Serotonin-3 Receptor Antagonist

Akynzeo

Approved 10 Oct 2014OralCapsule

Indications

AKYNZEO capsules is indicated in combination with dexamethasone in adults for the prevention of acute and delayed nausea and vomiting associated with initial and repeat courses of cancer chemotherapy, including, but not limited to, highly emetogenic chemotherapy. AKYNZEO capsules is a combination of palonosetron and netupitant: palonosetron prevents nausea and vomiting during the acute phase and netupitant prevents nausea and vomiting during both the acute and delayed phase after cancer chemotherapy.

AKYNZEO for injection and AKYNZEO injection are indicated in combination with dexamethasone in adults for the prevention of acute and delayed nausea and vomiting associated with initial and repeat courses of highly emetogenic cancer chemotherapy. AKYNZEO for injection is a combination of palonosetron and fosnetupitant, a prodrug of netupitant: palonosetron prevents nausea and vomiting during the acute phase and fosnetupitant prevents nausea and vomiting during both the acute and delayed phase after cancer chemotherapy.

Limitations of Use AKYNZEO for injection and AKYNZEO injection have not been studied for the prevention of nausea and vomiting associated with anthracycline plus cyclophosphamide chemotherapy. AKYNZEO capsules is indicated in combination with dexamethasone in adults for the prevention of acute and delayed nausea and vomiting associated with initial and repeat courses of cancer chemotherapy, including, but not limited to, highly emetogenic chemotherapy.

AKYNZEO for injection and AKYNZEO injection are indicated in combination with dexamethasone in adults for the prevention of acute and delayed nausea and vomiting associated with initial and repeat courses of highly emetogenic cancer chemotherapy. Limitations of Use AKYNZEO for injection and AKYNZEO injection have not been studied for the prevention of nausea and vomiting associated with anthracycline plus cyclophosphamide chemotherapy.

AKYNZEO is a combination of palonosetron, a serotonin-3 (5-HT3) receptor antagonist, and netupitant or fosnetupitant, substance P/neurokinin-1 (NK-1) receptor antagonists: palonosetron prevents nausea and vomiting during the acute phase and netupitant/fosnetupitant prevents nausea and vomiting during both the acute and delayed phase after cancer chemotherapy. ( 1 )

Contraindications

None. None ( 4 )

Warnings and precautions

Hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis, have been reported in patients receiving palonosetron, one of the components of AKYNZEO, with or without known hypersensitivity to other 5-HT 3 receptor antagonists. ( 5.1 ) Serotonin syndrome has been reported with 5-HT 3 receptor antagonists alone but particularly with concomitant use of serotonergic drugs. If such symptoms occur, discontinue AKYNZEO and initiate supportive treatment.

At a glance

Brand name: Akynzeo
Active substance: netupitant
Pharmacologic class: Serotonin-3 Receptor Antagonist, Substance P/Neurokinin-1 Receptor Antagonist
Route: Oral
Dosage form: Capsule
Applicant: Helsinn Hlthcare
Status: Prescription
FDA approval: 10 Oct 2014
Application: NDA205718-001

Indications

AKYNZEO for injection and AKYNZEO injection are indicated in combination with dexamethasone in adults for the prevention of acute and delayed nausea and vomiting associated with initial and repeat courses of highly emetogenic cancer chemotherapy. Limitations of Use AKYNZEO for injection and AKYNZEO injection have not been studied for the prevention of nausea and vomiting associated with anthracycline plus cyclophosphamide chemotherapy.

Warnings and precautions

Interactions

CYP3A4 Substrates: inhibition of CYP3A4 by netupitant can result in increased plasma concentrations of the concomitant drug for 6 days after single dosage administration of AKYNZEO; avoid concomitant CYP3A4 substrates for one week, if feasible. If not avoidable, consider dose reduction of the CYP3A4 substrate ( 7.1 ) CYP3A4 Inducers (e.g., rifampin): decreased plasma concentrations of netupitant; avoid use ( 7.2 )

7.1Effects of

AKYNZEO on Other Drugs Interaction with CYP3A4 Substrates Netupitant is a moderate inhibitor of CYP3A4. AKYNZEO should be used with caution in patients receiving concomitant medications that are primarily metabolized through CYP3A4. A single oral dose of netupitant 300 mg significantly inhibits CYP3A4 for 6 days. Avoid concomitant use of drugs that are CYP3A4 substrates for one week, if feasible. If not avoidable, consider dose reduction of CYP3A4 substrates.

