Akynzeo

Recommended Dosage

The recommended dosages of AKYNZEO and dexamethasone in adults for the prevention of nausea and vomiting associated with administration of emetogenic chemotherapy are shown in Table 1.

AKYNZEO capsules can be taken with or without food.

Preparation and Administration of AKYNZEO Injection (Ready-to-Use and To-be-Diluted)

AKYNZEO injection is supplied as either a Ready-to-Use (with hanger) vial or a To-be-Diluted vial.

AKYNZEO injection (Ready-to-Use; with hanger)
See Table 2 for preparation instructions of AKYNZEO injection (Ready-to-Use) for intravenous infusion. AKYNZEO injection (Ready-to-Use) does not require dilution prior to administration.

AKYNZEO injection (Ready-to-Use) contains no antimicrobial preservatives and is intended for single use only.

Compatibility
AKYNZEO injection (Ready-to-Use) is compatible with intravenous dexamethasone sodium phosphate which can be infused simultaneously. Do not add dexamethasone sodium phosphate to the AKYNZEO injection (Ready-to-Use) vial.

Stability and Storage
Use immediately once the stopper is punctured.

AKYNZEO Injection (To-be-Diluted)
See Table 3 for preparation instructions of AKYNZEO injection (To-be-Diluted) for intravenous infusion with dilution.

AKYNZEO injection (To-be-Diluted) contains no antimicrobial preservatives and is intended for single use only.

Compatibility

AKYNZEO injection (To-be-Diluted) is compatible with intravenous dexamethasone sodium phosphate which can be added to the infusion bag containing AKYNZEO solution or infused simultaneously.

Stability and Storage

The total time from dilution to the start of the infusion, with or without intravenous dexamethasone sodium phosphate, should not exceed 24 hours.

Store the final diluted solution at room temperature, 20ºC to 25ºC (68Fº to 77ºF).

Preparation and Administration of AKYNZEO for Injection

See Table 4 for preparation instructions of AKYZNEO for injection. AKYNZEO for injection requires dilution prior to administration.

AKYNZEO for injection contains no antimicrobial preservatives, is intended for single use only.

Compatibility

AKYNZEO for injection is compatible with intravenous dexamethasone sodium phosphate which can be added to the infusion bag containing AKYNZEO solution or infused simultaneously.

Stability and Storage

The total time from reconstitution to the start of the infusion, with or without intravenous dexamethasone sodium phosphate, should not exceed 24 hours.

Store the reconstituted solution and the final diluted solution at room temperature, 20ºC to 25ºC (68ºF to 77ºF).

Incompatibility of AKYNZEO for Injection and AKYZNEO Injection

AKYNZEO for injection, AKYNZEO injection (Ready-to-Use) and AKYNZEO injection (To-be-Diluted) are incompatible with any solution containing divalent cations (e.g., calcium, magnesium), including Lactated Ringer’s injection and Hartmann's Solution.

Limited data are available on the compatibility of AKYNZEO for injection, AKYNZEO injection (Ready-to-Use), and AKYNZEO injection (To-be-Diluted) with other intravenous substances, additives, or other medications with the exception of intravenous dexamethasone sodium phosphate [see Dosage and Administration (2.2, 2.3)] and they should not be added to the AKYNZEO solution or infused simultaneously. If the same intravenous line is used for sequential infusion of several different drugs, flush the line before and after infusion of AKYNZEO solution with 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP.

Pregnancy

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.

Lactation

Risk Summary

There are no data on the presence of netupitant (or fosnetupitant) or palonosetron in human milk, the effects on the breastfed infant, or the effects on milk production. The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother’s clinical need for AKYNZEO and any potential adverse effect on the breastfed child from AKYNZEO or from the underlying maternal condition.

Pediatric Use

The safety and effectiveness of AKYNZEO in patients below the age of 18 years have not been established.

