Zepzelca
(lurbinectedin)Dosage & Administration
By using PrescriberAI, you agree to the AI Terms of Use.
Zepzelca Prescribing Information
ZEPZELCA is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with metastatic small cell lung cancer (SCLC) with disease progression on or after platinum-based chemotherapy.
This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate and duration of response [see Clinical Studies (14)]. 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 ZEPZELCA is 3.2 mg/m2 by intravenous infusion over 60 minutes every 21 days until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.
Initiate treatment with ZEPZELCA only if absolute neutrophil count (ANC) is at least 1,500 cells/mm3 and platelet count is at least 100,000/mm3.
Dosage Modifications for Adverse Reactions
The recommended dose reductions for adverse reactions are listed in Table 1. Permanently discontinue ZEPZELCA in patients who are unable to tolerate 2 mg/m2 or require a dose delay greater than two weeks.
Dose Reduction | Total Dose |
First Second | 2.6 mg/m2 every 21 days 2 mg/m2 every 21 days |
Dosage modifications for ZEPZELCA for adverse reactions are presented in Table 2.
Adverse Reaction | Severitya | Dosage Modification |
Neutropeniab [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)] | Grade 4 or Any grade febrile neutropenia |
|
Thrombocytopenia [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)] | Grade 3 with bleeding or Grade 4 |
|
Hepatotoxicity [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)] | Grade 2 |
|
Grade ≥ 3 |
| |
Rhabdomyolysis [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4)] | Grade 2 |
|
Grade ≥ 3 |
| |
Other Adverse Reactions [see Postmarketing (6.2)] | Grade 2 |
|
Grade ≥ 3 |
|
- a
- National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (NCI CTCAE) version 4.0
- b
- Patients with isolated Grade 4 neutropenia (neutrophil count less than 500 cells/mm3) may receive G-CSF prophylaxis rather than undergo lurbinectedin dose reduction.
2.3 Dosage Modifications for Use with Strong CYP3A Inhibitors
Avoid coadministration of ZEPZELCA with strong CYP3A inhibitors. If coadministration of ZEPZELCA with a strong CYP3A inhibitor cannot be avoided, reduce the dose of ZEPZELCA by 50% [see Drug Interactions (7.1), Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)]. After discontinuation of a strong CYP3A inhibitor for 5 half-lives of the inhibitor, increase the ZEPZELCA dose to the dose used before starting the inhibitor.
Premedication
Consider administering the following pre-infusion medications for antiemetic prophylaxis [see Adverse Reactions (6.1)]:
- •
- Corticosteroids (dexamethasone 8 mg intravenously or equivalent)
- •
- Serotonin antagonists (ondansetron 8 mg intravenously or equivalent)
Preparation, Administration and Storage
ZEPZELCA is a hazardous drug. Follow applicable special handling and disposal procedures1.
Preparation
- •
- Inject 8 mL of Sterile Water for Injection USP into the vial, yielding a solution containing 0.5 mg/mL lurbinectedin. Shake the vial until complete dissolution.
- •
- Visually inspect the solution for particulate matter and discoloration. The reconstituted solution is a clear, colorless or slightly yellowish solution, essentially free of visible particles.
- •
- Calculate the required volume of reconstituted solution as follows:

- •
- For administration through a central venous line, withdraw the appropriate amount of reconstituted solution from the vial and add to an infusion container containing at least 100 mL of diluent (0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection USP or 5% Dextrose Injection USP).
- •
- For administration through a peripheral venous line, withdraw the appropriate amount of reconstituted solution from the vial and add to an infusion container containing at least 250 mL of diluent (0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection USP or 5% Dextrose Injection USP).
Administration
- •
- Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration, whenever solution and container permit. If particulate matter is observed, do not administer.
- •
- ZEPZELCA can be administered with or without an in-line filter. If infusion lines containing in-line filters are utilized for administration of ZEPZELCA, polyethersulfone (PES) in-line filters with pore sizes of 0.22 micron are recommended.
- o
- Do not use in-line nylon membrane filters when the reconstituted ZEPZELCA solution is diluted using 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP. Adsorption of ZEPZELCA to the Nylon membrane filters has been observed when 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP is used as the diluent.
- •
- Compatibility with other intravenous administration materials and the diluted ZEPZELCA solution has been demonstrated in the following materials:
- o
- Polyolefin containers (polyethylene, polypropylene and mixtures).
- o
- Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) (non-DEHP-containing), polyurethane and polyolefin infusion sets (polyethylene, polypropylene and polybutadiene).
- o
- Implantable venous access systems with titanium and plastic resin ports and with polyurethane or silicone intravenous catheters.
- •
- Do not co-administer ZEPZELCA and other intravenous drugs concurrently within the same intravenous line.
Storage of Infusion Solution
- •
- If not used immediately after reconstitution or dilution, the ZEPZELCA solution can be stored prior to administration for up to 24 hours following reconstitution, including infusion time, at either room temperature/ ambient light or under refrigeration at 2ºC-8ºC (36ºF-46ºF) conditions.
For injection: 4 mg of lurbinectedin as a sterile, preservative-free, white to off-white lyophilized powder in a single-dose vial for reconstitution prior to intravenous infusion.
Pregnancy
Risk Summary
Based on animal data and its mechanism of action [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.1)], ZEPZELCA can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. There are no available data to inform the risk of ZEPZELCA use in pregnant women. Intravenous administration of a single lurbinectedin dose (approximately 0.2 times the 3.2 mg/m2 clinical dose) to pregnant rats during the period of organogenesis caused embryolethality (see Data).
Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus.
The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2 to 4% and 15 to 20%, respectively.
Data
Animal Data
In a reproductive toxicity study, administration of a single lurbinectedin dose of 0.6 mg/m2 (approximately 0.2 times of the human dose of 3.2 mg/m2) to pregnant rats on Gestation Day 10 resulted in 100% post-implantation loss.
Lactation
Risk Summary
There are no data on the presence of lurbinectedin in human milk or its effects on the breastfed child or on milk production. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions from ZEPZELCA in breastfed children, advise women not to breastfeed during treatment with ZEPZELCA and for 2 weeks after the last dose.
Females and Males of Reproductive Potential
ZEPZELCA can cause embryolethality at doses lower than the human dose of 3.2 mg/m2 [see Use in Specific Populations (8.1)].
Pregnancy Testing
Verify the pregnancy status of females of reproductive potential prior to initiating ZEPZELCA.
Contraception
Females
Advise female patients of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with ZEPZELCA and for 6 months after the last dose.
Males
Advise males with a female sexual partner of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with ZEPZELCA and for 4 months after the last dose.
Pediatric Use
The safety and effectiveness of ZEPZELCA in pediatric patients have not been established.
Geriatric Use
Of the 105 patients with SCLC administered ZEPZELCA in clinical studies, 37 (35%) patients were 65 years of age and older, while 9 (9%) patients were 75 years of age and older. No overall difference in effectiveness was observed between patients aged 65 and older and younger patients.
There was a higher incidence of serious adverse reactions in patients ≥ 65 years of age than in patients < 65 years of age (49% vs. 26%, respectively). The serious adverse reactions most frequently reported in patients ≥ 65 years of age were related to myelosuppression and consisted of febrile neutropenia (11%), neutropenia (11%), thrombocytopenia (8%), and anemia (8%) [see Adverse Reactions (6.1)].
Hepatic Impairment
The effect of moderate or severe hepatic impairment (total bilirubin > 1.5 × ULN and any AST) on the pharmacokinetics of lurbinectedin has not been studied. No dose adjustment of ZEPZELCA is recommended for patients with mild hepatic impairment (total bilirubin ≤ ULN and AST > ULN or total bilirubin 1 to 1.5 × ULN and any AST) [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].
None.
Myelosuppression
ZEPZELCA can cause myelosuppression.
In clinical studies of 554 patients with advanced solid tumors receiving ZEPZELCA [see Adverse Reactions (6.1)], Grade 3 or 4 neutropenia occurred in 41% of patients, with a median time to onset of 15 days and a median duration of 7 days. Febrile neutropenia occurred in 7% of patients. Sepsis occurred in 2% of patients and was fatal in 1% (all cases occurred in patients with solid tumors other than SCLC). Grade 3 or 4 thrombocytopenia occurred in 10%, with a median time to onset of 10 days and a median duration of 7 days. Grade 3 or 4 anemia occurred in 17% of patients.
Administer ZEPZELCA only to patients with baseline neutrophil count of at least 1,500 cells/mm3 and platelet count of at least 100,000/mm3. Monitor blood counts including neutrophil count and platelet count prior to each administration. For neutrophil count less than 500 cells/mm3 or any value less than lower limit of normal, the use of G-CSF is recommended. Withhold, reduce the dose, or permanently discontinue ZEPZELCA based on severity [see Dosage and Administration (2.2)].
Hepatotoxicity
ZEPZELCA can cause hepatotoxicity.
In clinical studies of 554 patients with advanced solid tumors receiving ZEPZELCA [see Adverse Reactions (6.1)], Grade 3 elevations of ALT and AST were observed in 6% and 3% of patients, respectively, and Grade 4 elevations of ALT and AST were observed in 0.4% and 0.5% of patients, respectively. The median time to onset of Grade ≥ 3 elevation in transaminases was 8 days (range: 3 to 49), with a median duration of 7 days.
Monitor liver function tests prior to initiating ZEPZELCA and periodically during treatment as clinically indicated. Withhold, reduce the dose, or permanently discontinue ZEPZELCA based on severity [see Dosage and Administration (2.2)].
Extravasation Resulting in Tissue Necrosis
Extravasation of ZEPZELCA resulting in skin and soft tissue injury, including necrosis requiring debridement, can occur. Consider use of a central venous catheter to reduce the risk of extravasation, particularly in patients with limited venous access. Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of extravasation during the ZEPZELCA infusion. If extravasation occurs, immediately discontinue the infusion, remove the infusion catheter, and monitor for signs and symptoms of tissue necrosis. The time to onset of necrosis after extravasation may vary.
Administer supportive care and consult with an appropriate medical specialist as needed for signs and symptoms of extravasation. Administer subsequent infusions at a site that was not affected by extravasation.
Rhabdomyolysis
Rhabdomyolysis has been reported in patients treated with ZEPZELCA. Monitor creatine phosphokinase (CPK) prior to initiating ZEPZELCA and periodically during treatment as clinically indicated. Withhold or reduce the dose based on severity [see Dosage and Administration (2.2)].
Embryo-Fetal Toxicity
Based on animal data and its mechanism of action ZEPZELCA can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Intravenous administration of a single dose of lurbinectedin (approximately 0.2 times the 3.2 mg/m2 clinical dose) to pregnant animals during the period of organogenesis caused 100% embryolethality in rats. Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus. Advise female patients of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with ZEPZELCA and for 6 months after the last dose. Advise male patients with female partners of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with ZEPZELCA and for 4 months after the last dose [see Use in Specific Populations (8.1, 8.3)].