ugs that may impair renal function. Because immunosuppressive treatment is necessary for the treatment of glomerulonephritis, avoid using TEGSEDI in patients for whom immunosuppressive treatment is not advised.
5.3 TEGSEDI REMS Program
TEGSEDI is available only through a restricted program under a Risk eva luation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) called the TEGSEDI REMS Program, because of risks of serious bleeding caused by severe thrombocytopenia and because of glomerulonephritis [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1, 5.2)].
Important requirements of the TEGSEDI Prescribing Program include:
Prescribers must be certified within the program by enrolling and completing training.
Patients must enroll in the program and comply with ongoing monitoring requirements [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) and Dosage and Administration (2.4)]. Pharmacies must be certified with the program and must only dispense to patients who are authorized to receive TEGSEDI.
Further information, including a list of qualified pharmacies/distributors, is available at WWW.TEGSEDIREMS.COM or 1-844-483-4736.
5.4 Stroke and Cervicocephalic Arterial Dissection
TEGSEDI may cause stroke and cervicocephalic arterial dissection. In clinical studies, 1 of 161 (0.6%) TEGSEDI-treated patients experienced carotid artery dissection and stroke. These events occurred within 2 days of the first TEGSEDI dose, a time when the patient also had symptoms of cytokine release (e.g., nausea, vomiting, muscular pain and weakness) and a high sensitivity C-reactive protein level greater than 100 mg/L.
Educate patients on the symptoms of stroke and central nervous system arterial dissection. Instruct patients to seek help as soon as possible if symptoms of stroke or arterial dissection occur.
5.5 Inflammatory and Immune Effects
Inflammatory and immune changes are an effect of some antisense oligonucleotide drugs, including TEGSEDI. In clinical studies, serious inflammatory and immune adverse reactions occurred in TEGSEDI-treated patients, including immune thrombocytopenia and glomerulonephritis, as well as a single case of antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody (ANCA)-positive systemic vasculitis [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) and (5.3)].
Neurologic Serious Adverse Reactions
In clinical studies, neurologic serious adverse reactions consistent with inflammatory and immune effects occurred in TEGSEDI-treated patients, in addition to stroke and carotid artery dissection [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5)]. Two months after the first TEGSEDI dose, one patient developed a change in gait that progressed over 6 months to paraparesis, in the absence of radiologic evidence of spinal cord compression. Another patient developed progressive lumbar pain, weight loss, headache, vomiting, and impaired speech 7 months after starting TEGSEDI. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis findings included elevated protein, a lymphocyte-predominant pleocytosis, and testing that was negative for infection. The patient recovered after empiric therapy (high-dose steroids, antibiotics) and resumed TEGSEDI without recurrence of symptoms.
5.6 Liver Effects
The liver is a site of accumulation of antisense oligonucleotides. In clinical studies, 8% of TEGSEDI-treated patients had an increased alanine aminotransferase (ALT) at least 3 times the upper limit of normal (ULN), compared to 3% of patients on placebo; 3% of TEGSEDI-treated patients had an ALT at least 8 times the ULN, com |
