ALIMTA* 100mg and 500mg powder for concentrate for solution for infusion.

Each 100mg vial contains 100mg of pemetrexed (as pemetrexed disodium).

Excipients: Each vial contains approximately 11mg sodium.

Each 500mg vial contains 500mg of pemetrexed (as pemetrexed disodium).

Excipients: Each vial contains approximately 54mg sodium.

After reconstitution (see section 6.6), each vial contains 25mg/ml of pemetrexed.

For a full list of excipients see section 6.1.

Powder for concentrate for solution for infusion.

White to either light yellow or green-yellow lyophilised powder.

Malignant pleural mesothelioma:

ALIMTA in combination with cisplatin is indicated for the treatment of chemotherapy naive patients with unresectable malignant pleural mesothelioma.

Non-small cell lung cancer:

ALIMTA in combination with cisplatin is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer other than predominantly squamous cell histology (see section 5.1).

ALIMTA is indicated as monotherapy for the maintenance treatment of locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer other than predominantly squamous cell histology in patients whose disease has not progressed immediately following platinum-based chemotherapy (see section 5.1).

ALIMTA is indicated as monotherapy for the second-line treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer other than predominantly squamous cell histology (see section 5.1).

Posology:

ALIMTA must only be administered under the supervision of a physician qualified in the use of anti-cancer chemotherapy.

ALIMTA in combination with cisplatin: The recommended dose of ALIMTA is 500mg/m² of body surface area (BSA) administered as an intravenous infusion over 10 minutes on the first day of each 21-day cycle. The recommended dose of cisplatin is 75mg/m² BSA infused over two hours approximately 30 minutes after completion of the pemetrexed infusion on the first day of each 21-day cycle. Patients must receive adequate anti-emetic treatment and appropriate hydration prior to and/or after receiving cisplatin (see also cisplatin Summary of Product Characteristics for specific dosing advice).

ALIMTA as single agent: In patients treated for non-small cell lung cancer after prior chemotherapy, the recommended dose of ALIMTA is 500mg/m² BSA administered as an intravenous infusion over 10 minutes on the first day of each 21-day cycle.

Pre-Medication Regimen

To reduce the incidence and severity of skin reactions, a corticosteroid should be given the day prior to, on the day of, and the day after pemetrexed administration. The corticosteroid should be equivalent to 4mg of dexamethasone administered orally twice a day (see section 4.4).

To reduce toxicity, patients treated with pemetrexed must also receive vitamin supplementation (see section 4.4). Patients must take oral folic acid or a multivitamin containing folic acid (350 to 1,000 micrograms) on a daily basis. At least five doses of folic acid must be taken during the seven days preceding the first dose of pemetrexed, and dosing must continue during the full course of therapy and for 21 days after the last dose of pemetrexed. Patients must also receive an intramuscular injection of vitamin B₁₂ (1,000 micrograms) in the week preceding the first dose of pemetrexed and once every three cycles thereafter. Subsequent vitamin B₁₂ injections may be given on the same day as pemetrexed.

Monitoring

Patients receiving pemetrexed should be monitored before each dose with a complete blood count, including a differential white cell count (WCC) and platelet count. Prior to each chemotherapy administration, blood chemistry tests should be collected to eva luate renal and hepatic function. Before the start of any cycle of chemotherapy, patients are required to have the following: absolute neutrophil count (ANC) should be 1,500 cells/mm³ and platelets should be 100,000 cells/mm³.

Creatinine clearance should be 45ml/min.

The total bilirubin should be 1.5-times upper limit of normal. Alkaline phosphatase (AP), aspartate transaminase (AST or SGOT), and alanine transaminase (ALT or SGPT) should be 3-times upper limit of normal. Alkaline phosphatase, AST, and ALT 5-times upper limit of normal is acceptable if liver has tumour involvement.

Dose Adjustments

Dose adjustments at the start of a subsequent cycle should be based on nadir haematologic counts or maximum non-haematologic toxicity from the preceding cycle of therapy. Treatment may be delayed to allow sufficient time for recovery. Upon recovery, patients should be re-treated using the guidelines in Tables 1, 2, and 3, which are applicable for ALIMTA used as a single agent or in combination with cisplatin.

Table 1. Dose Modification Table for ALIMTA (as Single Agent or in Combination) and Cisplatin - Haematologic Toxicities

^a These criteria meet the National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity Criteria (CTC v2.0; NCI 1998) definition of CTC Grade 2 bleeding.

If patients develop non-haematologic toxicities Grade 3 (excluding neurotoxicity), ALIMTA should be withheld until resolution to less than or equal to the patient's pre-therapy value. Treatment should be resumed according to the guidelines in Table 2.

