WARNINGS
Included as part of the PRECAUTIONS section.
PRECAUTIONS
Emergency Treatment
SYMJEPI is intended for immediate administration as
emergency supportive therapy and is not intended as a substitute for immediate
medical care. In conjunction with the administration of epinephrine, the
patient should seek immediate medical or hospital care. More than two
sequential doses of epinephrine should only be administered under direct
medical supervision [see INDICATIONS AND USAGE, DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATIONand PATIENT INFORMATION].
Injection-related Complications
SYMJEPI should only be injected into the anterolateral
aspect of the thigh [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION and PATIENT INFORMATION].
- Do not inject intravenously. Large doses or accidental
intravenous injection of epinephrine may result in cerebral hemorrhage due to
sharp rise in blood pressure. Rapidly acting vasodilators can counteract the
marked pressor effects of epinephrine if there is such inadvertent
administration.
- Do not inject into buttock. Injection into the buttock
may not provide effective treatment of anaphylaxis. Advise the patient to go
immediately to the nearest emergency room for further treatment of anaphylaxis.
Additionally, injection into the buttock has been associated with gas gangrene.
Cleansing with alcohol does not kill bacterial spores and therefore, does not
lower the risk.
- Do not inject into digits, hands or feet. Since
epinephrine is a strong vasoconstrictor, accidental injection into the digits,
hands or feet may result in loss of blood flow to the affected area. Advise the
patient to go immediately to the nearest emergency room and to inform the
healthcare provider in the emergency room of the location of the accidental
injection. Treatment of such inadvertent administration should consist of
vasodilation, in addition to further appropriate treatment of anaphylaxis [see
ADVERSE REACTIONS].
- Hold leg firmly during injection. To minimize the
risk of injection related injury when administering SYMJEPI to young children,
instruct caregivers to hold child's leg firmly in place and limit movement
prior to and during injection.
Serious Infections At The Injection Site
Rare cases of serious skin and soft tissue infections,
including necrotizing fasciitis and myonecrosis caused by Clostridia (gas
gangrene), have been reported at the injection site following epinephrine
injection for anaphylaxis. Clostridium spores can be present on the skin and
introduced into the deep tissue with subcutaneous or intramuscular injection.
While cleansing with alcohol may reduce presence of bacteria on the skin,
alcohol cleansing does not kill Clostridium spores. To decrease the risk of
Clostridium infection, do not inject SYMJEPI into the buttock [see Injection-related Complications]. Advise patients to seek medical care if they develop signs
or symptoms of infection, such as persistent redness, warmth, swelling, or
tenderness, at the epinephrine injection site.
Allergic Reactions Associated With Sulfite
The presence of a sulfite in this product should not
deter administration of the drug for the treatment of serious allergic or other
emergency situations even if the patient is sulfite-sensitive. Epinephrine is
the preferred treatment for serious allergic reactions or other emergency
situations even though this product contains sodium metabisulfite, a sulfite
that may, in other products, cause allergic-type reactions including
anaphylactic symptoms or life threatening or less severe asthmatic episodes in
certain susceptible persons.
The alternatives to using epinephrine in a life-threatening
situation may not be satisfactory.
Disease Interactions
Some patients may be at greater risk for developing
adverse reactions after epinephrine administration. Despite these concerns, it
should be recognized that the presence of these conditions is not a
contraindication to epinephrine administration in an acute, life-threatening
situation.
Therefore, patients with these conditions, and/or any
other person who might be in a position to administer SYMJEPI to a patient
experiencing anaphylaxis should be carefully instructed in regard to the
circumstances under which epinephrine should be used.
- Patients with Heart Disease: Epinephrine should be
administered with caution to patients who have heart disease, including
patients with cardiac arrhythmias, coronary artery or organic heart disease, or
hypertension. In such patients, or in patients who are on drugs that may
sensitize the heart to arrhythmias, epinephrine may precipitate or aggravate
angina pectoris as well as produce ventricular arrhythmias [see DRUG INTERACTIONS and ADVERSE REACTIONS].