Geriatric Use

Of the 1169 adult cancer patients treated with AKYNZEO capsules in clinical studies, 18% were aged 65 and over, while 2% were aged 75 years and over. The nature and frequency of adverse reactions were similar in elderly and younger patients. Exploratory analyses of the impact of age on efficacy were performed in the two trials that compared AKYNZEO to palonosetron [see Clinical Studies ( 14)]. In Study 1 in patients treated with cisplatin chemotherapy, among the patients less than age 65 years, 115 were treated with AKYNZEO and 116 were treated with palonosetron alone.  Among the patients 65 years or older, 20 were treated with AKYNZEO and 20 were treated with palonosetron alone. The difference in Complete Response (CR) rates between AKYNZEO and palonosetron alone was similar between the two age groups in both the acute and delayed phases. In Study 2 in patients treated with anthracyclines plus cyclophosphamide chemotherapy, among the patients less than age 65 years, 608 were treated with AKYNZEO and 602 were treated with palonosetron alone. Among the patients 65 years or older, 116 were treated with AKYNZEO and 123 were treated with palonosetron alone. The difference in CR rates between AKYNZEO and palonosetron alone (4% in <65 years and 2% in >65 years) was similar between the two age groups in the acute phase. In the delayed phase, the difference in CR rates between AKYNZEO and palonosetron alone (9% in <65 years and 1% in ≥ 65 years) was numerically higher in patients <65 years. This difference between age groups in the delayed phase of Study 2 may be explained, in part, by higher CR in the delayed phase associated with palonosetron alone in the older age group (81%) relative to the younger patients treated with palonosetron alone (67%).

Of the 239 adult cancer patients treated with AKYNZEO for injection in clinical studies, 36% were aged 65 and over, while 4% were aged 75 years and over. The nature and frequency of adverse reactions were similar in elderly and younger patients.

In general, use caution when dosing elderly patients as they have a greater frequency of decreased hepatic, renal or cardiac function and concomitant disease or other drug therapy.

Hepatic Impairment

No dosage adjustment for AKYNZEO is necessary for patients with mild to moderate hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh score 5 to 8). Limited data are available with AKYNZEO in patients with severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh score greater than 9). Avoid use of AKYNZEO in patients with severe hepatic impairment [see Overdosage , Clinical Pharmacology ].

Renal Impairment

No dosage adjustment for AKYNZEO is necessary in patients with mild to moderate renal impairment (creatinine clearance of 30 to 60 mL/min). The pharmacokinetics and safety of netupitant have not been studied in patients with severe renal impairment.  Severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance < 30 mL/min) did not substantially affect pharmacokinetics of palonosetron. The pharmacokinetics for netupitant and palonosetron were not studied in patients with end-stage renal disease requiring hemodialysis. Avoid use of AKYNZEO in patients with severe renal impairment or end-stage renal disease [see Clinical Pharmacology ].

Hypersensitivity

Hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis, have been reported in patients treated with palonosetron, one of the components of AKYNZEO, with or without known hypersensitivity to other 5-HT3 receptor antagonists.

Serotonin Syndrome

The development of serotonin syndrome has been reported with 5-HT3 receptor antagonists. Most reports have been associated with concomitant use of serotonergic drugs (e.g., selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), monoamine oxidase inhibitors, mirtazapine, fentanyl, lithium, tramadol, and intravenous methylene blue). Some of the reported cases were fatal. Serotonin syndrome occurring with overdose of another 5-HT3 receptor antagonist alone has also been reported. The majority of reports of serotonin syndrome related to 5-HT3 receptor antagonist use occurred in a post-anesthesia care unit or an infusion center. 

Symptoms associated with serotonin syndrome may include the following combination of signs and symptoms: mental status changes (e.g., agitation, hallucinations, delirium, and coma), autonomic instability (e.g., tachycardia, labile blood pressure, dizziness, diaphoresis, flushing, and hyperthermia), neuromuscular symptoms (e.g., tremor, rigidity, myoclonus, hyperreflexia, and incoordination), seizures, with or without gastrointestinal symptoms (e.g., nausea, vomiting, diarrhea).  Patients should be monitored for the emergence of serotonin syndrome, especially with concomitant use of AKYNZEO and other serotonergic drugs. If symptoms of serotonin syndrome occur, discontinue AKYNZEO and initiate supportive treatment. Patients should be informed of the increased risk of serotonin syndrome, especially if AKYNZEO is used concomitantly with other serotonergic drugs [see Drug Interactions ( 7.3)].