Warnings for Injectafer
Included as part of the PRECAUTIONS section.
Precautions for Injectafer
Hypersensitivity Reactions
Serious hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylactic-type reactions, some of which have been life-threatening and fatal, have been reported in patients receiving Injectafer. Patients may present with shock, clinically significant hypotension, loss of consciousness, and/or collapse. Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of hypersensitivity during and after Injectafer administration for at least 30 minutes and until clinically stable following completion of the infusion. Only administer Injectafer when personnel and therapies are immediately available for the treatment of serious hypersensitivity reactions [see ADVERSE REACTIONS]. In clinical trials, serious anaphylactic/anaphylactoid reactions were reported in 0.1% (2/1,775) of subjects receiving Injectafer. Other serious or severe adverse reactions potentially associated with hypersensitivity which included, but not limited to, pruritus, rash, urticaria, wheezing, or hypotension were reported in 1.5% (26/1,775) of these subjects.
Symptomatic Hypophosphatemia
Symptomatic hypophosphatemia with serious outcomes including osteomalacia and fractures requiring clinical intervention has been reported in patients treated with Injectafer in the post-marketing setting. These cases have occurred mostly after repeated exposure to Injectafer in patients with no reported history of renal impairment. However, symptomatic hypophosphatemia has been reported after one dose. Possible risk factors for hypophosphatemia include a history of gastrointestinal disorders associated with malabsorption of fat-soluble vitamins or phosphate, inflammatory bowel disease, concurrent or prior use of medications that affect proximal renal tubular function, hyperparathyroidism, vitamin D deficiency, malnutrition, and hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT or Osler-Weber-Rendu syndrome). In most cases, hypophosphatemia resolved within three months.
Correct pre-existing hypophosphatemia prior to initiating therapy with Injectafer. Monitor serum phosphate levels in patients at risk for chronic low serum phosphate. Check serum phosphate levels prior to a repeat course of treatment in patients at risk for low serum phosphate and in any patient who receives a second course of therapy within three months [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION]. Treat hypophosphatemia as medically indicated.
Hypertension
In clinical studies, hypertension was reported in 4% (67/1,775) of subjects in clinical trials 1 and 2. Transient elevations in systolic blood pressure, sometimes occurring with facial flushing, dizziness, or nausea were observed in 6% (106/1,775) of subjects in these two clinical trials. These elevations generally occurred immediately after dosing and resolved within 30 minutes. Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of hypertension following each Injectafer administration [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION].
Laboratory Test Alterations
In the 24 hours following administration of Injectafer, laboratory assays may overestimate serum iron and transferrin bound iron by also measuring the iron in Injectafer.
Patient Counseling Information
Advise the patient to read the FDA-approved patient labeling (PATIENT INFORMATION) and discuss with the patient the etiology of the iron deficiency anemia and the patient’s iron deficiency anemia treatment options.
Prior History Of Reactions To Parenteral Iron Products
Question patients regarding any prior history of reactions to parenteral iron products [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Serious Hypersensitivity Reactions
Advise patients to report any signs and symptoms of hypersensitivity that may develop during and following Injectafer administration, such as rash, itching, dizziness, lightheadedness, swelling, and breathing problems [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Symptomatic Hypophosphatemia
Advise patients to report any signs or symptoms of hypophosphatemia such as fatigue, muscle weakness or pain, bone and joint pain, or bone fractures [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Pregnancy
Advise pregnant women about the risk of hypersensitivity reactions which may have serious consequences for the fetus. Advise patients who may become pregnant to inform their healthcare provider of a known or suspected pregnancy [see Use In Specific Populations].
Nonclinical Toxicology
Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis and Impairment Of Fertility
Carcinogenicity studies have not been performed with ferric carboxymaltose.
Ferric carboxymaltose was not genotoxic in the following genetic toxicology studies: in vitro microbial mutagenesis (Ames) assay, in vitro chromosome aberration test in human lymphocytes, in vitro mammalian cell mutation assay in mouse lymphoma L5178Y/TK+/-cells, in vivo mouse micronucleus test at single intravenous doses up to 500 mg/kg.
In a combined male and female fertility study, ferric carboxymaltose was administered intravenously over one hour to male and female rats at iron doses of up to 30 mg/kg. Animals were dosed 3 times per week (on Days 0, 3, and 7). There was no effect on mating function, fertility or early embryonic development. Based on body surface area, the dose of 30 mg/kg in animals is approximately 40% of the human dose of 750 mg.
Use In Specific Populations
Pregnancy
Risk Summary
Parenteral iron administration may be associated with hypersensitivity reactions [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS], which may have serious consequences, such as fetal bradycardia (see Clinical Considerations). Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus. Published studies and available data from postmarketing reports with intravenous Injectafer are insufficient to assess the risk of major birth defects and miscarriage.
There are risks to the mother and fetus associated with untreated IDA in pregnancy as well as risks to the fetus associated with maternal severe hypersensitivity reactions (see Clinical Considerations).
In animal reproduction studies, administration of ferric carboxymaltose to rabbits during the period of organogenesis caused adverse developmental outcomes including fetal malformations and increased implantation loss at maternally toxic doses of approximately 12% to 23% of the human weekly dose of 750 mg (based on body surface area).
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 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
Untreated IDA in pregnancy is associated with adverse maternal outcomes such as postÂpartum 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 Injectafer) which may cause fetal bradycardia, especially during the second and third trimester.
Data
Human Data
Published data from randomized controlled studies, prospective observational studies and retrospective studies on the use of ferric carboxymaltose in pregnant women have not reported an association with intravenous ferric carboxymaltose and major birth defects and miscarriage. However, these studies cannot establish or exclude the absence of any drug-related risk during pregnancy.
Animal Data
Administration of ferric carboxymaltose to rats as a one-hour intravenous infusion up to 30 mg/kg/day iron on gestation days 6 to 17 did not result in adverse embryonic or fetal findings. This daily dose in rats is approximately 40% of the human weekly dose of 750 mg based on body surface area. In rabbits, ferric carboxymaltose was administered as a one-hour infusion on gestation days 6 to 19 at iron doses of 4.5, 9, 13.5, and 18 mg/kg/day. Malformations were seen starting at the daily dose of 9 mg/kg (23% of the human weekly dose of 750 mg). Spontaneous abortions occurred starting at the daily iron dose of 4.5 mg/kg (12% of the human weekly dose of 750 mg based on body surface area). Pre-implantation loss was at the highest dose. Adverse embryonic or fetal effects were observed in the presence of maternal toxicity.
A pre-and post-natal development study was conducted in rats at intravenous doses up to 18 mg/kg/day of iron (approximately 23% of the weekly human dose of 750 mg based on body surface area). There were no adverse effects on survival of offspring, their behavior, sexual maturation or reproductive parameters.
Lactation
Risk Summary
The available published data on the use of ferric carboxymaltose in lactating women demonstrate that iron is present in breast milk. Among the breastfed infants, adverse reactions included constipation and diarrhea but none of the adverse reactions reported were considered related to ferric carboxymaltose exposure through breastmilk. There is no information on the effects of ferric carboxymaltose on milk production. The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother’s clinical need for Injectafer in addition to any potential adverse effects on the breastfed child from the drug or from the underlying maternal condition.
Pediatric Use
The safety and effectiveness of Injectafer for IDA in pediatric patients aged 1 year and older who have normal kidney function and have either intolerance to oral iron or have had unsatisfactory response to oral iron have been established. Use of Injectafer for this indication in this age group is supported by evidence from adequate and well-controlled studies of Injectafer in adults with additional pharmacodynamic and safety data in pediatric patients aged 1 year and older [see ADVERSE REACTIONS and CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY
Safety and effectiveness of Injectafer have not been established in pediatric patients less than 1 year of age with IDA.
Safety and effectiveness of Injectafer have not been established to improve exercise capacity in pediatric patients with ID and symptomatic heart failure.
Geriatric Use
Of the 1,775 subjects in clinical studies of Injectafer, 50% were 65 years and over, while 25% were 75 years and over. No overall differences in safety or effectiveness were observed between these subjects and younger subjects, and other reported clinical experience has not identified differences in responses between the elderly and younger patients, but greater sensitivity of some older individuals cannot be ruled out.