Warnings for Xeglyze
Included as part of the PRECAUTIONS section.
Precautions for Xeglyze
Risk Of Neonatal Benzyl Alcohol Toxicity
XEGLYZE contains benzyl alcohol. Systemic exposure to benzyl alcohol has been associated with serious and fatal adverse reactions including “gasping syndrome” in neonates and low birth weight infants. The “gasping syndrome” is characterized by central nervous system depression, metabolic acidosis, and gasping respirations. The minimum amount of benzyl alcohol at which toxicity may occur is not known. Premature and low-birth weight infants may be more likely to develop toxicity [see Use In Specific Populations].
The safety and effectiveness of XEGLYZE have not been established in pediatric patients below the age of 6 months. Use is not recommended in pediatric patients under 6 months of age because of the potential for increased systemic absorption.
Risk Of Benzyl Alcohol Toxicity From Accidental Ingestion
In order to prevent accidental ingestion in pediatric patients, XEGLYZE should only be administered under direct supervision of an adult.
Ingestion of benzyl alcohol in large quantities may result in gastrointestinal (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea) and central nervous system (headache, ataxia, convulsions, coma) adverse reactions. Serious adverse reactions may include respiratory depression and death. If accidentally swallowed, advise the patient or the caregiver to call their Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222.
Patient Counseling Information
Advise the patient or caregiver to read the FDA-approved patient labeling (PATIENT INFORMATION and Instructions for Use).
Inform the patient and caregiver of the following instructions:
- Do not ingest XEGLYZE.
- Keep out of reach of children. Use on children should be under the direct supervision of an adult because of the risk of benzyl alcohol toxicity [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS and Use In Specific Populations].
- Avoid contact with eyes.
- Wash hands after application.
- Hair may be shampooed any time after the treatment.
- Treatment with XEGLYZE involves a single application. Do not re-treat.
- Discard any unused portion. Do not flush contents down sink or toilet.
Nonclinical Toxicology
Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment Of Fertility
Long-term studies in animals have not been conducted to evaluate the carcinogenic potential of XEGLYZE or abametapir.
Abametapir was not mutagenic or clastogenic based on the results of two in vitro genotoxicity tests (Ames test and human lymphocyte chromosomal aberration assay) and one in vivo genotoxicity test (rat micronucleus assay).
No effects on fertility have been observed in rats following repeated oral doses of up to 75 mg/kg/day abametapir (50 times the MRHD based on Cmax comparisons).
Use In Specific Populations
Pregnancy
Risk Summary
There are no available data on XEGLYZE use in pregnant women to evaluate for a drugassociated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage, or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. In embryofetal development studies conducted with oral administration of abametapir during organogenesis, no evidence of fetal harm or malformations, independent of maternal toxicity were observed in pregnant rats and rabbits at doses that produced exposures up to 50 times and equivalent to the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD) in rats and rabbits, respectively. The highest dose evaluated in rabbits was limited due to maternal toxicity associated with the vehicle used in the study (see Data).
The background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. 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.
Data
Animal Data
Systemic embryofetal development studies were performed in rats and rabbits. Oral doses of 10, 25 and 75 mg/kg/day abametapir were administered during the period of organogenesis (gestational days 6 – 17) to pregnant rats. In the presence of maternal toxicity, embryofetal toxicity (lower fetal body weights and delayed ossification) was noted at 75 mg/kg/day. No treatment related effects on malformations were noted at 75 mg/kg/day (50 times the MRHD based on Cmax comparisons).
Oral doses of 4, 16 and 40 mg/kg/day abametapir were administered during the period of organogenesis (gestational days 6 – 19) to pregnant rabbits. No treatment related effects on embryofetal toxicity or malformations were noted at 40 mg/kg/day (~1 time the MRHD based on Cmax comparisons). Maternal toxicity related to the vehicle limited the maximum dose in pregnant rabbits.
In a perinatal and postnatal development study in rats, oral doses of 10, 25 and 75 mg/kg/day were administered from the beginning of organogenesis (gestational day 6) through the end of lactation (lactation day 20). In the presence of maternal toxicity, embryofetal lethality, and decreased fetal body weight gain were noted at 75 mg/kg/day. No treatment related effects on postnatal development were noted at 75 mg/kg/day (47 times the MRHD based on Cmax comparisons).
Lactation
Risk Summary
No data are available regarding the presence of abametapir in human milk or the effects of abametapir on the breastfed infant or on milk production. The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother’s clinical need for XEGLYZE and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed child from XEGLYZE or from the underlying maternal condition.
Pediatric Use
The safety and effectiveness of XEGLYZE have been established in pediatric patients 6 months of age and older [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY and Clinical Studies].
The safety and effectiveness of XEGLYZE have not been established in pediatric patients below the age of 6 months. XEGLYZE is not recommended in pediatric patients under 6 months of age because of the potential for increased systemic absorption due to a high ratio of skin surface to body mass and the potential for an immature skin barrier.
XEGLYZE contains benzyl alcohol. Benzyl alcohol has been associated with serious adverse reactions and death in neonates and low birth-weight infants. The “gasping syndrome” (characterized by central nervous system depression, metabolic acidosis, gasping respirations, and high levels of benzyl alcohol and its metabolites found in the blood and urine) has been associated with intravenously administered benzyl alcohol dosages >99 mg/kg/day in neonates and low birthweight infants. Additional symptoms may include gradual neurological deterioration, seizures, intracranial hemorrhage, hematologic abnormalities, skin breakdown, hepatic and renal failure, hypotension, bradycardia, and cardiovascular collapse.
The minimum amount of benzyl alcohol at which toxicity may occur is not known. Premature and low-birthweight infants, as well as patients receiving high dosages, may be more likely to develop toxicity [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Because of the risk of accidental ingestion, XEGLYZE should be administered to pediatric patients only under direct adult supervision [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Geriatric Use
Clinical studies of XEGLYZE did not include sufficient numbers of subjects aged 65 years and over to determine whether they respond differently from younger subjects. Other reported clinical experience has not identified differences in responses between elderly and younger subjects.