NULOJIX (belatacept) for injection, for intravenous
HIGHLIGHTS OF PRESCRIBING INFORMATION
These highlights do not include all the information needed to use NULOJIX safely and effectively. See full prescribing information for NULOJIX.
NULOJIX (belatacept) for injection, for intravenous use
Initial U.S. Approval: 2011
WARNING: POST-TRANSPLANT LYMPHOPROLIFERATIVE DISORDER, OTHER MALIGNANCIES, AND SERIOUS INFECTIONS
See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning.
-
•
-
Increased risk for developing post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD), predominantly involving the central nervous system (CNS). Recipients without immunity to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) are at a particularly increased risk; therefore, use in EBV seropositive patients only. Do not use NULOJIX in transplant recipients who are EBV seronegative or with unknown serostatus. (4, 5.1)
-
•
-
Only physicians experienced in immunosuppressive therapy and management of kidney transplant patients should prescribe NULOJIX. (5.2)
-
•
-
Increased susceptibility to infection and the possible development of malignancies may result from immunosuppression. (5.1, 5.3, 5.4, 5.5)
-
•
-
Use in liver transplant patients is not recommended due to an increased risk of graft loss and death. (5.6)
INDICATIONS AND USAGE
-
•
-
NULOJIX is a selective T-cell costimulation blocker indicated for prophylaxis of organ rejection in adult patients receiving a kidney transplant. (1.1)
-
•
-
Use in combination with basiliximab induction, mycophenolate mofetil, and corticosteroids. (1.1)
Limitations of Use:
-
•
-
Use only in patients who are EBV seropositive. (1.2, 4, 5.1)
-
•
-
Use has not been established for the prophylaxis of organ rejection in transplanted organs other than the kidney. (1.2, 5.6)
DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION
-
•
-
Use of higher than recommended or more frequent dosing is not recommended due to increased risk of serious infections and malignancy. (5.1, 5.4, 6.1)
-
•
-
For complete dosing instructions, see full prescribing information. (2.1)
Dosing of NULOJIX for Kidney Transplant Recipients (2.1)
Dosing for Initial Phase
|
Dose
|
Day 1 (day of transplantation, prior to implantation) and Day 5 (approximately 96 hours after Day 1 dose)
|
10 mg per kg
|
End of Week 2 and Week 4 after transplantation
|
10 mg per kg
|
End of Week 8 and Week 12 after transplantation
|
10 mg per kg
|
Dosing for Maintenance Phase
|
Dose
|
End of Week 16 after transplantation and every 4 weeks (plus or minus 3 days) thereafter
|
5 mg per kg
|
-
•
-
For intravenous infusion only; administer over 30 minutes. (2.1, 2.2)
-
•
-
Only use the enclosed silicone-free disposable syringe to prepare for administration. (2.2)
DOSAGE FORMS AND STRENGTHS
-
•
-
Lyophilized powder for injection: 250 mg per vial (3)
CONTRAINDICATIONS
-
•
-
Patients who are EBV seronegative or with unknown EBV serostatus. (4)
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
-
•
-
Post-Transplant Lymphoproliferative Disorder (PTLD): increased risk, predominantly involving the CNS; monitor for new or worsening neurological, cognitive, or behavioral signs and symptoms. (Boxed Warning, 4, 5.1, 5.6)
-
•
-
Other malignancies: increased risk with all immunosuppressants; appears related to intensity and duration of use. Avoid prolonged exposure to UV light and sunlight. (5.3)
-
•
-
Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML): increased risk; consider in the diagnosis of patients reporting new or worsening neurological, cognitive, or behavioral signs and symptoms. Recommended doses of immunosuppressants should not be exceeded. (5.4)
-
•
-
Other serious infections: increased risk of bacterial, viral, fungal, and protozoal infections, including opportunistic infections and tuberculosis. Some infections were fatal. Polyoma virus-associated nephropathy can lead to kidney graft loss; consider reduction in immunosuppression. eva luate for tuberculosis and initiate treatment for latent infection prior to NULOJIX use. Cytomegalovirus and pneumocystis prophylaxis are recommended after transplantation. (5.1, 5.4, 5.5)
-
•
-
Liver transplant: use is not recommended. (5.6)
-
•
-
Acute Rejection and Graft Loss with Corticosteroid Minimization: corticosteroid utilization should be consistent with the NULOJIX clinical trial experience. (2.1, 5.7, 14.1)
-
•
-
Immunizations: avoid use of live vaccines during treatment. (5.8)
Most common adverse reactions (≥20% on NULOJIX treatment) are anemia, diarrhea, urinary tract infection, peripheral edema, constipation, hypertension, pyrexia, graft dysfunction, cough, nausea, vomiting, headache, hypokalemia, hyperkalemia, and leukopenia. (6.1)
To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Bristol-Myers Squibb at 1-800-721-5072 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.
USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS
-
•
-
Pregnancy: Based on animal data, may cause fetal harm; pregnancy registry available. (8.1)
-
•
-
Nursing Mothers: Discontinue drug or nursing, taking into consideration importance of drug to mother. (8.3)
See 17 for PATIENT COUNSELING INFORMATION and Medication Guide.
Revised: 9/2014
FULL PRESCRIBING INFORMATION: CONTENTS*
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE
1.1 Adult Kidney Transplant Recipients
NULOJIX® (belatacept) is indicated for prophylaxis of organ rejection in adult patients receiving a kidney transplant. NULOJIX is to be used in combination with basiliximab induction, mycophenolate mofetil, and corticosteroids.
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION
2.1 Dosage in Adult Kidney Transplant Recipients
NULOJIX should be administered in combination with basiliximab induction, mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), and corticosteroids. In clinical trials the median (25th-75th percentile) corticosteroid doses were tapered to approximately 15 mg (10-20 mg) per day by the first 6 weeks and remained at approximately 10 mg (5-10 mg) per day for the first 6 months post-transplant. Corticosteroid utilization should be consistent with the NULOJIX clinical trial experience [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7) and Clinical Studies (14.1)].
Due to an increased risk of post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) predominantly involving the central nervous system (CNS), progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), and serious CNS infections, administration of higher than the recommended doses or more frequent dosing of NULOJIX is not recommended [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1, 5.4, 5.5) and Adverse Reactions (6.1)].
NULOJIX is for intravenous infusion only. Patients do not require premedication prior to administration of NULOJIX.
Dosing instructions are provided in Table 1.
-
•
-
The total infusion dose of NULOJIX should be based on the actual body weight of the patient at the time of transplantation, and should not be modified during the course of therapy, unless there is a change in body weight of greater than 10%.
-
•
-
The prescribed dose of NULOJIX must be evenly divisible by 12.5 mg in order for the dose to be prepared accurately using the reconstituted solution and the silicone-free disposable syringe provided. Evenly divisible increments are 0, 12.5, 25, 37.5, 50, 62.5, 75, 87.5, and 100. For example:
-
•
-
A patient weighs 64 kg. The dose is 10 mg per kg.
-
•
-
Calculated Dose: 64 kg × 10 mg per kg = 640 mg
-
•
-
The closest doses evenly divisible by 12.5 mg below and above 640 mg are 637.5 mg and 650 mg.
-
•
-
The nearest dose to 640 mg is 637.5 mg.
-
•
-
Therefore, the actual prescribed dose for the patient should be 637.5 mg.
2.2 Preparation and Administration Instructions
NULOJIX is for intravenous infusion only.
Caution: NULOJIX must be reconstituted/prepared using only the silicone-free disposable syringe provided with each vial.
If the silicone-free disposable syringe is dropped or becomes contaminated, use a new silicone-free disposable syringe from inventory. For information on obtaining additional silicone-free disposable syringes, contact Bristol-Myers Squibb at 1-888-NULOJIX.
Preparation for Administration
-
1.
-
Calculate the number of NULOJIX vials required to provide the total infusion dose. Each vial contains 250 mg of belatacept lyophilized powder.
-
2.
-
Reconstitute the contents of each vial of NULOJIX with 10.5 mL of a suitable diluent using the silicone-free disposable syringe provided with each vial and an 18- to 21-gauge needle. Suitable diluents include: sterile water for injection (SWFI), 0.9% sodium chloride (NS), or 5% dextrose in water (D5W).
Note: If the NULOJIX powder is accidentally reconstituted using a different syringe than the one provided, the solution may develop a few translucent particles. Discard any solutions prepared using siliconized syringes.
-
3.
-
To reconstitute the NULOJIX powder, remove the flip-top from the vial and wipe the top with an alcohol swab. Insert the syringe needle into the vial through the center of the rubber stopper and direct the stream of diluent (10.5 mL of SWFI, NS, or D5W) to the glass wall of the vial.
-
4.
-
To minimize foam formation, rotate the vial and invert with gentle swirling until the contents are completely dissolved. Avoid prolonged or vigorous agitation. Do not shake.
-
5.
-
The reconstituted solution contains a belatacept concentration of 25 mg/mL and should be clear to slightly opalescent and colorless to pale yellow. Do not use if opaque particles, discoloration, or other foreign particles are present.
-
6.
-
Calculate the total volume of the reconstituted 25 mg/mL NULOJIX solution required to provide the total infusion dose.
Volume of 25 mg/mL NULOJIX solution (in mL) = Prescribed Dose (in mg) ÷ 25 mg/mL
-
7.
-
Prior to intravenous infusion, the required volume of the reconstituted NULOJIX solution must be further diluted with a suitable infusion fluid (NS or D5W). NULOJIX reconstituted with:
-
•
-
SWFI should be further diluted with either NS or D5W
-
•
-
NS should be further diluted with NS
-
•
-
D5W should be further diluted with D5W
-
8.
-
From the appropriate size infusion bag or bottle, withdraw a volume of infusion fluid that is equal to the volume of the reconstituted NULOJIX solution required to provide the prescribed dose. With the same silicone-free disposable syringe used for reconstitution, withdraw the required amount of belatacept solution from the vial, inject it into the infusion bag or bottle, and gently rotate the infusion bag or bottle to ensure mixing.
The final belatacept concentration in the infusion bag or bottle should range from 2 mg/mL to 10 mg/mL. Typically, an infusion volume of 100 mL will be appropriate for most patients and doses, but total infusion volumes ranging from 50 mL to 250 mL may be used. Any unused solution remaining in the vials must be discarded.
-
9.
-
Prior to administration, the NULOJIX infusion should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration. Discard the infusion if any particulate matter or discoloration is observed.
-
10.
-
The entire NULOJIX infusion should be administered over a period of 30 minutes and must be administered with an infusion set and a sterile, non-pyrogenic, low-protein-binding filter (with a pore size of 0.2-1.2 µm).
-
•
-
The reconstituted solution should be transferred from the vial to the infusion bag or bottle immediately. The NULOJIX infusion must be completed within 24 hours of reconstitution of the NULOJIX lyophilized powder. If not used immediately, the infusion solution may be stored under refrigeration conditions: 2°-8°C (36°-46°F) and protected from light for up to 24 hours (a maximum of 4 hours of the total 24 hours can be at room temperature: 20°-25°C [68°-77°F] and room light).
-
•
-
Infuse NULOJIX in a separate line from other concomitantly infused agents. NULOJIX should not be infused concomitantly in the same intravenous line with other agents. No physical or biochemical compatibility studies have been conducted to eva luate the coadministration of NULOJIX with other agents.
3 DOSGE FORMS AND STRENGTHS
Lyophilized powder for injection: 250 mg per vial.
4 CONTRAINDICATIONS
NULOJIX is contraindicated in transplant recipients who are Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) seronegative or with unknown EBV serostatus due to the risk of post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD), predominantly involving the central nervous system (CNS) [see Boxed Warning and Warnings and Precautions (5.1)].
5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
5.1 Post-Transplant Lymphoproliferative Disorder
NULOJIX-treated patients have an increased risk for developing post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD), predominantly involving the CNS, compared to patients on a cyclosporine-based regimen [see Adverse Reactions (6.1) and Table 2]. As the total burden of immunosuppression is a risk factor for PTLD, higher than the recommended doses or more frequent dosing of NULOJIX and higher than recommended doses of concomitant immunosuppressive agents are not recommended [see Dosage and Administration (2.1) and Warnings and Precautions (5.6)]. Physicians should consider PTLD in patients reporting new or worsening neurological, cognitive, or behavioral signs or symptoms.
EBV Serostatus
The risk of PTLD was higher in EBV seronegative patients compared to EBV seropositive patients. EBV seropositive patients are defined as having evidence of acquired immunity shown by the presence of IgG antibodies to viral capsid antigen (VCA) and EBV nuclear antigen (EBNA).
Epstein-Barr virus serology should be ascertained before starting administration of NULOJIX, and only patients who are EBV seropositive should receive NULOJIX. Transplant recipients who are EBV seronegative, or with unknown serostatus, should not receive NULOJIX [see Boxed Warning and Contraindications (4)].
Other Risk Factors
Other known risk factors for PTLD include cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and T-cell-depleting therapy. T-cell-depleting therapies to treat acute rejection should be used cautiously. CMV prophylaxis is recommended for at least 3 months after transplantation [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5)].
Patients who are EBV seropositive and CMV seronegative may be at increased risk for PTLD compared to patients who are EBV seropositive and CMV seropositive [see Adverse Reactions (6.1)]. Since CMV seronegative patients are at increased risk for CMV disease (a known risk factor for PTLD), the clinical significance of CMV serology for PTLD remains to be determined; however, these findings should be considered when prescribing NULOJIX.
5.2 Management of Immunosuppression
Only physicians experienced in management of systemic immunosuppressant therapy in transplantation should prescribe NULOJIX. Patients receiving the drug should be managed in facilities equipped and staffed with adequate laboratory and supportive medical resources. The physician responsible for the maintenance therapy should have complete information requisite for the follow-up of the patient [see Boxed Warning].
5.3 Other Malignancies
Patients receiving immunosuppressants, including NULOJIX, are at increased risk of developing malignancies, in addition to PTLD, including the skin [see Boxed Warning and Warnings and Precautions (5.1)]. Exposure to sunlight and ultraviolet (UV) light should be limited by wearing protective clothing and using a sunscreen with a high protection factor.
5.4 Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy
Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is an often rapidly progressive and fatal opportunistic infection of the CNS that is caused by the JC virus, a human polyoma virus. In clinical trials with NULOJIX, two cases of PML were reported in patients receiving NULOJIX at higher cumulative doses and more frequently than the recommended re |
|