as clinically indicated (see sections 4.2 and 4.8). Particular caution should be exercised when treating patients with severe hepatic impairment, and the dose should be adjusted (see section 4.2). Limited experience in these patients showed a worsening of the underlying condition (hepatic encephalopathy) in 2 out of 10 patients exposed to 750 mg single doses of ceritinib under fasted conditions (see sections 4.2, 4.8 and 5.2). Other factors apart from study treatment could have impacted on observed events of hepatic encephalopathy, however, the relation between study treatment and events cannot be fully ruled out. No dose adjustment is necessary in patients with mild or moderate hepatic impairment (see section 4.2).
Interstitial lung disease/Pneumonitis
Severe, life-threatening or fatal ILD/pneumonitis have been observed in patients treated with ceritinib in clinical studies. Most of these severe/life-threatening cases improved or resolved with interruption of treatment.
Patients should be monitored for pulmonary symptoms indicative of ILD/pneumonitis. Other potential causes of ILD/pneumonitis should be excluded, and Zykadia permanently discontinued in patients diagnosed with any grade treatment-related ILD/pneumonitis (see sections 4.2 and 4.8).
QT interval prolongation
QTc prolongation has been observed in clinical studies in patients treated with ceritinib (see sections 4.8 and 5.2), which may lead to an increased risk for ventricular tachyarrhythmias (e.g. torsade de pointes) or sudden death.
Use of Zykadia in patients with congenital long QT syndrome should be avoided. The benefits and potential risks of ceritinib should be considered before beginning therapy in patients who have pre-existing bradycardia (heart rate less than 60 beats per minute [bpm]), patients who have a history of or predisposition for QTc prolongation, patients who are taking anti-arrhythmics or other medicinal products that are known to prolong the QT interval and patients with relevant pre-existing cardiac disease and/or electrolyte disturbances. Periodic monitoring with ECGs and periodic monitoring of electrolytes (e.g. potassium) is recommended in these patients. In the event of vomiting, diarrhoea, dehydration or impaired renal function, correct electrolytes as clinically indicated. Zykadia should be permanently discontinued in patients who develop QTc >500 msec or >60 msec change from baseline and torsade de pointes or polymorphic ventricular tachycardia or signs/symptoms of serious arrhythmia. Zykadia should be withheld in patients who develop QTc >500 msec on at least two separate ECGs until recovery to baseline or a QTc ≤480 msec, then reinitiated with dose reduced by 150 mg (see sections 4.2, 4.8 and 5.2).
Bradycardia
Asymptomatic cases of bradycardia (heart rate less than 60 bpm) have been observed in 21 out of 925 (2.3%) patients treated with ceritinib in clinical studies.
Use of Zykadia in combination with other agents known to cause bradycardia (e.g. beta blockers, non-dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers, clonidine and digoxin) should be avoided as far as possible. Heart rate and blood pressure should be monitored regularly. In cases of symptomatic bradycardia that is not life-threatening, Zykadia should be withheld until recovery to asymptomatic bradycardia or to a heart rate of 60 bpm or above, the use of concomitant medicinal products should be eva luated and the Zykadia dose adjusted if necessary. In the eve |
