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Banzel (Rufinamide) - Side Effects and Adverse Reactions

 
 



ADVERSE REACTIONS

Placebo-controlled double-blind studies were performed in adults and in pediatric patients, down to age of 4, in other forms of epilepsy, in addition to the trial in Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. Data on CNS Reactions (see WARNINGS) from the Lennox-Gastaut study are presented first. Because there is no reason to suspect that adverse reactions would substantially differ between these patient populations, safety data from all of these controlled studies are then presented. Most of these adverse reactions were mild to moderate and transient in nature.

Common central nervous system reactions in the controlled trial of patients 4 years or older with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome treated with BANZEL as adjunctive therapy

(see WARNINGS ):

Somnolence was reported in 24.3% of BANZEL-treated patients compared to 12.5% of placebo patients and led to study discontinuation in 2.7% of treated patients compared to 0% of placebo patients. Fatigue was reported in 9.5% of BANZEL-treated patients compared to 7.8% of placebo patients. It led to study discontinuation in 1.4% of treated patients and 0% of placebo patients.

Dizziness was reported in 2.7% of BANZEL-treated patients compared to 0% of placebo patients, and did not lead to study discontinuation.

Ataxia and gait disturbance were reported in 5.4% and 1.4% of BANZEL-treated patients, respectively, and in no placebo patients. Balance disorder and abnormal coordination were each reported in 0% of BANZEL-treated patients and 1.6% of placebo patients. None of these reactions led to study discontinuation.

All Adverse Reactions for All Treated Patients with Epilepsy, Double-blind Adjunctive Therapy Studies: The most commonly observed (≥10%) adverse reactions in BANZEL-treated patients, when used as adjunctive therapy at all doses studied (200 to 3200 mg/day) with a higher frequency than in placebo were: headache, dizziness, fatigue, somnolence, and nausea.

At the target dose of 45 mg/kg/day in children, the most commonly observed (≥5%) adverse reactions in BANZEL-treated patients, given as adjunctive therapy, with a higher frequency than placebo were: somnolence, vomiting, headache, fatigue, dizziness, nausea, and convulsion.

At doses up to 3200 mg/day in adults, the most commonly observed (≥5%) adverse reactions in BANZEL-treated patients, given as adjunctive therapy, at all doses studied, with a higher frequency than placebo were: headache, dizziness, fatigue, nausea, somnolence, diplopia, nasopharyngitis, tremor, nystagmus, vision blurred and vomiting.

Table 4 lists treatment-emergent adverse reactions that occurred in at least 3% of pediatric patients with epilepsy treated with BANZEL in controlled adjunctive studies and were numerically more common in patients treated with BANZEL than placebo.

Table 4: Incidence (%) of Treatment-Emergent Adverse Reactions in all Pediatric Double-Blind Adjunctive Trials by Preferred Term at the Recommended Dose of 45 mg/kg/day (Adverse Reactions occurred in at least 3% of BANZEL-treated patients and occurred more frequently than in Placebo Patients)
Preferred Term BANZEL
(N=187)
%
Placebo
(N=182)
%
Somnolence 179
Vomiting177
Headache 168
Fatigue98
Dizziness86
Nausea73
Influenza54
Nasopharyngitis53
Decreased Appetite52
Rash42
Ataxia41
Diplopia41
Bronchitis32
Sinusitis32
Psychomotor Hyperactivity31
Abdominal Pain Upper32
Aggression32
Ear Infection 31
Disturbance in Attention31
Pruritis30

Table 5 lists treatment-emergent adverse reactions that occurred in at least 3% of adult patients with epilepsy treated with BANZEL (up to 3200mg/day) in adjunctive controlled studies and were numerically more common in patients treated with BANZEL than placebo. In these studies, either BANZEL or placebo was added to current AED therapy.

Table 5: Incidence (%) of Treatment-Emergent Adverse Reactions in all Adult Double-Blind Adjunctive Trials (up to 3200mg/day) by Preferred Term (Adverse Reactions occurred in at least 3% of BANZEL-treated patients and occurred more frequently than in Placebo Patients)
Preferred Term BANZEL
(N=823)
%
Placebo
(N=376)
%
Headache2726
Dizziness1912
Fatigue1610
Nausea129
Somnolence119
Diplopia93
Tremor65
Nystagmus65
Vision Blurred62
Vomiting54
Ataxia40
Abdominal Pain Upper32
Anxiety32
Constipation32
Dyspepsia32
Back Pain31
Gait Disturbance31
Vertigo31

 

Discontinuation in Controlled Clinical Studies

In controlled double-blind adjunctive clinical studies, 9.0% of patients receiving BANZEL as adjunctive therapy and 4.4% receiving placebo discontinued as a result of an adverse reaction. The adverse reactions most commonly leading to discontinuation of BANZEL (>1%) used as adjunctive therapy were generally similar in adults and children.

In pediatric double-blind adjunctive clinical studies, 8.0% of patients receiving BANZEL as adjunctive therapy and 2.2% receiving placebo discontinued as a result of an adverse reaction. The adverse reactions most commonly leading to discontinuation of BANZEL (>1%) used as adjunctive therapy are presented in Table 6.

