Benzodiazepine derivatives

Sympazan

Approved 1 Nov 2018OralFilm

The FDA lists this product in 3 strengths and forms.

Indications

SYMPAZAN ® is indicated for the adjunctive treatment of seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome (LGS) in patients 2 years of age or older. SYMPAZAN ® is a benzodiazepine indicated for adjunctive treatment of seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome (LGS) in patients 2 years of age or older ( 1 ).

Contraindications

SYMPAZAN ® is contraindicated in patients with a history of hypersensitivity to the drug or its ingredients. Hypersensitivity reactions have included serious dermatological reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6) ]. History of hypersensitivity to the drug or its ingredients ( 4 )

Warnings and precautions

Somnolence or Sedation: Monitor for central nervous system (CNS) depression. Risk may be increased with concomitant use of other CNS depressants ( 5.4 , 5.5 ) Serious Dermatological Reactions (including Stevens-Johnson Syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis): Discontinue SYMPAZAN ® at first sign of rash unless the rash is clearly not drug-related ( 5.6 ) Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (Dress)/Multiorgan Hypersensitivity: Discontinue if no alternative etiology ( 5.7 ) Suicidal Behavior and Ideation: Monitor for suicidal thoughts or behaviors ( 5.8 ) Neonatal Sedation and Withdrawal Syndrome: SYMPAZAN use during pregnancy can result in neonatal sedation and/or neonatal withdrawal ( 5.9 , 8.1 )

5.1Risks from Concomitant Use with Opioids

Concomitant use of benzodiazepines, including SYMPAZAN ® , and opioids may result in profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death. Because of these risks, reserve concomitant prescribing of benzodiazepines and opioids in patients for whom alternative treatment options are inadequate. Observational studies have demonstrated that concomitant use of opioid analgesics and benzodiazepines increases the risk of drug-related mortality compared to use of opioids alone.

If a decision is made to prescribe SYMPAZAN ® concomitantly with opioids, prescribe the lowest effective dosages and minimum durations of concomitant use, and follow patients closely for signs and symptoms of respiratory depression and sedation. Advise both patients and caregivers about the risks of respiratory depression and sedation when SYMPAZAN ® is used with opioids [see Drug Interactions (7.1) ].

Interactions

Alcohol: Increases blood levels of clobazam by about 50% ( 7.2 ) Drugs metabolized by CYP2D6: Lower doses of these drugs may be required when used concomitantly with SYMPAZAN ® ( 7.3 ) Strong or Moderate CYP2C19 Inhibitors: Dosage adjustment of SYMPAZAN ® may be necessary ( 7.4 ) Cannabidiol: May increase risk of SYMPAZAN-related adverse reactions; consider dosage adjustment if this occurs ( 7.4 )

7.1Opioids

The concomitant use of benzodiazepines and opioids increases the risk of respiratory depression because of actions at different receptor sites in the CNS that control respiration. Benzodiazepines interact at GABA A sites, and opioids interact primarily at mu receptors. When benzodiazepines and opioids are combined, the potential for benzodiazepines to significantly worsen opioid-related respiratory depression exists.

Limit dosage and duration of concomitant use of benzodiazepines and opioids, and follow patients closely for respiratory depression and sedation [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ].

7.2CNS Depressants and Alcohol

Concomitant use of SYMPAZAN ® with other CNS depressants may increase the risk of sedation and somnolence [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ]. Alcohol, as a CNS depressant, will interact with SYMPAZAN ® in a similar way and also increases clobazam's maximum plasma exposure by approximately 50%. Therefore, caution patients or their caregivers against simultaneous use with other CNS depressant drugs or alcohol, and caution that the effects of other CNS depressant drugs or alcohol may be potentiated [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ].

7.3Effect of

SYMPAZAN ® on Other Drugs Hormonal Contraceptives SYMPAZAN ® is a weak CYP3A4 inducer. As some hormonal contraceptives are metabolized by CYP3A4, their effectiveness may be diminished when given with SYMPAZAN ® . Additional non-hormonal forms of contraception are recommended when using SYMPAZAN ® [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) , Patient Counseling Information (17) ]. Drugs Metabolized by CYP2D6 SYMPAZAN ® inhibits CYP2D6.

Dose adjustment of drugs metabolized by CYP2D6 may be necessary [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ].

7.4Effect of Other Drugs on

SYMPAZAN ® Strong and Moderate Inhibitors of CYP2C19 Coadministration with strong or moderate inhibitors of CYP2C19 may result in increased exposure to N-desmethylclobazam, the active metabolite of clobazam. This may increase the risk of dose-related adverse reactions. Dosage adjustment of SYMPAZAN ® may be necessary when co-administered with strong CYP2C19 inhibitors (e.g., fluconazole, fluvoxamine, ticlopidine) or moderate CYP2C19 inhibitors (e.g., omeprazole) [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ].