- Other Patients and Diseases: Epinephrine should be
administered with caution to patients with hyperthyroidism, diabetes, elderly
individuals, and pregnant women. Patients with Parkinson's disease may notice a
temporary worsening of symptoms.
Patient Counseling Information
[see FDA-Approved Patient Labeling (PATIENT INFORMATION
and Instructions for Use)]
A healthcare provider should review the patient
instructions and operation of SYMJEPI, in detail, with the patient or
caregiver.
Epinephrine is essential for the treatment of
anaphylaxis. Patients who are at risk of or have a history of severe allergic
reactions (anaphylaxis) to insect stings or bites, foods, drugs, and other
allergens, as well as idiopathic and exercise-induced anaphylaxis, should be
carefully instructed about the circumstances under which epinephrine should be
used.
Administration And Training
Instruct patients and/or caregivers in the appropriate
use of SYMJEPI. SYMJEPI should be injected into the middle of the outer thigh
(through clothing, if necessary). Each syringe is for a single-use injection.
Advise patients to seek immediate medical care in conjunction with
administration of SYMJEPI.
Young children may be uncooperative and kick or move
during and injection. Instruct caregivers of young children who are prescribed
SYMJEPI to hold the leg firmly in place and limit movement prior to and during
an injection [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Complete patient information, including dosage,
directions for proper administration and precautions can be found inside each
SYMJEPI carton. A printed label on the surface of the SYMJEPI case shows
instructions for use.
Adverse Reactions
Epinephrine may produce symptoms and signs that include
an increase in heart rate, the sensation of a more forceful heartbeat,
palpitations, sweating, nausea and vomiting, difficulty breathing, pallor,
dizziness, weakness or shakiness, headache, apprehension, nervousness, or
anxiety. These signs and symptoms usually subside rapidly, especially with
rest, quiet and recumbency. Patients with hypertension or hyperthyroidism may
develop more severe or persistent effects, and patients with coronary artery
disease could experience angina. Patients with diabetes may develop increased
blood glucose levels following epinephrine administration. Patients with Parkinson's
disease may notice a temporary worsening of symptoms. [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Accidental Injection
Advise patients to seek immediate medical care in the
case of accidental injection. Since epinephrine is a strong vasoconstrictor
when injected into the digits, hands, or feet, treatment should be directed at
vasodilatation if there is such an accidental injection to these areas [see
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Serious Infections At The Injection Site
Rare cases of serious skin and soft tissue infections,
including necrotizing fasciitis and myonecrosis caused by Clostridia (gas
gangrene), have been reported at the injection site following epinephrine
injection for anaphylaxis. Advise patients to seek medical care if they develop
signs or symptoms of infection, such as persistent redness, warmth, swelling,
or tenderness, at the epinephrine injection site [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Storage And Handling
Instruct patients to inspect the epinephrine solution
visually periodically. SYMJEPI should be replaced if the epinephrine solution
appears discolored (pinkish or brown color), cloudy, or contains particles.
Epinephrine is light sensitive and should be stored in the outer case provided
to protect it from light. Instruct patients that SYMJEPI must be used or
properly disposed once the protective cap covering the needle is removed [see
HOW SUPPLIED/Storage and Handling]. Instruct patients to give a used
SYMJEPI syringe to their healthcare provider or emergency room personnel for
proper disposal, and to return expired or discolored SYMJEPI to their
healthcare provider or pharmacy for proper disposal.
Complete patient information, including dosage,
directions for proper administration and precautions can be found inside each SYMJEPI
case.
Nonclinical Toxicology
Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment Of Fertility
Long-term studies to evaluate the carcinogenic potential
of epinephrine have not been conducted.
Epinephrine and other catecholamines have been shown to
have mutagenic potential in vitro. Epinephrine was positive in the Salmonella
bacterial reverse mutation assay, positive in the mouse lymphoma assay, and
negative in the in vivo micronucleus assay. Epinephrine is an oxidative mutagen
based on the E. coli WP2 Mutoxitest bacterial reverse mutation assay.
This should not prevent the use of epinephrine under the conditions noted under
Indications and Usage.
The potential for epinephrine to impair reproductive
performance has not been evaluated, but epinephrine has been shown to decrease
implantation in female rabbits dosed subcutaneously with 1.2 mg/kg/day (40-fold
the highest human intramuscular or subcutaneous daily dose) during gestation
days 3 to 9.
Use In Specific Populations
Pregnancy
Risk Summary
There are no adequate and well controlled studies of the
acute effect of epinephrine in pregnant women. In animal reproductive studies,
epinephrine administered by the subcutaneous route to rabbits, mice, and
hamsters during the period of organogenesis was teratogenic at doses 7 times
and higher than the maximum recommended human intramuscular and subcutaneous
dose on a mg/m² basis. Epinephrine is the first-line medication of choice for
the treatment of anaphylaxis during pregnancy in humans. Epinephrine should be
used for treatment of anaphylaxis during pregnancy in the same manner as it is
used in non-pregnant patients.
In the U.S. general population, the estimated background
risks of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized
pregnancies is 2-4% and of miscarriage is 15-20%, respectively.
Clinical Considerations
Disease-Associated Maternal And Embryo/Fetal Risk
During pregnancy, anaphylaxis can be catastrophic and can
lead to hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy and permanent central nervous system
damage or death in the mother and, more commonly, in the fetus or neonate. The
prevalence of anaphylaxis occurring during pregnancy is reported to be
approximately 3 cases per 100,000 deliveries.
Management of anaphylaxis during pregnancy is similar to
management in the general population. Epinephrine is the first line-medication
of choice for treatment of anaphylaxis; it should be used in the same manner in
pregnant and non-pregnant patients. In conjunction with the administration of
epinephrine, the patient should seek immediate medical or hospital care.
Data
Animal Data
In an embryofetal development study with rabbits dosed
during the period of organogenesis, epinephrine was shown to be teratogenic
(including gastroschisis and embryonic lethality) at doses approximately 40
times the maximum recommended intramuscular or subcutaneous dose (on a mg/m² basis
at a maternal subcutaneous dose of 1.2 mg/kg/day for two to three days).
In an embryofetal development study with mice dosed
during the period of organogenesis, epinephrine was shown to be teratogenic (including
embryonic lethality) at doses approximately 8 times the maximum recommended
intramuscular or subcutaneous dose (on a mg/m² basis at maternal subcutaneous
dose of 1 mg/kg/day for 10 days). These effects were not seen in mice at
approximately 4 times the maximum recommended daily intramuscular or
subcutaneous dose (on a mg/m² basis at a subcutaneous maternal dose of 0.5
mg/kg/day for 10 days).
In an embryofetal development study with hamsters dosed
during the period of organogenesis from gestation days 7 to 10, epinephrine was
shown to be teratogenic at doses approximately 7 times the maximum recommended
intramuscular or subcutaneous dose (on a mg/m² basis at a maternal subcutaneous
dose of 0.5 mg/kg/day).
Lactation
Risk Summary
There is no information regarding the presence of
epinephrine in human milk, the effects on breastfed infants, or the effects on
milk production. Epinephrine is the first line-medication of choice for
treatment of anaphylaxis; it should be used in the same manner in breastfeeding
and non-breastfeeding patients.
Pediatric Use
SYMJEPI may be given safely to pediatric patients at a
dosage appropriate to body weight [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION]. Clinical
experience with the use of epinephrine suggests that the adverse reactions seen
in children are similar in nature and extent to those both expected and
reported in adults. Since the dose of epinephrine delivered from SYMJEPI is
fixed, consider using other forms of injectable epinephrine if a dose lower
than 0.3mg is deemed necessary.
Geriatric Use
Clinical studies for the treatment of anaphylaxis have
not been performed in subjects aged 65 and over to determine whether they
respond differently from younger subjects. However, other reported clinical
experience with use of epinephrine for the treatment of anaphylaxis has
identified that geriatric patients may be particularly sensitive to the effects
of epinephrine. Therefore, SYMJEPI should be administered with caution in elderly
individuals, who may be at greater risk for developing adverse reactions after
epinephrine administration. [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS, OVERDOSAGE].