WARNINGS
Included as part of the PRECAUTIONS section.
PRECAUTIONS
Clinical Worsening And Adverse Effects
Huntington's disease is a progressive disorder
characterized by changes in mood, cognition, chorea, rigidity, and functional
capacity over time. In a 12-week controlled trial, XENAZINE was also shown to
cause slight worsening in mood, cognition, rigidity, and functional capacity.
Whether these effects persist, resolve, or worsen with continued treatment is
unknown.
Prescribers should periodically re-evaluate the need for
XENAZINE in their patients by assessing the beneficial effect on chorea and
possible adverse effects, including depression, cognitive decline,
parkinsonism, dysphagia, sedation/somnolence, akathisia, restlessness and
disability. It may be difficult to distinguish between drug-induced
side-effects and progression of the underlying disease; decreasing the dose or
stopping the drug may help the clinician distinguish between the two
possibilities. In some patients, underlying chorea itself may improve over
time, decreasing the need for XENAZINE.
Depression And Suicidality
Patients with Huntington's disease are at increased risk
for depression, suicidal ideation or behaviors (suicidality). XENAZINE
increases the risk for suicidality in patients with HD. All patients treated
with XENAZINE should be observed for new or worsening depression or suicidality.
If depression or suicidality does not resolve, consider discontinuing treatment
with XENAZINE.
In a 12-week, double-blind placebo-controlled study in
patients with chorea associated with Huntington's disease, 10 of 54 patients
(19%) treated with XENAZINE were reported to have an adverse event of
depression or worsening depression compared to none of the 30 placebo-treated
patients. In two open-label studies (in one study, 29 patients received
XENAZINE for up to 48 weeks; in the second study, 75 patients received XENAZINE
for up to 80 weeks), the rate of depression/worsening depression was 35%.
In all of the HD chorea studies of XENAZINE (n=187), one
patient committed suicide, one attempted suicide, and six had suicidal
ideation.
Clinicians should be alert to the heightened risk of
suicide in patients with Huntington's disease regardless of depression indices.
Reported rates of completed suicide among individuals with Huntington's disease
ranged from 3-13% and over 25% of patients attempt suicide at some point in
their illness.
Patients, their caregivers, and families should be
informed of the risks of depression, worsening depression, and suicidality
associated with XENAZINE and should be instructed to report behaviors of
concern promptly to the treating physician. Patients with HD who express
suicidal ideation should be evaluated immediately.
Laboratory Tests
Before prescribing a daily dose of XENAZINE that is
greater than 50 mg per day, patients should be genotyped to determine if they
express the drug metabolizing enzyme, CYP2D6. CYP2D6 testing is necessary to
determine whether patients are poor metabolizers (PMs), extensive (EMs) or
intermediate metabolizers (IMs) of XENAZINE.
Patients who are PMs of XENAZINE will have substantially
higher levels of the primary drug metabolites (about 3-fold for α-HTBZ and
9-fold for β-HTBZ) than patients who are EMs. The dosage should be
adjusted according to a patient's CYP2D6 metabolizer status. In patients who
are identified as CYP2D6 PMs, the maximum recommended total daily dose is 50 mg
and the maximum recommended single dose is 25 mg [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION,
Use In Specific Populations, CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY].
Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS)
A potentially fatal symptom complex sometimes referred to
as Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS) has been reported in association with
XENAZINE and other drugs that reduce dopaminergic transmission [see Tardive Dyskinesia, DRUG INTERACTIONS]. Clinical manifestations of NMS
are hyperpyrexia, muscle rigidity, altered mental status, and evidence of
autonomic instability (irregular pulse or blood pressure, tachycardia,
diaphoresis, and cardiac dysrhythmia). Additional signs may include elevated
creatinine phosphokinase, myoglobinuria, rhabdomyolysis, and acute renal
failure. The diagnosis of NMS can be complicated; other serious medical illness
(e.g., pneumonia, systemic infection), and untreated or inadequately treated
extrapyramidal disorders can present with similar signs and symptoms. Other
important considerations in the differential diagnosis include central
anticholinergic toxicity, heat stroke, drug fever, and primary central nervous
system pathology.
