Saturday, 30 June 2012

Sprycel 20mg, 50mg, 70mg and 100mg Film-Coated Tablets





1. Name Of The Medicinal Product



SPRYCEL®



SPRYCEL®



SPRYCEL®



SPRYCEL®



SPRYCEL®



SPRYCEL®


2. Qualitative And Quantitative Composition



Each film-coated tablet contains 20 mg, 50 mg, 70 mg, 80 mg, 100 mg or 140 mg dasatinib (as monohydrate).



Excipients



Each 20 mg tablet contains 27 mg of lactose monohydrate.



Each 50 mg tablet contains 67.5 mg of lactose monohydrate.



Each 70 mg tablet contains 94.5 mg of lactose monohydrate.



Each 80 mg tablet contains 108 mg of lactose monohydrate.



Each 100 mg tablet contains 135.0 mg of lactose monohydrate.



Each 140 mg tablet contains 189 mg of lactose monohydrate.



For a full list of excipients, see section 6.1.



3. Pharmaceutical Form



Film-coated tablet (tablet).



20 mg: White to off-white, biconvex, round tablet with “BMS” debossed on one side and “527” on the other side.



50 mg: White to off-white, biconvex, oval tablet with “BMS” debossed on one side and “528” on the other side.



70 mg: White to off-white, biconvex, round tablet with “BMS” debossed on one side and “524” on the other side.



80 mg: White to off-white, biconvex, triangular tablet with "BMS 80" debossed on one side and "855" on the other side.



100 mg: White to off-white, biconvex, oval tablet with “BMS 100” debossed on one side and “852” on the other side.



140 mg: White to off-white, biconvex, round tablet with "BMS 140" debossed on one side and "857" on the other side.



4. Clinical Particulars



4.1 Therapeutic Indications



SPRYCEL is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with:



• newly diagnosed Philadelphia chromosome positive (Ph+) chronic myelogenous leukaemia (CML) in the chronic phase.



• chronic, accelerated or blast phase CML with resistance or intolerance to prior therapy including imatinib mesilate.



• Ph+ acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) and lymphoid blast CML with resistance or intolerance to prior therapy.



4.2 Posology And Method Of Administration



Therapy should be initiated by a physician experienced in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with leukaemia.



Posology



The recommended starting dose for chronic phase CML is 100 mg dasatinib once daily, administered orally.



The recommended starting dose for accelerated, myeloid or lymphoid blast phase (advanced phase) CML or Ph+ ALL is 140 mg once daily, administered orally (see section 4.4).



Treatment duration



In clinical studies, treatment with SPRYCEL was continued until disease progression or until no longer tolerated by the patient. The effect of stopping treatment after the achievement of a complete cytogenetic response (CCyR) has not been investigated.



To achieve the recommended dose, SPRYCEL is available as 20 mg, 50 mg, 70 mg, 80 mg, 100 mg and 140 mg film-coated tablets. Dose increase or reduction is recommended based on patient response and tolerability.



Dose escalation



In clinical studies in adult CML and Ph+ ALL patients, dose escalation to 140 mg once daily (chronic phase CML) or 180 mg once daily (advanced phase CML or Ph+ ALL) was allowed in patients who did not achieve a haematologic or cytogenetic response at the recommended starting dose.



Dose adjustment for adverse reactions



Myelosuppression



In clinical studies, myelosuppression was managed by dose interruption, dose reduction, or discontinuation of study therapy. Platelet transfusion and red cell transfusion were used as appropriate. Haematopoietic growth factor has been used in patients with resistant myelosuppression.



Guidelines for dose modifications are summarized in Table 1.













Table 1: Dose adjustments for neutropenia and thrombocytopenia


  


Chronic Phase CML



(starting dose 100 mg once daily)




ANC < 0.5 x 109/l



and/or



Platelets < 50 x 109/l




1 Stop treatment until ANC 9/l and platelets 9/l.



2 Resume treatment at the original starting dose.



3 If platelets < 25 x 109/l and/or recurrence of ANC < 0.5 x 109/l for > 7 days, repeat step 1 and resume treatment at a reduced dose of 80 mg once daily for second episode. For third episode, further reduce dose to 50 mg once daily (for newly diagnosed patients) or discontinue (for patients resistant or intolerant to prior therapy including imatinib).




Accelerated and Blast Phase CML and Ph+ ALL



(starting dose 140 mg once daily)




ANC < 0.5 x 109/l



and/or



Platelets < 10 x 109/l




1 Check if cytopenia is related to leukaemia (marrow aspirate or biopsy).



2 If cytopenia is unrelated to leukaemia, stop treatment until ANC 9/l and platelets 9/l and resume at the original starting dose.



3 If recurrence of cytopenia, repeat step 1 and resume treatment at a reduced dose of 100 mg once daily (second episode) or 80 mg once daily (third episode).



4 If cytopenia is related to leukaemia, consider dose escalation to 180 mg once daily.



ANC: absolute neutrophil count



Non-haematological adverse reactions



If a moderate, grade 2, non-haematological adverse reaction develops with dasatinib, interrupt treatment until the event has resolved or returned to baseline. Resume at the same dose if this is the first occurrence and at a reduced dose if this is a recurrent event. If a severe grade 3 or 4, non-haematological adverse reaction develops with dasatinib, treatment must be withheld until the event has resolved. Thereafter, treatment can be resumed as appropriate at a reduced dose depending on the initial severity of the event. For patients with chronic phase CML who received 100 mg once daily, dose reduction to 80 mg once daily with further reduction from 80 mg once daily to 50 mg once daily, if needed, is recommended. For patients with advanced phase CML or Ph+ ALL who received 140 mg once daily, dose reduction to 100 mg once daily with further reduction from 100 mg once daily to 50 mg once daily, if needed, is recommended.



Pleural effusion: if a pleural effusion is diagnosed, interrupt dasatinib until patient is asymptomatic or has returned to baseline. If the episode does not improve within approximately one week, consider a course of diuretics or corticosteroids or both concurrently (see sections 4.4 and 4.8). Following resolution of the first episode, consider reintroduction of dasatinib at the same dose level. Following resolution of a subsequent episode, reintroduce dasatinib at one dose level reduction. Following resolution of a severe (grade 3 or 4) episode, treatment can be resumed as appropriate at a reduced dose depending on the initial severity of the event.



Paediatric population



The safety and efficacy of SPRYCEL in children and adolescents below 18 years of age have not yet been established. No data are available (see section 5.1).



Elderly population



No clinically relevant age-related pharmacokinetic differences have been observed in these patients. No specific dose recommendation is necessary in the elderly.



Hepatic impairment



Patients with mild, moderate or severe hepatic impairment may receive the recommended starting dose. However, SPRYCEL should be used with caution in patients with hepatic impairment (see sections 4.4 and 5.2).



Renal impairment



No clinical studies were conducted with SPRYCEL in patients with decreased renal function (the study in patients with newly diagnosed chronic phase CML excluded patients with serum creatinine concentration > 3 times the upper limit of the normal range, and studies in patients with chronic phase CML with resistance or intolerance to prior imatinib therapy excluded patients with serum creatinine concentration > 1.5 times the upper limit of the normal range). Since the renal clearance of dasatinib and its metabolites is < 4%, a decrease in total body clearance is not expected in patients with renal insufficiency.



Method of administration



SPRYCEL must be administered orally.



Tablets must not be crushed or cut in order to minimize the risk of dermal exposure, they must be swallowed whole. They can be taken with or without a meal and should be taken consistently either in the morning or in the evening.



4.3 Contraindications



Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients.



4.4 Special Warnings And Precautions For Use



Clinically relevant interactions



Dasatinib is a substrate and an inhibitor of cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A4. Therefore, there is a potential for interaction with other concomitantly administered medicinal products that are metabolized primarily by or modulate the activity of CYP3A4 (see section 4.5).



Concomitant use of dasatinib and medicinal products that potently inhibit CYP3A4 (e.g. ketoconazole, itraconazole, erythromycin, clarithromycin, ritonavir, telithromycin) may increase exposure to dasatinib. Therefore, in patients receiving dasatinib, coadministration of a potent CYP3A4 inhibitor is not recommended (see section 4.5).



Concomitant use of dasatinib and medicinal products that induce CYP3A4 (e.g. dexamethasone, phenytoin, carbamazepine, rifampicin, phenobarbital or herbal preparations containing Hypericum perforatum, also known as St. John's Wort) may substantially reduce exposure to dasatinib, potentially increasing the risk of therapeutic failure. Therefore, in patients receiving dasatinib, coadministration of alternative medicinal products with less potential for CYP3A4 induction should be selected (see section 4.5).



Concomitant use of dasatinib and a CYP3A4 substrate may increase exposure to the CYP3A4 substrate. Therefore, caution is warranted when dasatinib is coadministered with CYP3A4 substrates of narrow therapeutic index, such as astemizole, terfenadine, cisapride, pimozide, quinidine, bepridil or ergot alkaloids (ergotamine, dihydroergotamine) (see section 4.5).



The concomitant use of dasatinib and a histamine-2 (H2) antagonist (e.g. famotidine), proton pump inhibitor (e.g. omeprazole), or aluminium hydroxide/magnesium hydroxide may reduce the exposure to dasatinib. Thus, H2 antagonists and proton pump inhibitors are not recommended and aluminium hydroxide/magnesium hydroxide products should be administered up to 2 hours prior to, or 2 hours following the administration of dasatinib (see section 4.5).



Special populations



Based on the findings from a single-dose pharmacokinetic study, patients with mild, moderate or severe hepatic impairment may receive the recommended starting dose (see sections 4.2 and 5.2). Due to the limitations of this clinical study, caution is recommended when administering dasatinib to patients with hepatic impairment (see section 4.2).



Important adverse reactions



Myelosuppression



Treatment with dasatinib is associated with anaemia, neutropenia and thrombocytopenia. Their occurrence is more frequent in patients with advanced phase CML or Ph+ ALL than in chronic phase CML. Complete blood counts should be performed weekly for the first 2 months, and then monthly thereafter, or as clinically indicated. Myelosuppression was generally reversible and usually managed by withholding dasatinib temporarily or by dose reduction (see sections 4.2 and 4.8).



In a Phase III dose-optimisation study in patients with chronic phase CML with resistance or intolerance to prior imatinib therapy, grade 3 or 4 myelosuppression was reported more frequently in patients treated with 70 mg twice daily than in patients treated with 100 mg once daily.



Bleeding



In the Phase III study in patients with newly diagnosed chronic phase CML, 1 patient (< 1%) receiving dasatinib compared to 2 patients (1%) receiving imatinib had grade 3 or 4 haemorrhage. In clinical studies in patients with resistance or intolerance to prior imatinib therapy, severe central nervous system (CNS) haemorrhage occurred in < 1% of patients. Eight cases were fatal and 6 of them were associated with Common Toxicity Criteria (CTC) grade 4 thrombocytopenia. Grade 3 or 4 gastrointestinal haemorrhage occurred in 4% of patients with resistance or intolerance to prior imatinib therapy and generally required treatment interruptions and transfusions. Other grade 3 or 4 haemorrhage occurred in 2% of patients with resistance or intolerance to prior imatinib therapy. Most bleeding related events in these patients were typically associated with grade 3 or 4 thrombocytopenia (see section 4.8). Additionally, in vitro and in vivo platelet assays suggest that SPRYCEL treatment reversibly affects platelet activation.



Patients were excluded from participation in initial SPRYCEL clinical studies if they took medicinal products that inhibit platelet function or anticoagulants. In subsequent studies, the use of anticoagulants, acetylsalicylic acid, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) was allowed concurrently with SPRYCEL if the platelet count was > 50,000-75,000/mm3. Caution should be exercised if patients are required to take medicinal products that inhibit platelet function or anticoagulants.



Fluid retention



Dasatinib is associated with fluid retention. In the Phase III clinical study in patients with newly diagnosed chronic phase CML, grade 3 or 4 fluid retention was reported in 2 patients (1%) in each of the dasatinib and the imatinib-treatment groups (see section 4.8). In clinical studies in patients with resistance or intolerance to prior imatinib therapy, grade 3 or 4 fluid retention was reported in 10% of patients, including grade 3 or 4 pleural and pericardial effusion reported in 7% and 1% of patients, respectively. In these studies, grade 3 or 4 ascites and generalised oedema were each reported in < 1% of patients, and grade 3 or 4 pulmonary oedema was reported in 1% of patients.



