Warnings for Ingrezza Sprinkle
Included as part of the "PRECAUTIONS" Section
Precautions for Ingrezza Sprinkle
Depression And Suicidal Ideation And Behavior in Patients with Huntington’s Disease
Patients with Huntington’s disease are at increased risk for depression, and suicidal ideation or behaviors. VMAT2 inhibitors, including INGREZZA and INGREZZA SPRINKLE, can increase the risk for suicidal ideation and behaviors in patients with Huntington’s disease.
In a 14-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial [see Clinical Studies], depression or depressed mood was reported in 4.7% of patients taking INGREZZA compared to 1.6% of patients who received placebo, and no patients taking INGREZZA reported suicidal ideation or behavior compared to 1 patient (1.6%) who received placebo. Patients with significant risk for suicidal behavior or with unstable psychiatric symptoms were excluded from this trial. Suicidal ideation (9 subjects; 7.2%) and suicide attempts (3 subjects; 2.4%) were reported in the longer open-label extension trial (N=125).
When considering the use of INGREZZA or INGREZZA SPRINKLE, the risk of suicidal ideation and behaviors must be balanced against the need for treatment of chorea. All patients treated with INGREZZA and INGREZZA SPRINKLE should be observed for new or worsening depression, suicidal ideation or behaviors. If any of these reactions occur and do not resolve, consider discontinuing treatment with INGREZZA or INGREZZA SPRINKLE.
Hypersensitivity Reactions
Hypersensitivity reactions, including cases of angioedema involving the larynx, glottis, lips, and eyelids, have been reported in the postmarketing setting in patients after taking the first or subsequent doses of INGREZZA [see ADVERSE REACTIONS]. A case of angioedema involving the lips and face, with rash and shortness of breath was reported in a patient with Huntington’s disease taking INGREZZA during a clinical study. Urticaria and rash were also reported during a clinical study in patients with Huntington’s disease. Angioedema associated with laryngeal edema can be fatal. If any of these reactions occur, discontinue INGREZZA or INGREZZA SPRINKLE.
Somnolence And Sedation
INGREZZA and INGREZZA SPRINKLE can cause somnolence and sedation, which was the most common adverse reaction in placebo-controlled trials with INGREZZA [see ADVERSE REACTIONS]. Patients should not perform activities requiring mental alertness such as operating a motor vehicle or operating hazardous machinery until they know how they will be affected by INGREZZA or INGREZZA SPRINKLE.
QT Prolongation
INGREZZA and INGREZZA SPRINKLE may prolong the QT interval, although the degree of QT prolongation is not clinically significant at concentrations expected with recommended dosing. In patients taking a strong CYP2D6 or CYP3A4 inhibitor, or who are CYP2D6 poor metabolizers, INGREZZA and INGREZZA SPRINKLE concentrations may be higher and QT prolongation clinically significant [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY]. For patients who are CYP2D6 poor metabolizers or are taking a strong CYP2D6 inhibitor, dose reduction may be necessary. For patients taking a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor, reduce the dose of INGREZZA or INGREZZA SPRINKLE to 40 mg once daily [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION]. INGREZZA and INGREZZA SPRINKLE should be avoided in patients with congenital long QT syndrome or with arrhythmias associated with a prolonged QT interval. For patients at increased risk of a prolonged QT interval, assess the QT interval before increasing the dosage.
Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS)
A potentially fatal symptom complex referred to as Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS) has been reported in association with drugs that reduce dopaminergic transmission. In the postmarketing setting, NMS has been reported in patients taking VMAT2 inhibitors, including INGREZZA. Clinicians should be alerted to the signs and symptoms associated with NMS. Clinical manifestations of NMS are hyperpyrexia, muscle rigidity, altered mental status, and evidence of autonomic instability (irregular pulse or blood pressure, tachycardia, diaphoresis, and cardiac dysrhythmia). Additional signs may include elevated creatine phosphokinase, myoglobinuria, rhabdomyolysis, and acute renal failure. The diagnosis of NMS can be complicated; other serious medical illness (e.g., pneumonia, systemic infection) and untreated or inadequately treated extrapyramidal disorders can present with similar signs and symptoms. Other important considerations in the differential diagnosis include central anticholinergic toxicity, heat stroke, drug fever, and primary central nervous system pathology.
