every other week during Leukine administration.



Precautions



General


Parenteral administration of recombinant proteins should be attended by appropriate precautions in case an allergic or untoward reaction occurs. Serious allergic or anaphylactic reactions have been reported. If any serious allergic or anaphylactic reaction occurs, Leukine therapy should immediately be discontinued and appropriate therapy initiated.


A syndrome characterized by respiratory distress, hypoxia, flushing, hypotension, syncope, and/or tachycardia has been reported following the first administration of Leukine in a particular cycle. These signs have resolved with symptomatic treatment and usually do not recur with subsequent doses in the same cycle of treatment.


Stimulation of marrow precursors with Leukine may result in a rapid rise in white blood cell (WBC) count. If the ANC exceeds 20,000 cells/mm3 or if the platelet count exceeds 500,000/mm3, Leukine administration should be interrupted or the dose reduced by half. The decision to reduce the dose or interrupt treatment should be based on the clinical condition of the patient. Excessive blood counts have returned to normal or baseline levels within three to seven days following cessation of Leukine therapy. Twice weekly monitoring of CBC with differential (including examination for the presence of blast cells) should be performed to preclude development of excessive counts.



Growth Factor Potential


Leukine is a growth factor that primarily stimulates normal myeloid precursors. However, the possibility that Leukine can act as a growth factor for any tumor type, particularly myeloid malignancies, cannot be excluded. Because of the possibility of tumor growth potentiation, precaution should be exercised when using this drug in any malignancy with myeloid characteristics.


Should disease progression be detected during Leukine treatment, Leukine therapy should be discontinued.


Leukine has been administered to patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) in uncontrolled studies without evidence of increased relapse rates.13, 14, 15


Controlled studies have not been performed in patients with MDS.



Use in Patients Receiving Purged Bone Marrow


Leukine is effective in accelerating myeloid recovery in patients receiving bone marrow purged by anti-B lymphocyte monoclonal antibodies. Data obtained from uncontrolled studies suggest that if in vitro marrow purging with chemical agents causes a significant decrease in the number of responsive hematopoietic progenitors, the patient may not respond to Leukine. When the bone marrow purging process preserves a sufficient number of progenitors (>1.2 x 104/kg), a beneficial effect of Leukine on myeloid engraftment has been reported.16



Use in Patients Previously Exposed to Intensive Chemotherapy/Radiotherapy


In patients who before autologous BMT, have received extensive radiotherapy to hematopoietic sites for the treatment of primary disease in the abdomen or chest, or have been exposed to multiple myelotoxic agents (alkylating agents, anthracycline antibiotics and antimetabolites), the effect of Leukine on myeloid reconstitution may be limited.



Use in Patients with Malignancy Undergoing Leukine-Mobilized PBPC Collection


When using Leukine to mobilize PBPC, the limited in vitro data suggest that tumor cells may be released and reinfused into the patient in the leukapheresis product. The effect of reinfusion of tumor cells has not been well studied and the data are inconclusive.



Information for Patients


Leukine should be used under t