WARNINGS
Included as part of the PRECAUTIONS section.
PRECAUTIONS
Anaphylaxis And Hypersensitivity Reactions
Anaphylaxis and hypersensitivity reactions have been
reported in patients treated with Vimizim. In premarketing clinical trials, 18
of 235 (7.7%) patients treated with Vimizim experienced signs and symptoms
consistent with anaphylaxis. These 18 patients experienced 26 anaphylactic
reactions during infusion with signs and symptoms including cough, erythema,
throat tightness, urticaria, flushing, cyanosis, hypotension, rash, dyspnea,
chest discomfort, and gastrointestinal symptoms (e.g., nausea, abdominal pain,
retching, and vomiting) in conjunction with urticaria. These cases of
anaphylaxis occurred as early as 30 minutes from the start of infusion and up
to three hours after infusion. Anaphylaxis occurred as late into treatment as
the 47th infusion.
In clinical trials with Vimizim, 44 of 235 (18.7%)
patients experienced hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis.
Hypersensitivity reactions have occurred as early as 30 minutes from the start
of infusion but as late as six days after infusion. Frequent symptoms of
hypersensitivity reactions (occurring in more than 2 patients) included
anaphylactic reactions, urticaria, peripheral edema, cough, dyspnea, and
flushing.
Due to the potential for anaphylaxis, appropriate medical
support should be readily available when Vimizim is administered. Observe
patients closely for an appropriate period of time after administration of
Vimizim, taking into account the time to onset of anaphylaxis seen in
premarketing clinical trials. Inform patients of the signs and symptoms of
anaphylaxis, and instruct them to seek immediate medical care should signs and
symptoms occur.
Because of the potential for hypersensitivity reactions,
administer antihistamines with or without antipyretics prior to infusion.
Management of hypersensitivity reactions should be based on the severity of the
reaction and include slowing or temporary interruption of the infusion and/or
administration of additional antihistamines, antipyretics, and/or
corticosteroids for mild reactions. However, if severe hypersensitivity
reactions occur, immediately stop the infusion of Vimizim and initiate
appropriate treatment.
Consider the risks and benefits of re-administering
Vimizim following a severe reaction.
Risk Of Acute Respiratory Complications
Patients with acute febrile or respiratory illness at the
time of Vimizim infusion may be at higher risk of life-threatening
complications from hypersensitivity reactions. Careful consideration should be
given to the patient's clinical status prior to administration of Vimizim and
consider delaying the Vimizim infusion.
Sleep apnea is common in MPS IVA patients. Evaluation of
airway patency should be considered prior to initiation of treatment with
Vimizim. Patients using supplemental oxygen or continuous positive airway
pressure (CPAP) during sleep should have these treatments readily available
during infusion in the event of an acute reaction, or extreme drowsiness/sleep
induced by antihistamine use.
Spinal Or Cervical Cord Compression
Spinal or cervical cord compression (SCC) is a known and
serious complication of MPS IVA and may occur as part of the natural history of
the disease. In clinical trials, SCC was observed both in patients receiving
Vimizim and patients receiving placebo. Patients with MPS IVA should be
monitored for signs and symptoms of SCC (including back pain, paralysis of
limbs below the level of compression, urinary and fecal incontinence) and given
appropriate clinical care.
Nonclinical Toxicology
Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis,
Impairment Of Fertility
Long-term studies in animals to
evaluate carcinogenic potential or studies to evaluate mutagenic potential have
not been performed with elosulfase alfa. Based on the mechanism of action,
elosulfase alfa is not expected to be tumorigenic. Daily intravenous
administration of elosulfase alfa in rats at doses up to 20 mg/kg (55 times the
human steady-state AUC in male rats and 33 times the human steady-state AUC in
female rats at the recommended human weekly dose) had no effects on fertility
or reproductive performance.
Use In Specific Populations
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Exposure Registry
There is a Morquio A Registry that collects data on
pregnant women with MPS IVA who are treated with Vimizim. Contact [email protected]
or call 1-800-983-4587 for information and enrollment.
