These highlights do not include all the information needed to use EMEND safely and effectively. See full prescribing information for EMEND. EMEND (fosaprepitant dimeglumine) for Injection, for intravenous useInitial U.S. Approval: 2008
EMEND for Injection is a substance P/neurokinin-1 (NK) receptor antagonist indicated in adults for use in combination with other antiemetic agents for the:
Limitations of Use
EMEND for Injection has not been studied for the treatment of established nausea and vomiting.
Chronic continuous administration is not recommended [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5)].
EMEND for Injection 150 mg (Single Dose Regimen of EMEND):
EMEND for Injection 150 mg is administered intravenously on Day 1 only as an infusion over 20-30 minutes initiated approximately 30 minutes prior to chemotherapy. No capsules of EMEND are administered on Days 2 and 3. EMEND for Injection should be administered in conjunction with a corticosteroid and a 5-HT antagonist as specified in Table 1. The recommended dosage of dexamethasone with EMEND for Injection 150 mg differs from the recommended dosage of dexamethasone with EMEND for Injection 115 mg on Days 3 and 4.
EMEND for Injection 115 mg (3-Day Dosing Regimen of EMEND):
EMEND for Injection 115 mg is administered on Day 1 only as an infusion over 15 minutes initiated 30 minutes prior to chemotherapy. Capsules of EMEND 80 mg should be administered on Days 2 and 3. EMEND for Injection 115 mg should be administered in conjunction with a corticosteroid and a 5-HT antagonist as specified in Table 2. The recommended dosage of dexamethasone with EMEND for Injection 115 mg differs from the recommended dosage of dexamethasone with EMEND for Injection 150 mg on Days 3 and 4.
Capsules of EMEND 125 mg may be substituted for EMEND for Injection 115 mg on Day 1.
Table 1: Recommended dosing (Single Dose Regimen of EMEND) for the prevention of nausea and vomiting associated with highly emetogenic cancer chemotherapy
|
Day 1 |
Day 2 |
Day 3 |
Day 4 |
EMEND |
150 mg intravenous |
none |
none |
none |
Dexamethasone Dexamethasone should be administered 30 minutes prior to chemotherapy treatment on Day 1 and in the morning on Days 2 through 4. The dose of dexamethasone accounts for drug interactions. |
12 mg orally |
8 mg orally |
8 mg orally twice daily |
8 mg orally twice daily |
Ondansetron Ondansetron should be administered 30 minutes prior to chemotherapy treatment on Day 1. |
32 mg intravenous |
none |
none |
none |
Table 2: Recommended dosing (3-Day Dosing Regimen of EMEND) for the prevention of nausea and vomiting associated with highly emetogenic cancer chemotherapy
|
Day 1 |
Day 2 |
Day 3 |
Day 4 |
EMEND |
115 mg intravenous |
80 mg orally |
80 mg orally |
none |
Dexamethasone Dexamethasone should be administered 30 minutes prior to chemotherapy treatment on Day 1 and in the morning on Days 2 through 4. The dose of dexamethasone accounts for drug interactions. |
12 mg orally |
8 mg orally |
8 mg orally once daily |
8 mg orally once daily |
Ondansetron Ondansetron should be administered 30 minutes prior to chemotherapy treatment on Day 1. |
32 mg intravenous |
none |
none |
none |
EMEND for Injection 115 mg (3-Day Dosing Regimen of EMEND):
EMEND for Injection 115 mg is administered on Day 1 only as an infusion over 15 minutes initiated 30 minutes prior to chemotherapy. Capsules of EMEND 80 mg should be administered on Days 2 and 3. EMEND for Injection 115 mg should be administered in conjunction with a corticosteroid and a 5-HT antagonist as specified in Table 3. The recommended dosage of dexamethasone with EMEND for Injection 115 mg differs from the recommended dosage of dexamethasone with EMEND for Injection 150 mg on Days 3 and 4.
Capsules of EMEND 125 mg may be substituted for EMEND for Injection 115 mg on Day 1.
Table 3: Recommended dosing (3-Day Dosing Regimen of EMEND) for the prevention of nausea and vomiting associated with moderately emetogenic cancer chemotherapy
|
Day 1 |
Day 2 |
Day 3 |
EMEND |
115 mg intravenous |
80 mg orally |
80 mg orally |
Dexamethasone Dexamethasone should be administered 30 minutes prior to chemotherapy treatment on Day 1. The dose of dexamethasone accounts for drug interactions. |
12 mg orally |
none |
none |
Ondansetron Ondansetron 8-mg capsule should be administered 30 to 60 minutes prior to chemotherapy treatment and one 8-mg capsule should be administered 8 hours after the first dose on Day 1. |
8 mg orally twice daily |
none |
none |
The reconstituted final drug solution is stable for 24 hours at ambient room temperature (at or below 25°C).
Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration before administration whenever solution and container permit.
Caution: EMEND for Injection should not be mixed or reconstituted with solutions for which physical and chemical compatibility have not been established. EMEND for Injection is incompatible with any solutions containing divalent cations (e.g., Ca, Mg), including Lactated Ringer’s Solution and Hartmann's Solution.
Table 4: Preparation Instructions for EMEND for Injection (115-mg and 150-mg)
|
115 mg |
150 mg |
Step 1 |
Aseptically inject 5 mL 0.9% Sodium Chloride for Injection (normal saline) into the vial. Assure that normal saline is added to the vial along the vial wall in order to prevent foaming. Swirl the vial gently. Avoid shaking and jetting saline into the vial. |
Aseptically inject 5 mL 0.9% Sodium Chloride for Injection (normal saline) into the vial. Assure that normal saline is added to the vial along the vial wall in order to prevent foaming. Swirl the vial gently. Avoid shaking and jetting saline into the vial. |
Step 2 |
Aseptically prepare an infusion bag filled with 110 mL of normal saline. |
Aseptically prepare an infusion bag filled with 145 mL of normal saline. |
Step 3 |
Aseptically withdraw the entire volume from the vial and transfer it into the infusion bag containing 110 mL of normal saline to yield a total volume of 115 mL and a final concentration of 1 mg/1 mL. |
Aseptically withdraw the entire volume from the vial and transfer it into the infusion bag containing 145 mL of normal saline to yield a total volume of 150 mL and a final concentration of 1 mg/1 mL. |
Step 4 |
Gently invert the bag 2-3 times. |
Gently invert the bag 2-3 times. |
|
Note: The differences in preparation for each dose are displayed as bolded text. |
One 150 mg single dose glass vial: White to off-white lyophilized solid (Sterile lyophilized powder for intravenous use only after reconstitution and dilution).
One 115 mg single dose glass vial: White to off-white lyophilized solid (Sterile lyophilized powder for intravenous use only after reconstitution and dilution).
EMEND for Injection is contraindicated in patients who are hypersensitive to EMEND for Injection, aprepitant, polysorbate 80 or any other components of the product. Known hypersensitivity reactions include: flushing, erythema, dyspnea, and anaphylactic reactions [see Adverse Reactions (6.2) ].
Aprepitant, when administered orally, is a moderate cytochrome P450 isoenzyme 3A4 (CYP3A4) inhibitor following the 3-day antiemetic dosing regimen for CINV. Since fosaprepitant is rapidly converted to aprepitant, do not use fosaprepitant concurrently with pimozide or cisapride. Inhibition of CYP3A4 by aprepitant could result in elevated plasma concentrations of these drugs, potentially causing serious or life-threatening reactions [see Drug Interactions (7.1)].
Fosaprepitant is rapidly converted to aprepitant, which is a moderate inhibitor of CYP3A4 when administered as a 3-day antiemetic dosing regimen for CINV. Fosaprepitant should be used with caution in patients receiving concomitant medications that are primarily metabolized through CYP3A4. Inhibition of CYP3A4 by aprepitant or fosaprepitant could result in elevated plasma concentrations of these concomitant medications. When fosaprepitant is used concomitantly with another CYP3A4 inhibitor, aprepitant plasma concentrations could be elevated. When aprepitant is used concomitantly with medications that induce CYP3A4 activity, aprepitant plasma concentrations could be reduced, and this may result in decreased efficacy of aprepitant [see Drug Interactions (7.1)].
Chemotherapy agents that are known to be metabolized by CYP3A4 include docetaxel, paclitaxel, etoposide, irinotecan, ifosfamide, imatinib, vinorelbine, vinblastine and vincristine. In clinical studies, the oral aprepitant regimen was administered commonly with etoposide, vinorelbine, or paclitaxel. The doses of these agents were not adjusted to account for potential drug interactions.
In separate pharmacokinetic studies no clinically significant change in docetaxel or vinorelbine pharmacokinetics was observed when the oral aprepitant regimen was coadministered.
Due to the small number of patients in clinical studies who received the CYP3A4 substrates vinblastine, vincristine, or ifosfamide, particular caution and careful monitoring are advised in patients receiving these agents or other chemotherapy agents metabolized primarily by CYP3A4 that were not studied [see Drug Interactions (7.1)].
Isolated reports of immediate hypersensitivity reactions including flushing, erythema, dyspnea, and anaphylaxis have occurred during infusion of fosaprepitant. These hypersensitivity reactions have generally responded to discontinuation of the infusion and administration of appropriate therapy. Reinitiation of the infusion is not recommended in patients who experience these symptoms during first-time use.
Coadministration of fosaprepitant or aprepitant with warfarin may result in a clinically significant decrease in International Normalized Ratio (INR) of prothrombin time. In patients on chronic warfarin therapy, the INR should be closely monitored in the 2-week period, particularly at 7 to 10 days, following initiation of fosaprepitant with each chemotherapy cycle [see Drug Interactions (7.1)].
Upon coadministration with fosaprepitant or aprepitant, the efficacy of hormonal contraceptives may be reduced during and for 28 days following the last dose of either fosaprepitant or aprepitant. Alternative or back-up methods of contraception should be used during treatment with and for 1 month following the last dose of fosaprepitant or aprepitant [see Drug Interactions (7.1)].
Chronic continuous use of EMEND for Injection for prevention of nausea and vomiting is not recommended because it has not been studied; and because the drug interaction profile may change during chronic continuous use.
Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in clinical practice.
Since EMEND for Injection is converted to aprepitant, those adverse reactions associated with aprepitant might also be expected to occur with EMEND for Injection.
The overall safety of fosaprepitant was eva luated in approximately 1100 individuals and the overall safety of aprepitant was eva luated in approximately 6500 individuals.
Oral Aprepitant
Highly Emetogenic Chemotherapy (HEC)
In 2 well-controlled clinical trials in patients receiving highly emetogenic cancer chemotherapy, 544 patients were treated with aprepitant during Cycle 1 of chemotherapy and 413 of these patients continued into the Multiple-Cycle extension for up to 6 cycles of chemotherapy. Oral aprepitant was given in combination with ondansetron and dexamethasone.
In Cycle 1, adverse reactions were reported in approximately 17% of patients treated with the aprepitant regimen compared with approximately 13% of patients treated with standard therapy. Treatment was discontinued due to adverse reactions in 0.6% of patients treated with the aprepitant regimen compared with 0.4% of patients treated with standard therapy.
The most common adverse reactions reported in patients treated with the aprepitant regimen with an incidence ≥1% and greater than standard therapy are listed in Table 5.
A listing of adverse reactions in the aprepitant regimen (incidence <1%) that occurred at a greater incidence than standard therapy are presented in the Less Common Adverse Reactions subsection below.
In an additional active-controlled clinical study in 1169 patients receiving aprepitant and highly emetogenic chemotherapy, the adverse experience profile was generally similar to that seen in the other HEC studies with aprepitant.
Moderately Emetogenic Chemotherapy (MEC)
In 2 well-controlled clinical trials in patients receiving moderately emetogenic cancer chemotherapy, 868 patients were treated with the aprepitant during Cycle 1 of chemotherapy and 686 of these patients continued into extensions for up to 4 cycles of chemotherapy. In both studies, oral aprepitant was given in combination with ondansetron and dexamethasone (aprepitant regimen).
In the combined analysis of Cycle 1 data for these 2 studies, adverse reactions were reported in approximately 14% of patients treated with the aprepitant regimen compared with approximately 15% of patients treated with standard therapy. Treatment was discontinued due to adverse reactions in 0.7% of patients treated with the aprepitant regimen compared with 0.2% of patients treated with standard therapy.
The most common adverse reactions reported in patients treated with the aprepitant regimen with an incidence ≥1% and greater than standard therapy are listed in Table 6.
A listing of adverse reactions in the aprepitant regimen (incidence <1%) that occurred at a greater incidence than standard therapy are presented in the Less Common Adverse Reactions subsection below.
Less Common Adverse Reactions
Adverse reactions reported in either HEC or MEC studies in patients treated with the aprepitant regimen with an incidence <1% and greater than standard therapy are listed in Table 7.
In another chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) study, Stevens-Johnson syndrome was reported as a serious adverse reaction in a patient receiving aprepitant with cancer chemotherapy.
The adverse experience profiles in the Multiple-Cycle extensions of HEC and MEC studies for up to 6 cycles of chemotherapy were similar to that observed in Cycle 1.
Fosaprepitant
In an active-controlled clinical study in patients receiving highly emetogenic chemotherapy, safety was eva luated for 1143 patients receiving the 1-day regimen of EMEND for Injection 150 mg compared to 1169 patients receiving the 3-day regimen of EMEND (aprepitant). The safety profile was generally similar to that seen in prior HEC studies with aprepitant. However, infusion-site reactions occurred at a higher incidence in patients in the fosaprepitant group (3.0%) compared to those in the aprepitant group (0.5%). The reported infusion-site reactions included infusion-site erythema, infusion-site pruritus, infusion-site pain, infusion-site induration, and infusion-site thrombophlebitis.
The following additional adverse reactions occurred with fosaprepitant 150 mg and were not reported with the oral aprepitant regimen in the corresponding section above.
Other Studies with Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting
In well-controlled clinical studies in patients receiving general balanced anesthesia, 564 patients were administered 40 mg aprepitant orally and 538 patients were administered 4 mg ondansetron intravenously.
Adverse reactions were reported in approximately 4% of patients treated with 40 mg aprepitant compared with approximately 6% of patients treated with 4 mg ondansetron intravenously.
In patients treated with aprepitant, increased ALT (1.1%) was seen at a greater incidence than with ondansetron (1.0%). The following additional adverse reactions were observed in patients treated with aprepitant at an incidence <1% and greater than with ondansetron.
In addition, two serious adverse reactions were reported in postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) clinical studies in patients taking a higher dose of aprepitant: one case of constipation, and one case of subileus.
Other Studies
Angioedema and urticaria were reported as serious adverse reactions in a patient receiving aprepitant in a non-CINV/non-PONV study.
Table 5: Adverse Reactions (incidence ≥1%) in patients receiving HEC with a greater incidence in the Aprepitant Regimen relative to Standard Therapy
|
Aprepitant Regimen (N=544) |
Standard Therapy (N=550) |
Respiratory System |
|
|
hiccups |
4.6 |
2.9 |
Body as a Whole/Site Unspecified |
|
|
asthenia/fatigue |
2.9 |
1.6 |
Investigations |
|
|
ALT increased |
2.8 |
1.5 |
AST increased |
1.1 |
0.9 |
Digestive System |
|
|
constipation |
2.2 |
2.0 |
dyspepsia |
1.5 |
0.7 |
diarrhea |
1.1 |
0.9 |
Nervous System |
|
|
headache |
2.2 |
1.8 |
Metabolism and Nutrition |
|
|
anorexia |
2.0 |
0.5 |
Table 6: Adverse Reactions (incidence ≥1%) in patients receiving MEC with a greater incidence in the Aprepitant Regimen relative to Standard Therapy
|
Aprepitant Regimen (N=868) |
Standard Therapy (N=846) |
Gastrointestinal disorders |
|
|
eructation |
1.0 |
0.1 |
General disorders and administration site conditions |
|
|
fatigue |
1.4 |
0.9 |
Table 7: Adverse Reactions (incidence <1%) in patients observed in either HEC or MEC Studies with a greater incidence in the Aprepitant Regimen relative to Standard Therapy
Infection and infestations |
candidiasis, staphylococcal infection |
Blood and the lymphatic system disorders |
anemia, febrile neutropenia |
Metabolism and nutrition disorders |
weight gain, polydipsia |
Psychiatric disorders |
disorientation, euphoria, anxiety |
Nervous system disorders |
dizziness, dream abnormality, cognitive disorder, lethargy, somnolence |
Eye disorders |
conjunctivitis |
Ear and labyrinth disorders |
tinnitus |
Cardiac disorders |
bradycardia, cardiovascular disorder, palpitations |
Vascular disorders |
hot flush, flushing |
Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders |
pharyngitis, sneezing, cough, postnasal drip, throat irritation |
Gastrointestinal disorders |
nausea, acid reflux, dysgeusia, epigastric discomfort, obstipation, gastroesophageal reflux disease, perforating duodenal ulcer, vomiting, abdominal pain, dry mouth, abdominal distension, faeces hard, neutropenic colitis, flatulence, stomatitis |
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders |
rash, acne, photosensitivity, hyperhidrosis, oily skin, pruritus, skin lesion |
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders |
muscle cramp, myalgia, muscular weakness |
Renal and urinary disorders |
polyuria, dysuria, pollakiuria |
General disorders and administration site condition |
edema, chest discomfort, malaise, thirst, chills, gait disturbance |
Investigations |
alkaline phosphatase increased, hyperglycemia, microscopic hematuria, hyponatremia, weight decreased, neutrophil count decreased |
Table 8: Adverse Reactions (incidence >0.1%) in patients receiving Fosaprepitant 150 mg and not reported above for the Oral Aprepitant Regimen
General disorders and administration site conditions |
infusion site erythema, infusion site pruritus, infusion site induration, infusion site pain |
Investigations |
blood pressure increased |
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders |
erythema |
Vascular disorders |
thrombophlebitis (predominantly, infusion-site thrombophlebitis) |
Table 9: Adverse Reactions (incidence <1%) in patients receiving Aprepitant 40 mg with a greater incidence in the Aprepitant group relative to ondansetron
Psychiatric disorders |
insomnia |
Nervous system disorders |
dysarthria, hypoesthesia, sensory disturbance |
Eye disorders |
miosis, visual acuity reduced |
Cardiac disorders |
bradycardia |
Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders |
dyspnea, wheezing |
Gastrointestinal disorders |
abdominal pain upper, bowel sounds abnormal, dry mouth, nausea, stomach discomfort |
The following adverse reactions have been identified during post approval use of fosaprepitant and aprepitant. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to the drug.
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders: pruritus, rash, urticaria.
Immune system disorders: hypersensitivity reactions including anaphylactic reactions.
Drug interactions following administration of fosaprepitant are likely to occur with drugs that interact with oral aprepitant.
Aprepitant is a substrate, a moderate inhibitor, and an inducer of CYP3A4 when administered as a 3-day antiemetic dosing regimen for CINV. Aprepitant is also an inducer of CYP2C9.
Fosaprepitant 150 mg, given as a single dose, is a weak inhibitor of CYP3A4, and does not induce CYP3A4. Fosaprepitant or aprepitant is unlikely to interact with drugs that are substrates for the P-glycoprotein transporter.
The following information was derived from data with oral aprepitant, two studies conducted with fosaprepitant and oral midazolam, and one study conducted with fosaprepitant and dexamethasone.
CYP3A4 Substrates:
Aprepitant, as a moderate inhibitor of CYP3A4, and fosaprepitant 150 mg, as a weak inhibitor of CYP3A4, can increase plasma concentrations of concomitantly coadministered oral medications that are metabolized through CYP3A4 [see Contraindications (4)].
5-HT antagonists:
In clinical drug interaction studies, aprepitant did not have clinically important effects on the pharmacokinetics of ondansetron, granisetron, or hydrodolasetron (the active metabolite of dolasetron).
Corticosteroids:
Dexamethasone: Fosaprepitant 150 mg administered as a single intravenous dose on Day 1 increased the AUC of dexamethasone, administered as a single 8 mg oral dose on Days 1, 2, and 3, by approximately 2-fold on Days 1 and 2. The oral dexamethasone dose on Days 1 and 2 should be reduced by approximately 50% when coadministered with fosaprepitant 150 mg intravenous on Day 1.
An oral aprepitant regimen of 125 mg on Day 1, and 80 mg/day on Days 2 through 5, coadministered with 20 mg oral dexamethasone on Day 1 and 8 mg oral dexamethasone on Days 2 through 5, increased the AUC of dexamethasone, by 2.2-fold on Days 1 and 5. The oral dexamethasone doses should be reduced by approximately 50% when coadministered with a regimen of fosaprepitant 115 mg followed by aprepitant.
Methylprednisolone: An oral aprepitant regimen of 125 mg on Day 1 and 80 mg/day on Days 2 and 3, increased the AUC of methylprednisolone, by 1.34-fold on Day 1 and by 2.5-fold on Day 3, when methylprednisolone was coadministered intravenously as 125 mg on Day 1 and orally as 40 mg on Days 2 and 3. The intravenous methylprednisolone dose should be reduced by approximately 25%, and the oral methylprednisolone dose should be reduced by approximately 50% when coadministered with a regimen of fosaprepitant 115 mg followed by aprepitant.
Chemotherapeutic agents:
Docetaxel: In a pharmacokinetic study, oral aprepitant (CINV regimen) did not influence the pharmacokinetics of docetaxel [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)].
Vinorelbine: In a pharmacokinetic study, oral aprepitant (CINV regimen) did not influence the pharmacokinetics of vinorelbine to a clinically significant degree [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)].
Oral contraceptives: When oral aprepitant, ondansetron, and dexamethasone were coadministered with an oral contraceptive containing ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone, the trough concentrations of both ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone were reduced by as much as 64% for 3 weeks post-treatment.
The coadministration of fosaprepitant or aprepitant may reduce the efficacy of hormonal contraceptives (these can include birth control pills, skin patches, implants, and certain IUDs) during and for 28 days after administration of the last dose of fosaprepitant or aprepitant. Alternative or back-up methods of contraception should be used during treatment with and for 1 month following the last dose of fosaprepitant or aprepitant.
Midazolam:
Interactions between aprepitant or fosaprepitant and coadministered midazolam are listed in the table below (increase is indicated as “↑”, decrease as “↓”, no change as “↔”).
A difference of less than 2-fold increase of midazolam AUC was not considered clinically important.
The potential effects of increased plasma concentrations of midazolam or other benzodiazepines metabolized via CYP3A4 (alprazolam, triazolam) should be considered when coadministering these agents with fosaprepitant or aprepitant.
CYP2C9 Substrates (Warfarin, Tolbutamide):
Warfarin: A single 125-mg dose of oral aprepitant was administered on Day 1 and 80 mg/day on Days 2 and 3 to healthy subjects who were stabilized on chronic warfarin therapy. Although there was no effect of oral aprepitant on the pla
Manufacturer
Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp.
Active Ingredients
Source
-
U.S. National Library of Medicine
-
DailyMed
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Last Updated: 2nd of March 2011