WARNINGS
Included as part of the PRECAUTIONS section.
PRECAUTIONS
Somnolence
DIACOMIT can cause somnolence. In controlled studies in
patients with Dravet syndrome, the incidence of somnolence was 67% in
DIACOMIT-treated patients, compared to 23% in patients on placebo. All patients
in both groups were on concomitant clobazam, which is also known to cause
somnolence. Co-administration of DIACOMIT with clobazam results in increased
levels of clobazam and its active metabolite [see DRUG INTERACTIONS]. Other
central nervous system CNS depressants, including alcohol, could potentiate the
somnolence effect of DIACOMIT.
Prescribers should monitor patients for somnolence. If
somnolence occurs during co-administration with clobazam, consider an initial
reduction of clobazam by 25%. If somnolence persists, further clobazam
reduction by an additional 25% should be considered, as should adjustment of
the dosage of other concomitant anticonvulsant drugs with sedating properties.
Prescribers should caution patients against engaging in hazardous activities
requiring mental alertness, such as operating dangerous machinery or motor
vehicles, until the effect of DIACOMIT on mental alertness is known.
Decreased Appetite And Decreased Weight
DIACOMIT can cause decreases in appetite and weight. In
controlled studies in patients with Dravet syndrome, the incidence of decreased
appetite was 46% in DIACOMIT-treated patients, compared to 10% in patients on
placebo. The incidence of decreased weight was 27% in DIACOMIT-treated
patients, compared to 6% in patients on placebo. Nausea and vomiting also
occurred more frequently in DIACOMIT-treated patients [see ADVERSE REACTIONS].
Given the frequency of these adverse reactions, the growth of pediatric
patients treated with DIACOMIT should be carefully monitored. In some cases,
decreasing the dose of concomitant valproate by 30% per week can reduce the
decrease in appetite and weight.
Neutropenia And Thrombocytopenia
DIACOMIT can cause a significant decline in neutrophil
count. In controlled studies in patients with Dravet syndrome, there were 31
patients treated with DIACOMIT who had both a baseline and end-of-study
neutrophil count obtained. A decrease in neutrophil count from normal at
baseline to less than 1500 cells/mm3 during the trial was observed in 13% of
these DIACOMIT-treated patients, but not in any placebo-treated patients.
DIACOMIT can cause a significant decline in platelet
count. In controlled studies in patients with Dravet syndrome, there were 31
patients treated with DIACOMIT who had both a baseline and end-of-study
platelet count. A decrease in platelet count from normal at baseline to less
than 150,000/μL during the trial was observed in 13% of these
DIACOMIT-treated patients, but not in any placebo-treated patients.
Hematologic testing should be obtained prior to starting
treatment with DIACOMIT, and then every 6 months.
Withdrawal Symptoms
As with most antiepileptic drugs, DIACOMIT should
generally be withdrawn gradually to minimize the risk of increased seizure
frequency and status epilepticus.
In situations where rapid withdrawal of DIACOMIT is
required (e.g., in the setting of a serious adverse reaction), appropriate
monitoring is recommended.
Risks In Patients With Phenylketonuria
Phenylalanine can be harmful to patients with
phenylketonuria (PKU). DIACOMIT Powder for Suspension contains phenylalanine, a
component of aspartame. Each 250 mg packet contains 1.40 mg phenylalanine; each
500 mg packet contains 2.80 mg phenylalanine. Before prescribing DIACOMIT
Powder for Suspension to a patient with PKU, consider the combined daily amount
of phenylalanine from all sources, including DIACOMIT Powder for Suspension.
DIACOMIT Capsules do not contain phenylalanine.
Suicidal Behavior And Ideation
AEDs, including DIACOMIT, increase the risk of suicidal
thoughts or behavior in patients taking these drugs for any indication.
Patients treated with any AED for any indication should be monitored for the
emergence or worsening of depression, suicidal thoughts or behavior, and/or any
unusual changes in mood or behavior.
Pooled analyses of 199 placebo-controlled clinical trials
(mono-and adjunctive therapy) of 11 different AEDs showed that patients
randomized to one of the AEDs had approximately twice the risk (adjusted
relative risk 1.8, 95% confidence interval [CI]:1.2, 2.7) of suicidal thinking
or behavior compared to patients randomized to placebo. In these trials, which
had a median treatment duration of 12 weeks, the estimated incidence rate of
suicidal behavior or ideation among 27,863 AED treated patients was 0.43%,
compared to 0.24% among 16,029 placebo treated patients, representing an
increase of approximately one case of suicidal thinking or behavior for every
530 patients treated. There were four suicides in drug treated patients in the
trials and none in placebo treated patients, but the number is too small to
allow any conclusion about drug effect on suicide.
The increased risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior with
AEDs was observed as early as one week after starting drug treatment with AEDs
and persisted for the duration of treatment assessed. Because most trials
included in the analysis did not extend beyond 24 weeks, the risk of suicidal
thoughts or behavior beyond 24 weeks could not be assessed.
The risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior was generally
consistent among drugs in the data analyzed. The finding of increased risk with
AEDs of varying mechanisms of action and across a range of indications suggests
that the risk applies to all AEDs used for any indication. The risk did not
vary substantially by age (5-100 years) in the clinical trials analyzed. Table
1 shows absolute and relative risk by indication for all evaluated AEDs.
Table 1: Risk by Indication for Antiepileptic Drugs in
the Pooled Analysis
Indication |
Placebo Patients with Events per 1000 Patients |
Drug Patients with Events per 1000 Patients |
Relative Risk: Incidence of Drug Events in Drug Patients/ Incidence in Placebo Patients |
Risk Difference: Additional Drug Patients with Events per 1000 Patients |
Epilepsy |
1.0 |
3.4 |
3.5 |
2.4 |
Psychiatric |
5.7 |
8.5 |
1.5 |
2.9 |
Other |
1.0 |
1.8 |
1.9 |
0.9 |
Total |
2.4 |
4.3 |
1.8 |
1.9 |
The relative risk for suicidal thoughts or behavior was
higher in clinical trials for epilepsy than in clinical trials for psychiatric
or other conditions, but the absolute risk differences were similar for the
epilepsy and psychiatric indications.
Anyone considering prescribing DIACOMIT or any other AED
must balance the risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior with the risk of
untreated illness. Epilepsy and many other illnesses for which AEDs are
prescribed are themselves associated with morbidity and mortality and an
increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior. Should suicidal thoughts and
behavior emerge during treatment, the prescriber needs to consider whether the
emergence of these symptoms in any given patient may be related to the illness
being treated.
Patients, their caregivers, and families should be
informed that AEDs increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior and
should be advised of the need to be alert for the emergence or worsening of the
signs and symptoms of depression, any unusual changes in mood or behavior, or
the emergence of suicidal thoughts, behavior, or thoughts about self-harm.
Behaviors of concern should be reported immediately to healthcare providers.
Patient Counseling Information
Advise the patient to read the FDA-approved patient
labeling (Medication Guide and Instructions for Use).
DIACOMIT Oral Capsule Administration
Inform patients or caregivers that DIACOMIT capsules must
be swallowed whole with a glass of water during a meal. Capsules should not be
broken or opened.
DIACOMIT Powder For Oral Suspension Administration
DIACOMIT should be mixed in a glass of water and should
be taken immediately after mixing during a meal [see Instructions For Use].
Somnolence
Advise patient or caregivers that somnolence may occur,
and may require a decrease in the dose of clobazam [see WARNINGS AND
PRECAUTIONS]. Also, advise the patients and their caregivers to avoid
alcohol consumption during DIACOMIT treatment [see DRUG INTERACTIONS].
If applicable, caution patients about hazardous
machinery, including automobiles, until they know how DIACOMIT affects them.
Decreased Appetite And Decreased Weight
Advise patients or caregivers that decreased appetite is
frequent and nausea and vomiting can also occur during DIACOMIT treatment,
which can cause loss of weight [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Withdrawal Symptoms
Advise patients or caregivers that abrupt withdrawal of
DIACOMIT may increase their risk of seizures or status epilepticus [see DOSAGE
AND ADMINISTRATION and WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]. Instruct patients
or caregivers to not discontinue use of DIACOMIT without consulting with their
healthcare provider.
Neutropenia And Thrombocytopenia
Advise patients or caregivers of the risk of neutropenia
and thrombocytopenia and the importance of hematologic testing, which should be
obtained prior to starting treatment with DIACOMIT and then every 6 months. [see
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Suicidal Thinking And Behavior
Counsel patients, their caregivers, and their families
that AEDs, including DIACOMIT, may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and
behavior and advise them of the need to be alert for the emergence of worsening
of symptoms of depression, any unusual changes in mood or behavior, or the
emergence of suicidal thoughts, behavior, or thought of self-harm. Patients or
caregivers should report behaviors of concern immediately to healthcare
providers [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Use In Pregnancy
Advise patients to notify their healthcare provider if
they become pregnant or intend to become pregnant during DIACOMIT therapy.
Encourage patients to enroll in the NAAED Pregnancy registry if they become
pregnant. This registry is collecting information about the safety of AEDs
during pregnancy [see Use In Specific Populations].
Use In Nursing
Instruct patients to notify their physician if they are
breast feeding or intend to breast feed during therapy [see Use In Specific
Populations].
