WARNINGS
Included as part of the PRECAUTIONS section.
PRECAUTIONS
Both Indications
Hypersensitivity
Severe hypersensitivity reactions may occur [see CONTRAINDICATIONS].
If symptoms of allergic or early signs of hypersensitivity reactions (including
generalized urticaria, tightness of the chest, wheezing, hypotension, and
anaphylaxis) occur, discontinue WinRho® SDF infusion immediately and institute
appropriate treatment. Have medications such as epinephrine available for
immediate treatment of acute hypersensitivity reactions.
WinRho® SDF contains approximately 5 micrograms/mL IgA [see
DESCRIPTION]. Patients with known antibodies to IgA have a greater risk
of developing potentially severe hypersensitivity and anaphylactic reactions.
WinRho® SDF is contraindicated in patients with antibodies against IgA and a
history of hypersensitivity reaction [see CONTRAINDICATIONS].
Transmissible Infectious Agents
Because WinRho® SDF is made from human plasma; it may
carry a risk of transmitting infectious agents, e.g., viruses and
theoretically, the Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) agent. The risk of
transmitting an infectious agent has been reduced by screening plasma donors
for prior exposure to certain pathogens, testing for the presence of certain
current viral infections, and including virus inactivation/removal steps in the
manufacturing process [see DESCRIPTION].
Report all infections thought to have been transmitted by
WinRho® SDF to Cangene Corporation at 1-800-768-2304. The physician should
discuss the risks and benefits of this product with the patient.
Interference With Blood Glucose Testing: False High
Blood Glucose Levels
The liquid formulation of WinRho® SDF contains maltose.
Maltose in IGIV products has been shown to give falsely high blood glucose
levels in certain types of blood glucose testing systems [for example, by
systems based on glucose dehydrogenase pyrroloquinolinequinone (GDH-PQQ) or
glucose-dye-oxidoreductase methods]. Due to the potential for falsely elevated
glucose readings, only use testing systems that are glucose-specific to test or
monitor blood glucose levels in patients receiving maltose-containing
parenteral products, including WinRho® SDF Liquid.
Carefully review the product information of the blood
glucose testing system, including that of the test strips, to determine if the
system is appropriate for use with maltose-containing parenteral products. If
any uncertainty exists, contact the manufacturer of the testing system to
determine if the system is appropriate for use with maltose-containing
parenteral products.
Renal Dysfunction/Failure
Acute renal dysfunction/failure, osmotic nephropathy, and
death may occur upon use of Immune Globulin Intravenous (IGIV) products,
including WinRho® SDF.2 Ensure that patients are not volume depleted before
administering WinRho® SDF. For patients at risk of renal dysfunction or
failure, including those with any degree of pre-existing renal insufficiency,
diabetes mellitus, advanced age (above 65 years of age), volume depletion,
sepsis, paraproteinemia, or receiving known nephrotoxic drugs, administer
WinRho® SDF at the minimum infusion rate practicable.
Assess renal function, including measurement of blood
urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine, before the initial infusion of WinRho®
SDF.
Thromboembolic Events
Thromboembolic events may occur during or following
treatment with WinRho® SDF and other IGIV products.3,4 Patients at risk include
those with a history of atherosclerosis, multiple cardiovascular risk factors,
advanced age, impaired cardiac output, coagulation disorders, prolonged periods
of immobilization, and/or known/suspected hyperviscosity.
Consider baseline assessment of blood viscosity in
patients at risk for hyperviscosity including those with cryoglobulins, fasting
chylomicronemia/markedly high triacylglycerols (triglycerides), or monoclonal
gammopathies. For patients who are at risk of developing thromboembolic events,
administer WinRho® SDF at the minimum rate of infusion practicable.
Interference With Serological Testing
After administration of WinRho® SDF, a transitory
increase of various passively transferred antibodies in the patient's blood may
yield positive serological testing results, with the potential for misleading
interpretation. Passive transmission of antibodies to erythrocyte antigens
(e.g., A, B, C and E) and other blood group antibodies [for example, anti
Duffy, anti Kidd (anti JKa) antibodies]5 may cause a positive direct or
indirect (Coombs') test.
A large fetomaternal hemorrhage late in pregnancy or
following delivery may cause a weak mixed field positive Du test result. Assess
such an individual for a large fetomaternal hemorrhage and adjust the dose of
WinRho® SDF accordingly. The presence of passively administered anti Rho(D) in
maternal or fetal blood can lead to a positive direct Coombs' test. If there is
an uncertainty about the father's Rh group or immune status, administer WinRho®
SDF to the mother.
Transfusion-Related Acute Lung Injury (TRALI)
Non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema may occur in patients
following IGIV treatment, including WinRho® SDF.6 TRALI is characterized by
severe respiratory distress, pulmonary edema, hypoxemia, normal left
ventricular function, and fever. Symptoms typically appear within 1 to 6 hours
following administration of blood products.
