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LEGUBETI (acetylcysteine) for oral solution is an antidote for acetaminophen overdose. The drug substance is acetylcysteine lysine and is a white to almost white powder, freely soluble in water, with the molecular formula C11H23N3O5S, a molecular weight of 309.39, and the following structural formula:
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LEGUBETI contains 500 mg and 2.5 grams of acetylcysteine (equivalent to 948 mg and 4.74 grams of acetylcysteine lysine, respectively) and the inactive ingredient: povidone.
LEGUBETI, is indicated to prevent or lessen hepatic injury, which may occur following the ingestion of a potentially hepatotoxic quantity of acetaminophen, in adults and pediatric patients. It is essential to initiate treatment as soon as possible after the overdose and, in any case, within 24 hours of acetaminophen ingestion.
The following recommendations are related to acute acetaminophen ingestion.
If the timing of the acute acetaminophen ingestion is known and the results of the acetaminophen concentration are available within 8 hours of acetaminophen ingestion:
The nomogram may underestimate the hepatotoxicity risk in patients with chronic alcoholism, malnutrition, or CYP2E1 enzyme inducing drugs (e.g., isoniazid), and consideration should be given to treating these patients even if the acetaminophen concentrations are in the nontoxic range.
For patients whose acetaminophen concentrations are at or above the “possible” toxicity line (dotted line in nomogram):
For patients with an acute overdose due to an extended-release acetaminophen if the acetaminophen concentration at 4 hours post ingestion is below the possible toxicity line then obtain a second sample for acetaminophen concentration 8 to 10 hours after the acute ingestion. If the second value is at or above the “possible” toxicity line (dotted line in nomogram):
For patients whose values are below the “possible” toxicity line, but time of ingestion was unknown, or sample was obtained less than 4 hours after ingestion:
For patients whose values are below the “possible” toxicity line and time of ingestion is known and the sample was obtained more than 4 hours after ingestion, do not administer LEGUBETI because there is minimal risk of hepatotoxicity.
Figure 1 : Rumack-Matthew Nomogram for Estimating Potential for Hepatotoxicity from Acetaminophen Poisoning – Plasma or Serum Acetaminophen Concentration versus Time (hours) Post-acetaminophen Ingestion (Adapted from Rumack and Matthew, Pediatrics 1975; 55:871-876.)
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Determine need for continued treatment with LEGUBETI after the loading dose. Choose ONE of the following based on the acetaminophen concentration:
The acetaminophen concentration is above the possible toxicity line according to the nomogram (see Figure 1):
The acetaminophen concentration could not be obtained:
For patients whose acetaminophen concentration is below the “possible” toxicity line (see Figure 1) and time of ingestion is known and the sample was obtained more than 4 hours after ingestion:
The acetaminophen concentration was in the non-toxic range, but time of ingestion was unknown or less than 4 hours:
In cases of suspected massive overdose, or with concomitant ingestion of other substances, or in patients with preexisting liver disease; the absorption and/or the half-life of acetaminophen may be prolonged. In such cases, consideration should be given to the need for continued treatment with LEGUBETI beyond a total of 17 maintenance doses.
Acetaminophen levels and ALT/AST and INR should be checked after the last maintenance dose. If acetaminophen levels are still detectable, or if the ALT/AST are still increasing or the INR remains elevated; the maintenance doses should be continued and the treating physician should contact a US regional poison center at 1-800-222-1222, or alternatively, a “special health professional assistance line for acetaminophen overdose” at 1-800-525-6115 for assistance with dosing recommendations.
[Tables 1 and 2] provide the weight-based loading and maintenance doses, respectively, of LEGUBETI for patients weighing 20 kg and greater. For patients weighing 20 to 59 kg dissolve LEGUBETI powder in 150 mL of caffeine-free diet cola or other diet soft drink. For patients weighing 60 kg and greater dissolve LEGUBETI powder in 300 mL of caffeine-free diet cola or other diet soft drink.
Table 1: LEGUBETI Loading Dose
| For patients weighing 60 kg or greater. Dissolve LEGUBETI powder in 300 mL of caffeine-free diet cola or other diet soft drinks | |||
| Body weight (Kg) | Actual Acetylcysteine Dose to be Administered | Number of LEGUBETI packets to dissolve in caffeine-free diet cola or other diet soft drinks | |
| 2.5 grams packets | 500 mg packets | ||
| 100 or greater* | 15 grams | 6 | 0 |
| 90 to 99 | 14 grams | 5 | 3 |
| 80 to 89 | 13 grams | 5 | 1 |
| 70 to 79 | 11 grams | 4 | 2 |
| 60 to 69 | 10 grams | 4 | 0 |
| For patients weighing 20 kg to 59 kg. Dissolve LEGUBETI powder in 150 mL of caffeine-free diet cola or other diet soft drinks |
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| 50 to 59 | 8 grams | 3 | 1 |
| 40 to 49 | 7 grams | 2 | 4 |
| 30 to 39 | 6 grams | 2 | 2 |
| 20 to 29 | 4 grams | 1 | 3 |
| *No specific studies have been conducted to evaluate the necessity of dose adjustments in patients weighing over 100 kg. Limited information is available regarding the dosing requirements of patients that weigh more than 100 kg. | |||
Table 2: LEGUBETI Maintenance Dose
| For patients weighing 60 kg or greater. Dissolve LEGUBETI powder in 300 mL of caffeine-free diet cola or other diet soft drinks | |||
| Body weight (Kg) | Actual Acetylcysteine Dose to be administered | Number of LEGUBETI packets to dissolve in caffeine-free diet cola or other diet soft drinks | |
| 2.5 grams packets | 500 mg packets | ||
| 100 or greater* | 7.5 grams | 3 | 0 |
| 90 to 99 | 7 grams | 2 | 4 |
| 80 to 89 | 6.5 grams | 2 | 3 |
| 70 to 79 | 5.5 grams | 2 | 1 |
| 60 to 69 | 5 grams | 2 | 0 |
| For patients weighing 20 kg to 59 kg. Dissolve LEGUBETI powder in 150 mL of caffeine-free diet cola or other diet soft drinks | |||
| 50 to 59 | 4 grams | 1 | 3 |
| 40 to 49 | 3.5 grams | 1 | 2 |
| 30 to 39 | 3 grams | 1 | 1 |
| 20 to 29 | 2 grams | 0 | 4 |
| *No specific studies have been conducted to evaluate the necessity of dose adjustments in patients weighing over 100 kg. Limited information is available regarding the dosing requirements of patients that weigh more than 100 kg. | |||
Dissolve 5 grams (equivalent to two 2.5-gram LEGUBETI powder packets) in 100 mL of water to create a 50 mg/mL solution. Calculate the loading and maintenance doses using the patient’s kilogram weight:
Loading Dose
Calculate the dose by multiplying the patient’s kilogram weight by 140 mg/kg and dividing by the concentration of the solution (50 mg/mL). The result is the dose in mL for administration using an oral syringe.
Maintenance Dose
Calculate the dose by multiplying the patient’s kilogram weight by 70 mg/kg and dividing by the concentration of the solution (50 mg/mL). The result is the dose in mL for administration using an oral syringe.
LEGUBETI (acetylcysteine) for oral solution is supplied as packets containing white powder.
Carton of 10 packets (NDC 66277-319-10)
Carton of 20 packets (NDC 66277-290-20)
Carton of 10 packets (NDC 66277-320-10)
Carton of 20 packets (NDC 66277-291-20)
Store at controlled room temperature of 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F); excursions between 15°C and 30°C (59°F and 86°F) are permitted [See USP Controlled Room Temperature]. Protect from moisture. Store in original package until use.
Use prepared LEGUBETI solution within 1 hour after preparation [See DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION].
Manufactured by: Galephar Pharmaceutical Research Inc. Humacao, 00791, Puerto Rico, USA Rev. FEB 2024. Revised: Feb 2024
The following adverse reactions are described, or described in greater detail, in other sections of the labeling:
The most common adverse reactions have been identified from clinical studies or post marketing reports of acetylcysteine. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. The most common adverse reactions were nausea, vomiting, other gastrointestinal symptoms, and rash with or without fever.
No Information provided
Included as part of the PRECAUTIONS section.
Generalized urticaria, angioedema, bronchospasm, pruritus, flushing, other rash, chest tightness, and hypotension have been observed in patients receiving oral acetylcysteine for acetaminophen overdose. If this occurs or other allergic symptoms appear, treatment with LEGUBETI should be discontinued unless it is deemed essential, and the allergic symptoms can be otherwise controlled.
Occasionally severe and persistent vomiting occurs as a symptom of acute acetaminophen overdose. Treatment with oral LEGUBETI may aggravate the vomiting. Patients at risk of gastric hemorrhage (e.g., esophageal varices, peptic ulcers, etc.) should be evaluated concerning the risk of upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage versus the risk of developing hepatic toxicity, and treatment with LEGUBETI given accordingly.
Dilution of LEGUBETI [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION] minimizes the propensity of oral acetylcysteine to aggravate vomiting.
Advise the patient to read the FDA-approved patient labeling (PATIENT INFORMATION).
Advise patients that hypersensitivity reactions, including generalized urticaria may occur and to report any signs or symptoms to their healthcare provider immediately [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Carcinogenicity studies in laboratory animals have not been performed with acetylcysteine lysine (active ingredient in LEGUBETI) or with acetylcysteine.
Acetylcysteine lysine was negative in the bacterial reverse mutation (Ames) assay, the in vitro mouse lymphoma cell gene mutation assay, and the in vivo mouse micronucleus test. Acetylcysteine was negative in the Ames test.
In a fertility study of acetylcysteine in rats, intravenous administration of 1,000 mg/kg/day (0.3 times the recommended human oral dose based on body surface area) caused a profound reduction of fertility in females, which was correlated with morphological changes in oocytes and severe impairment of implantation (18 of 20 mated females had no implantations). The reversibility of this effect was not evaluated. No effects on fertility were observed in female rats at intravenous doses up to 300 mg/kg/day (0.1 times the recommended human oral dose based on body surface area), or in male rats at intravenous doses up to 1,000 mg/kg/day. Mating was unaffected in this study.
In a reproduction study of acetylcysteine, male rats were treated orally for 15 weeks prior to mating and during the mating period. A slight non-dose related reduction in fertility was observed at oral doses of 500 and 1,000 mg/kg/day (0.1 and 0.3 times the recommended human dose, respectively, based on body surface area).
No fertility studies have been performed with acetylcysteine lysine.
Available data from published case reports and case series over decades of use with acetylcysteine during pregnancy have not identified an increased risk of major birth defects, miscarriage or other adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. Treatment of acetaminophen overdose should not be delayed because potentially toxic acetaminophen plasma levels may increase the risk of maternal or fetal morbidity and mortality (see Clinical Considerations). In animal reproduction studies, no teratogenic effects were observed with oral administration of acetylcysteine to pregnant rats and rabbits during organogenesis at doses up to 0.6 times the maximum recommended human dose (based on body surface area) of about 560 mg/kg (total dose on first day of treatment) [see Data]. Acetylcysteine lysine, the active ingredient in LEGUBETI, was not tested in animal reproduction studies.
The 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. 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.
Disease-Associated Maternal And/Or Embryo/Fetal Risk
Although acetaminophen and acetylcysteine cross the placenta, there have been no adverse maternal or fetal outcomes associated with acetylcysteine use during pregnancy. Treatment in pregnant women with acetaminophen overdose should not be delayed because potentially toxic acetaminophen plasma levels may increase the risk of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality.
Animal Data
No teratogenic effects were observed in embryo-fetal development studies of acetylcysteine in rats at oral doses up to 2,000 mg/kg/day (0.6 times the maximum recommended human dose based on body surface area) or in rabbits at oral doses up to 1,000 mg/kg/day (0.6 times the maximum recommended human dose based on body surface area) administered during organogenesis.
There is no information regarding the presence of acetylcysteine in human milk, or the effects of acetylcysteine on the breastfed infant or on milk production. The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother’s clinical need for LEGUBETI and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed infant from LEGUBETI or from the underlying maternal condition.
LEGUBETI is indicated in pediatric patients as an antidote to prevent or lessen hepatic injury which may occur following the ingestion of a potentially hepatotoxic quantity of acetaminophen. There is no recommended dosage for pediatric patients weighing less than 1 kg. [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION].
Clinical studies of acetylcysteine did not include sufficient numbers of subjects aged 65 and over to determine whether they respond differently from younger subjects. Other reported clinical experience with acetylcysteine has not identified differences in the responses between elderly and younger patients.
No Information provided
None
Acetylcysteine has been shown to reduce the extent of liver injury following acetaminophen overdose. Acetaminophen doses of 150 mg/kg or greater have been associated with hepatotoxicity. Its effectiveness depends on early oral administration, with benefit seen principally in patients treated within 16 hours of the overdose. Acetylcysteine probably protects the liver by maintaining or restoring the glutathione levels, or by acting as an alternate substrate for conjugation with, and thus detoxification of, the reactive metabolite of acetaminophen.
The exposure-response relationship and time course of pharmacodynamic response for the safety and effectiveness of acetylcysteine have not been fully characterized.
After administration of a single oral dose of 1 gram of LEGUBETI (dissolved in 200 mL of caffeine-free diet cola, and an additional 100 mL of water to rinse the dosing cup) to 24 healthy adult subjects, the mean Cmax (CV%) was 2170.74 (46) ng/mL and mean (CV) AUCinf was 2647.82 (33) ng •hr/mL. The median (range) time to reach Cmax (Tmax) was 0.5 (0.5 to 2) hours.
The protein binding for acetylcysteine ranges from 66% to 87 %.
Metabolism
Acetylcysteine (i.e., N-acetylcysteine) undergoes extensive first pass metabolism and is postulated to form cysteine and disulfides (N,N-diacetylcysteine and N-acetylcysteine). Cysteine is further metabolized to form glutathione and other metabolites.
Excretion
After a single oral dose of [35S]-acetylcysteine 100 mg, between 13 to 38% of the total radioactivity administered was recovered in urine within 24 hours. In a separate study, renal clearance was estimated to be approximately 30% of total body clearance. In healthy subjects given a single oral dose of 1 gram of LEGUBETI, the mean (CV%) terminal plasma half-life (T½) was 3.30 (25%) hours.
Following a 600 mg intravenous dose of acetylcysteine to subjects with mild (Child Pugh Class A, n=1), moderate (Child-Pugh Class B, n=4) or severe (Child-Pugh Class C; n=4) hepatic impairment and 6 healthy matched controls, mean T½ increased by 80%. Also, the mean CL decreased by 30% and the systemic acetylcysteine exposure (mean AUC) increased 1.6-fold in subjects with hepatic impairment compared to subjects with normal hepatic function. These changes are not considered to be clinically meaningful.
Hemodialysis may remove some of total acetylcysteine.
LEGUBETI™
(leg-u-beti)
(acetylcysteine)for oral solution
What is LEGUBETI?
LEGUBETI is a prescription medicine used to prevent or lessen liver damage in people who have taken too much acetaminophen (overdose).
Before receiving LEGUBETI, tell your healthcare provider about all your medical conditions, including if you:
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
How should I receive LEGUBETI?
What are the possible side effects of LEGUBETI?
LEGUBETI may cause serious side effects, including:
These are not all the possible side effects of LEGUBETI. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
General information about the safe and effective use of LEGUBETI.
Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in a Patient Information leaflet. You can ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider for information about LEGUBETI that is written for health professionals.
What are the ingredients in LEGUBETI?
Active ingredient: acetylcysteine lysine
Inactive ingredients: povidone
This Patient Information has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