Risk Summary
Available data from published case reports and
postmarketing experience with Vimizim use in pregnant women are insufficient to
evaluate for a drug-associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage, or
adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. In animal reproduction studies, no effects
on embryo-fetal development were observed in rats given daily administration of
elosulfase alfa up to 33 times the human steady-state AUC (area under the
concentration-time curve) at the recommended human weekly dose premating and
through the period of organogenesis. No effects on embryo-fetal development
were observed in rabbits given daily administration of elosulfase alfa at doses
up to 8 times the human steady-state AUC at the recommended weekly dose during
organogenesis, which produced maternal toxicity. A dose-dependent increase in
stillbirths was observed when elosulfase alfa was administered daily in rats
during organogenesis through lactation at doses 5 times the human steady-state
AUC at the recommended human weekly dose. An increase in pup mortality was
observed at doses producing maternal toxicity.
The estimated 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.
Clinical Considerations
Disease-Associated Maternal And Embryo/Fetal Risk
Pregnancy can exacerbate preexisting clinical
manifestations of MPS and lead to adverse outcomes for both mother and fetus.
Data
Animal Data
All reproductive studies with rats included pre-treatment
with diphenhydramine to prevent or minimize hypersensitivity reactions. The
effects of elosulfase alfa were evaluated based on comparison to a control
group treated with diphenhydramine alone. Daily intravenous administration of
up to 20 mg/kg elosulfase alfa in rats (33 times the human steady-state AUC at
the recommended weekly dose of 2 mg/kg) during a 15-day pre-mating period,
mating, and the period of organogenesis, produced no maternal toxicity or
effects on embryo-fetal development. Daily intravenous administration of up to
10 mg/kg in rabbits (8 times the human steady-state AUC at the recommended
weekly dose) during the period of organogenesis had no effects on embryo-fetal
development. However, maternal toxicity (gross changes in liver) was observed
in rabbits given doses of 1 mg/kg/day and higher (0.1 times the human
steady-state AUC at the recommended weekly dose). Elosulfase alfa produced an
increase in the percentage of stillbirths when administered daily to rats at
intravenous doses of 6 mg/kg and higher (5 times the human steady-state AUC at
the recommended weekly dose) during the period of organogenesis through
lactation. Daily intravenous administration of 20 mg/kg (33 times the human
steady-state AUC at the recommended weekly dose) produced maternal toxicity and
an increase in mortality of offspring during the lactation period. This study
lacked a full evaluation of neurodevelopmental milestones; however, no effects
of elosulfase alfa were noted in tests for learning and memory.
Lactation
Risk Summary
There are no data on the presence of elosulfase alfa in
human milk, the effects on the breastfed infant, or the effects on milk
production. Elosulfase alfa is present in milk from treated rats (see Data).
When a drug is present in animal milk, it is likely that the drug will be
present in human milk. The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding
should be considered along with the mother's clinical need for Vimizim and any
potential adverse effects on the breastfed infant from Vimizim or from the
underlying maternal condition.
There is a Morquio A Registry that also collects data on
breastfeeding women with MPS IVA who are treated with Vimizim. Contact
[email protected] or call 1-800-983-4587 for information and enrollment.
Data
Animal Data
Elosulfase alfa was detected in 1 of 5 milk samples from
rat dams administered 6 mg/kg/day elosulfase alfa and 4 of 5 milk samples from
dams administered 20 mg/kg/day elosulfase alfa. The concentration of drug in
animal milk does not necessarily predict the concentration of drug in human
milk.
Pediatric Use
Safety and effectiveness of Vimizim have been established
in pediatric patients 5 years of age and older. Use of Vimizim in patients 5
years of age and older is supported by an adequate and well-controlled trial in
pediatric and adult patients. Clinical trials with Vimizim were conducted in
176 patients (median age 12 years, range 5 to 57 years old) with the majority
of patients in the pediatric age group (53% aged 5 to 11 years, 27% aged 12 to
17 years) [see Clinical Studies]. Safety and effectiveness in pediatric
patients below 5 years of age have not been established.
Geriatric Use
Clinical studies of Vimizim did not include any patients
aged 65 and over. It is not known whether they respond differently from younger
patients.