Dosage & Administration
CIMZIA is administered by subcutaneous injection .
Crohn's Disease ( 2.1)
Rheumatoid Arthritis ( 2.2)
Polyarticular Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
Psoriatic Arthritis ( 2.4)
Ankylosing Spondylitis ( 2.5)
Non-radiographic Axial Spondyloarthritis ( 2.6)
Plaque Psoriasis ( 2.7, 14.7)
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Cimzia Prescribing Information
SERIOUS INFECTIONS
Patients treated with CIMZIA are at increased risk for developing serious infections that may lead to hospitalization or death [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) and Adverse Reactions (6.1)]. Most patients who developed these infections were taking concomitant immunosuppressants such as methotrexate or corticosteroids.
CIMZIA should be discontinued if a patient develops a serious infection or sepsis.
Reported infections include:
- Active tuberculosis, including reactivation of latent tuberculosis. Patients with tuberculosis have frequently presented with disseminated or extrapulmonary disease. Patients should be tested for latent tuberculosis before CIMZIA use and during therapy. Treatment for latent infection should be initiated prior to CIMZIA use.
- Invasive fungal infections, including histoplasmosis, coccidioidomycosis, candidiasis, aspergillosis, blastomycosis, and pneumocystosis. Patients with histoplasmosis or other invasive fungal infections may present with disseminated, rather than localized disease. Antigen and antibody testing for histoplasmosis may be negative in some patients with active infection. Empiric anti-fungal therapy should be considered in patients at risk for invasive fungal infections who develop severe systemic illness.
- Bacterial, viral and other infections due to opportunistic pathogens, including Legionella and Listeria.
The risks and benefits of treatment with CIMZIA should be carefully considered prior to initiating therapy in patients with chronic or recurrent infection.
Patients should be closely monitored for the development of signs and symptoms of infection during and after treatment with CIMZIA, including the possible development of tuberculosis in patients who tested negative for latent tuberculosis infection prior to initiating therapy. [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) and Adverse Reactions (6.1)].
MALIGNANCY
Lymphoma and other malignancies, some fatal, have been reported in children and adolescent patients treated with TNF blockers, of which CIMZIA is a member [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)].
Crohn's Disease
CIMZIA is indicated for reducing signs and symptoms of Crohn's disease and maintaining clinical response in adult patients with moderately to severely active disease who have had an inadequate response to conventional therapy.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
CIMZIA is indicated for the treatment of adults with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Polyarticular Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
CIMZIA is indicated for the treatment of active polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (pJIA) in patients 2 years of age and older.
Psoriatic Arthritis
CIMZIA is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with active psoriatic arthritis (PsA).
Ankylosing Spondylitis
CIMZIA is indicated for the treatment of adults with active ankylosing spondylitis (AS). [see Clinical Studies (14.5)]
Non-radiographic Axial Spondyloarthritis
CIMZIA is indicated for the treatment of adults with active non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA) with objective signs of inflammation [see Clinical Studies (14.6)].
Plaque Psoriasis
CIMZIA is indicated for the treatment of adults with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis (PsO) who are candidates for systemic therapy or phototherapy [see Clinical Studies (14.7)]
CIMZIA is administered by subcutaneous injection. Injection sites should be rotated and injections should not be given into areas where the skin is tender, bruised, red or hard. When a 400 mg dose is needed (given as two subcutaneous injections of 200 mg), injections should occur at separate sites in the thigh or abdomen.
The solution should be carefully inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration. The solution should be a clear to opalescent, colorless to yellow liquid, essentially free from particulates and should not be used if cloudy or if foreign particulate matter is present. CIMZIA does not contain preservatives; therefore, unused portions of drug remaining in the syringe or vial should be discarded.