Dexamethasone A single oral dose of netupitant 300 mg or a single fosnetupitant infusion of 235 mg increased the systemic exposure of concomitant dexamethasone more than 2-fold on Days 2 and 4. Administer a reduced dose of dexamethasone with AKYNZEO [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.1 ), Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] . Midazolam When administered with netupitant, the systemic exposure to midazolam was significantly increased.

Consider the potential effects of increased plasma concentrations of midazolam or other benzodiazepines metabolized via CYP3A4 (alprazolam, triazolam) when administering these drugs with AKYNZEO [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] . Chemotherapeutic Agents The systemic exposure of chemotherapy agents metabolized by CYP3A4 can increase when administered with AKYNZEO. Chemotherapy agents that are known to be metabolized by CYP3A4 include docetaxel, paclitaxel, etoposide, irinotecan, cyclophosphamide, ifosfamide, imatinib, vinorelbine, vinblastine, and vincristine [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] .

Caution and monitoring for chemotherapeutic related adverse reactions are advised in patients receiving chemotherapy agents metabolized primarily by CYP3A4. Oral Contraceptives There is no clinically significant effect of AKYNZEO on the efficacy of oral contraceptives containing levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] . Warfarin Although it was predicted that co-administration of intravenous AKYNZEO with warfarin would not substantially increase the systemic exposure to S-warfarin (CYP2C9 substrate), the active enantiomer, the effects of AKYNZEO for injection and AKYNZEO capsules on INR and prothrombin time have not been studied.

Monitor INR and adjust the dosage of warfarin, as needed with concomitant use of AKYNZEO, to maintain the target INR range.

7.2Effects of Other Drugs on

AKYNZEO Netupitant is mainly metabolized by CYP3A4. Palonosetron is mainly metabolized by CYP2D6 and to a lesser extent by CYP3A4 and CYP1A2. CYP3A4 Inducers Avoid concomitant use of AKYNZEO in patients who are chronically using a strong CYP3A4 inducer such as rifampin. A strong CYP3A inducer can decrease the efficacy of AKYNZEO by substantially reducing plasma concentrations of the netupitant component [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] .

CYP3A4 Inhibitors Concomitant use of AKYNZEO with a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor (e.g., ketoconazole) can increase the systemic exposure to the netupitant component of AKYNZEO. However, no dosage adjustment is necessary for single dose administration of AKYNZEO [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] .

7.3Serotonergic Drugs

Serotonin syndrome (including altered mental status, autonomic instability, and neuromuscular symptoms) has been described following the concomitant use of 5-HT 3 receptor antagonists and other serotonergic drugs, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). If symptoms occur, discontinue AKYNZEO and initiate supportive treatment [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )].

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

8.1Pregnancy Risk Summary

Limited available data with AKYNZEO use in pregnant women are insufficient to inform a drug- associated risk of adverse developmental outcomes. In animal reproduction studies with netupitant, no effects on embryo-fetal development were observed following daily oral administration in pregnant rats during the period of organogenesis at doses up to 3.7 times the human AUC (area under the plasma concentration-time curve) at the recommended single dose to be given with each cycle of chemotherapy.

However, a dose-dependent increase in adverse effects on embryo-fetal development was observed following daily oral administration of netupitant in pregnant rabbits during the period of organogenesis with doses at least 0.2 times the human AUC at the recommended single dose to be given with each cycle of chemotherapy. Daily oral administration of netupitant in rats up to 3.7 times the human AUC at the recommended dose during organogenesis through lactation produced no adverse effects in the offspring (see Data).

In animal reproduction studies with fosnetupitant, delayed ossification of pubis occurred after intravenous administration in rats during the period of organogenesis at a dose 3 times the human AUC for netupitant at the recommended single dose to be given with each cycle of chemotherapy. In pregnant rabbits, an increase in resorptions was observed with daily intravenous administration of fosnetupitant during the period of organogenesis at doses up to 9 times the human AUC for fosnetupitant and 0.4 times the human AUC for netupitant at the recommended single dose to be given with each cycle of chemotherapy.

Daily intravenous administration of fosnetupitant (3 times the human AUC for netupitant at the recommended single dose to be given with each cycle of chemotherapy) in rats during organogenesis through lactation produced lower bodyweight in offspring at birth through maturation, and delayed physical development (see Data). In animal reproduction studies with palonosetron, no effects on embryo-fetal development were observed following oral administration during the period of organogenesis at doses up to 921 and 1841 times the recommended oral dose in rats and rabbits, respectively (see Data).

Based on animal data from netupitant studies, advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus. The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated populations are unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2 to 4% and 15 to 20%, respectively.

Data Animal Data Netupitant Daily oral administration of up to 30 mg/kg netupitant in rats (3.7 times the human AUC at the recommended single dose to be given with each cycle of chemotherapy) during the period of organogenesis produced no effects on embryo-fetal development. However, an increased incidence of external and skeletal abnormalities in rabbit fetuses was observed following daily oral administration of netupitant in rabbits at 10 mg/kg/day and higher (0.2 times the human AUC at the recommended single dose to be given with each cycle of chemotherapy) during the period of organogenesis.

These abnormalities included positional abnormalities in the limbs and paws, and fused sternebrae. Reduction in fetal rabbit weight occurred at 30 mg/kg/day. Maternal toxicity in rabbits (i.e., loss of bodyweight during the treatment period) was also observed at 30 mg/kg/day. Daily oral administration of up to 30 mg/kg netupitant (3.7 times the human AUC at the recommended dose) in rats during organogenesis through lactation produced no adverse effects in the offspring.

Fosnetupitant Daily intravenous administration of 39 mg/kg/day fosnetupitant in rats (3 times the human AUC for netupitant at the recommended single dose to be given with each cycle of chemotherapy) during the period of organogenesis produced delayed ossification of pubis. No effects on embryo-fetal development were observed with daily administration of up to 13 mg/kg fosnetupitant in rats (2 times the human AUC for netupitant at the recommended single dose to be given with each cycle of chemotherapy).

Due to the limited systemic exposure to fosnetupitant in pregnant rats, it is not possible to provide an AUC-based comparison of fosnetupitant exposure in rats and humans. An increase in resorptions was observed with daily intravenous administration of fosnetupitant at 6 mg/kg/day and higher in rabbits (9 times the human AUC for fosnetupitant and 0.4 times the human AUC for netupitant at the recommended single dose to be given with each cycle of chemotherapy) during the period of organogenesis.

No effects were observed in rabbits at 3 mg/kg/day (5.4 times the human AUC for fosnetupitant and 0.4 times the human AUC for netupitant at the recommended single dose to be given with each cycle of chemotherapy). Daily intravenous administration of 39 mg/kg fosnetupitant in rats (3 times the AUC for netupitant at the recommended single dose to be given with each cycle of chemotherapy) during organogenesis through lactation produced lower bodyweight in offspring at birth through maturation, and delayed physical development (pinna detachment, eye opening, and preputial separation).

These effects were associated with maternal toxicity (reduced weight gain and food consumption). No effects occurred in offspring or dams at 13 mg/kg/day (2 times the human AUC for netupitant at the recommended single dose to be given with each cycle of chemotherapy). Palonosetron In animal reproduction studies with palonosetron, no effects on embryo-fetal development were observed in pregnant rats given oral doses up to 60 mg/kg/day (921 times the recommended oral dose based on body surface area) or pregnant rabbits given oral doses up to 60 mg/kg/day (1841 times the recommended oral dose based on body surface area) during the period of organogenesis.

Adverse reactions

The following clinically significant adverse reactions are found elsewhere in the labeling: Hypersensitivity Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] Serotonin Syndrome [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] Most common adverse reactions (≥3%) for AKYNZEO capsules are headache, asthenia, dyspepsia, fatigue, constipation and erythema ( 6.1 ) The safety profile of AKYNZEO for injection was generally similar to that seen with AKYNZEO capsules.

( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact HELSINN at 1-844-357-4668 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch .

6.1Clinical Trials Experience

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 practice. AKYNZEO Capsules The overall safety of AKYNZEO capsules was evaluated in 1538 cancer patients and healthy subjects in clinical trials. The data described below reflect exposure to AKYNZEO in 1169 cancer patients, receiving at least one cycle of cancer chemotherapy in 3 active-controlled trials [see Clinical Studies ( 14 .1 )] , including 782 exposed to AKYNZEO for at least 4 cycles and 321 exposed for at least 6 cycles, up to a maximum of 12 cycles of chemotherapy.

The median age was 55, 79% were female, 83% were White, 13% were Asian, and 4% were Hispanic. All patients received a single oral dose of AKYNZEO 1 hour prior to the start of each chemotherapy cycle. In all studies, dexamethasone was co-administered with AKYNZEO [see Clinical Studies ( 14.1 ), Table 16 and Table 18 ]. Cisplatin Based Highly Emetogenic Chemotherapy In a single-cycle study of patients receiving cisplatin based highly emetogenic chemotherapy, 136 patients were treated with AKYNZEO.

Table 5 shows adverse reactions reported at an incidence of at least 3% and for which the AKYNZEO rate exceeded palonosetron alone. Table 5: Adverse Reactions Occurring in ≥3% of Cancer Patients Receiving AKYNZEO capsules and Cisplatin Based Highly Emetogenic Chemotherapy (Cycle 1) Adverse Reactions AKYNZEO netupitant 300 mg/ palonosetron 0.5 mg (N=136) Palonosetron 0.5 mg (N=136) Dyspepsia 4% 2% Fatigue 4% 2% Constipation 3% 1% Erythema 3% 2% Anthracyclines and Cyclophosphamide Based Chemotherapy In a study of patients receiving anthracycline and cyclophosphamide based chemotherapy, 725 patients were treated with AKYNZEO capsules during Cycle 1, and 635 of these patients continued for up to 8 cycles in a multiple-cycle extension.

Table 6 shows adverse reactions reported at an incidence of at least 3% and for which the AKYNZEO capsules rate exceeded palonosetron alone during Cycle 1. The adverse reaction profile in subsequent cycles was similar to that observed in Cycle 1. Table 6: Adverse Reactions Occurring in ≥3% of Cancer Patients Receiving AKYNZEO capsules and Anthracyclines and Cyclophosphamide Based Chemotherapy (Cycle 1) Adverse Reactions AKYNZEO netupitant 300 mg/ palonosetron 0.5 mg (N=725) Palonosetron 0.5 mg (N=725) Headache 9% 7% Asthenia 8% 7% Fatigue 7% 5% In addition to the adverse reactions shown above, there were reports of concomitant elevations of transaminases greater than 3 times the upper limit of normal and total bilirubin in both arms of the two trials that compared AKYNZEO capsules to oral palonosetron, and the frequency of these elevations was comparable between treatment groups.

See Table 7. Table 7: Liver Function Laboratory Abnormalities ULN = upper limit of normal Laboratory Changes AKYNZEO netupitant 300 mg/ palonosetron 0.5 mg N=861 Palonosetron 0.5 mg N=861 AST > 3 x ULN and/or ALT > 3 x ULN with Total Bilirubin > ULN 3 (0.3%) 5 (0.6%) AST > 10 x ULN and/or ALT > 10 x ULN with Total Bilirubin > ULN - 2 (0.2%) AST > 3 x ULN and/or ALT > 3 x ULN with Total Bilirubin ≥ 2 x ULN 1 (0.1%) 1 (0.1%) In a multi-cycle safety study of 412 patients, the safety profile of AKYNZEO capsules (n = 308) was comparable to aprepitant and palonosetron (n = 104) in patients undergoing initial and repeat cycles (median 5 cycles, range of 1-14 cycles) of chemotherapy, including carboplatin, cisplatin, oxaliplatin, and doxorubicin regimens.

There were no reports of concomitant elevations of transaminases greater than 3 times the upper limit of normal and total bilirubin in this study in either arm. In a randomized, clinical non-inferiority study, that compared oral palonosetron 0.5 mg to intravenous palonosetron 0.25 mg in cancer patients scheduled to receive highly emetogenic cisplatin (greater than or equal to 70 mg/m 2 ) based chemotherapy, there were two patients (0.5%; 2/369) in the intravenous palonosetron arm who had concomitant elevations of transaminases and total bilirubin.

Neither experienced transaminase elevations greater than 10 times the upper limit of normal. AKYNZEO for Injection The safety of AKYNZEO for injection was evaluated in 203 patients in an active-controlled multi-cycle (median 4 cycles, range of 1-4 cycles) safety clinical study in patients receiving HEC regimens, not including anthracycline plus cyclophosphamide, (e.g., cisplatin, cyclophosphamide, carmustine, dacarbazine and mechlorethamine) compared to 201 patients receiving AKYNZEO capsules ( NCT02517021 ).

The median age was 60 years, 46% were female, 99.5 % were White, 0.3% were Asian, and 0.3% were Hispanic. All patients received a single dose of AKYNZEO for injection 30 minutes prior to the start of each chemotherapy cycle; dexamethasone was co-administered with AKYNZEO. The safety profile of AKYNZEO for injection was generally similar to that seen with AKYNZEO capsules.

Akynzeo

Indications

Contraindications

Warnings and precautions

At a glance

Two medicines in one question?

Akynzeo

Indications

Contraindications

Warnings and precautions

At a glance

Two medicines in one question?

5.1Hypersensitivity

5.2Serotonin Syndrome

Interactions

7.1Effects of

7.2Effects of Other Drugs on

7.3Serotonergic Drugs

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

8.1Pregnancy Risk Summary

Adverse reactions

6.1Clinical Trials Experience

Composition

Official product information