Zembrace SymTouch
(sumatriptan)Dosage & Administration
Get Your Patient on Zembrace SymTouch
Zembrace SymTouch Prescribing Information
ZEMBRACE SymTouch is indicated for the acute treatment of migraine with or without aura in adults.
Limitations of Use:
- Use only if a clear diagnosis of migraine has been established. If a patient has no response to the first migraine attack treated with ZEMBRACE SymTouch, reconsider the diagnosis before ZEMBRACE SymTouch is administered to treat any subsequent attacks.
- ZEMBRACE SymTouch injection is not indicated for the prevention of migraine attacks.
Dosing Information
The recommended dose of ZEMBRACE SymTouch is 3 mg injected subcutaneously.
The maximum cumulative injected dose that may be given in 24 hours is 12 mg, with doses of ZEMBRACE SymTouch separated by at least 1 hour. ZEMBRACE SymTouch may also be given at least 1 hour following a dose of another sumatriptan product.
Administration Using ZEMBRACE SymTouch
ZEMBRACE SymTouch is available as a prefilled, ready-to-use, single dose, disposable auto-injector containing 3 mg sumatriptan. With ZEMBRACE SymTouch, the needle penetrates approximately ¼ inch (6 mm). The injection is intended to be given subcutaneously. Do not administer by any other route. Instruct patients on the proper use of ZEMBRACE SymTouch and direct them to use injection sites with an adequate skin and subcutaneous thickness to accommodate the length of the needle.
Injection: 3 mg sumatriptan in 0.5 mL prefilled, ready-to-use, single dose, disposable auto-injector.
Pregnancy
Risk Summary
Data from a prospective pregnancy exposure registry and epidemiological studies of pregnant women have not detected an increased frequency of birth defects or a consistent pattern of birth defects among women exposed to sumatriptan compared with the general population (see Data) . In developmental toxicity studies in rats and rabbits, oral administration of sumatriptan to pregnant animals was associated with embryo lethality, fetal abnormalities, and pup mortality. When administered by the intravenous route to pregnant rabbits, sumatriptan was embryo lethal (see Data) .
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. The reported rate of major birth defects among deliveries to women with migraine ranged from 2.2% to 2.9% and the reported rate of miscarriage was 17%, which were similar to rates reported in women without migraine.
Clinical Considerations
Disease-Associated Maternal and/or Embryo/Fetal Risk:Several studies have suggested that women with migraine may be at increased risk of preeclampsia during pregnancy.
Data
Human Data
The Sumatriptan/Naratriptan/Treximet (sumatriptan and naproxen sodium) Pregnancy Registry, a population-based international prospective study, collected data for sumatriptan from January 1996 to September 2012. The Registry documented outcomes of 626 infants and fetuses exposed to sumatriptan during pregnancy (528 with earliest exposure during the first trimester, 78 during the second trimester, 16 during the third trimester, and 4 unknown). The occurrence of major birth defects (excluding fetal deaths and induced abortions without reported defects and all spontaneous pregnancy losses) during first-trimester exposure to sumatriptan was 4.2% (20/478 [95% CI: 2.6% to 6.5%]) and during any trimester of exposure was 4.2% (24/576 [95% CI: 2.7% to 6.2%]). The sample size in this study had 80% power to detect at least a 1.73 to 1.91-fold increase in the rate of major malformations. The number of exposed pregnancy outcomes accumulated during the registry was insufficient to support definitive conclusions about overall malformation risk or for making comparisons of the frequencies of specific birth defects. Of the 20 infants with reported birth defects after exposure to sumatriptan in the first trimester, 4 infants had ventricular septal defects, including one infant who was exposed to both sumatriptan and naratriptan and 3 infants had pyloric stenosis. No other birth defect was reported for more than 2 infants in this group.
In a study using data from the Swedish Medical Birth Register, live births to women who reported using triptans or ergots during pregnancy were compared with those of women who did not. Of the 2,257 births with first-trimester exposure to sumatriptan, 107 infants were born with malformations (relative risk 0.99 [95% CI: 0.91 to 1.21]). A study using linked data from the Medical Birth Registry of Norway to the Norwegian Prescription Database compared pregnancy outcomes in women who redeemed prescriptions for triptans during pregnancy, as well as a migraine disease comparison group who redeemed prescriptions for sumatriptan before pregnancy only, compared with a population control group. Of the 415 women who redeemed prescriptions for sumatriptan during the first trimester, 15 had infants with major congenital malformations (OR 1.16 [95% CI: 0.69 to 1.94]) while for the 364 women who redeemed prescriptions for sumatriptan before, but not during, pregnancy, 20 had infants with major congenital malformations (OR 1.83 [95% CI: 1.17 to 2.88]), each compared with the population comparison group. Additional smaller observational studies evaluating use of sumatriptan during pregnancy have not suggested an increased risk of teratogenicity.
Animal Data
Oral administration of sumatriptan to pregnant rats during the period of organogenesis resulted in an increased incidence of fetal blood vessel (cervicothoracic and umbilical) abnormalities. The highest no-effect dose for embryofetal developmental toxicity in rats was 60 mg/kg/day. Oral administration of sumatriptan to pregnant rabbits during the period of organogenesis resulted in increased incidences of embryo lethality and fetal cervicothoracic vascular and skeletal abnormalities. Intravenous administration of sumatriptan to pregnant rabbits during the period of organogenesis resulted in an increased incidence of embryo lethality. The highest oral and intravenous no-effect doses for developmental toxicity in rabbits were 15 and 0.75 mg/kg/day, respectively.
Oral administration of sumatriptan to rats prior to and throughout gestation resulted in embryofetal toxicity (decreased body weight, decreased ossification, increased incidence of skeletal abnormalities). The highest no-effect dose was 50 mg/kg/day. In offspring of pregnant rats treated orally with sumatriptan during organogenesis, there was a decrease in pup survival. The highest no-effect dose for this effect was 60 mg/kg/day. Oral treatment of pregnant rats with sumatriptan during the latter part of gestation and throughout lactation resulted in a decrease in pup survival. The highest no-effect dose for this finding was 100 mg/kg/day.
Lactation
Risk Summary
Sumatriptan is excreted in human milk following subcutaneous administration (see Data) . There are no data on the effects of sumatriptan on the breastfed infant or the effects of sumatriptan on milk production.
The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother's clinical need for ZEMBRACE SymTouch and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed infant from sumatriptan or from the underlying maternal condition.
Clinical Considerations
Infant exposure to sumatriptan can be minimized by avoiding breastfeeding for 12 hours after treatment with ZEMBRACE SymTouch.
Data
Following subcutaneous administration of a 6 mg dose of sumatriptan injection in 5 lactating volunteers, sumatriptan was present in milk.
Pediatric Use
Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients have not been established. ZEMBRACE SymTouch injection is not recommended for use in patients younger than 18 years of age.
Two controlled clinical trials evaluated sumatriptan nasal spray (5 to 20 mg) in 1,248 pediatric migraineurs 12 to 17 years of age who treated a single attack. The trials did not establish the efficacy of sumatriptan nasal spray compared with placebo in the treatment of migraine in pediatric patients. Adverse reactions observed in these clinical trials were similar in nature to those reported in clinical trials in adults.
Five controlled clinical trials (2 single-attack trials, 3 multiple-attack trials) evaluating oral sumatriptan (25 to 100 mg) in pediatric subjects 12 to 17 years of age enrolled a total of 701 pediatric migraineurs. These trials did not establish the efficacy of oral sumatriptan compared with placebo in the treatment of migraine in pediatric patients. Adverse reactions observed in these clinical trials were similar in nature to those reported in clinical trials in adults. The frequency of all adverse reactions in these patients appeared to be both dose- and age-dependent, with younger patients reporting reactions more commonly than older pediatric patients.
Post-marketing experience documents that serious adverse reactions have occurred in the pediatric population after use of subcutaneous, oral, and/or intranasal sumatriptan. These reports include reactions similar in nature to those reported rarely in adults, including stroke, visual loss, and death. A myocardial infarction has been reported in a 14-year-old male following the use of oral sumatriptan; clinical signs occurred within 1 day of drug administration. Clinical data to determine the frequency of serious adverse reactions in pediatric patients who might receive subcutaneous, oral, or intranasal sumatriptan are not presently available.
Geriatric Use
Clinical trials of sumatriptan injection did not include sufficient numbers of subjects aged 65 and over to determine whether they respond differently from younger patients. Other reported clinical experience has not identified differences in responses between the elderly and younger subjects. In general, dose selection for an elderly patient should be cautious, usually starting at the low end of the dosing range, reflecting the greater frequency of decreased hepatic, renal, or cardiac function and of concomitant disease or other drug therapy.
A cardiovascular evaluation is recommended for geriatric patients who have other cardiovascular risk factors (e.g., diabetes, hypertension, smoking, obesity, strong family history of CAD) prior to receiving ZEMBRACE SymTouch injection [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)] .
ZEMBRACE SymTouch injection is contraindicated in patients with:
- Ischemic coronary artery disease (CAD) (angina pectoris, history of myocardial infarction, or documented silent ischemia) or coronary artery vasospasm, including Prinzmetal's angina [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)] .
- Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome or arrhythmias associated with other cardiac accessory conduction pathway disorders [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)] .
- History of stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) or history of hemiplegic or basilar migraine because these patients are at a higher risk of stroke [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4)] .
- Peripheral vascular disease [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5)] .
- Ischemic bowel disease [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5)] .
- Uncontrolled hypertension [see Warnings and Precautions (5.8)] .
- Recent (i.e., within 24 hours) use of ergotamine-containing medication, ergot-type medication (such as dihydroergotamine or methysergide), or another 5-hydroxytryptamine1 (5-HT 1) agonist [see Drug Interactions (7.1, 7.3)] .
- Concurrent administration of an MAO-A inhibitor or recent (within 2 weeks) use of an MAO-A inhibitor [see Drug Interactions (7.2)and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)] .
- Known hypersensitivity to sumatriptan (angioedema and anaphylaxis seen) [see Warnings and Precautions (5.9)] .
- Severe hepatic impairment [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)] .
Myocardial Ischemia, Myocardial Infarction, and Prinzmetal's Angina
The use of ZEMBRACE SymTouch injection is contraindicated in patients with ischemic or vasospastic CAD. There have been rare reports of serious cardiac adverse reactions, including acute myocardial infarction, occurring within a few hours following administration of sumatriptan injection. Some of these reactions occurred in patients without known CAD. 5-HT 1agonists, including ZEMBRACE SymTouch injection, may cause coronary artery vasospasm (Prinzmetal's angina), even in patients without a history of CAD.
Perform a cardiovascular evaluation in triptan-naive patients who have multiple cardiovascular risk factors (e.g., increased age, diabetes, hypertension, smoking, obesity, strong family history of CAD) prior to receiving ZEMBRACE SymTouch injection. If there is evidence of CAD or coronary artery vasospasm, ZEMBRACE SymTouch injection is contraindicated. For patients with multiple cardiovascular risk factors who have a negative cardiovascular evaluation, consider administering the first dose of ZEMBRACE SymTouch injection in a medically supervised setting and performing an electrocardiogram (ECG) immediately following ZEMBRACE SymTouch injection. For such patients, consider periodic cardiovascular evaluation in intermittent long-term users of ZEMBRACE SymTouch injection.
Arrhythmias
Life-threatening disturbances of cardiac rhythm, including ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation leading to death, have been reported within a few hours following the administration of 5-HT 1agonists.
Discontinue ZEMBRACE SymTouch injection if these disturbances occur. ZEMBRACE SymTouch injection is contraindicated in patients with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome or arrhythmias associated with other cardiac accessory conduction pathway disorders.
Chest, Throat, Neck, and/or Jaw Pain/Tightness/Pressure
Sensations of tightness, pain, pressure, and heaviness in the precordium, throat, neck, and jaw commonly occur after treatment with sumatriptan injection and are usually non-cardiac in origin. However, perform a cardiac evaluation if these patients are at high cardiac risk. The use of ZEMBRACE SymTouch injection is contraindicated in patients with CAD and those with Prinzmetal's variant angina.
Cerebrovascular Events
Cerebral hemorrhage, subarachnoid hemorrhage, and stroke have occurred in patients treated with 5-HT 1agonists, and some have resulted in fatalities. In a number of cases, it appears possible that the cerebrovascular events were primary, the 5-HT 1agonist having been administered in the incorrect belief that the symptoms experienced were a consequence of migraine when they were not. Also, patients with migraine may be at increased risk of certain cerebrovascular events (e.g., stroke, hemorrhage, TIA). Discontinue ZEMBRACE SymTouch injection if a cerebrovascular event occurs.
Before treating headaches in patients not previously diagnosed with migraine or in patients who present with atypical symptoms, exclude other potentially serious neurological conditions. ZEMBRACE SymTouch injection is contraindicated in patients with a history of stroke or TIA.
Other Vasospasm Reactions
ZEMBRACE SymTouch injection may cause non-coronary vasospastic reactions, such as peripheral vascular ischemia, gastrointestinal vascular ischemia and infarction (presenting with abdominal pain and bloody diarrhea), splenic infarction, and Raynaud's syndrome. In patients who experience symptoms or signs suggestive of non-coronary vasospasm reaction following the use of any 5-HT 1agonist, rule out a vasospastic reaction before receiving additional ZEMBRACE SymTouch injections.
Reports of transient and permanent blindness and significant partial vision loss have been reported with the use of 5-HT 1agonists. Since visual disorders may be part of a migraine attack, a causal relationship between these events and the use of 5-HT 1agonists have not been clearly established.
Medication Overuse Headache
Overuse of acute migraine drugs (e.g., ergotamine, triptans, opioids, combination of these drugs for 10 or more days per month) may lead to exacerbation of headache (medication overuse headache). Medication overuse headache may present as migraine-like daily headaches, or as a marked increase in frequency of migraine attacks. Detoxification of patients, including withdrawal of the overused drugs, and treatment of withdrawal symptoms (which often includes a transient worsening of headache) may be necessary.
Serotonin Syndrome
Serotonin syndrome may occur with ZEMBRACE SymTouch injection, particularly during co-administration with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), and MAO inhibitors [see Drug Interactions (7.4)] . Serotonin syndrome symptoms may include mental status changes (e.g., agitation, hallucinations, coma), autonomic instability (e.g., tachycardia, labile blood pressure, hyperthermia), neuromuscular aberrations (e.g., hyperreflexia, incoordination), and/or gastrointestinal symptoms (e.g., nausea, vomiting, diarrhea). The onset of symptoms usually occurs within minutes to hours of receiving a new or a greater dose of a serotonergic medication. Discontinue ZEMBRACE SymTouch injection if serotonin syndrome is suspected.
Increase in Blood Pressure
Significant elevation in blood pressure, including hypertensive crisis with acute impairment of organ systems, has been reported on rare occasions in patients treated with 5-HT 1agonists, including patients without a history of hypertension. Monitor blood pressure in patients treated with ZEMBRACE SymTouch. ZEMBRACE SymTouch injection is contraindicated in patients with uncontrolled hypertension.
Hypersensitivity Reactions
Hypersensitivity reactions, including angioedema and anaphylaxis, have occurred in patients receiving sumatriptan. Such reactions can be life-threatening or fatal. In general, anaphylactic reactions to drugs are more likely to occur in individuals with a history of sensitivity to multiple allergens. ZEMBRACE SymTouch injection is contraindicated in patients with a history of hypersensitivity reaction to sumatriptan.
Seizures
Seizures have been reported following administration of sumatriptan. Some have occurred in patients with either a history of seizures or concurrent conditions predisposing to seizures. There are also reports in patients where no such predisposing factors are apparent. ZEMBRACE SymTouch injection should be used with caution in patients with a history of epilepsy or conditions associated with a lowered seizure threshold.
The following serious adverse reactions are described below and elsewhere in the labeling:
- Myocardial ischemia, myocardial infarction, and Prinzmetal's angina [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)]
- Arrhythmias [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)]
- Chest, throat, neck, and/or jaw pain/tightness/pressure [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3)]
- Cerebrovascular events [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4)]
- Other vasospasm reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5)]
- Medication overuse headache [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6)]
- Serotonin syndrome [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7)]
- Increase in blood pressure [see Warnings and Precautions (5.8)]
- Hypersensitivity reactions [see Contraindications (4), Warnings and Precautions (5.9)]
- Seizures [see Warnings and Precautions (5.10)]
Clinical 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.
Adverse Reactions in Placebo-Controlled Trials with Sumatriptan Injection
Migraine Headache:Table 1 lists adverse reactions that occurred in 2 US placebo-controlled clinical trials in migraine subjects (Studies 2 and 3), following either a single 6-mg dose of sumatriptan injection or placebo. Only reactions that occurred at a frequency of 2% or more in groups treated with sumatriptan injection 6 mg and that occurred at a frequency greater than the placebo group are included in Table 1.
| Adverse Reaction | Percent of Subjects Reporting | |
|---|---|---|
| Sumatriptan Injection 6 mg Subcutaneous (n = 547) | Placebo (n = 370) | |
| ||
| Atypical sensations | 42 | 9 |
| Tingling | 14 | 3 |
| Warm/hot sensation | 11 | 4 |
| Burning sensation | 7 | <1 |
| Feeling of heaviness | 7 | 1 |
| Pressure sensation | 7 | 2 |
| Feeling of tightness | 5 | <1 |
| Numbness | 5 | 2 |
| Feeling strange | 2 | <1 |
| Tight feeling in head | 2 | <1 |
| Cardiovascular | ||
| Flushing | 7 | 2 |
| Chest discomfort | 5 | 1 |
| Tightness in chest | 3 | <1 |
| Pressure in chest | 2 | <1 |
| Ear, nose, and throat | ||
| Throat discomfort | 3 | <1 |
| Discomfort: nasal cavity/sinuses | 2 | <1 |
| Injection site reaction * | 59 | 24 |
| Miscellaneous | ||
| Jaw discomfort | 2 | 0 |
| Musculoskeletal | ||
| Weakness | 5 | <1 |
| Neck pain/stiffness | 5 | <1 |
| Myalgia | 2 | <1 |
| Neurological | ||
| Dizziness/vertigo | 12 | 4 |
| Drowsiness/sedation | 3 | 2 |
| Headache | 2 | <1 |
| Skin | ||
| Sweating | 2 | 1 |
The incidence of adverse reactions in controlled clinical trials was not affected by gender or age of the patients. There were insufficient data to assess the impact of race on the incidence of adverse reactions.
Adverse Reactions in a Study with ZEMBRACE SymTouch
The most common adverse reactions in a placebo-controlled trial with ZEMBRACE SymTouch were injection site reactions (including injection site bruising, erythema, hemorrhage, induration, irritation, pain, paresthesia, pruritis, swelling, and urticaria), occurring in 30% of ZEMBRACE SymTouch-treated patients compared to 13% of placebo-treated patients. Adverse reactions with ZEMRACE SymTouch are expected to be similar to those observed with sumatriptan injection.
Post-marketing Experience
The following adverse reactions have been identified during post-approval use of sumatriptan tablets, sumatriptan nasal spray, and sumatriptan injection. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure.
Cardiovascular
Hypotension, palpitations
Neurological
Dystonia, tremor
Ergot-Containing Drugs
Ergot-containing drugs have been reported to cause prolonged vasospastic reactions. Because these effects may be additive, use of ergotamine-containing or ergot-type medications (like dihydroergotamine or methysergide) and ZEMBRACE SymTouch within 24 hours of each other is contraindicated.
Monoamine Oxidase-A Inhibitors
MAO-A inhibitors increase systemic exposure by 2-fold. Therefore, the use of ZEMBRACE SymTouch injection in patients receiving MAO-A inhibitors is contraindicated [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)] .
Other 5-HT 1Agonists
Because their vasospastic effects may be additive, coadministration of ZEMBRACE SymTouch injection and other 5-HT 1agonists (e.g., triptans) within 24 hours of each other is contraindicated.
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors/Serotonin Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors and Serotonin Syndrome
Cases of serotonin syndrome have been reported during coadministration of triptans and SSRIs, SNRIs, TCAs, and MAO inhibitors [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7)] .
ZEMBRACE SymTouch injection contains sumatriptan succinate, a selective 5-HT 1B/1Dreceptor agonist. Sumatriptan succinate is chemically designated as 3-[2-(dimethylamino) ethyl]-N-methyl-indole-5-methanesulfonamide succinate (1:1), and it has the following structure:
The empirical formula is C 14H 21N 3O 2S∙C 4H 6O 4, representing a molecular weight of 413.5. Sumatriptan succinate is a white to off-white powder that is readily soluble in water and in saline.
ZEMBRACE SymTouch is a clear, colorless to pale yellow, sterile, nonpyrogenic solution for subcutaneous injection. Each 0.5 mL of ZEMBRACE SymTouch contains 4.2 mg of sumatriptan succinate equivalent to 3 mg of sumatriptan (base) and 4.15 mg of sodium chloride, USP in Water for Injection, USP.
The pH range of solution is approximately 4.2 to 5.3 and the osmolality of injection is approximately 291 mOsmol (275 to 315 mOsmol).
Mechanism of Action
Sumatriptan binds with high affinity to human cloned 5-HT 1B/1Dreceptors. Sumatriptan presumably exerts its therapeutic effects in the treatment of migraine headache through agonist effects at the 5-HT 1B/1Dreceptors on intracranial blood vessels and sensory nerves of the trigeminal system, which result in cranial vessel constriction and inhibition of pro-inflammatory neuropeptide release.
Pharmacodynamics
Blood Pressure: Significant elevation in blood pressure, including hypertensive crisis, has been reported in patients with and without a history of hypertension [see Warnings and Precautions (5.8)] .
Peripheral (Small) Arteries: In healthy volunteers (N = 18), a trial evaluating the effects of sumatriptan on peripheral (small vessel) arterial reactivity failed to detect a clinically significant increase in peripheral resistance.
Heart Rate: Transient increases in blood pressure observed in some subjects in clinical trials carried out during sumatriptan's development as a treatment for migraine were not accompanied by any clinically significant changes in heart rate.
Pharmacokinetics
After a single 3 mg dose, ZEMBRACE SymTouch was bioequivalent to IMITREX subcutaneous injection.
Absorption and Bioavailability: The bioavailability of sumatriptan via subcutaneous site injection to 18 healthy male subjects was 97% ± 16% of that obtained following intravenous injection.
After a single 6-mg subcutaneous manual injection into the deltoid area of the arm in 18 healthy males (age: 24 ± 6 years, weight: 70 kg), the maximum serum concentration (C max) of sumatriptan was (mean ± standard deviation) 74 ± 15 ng/mL and the time to peak concentration (T max) was 12 minutes after injection (range: 5 to 20 minutes) .In this trial, the same dose injected subcutaneously in the thigh gave a C maxof 61 ± 15 ng/mL by manual injection versus 52 ±15 ng/mL by auto-injector techniques. The T maxor amount absorbed was not significantly altered by either the site or technique of injection.
Distribution: Protein binding, determined by equilibrium dialysis over the concentration range of 10 to 1,000 ng/mL, is low, approximately 14% to 21%. The effect of sumatriptan on the protein binding of other drugs has not been evaluated.
Following a 6-mg subcutaneous injection into the deltoid area of the arm in 9 males (mean age: 33 years, mean weight: 77 kg) the volume of distribution central compartment of sumatriptan was 50 ± 8 liters and the distribution half-life was 15 ± 2 minutes .
Metabolism: In vitrostudies with human microsomes suggest that sumatriptan is metabolized by MAO, predominantly the A isoenzyme. Most of a radiolabeled dose of sumatriptan excreted in the urine is the major metabolite indole acetic acid (IAA) or the IAA glucuronide, both of which are inactive.
Elimination: After a single 6-mg subcutaneous dose, 22% ± 4% was excreted in the urine as unchanged sumatriptan and 38% ± 7% as the IAA metabolite.
Following a 6-mg subcutaneous injection into the deltoid area of the arm, the systemic clearance of sumatriptan was 1,194 ± 149 mL/min and the terminal half-life was 115 ± 19 minutes.
Specific Populations:
Age:The pharmacokinetics of sumatriptan in the elderly (mean age: 72 years, 2 males and 4 females) and in subjects with migraine (mean age: 38 years, 25 males and 155 females) were similar to that in healthy male subjects (mean age: 30 years).
Patients with Hepatic Impairment:The effect of mild to moderate hepatic disease on the pharmacokinetics of subcutaneously administered sumatriptan has been evaluated. There were no significant differences in the pharmacokinetics of subcutaneously administered sumatriptan in moderately hepatically impaired subjects compared with healthy controls. The pharmacokinetics of subcutaneously administered sumatriptan in patients with severe hepatic impairment has not been studied. The use of ZEMBRACE SymTouch injection in this population is contraindicated [see Contraindications (4)] .
Race:The systemic clearance and C maxof subcutaneous sumatriptan were similar in black (n = 34) and Caucasian (n = 38) healthy male subjects.
Drug Interaction Studies:
Monoamine Oxidase-A Inhibitors:In a trial of 14 healthy females, pretreatment with an MAO-A inhibitor decreased the clearance of sumatriptan, resulting in a 2-fold increase in the area under the sumatriptan plasma concentration-time curve (AUC), corresponding to a 40% increase in elimination half-life.
Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility
Carcinogenesis
In carcinogenicity studies in mouse and rat, sumatriptan was administered orally for 78 weeks and 104 weeks, respectively, at doses up to 160 mg/kg/day (the high dose in rat was reduced from 360 mg/kg/day during Week 21). The highest dose tested in mice and rats was approximately 130 and 260 times, respectively, the single MRHD of 6 mg administered subcutaneously on a mg/m 2basis. There was no evidence in either species of an increase in tumors related to sumatriptan administration.
Mutagenesis
Sumatriptan was negative in in vitro(bacterial reverse mutation [Ames], gene cell mutation in Chinese hamster V79/HGPRT, chromosomal aberration in human lymphocytes) and in vivo(rat micronucleus) assays.
Impairment of Fertility
When sumatriptan (0, 5, 50, or 500 mg/kg/day) was administered orally to male and female rats prior to and throughout the mating period, there was a treatment-related decrease in fertility secondary to a decrease in mating in animals treated with doses greater than 5 mg/kg/day. It is not clear whether this finding was due to an effect on males or females or both.
When sumatriptan was administered by subcutaneous injection to male and female rats prior to and throughout the mating period, there was no evidence of impaired fertility at doses up to 60 mg/kg/day.
Animal Toxicology and/or Pharmacology
Corneal Opacities: Dogs receiving oral sumatriptan developed corneal opacities and defects in the corneal epithelium. Corneal opacities were seen at the lowest dose tested, 2 mg/kg/day, and were present after 1 month of treatment. Defects in the corneal epithelium were noted in a 60-week study. Earlier examinations for these toxicities were not conducted and no-effect doses were not established; however, the relative plasma exposure at the lowest dose tested was approximately 3 times the human exposure after a 6-mg subcutaneous dose.
Clinical Studies with Sumatriptan Injection
In controlled clinical trials enrolling more than 1,000 patients during migraine attacks who were experiencing moderate or severe pain and 1 or more of the symptoms enumerated in Table 3, onset of relief began as early as 10 minutes following a 6-mg sumatriptan injection. Lower doses of sumatriptan injection may also prove effective, although the proportion of patients obtaining adequate relief was decreased and the latency to that relief is greater with lower doses.
In Study 1, 6 different doses of sumatriptan injection (n = 30 each group) were compared with placebo (n = 62), in a single-attack, parallel-group design, the dose response relationship was found to be as shown in Table 2.
| Dose of Sumatriptan Injection | Percent Patients With Relief * | Adverse Reactions Incidence (%) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| at 10 Minutes | at 30 Minutes | at 1 Hour | at 2 Hours | ||
| |||||
| Placebo | 5 | 15 | 24 | 21 | 55 |
| 1 mg | 10 | 40 | 43 | 40 | 63 |
| 2 mg | 7 | 23 | 57 | 43 | 63 |
| 3 mg | 17 | 47 | 57 | 60 | 77 |
| 4 mg | 13 | 37 | 50 | 57 | 80 |
| 6 mg | 10 | 63 | 73 | 70 | 83 |
| 8 mg | 23 | 57 | 80 | 83 | 93 |
In 2 randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials of sumatriptan injection 6 mg in 1,104 patients with moderate or severe migraine pain (Studies 2 and 3), the onset of relief was less than 10 minutes. Headache relief, as defined by a reduction in pain from severe or moderately severe to mild or no headache, was achieved in 70% of the patients within 1 hour of a single 6-mg subcutaneous dose of sumatriptan injection. Approximately 82% and 65% of patients treated with sumatriptan 6 mg had headache relief and were pain free within 2 hours, respectively.
Table 3 shows the 1- and 2-hour efficacy results for sumatriptan injection 6 mg in Studies 2 and 3.
| ||||
| 1-Hour Data | Study 2 | Study 3 | ||
| Placebo (n = 190) | Sumatriptan 6 mg (n = 384) | Placebo (n = 180) | Sumatriptan 6 mg (n = 350) | |
| Subjects with pain relief (grade 0/1) | 18% | 70% * | 26% | 70% * |
| Subjects with no pain | 5% | 48% * | 13% | 49% * |
| Subjects without nausea | 48% | 73% * | 50% | 73% * |
| Subjects without photophobia | 23% | 56% * | 25% | 58% * |
| Subjects with little or no clinical disability † | 34% | 76% * | 34% | 76% * |
| 2-Hour Data | Study 2 | Study 3 | ||
| Placebo ‡ | Sumatriptan 6 mg § | Placebo ‡ | Sumatriptan 6 mg § | |
| Subjects with pain relief (grade 0/1) | 31% | 81% * | 39% | 82% * |
| Subjects with no pain | 11% | 63% * | 19% | 65% * |
| Subjects without nausea | 56% | 82% * | 63% | 81% * |
| Subjects without photophobia | 31% | 72% * | 35% | 71% * |
| Subjects with little or no clinical disability † | 42% | 85% * | 49% | 84% * |
Sumatriptan injection also relieved photophobia, phonophobia (sound sensitivity), nausea, and vomiting associated with migraine attacks.
The efficacy of sumatriptan injections was unaffected by whether or not the migraine was associated with aura, duration of attack, gender or age of the subject, or concomitant use of common migraine prophylactic drugs (e.g., beta-blockers).
Clinical Study with ZEMBRACE SymTouch
In a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial of ZEMBRACE SymTouch, 230 patients with migraine with or without aura received either ZEMBRACE SymTouch (N=111) or placebo (N=119) for a single migraine attack. The patients had a mean age of 41 years (range 18 to 65 years); approximately 76% were White and 85% were female.
The study excluded patients with medication overuse headache, treatment with onabotulinumtoxin A within 180 days, and patients with a history of cluster headache.
The primary efficacy endpoint was the proportion of patients who were pain-free (defined as a reduction from pre-dose moderate [Grade 2] or severe [Grade 3] pain to none [Grade 0]) 2 hours after the first dose. Of the ZEMBRACE SymTouch-treated patients, 46% were pain free at 2 hours after treatment compared to 27% of the placebo-treated patients.
How Supplied
- ZEMBRACE ®SymTouch ®3 mg/0.5 mL Injection contains sumatriptan as the succinate salt and is supplied as a clear, colorless to pale yellow, sterile, nonpyrogenic solution in a prefilled, ready-to-use, single dose, disposable auto-injector unit (NDC # 0245-0809-89).
- Each carton contains 4 units (NDC # 0245-0809-38) and a Patient Information and Instructions for Use leaflet.
Storage and Handling
Store at 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F); excursions permitted to 15° to 30°C (59° to 86°F). Protect from light.
| Instructions for Use ZEMBRACE ®SymTouch ® (Zem-brace Sim-Touch) (sumatriptan succinate) Injection | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| This Instructions for Use has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. | Revised: 2/2021 | ||
| Read this Instructions for Use before you start to use the ZEMBRACE ®SymTouch ®. There may be new information. This information does not take the place of talking with your healthcare provider about your medical condition or treatment. You and your healthcare provider should talk about ZEMBRACE SymTouch when you start taking it and at regular checkups. The ZEMBRACE SymTouch Auto-injector is a single-use, pre-filled injection device with the exact dose you need. The device should be used only 1 time and then discarded. |
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| Step 1 – Inspect Auto-injector and Gather Supplies | |||
| 1A – Remove Auto-injector from the carton | |||
| 1B – Check the Expiration Date on the Auto-injector |  | ||
| Do notuse if the expiration date has passed. | |||
| 1C – Inspect the medicine through the Medicine Viewing Window Inspect the appearance of ZEMBRACE SymTouch Auto-injector medicine through the medicine window. It must be a clear, colorless to pale yellow solution. |  | ||
| Do notinject the medicine if the solution looks discolored or cloudy or contains lumps, flakes, or particles. | |||
1D – Gather the following supplies
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| Step 2 – Choose and Prepare Your Injection Site | |||
| 2A – Choose your injection site The recommended injection sites are the sides of the thighs and the arms. |  | ||
| Caution: Do not inject where your skin is scarred, bruised, tender, red or near any open wound. | |||
| 2B – Clean the injection site with an alcohol swab |  | ||
| Do nottouch injection site area after cleaning. | |||
| 2C – Remove the Red Cap Hold the body of the Auto-injector in one hand and pull the Red Cap straight off. |  | ||
| Warning: Do notput or press thumb, fingers or hand over the Yellow Needle Guard, doing so may result in a needle stick injury | |||
| Step 3 – Inject the Medicine | |||
| 3A – Place Auto-injector straight on your injection site Place the Auto-injector straight on your injection site (90 degrees) with the Yellow Needle Guard end gently pressed against your skin. |  | ||
| 3B – Perform Injection Press and hold the Auto-injector down against your skin. You will hear the first "Click 1" as the injection starts. Continue to hold the device down until you hear the second "Click 2." Wait 5 seconds before you remove the Auto-injector! After "Click 2," continue to hold down and slowly count to 5 to make sure you receive your full dose. |  | ||
| Important: To receive your full dose, always hold the Auto-injector down on your injection site for additional time after you hear the second click. This allows all of the medicine to be delivered. | |||
| 3C – Remove Auto-injector from skin Remove the Auto-injector by lifting it straight away from your skin. The Yellow Needle Guard will drop down and lock over the needle. |  | ||
| Step 4 – Confirm Injection and Dispose the Auto-injector | |||
| 4A – Confirm Red Color in Medicine Viewing Window Look to confirm that the Red Plunger Rod has filled the Medicine Viewing Window. This means you received the full dose. |  | ||
| Caution: Call your healthcare provider if the Red Plunger Rod has not filled the Medicine Viewing Window. This may mean that only a partial dose was delivered. | |||
| Do nottry to reuse the Auto-injector. | |||
| 4B – Disposal of the Auto-injector Put your used Auto-injector, caps, needles, and sharps in an FDA-cleared sharps disposal container right away after use. Do not throw away (dispose of) loose needles and syringes in your household trash. Do not recycle your used sharps disposal container. If you do not have a FDA-cleared sharps disposal container, you may use a household container that is: made of a heavy-duty plastic; can be closed with a tight-fitting, puncture-resistant lid, without sharps being able to come out; upright and stable during use; leak-resistant; and properly labeled to warn of hazardous waste inside the container. When your sharps disposal container is almost full, you will need to follow your community guidelines for the right way to dispose of your sharps disposal container. There may be state or local laws about how you should throw away used needles and syringes. For more information about safe sharps disposal, and for specific information about sharps disposal in the state that you live in, go to the FDA's website at: http://www.fda.gov/safesharpsdisposal. Do not dispose of your used sharps disposal container in your household trash unless your community guidelines permit this. Do not recycle your used sharps disposal container. If needed, make sure you get a refill of your Auto-injector. |  | ||
| 4C – Treat Injection Site | |||
| Treat the injection site with a cotton ball, gauze pad or bandage, as needed. | |||
| Do notrub the injection site. | |||
| Manufactured for UPSHER-SMITH LABORATORIES, LLC Maple Grove, MN 55369 | |||
| ZEMBRACE and SymTouch are registered trademarks of Upsher-Smith Laboratories, LLC. | |||
| This product may be covered by one or more U.S. patent(s). See www.uslpatents.com. | |||
Mechanism of Action
Sumatriptan binds with high affinity to human cloned 5-HT 1B/1Dreceptors. Sumatriptan presumably exerts its therapeutic effects in the treatment of migraine headache through agonist effects at the 5-HT 1B/1Dreceptors on intracranial blood vessels and sensory nerves of the trigeminal system, which result in cranial vessel constriction and inhibition of pro-inflammatory neuropeptide release.
Zembrace SymTouch Prior Authorization Resources
Most recent state uniform prior authorization forms
Zembrace SymTouch Financial Assistance Options
Copay savings program
Overview
- Reduce patient OOP costs for drug (and occasionally for drug administration/infusion costs or drug-related test costs)
Patient benefit
- A portion (or all) of patient OOP (deductible, copay), typically up to monthly and/or annual max
Patient eligibility
- Patient must enroll or activate (may permit HCPs to enroll on patient’s behalf for HCP-administered drugs)
- Generally, must have commercial insurance (rarely, may permit uninsured patients to use)
- May never be used with government insurance
How to sign up
- Cards may be downloadable digital cards or hard copies
- Some pharmacos offer debit cards with pre-loaded copay benefit
- Typically, available through multiple channels (e.g., rep to HCP to patient; pharmacy to patient; patient via website, Hub live agent, or copay vendor (live agent or IVR); patient and HCP via Hub enrollment form)
- Some HCP-administered product programs permit HCPs to enroll on a patient’s behalf through via Hub form