WARNINGS
Included as part of the PRECAUTIONS section.
PRECAUTIONS
Death In Preterm Infants
Deaths after infusion of soybean-based intravenous lipid emulsions have been reported in preterm infants. Autopsy findings included intravascular lipid accumulation in the lungs.
Preterm and small-for-gestational-age infants have poor clearance of intravenous lipid emulsion and increased free fatty acid plasma levels following lipid emulsion infusion. The safe and effective use of Smoflipid in pediatric patients, including preterm infants, has not been established.
Hypersensitivity Reactions
Smoflipid contains soybean oil, fish oil, and egg phospholipids, which may cause hypersensitivity reactions. Cross reactions have been observed between soybean and peanut oil. Signs or symptoms of a hypersensitivity reaction may include: tachypnea, dyspnea, hypoxia, bronchospasm, tachycardia, hypotension, cyanosis, vomiting, nausea, headache, sweating, dizziness, altered mentation, flushing, rash, urticaria, erythema, pyrexia, or chills.
If a hypersensitivity reaction occurs, stop infusion of Smoflipid immediately and undertake appropriate treatment and supportive measures.
Risk Of Catheter-Related Infections
Lipid emulsions, such as Smoflipid, can support microbial growth and is an independent risk
factor for the development of catheter-related bloodstream infections. The risk of infection is increased in patients with malnutrition-associated immunosuppression, long-term use and poor maintenance of intravenous catheters, or immunosuppressive effects of other concomitant conditions or drugs.
To decrease the risk of infectious complications, ensure aseptic techniques in catheter placement, catheter maintenance, and preparation and administration of Smoflipid. Monitor for signs and symptoms (fever and chills) of early infections, including laboratory test results that might indicate infection (including leukocytosis and hyperglycemia), and frequently checks of the parenteral access device and insertion site for edema, redness, and discharge.
Fat Overload Syndrome
Fat overload syndrome is a rare condition that has been reported with intravenous lipid emulsions. A reduced or limited ability to metabolize lipids accompanied by prolonged plasma clearance may result in a syndrome characterized by a sudden deterioration in the patient's condition including fever, anemia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, coagulation disorders, hyperlipidemia, liver fatty infiltration (hepatomegaly), deteriorating liver function, and central nervous system manifestations (e.g., coma). The cause of the fat overload syndrome is unclear. Although it has been most frequently observed when the recommended lipid dose was exceeded, cases have also been described where the lipid formulation was administered according to instructions. The syndrome is usually reversible when the infusion of the lipid emulsion is stopped.
Refeeding Syndrome
Refeeding severely undernourished patients with PN may result in the refeeding syndrome, characterized by the intracellular shift of potassium, phosphorus, and magnesium as the patient becomes anabolic. Thiamine deficiency and fluid retention may also develop. To prevent these complications, monitor severely undernourished patients and slowly increase their nutrient intakes.
Aluminum Toxicity
Smoflipid contains no more than 25 mcg/L of aluminum. However, with prolonged PN administration in patients with renal impairment, the aluminum levels in the patient may
reach toxic levels. Preterm infants are at greater risk because their kidneys are immature, and they require large amounts of calcium and phosphate solutions, which contain aluminum.
Patients with renal impairment, including preterm infants, who receive parenteral levels of aluminum at greater than 4 to 5 mcg/kg/day accumulate aluminum to levels associated with central nervous system and bone toxicity. Tissue loading may occur at even lower rates of administration of PN products.
Risk Of Parenteral Nutrition-Associated Liver Disease
Parenteral nutrition-associated liver disease (PNALD) has been reported in patients who receive PN for extended periods of time, especially preterm infants, and can present as cholestasis or steatohepatitis. The exact etiology is unknown and is likely multifactorial. Intravenously administered phytosterols (plant sterols) contained in plant-derived lipid formulations have been associated with development of PNALD, although a causal relationship has not been established.
If Smoflipid-treated patients develop liver test abnormalities, consider discontinuation or dose reduction.
Hypertriglyceridemia
Impaired lipid metabolism with hypertriglyceridemia may occur in conditions such as inherited lipid disorders, obesity, diabetes mellitus, and metabolic syndrome.
To evaluate the patient’s capacity to eliminate and metabolize the infused lipid emulsion, measure serum triglycerides before the start of infusion (baseline value), at the time of each increase in dosage, and regularly throughout treatment.
In adult patients with levels > 400 mg/dL, reduce the dose of Smoflipid and monitor serum triglyceride levels to avoid the clinical consequences associated with hypertriglyceridemia. Serum triglyceride levels > 1,000 mg/dL, have been associated with an increased risk of pancreatitis.