Monitor patients for pulmonary adverse reaction. If TRALI
is suspected, perform appropriate tests for the presence of anti-neutrophil
antibodies and anti-HLA antibodies in both the product and patient serum. TRALI
may be managed using oxygen therapy with adequate ventilatory support.
Monitoring: Laboratory Tests
- For all ITP patients, blood type, blood count,
reticulocyte count, DAT and dipstick urinalysis are recommended before deciding
to treat patients with WinRho® SDF. In patients with evidence of hemolysis
(reticulocytosis greater than 3%), or patients at risk of hemolysis (positive
DAT not attributed to previous immune globulin administration) use other
treatments.1
- Closely monitor patients administered WinRho® SDF for at
least 8 hours post administration and perform a dipstick urinalysis to monitor
for hematuria and hemoglobinuria at baseline and then after administration at 2
hours, 4 hours and prior to the end of the monitoring period.
- If signs and/or symptoms of IVH and its complications are
present after anti-D administration, perform appropriate confirmatory
laboratory testing including, but not
- limited to, CBC (i.e. hemoglobin, platelet counts),
haptoglobin, plasma hemoglobin, urine dipstick, assessment of renal function
(i.e. BUN, serum creatinine), liver function (i.e. LDH, direct and indirect
bilirubin) and DIC specific tests such as D-dimer or Fibrin Degradation
Products (FDP) or Fibrin Split Products (FSP). Periodic monitoring of renal
function and urine output in patients who are at increased risk of developing
acute renal failure [see Renal Dysfunction/Failure above]. Assess renal function
in these at-risk patients, including measurement of BUN and serum creatinine,
before the initial infusion of WinRho® SDF and at appropriate intervals
thereafter.
- If TRALI is suspected in ITP patients, perform
appropriate tests for the presence of anti-neutrophil antibodies in both the
product and patient serum [see Transfusion-Related Acute Lung Injury (TRALI) above].
Treatment Of ITP
Intravascular Hemolysis (IVH)
IVH leading to death has been reported in patients
treated for ITP with WinRho® SDF.
IVH can lead to clinically compromising anemia and
multi-system organ failure including acute respiratory distress syndrome
(ARDS).
Serious complications including severe anemia, acute
renal insufficiency, renal failure and disseminated intravascular coagulation
(DIC) have also been reported.7,8
Closely monitor patients treated with WinRho® SDF for ITP
in a healthcare setting for at least eight hours after administration. Peform a
dipstick urinalysis to monitor for hematuria and hemoglobinuria at baseline and
then after administration at 2 hours, 4 hours and prior to the end of the
monitoring period. Alert patients and monitor for signs and symptoms of IVH
including back pain, shaking chills, fever, and discolored urine or
hemoglobinuria. Absence of these signs and/or symptoms of IVH within eight
hours do not indicate IVH cannot occur subsequently. If signs and/or symptoms
of IVH are present or if IVH is suspected after WinRho® SDF administration,
perform post-treatment laboratory tests including plasma hemoglobin,
haptoglobin, LDH, and plasma bilirubin (direct and indirect).
Hemolysis
Although the mechanism of action of WinRho® SDF in the
treatment of ITP is not completely understood it is postulated that anti-D
binds to the Rho(D) RBC resulting in formation of antibody-coated RBC
complexes. Immune-mediated clearance of the antibody-coated RBC complexes would
spare the antibody-coated platelets because of the preferential destruction of
antibody-coated RBC complexes by the macrophages located in the
reticuloendothelial system.9-11 The side effect of this action is a
decrease in hemoglobin levels (extravascular hemolysis).7 The pooled
data from ITP clinical studies demonstrated a mean decrease from baseline in
hemoglobin levels of 1.2 g/dL within 7 days after administration of WinRho®SDF.
If the patient has lower than normal hemoglobin levels
(less than 10 g/dL), a reduced dose of 125 to 200 international unit/kg (25 to
40 mcg/kg) should be given to minimize the risk of increasing the severity of
anemia in the patient. Alternative treatments should be used in patients with
hemoglobin levels that are less than 8 g/dL due to the risk of increasing the
severity of the anemia [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION].
Significant anemia may present with pallor, hypotension,
or tachycardia while acute renal insufficiency may present with oliguria or
anuria, edema and dyspnea. Patients with IVH who develop DIC may exhibit signs
and symptoms of increased bruising and prolongation of bleeding time and
clotting time which may be difficult to detect in the ITP population.
Consequently the diagnosis of this serious complication of IVH is dependent on
laboratory testing [see Transfusion-Related Acute Lung Injury (TRALI) above]. Previous uneventful
administration of WinRho® SDF does not preclude the possibility of an
occurrence of IVH and its complications following any subsequent administration
of WinRho® SDF. Have confirmatory laboratory testing on ITP patients presenting
with signs and/or symptoms of IVH and its complications after anti-D
administration [see Transfusion-Related Acute Lung Injury (TRALI) above]
If ITP patients are to be transfused, use Rho(D)-negative
red blood cells (PRBCs) so as not to exacerbate ongoing hemolysis.
