WARNINGS
Included as part of the PRECAUTIONS section.
PRECAUTIONS
Seizures
Fifty-four percent (54%) of
patients treated with GLIADEL Wafers for recurrent glioma in Study 2
experienced new or worsened seizures within the first five post-operative days [see
ADVERSE REACTIONS]. The median time to onset of the first new or
worsened post-operative seizure was 4 days. Optimize anti-seizure therapy prior
to surgery. Monitor patients for seizures postoperatively.
Intracranial Hypertension
Brain edema occurred in 23% of
patients with newly diagnosed glioma treated with GLIADEL Wafers in Study 1.
Additionally, one GLIADEL-treated patient experienced intracerebral mass effect
unresponsive to corticosteroids which led to brain herniation (see ADVERSE
REACTIONS). Monitor patients closely for intracranial hypertension related
to brain edema, inflammation, or necrosis of the brain tissue
surrounding the resection. In refractory cases, consider re-operation and
removal of GLIADEL Wafers or Wafer remnants.
Impaired Neurosurgical Wound Healing
Impaired neurosurgical wound healing including wound
dehiscence, delayed wound healing, and subdural, subgleal, or wound effusions
occur with GLIADEL Wafer treatment. In Study 1, 16% of GLIADEL Wafer-treated
patients with newly diagnosed glioma experienced impaired intracranial wound
healing and 5% had cerebrospinal fluid leaks. In Study 2, 14% of GLIADEL
Wafer-treated patients with recurrent glioma experienced wound healing
abnormalities [see ADVERSE REACTIONS]. Monitor patients post-operatively
for impaired neurosurgical wound healing.
Meningitis
Meningitis occurred in 4% of patients with recurrent
glioma receiving GLIADEL Wafers in Study 2. Two cases of meningitis were
bacterial; one patient required removal of the Wafers four days after
implantation; the other developed meningitis following reoperation for
recurrent tumor. One case was diagnosed as chemical meningitis and resolved
following steroid treatment.
In one case the cause was unspecified, but meningitis
resolved following antibiotic treatment. Monitor postoperatively for signs of
meningitis and central nervous system infection.
Wafer Migration
GLIADEL Wafer migration can occur. To reduce the risk of
obstructive hydrocephalus due to wafer migration into the ventricular system,
close any communication larger than the diameter of a Wafer between the
surgical resection cavity and the ventricular system prior to Wafer
implantation. Monitor patients for signs of obstructive hydrocephalus.
Embryo-Fetal Toxicity
GLIADEL Wafers can cause fetal harm when administered to
a pregnant woman. Carmustine, the active component of GLIADEL Wafer, is
embryotoxic and teratogenic in rats at exposures less than the exposure at the
recommended human dose on a mg/m² basis and embryotoxic in rabbits
at exposures similar to the exposure at the recommended human dose on a mg/m² basis. Advise females of reproductive potential to avoid pregnancy after
implantation of GLIADEL Wafers. If the patient becomes pregnant after GLIADEL
Wafer implantation, warn the patient about the potential hazard to the fetus [see
Use In Specific Populations].
Nonclinical Toxicology
Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility
No carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, or impairment of fertility
studies have been conducted with GLIADEL Wafer. Carcinogenicity, mutagenicity,
and impairment of fertility studies have been conducted with carmustine, the
active component of GLIADEL Wafer. Carmustine was carcinogenic in rats and mice
when delivered by intraperitoneal injection at doses lower than those delivered
by GLIADEL Wafer at the recommended dose. There were increases in tumor
incidence in all treated animals. Carmustine was mutagenic in vitro (Ames
assay, human lymphoblast HGPRT assay) and clastogenic both in vitro (V79
hamster cell micronucleus assay) and in vivo (SCE assay in rodent brain tumors,
mouse bone marrow micronucleus assay).
In male rats carmustine caused testicular degeneration at
intraperitoneal doses of 8 mg/kg/week for eight weeks (about 1.3 times the
recommended human dose on a mg/m² basis).
Use In Specific Populations
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Category D
Risk Summary
GLIADEL Wafer can cause fetal
harm when administered to a pregnant woman. There have been no studies with
GLIADEL Wafer; however, carmustine, the active component of GLIADEL Wafer, is
embryotoxic and teratogenic in rats at exposures less than the exposure at the
recommended human dose on a mg/m² basis and embryotoxic in rabbits
at exposures similar to exposures at the recommended human dose on a mg/m² basis. If this drug is used during pregnancy, or if the patient becomes
pregnant while taking this drug, the patient should be apprised of the
potential hazard to a fetus.
Animal Data
There are no studies assessing
the reproductive toxicity of GLIADEL Wafer; however, carmustine, the active
component of GLIADEL Wafer, is embryotoxic and teratogenic in rats at
intraperitoneal doses of 0.5mg/kg/day or greater when given on gestation days 6
through 15. Carmustine caused fetal malformations (anophthalmia, micrognathia,
omphalocele) at 1.0 mg/kg/day (about 0.12 the recommended human dose, eight
wafers of 7.7 mg carmustine/wafer, on a mg/m² basis). Carmustine was
embryotoxic in rabbits at intravenous doses of 4.0 mg/kg/day (about 1.2 times
the recommended human dose on a mg/m² basis). Embryotoxicity was
characterized by increased embryo-fetal deaths, reduced numbers of litters, and
reduced litter sizes.
Nursing Mothers
It is not known if carmustine,
the active component of GLIADEL Wafer, is excreted in human milk. Because many
drugs are excreted in human milk and because of the potential for serious
adverse reactions in nursing infants from carmustine, a decision should be made
whether to discontinue nursing or not to administer the drug, taking into
account the importance of the drug to the mother.
Pediatric Use
The safety and effectiveness of
GLIADEL Wafer in pediatric patients have not been established.
Geriatric Use
Clinical trials of GLIADEL Wafer did not include
sufficient numbers of patients aged 65 years and over to determine whether they
respond differently from younger patients.
Females and Males of Reproductive Potential
Contraception
Females
GLIADEL Wafer can cause fetal harm when administered
during pregnancy (see Use In Specific Populations). Counsel patients on
pregnancy planning and prevention. Advise female patients of reproductive
potential to use effective contraception after implantation of GLIADEL Wafer.
Advise patients to inform their healthcare provider if they become pregnant, or
if pregnancy is suspected, while taking GLIADEL.
Infertility
Males
Carmustine caused testicular degeneration in animals.
Advise male patients of the potential risk of infertility, and to seek
counseling on fertility and family planning options prior to implantation of
GLIADEL Wafer. (see Nonclinical Toxicology)