Methylating Agent

Betaine

Approved 23 Nov 2021OralFor solution

The FDA lists this product in 2 strengths and forms.

Indications

Betaine Anhydrous for Oral Solution is indicated for the treatment of homocystinuria to decrease elevated homocysteine blood concentrations in pediatric and adult patients. Included within the category of homocystinuria are Cystathionine beta-synthase (CBS) deficiency 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) deficiency Cobalamin cofactor metabolism (cbl) defect Betaine Anhydrous for Oral Solution is a methylating agent indicated in pediatric and adult patients for the treatment of homocystinuria to decrease elevated homocysteine blood concentrations.

Included within the category of homocystinuria are: Cystathionine beta-synthase (CBS) deficiency 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) deficiency Cobalamin cofactor metabolism (cbl) defect

Contraindications

None. None (4)

Warnings and precautions

Hypermethioninemia in Patients with CBS Deficiency: Betaine Anhydrous for Oral Solution may worsen elevated plasma methionine concentrations and cerebral edema has been reported. Monitor plasma methionine concentrations in patients with CBS deficiency. Keep plasma methionine concentrations below 1,000 micromol/L through dietary modification and, if necessary, a reduction of Betaine Anhydrous for Oral Solution dosage.

(5.1)

5.1Hypermethioninemia in Patients with CBS Deficiency Patients

with homocystinuria due to cystathionine beta-synthase (CBS) deficiency may also have elevated plasma methionine concentrations. Treatment with Betaine Anhydrous for Oral Solution may further increase methionine concentrations due to the remethylation of homocysteine to methionine. Cerebral edema has been reported in patients with hypermethioninemia, including patients treated with Betaine Anhydrous for Oral Solution [ see Adverse Reactions (6.2)] .

Monitor plasma methionine concentrations in patients with CBS deficiency. Plasma methionine concentrations should be kept below 1,000 micromol/L through dietary modification and, if necessary, a reduction of Betaine Anhydrous for Oral Solution dosage.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

8.1

At a glance

Brand name: Betaine
Pharmacologic class: Methylating Agent
Route: Oral
Dosage form: For solution
Applicant: Novitium Pharma
Status: Prescription
FDA approval: 23 Nov 2021
Application: ANDA214864-001

Indications

Included within the category of homocystinuria are: Cystathionine beta-synthase (CBS) deficiency 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) deficiency Cobalamin cofactor metabolism (cbl) defect

Warnings and precautions

(5.1)

5.1Hypermethioninemia in Patients with CBS Deficiency Patients

Adverse reactions

The following serious adverse reactions are described elsewhere in labeling: Hypermethioninemia and cerebral edema in patients with CBS deficiency [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)] . Most common adverse reactions (> 2%) are: nausea and gastrointestinal distress, based on physician survey (6.1). To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Cosette Pharmaceuticals, Inc. at 1-800-922-1038 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 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. The assessment of clinical adverse reactions is based on a survey study of 41 physicians, who treated a total of 111 homocystinuria patients with Betaine Anhydrous for Oral Solution.

Adverse reactions were retrospectively recalled and were not collected systematically in this open-label, uncontrolled, physician survey. Thus, this list may not encompass all types of potential adverse reactions, reliably estimate their frequency, or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. The following adverse reactions were reported (Table 1): Table 1: Number of Patients with Adverse Reactions to Betaine Anhydrous for Oral Solution by Physician Survey Adverse Reactions Number of Patients Nausea 2 Gastrointestinal distress 2 Diarrhea 1 "Bad Taste" 1 "Caused Odor" 1 Questionable psychological changes 1 "Aspirated the powder" 1

6.2Post-marketing Experience

The following adverse reactions have been identified during post approval use of Betaine Anhydrous for Oral Solution. 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 drug exposure. Severe cerebral edema and hypermethioninemia have been reported within 2 weeks to 6 months of starting Betaine Anhydrous for Oral Solution therapy, with complete recovery after discontinuation of Betaine Anhydrous for Oral Solution.

All patients who developed cerebral edema had homocystinuria due to CBS deficiency and had severe elevation in plasma methionine concentrations (range 1,000 to 3,000 microM). As cerebral edema has also been reported in patients with hypermethioninemia, secondary hypermethioninemia due to betaine therapy has been postulated as a possible mechanism of action [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)] . Other adverse reactions include: anorexia, agitation, depression, irritability, personality disorder, sleep disturbed, dental disorders, diarrhea, glossitis, nausea, stomach discomfort, vomiting, hair loss, hives, skin odor abnormalities, and urinary incontinence.

Betaine

Indications

Contraindications

Warnings and precautions

5.1Hypermethioninemia in Patients with CBS Deficiency Patients

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

8.1

At a glance

Two medicines in one question?

Betaine

Indications

Contraindications

Warnings and precautions

5.1Hypermethioninemia in Patients with CBS Deficiency Patients

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

8.1

At a glance

Two medicines in one question?

Adverse reactions

6.1Clinical Trials Experience

6.2Post-marketing Experience

Composition

Strengths and forms

Official product information