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Fuzeon (Enfuvirtide) - Side Effects and Adverse Reactions

 



ADVERSE REACTIONS

The overall safety profile of FUZEON is based on 1188 subjects who received at least 1 dose of FUZEON during various clinical trials. This includes 1153 adults, 608 of whom received the recommended dose for greater than 24 weeks, and 35 pediatric subjects.

Assessment of treatment-emergent adverse events is based on the pooled data from the two Phase 3 studies T20-301 and T20-302.

LOCAL INJECTION SITE REACTIONS

Local injection site reactions were the most frequent adverse events associated with the use of FUZEON. In Phase 3 clinical studies (T20-301 and T20-302), 98% of subjects had at least 1 local injection site reaction (ISR). Three percent of subjects discontinued treatment with FUZEON because of ISRs. Eighty-six percent of subjects experienced their first ISR during the initial week of treatment. The majority of ISRs were associated with mild to moderate pain at the injection site, erythema, induration, and the presence of nodules or cysts. For most subjects the severity of signs and symptoms associated with ISRs did not change during the 24 weeks of treatment. In 17% of subjects an individual ISR lasted for longer than 7 days. Because of the frequency and duration of individual ISRs, 23% of subjects had six or more ongoing ISRs at any given time. Individual signs and symptoms characterizing local ISRs are summarized in Table 4. Infection at the injection site (including abscess and cellulitis) was reported in 1% of subjects.

Table 4 Summary of Individual Signs/Symptoms Characterizing Local Injection Site Reactions to Enfuvirtide in Studies T20-301 and T20-302 Combined (% of Subjects)
N=663
Event Category Any Severity Grade % of Events
Comprising
Grade 3 Reactions
% of Events
Comprising
Grade 4 Reactions
Pain/Discomfort a 95% 9% 0%
Induration b 89% 41% 16%
Erythema c 89% 22% 10%
Nodules and Cysts d 76% 26% 0%
Pruritus e 62% 4% NA
Ecchymosis f 48% 8% 5%
a Grade 3 = severe pain requiring analgesics (or narcotic analgesics for Grade 4 = severe pain requiring hospitalization or prolongation of hospitalization, resulting in death, or persistent or significant disability/incapacity, or life-threatening, or medically significant.
b Grade 3 = >/=25 mm but <50 mm; Grade 4 = >/=50 mm average diameter.
c Grade 3 = >/=50 mm but <85 mm average diameter; Grade 4 = >/=85 mm average diameter.
d Grade 3 = >/=3 cm; Grade 4 = if draining.
e Grade 3 = refractory to topical treatment or requiring oral or parenteral treatment; Grade 4 = not applicable.
f Grade 3 = >3 cm but 5 cm.

OTHER ADVERSE EVENTS

Hypersensitivity reactions have been attributed to FUZEON ( The events most frequently reported in subjects receiving FUZEON + background regimen, excluding injection site reactions, were diarrhea (26.8%), nausea (20.1%), and fatigue (16.1%). These events were also commonly observed in subjects that received background regimen alone: diarrhea (33.5%), nausea (23.7%), and fatigue (17.4%).

Treatment-emergent adverse events (% of subjects), excluding ISRs, from Phase 3 studies are summarized for adult subjects, regardless of severity and causality, in Table 5. Only events occurring in >/=2% of subjects and at a higher rate in subjects treated with FUZEON are summarized in Table 5; events that occurred at a higher rate in the control arms are not displayed.

Table 5 Percentage of Patients With Selected Treatment-Emergent Adverse Events * Reported in >/=2% of Adult Patients and Occurring More Frequently in Patients Treated With FUZEON (Pooled Studies T20-301/T20-302 at 24 Weeks)
Adverse Event (by System Organ Class) FUZEON +
Background Regimen
Background Regimen
N=663 N=334
Nervous System Disorders
Peripheral Neuropathy 8.9% 6.3%
Taste Disturbance 2.4% 1.5%
Psychiatric Disorders
Insomnia 11.3% 8.7%
Depression 8.6% 7.2%
Anxiety 5.7% 3.0%
Respiratory, Thoracic, and Mediastinal Disorders
Cough 7.4% 5.4%
Infections
Sinusitis 6.2% 2.1%
Herpes Simplex 5.0% 3.9%
Skin Papilloma 4.2% 1.5%
Influenza 3.9% 1.8%
General
Weight Decreased 6.5% 5.1%
Appetite Decreased 6.3% 2.4%
Asthenia 5.7% 4.2%
Anorexia 2.6% 1.8%
Influenza-like Illness 2.3% 0.9%
Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders
Pruritus Nos 5.1% 4.2%
Musculoskeletal, Connective, Tissue, and Bone Disorders
Myalgia 5.0% 2.4%
Gastrointestinal Disorders
Constipation 3.9% 2.7%
Abdominal Pain Upper 3.0% 2.7%
Pancreatitis 2.4% 0.9%
Eye Disorders
Conjunctivitis 2.4% 0.9%
Blood and Lymphatic System Disorders
Lymphadenopathy 2.3% 0.3%
*Excludes Injection Site Reactions

An increased rate of bacterial pneumonia was observed in subjects treated with FUZEON in the Phase 3 clinical trials compared to the control arm (4.68 pneumonia events per 100 patient-years versus 0.61 events per 100 patient-years, respectively). Approximately half of the study subjects with pneumonia required hospitalization. One subject death in the FUZEON arm was attributed to pneumonia. Risk factors for pneumonia included low initial CD4 lymphocyte count, high initial viral load, intravenous drug use, smoking, and a prior history of lung disease. It is unclear if the increased incidence of pneumonia was related to FUZEON use. However, because of this finding patients with HIV infection should be carefully monitored for signs and symptoms of pneumonia, especially if they have underlying conditions which may predispose them to pneumonia (see WARNINGS).

LESS COMMON EVENTS

The following adverse events have been reported in 1 or more subjects; however, a causal relationship to FUZEON has not been established.

Immune System Disorders: worsening abacavir hypersensitivity reaction

Renal and Urinary Disorders: renal insufficiency (glomerulonephritis); renal failure

Blood and Lymphatic Disorders: thrombocytopenia; neutropenia, and fever

Endocrine and Metabolic: hyperglycemia

Infections and Infestations: pneumonia

Nervous System Disorders: Guillain-Barre syndrome (fatal); sixth nerve palsy

LABORATORY ABNORMALITIES

Table 6 shows the treatment-emergent laboratory abnormalities that occurred in at least 2% of subjects and more frequently in those receiving FUZEON + background regimen than background regimen alone from studies T20-301 and T20-302.

Table 6 Percentage of Treatment-Emergent Laboratory Abnormalities That Occurred in >/=2% of Adult Patients and More Frequently in Patients Receiving FUZEON (Pooled Studies T20-301 and T20-302 at 24 Weeks)
Laboratory Parameters Grading FUZEON +
Background Regimen
Background Regimen
N=663 N=334
Eosinophilia
1-2 X ULN (0.7 × 109/L) 0.7-1.4 × 109/L) 8.3% 1.5%
>2 X ULN (0.7 × 109/L) >1.4 × 109/L) 1.8% 0.9%
Amylase (U/L)
Gr. 3 >2-5 × ULN 6.2% 3.6%
Gr. 4 >5 × ULN
or clinical pancreatitis
0.9% 0.6%
Lipase (U/L)
Gr. 3 >2-5 × ULN 5.9% 3.6%
Gr. 4 >5 × ULN 2.3% 1.8%
Triglycerides (mmol/L)
Gr. 3 >1000 mg/dL 8.9% 7.2%
ALT
Gr. 3 >5-10 × ULN 3.5% 2.1%
Gr. 4 >10 × ULN 0.9% 0.6%
AST
Gr. 3 >5-10 × ULN 3.6% 3.0%
Gr. 4 >10 × ULN 1.2% 0.6%
Creatine Phosphokinase (U/L)
Gr. 3 >5-10 × ULN 5.9% 3.6%
Gr. 4 >10 × ULN 2.3% 3.6%
GGT (U/L)
Gr. 3 >5-10 × ULN 3.5% 3.3%
Gr. 4 >10 × ULN 2.4% 1.8%
Hemoglobin (g/dL)
Gr. 3 6.5-7.9 g/dL 1.5% 0.9%
Gr. 4 <6.5 g/dL 0.6% 0.6%

ADVERSE EVENTS IN PEDIATRIC PATIENTS

FUZEON has been studied in 35 pediatric subjects 6 through 16 years of age with duration of FUZEON exposure ranging from 1 dose to 48 weeks. Adverse experiences seen during clinical trials were similar to those observed in adult subjects.



REPORTS OF SIDE EFFECTS / ADVERSE REACTIONS RELATED TO FUZEON

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

Possible Fuzeon side effects / adverse reactions in 56 year old female

Reported by a physician from Brazil on 2007-01-16

Patient: 56 year old female weighing 60.0 kg (132.0 pounds)

Reactions: Renal Failure, Hepatic Failure

Adverse event resulted in: hospitalization

Suspect drug(s):
Fuzeon

Other drugs received by patient: Tenofovir; Lamivudine; Efavirenz



Possible Fuzeon side effects / adverse reactions in 47 year old male

Reported by a consumer/non-health professional from France on 2007-01-19

Patient: 47 year old male weighing 73.0 kg (160.6 pounds)

Reactions: Malaise, Angioedema, Hypersensitivity, Palpitations, Urticaria

Adverse event resulted in: hospitalization

Suspect drug(s):
Fuzeon
    Indication: HIV Infection
    Start date: 2006-07-20
    End date: 2006-07-20

Fuzeon
    Start date: 2006-07-23

Fuzeon
    Start date: 2003-06-15
    End date: 2003-06-15

Other drugs received by patient: Tmc114; Truvada



Possible Fuzeon side effects / adverse reactions in 39 year old male

Reported by a consumer/non-health professional from France on 2007-01-29

Patient: 39 year old male weighing 68.0 kg (149.6 pounds)

Reactions: Rhabdomyolysis, Immune Reconstitution Syndrome, Blood Creatine Phosphokinase Increased, Folliculitis, Rash

Adverse event resulted in: hospitalization

Suspect drug(s):
Kivexa
    Dosage: 1tab per day
    Administration route: Oral
    Indication: HIV Infection
    Start date: 2006-01-10

Ziagen
    Indication: HIV Infection
    Start date: 2005-03-01

Darunavir
    Dosage: 2unit twice per day
    Administration route: Oral
    Indication: HIV Infection
    Start date: 2006-01-10

Videx
    Dosage: 1unit per day
    Administration route: Oral
    Indication: HIV Infection
    Start date: 2005-03-01

Fuzeon
    Dosage: 2unit twice per day
    Indication: HIV Infection
    Start date: 2006-01-10

Other drugs received by patient: Ritonavir



See index of all Fuzeon side effect reports >>

Drug label data at the top of this Page last updated: 2006-05-13

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