Warnings for Feraheme
Included as part of the PRECAUTIONS section.
Precautions for Feraheme
Serious Hypersensitivity Reactions
Fatal and serious hypersensitivity reactions including anaphylaxis, presenting with cardiac/ cardiorespiratory arrest, clinically significant hypotension, syncope, or unresponsiveness have occurred in patients receiving Feraheme. Other adverse reactions potentially associated with hypersensitivity have occurred (pruritus, rash, urticaria, and wheezing). These reactions have occurred following the first dose or subsequent doses in patients in whom a previous Feraheme dose was tolerated.
Patients with a history of multiple drug allergies may have a greater risk of anaphylaxis with parenteral iron products. Carefully consider the potential risks and benefits before administering Feraheme to these patients.
Only administer Feraheme as an intravenous infusion over at least 15 minutes and only when personnel and therapies are immediately available for the treatment of anaphylaxis and other hypersensitivity reactions. Closely observe patients for signs and symptoms of hypersensitivity including monitoring of blood pressure and pulse during and after Feraheme administration for at least 30 minutes and until clinically stable following completion of each infusion [see ADVERSE REACTIONS].
In a clinical study in patients with IDA, regardless of etiology, hypersensitivity reactions were reported in 0.4% (4/997) of subjects receiving Feraheme administered as intravenous infusion over at least 15 minutes. These included one patient with severe hypersensitivity reaction and three patients with moderate hypersensitivity reactions.
In clinical studies predominantly in patients with IDA and CKD, serious hypersensitivity reactions were reported in 0.2% (4/1,806) of subjects receiving Feraheme (administered as a rapid intravenous injection – prior method of administration no longer approved). Other adverse reactions potentially associated with hypersensitivity (e.g., pruritus, rash, urticaria or wheezing) were reported in 3.5% (63/1,806) of these subjects.
In the post-marketing experience, fatal and serious anaphylactic type reactions presenting with cardiac/ cardiorespiratory arrest, clinically significant hypotension, syncope, and unresponsiveness have been reported. Elderly patients with multiple or serious co-morbidities who experience hypersensitivity reactions and/or hypotension following administration of Feraheme may have more severe outcomes [see BOXED WARNING, ADVERSE REACTIONS and Use In Specific Populations].
Hypotension
Feraheme may cause clinically significant hypotension.
In a clinical study with Feraheme in patients with IDA, regardless of etiology, moderate hypotension was reported in 0.2% (2/997) of subjects receiving Feraheme administered as intravenous infusion over at least 15 minutes.
In clinical studies in patients with IDA and CKD, hypotension was reported in 1.9% (35/1,806) of subjects, including three patients with serious hypotensive reactions, who had received Feraheme as a rapid intravenous injection (prior method of administration no longer approved).
Hypotension has also been reported in the post-marketing experience [see ADVERSE REACTIONS]. Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of hypotension following each Feraheme administration [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION and WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Iron Overload
Excessive therapy with parenteral iron can lead to excess storage of iron with the possibility of iatrogenic hemosiderosis. Regularly monitor the hematologic response during parenteral iron therapy [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION]. Do not administer Feraheme to patients with iron overload. In the 24 hours following administration of Feraheme, laboratory assays may overestimate serum iron and transferrin bound iron by also measuring the iron in the Feraheme complex.
Magnetic Resonance (MR) Imaging Test Interference
Administration of Feraheme may transiently affect the diagnostic ability of MR imaging. Conduct anticipated MR imaging studies prior to the administration of Feraheme. Alteration of MR imaging studies may persist for up to 3 months following the last Feraheme dose. If MR imaging is required within 3 months after Feraheme administration, use T1- or proton densityweighted MR pulse sequences to minimize the Feraheme effects; MR imaging using T2- weighted pulse sequences should not be performed earlier than 4 weeks after the administration of Feraheme. Maximum alteration of vascular MR imaging is anticipated to be evident for 1 – 2 days following Feraheme administration [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY].
Feraheme will not interfere with X-ray, computed tomography (CT), positron emission tomography (PET), single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), ultrasound or nuclear medicine imaging.