The management of NMS should include (1) immediate
discontinuation of XENAZINE and other drugs not essential to concurrent
therapy; (2) intensive symptomatic treatment and medical monitoring; and (3)
treatment of any concomitant serious medical problems for which specific
treatments are available. There is no general agreement about specific
pharmacological treatment regimens for NMS.
Recurrence of NMS has been reported. If treatment with
XENAZINE is needed after recovery from NMS, patients should be monitored for
signs of recurrence.
Akathisia, Restlessness, And Agitation
In a 12-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in
patients with chorea associated with HD, akathisia was observed in 10 (19%) of
XENAZINE-treated patients and 0% of placebo-treated patients. In an 80-week
open-label study, akathisia was observed in 20% of XENAZINE-treated patients.
Akathisia was not observed in a 48week open-label study. Patients receiving
XENAZINE should be monitored for the presence of akathisia. Patients receiving
XENAZINE should also be monitored for signs and symptoms of restlessness and
agitation, as these may be indicators of developing akathisia. If a patient
develops akathisia, the XENAZINE dose should be reduced; however, some patients
may require discontinuation of therapy.
Parkinsonism
XENAZINE can cause parkinsonism. In a 12-week
double-blind, placebo-controlled study in patients with chorea associated with
HD, symptoms suggestive of parkinsonism (i.e., bradykinesia, hypertonia and
rigidity) were observed in 15% of XENAZINE-treated patients compared to 0% of
placebo-treated patients. In 48-week and 80-week open-label studies, symptoms
suggestive of parkinsonism were observed in 10% and 3% of XENAZINE-treated
patients, respectively. Because rigidity can develop as part of the underlying
disease process in Huntington's disease, it may be difficult to distinguish
between this drug-induced side-effect and progression of the underlying disease
process. Drug-induced parkinsonism has the potential to cause more functional
disability than untreated chorea for some patients with Huntington's disease.
If a patient develops parkinsonism during treatment with XENAZINE, dose
reduction should be considered; in some patients, discontinuation of therapy
may be necessary.
Dysphagia
Dysphagia is a component of HD. However, drugs that
reduce dopaminergic transmission have been associated with esophageal
dysmotility and dysphagia. Dysphagia may be associated with aspiration
pneumonia. In a 12week, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in patients with
chorea associated with HD, dysphagia was observed in 4% of XENAZINE-treated
patients and 3% of placebo-treated patients. In 48-week and 80-week open-label
studies, dysphagia was observed in 10% and 8% of XENAZINE-treated patients,
respectively. Some of the cases of dysphagia were associated with aspiration
pneumonia. Whether these events were related to treatment is unknown.
Sedation And Somnolence
Sedation is the most common dose-limiting adverse
reaction of XENAZINE. In a 12-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in
patients with chorea associated with HD, sedation/somnolence occurred in 17/54
(31%) XENAZINE-treated patients and in 1 (3%) placebo-treated patient. Sedation
was the reason upward titration of XENAZINE was stopped and/or the dose of
XENAZINE was decreased in 15/54 (28%) patients. In all but one case, decreasing
the dose of XENAZINE resulted in decreased sedation. In 48-week and 80-week
open-label studies, sedation/somnolence occurred in 17% and 57% of XENAZINE
treated patients, respectively. In some patients, sedation occurred at doses
that were lower than recommended doses.
Patients should not perform activities requiring mental
alertness to maintain the safety of themselves or others, such as operating a
motor vehicle or operating hazardous machinery, until they are on a maintenance
dose of XENAZINE and know how the drug affects them.