Nonclinical Toxicology
Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment Of Fertility
Carcinogenesis
In mice, oral administration of stiripentol (0, 60, 200,
or 600 mg/kg/day) for 78 weeks increased the incidences of liver tumors
(hepatocellular adenoma and carcinoma) at the mid and high dose. The dose not
associated with an increase in liver tumors (60 mg/kg/day) is less than the
recommended human dose (RHD) of 50 mg/kg/day, based on body surface area (mg/m²).
In rats, oral administration of stiripentol at doses of up to 800 mg/kg/day
(approximately 2.5 times the RHD on a mg/m² basis) for 102 weeks did not result
in an increase in tumors.
Mutagenesis
Stiripentol was negative for genotoxicity in in vitro
(Ames, HPRT gene mutation in V79 Chinese hamster cells, and chromosomal
aberration in human lymphocytes) and in vivo (mouse bone marrow micronucleus)
assays. Stiripentol was clastogenic in CHO cells in vitro, but only at
cytotoxic concentrations.
Impairment Of Fertility
Oral administration of stiripentol (0, 50, 200, or 800
mg/kg/day) to male and female rats prior to and throughout mating and
continuing in females throughout organogenesis produced no adverse effects on
fertility. The highest dose tested is approximately 2.5 times the RHD on mg/m² basis.
Use In Specific Populations
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Exposure Registry
There is a pregnancy exposure registry that monitors
pregnancy outcomes in women exposed to AEDs, such as DIACOMIT, during
pregnancy. Physicians are advised to recommend that pregnant patients taking
DIACOMIT enroll in the North American Antiepileptic Drug (NAAED) Pregnancy
Registry. This can be done by calling the toll free number 1-888-233-2334, and
must be done by patients themselves or their caregiver. Information on the
registry can also be found at the website http://www.aedpregnancyregistry.org/.
Risk Summary
There are no adequate data on the developmental risks
associated with the use of DIACOMIT in pregnant women. Administration of
stiripentol to pregnant animals produced evidence of developmental toxicity,
including increased incidences of fetal malformations, increased embryofetal
and pup mortality, and decreased embryofetal and pup growth, at maternal doses
lower than the recommended clinical dose [see Animal Data].
The background risk of major birth defects and
miscarriage in Dravet syndrome 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.
Data
Animal Data
Oral administration of stiripentol (0, 50, 200, or 800
mg/kg/day) to pregnant mice throughout the period of organogenesis resulted in
increased embryofetal mortality and decreased fetal body weights at all doses
and an increased incidence of malformations at the high dose, with no evidence
of maternal toxicity. The lowest effect dose for developmental toxicity in mice
(50 mg/kg/day) was less than the recommended human dose (RHD) of 50 mg/kg/day
on a body surface area (mg/m²) basis.
Oral administration of stiripentol (0, 50, 200, or 800
mg/kg/day) to pregnant rabbits throughout organogenesis resulted in increased
embryofetal mortality at the mid and high dose and decreased fetal body weights
at all doses. The mid and high doses were associated with maternal toxicity.
The lowest effect dose for developmental toxicity in rabbits (50 mg/kg/day) was
less than the RHD on a mg/m² basis.
Oral administration of stiripentol (0, 50, 200, or 800
mg/kg/day) to rats throughout pregnancy and lactation resulted in decreased pup
survival, decreased pup body weights at birth and throughout lactation, and
deficits in pup reflex development at the high dose, which was also associated
with maternal toxicity. The no-effect dose for pre-and postnatal developmental
toxicity in rats (200 mg/kg) was less than the RHD on a mg/m² basis.
Lactation
Risk Summary
There are no data on the presence of stiripentol in human
milk, the effects on the breastfed infant, or the effects on milk production.
The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding
should be considered along with the mother's clinical need for DIACOMIT and any
potential adverse effects on the breastfed infant from DIACOMIT or from the
underlying maternal condition.
Pediatric Use
The safety and effectiveness of DIACOMIT for the
treatment of seizures associated with Dravet syndrome in patients taking
clobazam have been established in patients 2 to 18 years of age. Use of
DIACOMIT in this pediatric population is supported by 2 multicenter
placebo-controlled double-blind randomized studies [see Clinical Studies].
Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients below the
age of 2 years have not been established.
Geriatric Use
Clinical studies of DIACOMIT in Dravet syndrome did not
include patients ≥65 years of age to determine whether they respond
differently from younger patients. The possibility of age-associated hepatic
and renal function abnormalities should be considered when using DIACOMIT in
patients ≥65 years of age [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY].
Renal Impairment
There is no formal study of the pharmacokinetics and
metabolism of DIACOMIT in patients with renal impairment. However, since
DIACOMIT metabolites are eliminated mainly through the kidney, administration to
patients with moderate or severe renal impairment is not recommended.
Hepatic Impairment
There has been no formal study of the pharmacokinetics of
DIACOMIT in patients with liver impairment. However, since the drug is mainly
metabolized by the liver, administration to patients with moderate or severe
liver impairment is not recommended.