The management of NMS should include (1) immediate discontinuation of INGREZZA or INGREZZA SPRINKLE; (2) intensive symptomatic treatment and medical monitoring; and (3) treatment of any concomitant serious medical problems for which specific treatments are available. There is no general agreement about specific pharmacological treatment regimens for NMS.
Recurrence of NMS has been reported with resumption of drug therapy. If treatment with INGREZZA or INGREZZA SPRINKLE is needed after recovery from NMS, patients should be monitored for signs of recurrence.
Parkinsonism
INGREZZA and INGREZZA SPRINKLE may cause parkinsonism. Parkinsonism has also been observed with other VMAT2 inhibitors. In the 3 placebo-controlled clinical studies in patients with tardive dyskinesia, the incidence of parkinson-like adverse events was 3% of patients treated with INGREZZA and <1% of placebo-treated patients.
In a placebo-controlled clinical study in patients with chorea associated with Huntington’s disease, the incidence of parkinson-like adverse events was 4.7% in patients treated with INGREZZA and 0% in placebo-treated patients. Because rigidity can develop as part of the underlying disease process in Huntington’s disease, it may be difficult to distinguish between potential drug-induced parkinsonism and progression of underlying Huntington’s disease. Drug-induced parkinsonism has the potential to cause more functional disability than untreated chorea for some patients with Huntington’s disease.
Postmarketing safety reports have described parkinson-like symptoms in patients taking INGREZZA for tardive dyskinesia, some of which were severe and required hospitalization. In most cases, severe parkinsonism occurred within the first two weeks after starting or increasing the dose of INGREZZA. Associated symptoms have included falls, gait disturbances, tremor, drooling and hypokinesia. In cases in which follow-up clinical information was available, parkinson-like symptoms were reported to resolve following discontinuation of INGREZZA therapy.
Reduce the dose or discontinue INGREZZA or INGREZZA SPRINKLE treatment in patients who develop clinically significant parkinson-like signs or symptoms.
Patient Counseling Information
Advise the patient to read the FDA-approved patient labeling (Medication Guide and Instructions for Use).
Depression And Suicidal Ideation And Behavior In Patients With Huntington’s Disease
Inform patients, their caregivers, and families of the risks of depression, worsening depression, and suicidal ideation and behavior associated with INGREZZA and INGREZZA SPRINKLE, and instruct them to report behaviors of concern promptly to the treating physician. Patients with Huntington’s disease who express suicidal ideation should be evaluated immediately [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Hypersensitivity Reactions
Inform patients about the signs and symptoms of hypersensitivity reactions, such as angioedema, including difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, eyelids, tongue or throat. Advise patients to discontinue INGREZZA or INGREZZA SPRINKLE immediately if any of these reactions occur and report to the emergency room if symptoms of angioedema occur [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Somnolence And Sedation
Inform patients that INGREZZA and INGREZZA SPRINKLE may cause somnolence and may impair the ability to perform tasks that require complex motor and mental skills. Advise patients that until they learn how they respond to INGREZZA or INGREZZA SPRINKLE, they should be careful or avoid doing activities that require them to be alert, such as driving a car or operating machinery [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Prolongation Of The QT Interval
Inform patients to consult their physician immediately if they feel faint, lose consciousness, or have heart palpitations [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]. Advise patients to inform physicians that they are taking INGREZZA or INGREZZA SPRINKLE before any new drug is taken.
Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS)
Counsel patients about a potentially fatal adverse reaction – neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) – that has been reported in association with administration of VMAT2 inhibitors, including INGREZZA and INGREZZA SPRINKLE. Advise patients to contact a healthcare provider or report to the emergency room if they experience signs or symptoms of NMS [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Parkinsonism
Inform patients that parkinson-like symptoms may occur while taking INGREZZA or INGREZZA SPRINKLE. Advise patients to consult their healthcare provider if they experience difficulty moving or loss of ability to move muscles voluntarily, tremor, gait disturbances, or drooling [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Pregnancy
Advise a pregnant patient of the potential risk to a fetus [see Use In Specific Populations].
Lactation
Advise a woman not to breastfeed during treatment with INGREZZA or INGREZZA SPRINKLE and for 5 days after the final dose [see Use In Specific Populations].
Administration Information For INGREZZA SPRINKLE
Advise patients to read and follow the Instructions for Use for INGREZZA SPRINKLE.
Advise the patient of the following:
- INGREZZA SPRINKLE may be opened and the entire contents of the capsule sprinkled over a bowl containing a small amount (1 tablespoonful) of soft food such as applesauce, yogurt, or pudding. Stir the contents of the capsule into the soft food.
- Do not sprinkle the contents of the capsule into milk or drinking water.
- Swallow the drug/food mixture immediately.
- The mixture may be stored for up to 2 hours at room temperature. Discard any unused portion after 2 hours.
- Drink a glass (e.g., 240 mL) of water following administration of the drug/food mixture [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION].
- INGREZZA SPRINKLE may also be swallowed whole with water [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION]. Do not crush or chew INGREZZA SPRINKLE.
Nonclinical Toxicology
Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment Of Fertility
Carcinogenesis
Valbenazine did not increase tumors in rats treated orally for 91 weeks at 0.5, 1, and 2 mg/kg/day. These doses are <1 times (0.06, 0.1, and 0.24 times, respectively) the MRHD of 80 mg/day based on mg/m2.
Valbenazine did not increase tumors in hemizygous Tg.rasH2 mice treated orally for 26 weeks at 10, 30 and 75 mg/kg/day, which are 0.6, 1.9 and 4.6 times the MRHD of 80 mg/day based on mg/m2.
Mutagenesis
Valbenazine was not mutagenic in the in vitro bacterial reverse mutation test (Ames) or clastogenic in the in vitro mammalian chromosomal aberrations assay in human peripheral blood lymphocytes or in the in vivo rat bone marrow micronucleus assay.
Impairment Of Fertility
In a fertility study, rats were treated orally with valbenazine at 1, 3, and 10 mg/kg/day prior to mating and through mating, for a minimum of 10 weeks (males) or through Day 7 of gestation (females). These doses are 0.1, 0.4, and 1.2 times the MRHD of 80 mg/day based on mg/m2, respectively. Valbenazine delayed mating in both sexes, which led to lower number of pregnancies and disrupted estrous cyclicity at the high dose, 1.2 times the MRHD of 80 mg/day based on mg/m2. Valbenazine had no effects on sperm parameters (motility, count, density) or on uterine parameters (corpora lutea, number of implants, viable implants, pre-implantation loss, early resorptions and post-implantation loss) at any dose.
Use In Specific Populations
Pregnancy
Risk Summary
The limited available data on INGREZZA or INGREZZA SPRINKLE use in pregnant women are insufficient to inform a drug-associated risk. In animal reproductive studies, no malformations were observed when valbenazine was administered orally to rats and rabbits during the period of organogenesis at doses up to 1.8 or 24 times, respectively, the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD) of 80 mg/day based on mg/m2 body surface area. However, administration of valbenazine to pregnant rats during organogenesis through lactation produced an increase in the number of stillborn pups and postnatal pup mortalities at doses <1 times the MRHD based on mg/m2 [see Data]. Advise a pregnant woman of the potential risk to a fetus.
The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. The background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in the U.S. general population is 2 to 4% and 15 to 20% of clinically recognized pregnancies, respectively.