QTc Prolongation
XENAZINE causes a small increase (about 8 msec) in the
corrected QT (QTc) interval. QT prolongation can lead to development of torsade
de pointes-type ventricular tachycardia with the risk increasing as the degree
of prolongation increases [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY]. The use of
XENAZINE should be avoided in combination with other drugs that are known to
prolong QTc, including antipsychotic medications (e.g., chlorpromazine,
haloperidol, thioridazine, ziprasidone), antibiotics (e.g., moxifloxacin),
Class 1A (e.g., quinidine, procainamide), and Class III (e.g., amiodarone,
sotalol) antiarrhythmic medications or any other medications known to prolong
the QTc interval [see DRUG INTERACTIONS].
XENAZINE should also be avoided in patients with
congenital long QT syndrome and in patients with a history of cardiac
arrhythmias. Certain circumstances may increase the risk of the occurrence of
torsade de pointes and/or sudden death in association with the use of drugs
that prolong the QTc interval, including (1) bradycardia; (2) hypokalemia or
hypomagnesemia; (3) concomitant use of other drugs that prolong the QTc
interval; and (4) presence of congenital prolongation of the QT interval [see
CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY].
Hypotension And Orthostatic Hypotension
XENAZINE induced postural dizziness in healthy volunteers
receiving single doses of 25 or 50 mg. One subject had syncope and one subject
with postural dizziness had documented orthostasis. Dizziness occurred in 4% of
XENAZINE-treated patients (vs. none on placebo) in the 12-week controlled
trial; however, blood pressure was not measured during these events. Monitoring
of vital signs on standing should be considered in patients who are vulnerable
to hypotension.
Hyperprolactinemia
XENAZINE elevates serum prolactin concentrations in
humans. Following administration of 25 mg to healthy volunteers, peak plasma
prolactin levels increased 4-to 5-fold. Tissue culture experiments indicate
that approximately one third of human breast cancers are prolactin-dependent in
vitro, a factor of potential importance if XENAZINE is being considered for a
patient with previously detected breast cancer. Although amenorrhea,
galactorrhea, gynecomastia and impotence can be caused by elevated serum
prolactin concentrations, the clinical significance of elevated serum prolactin
concentrations for most patients is unknown. Chronic increase in serum
prolactin levels (although not evaluated in the XENAZINE development program)
has been associated with low levels of estrogen and increased risk of
osteoporosis. If there is a clinical suspicion of symptomatic
hyperprolactinemia, appropriate laboratory testing should be done and
consideration should be given to discontinuation of XENAZINE.
Tardive Dyskinesia (TD)
A potentially irreversible syndrome of involuntary,
dyskinetic movements may develop in patients treated with neuroleptic drugs. In
an animal model of orofacial dyskinesias, acute administration of reserpine, a
monoamine depletor, has been shown to produce vacuous chewing in rats. Although
the pathophysiology of tardive dyskinesia remains incompletely understood, the
most commonly accepted hypothesis of the mechanism is that prolonged
post-synaptic dopamine receptor blockade leads to supersensitivity to dopamine.
Neither reserpine nor XENAZINE, which are dopamine depletors, have been
reported to cause clear tardive dyskinesia in humans, but as pre-synaptic
dopamine depletion could theoretically lead to supersensitivity to dopamine,
and XENAZINE can cause the extrapyramidal symptoms also known to be associated
with neuroleptics (e.g., parkinsonism and akathisia), physicians should be
aware of the possible risk of tardive dyskinesia. If signs and symptoms of TD
appear in a patient treated with XENAZINE, drug discontinuation should be
considered.
Binding To Melanin-Containing Tissues
Since XENAZINE or its metabolites bind to
melanin-containing tissues, it could accumulate in these tissues over time.
This raises the possibility that XENAZINE may cause toxicity in these tissues
after extended use. Neither ophthalmologic nor microscopic examination of the
eye was conducted in the chronic toxicity study in dogs. Ophthalmologic
monitoring in humans was inadequate to exclude the possibility of injury
occurring after long-term exposure.
The clinical relevance of XENAZINE's binding to
melanin-containing tissues is unknown. Although there are no specific
recommendations for periodic ophthalmologic monitoring, prescribers should be
aware of the possibility of long-term ophthalmologic effects [see CLINICAL
PHARMACOLOGY].
