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POSFREA Injection contains palonosetron as palonosetron HCl, an antiemetic and antinauseant agent. It is a serotonin-3 (5-HT3) receptor antagonist with a strong binding affinity for this receptor. Chemically, palonosetron HCl is: (3aS)-2-[(S)-1-Azabicyclo [2.2.2]oct- 3-yl]Â2,3,3a,4,5,6-hexahydro-1-oxo-1Hbenz[de]isoquinoline hydrochloride. The empirical formula is C19H24N2O.HCl, with a molecular weight of 332.87. Palonosetron HCl exists as a single isomer and has the following structural formula:
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Palonosetron HCl is a white to off-white crystalline powder. It is freely soluble in water and soluble in propylene glycol and slightly soluble in ethanol and 2-propanol.
POSFREA Injection is a sterile, clear, colorless, non-pyrogenic, isotonic, buffered solution for intravenous administration. POSFREA Injection is available as 5 mL single- dose vial or 1.5 mL single dose vial.
Each mL of aqueous solution contains 0.05 mg palonosetron (equivalent to 0.056 mg palonosetron hydrochloride). Each mL also contains 41.5 mg mannitol, 3.0 mg sodium acetate trihydrate, and water for injection (q.s. to 1.0 mL).
The pH of the solution in the 5 mL and 1.5 mL vials is 4.5 to 5.5. Hydrochloric acid or sodium hydroxide may have been added to adjust pH.
POSFREA is indicated in adults for prevention of:
As with other antiemetics, routine prophylaxis is not recommended in patients in whom there is little expectation that nausea and/or vomiting will occur postoperatively. In patients where nausea and vomiting must be avoided during the postoperative period, POSFREA is recommended even where the incidence of postoperative nausea and/or vomiting is low.
POSFREA is indicated in pediatric patients 1 month to less than 17 years of age for prevention of:
The recommended dosage of POSFREA for prevention of nausea and vomiting associated with HEC and MEC in adults and associated with emetogenic chemotherapy, including HEC in pediatric patients 1 month to less than 17 years of age is shown in Table 1.
Table 1: Recommended Dosage of POSFREA for the Prevention of Nausea and Vomiting Associated with Chemotherapy in Adults and Pediatric Patients 1 Month to Less than 17 Years
| Age | Dose* | Infusion Time |
| Adults | 0.25 mg as a single dose | Infuse over 30 seconds beginning approximately 30 minutes before the start of chemotherapy |
| Pediatrics (1 month to less than 17 years) | 20 micrograms per kilogram (max 1.5 mg) as a single dose |
Infuse over 15 minutes beginning approximately 30 minutes before the start of chemotherapy |
| *Note different dosing units in pediatrics | ||
The recommended dosage of POSFREA in adults for PONV is 0.075 mg administered as a single intravenous dose over 10 seconds immediately before the induction of anesthesia.
POSFREA injection is sterile, clear, and colorless solution in a single-dose vial:
POSFREA™ injection is supplied as a sterile, clear and colorless solution in single-dose vials as follows:
| NDC Number | Strength | Package |
| 83831-105-01 | 0.25 mg palonosetron in 5 mL (0.05 mg/mL) | 1 vial/carton |
| 83831-104-05 | 0.075 mg palonosetron in 1.5 mL (0.05 mg/mL) | 5 vials/carton |
Manufactured for: Avyxa Pharma, LLC, New Jersey 07054, USA. Revised: Apr 2025.
Serious or otherwise clinically significant adverse reactions reported in other sections of labeling:
Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice.
The safety of POSFREA has been established from adequate and well-controlled studies of another intravenous formulation of palonosetron [see Clinical Studies]. Below is a display of the adverse reactions of palonosetron in these adequate and well-controlled studies.
In double-blind randomized clinical trials for the prevention of nausea and vomiting induced by MEC or HEC, 1374 adult patients received a single dose of palonosetron, ondansetron (Studies 1 and 3) or dolasetron (Study 2) administered intravenously 30 minutes prior to chemotherapy [see Clinical Studies]. Adverse reactions were similar in frequency and severity in all three treatment groups. Common adverse reactions reported in at least 2% of patients in these trials are shown in Table 2.