Patients who develop symptoms suggestive of pleural effusion such as dyspnoea or dry cough should be evaluated by chest X-ray. Grade 3 or 4 pleural effusion may require thoracocentesis and oxygen therapy. Fluid retention events were typically managed by supportive care measures that include diuretics and short courses of steroids (see sections 4.2 and 4.8). While the safety profile of SPRYCEL in the elderly population was similar to that in the younger population, patients aged 65 years and older are more likely to experience fluid retention events and dyspnoea and should be monitored closely. Fluid retention was reported less frequently in patients treated with once daily schedule compared to twice daily in two Phase III dose-optimisation studies (see section 4.8).



Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH)



PAH (pre-capillary pulmonary arterial hypertension confirmed by right heart catheterization) has been reported in association with dasatinib treatment in post-marketing reports (see section 4.8). In these cases, PAH was reported after initiation of dasatinib therapy, including after more than one year of treatment.



Patients should be evaluated for signs and symptoms of underlying cardiopulmonary disease prior to initiating dasatinib therapy. An echocardiography should be performed at treatment initiation in every patient presenting symptoms of cardiac disease and considered in patients with risk factors for cardiac or pulmonary disease. Patients who develop dyspnoea and fatigue after initiation of therapy should be evaluated for common etiologies including pleural effusion, pulmonary oedema, anaemia, or lung infiltration. In accordance with recommendations for management of non-haematologic adverse reactions (see section 4.2) the dose of dasatinib should be reduced or therapy interrupted during this evaluation. If no explanation is found, or if there is no improvement with dose reduction or interruption, the diagnosis of PAH should be considered. The diagnostic approach should follow standard practice guidelines. If PAH is confirmed, dasatinib should be permanently discontinued. Follow up should be performed according to standard practice guidelines. Improvements in haemodynamic and clinical parameters have been observed in dasatinib-treated patients with PAH following cessation of dasatinib therapy.



QT Prolongation



In vitro data suggest that dasatinib has the potential to prolong cardiac ventricular repolarisation (QT Interval) (see section 5.3). In 258 dasatinib-treated patients and 258 imatinib-treated patients in the Phase III study in newly diagnosed chronic phase CML, 1 patient (< 1%) in each group had QTc prolongation reported as an adverse reaction. The median changes in QTcF from baseline were 3.0 msec in dasatinib-treated patients compared to 8.2 msec in imatinib-treated patients. One patient (< 1%) in each group experienced a QTcF > 500 msec. In 865 patients with leukaemia treated with dasatinib in Phase II clinical trials, the mean changes from baseline in QTc interval using Fridericia's method (QTcF) were 4 - 6 msec; the upper 95% confidence intervals for all mean changes from baseline were < 7 msec (see section 4.8).



Of the 2,182 patients with resistance or intolerance to prior imatinib therapy who received dasatinib in clinical studies, 14 (< 1%) had QTc prolongation reported as an adverse reaction. Twenty-one of these patients (1%) experienced a QTcF > 500 msec.



Dasatinib should be administered with caution to patients who have or may develop prolongation of QTc. These include patients with hypokalaemia or hypomagnesaemia, patients with congenital long QT syndrome, patients taking anti-arrhythmic medicinal products or other medicinal products which lead to QT prolongation, and cumulative high dose anthracycline therapy. Hypokalaemia or hypomagnesaemia should be corrected prior to dasatinib administration.



Cardiac adverse reactions



Dasatinib was studied in a randomised trial of 519 patients with newly diagnosed CML in chronic phase which included patients with prior cardiac disease. The cardiac adverse reactions of congestive heart failure/cardiac dysfunction and fatal myocardial infarction were reported in patients taking dasatinib. Adverse cardiac events were more frequent in patients with risk factors or a history of cardiac disease. Patients with risk factors (e.g. hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes) or a history of cardiac disease (e.g. prior percutaneous coronary intervention, documented coronary artery disease) should be monitored carefully for clinical signs or symptoms consistent with cardiac dysfunction such as chest pain, shortness of breath, and diaphoresis.



If these clinical signs or symptoms develop, physicians are advised to interrupt dasatinib administration. After resolution, a functional assessment should be performed prior to resuming treatment with dasatinib. Dasatinib may be resumed at the original dose for mild/moderate events (



Patients with uncontrolled or significant cardiovascular disease were not included in the clinical studies.



Lactose



This medicinal product contains 135 mg of lactose monohydrate in a 100 mg daily dose and 189 mg of lactose monohydrate in a 140 mg daily dose. Patients with rare hereditary problems of galactose intolerance, the Lapp lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption should not take this medicinal product.



4.5 Interaction With Other Medicinal Products And Other Forms Of Interaction



Active substances that may increase dasatinib plasma concentrations



In vitro studies indicate that dasatinib is a CYP3A4 substrate. Concomitant use of dasatinib and medicinal products which potently inhibit CYP3A4 (e.g. ketoconazole, itraconazole, erythromycin, clarithromycin, ritonavir, telithromycin) may increase exposure to dasatinib. Therefore, in patients receiving dasatinib, systemic administration of a potent CYP3A4 inhibitor is not recommended.



At clinically relevant concentrations, binding of dasatinib to plasma proteins is approximately 96% on the basis of in vitro experiments. No studies have been performed to evaluate dasatinib interaction with other protein-bound medicinal products. The potential for displacement and its clinical relevance are unknown.



Active substances that may decrease dasatinib plasma concentrations



When dasatinib was administered following 8 daily evening administrations of 600 mg rifampicin, a potent CYP3A4 inducer, the AUC of dasatinib was decreased by 82%. Other medicinal products that induce CYP3A4 activity (e.g. dexamethazone, phenytoin, carbamazepine, phenobarbital or herbal preparations containing Hypericum perforatum, also known as St. John´s Wort) may also increase metabolism and decrease dasatinib plasma concentrations. Therefore, concomitant use of potent CYP3A4 inducers with dasatinib is not recommended. In patients in whom rifampicin or other CYP3A4 inducers are indicated, alternative medicinal products with less enzyme induction potential should be used.



Histamine-2 antagonists and proton pump inhibitors



Long-term suppression of gastric acid secretion by H2 antagonists or proton pump inhibitors (e.g. famotidine and omeprazole) is likely to reduce dasatinib exposure. In a single-dose study in healthy subjects, the administration of famotidine 10 hours prior to a single dose of SPRYCEL reduced dasatinib exposure by 61%. In a study of 14 healthy subjects, administration of a single 100-mg dose of SPRYCEL 22 hours following a 4-day, 40-mg omeprazole dose at steady state reduced the AUC of dasatinib by 43% and the Cmax of dasatinib by 42%. The use of antacids should be considered in place of H2 antagonists or proton pump inhibitors in patients receiving SPRYCEL therapy (see section 4.4).



