WARNINGS
Included as part of the PRECAUTIONS section.
PRECAUTIONS
Severe Allergic Reactions
RAGWITEK can cause systemic allergic reactions including
anaphylaxis which may be lifethreatening. In addition, RAGWITEK can cause
severe local reactions, including laryngopharyngeal swelling, which can
compromise breathing and be life-threatening. Educate patients to recognize the
signs and symptoms of these allergic reactions and instruct them to seek
immediate medical care and discontinue therapy should any of these occur.
Allergic reactions may require treatment with epinephrine. [See below]
Administer the initial dose of RAGWITEK in a healthcare
setting under the supervision of a physician with experience in the diagnosis
and treatment of allergic diseases and prepared to manage a life-threatening
systemic or local allergic reaction. Observe patients in the office for at
least 30 minutes following the initial dose of RAGWITEK.
Epinephrine
Prescribe auto-injectable epinephrine to patients
receiving RAGWITEK. Instruct patients to recognize the signs and symptoms of a
severe allergic reaction and in the proper use of emergency autoinjectable epinephrine.
Instruct patients to seek immediate medical care upon use of auto-injectable epinephrine
and to stop treatment with RAGWITEK. [See PATIENT INFORMATION]
See the epinephrine package insert for complete
information.
RAGWITEK may not be suitable for patients with certain
medical conditions that may reduce the ability to survive a serious allergic
reaction or increase the risk of adverse reactions after epinephrine administration.
Examples of these medical conditions include but are not limited to: markedly compromised
lung function (either chronic or acute), unstable angina, recent myocardial
infarction, significant arrhythmia, and uncontrolled hypertension.
RAGWITEK may not be suitable for patients who are taking
medications that can potentiate or inhibit the effect of epinephrine. These
medications include:
Beta-adrenergic blockers
Patients taking beta-adrenergic blockers may be
unresponsive to the usual doses of epinephrine used to treat serious systemic
reactions, including anaphylaxis. Specifically, beta-adrenergic blockers antagonize
the cardiostimulating and bronchodilating effects of epinephrine.
Alpha-adrenergic blockers, ergot alkaloids
Patients taking alpha-adrenergic blockers may be unresponsive
to the usual doses of epinephrine used to treat serious systemic reactions, including
anaphylaxis. Specifically, alpha-adrenergic blockers antagonize the
vasoconstricting and hypertensive effects of epinephrine. Similarly, ergot
alkaloids may reverse the pressor effects of epinephrine.
Tricyclic antidepressants, levothyroxine sodium,
monoamine oxidase inhibitors, and certain antihistamines
The adverse effects of epinephrine may be potentiated in
patients taking tricyclic antidepressants, levothyroxine sodium, monoamine
oxidase inhibitors, and the antihistamines chlorpheniramine, and
diphenhydramine.
Cardiac glycosides, diuretics
Patients who receive epinephrine while taking cardiac
glycosides or diuretics should be observed carefully for the development of
cardiac arrhythmias.
Upper Airway Compromise
RAGWITEK can cause local reactions in the mouth or throat
that could compromise the upper airway [see ADVERSE REACTIONS]. Consider
discontinuation of RAGWITEK in patients who experience persistent and
escalating adverse reactions in the mouth or throat.
Eosinophilic Esophagitis
Eosinophilic esophagitis has been reported in association
with sublingual tablet immunotherapy [see CONTRAINDICATIONS].
Discontinue RAGWITEK and consider a diagnosis of eosinophilic esophagitis in
patients who experience severe or persistent gastro-esophageal symptoms
including dysphagia or chest pain.
Asthma
Subjects with asthma who participated in clinical trials
had asthma of a severity that required, at most, a daily low dose of an inhaled
corticosteroid. RAGWITEK has not been studied in subjects with moderate or
severe asthma.
Withhold immunotherapy with RAGWITEK if the patient is
experiencing an acute asthma exacerbation. Reevaluate patients who have
recurrent asthma exacerbations and consider discontinuation of RAGWITEK.
Concomitant Allergen Immunotherapy
RAGWITEK has not been studied in subjects who are
receiving concomitant allergen immunotherapy. Concomitant dosing with other
allergen immunotherapy may increase the likelihood of local or systemic adverse
reactions to either subcutaneous or sublingual allergen immunotherapy.
Oral Inflammation
Stop treatment with RAGWITEK to allow complete healing of
the oral cavity in patients with oral inflammation (e.g., oral lichen planus,
mouth ulcers, or thrush) or oral wounds, such as those following oral surgery
or dental extraction.
Patient Counseling Information
Advise patients to read the FDA-approved patient labeling
(Medication Guide) and to keep RAGWITEK and all medicines out of the reach of
children.
Severe Allergic Reactions
Advise patients that RAGWITEK may cause life-threatening
systemic or local allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis. Educate patients
about the signs and symptoms of these allergic reactions [see WARNINGS AND
PRECAUTIONS]. The signs and symptoms of a severe allergic reaction may
include: syncope, dizziness, hypotension, tachycardia, dyspnea, wheezing,
bronchospasm, chest discomfort, cough, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea,
rash, pruritus, flushing, and urticaria.
Ensure that patients have auto-injectable epinephrine and
instruct patients in its proper use. Instruct patients who experience a severe
allergic reaction to seek immediate medical care, discontinue RAGWITEK, and
resume treatment only when advised by a physician to do so. [See WARNINGS
AND PRECAUTIONS]
Advise patients to read the patient information for
epinephrine.
Inform patients that the first dose of RAGWITEK must be
administered in a healthcare setting under the supervision of a physician and
that they will be monitored for at least 30 minutes to watch for signs and
symptoms of life-threatening systemic or local allergic reaction [see WARNINGS
AND PRECAUTIONS].
Because of the risk of upper airway compromise, instruct
patients with persistent and escalating adverse reactions in the mouth or
throat to discontinue RAGWITEK and to contact their healthcare professional. [See
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]
Because of the risk of eosinophilic esophagitis, instruct
patients with severe or persistent symptoms of esophagitis to discontinue
RAGWITEK and to contact their healthcare professional. [See WARNINGS AND
PRECAUTIONS]
Asthma
Instruct patients with asthma that if they have
difficulty breathing or if their asthma becomes difficult to control, they
should stop taking RAGWITEK and contact their healthcare professional
immediately [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Administration Instructions
Instruct patients to carefully remove the foil from the
blister unit with dry hands and then take the sublingual tablet immediately by
placing it under the tongue where it will dissolve. Also instruct patients to wash
their hands after handling the tablet, and to avoid food or beverages for 5
minutes after taking the tablet. [See DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION]
Nonclinical Toxicology
Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment Of Fertility
No studies have been performed in animals to evaluate the
carcinogenic potential of RAGWITEK.
There were no positive findings in a combined in vivo Comet
and micronucleus assay in rats using Short Ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia) pollen
allergen extract.
Fertility studies have not been performed with Short
Ragweed pollen allergen extract.
Use In Specific Populations
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Category C
Animal reproduction studies have not been performed with
RAGWITEK. It is also not known whether RAGWITEK can cause fetal harm when
administered to a pregnant woman or can affect reproduction capacity. RAGWITEK
should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed.
Because systemic and local adverse reactions with
immunotherapy may be poorly tolerated during pregnancy, RAGWITEK should be used
during pregnancy only if clearly needed.
Nursing Mothers
It is not known if RAGWITEK is excreted in human milk.
Because many drugs are excreted in human milk, caution should be exercised when
RAGWITEK is administered to a nursing woman.
Pediatric Use
RAGWITEK is not approved for use in pediatric patients
because safety and efficacy have not been established.
Geriatric Use
RAGWITEK is not approved for use in patients over 65
years of age because safety and efficacy have not been established.