Suppression Of Rh Isoimmunization
Do not administer WinRho® SDF to Rho(D)-negative
individuals who are Rh immunized as evidenced by an indirect antiglobulin (Coombs')
test revealing the presence of anti-Rho(D) (anti-D) antibody. For postpartum
use following an Rh-incompatible pregnancy administer WinRho® SDF to the mother
only. Do not administer to the newborn infant.
Patient Counseling Information
See FDA-Approved Patient Labeling
- ITP and Suppression of Rh Isoimmunization
- Inform patients of the early signs of hypersensitivity
reactions to WinRho® SDF including hives, generalized urticaria, chest tightness,
wheezing, hypotension, and anaphylaxis.
- Advise patients to notify their physicians if they
experience any of the above symptoms.
- Blood Glucose Monitoring
- Advise patients that the maltose contained in WinRho® SDF
can interfere with some types of blood glucose monitoring systems.
- Advise patients to use only testing systems that are
glucose specific for monitoring blood glucose levels as the interference of
maltose could result in falsely elevated glucose readings. This could lead to
untreated hypoglycemia or to inappropriate insulin administration, resulting in
life-threatening hypoglycemia.
- Transmittable Infectious Agents
- Inform patients that WinRho® SDF is prepared from human
plasma and may contain infectious agents (e.g., viruses and, theoretically, the
CJD agent) that can cause disease. The risk that such products will transmit an
infectious agent has been reduced by screening plasma donors for prior exposure
to certain viruses, by testing for the presence of current virus infections,
and by inactivating and/or removing certain viruses during manufacturing.
- Advise patients to report any symptoms that concern them
and that may be related to viral infections.
- Live Virus Vaccines
- Advise patients that WinRho® SDF may impair the
effectiveness of certain live virus vaccines (e.g., measles, rubella, mumps,
and varicella).
- Instruct patients to notify their treating physician of
this potential interaction when they are receiving vaccinations.
- Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP)
- Instruct patients being treated with WinRho® SDF for ITP to
immediately report symptoms of intravascular hemolysis including back pain,
shaking chills, fever, discolored urine, decreased urine output, sudden weight
gain, fluid retention/edema, and/or shortness of breath to their physicians.
- Prior to discharge, instruct patients to continue to
self-monitor for the signs and symptoms of IVH over 72 hours, especially for
discoloration of urine, and to seek medical attention immediately in the event
that signs/symptoms of IVH occur following WinRho® SDF administration.
- Laboratory Tests
- Assess renal function in patients judged to be at an
increased risk of developing acute renal failure, including measurement of BUN
and serum creatinine, before the initial infusion of WinRho® SDF.
Use In Specific Populations
Pregnancy
Pregnancy category C. Animal reproduction studies
have not been conducted with WinRho® SDF. It is also not known whether WinRho® SDF
can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman or can affect
reproductive capacity. WinRho® SDF should be given to a pregnant woman only if
clearly needed.
Treatment Of ITP
WinRho® SDF has not been evaluated in pregnant women with
ITP.
Suppression Of Rh Isoimmunization
The available evidence suggests that WinRho® SDF does not
harm the fetus or affect future pregnancies or reproduction capacity when given
to pregnant Rho(D)-negative women for suppression of Rh isoimmunization.12
Nursing Mothers
Treatment Of ITP
WinRho® SDF has not been evaluated in nursing mothers
with ITP.
Suppression Of Rh Isoimmunization
It is not known whether WinRho® SDF is excreted in human
milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk, caution should be
exercised when WinRho SDF is administered to nursing women.
Pediatric Use
The safety and effectiveness of WinRho® has been
evaluated for the treatment of chronic or acute ITP in children and in children
( < 16 years of age) with ITP secondary to HIV infection [see ADVERSE
REACTIONS]. The dosing recommendation in the treatment of children with ITP
is the same as in adults [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION],
Geriatric Use
Clinical studies of WinRho® did not include sufficient
numbers of subjects aged 65 and over to determine whether they respond
differently from younger subjects. Post marketing clinical experience suggests
that patients of advanced age (age over 65) with co-morbid conditions including
but not limited to cardio-respiratory decompensation, renal failure or insufficiency
or prothrombotic conditions are at increased risk of developing serious
complications from acute hemolytic reactions such as IVH. Patients receiving
doses in excess of 300 international unit/kg of WinRho® SDF may also be at an
increased risk of developing increased hemolysis. Fatal outcomes associated
with IVH and its complications have occurred most frequently in patients of
advanced age (age over 65) with co-morbid conditions.
Use caution in dose selection for geriatric patients with
consideration given to starting at the low end of the dosing range reflecting
the greater frequency of decreased hepatic, renal, or cardiac function, and of
concomitant disease or other drug therapy.
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3. Dalakas MC. High-dose intravenous immunoglobulin and
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44:223-226.
4. Woodruff RK, et al.: Fatal thrombotic events during
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6. Rizk A, et al.: Transfusion-related acute lung injury
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8. Gaines AR. Disseminated intravascular coagulation
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immune globulin intravenous administration for immune thrombocytopenic purpura.
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