Data
Animal Data
Valbenazine was administered orally to pregnant rats during the period of organogenesis at 1, 5, and 15 mg/kg/day, which are approximately 0.1, 0.6, and 2 times the MRHD of 80 mg/day based on mg/m2 body surface area. Valbenazine produced a significant decrease in maternal body weight gain at 0.6 and 2 times the MRHD of 80 mg/day based on mg/m2. No adverse embryo fetal effects were produced when valbenazine was administered at doses up to 2 times the MRHD of 80 mg/day based on mg/m2.
Valbenazine was administered orally to pregnant rabbits during the period of organogenesis at 20, 50, and 100 mg/kg/day, which are approximately 5, 12, and 24 times the MRHD of 80 mg/day based on mg/m2. No malformations were observed at doses up to 24 times the MRHD of 80 mg/day based on mg/m2. However, valbenazine produced a delay in fetal development (decreased fetal weights and delayed ossification) at 24 times the MRHD of 80 mg/day based on mg/m2, likely secondary to maternal toxicity (decreased food intake and loss in body weight).
Valbenazine was administered orally to pregnant rats during the period of organogenesis through lactation (day 7 of gestation through day 20 postpartum) at 1, 3, and 10 mg/kg/day, which are approximately 0.1, 0.4, and 1.2 times the MRHD of 80 mg/day based on mg/m2. Valbenazine produced an increase in the incidence of stillbirths and postnatal pup mortality at 0.4 and 1.2 times the MRHD of 80 mg/day based on mg/m2. Valbenazine did not affect neurobehavioral function including learning and memory and had no effect on sexual maturation at doses <1 times the MRHD of 80 mg/day based on mg/m2 (because of death in the majority of the high dose group (1.2 times the MRHD), these parameters were not assessed in this group).
Lactation
Risk Summary
There is no information regarding the presence of valbenazine or its metabolites in human milk, the effects on the breastfed infant, or the effects on milk production. Valbenazine and its metabolites have been detected in rat milk at concentrations higher than in plasma following oral administration of valbenazine at doses 0.1 to 1.2 times the MRHD based on mg/m2. Based on animal findings of increased perinatal mortality in exposed fetuses and pups, advise a woman not to breastfeed during treatment with INGREZZA or INGREZZA SPRINKLE and for 5 days after the final dose.
Pediatric Use
Safety and effectiveness of INGREZZA and INGREZZA SPRINKLE have not been established in pediatric patients.
Geriatric Use
No dose adjustment of INGREZZA or INGREZZA SPRINKLE is required for elderly patients.
Tardive Dyskinesia
In 3 randomized, placebo-controlled studies of INGREZZA in patients with tardive dyskinesia, 16% of patients were 65 years and older. The safety and effectiveness were similar in patients older than 65 years compared to younger patients.
Huntington’s Disease
In the randomized, placebo-controlled study of INGREZZA in 127 patients with chorea associated with Huntington’s disease, 15% were 65 years and older. This study did not include sufficient numbers of subjects aged 65 and older to determine whether they responded differently from younger subjects [see Clinical Studies].
CYP2D6 Poor Metabolizers
Dosage reduction of INGREZZA and INGREZZA SPRINKLE is recommended for known CYP2D6 poor metabolizers [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION]. Increased exposure (Cmax and AUC) to valbenazine’s active metabolite was observed in CYP2D6 poor metabolizers. Increased exposure of active metabolite may increase the risk of exposure-related adverse reactions [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY].
Hepatic Impairment
Dosage reduction of INGREZZA and INGREZZA SPRINKLE is recommended for patients with moderate or severe hepatic impairment [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION]. Patients with moderate to severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh score 7 to 15) had higher exposure of valbenazine and its active metabolite than patients with normal hepatic function [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY].
Renal Impairment
Dosage adjustment is not necessary for patients with mild, moderate, or severe renal impairment. INGREZZA and INGREZZA SPRINKLE do not undergo primary renal clearance [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY].