Severe thrombocytopenia and gastrointestinal bleeding have been reported with concomitant use of ZOLINZA and other HDAC inhibitors (e.g., valproic acid). Monitor platelet count every 2 weeks for the first 2 months. [See Warnings and Precautions (5.6).]

Pregnancy Category D [See Warnings and Precautions (5.7)]

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 serious adverse reactions in nursing infants from ZOLINZA, a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother.

The safety and effectiveness of ZOLINZA in pediatric patients have not been established.

Of the total number of patients with CTCL in trials (N=107), 46 percent were 65 years of age and over, while 15 percent were 75 years of age and over. No overall differences in safety or effectiveness were observed between these subjects and younger subjects, and other reported clinical experience has not identified differences in responses between the elderly and younger patients, but greater sensitivity of some older individuals cannot be ruled out.

Vorinostat was not eva luated in patients with hepatic impairment. As vorinostat is predominantly eliminated through metabolism, patients with hepatic impairment should be treated with caution. [See Clinical Pharmacology (12.3).]

Vorinostat was not eva luated in patients with renal impairment. However, renal excretion does not play a role in the elimination of vorinostat. Patients with pre-existing renal impairment should be treated with caution. [See Clinical Pharmacology (12.3).]

No specific information is available on the treatment of overdosage of ZOLINZA.

In the event of overdose, it is reasonable to employ the usual supportive measures, e.g., remove unabsorbed material from the gastrointestinal tract, employ clinical monitoring, and institute supportive therapy, if required. It is not known if vorinostat is dialyzable.

ZOLINZA contains vorinostat, which is described chemically as N-hydroxy-N'-phenyloctanediamide.

The empirical formula is CHNO. The molecular weight is 264.32 and the structural formula is:

Vorinostat is a white to light orange powder. It is very slightly soluble in water, slightly soluble in ethanol, isopropanol and acetone, freely soluble in dimethyl sulfoxide and insoluble in methylene chloride. It has no chiral centers and is non-hygroscopic. The differential scanning calorimetry ranged from 161.7 (endotherm) to 163.9°C. The pH of saturated water solutions of vorinostat drug substance was 6.6. The pKa of vorinostat was determined to be 9.2.

Each 100 mg ZOLINZA capsule for oral administration contains 100 mg vorinostat and the following inactive ingredients: microcrystalline cellulose, sodium croscarmellose and magnesium stearate. The capsule shell excipients are titanium dioxide, gelatin and sodium lauryl sulfate.

Vorinostat inhibits the enzymatic activity of histone deacetylases HDAC1, HDAC2 and HDAC3 (Class I) and HDAC6 (Class II) at nanomolar concentrations (IC<86 nM). These enzymes catalyze the removal of acetyl groups from the lysine