Monitoring/Laboratory Tests
Routine Monitoring
Monitor serum triglycerides [see Hypertriglyceridemia], fluid and electrolyte
status, blood glucose, liver and kidney function, blood count including platelets, and
coagulation parameters throughout treatment.
Essential Fatty Acids
Monitoring patients for signs and symptoms of essential fatty acid deficiency (EFAD) is
recommended. Laboratory tests are available to determine serum fatty acids levels. Reference values should be consulted to help determine adequacy of essential fatty acid status. Increasing essential fatty acid intake (enterally or parenterally) is effective in treating and preventing EFAD.
In Smoflipid, the mean concentration of linoleic acid (an omega-6 essential fatty acid) is
35 mg/mL (range 28 to 50 mg/mL), and α-linolenic acid (an omega-3 essential fatty acid) is
4.5 mg/mL (range 3 to 7 mg/mL). There are insufficient long-term data to determine whether Smoflipid can supply essential fatty acids in adequate amounts in patients who may have increased requirements.
Interference With Laboratory Tests
Content of vitamin K may counteract anticoagulant activity [seeDRUG INTERACTIONS]. The lipids contained in this emulsion may interfere with some laboratory blood tests (e.g., hemoglobin, lactate dehydrogenase [LDH], bilirubin, and oxygen saturation) if blood is sampled before lipids have cleared from the bloodstream. Lipids are normally cleared after a period of 5 to 6 hours once the lipid infusion is stopped.
Nonclinical Toxicology
Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment Of Fertility
Studies with Smoflipid have not been performed to evaluate the carcinogenic potential or effects on fertility.
No mutagenic effects were observed in the following in vitro studies with Smoflipid: bacterial gene mutation assay in Salmonella typhimurium, chromosomal aberration assay in human lymphocytes, and hypoxanthine phosphoribosyl transferase (HPRT) gene mutation assay in V79 cells.
In an in vivo bone marrow cytogenic study in rats, no mutagenic effect was observed.
Use In Specific Populations
Pregnancy
Risk Summary
There are no available data on risks associated with Smoflipid when used in pregnant women. Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with Smoflipid. It is not known whether Smoflipid can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Consider the benefits and risks of Smoflipid when prescribing to a pregnant woman. In the US 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
Severe malnutrition in a pregnant woman is associated with preterm delivery, low birth weight, intrauterine growth restriction, congenital malformations, and perinatal mortality. Parenteral nutrition should be considered if the pregnant woman’s nutritional requirements cannot be fulfilled by oral or enteral intake.
Lactation
Risk summary
No data are available regarding the presence of Smoflipid in human milk, the effects on the breast fed infant, or the effects on milk production. The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother’s clinical need for Smoflipid, and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed infant from Smoflipid, or from the underlying maternal condition.
Pediatric Use
The safety and effectiveness of Smoflipid have not been established in pediatric patients. Deaths in preterm infants after infusion of intravenous lipid emulsion have been reported [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]. Because of immature renal function, preterm infants receiving prolonged treatment with Smoflipid may be at risk of aluminum toxicity [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]. Patients, including pediatric patients, may be at risk for PNALD [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
There are insufficient data from pediatric studies to establish that Smoflipid injection provides sufficient amounts of essential fatty acids (EFA) in pediatric patients. Pediatric patients may be particularly vulnerable to neurologic complications due to EFA deficiency if adequate amounts of EFA are not provided [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]. In clinical trials of a soybean oil-based intravenous lipid emulsion product, thrombocytopenia in neonates occurred (less than 1%). Smoflipid contains soybean oil (30% of total lipids).
Geriatric Use
Energy expenditure and requirements may be lower for older adults than younger patients. Of the 354 patients in clinical studies of Smoflipid, 35% were > 65 years of age and 10% were > 75 years of age. No overall differences in the safety and efficacy of Smoflipid were
observed between these patients and younger patients, and other reported clinical experience
has not identified differences in responses between the elderly and younger patients, but
greater sensitivity in some older patients cannot be ruled out.
Hepatic Impairment
Parenteral nutrition should be used with caution in patients with hepatic impairment.
Hepatobiliary disorders are known to develop in some patients without preexisting liver
disease who receive parenteral nutrition, including cholestasis, hepatic steatosis, fibrosis and
cirrhosis (parenteral nutrition associated liver disease), possibly leading to hepatic failure.
Cholecystitis and cholelithiasis have also been observed. The etiology of these disorders is
thought to be multifactorial and may differ between patients.
Monitor liver function parameters closely. Patients developing signs of hepatobiliary
disorders should be assessed early by a clinician knowledgeable in liver diseases in order to
identify causative and contributory factors, and possible therapeutic and prophylactic
interventions.