Patient Counseling Information
Advise the patient to read the FDA-approved patient labeling (PATIENT INFORMATION)
Prior History Of Allergies To Parenteral Iron Products
Question patients regarding any prior history of allergies to parenteral iron products [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Hypersensitivity Reactions
Advise patients to immediately report any symptoms of hypersensitivity that may develop during and following Feraheme administration, such as rash, itching, dizziness, light-headedness, swelling, and breathing problems [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
U.S Patents: 6,599,498 B1; 7,553,479 B2; 7,871,597 B2; 8,501,158 B2; 8,591,864 B2; 8,926,947 B2
Nonclinical Toxicology
Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment Of Fertility
Ferumoxytol was not tested for carcinogenic effects. In standard genotoxicity tests, ferumoxytol showed no evidence of mutagenic activity in an in vitro Ames test or clastogenic activity in either an in vitro chromosomal aberration assay or an in vivo micronucleus assay.
No adverse effects on fertility or general reproductive performance were noted in animal studies. Ferumoxytol had no effect on male or female fertility or general reproductive function in rats. In a pre and postnatal development study in rats, intravenous administration of ferumoxytol from gestation day 6 until lactation day 20 at doses up to 60 mg/kg/day (approximately 3 times the daily human dose based on body surface area comparisons assuming a 60-kg person) had no effect on maternal delivery or numbers of liveborn offspring. Male offspring (F1) of pregnant rats (F0) administered ferumoxytol at a dose of 60 mg/kg/day had delayed sexual maturation and decreased reproductive competence. Female offspring (F1) of pregnant rats (F0) administered ferumoxytol at doses of 30 mg/kg/day or 60 mg/kg/day had delayed sexual maturation and decreased reproductive competence. Doses of 30 mg/kg/day and 60 mg/kg/day are approximately 2 and 3 times the daily human dose based on body surface area comparisons assuming a 60-kg person, respectively.
Use In Specific Populations
Pregnancy
Risk Summary
Limited available data with ferumoxytol use in pregnant women are insufficient to inform a drug associated risk of adverse developmental outcomes. There are risks to the mother and fetus associated with untreated iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in pregnancy as well as risks to the fetus associated with maternal severe hypersensitivity reactions (see Clinical Considerations). In animal studies, administration of ferumoxytol to pregnant rabbits during organogenesis caused adverse developmental outcomes including fetal malformations and decreased fetal weights at maternally toxic doses of 6 times the estimated human daily dose.
The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated populations is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defect and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2-4% and 15-20%, respectively.
Clinical Considerations
Disease-Associated Maternal And/Or Embryo/Fetal Risk
Untreated iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in pregnancy is associated with adverse maternal outcomes such as post-partum anemia. Adverse pregnancy outcomes associated with IDA include increased risk for preterm delivery and low birth weight.
Fetal/Neonatal Adverse Reactions
Severe adverse reactions including circulatory failure (severe hypotension, shock including in the context of anaphylactic reaction) may occur in pregnant women with parenteral iron products (such as Feraheme) which may cause fetal bradycardia, especially during the second and third trimester.
Data
Animal Data
Administration of ferumoxytol during organogenesis, at doses of 31.6 mg Fe/kg/day in rats and 16.5 mg Fe/kg/day in rabbits, did not result in maternal or fetal effects. These doses are approximately 2 times the estimated human daily dose based on body surface area. In rats, administration of ferumoxytol during organogenesis at a maternally toxic dose of 100 mg Fe/kg/day, approximately 6 times the estimated human daily dose based on body surface area, caused a decrease in fetal weights. In rabbits, administration of ferumoxytol during organogenesis at a maternally toxic dose of 45 mg Fe/kg/day, approximately 6 times the estimated human daily dose based on body surface area, was associated with external and soft tissue fetal malformations and decreased fetal weights.
Lactation
Risk Summary
There are no data on the presence of ferumoxytol in human milk, the effects on the breastfed child, or the effects on milk production. Ferumoxytol has been detected in the milk of lactating rats. However, due to species-specific differences in lactation physiology, the clinical relevance of these data are not clear. The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother’s clinical need for Feraheme and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed child from Feraheme or from the underlying maternal condition.
Pediatric Use
The safety and effectiveness of Feraheme in pediatric patients (less than 18 years old) have not been established.
Geriatric Use
In controlled clinical trials, 833 patients ≥ 65 years of age were treated with Feraheme. No overall differences in safety and efficacy were observed between older and younger patients in these trials, but greater sensitivity of older individuals cannot be ruled out. In general, dose administration to an elderly patient should be cautious, reflecting the greater frequency of decreased hepatic, renal, or cardiac function, and of concomitant disease or other drug therapy. Elderly patients with multiple or serious co-morbidities who experience hypersensitivity reactions and/or hypotension following administration of Feraheme may have more severe outcomes. The potential risks and benefits of Feraheme administration should be carefully considered in these patients [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION, WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS, and Clinical Studies].