Warnings for Arikayce
Included as part of the "PRECAUTIONS" Section
Precautions for Arikayce
Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis
Hypersensitivity pneumonitis has been reported with the use of ARIKAYCE in the clinical trials. Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (reported as allergic alveolitis, pneumonitis, interstitial lung disease, allergic reaction to ARIKAYCE) was reported at a higher frequency in patients treated with ARIKAYCE plus a background regimen (3.1%) compared to patients treated with a background regimen alone (0%). Most patients with hypersensitivity pneumonitis discontinued treatment with ARIKAYCE and received treatment with corticosteroids [see ADVERSE REACTIONS]. If hypersensitivity pneumonitis occurs, discontinue ARIKAYCE and manage the patient as medically appropriate.
Hemoptysis
Hemoptysis has been reported with the use of ARIKAYCE in the clinical trials. Hemoptysis was reported at a higher frequency in patients treated with ARIKAYCE plus a background regimen (18.4%) compared to patients treated with a background regimen alone (13.4%) [see ADVERSE REACTIONS]. If hemoptysis occurs, manage the patients as medically appropriate.
Bronchospasm
Bronchospasm has been reported with the use of ARIKAYCE in the clinical trials. Bronchospasm (reported as asthma, bronchial hyperreactivity, bronchospasm, dyspnea, dyspnea exertional, prolonged expiration, throat tightness, wheezing) was reported at a higher frequency in patients treated with ARIKAYCE plus a background regimen (28.7%) compared to patients treated with a background regimen alone (10.7%) [see ADVERSE REACTIONS]. If bronchospasm occurs during the use of ARIKAYCE, treat the patients as medically appropriate.
Exacerbation Of Underlying Pulmonary Disease
Exacerbations of underlying pulmonary disease have been reported with the use of ARIKAYCE in the clinical trials. Exacerbations of underlying pulmonary disease (reported as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, infective exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, infective exacerbation of bronchiectasis) have been reported at a higher frequency in patients treated with ARIKAYCE plus a background regimen (15.2%) compared to patients treated with background regimen alone (9.8%) [see ADVERSE REACTIONS]. If exacerbations of underlying pulmonary disease occur during the use of ARIKAYCE, treat the patients as medically appropriate.
Anaphylaxis And Hypersensitivity Reactions
Serious and potentially life-threatening hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis, have been reported in patients taking ARIKAYCE. Signs and symptoms include acute onset of skin and mucosal tissue hypersensitivity reactions (hives, itching, flushing, swollen lips/tongue/uvula), respiratory difficulty (shortness of breath, wheezing, stridor, cough), gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, crampy abdominal pain), and cardiovascular signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis (tachycardia, low blood pressure, syncope, incontinence, dizziness). Before therapy with ARIKAYCE is instituted, evaluate for previous hypersensitivity reactions to aminoglycosides. If anaphylaxis or a hypersensitivity reaction occurs, discontinue ARIKAYCE and institute appropriate supportive measures.
Ototoxicity
Ototoxicity With Use Of ARIKAYCE
Ototoxicity has been reported with the use of ARIKAYCE in the clinical trials. Ototoxicity (including deafness, dizziness, presyncope, tinnitus, and vertigo) were reported with a higher frequency in patients treated with ARIKAYCE plus a background regimen (17%) compared to patients treated with background regimen alone (9.8%). This was primarily driven by tinnitus (8.1% in ARIKAYCE plus background regimen vs. 0.9% in the background regimen alone arm) and dizziness (6.3% in ARIKAYCE plus background regimen vs. 2.7% in the background regimen alone arm) [see ADVERSE REACTIONS].
Closely monitor patients with known or suspected auditory or vestibular dysfunction during treatment with ARIKAYCE. If ototoxicity occurs, manage the patient as medically appropriate, including potentially discontinuing ARIKAYCE.
Risk Of Ototoxicity Due To Mitochondrial DNA Variants
Cases of ototoxicity with aminoglycosides have been observed in patients with certain variants in the mitochondrially encoded 12S rRNA gene (MT-RNR1), particularly the m.1555A>G variant. Ototoxicity occurred in some patients even when their aminoglycoside serum levels were within the recommended range. Mitochondrial DNA variants are present in less than 1% of the general US population, and the proportion of the variant carriers who may develop ototoxicity as well as the severity of ototoxicity is unknown. In case of known maternal history of ototoxicity due to aminoglycoside use or a known mitochondrial DNA variant in the patient, consider alternative treatments other than aminoglycosides unless the increased risk of permanent hearing loss is outweighed by the severity of infection and lack of safe and effective alternative therapies.
Nephrotoxicity
Nephrotoxicity was observed during the clinical trials of ARIKAYCE in patients with MAC lung disease but not at a higher frequency than the background regimen alone [see ADVERSE REACTIONS]. Nephrotoxicity has been associated with the aminoglycosides. Close monitoring of patients with known or suspected renal dysfunction may be needed when prescribing ARIKAYCE.
Neuromuscular Blockade
Patients with neuromuscular disorders were not enrolled in ARIKAYCE clinical trials. Aminoglycosides may aggravate muscle weakness by blocking the release of acetylcholine at neuromuscular junctions. Closely monitor patients with known or suspected neuromuscular disorders, such as myasthenia gravis. If neuromuscular blockade occurs, it may be reversed by the administration of calcium salts but mechanical respiratory assistance may be necessary.
Embryo-Fetal Toxicity
Aminoglycosides can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Aminoglycosides, including ARIKAYCE, may be associated with total, irreversible, bilateral congenital deafness in pediatric patients exposed in utero. Patients who use ARIKAYCE during pregnancy, or become pregnant while taking ARIKAYCE should be apprised of the potential hazard to the fetus [see Use In Specific Populations].
Patient Counseling Information
Advise the patient to read the FDA-approved patient labeling (Medication Guide and Patient Instructions for Use).
Important Instructions For Administration Of ARIKAYCE
Instruct patients to read the Instructions for Use before starting ARIKAYCE. Instruct patients to only use the Lamira® Nebulizer System to administer ARIKAYCE. Advise the patient or caregiver not to use the Lamira Nebulizer System with any other medicine.
Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis And Bronchospasm (Difficulty Breathing)
Advise patients to inform their healthcare provider if they experience shortness of breath or wheezing after administration of ARIKAYCE. Advise patients with a history of reactive airway disease, asthma, or bronchospasm, to administer ARIKAYCE after using a short-acting bronchodilator [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Hemoptysis Or Cough
Advise patients to inform their healthcare provider if they cough up blood or experience episodic cough either during or after ARIKAYCE administration particularly in the first month after starting ARIKAYCE [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS and ADVERSE REACTIONS].
Exacerbations Of Underlying Pulmonary Disease
Advise patients to inform their healthcare provider if they experience worsening of their lung disease after starting ARIKAYCE [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Dysphonia Or Difficulty Speaking
Advise patients to inform their healthcare provider if they have difficulty speaking. Difficulty speaking or loss of ability to speak has been reported with ARIKAYCE [see ADVERSE REACTIONS].
Anaphylaxis And Hypersensitivity Reactions
Advise patients and caregivers that serious and potentially life-threatening hypersensitivity reactions, that require immediate treatment could occur. Advise the patient to discontinue ARIKAYCE and seek immediate medical attention if any signs or symptoms of a hypersensitivity reaction occur [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Ototoxicity (Ringing In The Ears)
Advise patients to inform their healthcare provider if they experience ringing in the ears, dizziness, or any changes in hearing because ARIKAYCE has been associated with hearing loss [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Advise the patient not to operate heavy machinery or do dangerous activities while inhaling ARIKAYCE through the Lamira Nebulizer System because ARIKAYCE can cause symptoms such as dizziness or respiratory symptoms.
Nephrotoxicity Or Kidney Damage
Advise patients to inform their health care provider if they have kidney problems because kidney damage has been reported with aminoglycosides [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]. Neuromuscular Blockade Advise patients to inform their healthcare provider of known neuromuscular disease (e.g., myasthenia gravis) [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Embryo-Fetal Toxicity
Advise pregnant women that aminoglycosides, including ARIKAYCE, may cause irreversible congenital deafness when administered during pregnancy [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS and Use In Specific Populations].
Nonclinical Toxicology
Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment Of Fertility
In a 2-year inhalation carcinogenicity study, rats were exposed to ARIKAYCE for 15-25, 50-70, or 155170 minutes per day for 96-104 weeks. These provided approximate inhaled doses of 5, 15, and 45 mg/kg/day. Squamous cell carcinoma was observed in the lungs of 2 of 120 rats administered the highest dose tested. Maximum serum AUC levels of amikacin in the rats at steady state were approximately 1.3, 2.8, and 7.6 mcg·hr/mL at the low, mid, and high doses, respectively, compared with 23.5 mcg·hr/mL (8.0 to 46.5 mcg·hr/mL) measured in humans. The squamous cell carcinomas may be the result of a high lung burden of particulates from ARIKAYCE in the rat lung. The relevance of the lung tumor findings with regards to humans receiving ARIKAYCE is unknown.
No evidence of mutagenicity or genotoxicity was observed in a battery of in vitro and in vivo genotoxicity studies with a liposome-encapsulated amikacin formulation similar to ARIKAYCE (in vitro microbial mutagenesis test, in vitro mouse lymphoma mutation assay, in vitro chromosomal aberration study, and an in vivo micronucleus study in rats).
No fertility studies were conducted with ARIKAYCE. Intraperitoneal administration of amikacin to male and female rats at doses up to 200 mg/kg/day prior to mating through Day 7 of gestation were not associated with impairment of fertility or adverse effects on early embryonic development.
Use In Specific Populations
Pregnancy
Risk Summary
There are no data on ARIKAYCE use in pregnant women to evaluate for any drug-associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. Although systemic absorption of amikacin following oral inhalation is expected to be low [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY], systemic exposure to aminoglycoside antibacterial drugs, including ARIKAYCE, may be associated with total, irreversible, bilateral congenital deafness when administered to pregnant women [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]. Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus.
Animal reproductive toxicology studies have not been conducted with inhaled amikacin. Subcutaneous administration of amikacin to pregnant rats (up to 100 mg/kg/day) and mice (up to 400 mg/kg/day) during organogenesis was not associated with fetal malformations. Ototoxicity was not adequately evaluated in offspring in animal studies.
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 defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2-4% and 15-20%, respectively.
Data
Animal Data
No animal reproductive toxicology studies have been conducted with ARIKAYCE or non-liposomal amikacin administered by inhalation.
Amikacin was subcutaneously administered to pregnant rats (Gestation Days 8-14) and mice (Gestation Days 7-13) at doses of 25, 100, or 400 mg/kg to assess developmental toxicity. These doses did not cause fetal visceral or skeletal malformations in mice. The high dose was excessively maternally toxic in rats (nephrotoxicity and mortality were observed), precluding the evaluation of offspring at this dose. Fetal malformations were not observed at the low or mid dose in rats. Postnatal development of the rats and mice exposed to these doses of amikacin in utero did not differ significantly from control.
Ototoxicity was not adequately evaluated in offspring in animal developmental toxicology studies.
Lactation
Risk Summary
There is no information regarding the presence of ARIKAYCE in human milk, the effects on the breastfed infant, or the effects on milk production after administration of ARIKAYCE by inhalation. Although limited published data on other routes of administration of amikacin indicate that amikacin is present in human milk, systemic absorption of ARIKAYCE following inhaled administration is expected to be low [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY]. The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother’s clinical need for ARIKAYCE and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed child from ARIKAYCE or from the underlying maternal condition.
Pediatric Use
Safety and effectiveness of ARIKAYCE in pediatric patients below 18 years of age have not been established.
Geriatric Use
In the NTM clinical trials, of the total number of patients receiving ARIKAYCE, 208 (51.5%) were ≥ 65 years and 59 (14.6%) were ≥ 75 years. No overall differences in safety and effectiveness were observed between elderly subjects and younger subjects. Because elderly patients are more likely to have decreased renal function, it may be useful to monitor renal function [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Hepatic Impairment
ARIKAYCE has not been studied in patients with hepatic impairment. No dose adjustments based on hepatic impairment are required since amikacin is not hepatically metabolized [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY].
Renal Impairment
ARIKAYCE has not been studied in patients with renal impairment. Given the low systemic exposure to amikacin following administration of ARIKAYCE, clinically relevant accumulation of amikacin is unlikely to occur in patients with renal impairment. However, renal function should be monitored in patients with known or suspected renal impairment, including elderly patients with potential age-related decreases in renal function [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS, Geriatric Use].