Hepatic effects
Cases of hepatic failure (including fatalities) have been reported during use of pazopanib. The safety and pharmacokinetics of pazopanib have not been fully established in patients with pre-existing hepatic impairment. Administration of pazopanib to patients with mild or moderate hepatic impairment should be undertaken with caution and close monitoring. It is recommended that patients with mild abnormalities in liver parameter are treated initially with 800 mg pazopanib once daily. A reduced pazopanib dose of 200 mg once daily is recommended in patients with moderate hepatic impairment (see section 4.2). Pazopanib is contraindicated in patients with severe hepatic impairment (see section 4.3).
In clinical studies with pazopanib, increase in serum transaminases (ALT, AST) and bilirubin were observed (see section 4.8). In the majority of the cases, isolated increases in ALT and AST have been reported, without concomitant elevations of alkaline phosphatase or bilirubin.
Monitor serum liver tests before initiation of treatment with pazopanib and at least once every 4 weeks for the first 4 months of treatment, and as clinically indicated. Periodic monitoring should then continue after this time period.
• Patients with isolated transaminase elevations 8 X upper limit of normal (ULN) may be continued on pazopanib with weekly monitoring of liver function until transaminases return to Grade 1 or baseline.
• Patients with transaminases of > 8 X ULN should have pazopanib interrupted until they return to Grade 1 or baseline. If the potential benefit for reinitiating pazopanib treatment is considered to outweigh the risk for hepatotoxicity, then reintroduce pazopanib at a reduced dose and measure serum liver tests weekly for 8 weeks (see section 4.2). Following reintroduction of pazopanib, if transaminase elevations > 3 X ULN recur, then pazopanib should be discontinued.
• If transaminase elevations > 3 X ULN occur concurrently with bilirubin elevations > 2 X ULN, bilirubin fractionation should be performed. If direct (conjugated) bilirubin is > 35 % of total bilirubin, pazopanib should be discontinued.
Hypertension
In clinical studies with pazopanib, events of hypertension including newly diagnosed symptomatic episodes of elevated blood pressure (hypertensive crisis) have occurred. Blood pressure should be well controlled prior to initiating pazopanib. Patients should be monitored for hypertension and treated as needed with standard anti-hypertensive therapy (see section 4.8). Elevated blood pressure levels (systolic blood pressure 150 or diastolic blood pressure 100 mm Hg) occurred early in the course of treatment (39 % of cases occurred by Day 9 and 88 % of cases occurred in the first 18 weeks). In the case of persistent hypertension despite anti-hypertensive therapy, the pazopanib dose may be reduced (see section 4.2). Pazopanib should be discontinued if there is evidence of persistently elevated values of blood pressure (140/90 mm Hg) or if arterial hypertension is severe and persists despite anti-hypertensive therapy and pazopanib dose reduction.
QT prolongation and Torsade de Pointes
In clinical studies with pazopanib, events of QT prolongation and Torsade de Pointes have occurred (see section 4.8). Pazopanib should be used with caution in patients with a history of QT interval prolongation, in patients taking antiarrythmics or other medicinal products that may prolong QT interval and those with relevant pre-existing cardiac disease. When using pazopanib, base line and periodic monitoring of electrocardiograms and maintenance of electrolytes (e.g. calcium, magnesium, potassium) within normal range is recommended.
Arterial thrombotic events
In clinical studies with pazopanib, myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, and transient ischemic attack were observed (see section 4.8). Pazopanib should be used with caution in patients who are at increased risk for any of these events. A treatment decision should be made based upon the assessment of individual patient's benefit/risk.
Haemorrhagic events
In clinical studies with pazopanib haemorrhagic events have been reported (see section 4.8). Pazopanib is not recommended in patients who had a history of haemoptysis, cerebral, or clinically significant gastrointestinal (GI) haemorrhage in the past 6 months. Pazopanib should be used with caution in patients with significant risk of haemorrhage.
Gastrointestinal perforations and fistula
In clinical studies with pazopanib, events of GI perforation or fistula have occurred (see section 4.8). Pazopanib should be used with caution in patients at risk for GI perforation or fistula.
Wound healing
No formal studies on the effect of pazopanib on wound healing have been conducted. Since Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) inhibitors may impair wound healing, treatment with pazopanib should be stopped at least 7 days prior to scheduled surgery. The decision to resume pazopanib after surgery should be based on clinical judgement of adequate wound healing. Pazopanib should be discontinued in patients with wound dehiscence.
Heart failure
The safety and pharmacokinetics of pazopanib in patients with moderate to severe heart failure has not been studied.
Hypothyroidism
In clinical studies with pazopanib, events of hypothyroidism have occurred (see section 4.8). Baseline laboratory measurement of thyroid function is recommended and patients with hypothyroidism should be treated as per standard medical practice prior to the start of pazopanib treatment. All patients should be observed closely for signs and symptoms of thyroid dysfunction on pazopanib treatment. Laboratory monitoring of thyroid function should be performed periodically and managed as per standard medical practice.
Proteinuria
In clinical studies with pazopanib, proteinuria has been reported. Baseline and periodic urinanalysis during treatment is recommended and patients should be monitored for worsening proteinuria. Pazopanib should be discontinued if the patient develops Grade 4 proteinuria.
Pregnancy
Pre-clinical studies in animals have shown reproductive toxicity (see section 5.3). If pazopanib is used during pregnancy, or if the patient becomes pregnant whilst receiving pazopanib, the potential hazard to the foetus should be explained to the patient. Women of childbearing potential should be advised to avoid becoming pregnant while receiving treatment with pazopanib (see section 4.6).
Interactions
Concomitant treatment with strong inhibitors of CYP3A4, P-glycoprotein (P-gp) or breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP) should be avoided due to risk of increased exposure to pazopanib (see section 4.5). Selection of alternative concomitant medicinal products with no or minimal potential to inhibit CYP3A4, P-gp or BCRP should be considered.
Concomitant treatment with inducers of CYP3A4 should be avoided due to risk of decreased exposure to pazopanib (see section 4.5).
Concomitant administration of pazopanib with uridine diphosphate glucuronosyl transferase 1A1 (UGT1A1) substrates (e.g. irinotecan) should be undertaken with caution since pazopanib is an inhibitor of UGT1A1.
Grapefruit juice should be avoided during treatment with pazopanib (see section 4.5).
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