Patient Counseling Information
Advise the patient to read the FDA-approved patient
labeling (Medication Guide).
Risk of Suicidality
Inform patients and their families that XENAZINE may
increase the risk of suicidal thinking and behaviors. Counsel patients and
their families to remain alert to the emergence of suicidal ideation and to
report it immediately to the patient's physician [see CONTRAINDICATIONS,
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Risk of Depression
Inform patients and their families that XENAZINE may
cause depression or may worsen pre-existing depression. Encourage patients and
their families to be alert to the emergence of sadness, worsening of
depression, withdrawal, insomnia, irritability, hostility (aggressiveness),
akathisia (psychomotor restlessness), anxiety, agitation, or panic attacks and
to report such symptoms promptly to the patient's physician [see CONTRAINDICATIONS,
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Dosing of XENAZINE
Inform patients and their families that the dose of
XENAZINE will be increased slowly to the dose that is best for each patient.
Sedation, akathisia, parkinsonism, depression, and difficulty swallowing may
occur. Such symptoms should be promptly reported to the physician and the
XENAZINE may dose need to be reduced or discontinued [see DOSAGE AND
ADMINISTRATION].
Risk of Sedation and Somnolence
Inform patients that XENAZINE may induce sedation and
somnolence and may impair the ability to perform tasks that require complex
motor and mental skills. Advise patients that until they learn how they respond
to XENAZINE, they should be careful doing activities that require them to be
alert, such as driving a car or operating machinery [see WARNINGS AND
PRECAUTIONS].
Interaction with Alcohol
Advise patients and their families that alcohol may
potentiate the sedation induced by XENAZINE [see DRUG INTERACTIONS].
Usage in Pregnancy
Advise patients and their families to notify the
physician if the patient becomes pregnant or intends to become pregnant during
XENAZINE therapy, or is breast-feeding or intending to breast-feed an infant
during therapy [see Use In Specific Populations].
Nonclinical Toxicology
Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment Of Fertility
Carcinogenesis
No increase in tumors was observed in p53+/– transgenic
mice treated orally with tetrabenazine at doses of 0, 5, 15 and 30 mg/kg/day
for 26 weeks. When compared to humans receiving a 50 mg dose of XENAZINE, mice
dosed with a 30 mg/kg dose of tetrabenazine produce about one sixth the levels
of 9-desmethyl-beta-DHTBZ, a major human metabolite. Therefore, this study may
not have adequately characterized the potential of tetrabenazine to be
carcinogenic in people.
Mutagenesis
Tetrabenazine and metabolites α-HTBZ and β-HTBZ
were negative in the in vitro bacterial reverse mutation assay. Tetrabenazine
was clastogenic in the in vitro chromosome aberration assay in Chinese hamster
ovary cells in the presence of metabolic activation. α-HTBZ and
β-HTBZ were clastogenic in the in vitro chromosome aberration assay in
Chinese hamster lung cells in the presence and absence of metabolic activation.
In vivo micronucleus tests were conducted in male and female rats and male
mice. Tetrabenazine was negative in male mice and rats but produced an
equivocal response in female rats.
Because the bioactivation system used in the in vitro studies
was hepatic S9 fraction prepared from rat, a species that, when dosed with
tetrabenazine, does not produce 9-desmethyl-beta-DHTBZ, a major human
metabolite, these studies may not have adequately assessed the potential of
XENAZINE to be mutagenic in humans. Furthermore, since the mouse produces very
low levels of this metabolite when dosed with tetrabenazine, the in vivo study
may not have adequately assessed the potential of XENAZINE to be mutagenic in
humans.
Impairment of Fertility
Oral administration of tetrabenazine (doses of 5, 15, or
30 mg/kg/day) to female rats prior to and throughout mating, and continuing
through day 7 of gestation resulted in disrupted estrous cyclicity at doses
greater than 5 mg /kg/day (less than the MRHD on a mg/m² basis).
No effects on mating and fertility indices or sperm
parameters (motility, count, density) were observed when males were treated
orally with tetrabenazine (doses or 5, 15 or 30 mg/kg/day; up to 3 times the
MRHD on a mg/m² basis) prior to and throughout mating with untreated
females.