Effect of Cannabidiol on SYMPAZAN ® Coadministration of cannabidiol, a CYP3A4 and CYP2C19 substrate and a CYP2C19 inhibitor, with clobazam may increase the risk of clobazam-related adverse reactions [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.4, 5.5) , Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ]. Consider a reduction in dosage of cannabidiol or clobazam if adverse reactions known to occur with SYMPAZAN are experienced.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

8.1Pregnancy Pregnancy Exposure Registry

There is a pregnancy exposure registry that monitors pregnancy outcomes in women exposed to AEDs, such as SYMPAZAN ® , during pregnancy. Healthcare providers are encouraged to recommend that pregnant women taking SYMPAZAN ® enroll in the North American Antiepileptic Drug (NAAED) Pregnancy Registry by calling 1-888-233-2334 or online at http://www.aedpregnancyregistry.org/ Risk Summary Neonates born to mothers using benzodiazepines late in pregnancy have been reported to experience symptoms of sedation and/or neonatal withdrawal [see Warnings and Precautions (5.9) and Clinical Considerations].

Available data from published observational studies of pregnant women exposed to benzodiazepines do not report a clear association with benzodiazepines and major birth defects ( see Data ). Administration of clobazam to pregnant rats and rabbits during the period of organogenesis or to rats throughout pregnancy and lactation resulted in developmental toxicity, including increased incidences of fetal malformations and mortality, at plasma exposures for clobazam and its major active metabolite, N-desmethylclobazam, below those expected at therapeutic doses in patients [ see Animal Data ].

Data for other benzodiazepines suggest the possibility of long-term effects on neurobehavioral and immunological function in animals following prenatal exposure to benzodiazepines at clinically relevant doses. The 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 miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2%-4% and 15% -20%, respectively.

Clinical Considerations Fetal/Neonatal Adverse Reactions Benzodiazepines cross the placenta and may produce respiratory depression, hypotonia, and sedation in neonates. Monitor neonates exposed to SYMPAZAN during pregnancy or labor for signs of sedation, respiratory depression, hypotonia, and feeding problems. Monitor neonates exposed to SYMPAZAN during pregnancy for signs of withdrawal. Manage these neonates accordingly [see Warnings and Precautions (5.9) ].

Data Human Data Published data from observational studies on the use of benzodiazepines during pregnancy do not report a clear association with benzodiazepines and major birth defects. Although early studies reported an increased risk of congenital malformations with diazepam and chlordiazepoxide, there was no consistent pattern noted. In addition, the majority of more recent case-control and cohort studies of benzodiazepine use during pregnancy, which were adjusted for confounding exposures to alcohol, tobacco and other medications, have not confirmed these findings.

Animal Data In a study in which clobazam (0, 150, 450, or 750 mg/kg/day) was orally administered to pregnant rats throughout the period of organogenesis, embryofetal mortality and incidences of fetal skeletal variations were increased at all doses. The low-effect dose for embryofetal developmental toxicity in rats (150 mg/kg/day) was associated with plasma exposures (AUC) for clobazam and its major active metabolite, N-desmethylclobazam, lower than those in humans at the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD) of 40 mg/day.

Oral administration of clobazam (0, 10, 30, or 75 mg/kg/day) to pregnant rabbits throughout the period of organogenesis resulted in decreased fetal body weights, and increased incidences of fetal malformations (visceral and skeletal) at the mid and high doses, and an increase in embryofetal mortality at the high dose. Incidences of fetal variations were increased at all doses. The highest dose tested was associated with maternal toxicity (ataxia and decreased activity).

The low effect dose for embryofetal developmental toxicity in rabbits (10 mg/kg/day) was associated with plasma exposures for clobazam and N-desmethylclobazam lower than those in humans at the MRHD. Oral administration of clobazam (0, 50, 350, or 750 mg/kg/day) to rats throughout pregnancy and lactation resulted in increased embryofetal mortality at the high dose, decreased pup survival at the mid and high doses and alterations in offspring behavior (locomotor activity) at all doses.

The low-effect dose for adverse effects on preand postnatal development in rats (50 mg/kg/day) was associated with plasma exposures for clobazam and N-desmethylclobazam lower than those in humans at the MRHD.

Adverse reactions

Clinically significant adverse reactions that appear in other sections of the labeling include the following: Risks from Concomitant Use with Opioids [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] Abuse, Misuse, and Addiction [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] Dependence and Withdrawal Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] Potentiation of Sedation from Concomitant Use with Central Nervous System Depressants [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] Somnolence or Sedation [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ] Serious Dermatological Reactions [see Contraindications (4) , Warnings and Precautions (5.6) ] Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS)/Multiorgan Hypersensitivity [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7) ] Suicidal Behavior and Ideation [see Warnings and Precautions (5.8) ] Neonatal Sedation and Withdrawal Syndrome [see Warnings and Precautions (5.9) ] Adverse reactions that occurred at least 10% more frequently than placebo in any clobazam dose included constipation, somnolence or sedation, pyrexia, lethargy, and drooling ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact 1-800-518-1084 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. The following adverse events have been reported in clinical trials of patients treated with clobazam, the active ingredient of SYMPAZAN ® . During its development for the adjunctive treatment of seizures associated with LGS, clobazam was administered to 333 healthy volunteers and 300 patients with a current or prior diagnosis of LGS, including 197 patients treated for 12 months or more.

The conditions and duration of exposure varied greatly and included single- and multiple-dose clinical pharmacology studies in healthy volunteers and two double-blind studies in patients with LGS (Study 1 and 2) [see Clinical Studies (14) ]. Only Study 1 included a placebo group, allowing comparison of adverse reaction rates on clobazam at several doses to placebo. Adverse Reactions Leading to Discontinuation in an LGS Placebo Controlled Clinical Trial (Study 1) The adverse reactions associated with clobazam treatment discontinuation in ≥1% of patients in decreasing order of frequency included lethargy, somnolence, ataxia, aggression, fatigue, and insomnia.

Most Common Adverse Reactions in an LGS Placebo Controlled Clinical Trial (Study 1) Table 3 lists the adverse reactions that occurred in ≥5% of clobazam-treated patients (at any dose), and at a rate greater than placebo-treated patients, in the randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group clinical study of adjunctive AED therapy for 15 weeks (Study 1). Table 3: Adverse Reactions Reported for ≥5% of Patients and More Frequently than Placebo in Any Treatment Group Clobazam Dose Level All Clobazam N=179 % Placebo N=59 % Low a N=58 % Medium b N=62 % High c N=59 % Gastrointestinal Disorders Vomiting 5 9 5 7 7 Constipation 0 2 2 10 5 Dysphagia 0 0 0 5 2 General Disorders and Administration Site Conditions Pyrexia 3 17 10 12 13 Irritability 5 3 11 5 7 Fatigue 2 5 5 3 5 Infections and Infestations Upper respiratory tract infection 10 10 13 14 12 Pneumonia 2 3 3 7 4 Urinary tract infection 0 2 5 5 4 Bronchitis 0 2 0 5 2 Metabolism and Nutrition Disorders Decreased appetite 3 3 0 7 3 Increased appetite 0 2 3 5 3 Nervous System Disorders Somnolence or Sedation 15 17 27 32 26 Somnolence 12 16 24 25 22 Sedation 3 2 3 9 5 Lethargy 5 10 5 15 10 Drooling 3 0 13 14 9 Ataxia 3 3 2 10 5 Psychomotor hyperactivity 3 3 3 5 4 Dysarthria 0 2 2 5 3 Psychiatric Disorders Aggression 5 3 8 14 8 Insomnia 2 2 5 7 5 Respiratory Disorders Cough 0 3 5 7 5 a Maximum daily dose of 5 mg for ≤30 kg body weight; 10 mg for >30 kg body weight b Maximum daily dose of 10 mg for ≤30 kg body weight; 20 mg for >30 kg body weight c Maximum daily dose of 20 mg for ≤30 kg body weight; 40 mg for >30 kg body weight

6.2Postmarketing Experience

The following adverse reactions have been identified during post-approval use of clobazam tablets. These reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size; therefore, it is not possible to estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. Adverse reactions are categorized by system organ class. Blood Disorders: Anemia, eosinophilia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia Eye Disorders: Diplopia, vision blurred Gastrointestinal Disorders: Abdominal distention General Disorders and Administration Site Conditions: Hypothermia Investigations: Hepatic enzyme increased Musculoskeletal: Muscle spasms Psychiatric Disorders: Agitation, anxiety, apathy, confusional state, depression, delirium, delusion, hallucination Renal and Urinary Disorders: Urinary retention Respiratory Disorders: Aspiration, respiratory depression Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders: Rash, urticaria, angioedema, and facial and lip edema

Sympazan

Indications

Contraindications

Warnings and precautions

5.1Risks from Concomitant Use with Opioids

Two medicines in one question?

5.2Abuse, Misuse, and Addiction

5.3Dependence and Withdrawal Reactions

5.4Potentiation of Sedation from Concomitant Use with Central Nervous System Depressants Since

5.5Somnolence or Sedation

5.6Serious Dermatological Reactions

5.8Suicidal Behavior and Ideation

Interactions

7.1Opioids

7.2CNS Depressants and Alcohol

7.3Effect of

7.4Effect of Other Drugs on

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

8.1Pregnancy Pregnancy Exposure Registry

Adverse reactions

6.1Clinical Trials Experience

6.2Postmarketing Experience

Composition

Strengths and forms

Official product information

At a glance

Guidelines