Antacids



Non-clinical data demonstrate that the solubility of dasatinib is pH-dependent. In healthy subjects, the concomitant use of aluminium hydroxide/magnesium hydroxide antacids with SPRYCEL reduced the AUC of a single dose of SPRYCEL by 55% and the Cmax by 58%. However, when antacids were administered 2 hours prior to a single dose of SPRYCEL, no relevant changes in dasatinib concentration or exposure were observed. Thus, antacids may be administered up to 2 hours prior to or 2 hours following SPRYCEL (see section 4.4).



Active substances that may have their plasma concentrations altered by dasatinib



Concomitant use of dasatinib and a CYP3A4 substrate may increase exposure to the CYP3A4 substrate. In a study in healthy subjects, a single 100 mg dose of dasatinib increased AUC and Cmax exposure to simvastatin, a known CYP3A4 substrate, by 20 and 37% respectively. It cannot be excluded that the effect is larger after multiple doses of dasatinib. Therefore, CYP3A4 substrates known to have a narrow therapeutic index (e.g. astemizole, terfenadine, cisapride, pimozide, quinidine, bepridil or ergot alkaloids [ergotamine, dihydroergotamine]) should be administered with caution in patients receiving dasatinib (see section 4.4).



In vitro data indicate a potential risk for interaction with CYP2C8 substrates, such as glitazones.



4.6 Pregnancy And Lactation



Pregnancy



There are no adequate data from the use of dasatinib in pregnant women. Studies in animals have shown reproductive toxicity (see section 5.3). The potential risk for humans is unknown.



SPRYCEL should not be used during pregnancy unless clearly necessary. If it is used during pregnancy, the patient must be informed of the potential risk to the foetus.



Breastfeeding



There is insufficient/limited information on the excretion of dasatinib in human or animal breast milk. Physico-chemical and available pharmacodynamic/toxicological data on dasatinib point to excretion in breast milk and a risk to the suckling child cannot be excluded.



Breast-feeding should be stopped during treatment with SPRYCEL.



Fertility



The effect of dasatinib on sperm is unknown, therefore both sexually active men and women should use effective methods of contraception during treatment.



4.7 Effects On Ability To Drive And Use Machines



No studies on the effects on the ability to drive and use machines have been performed. Patients should be advised that they may experience adverse reactions such as dizziness or blurred vision during treatment with dasatinib. Therefore, caution should be recommended when driving a car or operating machines.



4.8 Undesirable Effects



Summary of the safety profile



The data described below reflect exposure to SPRYCEL in 2,440 patients in clinical studies, including 258 patients with newly diagnosed chronic phase CML with a minimum of 12 months follow-up (starting dose 100 mg once daily) and 2,182 patients with imatinib resistant or intolerant CML or Ph+ ALL with a minimum of 24 months follow-up (starting dose 100 mg once daily, 140 mg once daily, 50 mg twice daily, or 70 mg twice daily). The median duration of therapy in this patient population was 15 months (range 0.03 - 36 months).



Of the 2,440 patients treated, 23% were



In the Phase III study in patients with newly diagnosed chronic phase CML the median duration of therapy was 14 months (range 0.03-24 months) for SPRYCEL and 14 months (range 0.3-26 months) for imatinib; the median average daily dose was 99 mg and 400 mg, respectively.



The majority of SPRYCEL-treated patients experienced adverse reactions at some time. Most reactions were of mild-to-moderate grade.



In the Phase III study in patients with newly diagnosed chronic phase CML, treatment was discontinued for adverse reactions in 5% of SPRYCEL-treated patients and 4% of imatinib-treated patients. Among patients with resistance or intolerance to prior imatinib therapy, the rates of discontinuation for adverse reactions were 15% in chronic phase CML, 16% in accelerated phase CML, 15% in myeloid blast phase CML, 8% in lymphoid blast phase CML and 8% in Ph+ ALL. In the Phase III dose-optimisation study in patients with chronic phase CML, the rate of discontinuation for adverse reactions was lower for patients treated with 100 mg once daily than for those treated with 70 mg twice daily (10% and 16%, respectively); the rates of dose interruption and reduction were also lower for patients treated with 100 mg once daily than for those treated with 70 mg twice daily. Less frequent dose reductions and interruptions were also reported for patients with advanced phase CML and Ph+ ALL treated with 140 mg once daily than for those treated with 70 mg twice daily.



The majority of imatinib-intolerant patients with chronic phase CML were able to tolerate treatment with SPRYCEL. In clinical studies in chronic phase CML, 10 of the 215 imatinib-intolerant patients had the same grade 3 or 4 non-hematologic toxicity with SPRYCEL as they did with prior imatinib; 8 of these 10 patients were managed with dose reduction and were able to continue SPRYCEL treatment.



The most frequently reported adverse reactions reported in SPRYCEL-treated patients with newly diagnosed chronic phase CML were fluid retention (including pleural effusion) (19%), diarrhoea (17%), headache (12%), rash (11%), musculoskeletal pain (11%), nausea (8%), fatigue (8%), myalgia (6%), vomiting (5%), and muscle inflammation (4%). The most frequently reported adverse reactions reported in SPRYCEL-treated patients with resistance or intolerance to prior imatinib therapy were fluid retention (including pleural effusion), diarrhoea, headache, nausea, skin rash, dyspnoea, haemorrhage, fatigue, musculoskeletal pain, infection, vomiting, cough, abdominal pain and pyrexia. Drug-related febrile neutropenia was reported in 5% of SPRYCEL-treated patients with resistance or intolerance to prior imatinib therapy.



In clinical studies with patients with resistance or intolerance to prior imatinib therapy, it was recommended that treatment with imatinib be discontinued at least 7 days before starting treatment with SPRYCEL.