Because rats dosed with tetrabenazine do not produce
9-desmethyl-beta-DHTBZ, a major human metabolite, these studies may not have
adequately assessed the potential of XENAZINE to impair fertility in humans.
Use In Specific Populations
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Category C
There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in
pregnant women. XENAZINE should be used during pregnancy only if the potential
benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.
Tetrabenazine had no clear effects on embryo-fetal
development when administered to pregnant rats throughout the period of
organogenesis at oral doses up to 30 mg/kg/day (or 3 times the maximum
recommended human dose [MRHD] of 100 mg/day on a mg/m² basis).
Tetrabenazine had no effects on embryo-fetal development when administered to
pregnant rabbits during the period of organogenesis at oral doses up to 60
mg/kg/day (or 12 times the MRHD on a mg/m² basis). Because neither
rat nor rabbit dosed with tetrabenazine produce 9desmethyl-beta-DHTBZ, a major
human metabolite, these studies may not have adequately addressed the potential
effects of tetrabenazine on embryo-fetal development in humans.
When tetrabenazine was administered to female rats (doses
of 5, 15, and 30 mg/kg/day) from the beginning of organogenesis through the
lactation period, an increase in stillbirths and offspring postnatal mortality
was observed at 15 and 30 mg/kg/day and delayed pup maturation was observed at
all doses. The no-effect dose for stillbirths and postnatal mortality was 0.5 times
the MRHD on a mg/m² basis. Because rats dosed with tetrabenazine do
not produce 9-desmethyl-beta-DHTBZ, a major human metabolite, this study may
not have adequately assessed the potential effects of tetrabenazine on the
offspring of women exposed in utero and via lactation.
Labor And Delivery
The effect of XENAZINE on labor and delivery in humans is
unknown.
Nursing Mothers
It is not known whether XENAZINE or its metabolites are
excreted in human milk.
Since many drugs are excreted into human milk and because
of the potential for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants from
XENAZINE, a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or to
discontinue XENAZINE, taking into account the importance of the drug to the
mother.
Pediatric Use
The safety and efficacy of XENAZINE in pediatric patients
have not been established.
Geriatric Use
The pharmacokinetics of XENAZINE and its primary
metabolites have not been formally studied in geriatric subjects.
Hepatic Impairment
Because the safety and efficacy of the increased exposure
to XENAZINE and other circulating metabolites are unknown, it is not possible
to adjust the dosage of XENAZINE in hepatic impairment to ensure safe use. The use
of XENAZINE in patients with hepatic impairment is contraindicated [see CONTRAINDICATIONS,
CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY].
Poor Or Extensive CYP2D6 Metabolizers
Patients who require doses of XENAZINE greater than 50 mg
per day, should be first tested and genotyped to determine if they are poor
(PMs) or extensive metabolizers (EMs) by their ability to express the drug
metabolizing enzyme, CYP2D6. The dose of XENAZINE should then be individualized
accordingly to their status as either poor (PMs) or extensive metabolizers
(EMs) [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION, WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS, CLINICAL
PHARMACOLOGY].
Poor Metabolizers
Poor CYP2D6 metabolizers (PM) will have substantially
higher levels of exposure to the primary metabolites (about 3-fold for
α-HTBZ and 9-fold for β-HTBZ) compared to EMs. The dosage should,
therefore, be adjusted according to a patient's CYP2D6 metabolizer status by
limiting a single dose to a maximum of 25 mg and the recommended daily dose to not
exceed a maximum of 50 mg/day in patients who are CYP2D6 PMs [see DOSAGE AND
ADMINISTRATION, WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS, CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY].
Extensive / Intermediate Metabolizers
In extensive (EMs) or intermediate metabolizers (IMs),
the dosage of XENAZINE can be titrated to a maximum single dose of 37.5 mg and
a recommended maximum daily dose of 100 mg [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION,
DRUG INTERACTIONS, CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY].