Vonjo
(pacritinib)
Dosage & Administration
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Vonjo Prescribing Information
VONJO is indicated for the treatment of adults with intermediate or high-risk primary or secondary (post-polycythemia vera or post-essential thrombocythemia) myelofibrosis (MF) with a platelet count below 50 × 109/L.
This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on spleen volume reduction [see Clinical Studies ]. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in a confirmatory trial(s).
Recommended Dosage
The recommended dosage of VONJO is 200 mg orally twice daily. VONJO may be taken with or without food.
Swallow capsules whole. Do not open, break, or chew capsules.
Patients who are on treatment with other kinase inhibitors before the initiation of VONJO must taper or discontinue according to the prescribing information for that drug.
Monitoring for Safety
Perform a complete blood count (CBC; including white blood cell count differential and platelet count), coagulation testing (prothrombin time, partial thromboplastin time, thrombin time, and international normalized ratio) and a baseline electrocardiogram (ECG), prior to starting VONJO, and monitor as clinically indicated while the patient is on treatment.
Missed Dose
If a dose of VONJO is missed, the patient should take the next prescribed dose at its scheduled time. Extra capsules should not be taken to make up for the missed dose.
Dose Interruption for Planned Surgical Procedures or Other Interventions
Discontinue VONJO 7 days prior to elective surgery or invasive procedures because of the risk of hemorrhage and restart only after hemostasis is assured.
Dose Modification for Adverse Reactions
Dose modifications for diarrhea, thrombocytopenia, hemorrhage, and prolonged QT interval are described in Table 1, Table 2, Table 3, and Table 4 respectively. See Warning and Precautions for additional risk minimization recommendations.
Dose levels for VONJO are as follows: 200 mg twice daily (initial starting dose), 100 mg twice daily (first dose reduction), 100 mg once daily (second dose reduction). Discontinue VONJO in patients unable to tolerate a dose of 100 mg daily.
| Toxicity | Management/Action |
|---|---|
a Increase of at least 7 stools per day over baseline, or hospitalization indicated, or severe increase in ostomy output over baseline, or if limiting self care. | |
b Increase of <4 stools per day over baseline or mild increase in ostomy output compared to baseline. | |
| New onset of diarrhea |
|
| Grade 3 or 4 a |
|
| Worsening Thrombocytopenia | Action |
|---|---|
| For clinically significant worsening of thrombocytopenia that lasts more than 7 days |
|
| Toxicity | Action |
|---|---|
| Moderate bleeding; intervention indicated |
|
| Severe bleeding; transfusion, invasive intervention, or hospitalization indicated |
|
| Life-threatening bleeding; urgent intervention indicated. |
|
| Toxicity | Action |
|---|---|
| QTc prolongation >500 msec or >60 msec from baseline |
|
Capsule: 100 mg, oblong, size 0 hard gelatin capsule with an opaque scarlet cap printed with “Pacritinib 100 mg” and opaque gray body printed with “C78837”.
Pregnancy
Risk Summary
There are no available data on VONJO use in pregnant women to evaluate for a drug-associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage, or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. In animal reproduction studies, administration of pacritinib to pregnant mice or rabbits at exposures that were considerably lower than those observed at the recommended human dose were associated with maternal toxicity and embryonic and fetal loss (see Data). Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus. Consider the benefits and risks of VONJO for the mother and possible risks to the fetus when prescribing VONJO to a pregnant woman.
The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population(s) 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% to 4% and 15% to 20%, respectively.
Data
Animal Data
Pacritinib was administered orally to pregnant mice at doses of 30, 100, or 250 mg/kg/day from gestation day 6 to gestation day 15. Pacritinib was also administered orally to pregnant rabbits at doses of 15, 30, or 60 mg/kg/day from gestation day 7 until gestation day 20. In both species, pacritinib was associated with maternal toxicity, which resulted in post-implantation loss in mice, abortions in rabbits, and reduced fetal body weights in mice and rabbits at exposures 0.1 times (mice) and 0.3 times (rabbits) the exposure at the recommended human dose (AUC-based). In mice, the high dose was associated with an increased incidence of an external malformation (cleft palate) in the presence of maternal toxicity.
In a pre- and post-natal development study in mice, pregnant animals were dosed with pacritinib from implantation through lactation at 30, 100, or 250 mg/kg/day. Maternal toxicity was noted at 250 mg/kg and associated with increased gestation length and dystocia, lowered mean birth weights and neonatal survival, and transiently delayed startle response, learning, and memory development at weaning.
Lactation
Risk Summary
There are no data on the presence of pacritinib in either human or animal milk, the effects on the breastfed child, or the effects on milk production. It is not known whether VONJO is excreted in human milk. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in the breastfed child, advise patients that breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment with VONJO, and for 2 weeks after the last dose.
Females and Males of Reproductive Potential
Infertility
Males
Pacritinib reduced male mating and fertility indices in BALB/c mice [see Nonclinical Toxicology ]. Pacritinib may impair male fertility in humans.
Pediatric Use
Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients have not been established.
Geriatric Use
Clinical studies of VONJO did not include sufficient numbers of subjects aged 65 years and over to determine whether they respond differently from younger subjects.
Hepatic Impairment
Administration of a single dose of VONJO 400 mg to subjects with hepatic impairment resulted in a decrease in the geometric mean AUC of pacritinib by 8.5%, 36%, and 45% in subjects with mild [Child-Pugh A], moderate [Child-Pugh B], or severe hepatic impairment [Child-Pugh C], respectively, compared to subjects with normal hepatic function.
Avoid use of VONJO in patients with moderate [Child-Pugh B] or severe hepatic impairment [Child-Pugh C] [see Clinical Pharmacology ].
Renal Impairment
Administration of a single dose of VONJO 400 mg to subjects with renal impairment resulted in approximately 30% increase in Cmax and AUC of pacritinib in subjects with eGFR 15 to 29 mL/min and eGFR <15 mL/min on hemodialysis compared to subjects with normal renal function (eGFR ≥90 mL/min). Avoid use of VONJO in patients with eGFR <30 mL/min [see Clinical Pharmacology ].
VONJO is contraindicated in patients concomitantly using strong CYP3A4 inhibitors or inducers as these medications can significantly alter exposure to pacritinib, which may increase the risk of adverse reactions or impair efficacy [see Warnings and Precautions , Drug Interactions , and Clinical Pharmacology ].
Hemorrhage
Serious (11%) and fatal (2%) hemorrhages have occurred in VONJO-treated patients with platelet counts <100 x 109/L. Serious (13%) and fatal (2%) hemorrhages have occurred in VONJO-treated patients with platelet counts <50 x 109/L. Grade ≥3 bleeding events (defined as requiring transfusion or invasive intervention) occurred in 15% of patients treated with VONJO compared to 7% of patients treated on the control arm. Due to hemorrhage, VONJO dose-reductions, dose interruptions, or permanent discontinuations occurred in 3%, 3%, and 5% of patients, respectively.
Avoid use of VONJO in patients with active bleeding and hold VONJO 7 days prior to any planned surgical or invasive procedures.
Assess platelet counts periodically, as clinically indicated [see Warnings and Precautions ]. Manage hemorrhage using treatment interruption and medical intervention [see Dosage and Administration ].
Diarrhea
VONJO causes diarrhea in approximately 48% of patients compared to 15% of patients treated on the control arm. The median time to resolution in VONJO-treated patients was 2 weeks. The incidence of reported diarrhea decreased over time with 41% of patients reporting diarrhea in the first 8 weeks of treatment, 15% in Weeks 8 through 16, and 8% in Weeks 16 through 24. Diarrhea resulted in treatment interruption in 3% of VONJO-treated patients. None of the VONJO-treated patients reported diarrhea that resulted in treatment discontinuation. Serious diarrhea adverse reactions occurred in 2% of patients treated with VONJO compared to no such adverse reactions in patients in the control arm.
Control pre-existing diarrhea before starting VONJO treatment. Manage diarrhea with antidiarrheal medications, fluid replacement, and dose-modification. Treat diarrhea with anti-diarrheal medications promptly at the first onset of symptoms. Interrupt or reduce VONJO dose in patients with significant diarrhea despite optimal supportive care [see Dosage and Administration ].
Thrombocytopenia
VONJO can cause worsening thrombocytopenia. VONJO dosing was reduced due to worsening thrombocytopenia in 2% of patients with pre-existing moderate to severe thrombocytopenia (platelet count <100 x 109/L). VONJO dosing was reduced due to worsening thrombocytopenia in 2% of patients with pre-existing severe thrombocytopenia (platelet count <50 x 109/L).
Monitor platelet count prior to VONJO treatment and as clinically indicated during treatment [see Dosage and Administration ]. Interrupt VONJO in patients with clinically significant worsening of thrombocytopenia that lasts for more than 7 days. Restart VONJO at 50% of the last given dose once the toxicity has resolved. If toxicity recurs hold VONJO. Restart VONJO at 50% of the last given dose once the toxicity has resolved [see Dosage and Administration ].
Prolonged QT Interval
VONJO can cause prolongation of the QTc interval. QTc prolongation of >500 msec was higher in VONJO-treated patients than in patients in the control arm (1.4% vs 1%). QTc increase from baseline by 60 msec or higher was greater in VONJO-treated patients than in control arm patients (1.9% vs 1%). Adverse reactions of QTc prolongation were reported for 3.8% of VONJO-treated patients and 2% of control arm patients. No cases of torsades de pointes were reported.
Avoid use of VONJO in patients with a baseline QTc of >480 msec. Avoid use of drugs with significant potential for QTc prolongation in combination with VONJO. Correct hypokalemia prior to and during VONJO treatment.
Manage QTc prolongation using VONJO interruption and electrolyte management [see Dosage and Administration ].
Major Adverse Cardiac Events (MACE)
Another Janus associated kinase (JAK)-inhibitor has increased the risk of MACE, including cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, and stroke (compared to those treated with TNF blockers) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, a condition for which VONJO is not indicated.
Consider the benefits and risks for the individual patient prior to initiating or continuing therapy with VONJO particularly in patients who are current or past smokers and patients with other cardiovascular risk factors. Patients should be informed about the symptoms of serious cardiovascular events and the steps to take if they occur.
Thrombosis
Another JAK-inhibitor has increased the risk of thrombosis, including deep venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, and arterial thrombosis (compared to those treated with TNF blockers) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, a condition for which VONJO is not indicated.
Patients with symptoms of thrombosis should be promptly evaluated and treated appropriately.
Secondary Malignancies
Another JAK-inhibitor has increased the risk of lymphoma and other malignancies excluding non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) (compared to those treated with TNF blockers) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, a condition for which VONJO is not indicated. Patients who are current or past smokers are at additional increased risk.
Consider the benefits and risks for the individual patient prior to initiating or continuing therapy with VONJO, particularly in patients with a known malignancy (other than a successfully treated NMSC), patients who develop a malignancy, and patients who are current or past smokers.
Risk of Infection
Another JAK-inhibitor increased the risk of serious infections (compared to best available therapy) in patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms. Serious bacterial, mycobacterial, fungal and viral infections may occur in patients treated with VONJO. Delay starting therapy with VONJO until active serious infections have resolved. Observe patients receiving VONJO for signs and symptoms of infection and manage promptly. Use active surveillance and prophylactic antibiotics according to clinical guidelines.
Interactions With CYP3A4 Inhibitors or Inducers
Co-administration of VONJO with strong CYP3A4 inhibitors or inducers is contraindicated. Avoid concomitant use of VONJO with moderate CYP3A4 inhibitors or inducers [see Contraindications , Drug Interactions , and Clinical Pharmacology ].