Table 2: Common Adverse Reactions* in Adults with Receiving MEC (Studies 1 and 2) or HEC (Study 3)
| Adverse Reaction | Palonosetron 0.25 mg intravenously (N=633) |
Ondansetron 32 mg intravenously (N=410) |
Dolasetron 100 mg intravenously (N=194) |
| Headache | 9% | 8% | 16% |
| Constipation | 5% | 2% | 6% |
| Diarrhea | 1% | 2% | 2% |
| Dizziness | 1% | 2% | 2% |
| Fatigue | < 1% | 1% | 2% |
| Abdominal Pain | < 1% | < 1% | 2% |
| Insomnia | < 1% | 1% | 2% |
| *Reported in at least 2% of patients in any treatment group | |||
Less common adverse reactions, reported in 1% or less of patients in any treatment group, in Studies 1, 2 and 3 were:
In other studies, two subjects experienced severe constipation following a single dose of approximately 0.75 mg (three times the recommended dose).
In a pediatric clinical trial, 163 pediatric cancer patients with a mean age of eight years received a single 20 mcg/kg (maximum 1.5 mg) intravenous infusion of palonosetron30 minutes before beginning the first cycle of emetogenic chemotherapy [see Clinical Studies]. Adverse reactions were evaluated in pediatric patients receiving palonosetron for up to four chemotherapy cycles. The following adverse reactions were reported in less than 1% of palonosetron-treated patients:
The most common adverse reactions reported in at least 2% of adults receiving palonosetron 0.075 mg intravenously immediately before induction of anesthesia in three randomized placebocontrolled trials [see Clinical Studies] are shown in Table 3. Rates of adverse reactions between palonosetron and placebo groups were similar. Some events are known to be associated with, or may be exacerbated by, concomitant perioperative and intraoperative medications administered in this surgical population. A thorough QT/QTc study demonstrated palonosetron does not prolong the QT interval to any clinically relevant extent [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY].
Table 3: Common Adverse Reactions* in Trials of Adults with Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting
| Adverse Reaction | Palonosetron 0.075 mg intravenously (N=336) |
Placebo (N=369) |
| Electrocardiogram QT prolongation |
5% | 3% |
| Bradycardia | 4% | 4% |
| Headache | 3% | 4% |
| Constipation | 2% | 3% |
| * Reported in at least 2% of patients in any treatment group | ||
Less common adverse reactions, reported in 1% or less of patients, in these PONV clinical trials were:
The following adverse reactions have been identified during postapproval use of palonosetron.
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.
Serotonin syndrome (including altered mental status, autonomic instability, and neuromuscular symptoms) has been described following the concomitant use of 5-HT3 receptor antagonists and other serotonergic drugs, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). Monitor for the emergence of serotonin syndrome. If symptoms occur, discontinue POSFREA and initiate supportive treatment [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Included as part of the "PRECAUTIONS" Section
Hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis and anaphylactic shock, have been reported with administration of palonosetron [see ADVERSE REACTIONS]. These reactions occurred in patients with or without known hypersensitivity to other 5-HT3 receptor antagonists. If hypersensitivity reactions occur, discontinue POSFREA and initiate appropriate medical treatment. Do not reinitiate POSFREA in patients who have previously experienced symptoms of hypersensitivity [see CONTRAINDICATIONS].
The development of serotonin syndrome has been reported with 5-HT3 receptor antagonists. Most reports have been associated with concomitant use of serotonergic drugs (e.g., selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), monoamine oxidase inhibitors, mirtazapine, fentanyl, lithium, tramadol, and intravenous methylene blue). Some of the reported cases were fatal. Serotonin syndrome occurring with overdose of another 5-HT3 receptor antagonist alone has also been reported. The majority of reports of serotonin syndrome related to 5-HT3 receptor antagonist use occurred in a postanesthesia care unit or an infusion center.
Symptoms associated with serotonin syndrome may include the following combination of signs and symptoms: mental status changes (e.g., agitation, hallucinations, delirium, and coma), autonomic instability (e.g., tachycardia, labile blood pressure, dizziness, diaphoresis, flushing, hyperthermia), neuromuscular symptoms (e.g., tremor, rigidity, myoclonus, hyperreflexia, incoordination), seizures, with or without gastrointestinal symptoms (e.g., nausea, vomiting, diarrhea). Patients should be monitored for the emergence of serotonin syndrome, especially with concomitant use of POSFREA and other serotonergic drugs. If symptoms of serotonin syndrome occur, discontinue POSFREA and initiate supportive treatment. Patients should be informed of the increased risk of serotonin syndrome, especially if POSFREA is used concomitantly with other serotonergic drugs [see DRUG INTERACTIONS].
Advise the patient or caregiver to read the FDA-approved patient labeling (PATIENT INFORMATION).
Advise patients that hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis and anaphylactic shock, have been reported in patients with or without known hypersensitivity to other 5-HT3 receptor antagonists. Advise patients to seek immediate medical attention if any signs or symptoms of a hypersensitivity reaction occur with administration of POSFREA [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Advise patients of the possibility of serotonin syndrome, especially with concomitant use of POSFREA and another serotonergic agent such as medications to treat depression and migraines. Advise patients to seek immediate medical attention if the following symptoms occur: changes in mental status, autonomic instability, neuromuscular symptoms with or without gastrointestinal symptoms [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
In a 104-week carcinogenicity study in CD-1 mice, animals were treated with oral doses of palonosetron at 10, 30 and 60 mg/kg/day. Treatment with palonosetron was not tumorigenic. The highest tested dose produced a systemic exposure to palonosetron (plasma AUC) of about 150 to 289 times the human exposure (AUC= 29.8 h•mcg/L) at the recommended intravenous dose of 0.25 mg. In a 104-week carcinogenicity study in Sprague-Dawley rats, male and female rats were treated with oral doses of 15, 30 and 60 mg/kg/day and 15, 45 and 90 mg/kg/day, respectively.
The highest doses produced a systemic exposure to palonosetron (plasma AUC) of 137 and 308 times the human exposure at the recommended dose. Treatment with palonosetron produced increased incidences of adrenal benign pheochromocytoma and combined benign and malignant pheochromocytoma, increased incidences of pancreatic Islet cell adenoma and combined adenoma and carcinoma and pituitary adenoma in male rats. In female rats, it produced hepatocellular adenoma and carcinoma and increased the incidences of thyroid C-cell adenoma and combined adenoma and carcinoma.
Palonosetron was not genotoxic in the Ames test, the Chinese hamster ovarian cell (CHO/HGPRT) forward mutation test, the ex vivo hepatocyte unscheduled DNA synthesis (UDS) test or the mouse micronucleus test. It was, however, positive for clastogenic effects in the Chinese hamster ovarian (CHO) cell chromosomal aberration test.
Palonosetron at oral doses up to 60 mg/kg/day (about 1894 times the recommended human intravenous dose based on body surface area) was found to have no effect on fertility and reproductive performance of male and female rats.
There are no available data on palonosetron use in pregnant women to inform a drug-associated risk. In animal reproduction studies, no effects on embryo-fetal development were observed with the administration of oral palonosetron during the period of organogenesis at doses up to 1,894 and 3,789 times the recommended human intravenous dose in rats and rabbits, respectively (see Data).
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.
Animal Data
In animal reproduction studies, no effects on embryo-fetal development were observed in pregnant rats given oral palonosetron at doses up to 60 mg/kg/day (1,894 times the recommended human intravenous dose based on body surface area) or pregnant rabbits given oral doses up to 60 mg/kg/day (3,789 times the recommended human intravenous dose based on body surface area) during the period of organogenesis.
There are no data on the presence of palonosetron in human milk, the effects of palonosetron on the breastfed infant, or the effects of palonosetron on milk production. The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother’s clinical need for POSFREA and any potential adverse effect on the breastfed infant from palonosetron or from the underlying maternal condition.
Safety and effectiveness of POSFREA have been established in pediatric patients aged 1 month to less than 17 years for the prevention of acute nausea and vomiting associated with initial and repeat courses of emetogenic cancer chemotherapy, including HEC. Use is supported by a clinical trial where 165 pediatric patients aged two months to less than 17 years were randomized to receive a single dose of palonosetron 20 mcg/kg (maximum 1.5 mg) administered as an intravenous infusion 30 minutes prior to the start of emetogenic chemotherapy [see Clinical Studies]. While this study demonstrated that pediatric patients require a higher palonosetron dose than adults to prevent chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, the safety profile is consistent with the established profile in adults [see ADVERSE REACTIONS].
Safety and effectiveness of POSFREA in neonates (less than 1 month of age) have not been established.
Safety and effectiveness have not been established in pediatric patients for PONV. Two pediatric trials were performed.
Pediatric Study 1, a dose finding study was conducted to compare two doses of palonosetron, 1 mcg/kg (maximum 0.075 mg) versus 3 mcg/kg (maximum 0.25 mg). A total of 150 pediatric surgical patients participated, age range one month to less than 17 years. No dose response was observed.
Pediatric Study 2, a multicenter, double-blind, double-dummy, randomized, parallel group, active control, single-dose non-inferiority study, compared intravenous palonosetron (1 mcg/kg, maximum 0.075 mg) versus intravenous ondansetron. A total of 670 pediatric surgical patients participated, age 30 days to less than 17 years. The primary efficacy endpoint, Complete Response (CR: no vomiting, no retching, and no antiemetic rescue medication) during the first 24 hours postoperatively was achieved in 78.2% of patients in the palonosetron group and 82.7% in the ondansetron group. Given the pre-specified non-inferiority margin of -10%, the stratum adjusted Mantel-Haenszel statistical non-inferiority confidence interval for the difference in the primary endpoint, complete response (CR), was [-10.5, 1.7%], therefore non-inferiority was not demonstrated. Adverse reactions to palonosetron were similar to those reported in adults.
Of the 1374 adult cancer patients in clinical studies of intravenously administered palonosetron for CINV, 316 (23%) were 65 years and over, while 71 (5%) were at least 75 years and over. Of the 1520 adult patients in clinical studies of intravenously administered palonosetron for PONV, 73 (5%) were at least 65 years old [see Clinical Studies]. No overall differences in safety or effectiveness were observed between these subjects and younger subjects, but greater sensitivity in some older individuals cannot be ruled out. Population pharmacokinetics analysis did not reveal any differences in palonosetron pharmacokinetics between cancer patients 65 years of age and older compared to younger patients [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY]. No dosage adjustment is required for geriatric patients.
There is no known antidote to palonosetron. Overdose should be managed with supportive care.
Dialysis studies have not been performed, however, due to the large volume of distribution, dialysis is unlikely to be an effective treatment for palonosetron overdose. A single intravenous dose of palonosetron at 30 mg/kg (947 and 474 times the human dose for rats and mice, respectively, based on body surface area) was lethal to rats and mice. The major signs of toxicity were convulsions, gasping, pallor, cyanosis and collapse.
POSFREA is contraindicated in patients known to have hypersensitivity to palonosetron [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Palonosetron is a 5-HT3 receptor antagonist with a strong binding affinity for this receptor and little or no affinity for other receptors.
Cancer chemotherapy may be associated with a high incidence of nausea and vomiting, particularly when certain agents, such as cisplatin, are used. 5-HT3 receptors are located on the nerve terminals of the vagus in the periphery and centrally in the chemoreceptor trigger zone of the area postrema. It is thought that chemotherapeutic agents produce nausea and vomiting by releasing serotonin from the enterochromaffin cells of the small intestine and that the released serotonin then activates 5-HT3 receptors located on vagal afferents to initiate the vomiting reflex.
Postoperative nausea and vomiting is influenced by multiple patient, surgical and anesthesia related factors and is triggered by release of 5-HT in a cascade of neuronal events involving both the central nervous system and the gastrointestinal tract. The 5-HT3 receptor has been demonstrated to selectively participate in the emetic response.
The effect of intravenous palonosetron on blood pressure, heart rate, and ECG parameters including QTc were comparable to intravenous ondansetron and dolasetron in CINV clinical trials. In PONV clinical trials the effect of palonosetron on the QTc interval was no different from placebo. In non-clinical studies palonosetron possesses the ability to block ion channels involved in ventricular de- and re-polarization and to prolong action potential duration.
At a dose of 9 times the maximum recommended adult dose, POSFREA does not prolong the QT interval to any clinically relevant extent.
After intravenous dosing of palonosetron in healthy subjects and cancer patients, an initial decline in palonosetron plasma concentrations is followed by a slow elimination from the body. Mean maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) and area under the concentration-time curve (AUC0-∞) are generally dose proportional over the dose range of 0.3 to 90 mcg/kg in healthy subjects and in cancer patients. Following a single intravenous dose of palonosetron at 3 mcg/kg (or 0.21 mg/70 kg) to six cancer patients, mean (±SD) maximum plasma concentration was estimated to be 5630 ± 5480 ng/L and mean AUC was 35.8 ± 20.9 h•mcg/L.
Following intravenous administration of palonosetron 0.25 mg once every other day for 3 doses in 11 cancer patients, the mean increase in plasma palonosetron concentration from Day 1 to Day 5 was 42±34%. Following intravenous administration of palonosetron 0.25 mg once daily for three days in 12 healthy subjects, the mean (±SD) increase in plasma palonosetron concentration from Day 1 to Day 3 was 110±45%.
After intravenous dosing of palonosetron in patients undergoing surgery (abdominal surgery or vaginal hysterectomy), the pharmacokinetic characteristics of palonosetron were similar to those observed in cancer patients.
Palonosetron has a volume of distribution of approximately 8.3 ± 2.5 L/kg. Approximately 62% of palonosetron is bound to plasma proteins.
After a single intravenous dose of 10 mcg/kg [14C]-palonosetron, approximately 80% of the dose was recovered within 144 hours in the urine with palonosetron representing approximately 40% of the administered dose. In healthy subjects, the total body clearance of palonosetron was 0.160 ± 0.035 L/h/kg and renal clearance was 0.067± 0.018 L/h/kg. Mean terminal elimination half-life is approximately 40 hours.
Metabolism
Palonosetron is eliminated by multiple routes with approximately 50% metabolized to form two primary metabolites: N-oxide-palonosetron and 6-S-hydroxy-palonosetron. These metabolites each have less than 1% of the 5-HT3 receptor antagonist activity of palonosetron. In vitro metabolism studies have suggested that CYP2D6 and to a lesser extent, CYP3A4 and CYP1A2 are involved in the metabolism of palonosetron. However, clinical pharmacokinetic parameters are not significantly different between poor and extensive metabolizers of CYP2D6 substrates.
Pharmacokinetic data was obtained from a subset of pediatric cancer patients that received 10 mcg/kg or 20 mcg/kg as a single intravenous dose of palonosetron. When the dose was increased from 10 mcg/kg to 20 mcg/kg a dose-proportional increase in mean AUC was observed. Peak plasma concentrations (CT) reported at the end of the 15-minute infusion of 20 mcg/kg were highly variable in all age groups and tended to be lower in patients less than six years than in older patients as shown in Table 4. The median half-life was 30 hours in overall age groups and ranged from about 20 to 30 hours across age groups after administration of 20 mcg/kg.
The total body clearance (L/h/kg) in patients 12 to 17 years old was similar to that in healthy adults. There are no apparent differences in volume of distribution when expressed as L/kg.
Table 4: Pharmacokinetics Parameters in Pediatric Cancer Patients following Intravenous Infusion of 20 mcg/kg Palonosetron Over 15 minutes
| PK Parametera | Pediatric Age Group | |||
| Less than 2 years | 2 years to less than 6 years |
6 years to less than 12 years | 12 years to less than 17 years | |
| N=12 | N=42 | N=38 | N=44 | |
| CTb, ng/L | 9025 (197) | 9414 (252) | 16275 (203) | 11831 (176) |
| N=5 | N=7 | N=10 | ||
| AUC 0-∞ , h·mcg/L | 103.5 (40.4) | 98.7 (47.7) | 124.5 (19.1) | |
| N=6 | N=14 | N=13 | N=19 | |
| Clearancec, L/h/kg | 0.31 (34.7) | 0.23 (51.3) | 0.19 (46.8) | 0.16 (27.8) |
| VssC, L/kg | 6.08 (36.5) | 5.29 (57.8) | 6.26 (40.0) | 6.20 (29.0) |
| a Geometric Mean (CV) except for t1/2 which is median values b CT is the plasma palonosetron concentration at the end of the 15-minute infusion c Clearance and Vss calculated from 10 and 20 mcg/kg and are weight adjusted |
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The pharmacokinetics of palonosetron were characterized in 24 healthy Japanese subjects over an intravenous dose range of 3 to 90 mcg/kg. Total body clearance was 25% higher in Japanese subjects compared to Whites, however, this increase is not considered to be clinically meaningful.
Mild to moderate renal impairment does not significantly affect palonosetron pharmacokinetic parameters. Total systemic exposure increased by approximately 28% in patients with severe renal impairment relative to healthy subjects. This increase is not considered clinically meaningful.
Hepatic impairment does not significantly affect total body clearance of palonosetron compared to the healthy subjects.
In vitro studies indicated that palonosetron is not an inhibitor of CYP1A2, CYP2A6, CYP2B6, CYP2C9, CYP2D6, CYP2E1 and CYP3A4/5 (CYP2C19 was not investigated) nor does it induce the activity of CYP1A2, CYP2D6, or CYP3A4/5. Therefore, the potential for clinically significant drug interactions with palonosetron appears to be low.
Coadministration of 0.25 mg palonosetron and 20 mg dexamethasone administered intravenously in healthy subjects revealed no pharmacokinetic drug-interactions between palonosetron and dexamethasone.
In an interaction study in healthy subjects where a single 0.25 mg intravenous dose of palonosetron was administered on day 1 and oral aprepitant for three days (125 mg/80 mg/80 mg), the pharmacokinetics of palonosetron were not significantly altered (AUC: no change, Cmax: 15% increase).
A study in healthy subjects involving a single 0.75 mg intravenous dose of palonosetron and steady state oral metoclopramide (10 mg four times daily) demonstrated no significant pharmacokinetic interaction.
In controlled clinical trials, palonosetron has been safely administered with corticosteroids, analgesics, antiemetics/antinauseants, antispasmodics and anticholinergic agents.
The safety and efficacy of POSFREA have been established based on adequate and well-controlled adult studies of another intravenous formulation of palonosetron in CINV and PONV. Below is a display of the results of these adequate and well-controlled studies of palonosetron in these conditions.
Efficacy of a single intravenous dose of palonosetron in preventing acute and delayed nausea and vomiting associated with MEC or HEC were studied in four trials. In these double-blind studies, complete response rates (no emetic episodes and no rescue medication) and other efficacy parameters were assessed through at least 120 hours after administration of chemotherapy. The safety and efficacy of palonosetron in repeated courses of chemotherapy was also assessed.
Two double-blind trials (Study 1 and Study 2) involving 1132 patients compared a single dose of palonosetron with either a single-dose of ondansetron (Study 1) or dolasetron (Study 2) given 30 minutes prior to MEC, including carboplatin, cisplatin ≤ 50 mg/m2, cyclophosphamide <1500 mg/m2, doxorubicin > 25 mg/m2, epirubicin, irinotecan, and methotrexate >250 mg/m2. Concomitant corticosteroids were not administered prophylactically in Study 1 and were only used by 4 to 6% of patients in Study 2. The majority of patients in these studies were women (77%), White (65%) and naïve to previous chemotherapy (54%). The mean age was 55 years.
A double-blind, dose-ranging trial evaluated the efficacy of a single intravenous dose of palonosetron from 0.3 to 90 mcg/kg (equivalent to < 0.1 mg to 6 mg fixed dose) in 161 chemotherapy-naïve adult cancer patients receiving HEC, either cisplatin ≥ 70 mg/m2 or cyclophosphamide > 1100 mg/m2. Concomitant corticosteroids were not administered prophylactically. Analysis of data from this trial indicates that 0.25 mg is the lowest effective dose in preventing acute nausea and vomiting associated with HEC.
A double-blind trial involving 667 patients compared a single intravenous dose of palonosetron with a single intravenous dose of ondansetron (Study 3) given 30 minutes prior to HEC, including cisplatin ≥ 60 mg/m2, cyclophosphamide > 1500 mg/m2, and dacarbazine. Corticosteroids were co-administered prophylactically before chemotherapy in 67% of patients. Of the 667 patients, 51% were women, 60% White, and 59% naïve to previous chemotherapy. The mean age was 52 years.
Studies 1, 2 and 3 show that palonosetron was effective in the prevention of nausea and vomiting associated with initial and repeat courses of MEC and HEC in the acute phase (0 to 24 hours) [Table 5]. Clinical superiority over other 5-HT3 receptor antagonists has not been adequately demonstrated in the acute phase. In Study 3, efficacy was greater when prophylactic corticosteroids were administered concomitantly.
Studies 1 and 2 show that palonosetron was effective in the prevention of nausea and vomiting associated with initial and repeat course of MEC in the delayed phase (24 to 120 hours) [Table 6] and overall phase (0 to 120 hours) [Table 7].
Table 5: Prevention of Acute Nausea and Vomiting (0 to 24 Hours) in Adults with Nausea and Vomiting Associated with MEC or HEC in Studies 1, 2 and 3: Complete Response Rates
| Chemotherapy | Study | Treatment Group | Na | % with Complete Response |
p-value b | 97.5% Confidence Interval Palonosetron minus Comparator c |
| Moderately Emetogenic | 1 | Palonosetron 0.25 mg intravenously |
189 | 81 | 0.009 |  |
| Ondansetron 32 mg intravenouslyd |
185 | 69 | ||||
| 2 | Palonosetron 0.25 mg intravenously |
189 | 63 | NS | ||
| Dolasetron 100 mg intravenously |
191 | 53 | ||||
| Highly Emetogenic | 3 | Palonosetron 0.25 mg intravenously |
223 | 59 | NS | |
| Ondansetron 32 mg intravenouslyd |
221 | 57 | ||||
| a Intent-to-treat cohort b 2-sided Fisher’s exact test. Significance level at α=0.025. c These studies were designed to show non-inferiority. A lower bound greater than –15% demonstrates non-inferiority between palonosetron and comparator. dOndansetron 32 mg intravenously was used in the clinical trial. Although this dose was used in the trial, it is no longer the currently recommended dose. Refer to the ondansetron prescribing information for the current recommended dose. |
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Table 6: Prevention of Delayed Nausea and Vomiting (24 to 120 Hours) Associated with MEC in Adults in Studies 1 and 2: Complete Response Rates
| Chemotherapy | Study | Treatment Group | Na | % with Complete Response | p-value b | 97.5% Confidence Interval Palonosetron minus Comparatorc |
| Moderately Emetogenic | 1 | Palonosetron 0.25 mg intravenously |
189 | 74 | <0.001 |  |
| Ondansetron 32 mg intravenouslyd |
185 | 55 | ||||
| 2 | Palonosetron 0.25 mg intravenously |
189 | 54 | 0.004 | ||
| Dolasetron 100 mg intravenously |
191 | 39 | ||||
| aIntent-to-treat cohort b 2-sided Fisher’s exact test. Significance level at α=0.025. c These studies were designed to show non-inferiority. A lower bound greater than–15% demonstrates non-inferiority between palonosetron and comparator. dOndansetron 32 mg intravenously was used in the clinical trial. Although this dose was used in the trial, it is no longer the currently recommended dose. Refer to the ondansetron prescribing information for the current recommended dose. |
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Table 7: Prevention of Overall Nausea and Vomiting (0 to 120 Hours) Associated with MEC in Adults in Studies 1 and 2: Complete Response Rates
| Chemotherapy | Study | Treatment Group | Na | % with Complete Response | p-valueb | 97.5% Confidence Interval Palonosetron minus Comparator c |
| Moderately Emetogenic | 1 | Palonosetron 0.25 mg intravenously |
189 | 69 | <0.001 |  |
| Ondansetron 32 mg intravenouslyd |
185 | 50 | ||||
| 2 | Palonosetron 0.25 mg intravenously |
189 | 46 | 0.021 | ||
| Dolasetron 100 mg intravenously |
191 | 34 | ||||
| aIntent-to-treat cohort b 2-sided Fisher’s exact test. Significance level at α=0.025. cThese studies were designed to show non-inferiority. A lower bound greater than –15% demonstrates non-inferiority between palonosetron and comparator. d Ondansetron 32 mg intravenously was used in the clinical trial. Although this dose was used in the trial, it is no longer the currently recommended dose. Refer to the ondansetron prescribing information for the current recommended dose. |
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One double-blind, active-controlled clinical trial was conducted in pediatric cancer patients. The total population (N = 327) had a mean age of 8.3 years (range two months to 16.9 years) and were 53% male; and 96% white. Patients were randomized and received a 20 mcg/kg (maximum 1.5 mg) intravenous infusion of palonosetron 30 minutes prior to the start of emetogenic chemotherapy (followed by placebo infusions four and eight hours after the dose of palonosetron) or 0.15 mg/kg of intravenous ondansetron 30 minutes prior to the start of emetogenic chemotherapy (followed by ondansetron 0.15 mg/kg infusions four and eight hours after the first dose of ondansetron, with a maximum total dose of 32 mg). Emetogenic chemotherapies administered included doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide (<1500 mg/m2), ifosfamide, cisplatin, dactinomycin, carboplatin, and daunorubicin. Adjuvant corticosteroids, including dexamethasone, were administered with chemotherapy in 55% of patients.
Complete Response in the acute phase of the first cycle of chemotherapy was defined as no vomiting, no retching, and no rescue medication in the first 24 hours after starting chemotherapy. Efficacy was based on demonstrating non-inferiority of intravenous palonosetron compared to intravenous ondansetron. Non-inferiority criteria were met if the lower bound of the 97.5% confidence interval for the difference in Complete Response rates of intravenous palonosetron minus intravenous ondansetron was larger than -15%. The non-inferiority margin was 15%.
As shown in Table 8, intravenous palonosetron 20 mcg/kg (maximum 1.5 mg) demonstrated non-inferiority to the active comparator during the 0 to 24-hour time interval.
Table 8: Prevention of Acute Nausea and Vomiting (0 to 24 Hours) Associated with Emetogenic Chemotherapy in Pediatric Patients: Complete Response Rates
| Palonosetron 20 mcg/kg intravenously (N=165) |
Ondansetron 0.15 mg/kg for three intravenous doses (N=162) |
Difference [97.5% Confidence Interval]a: Palonosetron minus intravenous Ondansetron Comparator |
| 59.4% | 58.6% | 0.36% [-11.7%, 12.4%] |
| a To adjust for multiplicity of treatment groups, a lower-bound of a 97.5% confidence interval was used to compare to -15%, the negative value of the non-inferiority margin. | ||
In patients that received palonosetron at a lower dose than the recommended dose of 20 mcg/kg, non-inferiority criteria were not met.
In a multicenter, randomized, stratified, double-blind, parallel-group, clinical trial, palonosetron was compared to placebo for PONV in 546 patients undergoing abdominal and gynecological surgery. All patients received general anesthesia. The trial was conducted predominantly in the US in the out-patient setting for patients undergoing elective gynecologic or abdominal laparoscopic surgery and stratified at randomization for the following risk factors: gender, nonsmoking status, history of PONV and/or motion sickness.
Patients were randomized to receive a single dose of palonosetron 0.025 mg, 0.050 mg or 0.075 mg or placebo, each given intravenously immediately prior to induction of anesthesia.
Antiemetic activity of was evaluated during the 0 to 72-hour time period after surgery.
Of the 138 patients treated with palonosetron 0.075 mg and evaluated for efficacy, 96% were women; 66% had a history of PONV or motion sickness; 85% were nonsmokers. As for race, 63% were White, 20% were Black, 15% were Hispanic, and 1% were Asian. The age of patients ranged from 21 to 74 years, with a mean age of 38 years. Three patients were greater than 65 years of age.
Co-primary efficacy measures were Complete Response (CR) defined as no emetic episode and no use of rescue medication in 0 to 24 hours and 24 to 72 hours postoperatively.
Secondary efficacy endpoints included:
The primary hypothesis was that at least one of the three palonosetron doses were superior to placebo.
Complete Response Rates for palonosetron 0.075 mg and placebo in this trial are described in the Table 9.
Table 9: Prevention of Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting in Adults: Complete Response Rates
| Treatment | n/N (%) | Palonosetron vs Placebo | |
| Δ | p-valuea | ||
| Co-primary Endpoints | |||
| Complete Response Rate (0 to 24 hours) | |||
| Palonosetron 0.075 mg intravenously |
59/138 (42.8%) | 16.8% | 0.004 |
| Placebo | 35/135 (25.9%) | ||
| Complete Response Rate (24 to 72 hours) | |||
| Palonosetron 0.075 mg intravenously |
67/138 (48.6%) | 7.8% | 0.188 |
| Placebo | 55/135 (40.7%) | ||
| a To reach statistical significance for each co-primary endpoint, the required significance limit for the lowest p-value was p<0.017. Δ Difference (%): palonosetron 0.075 mg minus placebo |
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Palonosetron as a single dose of 0.075 mg reduced the severity of nausea compared to placebo. Analyses of other secondary endpoints indicate that palonosetron 0.075 mg was numerically better than placebo, however, statistical significance was not formally demonstrated.
A randomized, double-blind, multicenter, placebo-controlled, dose ranging study was performed to evaluate palonosetron for PONV following abdominal or vaginal hysterectomy. Five intravenous doses (0.1, 0.3, 1.0, 3.0 and 30 mcg/kg) were evaluated in a total of 381 intent-totreat patients. The primary efficacy measure was the proportion of patients with CR in the first 24 hours after recovery from surgery. The lowest effective dose of palonosetron was 1 mcg/kg (approximately 0.075 mg) which had a CR rate of 44% versus 19% for placebo, p=0.004 and significantly reduced the severity of nausea versus placebo, p=0.009.
POSFREA™
(pos-FREE-uh)
(palonosetron) injection, for intravenous use
Read this Patient Information before you receive POSFREA and each time you receive POSFREA. There may be new information. This information does not take the place of talking with your doctor about your medical condition or your treatment.
What is POSFREA?
POSFREA is a prescription medicine called an “antiemetic.” POSFREA is used in adults to help prevent the nausea and vomiting that happens:
POSFREA is used in children 1 month old to less than 17 years of age to help prevent the nausea and vomiting that happens right away with certain anti-cancer medicines (chemotherapy).
Who should not receive POSFREA?
Do not receive POSFREA if you are allergic to palonosetron hydrochloride or any of the ingredients in POSFREA. See the end of this leaflet for a complete list of ingredients in POSFREA.
What should I tell my doctor before receiving POSFREA?
Before receiving POSFREA, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions, including if you:
Tell your doctor about all of the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins and herbal supplements.
POSFREA and certain other medicines can affect each other, causing serious side effects.
How will I receive POSFREA?
What are the possible side effects of POSFREA?
POSFREA may cause serious side effects, including:
The most common side effects in adults who receive POSFREA to help prevent nausea and vomiting that happens with certain anti-cancer medicine (chemotherapy) include: headache and constipation.
The most common side effects in adults who receive POSFREA to help prevent nausea and vomiting that happens while recovering from anesthesia after surgery include: serious or life-threatening heart rhythm changes (QT prolongation), slow heartbeat, headache, and constipation.
These are not all the possible side effects of POSFREA.
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 POSFREA.
Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in a Patient Information leaflet. You can ask your doctor or pharmacist for information about POSFREA that is written for health professionals.
What are the ingredients in POSFREA?
Active ingredient: palonosetron hydrochloride
Inactive ingredients: mannitol and sodium acetate trihydrate in water for intravenous administration.
Hydrochloric acid or sodium hydroxide may have been added to adjust pH.
This Patient Information has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
