WARNINGS
Pregnancy Category X: (See BOXED WARNINGS and CONTRAINDICATIONS)
REVLIMID® (lenalidomide) is an analogue of thalidomide. Thalidomide is a known human teratogen that causes life-threatening human birth defects. REVLIMID® (lenalidomide) may cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant female. Females of childbearing potential should be advised to avoid pregnancy while on REVLIMID® (lenalidomide). Two effective contraceptive methods should be used during therapy, during therapy interruptions and for at least 4 weeks after completing therapy.
There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant females.
Because of this potential toxicity and to avoid fetal exposure to REVLIMID® (lenalidomide), REVLIMID® (lenalidomide) is only available under a special restricted distribution program. This program is called RevAssist®.
Lenalidomide has been shown to have an embryocidal effect in rabbits at a dose of 50 mg/kg (approximately 120 times the human dose of 10 mg based on body surface area).
An embryo-fetal development study in rats revealed no teratogenic effects at the highest dose of 500 mg/kg (approximately 600 times the human dose of 10 mg based on body surface area). At 100, 300 or 500 mg/kg/day there was minimal maternal toxicity that included slight, transient, reduction in mean body weight gain and food intake. However this animal model may not adequately address the full spectrum of the potential embryo-fetal developmental effects of lenalidomide.
A pre- and post-natal development study in rats revealed few adverse effects on the offspring of female rats treated with lenalidomide at doses up to 500 mg/kg (approximately 600 times the human dose of 10 mg based on body surface area). The male offspring exhibited slightly delayed sexual maturation and the female offspring had slightly lower body weight gains during gestation when bred to male offspring.
Reproductive effects of lenalidomide have not been thoroughly assessed. The structural similarity of lenalidomide to thalidomide, a known human teratogen, suggests a potential risk to the developing fetus.
HEMATOLOGIC TOXICITY (NEUTROPENIA AND THROMBOCYTOPENIA):
This drug is associated with significant neutropenia and thrombocytopenia.
Eighty percent of patients with del 5q MDS had to have a dose delay or reduction during the major study for the indication. Thirty-four percent of patients had to have a second dose delay/reduction. Grade 3 or 4 hematologic toxicity was seen in 80% of patients enrolled in the study. In the 48% of patients who developed Grade 3 or 4 neutropenia, the median time to onset was 42 days (range, 14-411 days), and the median time to documented recovery was 17 days (range, 2-170 days). In the 54% of patients who developed Grade 3 or 4 thrombocytopenia, the median time to onset was 28 days (range, 8-290 days), and the median time to documented recovery was 22 days (range, 5-224 days). Patients on therapy for del 5q myelodysplastic syndromes should have their complete blood counts monitored weekly for the first 8 weeks of therapy and at least monthly thereafter. Patients may require dose interruption and/or reduction. Patients may require use of blood product support and/or growth factors. (See DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION)
In the pooled multiple myeloma studies Grade 3 and 4 hematologic toxicities were more frequent in patients treated with the combination of REVLIMID® (lenalidomide) and dexamethasone than in patients treated with dexamethasone alone. (See ADVERSE REACTIONS: Table 7.) Patients on therapy should have their complete blood counts monitored every 2 weeks for the first 12 weeks and then monthly thereafter. Patients may require dose interruption and/or dose reduction. (See DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION)
DEEP VENOUS THROMBOSIS AND PULMONARY EMBOLISM:
This drug has demonstrated a significantly increased risk of DVT and PE in patients with multiple myeloma who were treated with REVLIMID® (lenalidomide) combination therapy. Patients and physicians are advised to be observant for the signs and symptoms of thromboembolism. Patients should be instructed to seek medical care if they develop symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, or arm or leg swelling. It is not known whether prophylactic anticoagulation or antiplatelet therapy prescribed in conjunction with REVLIMID® (lenalidomide) may lessen the potential for venous thromboembolic events. The decision to take prophylactic measures should be done carefully after an assessment of an individual patient’s underlying risk factors. (See ADVERSE REACTIONS: Table 7)
PRECAUTIONS
General
No formal studies have been conducted in patients with renal impairment. This drug is known to be excreted by the kidney, and the risk of adverse reactions to this drug may be greater in patients with impaired renal function.
Information for Patients
Patients should be counseled on lenalidomide’s potential risk of teratogenicity due to its structural similarity to thalidomide. Patients may only acquire a prescription for REVLIMID® (lenalidomide) therapy through a controlled distribution program (RevAssist®) through contracted pharmacies. Female patients of childbearing potential will be educated and counseled on the requirements of the RevAssist® program and the precautions to be taken to preclude fetal exposure to REVLIMID® (lenalidomide). Patients should become familiar with the REVLIMID® (lenalidomide) RevAssist® educational materials and Patient Medication Guide, and direct any questions to their physician or pharmacist prior to starting REVLIMID® (lenalidomide) therapy.
Laboratory Tests
The MDS clinical study enrolled patients with absolute neutrophil counts (ANC) ≥ 500/mm3, platelet counts ≥ 50,000/mm3, serum creatinine ≤ 2.5 mg/dL, serum SGOT/AST or SGPT/ALT ≤ 3.0 x upper limit of normal (ULN), and serum direct bilirubin ≤ 2.0 mg/dL . A complete blood cell count (CBC), including white blood cell count with differential, platelet count, hemoglobin, and hematocrit should be performed weekly for the first 8 weeks of REVLIMID® (lenalidomide) treatment and monthly thereafter to monitor for cytopenias.
The multiple myeloma Studies 1 and 2 enrolled patients with absolute neutrophil counts (ANC) ≥ 1000/mm3, platelet counts ≥ 75,000/mm3, serum creatinine ≤ 2.5 mg/dL, serum SGOT/AST or SGPT/ALT ≤ 3.0 x upper limit of normal (ULN), and serum direct bilirubin ≤ 2.0 mg/dL. A CBC should be performed every two weeks for the first three months and at least monthly thereafter to monitor for cytopenias.
Drug Interactions
Results from human in vitro metabolism studies and nonclinical studies show that REVLIMID® (lenalidomide) is neither metabolized by nor inhibits or induces the cytochrome P450 pathway suggesting that lenalidomide is not likely to cause or be subject to P450-based metabolic drug interactions in man.
Co-administration of multiple doses of 10 mg of lenalidomide had no effect on the single dose pharmacokinetics of R- and S- warfarin. Co-administration of single 25-mg dose warfarin had no effect on the pharmacokinetics of total lenalidomide. Expected changes in laboratory assessments of PT and INR were observed after warfarin administration, but these changes were not affected by concomitant lenalidomide administration.
When digoxin was co-administered with lenalidomide the digoxin AUC was not significantly different, however, the digoxin Cmax was increased by 14%. Periodic monitoring of digoxin plasma levels, in accordance with clinical judgment and based on standard clinical practice in patients receiving this medication, is recommended during administration of lenalidomide.
Carcinogenesis, mutagenesis, impairment of fertility
Carcinogenicity: Carcinogenicity studies with lenalidomide have not been conducted.
Mutagenesis: Lenalidomide did not induce mutation in the Ames test, chromosome aberrations in cultured human peripheral blood lymphocytes, or mutation at the thymidine kinase (tk) locus of mouse lymphoma L5178Y cells. Lenalidomide did not increase morphological transformation in Syrian Hamster Embryo assay or induce micronuclei in the polychromatic erythrocytes of the bone marrow of male rats.
Fertility: A fertility and early embryonic development study in rats, with administration of lenalidomide up to 500 mg/kg (approximately 600 times the human dose of 10 mg, based on body surface area) produced no parental toxicity and no adverse effects on fertility.
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Category X: (See BOXED WARNINGS and CONTRAINDICATIONS)
Because of the structural similarity to thalidomide, a known human teratogen, and the lack of sufficient information regarding lenalidomide’s teratogenic potential, REVLIMID® (lenalidomide) is contraindicated in females who are or may become pregnant and who are not using the two required types of birth control or who are not continually abstaining from reproductive heterosexual sexual intercourse. REVLIMID® (lenalidomide) should not be used by females who are pregnant or who could become pregnant while taking the drug. If pregnancy does occur during treatment, the drug should be immediately discontinued. Under these conditions, the patient should be referred to an obstetrician/gynecologist experienced in reproductive toxicity for further evaluation and counseling. Any suspected fetal exposure to REVLIMID® (lenalidomide) should be reported to the FDA via the MedWatch program at 1-800-FDA-1088 and also to Celgene Corporation at 1-888-423-5436.
Use in Nursing Mothers
It is not known whether this drug is excreted in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk and because of the potential for adverse reactions in nursing infants from lenalidomide, a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or to discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother.
Pediatric Use
Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients below the age of 18 have not been established.
Geriatric Use
REVLIMID® (lenalidomide) has been used in del 5q MDS clinical trials in patients up to 95 years of age.
Of the 148 patients with del 5q MDS enrolled in the major study, 38% were age 65 and over, while 33% were age 75 and over. Although the overall frequency of adverse events (100%) was the same in patients over 65 years of age as in younger patients, the frequency of serious adverse events was higher in patients over 65 years of age than in younger patients (54% vs. 33%). A greater proportion of patients over 65 years of age discontinued from the clinical studies because of adverse events than the proportion of younger patients (27% vs.16%). No differences in efficacy were observed between patients over 65 years of age and younger patients.
REVLIMID® (lenalidomide) has been used in multiple myeloma (MM) clinical trials in patients up to 86 years of age.
Of the 692 MM patients enrolled in Studies 1 and 2, 45% were age 65 or over while 12% of patients were age 75 and over. The percentage of patients age 65 or over was not significantly different between the REVLIMID® (lenalidomide)/dexamethasone and placebo/dexamethasone groups. Of the 346 patients who received REVLIMID® (lenalidomide)/dexamethasone, 46% were age 65 and over. In both studies, patients > 65 years of age were more likely than patients ≤ 65 years of age to experience diarrhea, fatigue, pulmonary embolism, and syncope following use of REVLIMID® (lenalidomide). No differences in efficacy were observed between patients over 65 years of age and younger patients.
This drug is known to be substantially excreted by the kidney, and the risk of toxic reactions to this drug may be greater in patients with impaired renal function. Because elderly patients are more likely to have decreased renal function, care should be taken in dose selection, and it would be prudent to monitor renal function.
Renal Impairment
This drug is known to be substantially excreted by the kidney, and the risk of toxic reactions to this drug is expected to be greater in patients with impaired renal function. Patients with renal insufficiency were excluded from the clinical trials, and those who developed renal insufficiency during the clinical trials had the drug held. Care should be taken in dose selection, and it would be prudent to monitor renal function.
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