Tabulated summary of adverse reactions



The following adverse reactions, excluding laboratory abnormalities, were reported in patients in SPRYCEL clinical studies and post-marketing experience (Table 2). These reactions are presented by system organ class and by frequency. Frequencies are defined as: very common (common (uncommon (rare (



Within each frequency grouping, adverse reactions are presented in order of decreasing seriousness.












































































































































Table 2: Tabulated summary of adverse reactions


 


Infections and infestations


 


Very common




infection (including bacterial, viral, fungal, non-specified)




Common




pneumonia (including bacterial, viral, and fungal), upper respiratory tract infection/inflammation, herpes virus infection, enterocolitis infection




Uncommon




sepsis (including fatal outcome)




Neoplasms benign, malignant and unspecified (including cysts and polyps)


 


Uncommon




tumour lysis syndrome




Blood and lymphatic system disorders


 


Common




febrile neutropenia, pancytopenia




Rare




aplasia pure red cell




Immune system disorders


 


Uncommon




hypersensitivity (including erythema nodosum)




Metabolism and nutrition disorders


 


Common




anorexia, appetite disturbances




Uncommon




hyperuricaemia, hypoalbuminemia




Psychiatric disorders


 


Common




depression, insomnia




Uncommon




anxiety, confusional state, affect lability, libido decreased




Nervous system disorders


 


Very common




headache




Common




neuropathy (including peripheral neuropathy), dizziness, dysgeusia, somnolence




Uncommon




CNS bleeding*a, syncope, tremor, amnesia




Rare




cerebrovascular accident, transient ischaemic attack, convulsion, optic neuritis




Eye disorders


 


Common




visual disorder (including visual disturbance, vision blurred, and visual acuity reduced), dry eye




Uncommon




conjunctivitis




Ear and labyrinth disorders


 


Common




tinnitus




Uncommon




vertigo




Cardiac disorders


 


Common




congestive heart failure/cardiac dysfunction*b, pericardial effusion*, arrhythmia (including tachycardia), palpitations




Uncommon




myocardial infarction (including fatal outcome)*, electrocardiogram QT prolonged*, pericarditis, ventricular arrhythmia (including ventricular tachycardia), angina pectoris, cardiomegaly




Rare




cor pulmonale, myocarditis, acute coronary syndrome




Not known




atrial fibrillation/atrial flutter




Vascular disorders


 


Very common




haemorrhage*c




Common




hypertension, flushing




Uncommon




hypotension, thrombophlebitis




Rare




livedo reticularis




Not known




thrombosis/embolism (including pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis)




Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders


 


Very common




pleural effusion*, dyspnoea




Common




cough, pulmonary oedema*, pulmonary hypertension*, lung infiltration, pneumonitis




Uncommon




bronchospasm, asthma




Rare




acute respiratory distress syndrome




Not known




interstitial lung disease, pulmonary arterial hypertension (pre-capillary pulmonary arterial hypertension)




Gastrointestinal disorders


 


Very common




diarrhoea, vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain




Common




gastrointestinal bleeding*, colitis (including neutropenic colitis), gastritis, mucosal inflammation (including mucositis/stomatitis), dyspepsia, abdominal distension, constipation, oral soft tissue disorder




Uncommon




pancreatitis, upper gastrointestinal ulcer, oesophagitis, ascites*, anal fissure, dysphagia




Rare




protein-losing gastroenteropathy




Not known




fatal gastrointestinal haemorrhage*




Hepatobiliary disorders


 


Uncommon




hepatitis, cholecystitis, cholestasis




Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders


 


Very common




skin rashd




Common




alopecia, dermatitis (including eczema), pruritus, acne, dry skin, urticaria, hyperhidrosis




Uncommon




acute febrile neutrophilic dermatosis, photosensitivity, pigmentation disorder, panniculitis, skin ulcer, bullous conditions, nail disorder, palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia syndrome




Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders


 


Very common




musculoskeletal pain




Common




arthralgia, myalgia, muscle inflammation, muscular weakness




Uncommon




musculoskeletal stiffness, rhabdomyolysis




Rare




tendonitis




Renal and urinary disorders


 


Uncommon




renal failure, urinary frequency, proteinuria




Reproductive system and breast disorders


 


Uncommon




gynecomastia, irregular menstruation




General disorders and administration site conditions


 

Thursday, 28 June 2012

Nexavar



sorafenib

Dosage Form: tablet, film coated
FULL PRESCRIBING INFORMATION

Indications and Usage for Nexavar



Hepatocellular Carcinoma 


Nexavar® is indicated for the treatment of patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).



Renal Cell Carcinoma


Nexavar is indicated for the treatment of patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC).



Nexavar Dosage and Administration


The recommended daily dose of Nexavar is 400 mg (2 x 200 mg tablets) taken twice daily without food (at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal). Treatment should continue until the patient is no longer clinically benefiting from therapy or until unacceptable toxicity occurs.


Management of suspected adverse drug reactions may require temporary interruption and/or dose reduction of Nexavar. When dose reduction is necessary, the Nexavar dose may be reduced to 400 mg once daily. If additional dose reduction is required, Nexavar may be reduced to a single 400 mg dose every other day [see Warnings and Precautions (5)].


Suggested dose modifications for skin toxicity are outlined in Table 1.

























Table 1: Suggested Dose Modifications for Skin Toxicity
Skin Toxicity GradeOccurrenceSuggested Dose Modification
Grade 1: Numbness, dysesthesia, paresthesia, tingling, painless swelling, erythema or discomfort of the hands or feet which does not disrupt the patient’s normal activitiesAny occurrenceContinue treatment with Nexavar and consider topical therapy for symptomatic relief
Grade 2: Painful erythema and swelling of the hands or feet and/or discomfort affecting the patient’s normal activities1st occurrence

Continue treatment with Nexavar and consider topical therapy for symptomatic relief


If no improvement within 7 days, see below
No improvement within 7 days or 2nd or 3rd occurrence

Interrupt Nexavar treatment until toxicity resolves to Grade 0–1


When resuming treatment, decrease Nexavar dose by one dose level (400 mg daily or 400 mg every other day)
4th occurrenceDiscontinue Nexavar treatment
Grade 3: Moist desquamation, ulceration, blistering or severe pain of the hands or feet, or severe discomfort that causes the patient to be unable to work or perform activities of daily living1st or 2nd occurrence

Interrupt Nexavar treatment until toxicity resolves to Grade 0–1


When resuming treatment, decrease Nexavar dose by one dose level (400 mg daily or 400 mg every other day)
3rd occurrenceDiscontinue Nexavar treatment 

No dose adjustment is required on the basis of patient age, gender, or body weight.