Table 6: Adverse Reactions Most Commonly Leading to Discontinuation in Double-Blind Adjunctive Trials (At The Recommended Dose of 45mg/kg/day) In Pediatric Patients
Preferred Term BANZEL
(N=187)
%
Placebo
(N=182)
%
Convulsion21
Rash21
Fatigue20
Vomiting10

In adult double-blind adjunctive clinical studies (up to 3200 mg/day), 9.5% of patients receiving BANZEL as adjunctive therapy and 5.9% receiving placebo discontinued as a result of an adverse reaction. The adverse reactions most commonly leading to discontinuation of BANZEL (>1%) used as adjunctive therapy are presented in Table 7.

Table 7: Adverse Reactions Most Commonly Leading to Discontinuation in Double-Blind Adjunctive Trials (up to 3200 mg/day) In Adult Patients
Preferred Term BANZEL
(N=823)
%
Placebo
(N=376)
%
Dizziness31
Fatigue21
Headache21
Nausea10
Ataxia10

Other Adverse Events Observed During Clinical Trials

BANZEL has been administered to 1978 individuals during all epilepsy clinical trials (placebo-controlled and open-label). Adverse events occurring during these studies were recorded by the investigators using terminology of their own choosing. To provide a meaningful estimate of the proportion of patients having adverse events, these events were grouped into standardized categories using the MedDRA dictionary. Adverse events occurring at least three times and considered possibly related to treatment are included in the System Organ Class listings below. Terms not included in the listings are those already included in the tables above, those too general to be informative, those related to procedures, and terms describing events common in the population. Some events occurring fewer than 3 times are also included based on their medical significance. Because the reports include events observed in open label, uncontrolled observations, the role of BANZEL in their causation cannot be reliably determined.

Events are classified by body system and listed in order of decreasing frequency as follows: frequent adverse events - those occurring in at least 1/100 patients; infrequent adverse events- those occurring in 1/100 to 1/1000 patients; rare- those occurring in fewer than 1/1000 patients.

Blood and Lymphatic System Disorders: Frequent: anemia. Infrequent: lymphadenopathy, leukopenia, neutropenia, iron deficiency anemia, thrombocytopenia.

Cardiac Disorders: Infrequent: bundle branch block right, atrioventricular block first degree

Metabolic and Nutritional Disorders: Frequent: decreased appetite, increased appetite.

Renal and Urinary Disorders: Frequent: pollakiuria. Infrequent: urinary incontinence, dysuria, hematuria, nephrolithiasis, polyuria, enuresis, nocturia, incontinence.



REPORTS OF SUSPECTED BANZEL SIDE EFFECTS / ADVERSE REACTIONS

Below is a sample of reports where side effects / adverse reactions may be related to Banzel. The information is not vetted and should not be considered as verified clinical evidence.

Possible Banzel side effects / adverse reactions in 17 year old female

Reported by a pharmacist from United States on 2011-10-24

Patient: 17 year old female weighing 36.6 kg (80.5 pounds)

Reactions: Excessive Eye Blinking, Chorea

Adverse event resulted in: hospitalization

Suspect drug(s):
Banzel
    Administration route: Oral
    Start date: 2011-08-01
    End date: 2011-08-20

Banzel
    Administration route: Oral
    Start date: 2011-08-22
    End date: 2011-08-22

Banzel
    Administration route: Oral
    Indication: Epilepsy
    Start date: 2011-07-19
    End date: 2011-08-01

Banzel
    Administration route: Oral
    Start date: 2011-08-23

Other drugs received by patient: Keppra; Baclofen; Clonazepam



Possible Banzel side effects / adverse reactions in 14 year old female

Reported by a physician from United States on 2012-01-20

Patient: 14 year old female weighing 24.3 kg (53.5 pounds)

Reactions: Aphasia, Emotional Disorder, Crying

Suspect drug(s):
Banzel
    Dosage: titrated up to 400 mg twice daily
    Administration route: Oral
    Indication: Myoclonic Epilepsy
    Start date: 2011-03-24
    End date: 2011-08-01

Banzel
    Dosage: titrated down to 200 mg twice daily
    Administration route: Oral
    Start date: 2011-08-01

Other drugs received by patient: Keppra; Depakote; Topamax



Possible Banzel side effects / adverse reactions in 14 year old female

Reported by a physician from United States on 2012-01-25

Patient: 14 year old female weighing 24.3 kg (53.5 pounds)

Reactions: Aphasia, Emotional Disorder, Crying

Suspect drug(s):
Banzel
    Dosage: titrated down to 200 mg twice daily
    Administration route: Oral
    Start date: 2011-08-01

Banzel
    Dosage: titrated up to 400 mg twice daily
    Administration route: Oral
    Indication: Myoclonic Epilepsy
    Start date: 2011-03-24
    End date: 2011-08-01

Other drugs received by patient: Keppra; Depakote; Topamax



See index of all Banzel side effect reports >>

Drug label data at the top of this Page last updated: 2008-11-28

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