Crohn's Disease
The recommended initial adult dose of CIMZIA is 400 mg (given as two subcutaneous injections of 200 mg) initially, and at Weeks 2 and 4. In patients who obtain a clinical response, the recommended maintenance regimen is 400 mg every four weeks.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
The recommended dose of CIMZIA for adult patients with rheumatoid arthritis is 400 mg (given as two subcutaneous injections of 200 mg) initially and at Weeks 2 and 4, followed by 200 mg every other week. For maintenance dosing, CIMZIA 400 mg every 4 weeks can be considered [see Clinical Studies (14.2)].
Polyarticular Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
The recommended dose of CIMZIA for patients 2 years of age and older with pJIA is based on weight as shown below.
| Weight range (2 years of age and older) | Loading dose | Maintenance dose (beginning at Week 6) |
|---|---|---|
| 10 kg (22 lbs) to less than 20 kg (44 lbs) | 100 mg at Week 0, 2 and 4 | 50 mg every 2 weeks |
| 20 kg (44 lbs) to less than 40 kg (88 lbs) | 200 mg at Week 0, 2 and 4 | 100 mg every 2 weeks |
| Greater than or equal to 40 kg (88 lbs) | 400 mg at Week 0, 2 and 4 | 200 mg every 2 weeks |
There is no dosage form for Cimzia that allows for patient self-administration for doses below 200 mg. Doses less than 200 mg require administration by a health care professional using the vial kit.
Psoriatic Arthritis
The recommended dose of CIMZIA for adult patients with psoriatic arthritis is 400 mg (given as 2 subcutaneous injections of 200 mg each) initially and at week 2 and 4, followed by 200 mg every other week. For maintenance dosing, CIMZIA 400 mg every 4 weeks can be considered [see Clinical Studies (14.4)].
Ankylosing Spondylitis
The recommended dose of CIMZIA for adult patients with ankylosing spondylitis is 400 mg (given as 2 subcutaneous injections of 200 mg each) initially and at weeks 2 and 4, followed by 200 mg every 2 weeks or 400 mg every 4 weeks.
Non-radiographic Axial Spondyloarthritis
The recommended dose of CIMZIA for adult patients with non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis is 400 mg (given as 2 subcutaneous injections of 200 mg each) initially and at weeks 2 and 4, followed by 200 mg every 2 weeks or 400 mg every 4 weeks.
Plaque Psoriasis
The recommended dose of CIMZIA for adults with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis is 400 mg (given as 2 subcutaneous injections of 200 mg each) every other week.
For some patients (with body weight less than or equal to 90 kg), CIMZIA 400 mg (given as 2 subcutaneous injections of 200 mg each) initially and at Weeks 2 and 4, followed by 200 mg every other week can be considered [see Clinical Studies (14.7)].
Preparation and Administration of CIMZIA Using the Lyophilized Powder for Injection
CIMZIA Lyophilized powder should be prepared and administered by a health care professional. CIMZIA is provided in a package that contains everything required to reconstitute and inject the drug [see How Supplied/Storage and Handling (16)]. Step-by-step preparation and administration instructions are provided below.
Preparation and Storage
- If refrigerated, remove CIMZIA from the refrigerator and allow the vial(s) to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before reconstituting. Do not warm the vial in any other way. Use appropriate aseptic technique when preparing and administering CIMZIA.
- Reconstitute the vial(s) of CIMZIA with 1 mL of Sterile Water for Injection, USP using the 20-gauge needle provided. The sterile water for injection should be directed at the vial wall rather than directly on CIMZIA.
- Gently swirl each vial of CIMZIA for about one minute without shaking, assuring that all of the powder comes in contact with the Sterile Water for Injection. The swirling should be as gentle as possible in order to avoid creating a foaming effect.
- Continue swirling every 5 minutes as long as non-dissolved particles are observed. Full reconstitution may take as long as 30 minutes. The final reconstituted solution contains 200 mg/mL and should be clear to opalescent, colorless to yellow liquid essentially free from particulates.
- Once reconstituted, CIMZIA can be stored in the vials for up to 24 hours between 2° to 8° C (36° to 46° F) prior to injection. Do not freeze.
Administration
- Prior to injecting, reconstituted CIMZIA should be at room temperature but do not leave reconstituted CIMZIA at room temperature for more than two hours prior to administration.
- Withdraw the reconstituted solution into a separate syringe for each vial using a new 20-gauge needle for each vial so that each syringe contains the required volume of CIMZIA [see Dosage and Administration (2.1-2.7)].
- Replace the 20-gauge needle(s) on the syringes with a 23-gauge(s) for administration.
- Inject the full contents of the syringe(s) subcutaneously, by pinching the skin of the thigh or abdomen. Where a 400 mg dose is required, two injections are required, therefore, separate sites should be used for each 200 mg injection.
Preparation and Administration of CIMZIA Using the Prefilled Syringe
After proper training in subcutaneous injection technique, a patient may self-inject with the CIMZIA Prefilled Syringe if a physician determines that it is appropriate.
- If refrigerated, remove the prefilled syringe from the carton and let it warm to room temperature.
- Inspect the liquid in the prefilled syringe. It should be clear to opalescent and colorless to yellow and free from particulates. Discard the syringe if cloudy, discolored or contains particulates.
- Suitable sites for injection include the thigh or abdomen at least 2 inches away from the navel. Inject at least 1 inch from the previous site.
- Do not inject into areas where the skin is tender, bruised, red or hard, or where there are scars or stretch marks.
The needle shield inside the removable cap of the CIMZIA prefilled syringe contains a derivative of natural rubber latex which may cause allergic reactions and should be handled with caution by latex-sensitive individuals [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4)].
Monitoring to Assess Safety
Before initiation of therapy with CIMZIA, all patients must be evaluated for both active and inactive (latent) tuberculosis infection. The possibility of undetected latent tuberculosis should be considered in patients who have immigrated from or traveled to countries with a high prevalence of tuberculosis or had close contact with a person with active tuberculosis. Appropriate screening tests (e.g. tuberculin skin test and chest x-ray) should be performed in all patients.
Concomitant Medications
CIMZIA may be used as monotherapy or concomitantly with non-biological disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs).
The use of CIMZIA in combination with biological DMARDs or other tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blocker therapy is not recommended.
For Injection: 200 mg of white to off-white lyophilized powder in a single-dose vial for reconstitution
Injection: 200 mg/mL clear to opalescent, colorless to yellow solution in a single-dose prefilled syringe
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Exposure Registry
There is a pregnancy exposure registry that monitors pregnancy outcomes in women exposed to CIMZIA during pregnancy. For more information, healthcare providers or patients can contact:
MotherToBaby Pregnancy Studies conducted by the Organization of Teratology Information Specialists (OTIS). The OTIS AutoImmune Diseases Study at 1-877-311-8972 or visit http://mothertobaby.org/pregnancy-studies/
Risk Summary
Limited data from the ongoing pregnancy registry on use of CIMZIA in pregnant women are not sufficient to inform a risk of major birth defects or other adverse pregnancy outcomes. However, certolizumab pegol plasma concentrations obtained from two studies of CIMZIA use during the third trimester of pregnancy demonstrated that placental transfer of certolizumab pegol was negligible in most infants at birth, and low in other infants at birth (see Data). There are risks to the mother and fetus associated with active rheumatoid arthritis or Crohn's disease. The theoretical risks of administration of live or live-attenuated vaccines to the infants exposed in utero to CIMZIA should be weighed against the benefits of vaccinations (see Clinical Considerations). No adverse developmental effects were observed in animal reproduction studies during which pregnant rats were administered intravenously a rodent anti-murine TNFα pegylated Fab' fragment (cTN3 PF) similar to certolizumab pegol during organogenesis at up to 2.4 times the recommended human dose of 400 mg every four weeks.
The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population(s) 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 risks of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies are 2 to 4% and 15 to 20%, respectively.
Clinical Considerations
Disease-Associated Maternal and/or Embryo/Fetal Risk
Published data suggest that the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes in women with rheumatoid arthritis or Crohn's disease is correlated with maternal disease activity and that active disease increases the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes, including fetal loss, preterm delivery (before 37 weeks of gestation), low birth weight (less than 2500 g) and small for gestational age birth.
Fetal/Neonatal Adverse Reactions
Due to its inhibition of TNFα, CIMZIA administered during pregnancy could affect immune responses in the in utero-exposed newborn and infant. The clinical significance of BLQ or low levels is unknown for in utero-exposed infants. Additional data available from one exposed infant suggest that CIMZIA may be eliminated at a slower rate in infants than in adults (see Data). The safety of administering live or live-attenuated vaccines in exposed infants is unknown.
Data
Human Data
A limited number of pregnancies have been reported in the ongoing pregnancy exposure registry. Due to the small number of CIMZIA-exposed pregnancies with known outcomes (n=54), no meaningful comparisons between the exposed group and control groups may be conducted to determine an association with CIMZIA and major birth defects or adverse pregnancy outcomes.
A multicenter clinical study was conducted in 16 women treated with CIMZIA at a maintenance dose of 200 mg every 2 weeks or 400 mg every 4 weeks during the third trimester of pregnancy for rheumatological diseases or Crohn's disease. The last dose of CIMZIA was given on average 11 days prior to delivery (range 1 to 27 days). Certolizumab pegol plasma concentrations were measured in samples from mothers and infants using an assay that can measure certolizumab pegol concentrations at or above 0.032 mcg/mL. Certolizumab pegol plasma concentrations measured in the mothers at delivery (range: 4.96 to 49.4 mcg/mL) were consistent with non-pregnant women's plasma concentrations in Study RA-I [see Clinical Studies (14.2)]. Certolizumab pegol plasma concentrations were not measurable in 13 out of 15 infants at birth. The concentration of certolizumab pegol in one infant was 0.0422 mcg/mL at birth (infant/mother plasma ratio of 0.09%). In a second infant, delivered by emergency Caesarean section, the concentration was 0.485 mcg/mL (infant/mother plasma ratio of 4.49%). At Week 4 and Week 8, all 15 infants had no measurable concentrations. Among 16 exposed infants, one serious adverse reaction was reported in a neonate who was treated empirically with intravenous antibiotics due to an increased white blood cell count; blood cultures were negative. The certolizumab pegol plasma concentrations for this infant were not measurable at birth, Week 4, or Week 8.
In another clinical study conducted in 10 pregnant women with Crohn´s disease treated with CIMZIA (400 mg every 4 weeks for every mother), certolizumab pegol concentrations were measured in maternal blood as well as in cord and infant blood at the day of birth with an assay that can measure concentrations at or above 0.41 mcg/mL. The last dose of CIMZIA was given on average 19 days prior to delivery (range 5 to 42 days). Plasma certolizumab pegol concentrations ranged from not measurable to 1.66 mcg/mL in cord blood and 1.58 mcg/mL in infant blood; and ranged from 1.87 to 59.57 mcg/mL in maternal blood. Plasma certolizumab pegol concentrations were lower (by at least 75%) in the infants than in mothers suggesting low placental transfer of certolizumab pegol. In one infant, the plasma certolizumab pegol concentration declined from 1.02 to 0.84 mcg/mL over 4 weeks suggesting that certolizumab pegol may be eliminated at a slower rate in infants than adults.
Animal Data
Because certolizumab pegol does not cross-react with mouse or rat TNFα, reproduction studies were performed in rats using a rodent anti-murine TNFα pegylated Fab' fragment (cTN3 PF) similar to certolizumab pegol. Animal reproduction studies have been performed in rats during organogenesis at intravenous doses up to 100 mg/kg (about 2.4 times the recommended human dose of 400 mg, based on the surface area) and have revealed no evidence of harm to the fetus due to cTN3 PF.
Lactation
Risk Summary
In a multicenter clinical study of 17 lactating women treated with CIMZIA at 200 mg every 2 weeks or 400 mg every 4 weeks, minimal certolizumab pegol concentrations were observed in breast milk. No serious adverse reactions were noted in the 17 infants in the study. There are no data on the effects on milk production. In a separate study, certolizumab pegol concentrations were not detected in the plasma of 9 breastfed infants at 4 weeks post-partum (see Data). The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother's clinical need for CIMZIA and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed infant from CIMZIA or from the underlying maternal condition.
Data
A multicenter clinical study designed to evaluate breast milk was conducted in 17 lactating women who were at least 6 weeks post-partum and had received at least 3 consecutive doses of CIMZIA 200 mg every 2 weeks or 400 mg every 4 weeks for rheumatological disease or Crohn's disease. The effects of certolizumab pegol on milk production were not studied. The concentration of certolizumab pegol in breast milk was not measurable in 77 (56 %) of the 137 samples taken over the dosing periods using an assay that can measure certolizumab pegol concentrations at or above 0.032 mcg/mL. The median of the estimated average daily infant doses was 0.0035 mg/kg/day (range: 0 to 0.01 mg/kg/day). The percentage of the maternal dose (200 mg CIMZIA dosed once every 2 weeks), that reaches an infant ranged from 0.56% to 4.25% based on samples with measurable certolizumab pegol concentration. No serious adverse reactions were noted in the 17 breastfed infants in the study.
In a separate study, plasma certolizumab pegol concentrations were collected 4 weeks after birth in 9 breastfed infants whose mothers had been currently taking CIMZIA (regardless of being exclusively breastfed or not). Certolizumab pegol in infant plasma was not measurable i.e., below 0.032 mcg/mL.
Pediatric Use
The safety and effectiveness of CIMZIA for active polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis has been established in pediatric patients 2 years of age and older. The use of CIMZIA in this age group is supported by evidence from adequate and well-controlled studies of CIMZIA in adults with RA, pharmacokinetic data from adults with RA and pediatric patients with JIA with active polyarthritis, and safety data from an open-label clinical study in 193 pediatric patients 2 to < 18 years of age with JIA with active polyarthritis. The observed pre-dose (trough) concentrations are generally comparable between adults with RA and pediatric patients with JIA with active polyarthritis [see Pharmacokinetics (12.3)].
The safety and effectiveness for CIMZIA in pediatric patients less than 2 years of age with pJIA have not been established.
The safety and effectiveness of CIMZIA have not been established in pediatric patients for other indications. CIMZIA was evaluated for the treatment of pediatric patients with moderately to severely active Crohn's disease. Effectiveness was not demonstrated in an open-label, randomized, parallel-group, multiple dose study for a period of up to 62 weeks in 99 subjects aged 6 to 17 years. The study was ended prematurely because of a high number of patient discontinuations.
Due to its inhibition of TNFα, CIMZIA administered during pregnancy could affect immune responses in the in utero-exposed newborn and infant [see Use in Specific Populations (8.1)].
Geriatric Use
Clinical studies of CIMZIA did not include sufficient numbers of patients aged 65 and over to determine whether they respond differently from younger subjects. Other reported clinical experience has not identified differences in responses between the elderly and younger adult patients. Population pharmacokinetic analyses of patients enrolled in CIMZIA clinical studies concluded that there was no apparent difference in drug concentration regardless of age. Because there is a higher incidence of infections in the elderly population in general, use caution when treating the elderly with CIMZIA [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)].
CIMZIA is contraindicated in patients with a history of hypersensitivity reaction to certolizumab pegol or to any of the excipients. Reactions have included angioedema, anaphylaxis, serum sickness, and urticaria [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4)].