Eltrombopag is a thrombopoietin receptor agonist indicated: for the treatment of thrombocytopenia in adult and pediatric patients 1 year and older with persistent or chronic immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) who have had an insufficient response to corticosteroids, immunoglobulins, or splenectomy. Eltrombopag tablets should be used only in patients with ITP whose degree of thrombocytopenia and clinical condition increase the risk for bleeding.
( 1.1 ) for the treatment of thrombocytopenia in patients with chronic hepatitis C to allow the initiation and maintenance of interferon-based therapy. Eltrombopag tablets should be used only in patients with chronic hepatitis C whose degree of thrombocytopenia prevents the initiation of interferon-based therapy or limits the ability to maintain interferon-based therapy. ( 1.2 ) in combination with standard immunosuppressive therapy for the first-line treatment of adult and pediatric patients 2 years and older with severe aplastic anemia.
( 1.3 ) for the treatment of patients with severe aplastic anemia who have had an insufficient response to immunosuppressive therapy. ( 1.3 ) Limitations of Use: Eltrombopag tablets are not indicated for the treatment of patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). ( 1.4 ) Safety and efficacy have not been established in combination with direct-acting antiviral agents used without interferon for treatment of chronic hepatitis C infection.
( 1.4 )
1.1Treatment of Thrombocytopenia in Patients With Persistent or Chronic Immune Thrombocytopenia
Eltrombopag tablets are indicated for the treatment of thrombocytopenia in adult and pediatric patients 1 year and older with persistent or chronic immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) who have had an insufficient response to corticosteroids, immunoglobulins, or splenectomy. Eltrombopag tablets should be used only in patients with ITP whose degree of thrombocytopenia and clinical condition increase the risk for bleeding.
1.2Treatment of Thrombocytopenia in Patients With Hepatitis C Infection
Eltrombopag tablets are indicated for the treatment of thrombocytopenia in patients with chronic hepatitis C to allow the initiation and maintenance of interferon-based therapy. Eltrombopag tablets should be used only in patients with chronic hepatitis C whose degree of thrombocytopenia prevents the initiation of interferon-based therapy or limits the ability to maintain interferon-based therapy.
Eltrombopag tablets are indicated in combination with standard immunosuppressive therapy (IST) for the first-line treatment of adult and pediatric patients 2 years and older with severe aplastic anemia. Eltrombopag tablets are indicated for the treatment of patients with severe aplastic anemia who have had an insufficient response to immunosuppressive therapy.
1.4Limitations of Use
Eltrombopag tablets are not indicated for the treatment of patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ]. Safety and efficacy have not been established in combination with direct-acting antiviral agents used without interferon for treatment of chronic hepatitis C infection.
Contraindications
None. None. ( 4 )
Warnings and precautions
Hepatotoxicity: Monitor liver function before and during therapy. ( 5.2 ) Increased Risk of Death and Progression of Myelodysplastic Syndromes to Acute Myeloid Leukemia. ( 5.3 ) Thrombotic/Thromboembolic Complications: Portal vein thrombosis has been reported in patients with chronic liver disease receiving eltrombopag. Monitor platelet counts regularly. ( 5.4 )
5.1Hepatic Decompensation in Patients With Chronic Hepatitis C
In patients with chronic hepatitis C, eltrombopag in combination with interferon and ribavirin may increase the risk of hepatic decompensation. In two controlled clinical trials in patients with chronic hepatitis C and thrombocytopenia, ascites and encephalopathy occurred more frequently on the arm receiving treatment with eltrombopag plus antivirals (7%) than the placebo plus antivirals arm (4%). Patients with low albumin levels (less than 3.5 g/dL) or Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score greater than or equal to 10 at baseline had a greater risk for hepatic decompensation on the arm receiving treatment with eltrombopag plus antivirals.
Discontinue eltrombopag if antiviral therapy is discontinued.
5.2Hepatotoxicity
Eltrombopag may increase the risk of severe and potentially life-threatening hepatotoxicity [see Adverse Reactions (6.1) ] . One patient (< 1%) with ITP treated with eltrombopag in clinical trials experienced drug-induced liver injury. Eleven patients (1%) with chronic hepatitis C treated with eltrombopag in clinical trials experienced drug-induced liver injury. Treatment of ITP, Chronic Hepatitis C-associated Thrombocytopenia, and Refractory Severe Aplastic Anemia Measure serum ALT, AST, and bilirubin prior to initiation of eltrombopag, every 2 weeks during the dose adjustment phase, and monthly following establishment of a stable dose [see Drug Interactions (7.5) ] .
Eltrombopag inhibits UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT)1A1 and organic anion-transporting polypeptide (OATP)1B1, which may lead to indirect hyperbilirubinemia. If bilirubin is elevated, perform fractionation. Evaluate abnormal serum liver tests with repeat testing within 3 to 5 days. If the abnormalities are confirmed, monitor serum liver tests weekly until resolved or stabilized. Discontinue eltrombopag if ALT levels increase to greater than or equal to 3 x ULN in patients with normal liver function or greater than or equal to 3 x baseline (or greater than 5 x ULN, whichever is the lower) in patients with pre-treatment elevations in transaminases and are: progressively increasing, or persistent for greater than or equal to 4 weeks, or accompanied by increased direct bilirubin, or accompanied by clinical symptoms of liver injury or evidence for hepatic decompensation.
If the potential benefit for reinitiating treatment with eltrombopag is considered to outweigh the risk for hepatotoxicity, then consider cautiously reintroducing eltrombopag and measure serum liver tests weekly during the dose adjustment phase. Hepatotoxicity may reoccur if eltrombopag is reinitiated. If liver test abnormalities persist, worsen, or recur, then permanently discontinue eltrombopag. First-Line Treatment of Severe Aplastic Anemia Measure ALT, AST and bilirubin prior to initiation of eltrombopag, every other day while hospitalized for h-ATG therapy and then every 2 weeks during treatment.
During treatment, manage increases in ALT or AST levels as recommended in Table 6.
5.3Increased Risk of Death and Progression of Myelodysplastic Syndromes to Acute Myeloid Leukemia
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial in patients with International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS) intermediate-1, intermediate-2 or high risk MDS with thrombocytopenia, receiving azacitidine in combination with either eltrombopag (n = 179) or placebo (n = 177) was terminated due to lack of efficacy and safety reasons, including increased progression to acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Patients received eltrombopag or placebo at a starting dose of 200 mg once daily, up to a maximum of 300 mg once daily, in combination with azacitidine for at least six cycles.
The incidence of death (overall survival) was 32% (57/179) in the eltrombopag arm versus 29% (51/177) in the placebo arm (HR [95% CI] = 1.42 [0.97, 2.08], showing an increased relative risk of death in this trial by 42% in the eltrombopag arm). The incidence of progression to AML was 12% (21/179) in the eltrombopag arm versus 6% (10/177) in the placebo arm (HR [95% CI] = 2.66 [1.31, 5.41], showing an increased relative risk of progression to AML in this trial by 166% in the eltrombopag arm).
5.4Thrombotic/Thromboembolic Complications
Thrombotic/thromboembolic complications may result from increases in platelet counts with eltrombopag. Reported thrombotic/thromboembolic complications included both venous and arterial events and were observed at low and at normal platelet counts. Consider the potential for an increased risk of thromboembolism when administering eltrombopag to patients with known risk factors for thromboembolism (e.g., Factor V Leiden, ATIII deficiency, antiphospholipid syndrome, chronic liver disease).
To minimize the risk for thrombotic/thromboembolic complications, do not use eltrombopag in an attempt to normalize platelet counts. Follow the dose adjustment guidelines to achieve and maintain target platelet counts [see Dosage and Administration (2.1 , 2.2 , 2.3) ] . In two controlled clinical trials in patients with chronic hepatitis C and thrombocytopenia, 3% (31/955) treated with eltrombopag experienced a thrombotic event compared with 1% (5/484) on placebo.
The majority of events were of the portal venous system (1% in patients treated with eltrombopag versus less than 1% for placebo). In a controlled trial in patients with chronic liver disease and thrombocytopenia not related to ITP undergoing elective invasive procedures (N = 292), the risk of thrombotic events was increased in patients treated with 75 mg of eltrombopag once daily. Seven thrombotic complications (six patients) were reported in the group that received eltrombopag and three thrombotic complications were reported in the placebo group (two patients).
All of the thrombotic complications reported in the group that received eltrombopag were portal vein thrombosis (PVT). Symptoms of PVT included abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Five of the six patients in the group that received eltrombopag experienced a thrombotic complication within 30 days of completing treatment with eltrombopag and at a platelet count above 200 x 10 9 /L. The risk of portal venous thrombosis was increased in thrombocytopenic patients with chronic liver disease treated with 75 mg of eltrombopag once daily for 2 weeks in preparation for invasive procedures.
5.5 Cataracts In the three controlled clinical trials in adults with persistent or chronic ITP, cataracts developed or worsened in 15 (7%) patients who received 50 mg of eltrombopag daily and 8 (7%) placebo-group patients. In the extension trial, cataracts developed or worsened in 11% of patients who underwent ocular examination prior to therapy with eltrombopag. In the two controlled clinical trials in patients with chronic hepatitis C and thrombocytopenia, cataracts developed or worsened in 8% of patients treated with eltrombopag and 5% of patients treated with placebo.
Cataracts were observed in toxicology studies of eltrombopag in rodents [see Nonclinical Toxicology (13.2) ] . Perform a baseline ocular examination prior to administration of eltrombopag and, during therapy with eltrombopag, regularly monitor patients for signs and symptoms of cataracts.
5.6Laboratory Test Interference
Eltrombopag is highly colored and can cause patient sample discoloration, which can interfere with some clinical laboratory tests. Inaccurate test results that are inconsistent with clinical observations may occur for multiple clinical chemistry tests including bilirubin and creatinine. In
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Interactions
7.1Polyvalent Cations (Chelation)
Eltrombopag chelates polyvalent cations (such as iron, calcium, aluminum, magnesium, selenium, and zinc) in foods, mineral supplements, and antacids. Take eltrombopag tablets at least 2 hours before or 4 hours after any medications or products containing polyvalent cations, such as antacids, dairy products, and mineral supplements to avoid significant reduction in absorption of eltrombopag due to chelation [see Dosage and Administration (2.4) , Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] .
7.2Transporters
Use caution when concomitantly administering eltrombopag and drugs that are substrates of OATP1B1 (e.g., atorvastatin, bosentan, ezetimibe, fluvastatin, glyburide, olmesartan, pitavastatin, pravastatin, rosuvastatin, repaglinide, rifampin, simvastatin acid, SN-38 [active metabolite of irinotecan], valsartan) or breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP) (e.g., imatinib, irinotecan, lapatinib, methotrexate, mitoxantrone, rosuvastatin, sulfasalazine, topotecan).
Monitor patients closely for signs and symptoms of excessive exposure to the drugs that are substrates of OATP1B1 or BCRP and consider reduction of the dose of these drugs, if appropriate. In clinical trials with eltrombopag, a dose reduction of rosuvastatin by 50% was recommended.
7.3Protease Inhibitors HIV Protease Inhibitors:
No dose adjustment is recommended when eltrombopag is co-administered with lopinavir/ritonavir (LPV/RTV). Drug interactions with other HIV protease inhibitors have not been evaluated. Hepatitis C Virus Protease Inhibitors: No dose adjustments are recommended when eltrombopag is co-administered with boceprevir or telaprevir. Drug interactions with other hepatitis C virus (HCV) protease inhibitors have not been evaluated.
7.4Peginterferon Alfa-2a/b Therapy
No dose adjustments are recommended when eltrombopag is co-administered with peginterferon alfa-2a (PEGASYS ® ) or -2b (PEGINTRON ® ).
7.5Interference with Clinical Laboratory Tests
Eltrombopag is highly colored and can cause patient sample discoloration, which is reported to interfere with some clinical laboratory tests, including, but not limited to bilirubin and creatinine. Bilirubin Testing : Eltrombopag can cause both positive and negative interference with bilirubin assays. If the laboratory results for bilirubin are inconsistent with clinical observations, further evaluation of liver function should be performed to clarify the clinical status of the patient.
Evaluating contemporaneous aminotransferase values (AST, ALT) may help determine the validity of normal total bilirubin levels in the presence of clinical jaundice. Creatinine Testing : Eltrombopag can cause positive interference with creatinine measurements, leading to falsely elevated creatinine levels. In the event of an unexpected serum creatinine test result, further evaluation of renal function should be performed.
Blood urea should be evaluated if serum creatinine is unexpectedly high. Communicate to the lab conducting testing if the patient is taking eltrombopag. Re-testing using other methods may also help in determining the validity of the test results.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
8.1Pregnancy Risk Summary
Available data from a small number of published case reports and post-marketing experience with eltrombopag use in pregnant women are insufficient to assess any drug-associated risks for major birth defects, miscarriage, or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. In animal reproduction and developmental toxicity studies, oral administration of eltrombopag to pregnant rats during organogenesis resulted in embryolethality and reduced fetal weights at maternally toxic doses.
These effects were observed at doses resulting in exposures that were six times the human clinical exposure based on area under the curve (AUC) in patients with persistent or chronic ITP at 75 mg/day, and three times the AUC in patients with chronic hepatitis C at 100 mg/day (see Data) . The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is 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 of miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2% to 4% and 15% to 20%, respectively. Data Animal Data In an early embryonic development study, female rats received oral eltrombopag at doses of 10, 20, or 60 mg/kg/day (0.8, 2, and 6 times, respectively, the human clinical exposure based on AUC in patients with ITP at 75 mg/day and 0.3, 1, and 3 times, respectively, the human clinical exposure based on AUC in patients with chronic hepatitis C at 100 mg/day).
Increased pre- and post-implantation loss and reduced fetal weight were observed at the highest dose which also caused maternal toxicity. In an embryo-fetal development study eltrombopag was administered orally to pregnant rats during the period of organogenesis at doses of 10, 20, or 60 mg/kg/day (0.8, 2, and 6 times, respectively, the human clinical exposure based on AUC in patients with ITP at 75 mg/day and 0.3, 1, and 3 times, respectively, the human clinical exposure based on AUC in patients with chronic hepatitis C at 100 mg/day).
Decreased fetal weights (6% to 7%) and a slight increase in the presence of cervical ribs were observed at the highest dose which also caused maternal toxicity. However, no evidence of major structural malformations was observed. In an embryo-fetal development study eltrombopag was administered orally to pregnant rabbits during the period of organogenesis at doses of 30, 80, or 150 mg/kg/day (0.04, 0.3, and 0.5 times, respectively, the human clinical exposure based on AUC in patients with ITP at 75 mg/day and 0.02, 0.1, and 0.3 times, respectively, the human clinical exposure based on AUC in patients with chronic hepatitis C at 100 mg/day).
No evidence of fetotoxicity, embryolethality, or teratogenicity was observed. In a pre- and post-natal developmental toxicity study in pregnant rats (F0), oral eltrombopag was administered from gestation Day 6 through lactation Day 20. No adverse effects on maternal reproductive function or on the development of the offspring (F1) were observed at doses up to 20 mg/kg/day (2 times the human clinical exposure based on AUC in patients with ITP at 75 mg/day and similar to the human clinical exposure based on AUC in patients with chronic hepatitis C at 100 mg/day).
Eltrombopag was detected in the plasma of offspring (F1). The plasma concentrations in pups increased with dose following administration of drug to the F0 dams.
Adverse reactions
The following clinically significant adverse reactions associated with eltrombopag are described in other sections. Hepatic Decompensation in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] Hepatotoxicity [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] Increased Risk of Death and Progression of Myelodysplastic Syndromes to Acute Myeloid Leukemia [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] Thrombotic/Thromboembolic Complications [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] Cataracts [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ] Across all indications, the most common adverse reactions (≥ 20% in any indication) were: anemia, nausea, pyrexia, alanine aminotransferase increased, cough, fatigue, headache, and diarrhea.
( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Amneal Pharmaceuticals LLC at 1-877-835-5472 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 with rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. Persistent or Chronic Immune Thrombocytopenia Adults In clinical trials, hemorrhage was the most common serious adverse reaction and most hemorrhagic reactions followed discontinuation of eltrombopag.
Other serious adverse reactions included thrombotic/thromboembolic complications [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] . The data described below reflect exposure of eltrombopag to patients with persistent or chronic ITP aged 18 to 85 years, of whom 66% were female, in three placebo-controlled trials and one open-label extension trial [see Clinical Studies (14.1) ] . Eltrombopag was administered to 330 patients for at least 6 months and 218 patients for at least 1 year.
Table 8 presents the most common adverse drug reactions (experienced by greater than or equal to 3% of patients receiving eltrombopag) from the three placebo-controlled trials, with a higher incidence in eltrombopag versus placebo. Table 8: Adverse Reactions (≥ 3%) From Three Placebo-controlled Trials in Adults With Persistent or Chronic Immune Thrombocytopenia Adverse reaction Eltrombopag 50 mg n = 241 (%) Placebo n = 128 (%) Nausea 9 3 Diarrhea 9 7 Upper respiratory tract infection 7 6 Vomiting 6 < 1 Urinary tract infection a 5 4 Increased ALT 5 3 Myalgia 5 2 Oropharyngeal pain 4 3 Increased AST 4 2 Pharyngitis 4 2 Back pain 3 2 Influenza 3 2 Paresthesia 3 2 Rash 3 2 Abbreviations: ALT, alanine aminotransferase; AST, aspartate aminotransferase. a Includes PTs of urinary tract infection, cystitis, urinary tract infection bacterial, and bacteriuria.
In the three controlled clinical persistent or chronic ITP trials, alopecia, musculoskeletal pain, blood alkaline phosphatase increased, and dry mouth were the adverse reactions reported in 2% of patients treated with eltrombopag and in no patients who received placebo. Among 302 patients with persistent or chronic ITP who received eltrombopag in the single-arm extension trial, the adverse reactions occurred in a pattern similar to that seen in the placebo-controlled trials.
Table 9 presents the most common treatment-related adverse reactions (experienced by greater than or equal to 3% of patients receiving eltrombopag) from the extension trial. Table 9: Treatment-related Adverse Reactions ( > 3%) From Extension Trial in Adults With Persistent or Chronic Immune Thrombocytopenia Adverse reaction Eltrombopag 50 mg n = 302 (%) Headache 10 ALT increased 5 AST increased 5 Cataract 5 Fatigue 5 Blood bilirubin increased 4 Nausea 4 Hyperbilirubinemia 3 Diarrhea 3 Abbreviations: ALT, alanine aminotransferase; AST, aspartate aminotransferase.
In the three controlled persistent or chronic ITP trials, serum liver test abnormalities (predominantly Grade 2 or less in severity) were reported in 11% and 7% of patients for eltrombopag and placebo, respectively. Four patients (1%) treated with eltrombopag and three patients in the placebo group (2%) discontinued treatment due to hepatobiliary laboratory abnormalities. Seventeen of the patients treated with eltrombopag in the controlled trials with hepatobiliary laboratory abnormalities were re-exposed to eltrombopag in the extension trial.
Eight of these patients again experienced liver test abnormalities (less than or equal to Grade 3) resulting in discontinuation of eltrombopag in one patient. In the extension persistent or chronic ITP trial, six additional patients had eltrombopag discontinued due to liver test abnormalities (less than or equal to Grade 3). In the three controlled persistent or chronic ITP trials, cataracts developed or worsened in 7% of patients treated with eltrombopag and 7% of patients in the placebo group.
All patients had documented, preexisting risk factors for cataractogenesis, including corticosteroid use. In the extension trial, cataracts developed or worsened in 11% of patients who underwent ocular examination prior to therapy with eltrombopag. Seventy-two percent of patients had preexisting risk factors, including corticosteroid use. The safety of eltrombopag was also assessed in all patients treated in 7 adult persistent or chronic ITP clinical trials (N = 763 eltrombopag-treated patients and 179 placebo-treated patients).
Thromboembolic events were reported in 6% of eltrombopag-treated patients versus 0% of placebo-treated patients and thrombotic microangiopathy with acute renal failure was reported in < 1% of eltrombopag-treated patients versus 0% of placebo-treated patients. In a placebo-controlled trial of eltrombopag in patients with chronic liver disease and thrombocytopenia not related to ITP, six patients treated with eltrombopag and one patient in the placebo group developed portal vein thromboses [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] .
Pediatric Patients The data described below reflect median exposure to eltrombopag of 91 days for 107 pediatric patients (aged 1 to 17 years) with persistent or chronic ITP, of whom 53% were female, across the randomized phase of two placebo-controlled trials. Table 10 presents the most common adverse drug reactions (experienced by greater than or equal to 3% of pediatric patients 1 year and older receiving eltrombopag) across the two placebo-controlled trials, with a higher incidence for eltrombopag versus placebo.
Table 10: Adverse Reactions (≥ 3%) With a Higher Incidence for Eltrombopag Versus Placebo From Two Placebo-controlled Trials in Pediatric Patients 1 Year and Older With Persistent or Chronic Immune Thrombocytopenia Adverse reaction Eltrombopag n = 107 (%) Placebo n = 50 (%) Upper respiratory tract infection 17 6 Nasopharyngitis 12 4 Cough 9 0 Diarrhea 9 2 Pyrexia 9 8 Abdominal pain 8 4 Oropharyngeal pain 8 2 Toothache 6 0 ALT increased a 6 0 Rash 5 2 AST increased 4 0 Rhinorrhea 4 0 Abbreviations: ALT, alanine aminotransferase; AST, aspartate aminotransferase. a Includes adverse reactions or laboratory abnormalities > 3 x ULN.
In the two controlled clinical persistent or chronic ITP trials, cataracts developed or worsened in 2 (1%) patients treated with eltrombopag. Both patients had received chronic oral corticosteroids, a risk factor for cataractogenesis. Chronic Hepatitis C-associated Thrombocytopenia In the two placebo-controlled trials, 955 patients with chronic hepatitis C-associated thrombocytopenia received eltrombopag. Table 11 presents the most common adverse drug reactions (experienced by greater than or equal to 10% of patients receiving eltrombopag compared with placebo).
Table 11: Adverse Reactions (≥ 10% and Greater Than Placebo) From Two Placebo-controlled Trials in Adults With Chronic Hepatitis C Adverse reaction Eltrombopag + Peginterferon/Ribavirin n = 955 (%) Placebo + Peginterferon/Ribavirin n = 484 (%) Anemia 40 35 Pyrexia 30 24 Fatigue 28 23 Headache 21 20 Nausea 19 14 Diarrhea 19 11 Decreased appetite 18 14 Influenza-like illness 18 16 In
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Composition
Active ingredients
ELTROMBOPAG OLAMINE EQ 12.5MG ACID
Strengths and forms
The FDA lists each strength of a product separately; these pages share one label.
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