Concomitant strong CYP3A4 inducers: Avoid concomitant use of strong CYP3A4 inducers (such as, carbamazepine, dexamethasone, phenobarbital, phenytoin, rifampin, rifabutin, St. John’s wort), when possible, because inducers can decrease the systemic exposure to sorafenib [see Drug Interactions (7.1)].


 



Dosage Forms and Strengths


Tablets containing sorafenib tosylate (274 mg) equivalent to 200 mg of sorafenib.


Nexavar tablets are round, biconvex, red film-coated tablets, debossed with the “Bayer cross” on one side and “200” on the other side.



Contraindications


  • Nexavar is contraindicated in patients with known severe hypersensitivity to sorafenib or any other component of Nexavar.

  • Nexavar in combination with carboplatin and paclitaxel is contraindicated in patients with squamous cell lung cancer [see Warnings and Precautions (5.8)].


Warnings and Precautions



Risk of Cardiac Ischemia and/or Infarction


In the HCC study, the incidence of cardiac ischemia/infarction was 2.7% in Nexavar patients compared with 1.3% in the placebo group and in RCC Study 1, the incidence of cardiac ischemia/infarction was higher in the Nexavar group (2.9%) compared with the placebo group (0.4%). Patients with unstable coronary artery disease or recent myocardial infarction were excluded from this study. Temporary or permanent discontinuation of Nexavar should be considered in patients who develop cardiac ischemia and/or infarction.



Risk of Hemorrhage


An increased risk of bleeding may occur following Nexavar administration. In the HCC study, an excess of bleeding regardless of causality was not apparent and the rate of bleeding from esophageal varices was 2.4% in Nexavar patients and 4% in placebo patients. Bleeding with a fatal outcome from any site was reported in 2.4% of Nexavar patients and 4% in placebo patients. In RCC Study 1, bleeding regardless of causality was reported in 15.3% of patients in the Nexavar group and 8.2% of patients in the placebo group. The incidence of CTCAE Grade 3 and 4 bleeding was 2% and 0%, respectively, in Nexavar patients, and 1.3% and 0.2%, respectively, in placebo patients. There was one fatal hemorrhage in each treatment group in RCC Study 1. If any bleeding necessitates medical intervention, permanent discontinuation of Nexavar should be considered.



Risk of Hypertension


Monitor blood pressure weekly during the first 6 weeks of Nexavar. Thereafter, monitor blood pressure and treat hypertension, if required, in accordance with standard medical practice. In the HCC study, hypertension was reported in approximately 9.4% of Nexavar-treated patients and 4.3% of patients in the placebo group. In RCC Study 1, hypertension was reported in approximately 16.9% of Nexavar-treated patients and 1.8% of patients in the placebo group. Hypertension was usually mild to moderate, occurred early in the course of treatment, and was managed with standard antihypertensive therapy. In cases of severe or persistent hypertension despite institution of antihypertensive therapy, consider temporary or permanent discontinuation of Nexavar. Permanent discontinuation due to hypertension occurred in 1 of 297 Nexavar patients in the HCC study and 1 of 451 Nexavar patients in RCC Study 1.



Risk of Dermatologic Toxicities


Hand-foot skin reaction and rash represent the most common adverse reactions attributed to Nexavar. Rash and hand-foot skin reaction are usually CTCAE Grade 1 and 2 and generally appear during the first six weeks of treatment with Nexavar. Management of dermatologic toxicities may include topical therapies for symptomatic relief, temporary treatment interruption and/or dose modification of Nexavar, or in severe or persistent cases, permanent discontinuation of Nexavar. Permanent discontinuation of therapy due to hand-foot skin reaction occurred in 4 of 297 Nexavar patients with HCC and 3 of 451 Nexavar patients with RCC.



Risk of Gastrointestinal Perforation


Gastrointestinal perforation is an uncommon adverse reaction and has been reported in less than 1% of patients taking Nexavar. In some cases this was not associated with apparent intra-abdominal tumor. In the event of a gastrointestinal perforation, discontinue Nexavar.



Warfarin


Infrequent bleeding or elevations in the International Normalized Ratio (INR) have been reported in some patients taking warfarin while on Nexavar. Monitor patients taking concomitant warfarin regularly for changes in prothrombin time (PT), INR or clinical bleeding episodes.



Wound Healing Complications


No formal studies of the effect of Nexavar on wound healing have been conducted. Temporary interruption of Nexavar is recommended in patients undergoing major surgical procedures. There is limited clinical experience regarding the timing of reinitiation of Nexavar following major surgical intervention. Therefore, the decision to resume Nexavar following a major surgical intervention should be based on clinical judgment of adequate wound healing.



Increased Mortality Observed with Nexavar Administered in Combination with Carboplatin/Paclitaxel and Gemcitabine/Cisplatin in Squamous Cell Lung Cancer


In a subset analysis of two randomized controlled trials in chemo-naive patients with Stage IIIB-IV non-small cell lung cancer, patients with squamous cell carcinoma experienced higher mortality with the addition of sorafenib compared to those treated with carboplatin/paclitaxel alone (HR 1.81, 95% CI 1.19–2.74) and gemcitabine/ cisplatin alone (HR 1.22, 95% CI 0.82-1.80). The use of sorafenib in combination with carboplatin/paclitaxel is contraindicated in patients with squamous cell lung cancer. Sorafenib in combination with gemcitabine/cisplatin is not recommended in patients with squamous cell lung cancer. The safety and effectiveness of Nexavar has not been established in patients with non-small cell lung cancer.



Risk of QT Interval Prolongation


 Nexavar can prolong the QT/QTc interval. QT/QTc interval prolongation increases the risk for ventricular arrhythmias.  Avoid Nexavar in patients with congenital long QT syndrome. Monitor patients with congestive heart failure, bradyarrhythmias, drugs known to prolong the QT interval, including Class Ia and III antiarrhythmics, and electrolyte abnormalities with on-treatment electrocardiograms and electrolytes (magnesium, potassium, calcium) [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.2)].



Risk of Fetal Harm


There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women using Nexavar. However, based on its mechanism of action and findings in animals, Nexavar may cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman.  Sorafenib caused embryo-fetal toxicities in animals at maternal exposures that were significantly lower than the human exposures at the recommended dose of 400 mg twice daily. Advise women of childbearing potential to avoid becoming pregnant while on Nexavar because of the potential hazard to the fetus [see Use in Specific Populations (8.1)] .



Adverse Reactions


The following serious adverse reactions are discussed elsewhere in the labeling:


  • Cardiac ischemia, infarction [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)]

  • Hemorrhage [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)]

  • Hypertension [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3)]

  • Hand-foot skin reaction and rash [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4)]

  • Gastrointestinal perforation [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5)]

  • QT Interval Prolongation [see Warnings and Precautions (5.9) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.2)]

Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice.


The data described in sections 6.1 and 6.2 reflect exposure to Nexavar in 748 patients who participated in placebo controlled studies in hepatocellular carcinoma (N=297) or advanced renal cell carcinoma (N=451).


The most common adverse reactions (≥20%), which were considered to be related to Nexavar, in patients with HCC or RCC are fatigue, weight loss, rash/desquamation, hand-foot skin reaction, alopecia, diarrhea, anorexia, nausea and abdominal pain.



Adverse Reactions in HCC Study


Table 2 shows the percentage of patients with HCC experiencing adverse reactions  that were reported in at least 10% of patients and at a higher rate in the Nexavar arm than the placebo arm. CTCAE Grade 3 adverse reactions were reported in 39% of patients receiving Nexavar compared to 24% of patients receiving placebo. CTCAE Grade 4 adverse reactions were reported in 6% of patients receiving Nexavar compared to 8% of patients receiving placebo.





























































































































































Table 2 Adverse Reactions Reported in at Least 10% of Patients and at a Higher Rate in Nexavar Arm than the Placebo Arm – HCC Study
NexavarPlacebo
N=297N=302

Adverse Reaction


NCI-CTCAE v3 Category/Term

All

Grades


%

Grade 3


%

Grade 4


%

All Grades


%

Grade 3


%

Grade


4


%
Any Adverse Reaction9839696248
Constitutional symptoms
Fatigue469145122
Weight loss30201010
Dermatology/skin
Rash/desquamation19101400
Pruritus14<1011<10
Hand-foot skin reaction21803<10
Dry skin1000600
Alopecia1400200
Gastrointestinal
Diarrhea5510<12520
Anorexia2930183<1
Nausea24102030
Vomiting15201120
Constipation14001000
Hepatobiliary/pancreas
Liver dysfunction1121821
Pain
Pain, abdomen31902651

Hypertension was reported in 9% of patients treated with Nexavar and 4% of those treated with placebo. CTCAE Grade 3 hypertension was reported in 4% of Nexavar treated patients and 1% of placebo treated patients. No patients were reported with CTCAE Grade 4 reactions in either treatment group.


Hemorrhage/bleeding was reported in 18% of those receiving Nexavar and 20% of placebo patients. The rates of CTCAE Grade 3 and 4 bleeding were also higher in the placebo group (CTCAE Grade 3 - 3% Nexavar and 5% placebo and CTCAE Grade 4 - 2% Nexavar and 4% placebo). Bleeding from esophageal varices was reported in 2.4% in Nexavar treated patients and 4% of placebo treated patients.


Renal failure was reported in <1% of patients treated with Nexavar and 3% of placebo treated patients.


The rate of adverse reactions (including those associated with progressive disease) resulting in permanent discontinuation was similar in both the Nexavar and placebo groups (32% of Nexavar patients and 35% of placebo patients).


Laboratory Abnormalities

The following laboratory abnormalities were observed in patients with HCC:


Hypophosphatemia was a common laboratory finding, observed in 35% of Nexavar-treated patients compared to 11% of placebo patients; CTCAE Grade 3 hypophosphatemia (1–2 mg/dL) occurred in 11% of Nexavar-treated patients and 2% of patients in the placebo group; there was 1 case of CTCAE Grade 4 hypophosphatemia (<1 mg/dL) reported in the placebo group. The etiology of hypophosphatemia associated with Nexavar is not known.


Elevated lipase was observed in 40% of patients treated with Nexavar compared to 37% of patients in the placebo group. CTCAE Grade 3 or 4 lipase elevations occurred in 9% of patients in each group. Elevated amylase was observed in 34% of patients treated with Nexavar compared to 29% of patients in the placebo group. CTCAE Grade 3 or 4 amylase elevations were reported in 2% of patients in each group. Many of the lipase and amylase elevations were transient, and in the majority of cases Nexavar treatment was not interrupted. Clinical pancreatitis was reported in 1 of 297 Nexavar-treated patients (CTCAE Grade 2).


Elevations in liver function tests were comparable between the 2 arms of the study. Hypoalbuminemia was observed in 59% of Nexavar-treated patients and 47% of placebo patients; no CTCAE Grade 3 or 4 hypoalbuminemia was observed in either group.


INR elevations were observed in 42% of Nexavar-treated patients and 34% of placebo patients; CTCAE Grade 3 INR elevations were reported in 4% of Nexavar-treated patients and 2% of placebo patients; there was no CTCAE Grade 4 INR elevation in either group.


Lymphopenia was observed in 47% of Nexavar-treated patients and 42% of placebo patients.


Thrombocytopenia was observed in 46% of Nexavar-treated patients and 41% of placebo patients; CTCAE Grade 3 or 4 thrombocytopenia was reported in 4% of Nexavar-treated patients and less than 1% of placebo patients.



Adverse Reactions in RCC Study 1


Table 3 shows the percentage of patients with RCC experiencing adverse reactions that were reported in at least 10% of patients and at a higher rate in the Nexavar arm than the placebo arm. CTCAE Grade 3 adverse reactions were reported in 31% of patients receiving Nexavar compared to 22% of patients receiving placebo. CTCAE Grade 4 adverse reactions were reported in 7% of patients receiving Nexavar compared to 6% of patients receiving placebo.


















































































































































































































Table 3: Adverse Reactions Reported in at Least 10% of Patients and at a Higher Rate in Nexavar Arm than the Placebo Arm – RCC Study 1

Nexavar


N=451

Placebo


N=451

Adverse Reactions


NCI- CTCAE v3 Category/Term

All Grades


%

Grade 3


%

Grade 4


%

All Grades


%

Grade 3


%

Grade 4


%
Any Adverse Reactions9531786226
Cardiovascular, General
Hypertension173<12<10
Constitutional symptoms
Fatigue375<1283<1
Weight loss10<10600
Dermatology/skin
Rash/desquamation40<1016<10
Hand-foot skin reaction3060700
Alopecia27<10300
Pruritus19<10600
Dry skin1100400
Gastrointestinal symptoms
Diarrhea432013<10
Nausea23<1019<10
Anorexia16<101310
Vomiting16<101210
Constipation15<1011<10
Hemorrhage/bleeding
Hemorrhage – all sites152081<1
Neurology
Neuropathy-sensory13<106<10
Pain
Pain, abdomen1120920
Pain, joint10206<10
Pain, headache10<106<10
Pulmonary
Dyspnea143<1122<1

The rate of adverse reactions (including those associated with progressive disease) resulting in permanent discontinuation was similar in both the Nexavar and placebo groups (10% of Nexavar patients and 8% of placebo patients).


Laboratory Abnormalities

The following laboratory abnormalities were observed in patients with RCC in Study 1:


Hypophosphatemia was a common laboratory finding, observed in 45% of Nexavar-treated patients compared to 11% of placebo patients. CTCAE Grade 3 hypophosphatemia (1–2 mg/dL) occurred in 13% of Nexavar-treated patients and 3% of patients in the placebo group. There were no cases of CTCAE Grade 4 hypophosphatemia (<1 mg/dL) reported in either Nexavar or placebo patients. The etiology of hypophosphatemia associated with Nexavar is not known.


Elevated lipase was observed in 41% of patients treated with Nexavar compared to 30% of patients in the placebo group. CTCAE Grade 3 or 4 lipase elevations occurred in 12% of patients in the Nexavar group compared to 7% of patients in the placebo group. Elevated amylase was observed in 30% of patients treated with Nexavar compared to 23% of patients in the placebo group. CTCAE Grade 3 or 4 amylase elevations were reported in 1% of patients in the Nexavar group compared to 3% of patients in the placebo group. Many of the lipase and amylase elevations were transient, and in the majority of cases Nexavar treatment was not interrupted. Clinical pancreatitis was reported in 3 of 451 Nexavar-treated patients (one CTCAE Grade 2 and two Grade 4) and 1 of 451 patients (CTCAE Grade 2) in the placebo group.


Lymphopenia was observed in 23% of Nexavar-treated patients and 13% of placebo patients. CTCAE Grade 3 or 4 lymphopenia was reported in 13% of Nexavar-treated patients and 7% of placebo patients. Neutropenia was observed in 18% of Nexavar-treated patients and 10% of placebo patients. CTCAE Grade 3 or 4 neutropenia was reported in 5% of Nexavar-treated patients and 2% of placebo patients.


Anemia was observed in 44% of Nexavar-treated patients and 49% of placebo patients. CTCAE Grade 3 or 4 anemia was reported in 2% of Nexavar-treated patients and 4% of placebo patients.


Thrombocytopenia was observed in 12% of Nexavar-treated patients and 5% of placebo patients. CTCAE Grade 3 or 4 thrombocytopenia was reported in 1% of Nexavar-treated patients and 0% of placebo patients.



Additional Data from Multiple Clinical Trials


The following additional drug-related adverse reactions and laboratory abnormalities were reported from clinical trials of Nexavar (very common 10% or greater, common 1 to less than 10%, uncommon 0.1% to less than 1%):


Cardiovascular:Common: congestive heart failure*†, myocardial ischemia and/or infarction Uncommon: hypertensive crisis* Rare: QT prolongation*


Dermatologic:Very common: erythema Common: exfoliative dermatitis, acne, flushing Uncommon: folliculitis, eczema, erythema multiforme, keratoacanthomas/squamous cell cancer of the skin 


Digestive:Very common: increased lipase, increased amylase Common: mucositis, stomatitis (including dry mouth and glossodynia), dyspepsia, dysphagia Uncommon: pancreatitis, gastrointestinal reflux, gastritis, gastrointestinal perforations*, cholecystitis, cholangitis


Note that elevations in lipase are very common (41%, see below); a diagnosis of pancreatitis should not be made solely on the basis of abnormal laboratory values


General Disorders:Very common: hemorrhage (including gastrointestinal* & respiratory tract* and uncommon cases of cerebral hemorrhage*), asthenia, pain (including mouth, bone, and tumor pain) Common: decreased appetite, influenza-like illness, pyrexia Uncommon: infection


Hematologic:Very common: leukopenia, lymphopenia Common: anemia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia Uncommon: INR abnormal


Hypersensitivity:Uncommon: hypersensitivity reactions (including skin reactions and urticaria)


Metabolic and Nutritional:Very common: hypophosphatemia Common: transient increases in transaminases Uncommon: dehydration, hyponatremia, transient increases in alkaline phosphatase, increased bilirubin (including jaundice), hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism


Musculoskeletal:Common: arthralgia, myalgia


Nervous System and Psychiatric:Common: depression Uncommon: tinnitus, reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy*


Renal and Genitourinary: Common: renal failure


Reproductive:Common: erectile dysfunction Uncommon: gynecomastia


Respiratory:Common: hoarseness Uncommon: rhinorrhea, interstitial lung disease-like events (includes reports of pneumonitis, radiation pneumonitis, acute respiratory distress, interstitial pneumonia, pulmonitis and lung inflammation)


In addition, the following medically significant adverse reactions were uncommon during clinical trials of Nexavar: transient ischemic attack, arrhythmia, thromboembolism. For these adverse reactions, the causal relationship to Nexavar has not been established.


*adverse reactions may have a life-threatening or fatal outcome.


†reported in 1.9% of patients treated with sorafenib (N= 2276).



Postmarketing Experience


The following adverse drug reactions have been identified during post-approval use of Nexavar. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure.


Dermatologic: Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN).


Hypersensitivity: Angioedema, anaphylactic reaction


Hepatobiliary disorders: Drug-induced hepatitis, including reports of hepatic failure and death.



Drug Interactions



Drug Metabolism


Effect of Cytochrome P450 Inducers on Sorafenib

Rifampin, a strong CYP3A4 inducer, administered at a dose of 600 mg once daily for 5 days with a single oral dose of Nexavar 400 mg in healthy volunteers resulted in a 37% decrease in the mean AUC of sorafenib.  Other inducers of CYP3A4 activity (such as, carbamazepine, dexamethasone, phenobarbital, phenytoin, rifabutin, rifampin, St. John's wort) can increase the metabolism of sora