Table 2. Dose Modification Table for ALIMTA (as Single Agent or in Combination) and Cisplatin - Non-Haematologic Toxicities^{a, b}

In the event of neurotoxicity, the recommended dose adjustment for ALIMTA and cisplatin is documented in Table 3. Patients should discontinue therapy if Grade 3 or 4 neurotoxicity is observed.

Table 3. Dose Modification Table for ALIMTA (as Single Agent or in Combination) and Cisplatin - Neurotoxicity

Treatment with ALIMTA should be discontinued if a patient experiences any haematologic or non-haematologic Grade 3 or 4 toxicity after 2 dose reductions or immediately if Grade 3 or 4 neurotoxicity is observed.

Elderly: In clinical studies, there has been no indication that patients 65 years of age or older are at increased risk of adverse events compared to patients younger than 65 years old. No dose reductions other than those recommended for all patients are necessary.

Paediatric population: There is no relevant use of ALIMTA in the paediatric population in malignant pleural mesothelioma and non-small cell lung cancer.

Patients with renal impairment (standard Cockcroft and Gault formula or glomerular filtration rate measured Tc99m-DPTA serum clearance method): Pemetrexed is primarily eliminated unchanged by renal excretion. In clinical studies, patients with creatinine clearance of 45ml/min required no dose adjustments other than those recommended for all patients. There are insufficient data on the use of pemetrexed in patients with creatinine clearance below 45ml/min; therefore, the use of pemetrexed is not recommended (see section 4.4).

Patients with hepatic impairment: No relationships between AST (SGOT), ALT (SGPT), or total bilirubin and pemetrexed pharmacokinetics were identified. However, patients with hepatic impairment, such as bilirubin >1.5-times the upper limit of normal and/or transaminase >3.0-times the upper limit of normal (hepatic metastases absent) or >5.0-times the upper limit of normal (hepatic metastases present), have not been specifically studied.

Method of administration:

For Precautions to be taken before handling or administering ALIMTA, see section 6.6.

ALIMTA should be administered as an intravenous infusion over 10 minutes on the first day of each 21-day cycle. For instructions on reconstitution and dilution of ALIMTA before administration, see section 6.6.

Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients.

Breast-feeding (see section 4.6).

Concomitant yellow fever vaccine (see section 4.5).

Pemetrexed can suppress bone marrow function as manifested by neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, and anaemia (or pancytopenia) (see section 4.8). Myelosuppression is usually the dose-limiting toxicity. Patients should be monitored for myelosuppression during therapy and pemetrexed should not be given to patients until absolute neutrophil count (ANC) returns to 1,500 cells/mm³ and platelet count returns to 100,000 cells/mm³. Dose reductions for subsequent cycles are based on nadir ANC, platelet count, and maximum non-haematologic toxicity seen from the previous cycle (see section 4.2).

Less toxicity and reduction in Grade 3/4 haematologic and non-haematologic toxicities, such as neutropenia, febrile neutropenia, and infection with Grade 3/4 neutropenia, were reported when pre-treatment with folic acid and vitamin B₁₂ was administered. Therefore, all patients treated with pemetrexed must be instructed to take folic acid and vitamin B₁₂ as a prophylactic measure to reduce treatment-related toxicity (see section 4.2).

Skin reactions have been reported in patients not pre-treated with a corticosteroid. Pre-treatment with dexamethasone (or equivalent) can reduce the incidence and severity of skin reactions (see section 4.2).

An insufficient number of patients has been studied with creatinine clearance of below 45ml/min. Therefore, the use of pemetrexed in patients with creatinine clearance of <45ml/min is not recommended (see section 4.2).

Patients with mild to moderate renal insufficiency (creatinine clearance from 45 to 79ml/min) should avoid taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, and aspirin (>1.3g daily) for 2 days before, on the day of, and 2 days following pemetrexed administration (see section 4.5).

In patients with mild to moderate renal insufficiency eligible for pemetrexed therapy, NSAIDs with long elimination half-lives should be interrupted for at least 5 days prior to, on the day of, and at least 2 days following pemetrexed administration (see section 4.5).

Serious renal events, including acute renal failure, have been reported with pemetrexed alone or in association with other chemotherapeutic agents. Many of the patients in whom these occurred had underlying risk factors for the development of renal events, including dehydration or pre-existing hypertension or diabetes.

The effect of third-space fluid, such as pleural effusion or ascites, on pemetrexed is not fully defined. A Phase 2 study of pemetrexed in 31 solid tumour patients with stable third-space fluid demonstrated no difference in pemetrexed dose normalised plasma concentrations or clearance compared to patients without third-space fluid collections. Thus, drainage of third-space fluid collection prior to pemetrexed treatment should be considered, but may not be necessary.

Due to the gastrointestinal toxicity of pemetrexed given in combination with cisplatin, severe dehydration has been observed. Therefore, patients should receive adequate anti-emetic treatment and appropriate hydration prior to and/or after receiving treatment.

Serious cardiovascular events, including myocardial infarction and cerebrovascular events, have been uncommonly reported during clinical studies with pemetrexed, usually when given in combination with another cytotoxic agent. Most of the patients in whom these events have been observed had pre-existing cardiovascular risk factors (see section 4.8).

Immunodepressed status is common in cancer patients. As a result, concomitant use of live attenuated vaccines is not recommended (see section 4.3 and 4.5).

Pemetrexed can have genetically damaging effects. Sexually mature males are advised not to father a child during the treatment and up to 6 months thereafter. Contraceptive measures or abstinence are recommended. Owing to the possibility of pemetrexed treatment causing irreversible infertility, men are advised to seek counselling on sperm storage before starting treatment.

Women of childbearing potential must use effective contraception during treatment with pemetrexed (see section 4.6).

Cases of radiation pneumonitis have been reported in patients treated with radiation either prior, during, or subsequent to their pemetrexed therapy. Particular attention should be paid to these patients, and caution exercised with use of other radiosensitising agents.

Cases of radiation recall have been reported in patients who received radiotherapy weeks or years previously.

500mg vial: This medicinal product contains approximately 54mg of sodium per vial. To be taken into consideration by patients on a controlled sodium diet.

Pemetrexed is mainly eliminated unchanged renally by tubular secretion and to a lesser extent by glomerular filtration. Concomitant administration of nephrotoxic drugs (e.g., aminoglycoside, loop diuretics, platinum compounds, cyclosporin) could potentially result in delayed clearance of pemetrexed. This combination should be used with caution. If necessary, creatinine clearance should be closely monitored.

Concomitant administration of substances that are also tubularly secreted (e.g., probenecid, penicillin) could potentially result in delayed clearance of pemetrexed. Caution should be made when these drugs are combined with pemetrexed. If necessary, creatinine clearance should be closely monitored.

In patients with normal renal function (creatinine clearance >80ml/min), high doses of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen >1600mg/day) and aspirin at higher doses (>1.3g daily) may decrease pemetrexed elimination and, consequently, increase the occurrence of pemetrexed adverse events. Therefore, caution should be made when administering higher doses of NSAIDs or aspirin, concurrently with pemetrexed to patients with normal function (creatinine clearance >80ml/min).

In patients with mild to moderate renal insufficiency (creatinine clearance from 45 to 79ml/min), the concomitant administration of pemetrexed with NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen) or aspirin at higher doses should be avoided for 2 days before, on the day of, and 2 days following pemetrexed administration (see section 4.4).

In the absence of data regarding potential interaction with NSAIDs having longer half-lives such as piroxicam or rofecoxib, the concomitant administration with pemetrexed in patients with mild to moderate renal insufficiency should be interrupted for at least 5 days prior to, on the day of, and at least 2 days following pemetrexed administration (see section 4.4).

Pemetrexed undergoes limited hepatic metabolism. Results from in vitro studies with human liver microsomes indicated that pemetrexed would not be predicted to cause clinically significant inhibition of the metabolic clearance of drugs metabolised by CYP3A, CYP2D6, CYP2C9, and CYP1A2.

Interactions Common to all Cytotoxics

Due to the increased thrombotic risk in patients with cancer, the use of anticoagulation treatment is frequent. The high intra-individual variability of the coagulation status during diseases and the possibility of interaction between oral anticoagulants and anti-cancer chemotherapy require increased frequency of INR (International Normalised Ratio) monitoring, if it is decided to treat the patient with oral anticoagulants.

Concomitant Use Contraindicated

Yellow fever vaccine: Risk of fatal generalised vaccinale disease (see section 4.3).

Concomitant Use Not Recommended

Live attenuated vaccines (except yellow fever, for which concomitant use is contraindicated): Risk of systemic, possibly fatal, disease. The risk is increased in subjects who are already immunosuppressed by their underlying disease. Use an inactivated vaccine where it exists (poliomyelitis) (see section 4.4).

Contraception in males and females:

Women of childbearing potential must use effective contraception during treatment with pemetrexed. Pemetrexed can have genetically damaging effects. Sexually mature males are advised not to father a child during the treatment, and up to 6 months thereafter. Contraceptive measures or abstinence are recommended.

Pregnancy:

There are no data from the use of pemetrexed in pregnant women; but pemetrexed, like other anti-metabolites, is suspected to cause serious birth defects when administered during pregnancy. Animal studies have shown reproductive toxicity (see section 5.3). Pemetrexed should not be used during pregnancy unless clearly necessary, after a careful consideration of the needs of the mother and the risk for the foetus (see section 4.4).

Breast-feeding:

It is not known whether pemetrexed is excreted in human milk, and adverse reactions on the suckling child cannot be excluded. Breast-feeding must be discontinued during pemetrexed therapy (see section 4.3).

Fertility:

Owing to the possibility of pemetrexed treatment causing irreversible infertility, men are advised to seek counselling on sperm storage before starting treatment.

No studies on the effects on the ability to drive and use machines have been performed. However, it has been reported that pemetrexed may cause fatigue. Therefore, patients should be cautioned against driving or operating machines if this event occurs.

Summary of the safety profile

The most commonly reported undesirable effects related to pemetrexed, whether used as monotherapy or in combination, are bone marrow suppression manifested as anaemia, neutropenia, leucopenia, thrombocytopenia; and gastrointestinal toxicities, manifested as anorexia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, pharyngitis, mucositis, and stomatitis. Other undesirable effects include renal toxicities, increased transaminases, alopecia, fatigue, dehydration, rash, infection/sepsis and neuropathy. Rarely seen events include Stevens-Johnson syndrome and Toxic epidermal necrolysis.

Tabulated list of adverse reactions

The table below provides the frequency and severity of undesirable effects that have been reported in >5% of 168 patients with mesothelioma who were randomised to receive cisplatin and pemetrexed, and 163 patients with mesothelioma randomised to receive single-agent cisplatin. In both treatment arms, these chemonaive patients were fully supplemented with folic acid and vitamin B₁₂.

Adverse Reactions

Frequency estimate: Very common (1/10), common (1/100 and <1/10), uncommon (1/1,000 and <1/100), rare (1/10,000 and <1/1,000), very rare (<1/10,000) and not known (cannot be estimated from available data – spontaneous reports).

Within each frequency grouping, undesirable effects are presented in order of decreasing seriousness.

* Refer to National Cancer Institute CTC version 2 for each grade of toxicity except the term “creatinine clearance decreased”

** which is derived from the term “renal/genitourinary other”.

*** According to National Cancer Institute CTC (v2.0; NCI 1998), taste disturbance and alopecia should only be reported as Grade 1 or 2.

For the purpose of this table a cut off of 5% was used for inclusion of all events where the reporter considered a possible relationship to pemetrexed and cisplatin.

Clinically relevant CTC toxicities that were reported in 1% and <5% of the patients that were randomly assigned to receive cisplatin and pemetrexed include: renal failure, infection, pyrexia, febrile neutropenia, increased AST, ALT, and GGT, urticaria and chest pain.

Clinically relevant CTC toxicities that were reported in <1% of the patients that were randomly assigned to receive cisplatin and pemetrexed include arrhythmia and motor neuropathy.

The table below provides the frequency and severity of undesirable effects that have been reported in >5% of 265 patients randomly assigned to receive single-agent pemetrexed with folic acid and vitamin B₁₂ supplementation, and 276 patients randomly assigned to receive single-agent docetaxel. All patients were diagnosed with locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer and received prior chemotherapy.

*Refer to National Cancer Institute CTC version 2 for each grade of toxicity.

**According to National Cancer Institute CTC (v2.0; NCI 1998), alopecia should only be reported as Grade 1 or 2.

For the purpose of this table a cut off of 5% was used for inclusion of all events where the reporter considered a possible relationship to pemetrexed.

Clinically relevant CTC toxicities that were reported in 1% and <5% of the patients that were randomly assigned to pemetrexed include: infection without neutropenia, febrile neutropenia, allergic reaction/hypersensitivity, increased creatinine, motor neuropathy, sensory neuropathy, erythema multiforme, and abdominal pain.

Clinically relevant CTC toxicities that were reported in <1% of the patients that were randomly assigned to pemetrexed include supraventricular arrhythmias.

Clinically relevant Grade 3 and Grade 4 laboratory toxicities were similar between integrated Phase 2 results from three single-agent pemetrexed studies (N = 164) and the Phase 3 single-agent pemetrexed study described above, with the exception of neutropenia (12.8% versus 5.3%, respectively) and alanine transaminase elevation (15.2% versus 1.9%, respectively). These differences were likely due to differences in the patient population, since the Phase 2 studies included both chemonaive and heavily pre-treated breast cancer patients with pre-existing liver metastases and/or abnormal baseline liver function tests.

The table below provides the frequency and severity of undesirable effects considered possibly related to study drug that have been reported in >5% of 839 patients with NSCLC who were randomised to receive cisplatin and pemetrexed and 830 patients with NSCLC who were randomised to receive cisplatin and gemcitabine. All patients received study therapy as initial treatment for locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC and patients in both treatment groups were fully supplemented with folic acid and vitamin B₁₂.

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