Warnings for Brenzavvy
Included as part of the PRECAUTIONS section.
Precautions for Brenzavvy
Diabetic Ketoacidosis In Patients With Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus And Other Ketoacidosis
In patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus, BRENZAVVY significantly increases the risk of diabetic ketoacidosis, a life-threatening event, beyond background rate. In placebo-controlled trials of patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus, the risk of ketoacidosis was markedly increased in patients who received sodium glucose transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors compared to patients who received placebo. BRENZAVVY is not indicated for glycemic control in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus.
Type 2 diabetes mellitus and pancreatic disorders (e.g., history of pancreatitis or pancreatic surgery) are also risk factors for ketoacidosis. There have been postmarketing reports of fatal events of ketoacidosis in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus using SGLT2 inhibitors.
Precipitating conditions for diabetic ketoacidosis or other ketoacidosis include under-insulinization due to insulin dose reduction or missed insulin doses, acute febrile illness, reduced caloric intake, ketogenic diet, surgery, volume depletion, and alcohol abuse.
Signs and symptoms are consistent with dehydration and severe metabolic acidosis and include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, generalized malaise, and shortness of breath. Blood glucose levels at presentation may be below those typically expected for diabetic ketoacidosis (e.g., less than 250 mg/dL). Ketoacidosis and glucosuria may persist longer than typically expected. Urinary glucose excretion persists for 3 days after discontinuing BRENZAVVY [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY]; however, there have been postmarketing reports of ketoacidosis and/or glucosuria lasting greater than 6 days and some up to 2 weeks after discontinuation of SGLT2 inhibitors.
Consider ketone monitoring in patients at risk for ketoacidosis if indicated by the clinical situation. Assess for ketoacidosis regardless of presenting blood glucose levels in patients who present with signs and symptoms consistent with severe metabolic acidosis. If ketoacidosis is suspected, discontinue BRENZAVVY, promptly evaluate, and treat ketoacidosis, if confirmed. Monitor patients for resolution of ketoacidosis before restarting BRENZAVVY.
Withhold BRENZAVVY, if possible, in temporary clinical situations that could predispose patients to ketoacidosis. Resume BRENZAVVY when the patient is clinically stable and has resumed oral intake [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION].
Educate all patients on the signs and symptoms of ketoacidosis and instruct patients to discontinue BRENZAVVY and seek medical attention immediately if signs and symptoms occur.
Lower Limb Amputation
An increased incidence of lower limb amputations occurred in BRENZAVVY-treated patients compared to placebo-treated patients (8.3 versus 5.1 events per 1,000 patient-years) in a randomized, placebo-controlled trial evaluating patients with type 2 diabetes who had either established cardiovascular disease (CVD) or were at risk for CVD (Trial 6). Additional amputation data from Trial 6 are shown in Table 2 [see ADVERSE REACTIONS]. Of the 23 BRENZAVVY-treated patients who had amputations, 15 were amputations of the toe and midfoot and 8 were amputations above and below the knee. Some patients had multiple amputations.
Lower limb infections, gangrene, ischemia, and osteomyelitis were the most common precipitating medical events leading to the need for an amputation. The risk of amputation was highest in patients with a baseline history of prior amputation, peripheral vascular disease, and neuropathy.
Before initiating BRENZAVVY, consider factors in the patient history that may predispose to the need for amputations, such as a history of prior amputation, peripheral vascular disease, neuropathy and diabetic foot ulcers. Counsel patients about the importance of routine preventative foot care. Monitor patients receiving BRENZAVVY for signs and symptoms of infection (including osteomyelitis), new pain or tenderness, sores or ulcers involving the lower limbs, and discontinue BRENZAVVY if these complications occur.
Volume Depletion
BRENZAVVY can cause intravascular volume contraction which may sometimes manifest as symptomatic hypotension or acute transient changes in creatinine [see ADVERSE REACTIONS]. There have been postmarketing reports of acute kidney injury, some requiring hospitalization and dialysis, in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus receiving SGLT2 inhibitors. Patients with impaired renal function (eGFR less than 60 mL/min/1.73 m²) [see Use In Specific Populations], elderly patients, patients with low systolic blood pressure, or patients on loop diuretics may be at increased risk for volume depletion or hypotension. Before initiating BRENZAVVY in patients with one or more of these characteristics, assess volume status and renal function [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION]. In patients with volume depletion, correct this condition before initiating BRENZAVVY. Monitor for signs and symptoms of volume depletion, and renal function after initiating therapy.
Urosepsis And Pyelonephritis
There have been reports of serious urinary tract infections, including urosepsis and pyelonephritis, requiring hospitalization in patients receiving SGLT2 inhibitors, including BRENZAVVY. Treatment with SGLT2 inhibitors, including BRENZAVVY, increases the risk for urinary tract infections. Evaluate patients for signs and symptoms of urinary tract infections and treat promptly, if indicated [see ADVERSE REACTIONS].
Hypoglycemia With Concomitant Use With Insulin And Insulin Secretagogues
Insulin and insulin secretagogues (e.g., sulfonylureas) are known to cause hypoglycemia. BRENZAVVY may increase the risk of hypoglycemia when used in combination with insulin and/or an insulin secretagogue [see ADVERSE REACTIONS]. A lower dose of insulin or insulin secretagogue may be required to minimize the risk of hypoglycemia when used in combination with BRENZAVVY.
Necrotizing Fasciitis Of The Perineum (Fournier’s Gangrene)
Reports of necrotizing fasciitis of the perineum (Fournier’s Gangrene), a rare but serious and life-threatening necrotizing infection requiring urgent surgical intervention, have been identified in postmarketing surveillance in patients with diabetes mellitus receiving SGLT2 inhibitors. Cases have been reported in both females and males. Serious outcomes have included hospitalization, multiple surgeries, and death.
Patients treated with BRENZAVVY presenting with pain or tenderness, erythema, or swelling in the genital or perineal areas, along with fever or malaise, should be assessed for necrotizing fasciitis. If suspected, start treatment immediately with broad-spectrum antibiotics and, if necessary, surgical debridement. Discontinue BRENZAVVY, closely monitor blood glucose levels, and provide appropriate alternative therapy for glycemic control.
Genital Mycotic Infections
BRENZAVVY increases the risk of genital mycotic infections [see ADVERSE REACTIONS]. Patients who have a history of genital mycotic infections or who are uncircumcised are more likely to develop genital mycotic infections. Monitor and treat appropriately.
Patient Counseling Information
Advise the patient to read the FDA-approved patient labeling (Medication Guide).
Diabetic Ketoacidosis In Patients With Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus And Other Ketoacidosis
Inform patients that BRENZAVVY can cause potentially fatal ketoacidosis and that type 2 diabetes mellitus and pancreatic disorders (e.g., history of pancreatitis or pancreatic surgery) are risk factors.
Educate all patients on precipitating factors (such as insulin dose reduction or missed insulin doses, infection, reduced caloric intake, ketogenic diet, surgery, dehydration, and alcohol abuse) and symptoms of ketoacidosis (including nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, tiredness, and labored breathing). Inform patients that blood glucose may be normal even in the presence of ketoacidosis.
Advise patients that they may be asked to monitor ketones. If symptoms of ketoacidosis occur, instruct patients to discontinue BRENZAVVY and seek medical attention immediately [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Lower Limb Amputation
Inform patients of the potential for an increased risk of amputations with BRENZAVVY. Counsel patients on the importance of routine preventive foot care. Instruct patients to monitor for any new pain or tenderness, sores or ulcers, or infections involving the leg or foot and to seek medical advice immediately if such signs or symptoms develop [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Volume Depletion
Inform patients that symptomatic hypotension may occur with BRENZAVVY and advise them to contact their healthcare provider if they experience such symptoms. Inform patients that dehydration may increase the risk of hypotension, and to maintain adequate fluid intake. [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Serious Urinary Tract Infections
Inform patients of the potential for urinary tract infections, which may be serious. Provide them with information on the symptoms of urinary tract infections. Advise them to seek medical advice if such symptoms occur [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Hypoglycemia With Concomitant Use With Insulin And Insulin Secretagogues
Inform patients that the incidence of hypoglycemia may increase when BRENZAVVY is added to insulin and/or an insulin secretagogue. Educate patients or caregivers on the signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Necrotizing Fasciitis Of The Perineum (Fournier’s Gangrene)
Inform patients that necrotizing infections of the perineum (Fournier’s Gangrene) have occurred with BRENZAVVY. Counsel patients to promptly seek medical attention if they develop pain or tenderness, redness or swelling of the genitals or the area from the genitals to the anus, accompanied by a fever above 100.4 °F or malaise [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Genital Mycotic Infections In Females (e.g., Vulvovaginitis)
Inform female patients that vaginal yeast infections may occur and provide them with information on the signs and symptoms of vaginal yeast infections. Advise them of treatment options and when to seek medical advice [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Genital Mycotic Infections In Males (e.g., Balanitis or Balanoposthitis)
Inform male patients that yeast infections of the penis (e.g., balanitis or balanoposthitis) may occur, especially in uncircumcised males and patients with prior infections. Provide them with information on the signs and symptoms of balanitis and balanoposthitis (rash or redness of the glans or foreskin of the penis). Advise them of treatment options and when to seek medical advice [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Pregnancy
Advise pregnant patients and females of reproductive potential of the potential risk to a fetus with treatment with BRENZAVVY. Instruct patients to inform their healthcare provider if pregnant or planning to become pregnant [see Use In Specific Populations].
Lactation
Advise patients that breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment with BRENZAVVY [see Use In Specific Populations].
Laboratory Tests
Inform patients that their urine will test positive for glucose while taking BRENZAVVY due to its mechanism of action [see DRUG INTERACTIONS].
Missed Dose
Instruct patients to take BRENZAVVY only as prescribed. If a dose is missed, it should be taken as soon as possible. Advise patients not to double their next dose.
Nonclinical Toxicology
Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment Of Fertility
Carcinogenesis
Carcinogenesis was evaluated in 2-year studies in CD-1 mice at oral gavage doses of 15, 50, and 150 mg/kg/day and in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats at 3, 10, and 30 mg/kg/day. In male rats, the dose was reduced to 1, 3, and 10 mg/kg/day at week 73 due to exacerbation of chronic progressive nephropathy resulting in excessive mortality. There were no drug-related neoplastic findings in mice or rats at up to the highest doses tested representing up to 156 times (mice) and 68 times (rats) the clinical dose of 20 mg based on AUC.
Mutagenesis
Bexagliflozin was not mutagenic or clastogenic with or without metabolic activation in the in vitro Ames bacterial mutagenicity assay, the in vitro CHO cell assay, an in vivo micronucleus assay in rats, and an in vivo unscheduled hepatic DNA synthesis study in rats.
Impairment Of Fertility
Bexagliflozin had no effects on mating, fertility or early embryonic development in male or female rats at any dose up to the highest dose of 200 mg/kg/day, which resulted in exposures 280 times (males) and 439 times (females) the 20 mg clinical dose (based on AUC).
Use In Specific Populations
Pregnancy
Risk Summary
Based on animal data showing adverse renal effects, BRENZAVVY is not recommended during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy.
The available data on use of BRENZAVVY during pregnancy are insufficient to determine a drug-associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage, or other adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. There are risks to the mother and fetus associated with poorly controlled diabetes in pregnancy (see Clinical Considerations).
In animal studies, adverse renal pelvic and tubule dilatations that were not fully reversible were observed in rats when bexagliflozin was administered during a period of renal development corresponding to the late second and third trimesters of human pregnancy at exposures 11 times the 20 mg clinical dose (see Data).
The estimated background risk of major birth defects is 6% to 10% in women with pre-gestational diabetes with a peri-conceptional HbA1c > 7% and has been reported to be as high as 20% to 25% in women with a periÂconceptional HbA1c > 10%. The estimated background risk of miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2% to 4% and 15% to 20%, respectively.
Clinical Considerations
Disease-Associated Maternal And/Or Embryo/Fetal Risk
Hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia occur more frequently during pregnancy in patients with pre-gestational diabetes. Poorly controlled diabetes in pregnancy increases the maternal risk for diabetic ketoacidosis, preeclampsia, spontaneous abortions, preterm delivery, and delivery complications. Poorly controlled diabetes increases the fetal risk for major birth defects, stillbirth, and macrosomia related morbidity.
Data
Animal Data
Bexagliflozin administered to juvenile rats at 0.3, 3 or 30 mg/kg/day by oral gavage from postnatal days 21 to 90 caused a dose dependent increase in the incidence and severity of renal pelvic and tubular dilatation at ≥ 3 mg/kg (11 times the clinical dose of 20 mg based on AUC). These outcomes occurred with drug exposure during periods of renal development in rats equivalent to the late second and third trimester of human renal development and did not fully reverse following a 1-month recovery period.
In embryofetal development studies in rats and rabbits, bexagliflozin was administered at 7, 40, and 200 mg/kg/day (rats) and 5, 25, and 150 mg/kg/day (rabbits) during organogenesis. No adverse developmental effects were observed in rats at doses up to 200 mg/kg/day (551 times the clinical dose of 20 mg based on AUC). Reduced maternal body weight, embryo lethality, and fetal malformations were observed in rabbits at 150 mg/kg/day (368 times the clinical dose of 20 mg based on AUC).
In a prenatal and postnatal development study, bexagliflozin was administered to maternal rats by oral gavage during organogenesis and until weaning at doses of 7, 40, or 200 mg/kg/day. Maternal mortality occurred at ≥ 40 mg/kg (79 times the clinical dose of 20 mg based on AUC), primarily following parturition. Reduced gestational body weight, increased post-implantation loss, and smaller litter size were noted at 200 mg/kg (361 times the clinical dose of 20 mg based on AUC). In the offspring, lower body weight gain and decreased survival were noted at 200 mg/kg, which occurred in the presence of significant maternal toxicity.
Lactation
Risk Summary
There is no information regarding the presence of bexagliflozin in human milk, the effects on the breastfed infant or the effects on milk production. Bexagliflozin is excreted in the milk of lactating rats (see Data). When a drug is present in animal milk, it is likely that the drug will be present in human milk. Since human kidney maturation occurs in utero and during the first 2 years of life when lactational exposure may occur, there may be risk to the developing human kidney. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in a breastfed infant, including the potential for bexagliflozin to affect postnatal renal development, advise patients that use of BRENZAVVY is not recommended while breastfeeding.
Data
Bexagliflozin was present in rat milk at a milk:plasma ratio of approximately 2. The concentration of bexagliflozin in animal milk does not necessarily predict the concentration of bexagliflozin in human milk.
Juvenile rats directly exposed to bexagliflozin showed a risk to the developing kidney (renal pelvic and tubular dilatation) during the period of renal development in rats corresponding to the late second and third trimester of human renal development.
Pediatric Use
The safety and effectiveness of BRENZAVVY have not been established in pediatric patients.
Geriatric Use
In 9 clinical trials of BRENZAVVY, 1047(40.6%) patients 65 years and older, and 212 (8.2%) patients 75 years and older were exposed to BRENZAVVY [see Clinical Studies].
One of the 9 trials enrolled patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who had either established CVD or were at increased risk for CVD (Trial 6), and had a total of 571 (50%) patients treated with BRENZAVVY who were 65 years and older, and 113 (10%) patients treated with BRENZAVVY who were 75 years and older [see Clinical Studies]. No overall differences in the effectiveness of BRENZAVVY have been observed between patients 65 years of age and older and younger adult patients. Among patients aged 65 and older in this trial, volume depletion events were reported in 7.6% and 9.8% of patients in the placebo and BRENZAVVY groups, respectively [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Renal Impairment
BRENZAVVY is not recommended in patients with an eGFR less than 30 mL/min/1.73 m² due to the decline of the glucose lowering effect of BRENZAVVY and reduction in urine output in these patients [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY]. The recommended dosage for patients with an eGFR greater than or equal to 30 mL/min/1.73 m² is the same as the recommended dosage for patients with normal renal function [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION].
The safety and efficacy of BRENZAVVY in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus and moderate renal impairment (eGFR between 30 and 60 mL/min/1.73 m²) were evaluated in Trial 5 [see Clinical Studies]. Efficacy and safety studies with BRENZAVVY did not enroll patients with an eGFR less than 30 mL/min/1.73 m².
BRENZAVVY-treated patients with renal impairment may be more likely to experience adverse reactions associated with BRENZAVVY treatment, including female genital mycotic infection, increased urination, and thirst, and may be at higher risk for volume depletion and acute kidney injury [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS and ADVERSE REACTIONS].
Hepatic Impairment
BRENZAVVY has not been studied in patients with severe hepatic impairment and is not recommended for use in this patient population. The recommended dosage for patients with mild to moderate hepatic impairment is the same as the recommended dosage for patients with normal hepatic function [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY].