DARZALEX (Page 2 of 8)
2.3 Recommended Concomitant Medications
Pre-infusion Medication
Administer the following pre-infusion medications 1 hour to 3 hours before every DARZALEX infusion:
- Corticosteroid (long- or intermediate-acting)
- Monotherapy:
Administer methylprednisolone 100 mg (or equivalent) intravenously. Following the second infusion, consider reducing the dose to 60 mg (or equivalent) administered either orally or intravenously.
In Combination:
Administer dexamethasone 20 mg (or equivalent) orally or intravenously.
When dexamethasone is the background regimen-specific corticosteroid, the dexamethasone dose that is part of the background regimen will serve as pre-medication on DARZALEX infusion days [see Clinical Studies (14)].
Do not administer background regimen-specific corticosteroids (e.g. prednisone) on DARZALEX infusion days when patients have received dexamethasone (or equivalent) as a pre-medication.
- Monotherapy:
- Acetaminophen 650 mg to 1,000 mg orally
- Diphenhydramine 25 mg to 50 mg (or equivalent) orally or intravenously.
Post-infusion Medication
Administer the following post-infusion medications:
- Monotherapy:
Administer methylprednisolone 20 mg (or an equivalent dose of an intermediate- or long-acting corticosteroid) orally for 2 days starting the day after the administration of DARZALEX.
In Combination:
Consider administering oral methylprednisolone at a dose of less than or equal to 20 mg (or an equivalent dose of an intermediate- or long-acting corticosteroid) beginning the day after the administration of a DARZALEX infusion. If a background regimen-specific corticosteroid (e.g. dexamethasone, prednisone) is administered the day after the DARZALEX infusion, additional corticosteroids may not be needed [see Clinical Studies (14)].
For patients with a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, consider prescribing short and long-acting bronchodilators and inhaled corticosteroids. Following the first 4 DARZALEX infusions, consider discontinuing these additional post-infusion medications, if the patient does not experience a major infusion-related reaction.
Prophylaxis for Herpes Zoster Reactivation
Initiate antiviral prophylaxis to prevent herpes zoster reactivation within 1 week after starting DARZALEX and continue for 3 months following the end of treatment [see Adverse Reactions (6.1)].
2.4 Dosage Modifications for Adverse Reactions
No dose reductions of DARZALEX are recommended. Consider withholding DARZALEX to allow recovery of blood cell counts in the event of myelosuppression [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3, 5.4)] .
For information concerning drugs given in combination with DARZALEX, see manufacturer’s prescribing information.
Infusion-Related Reactions
For infusion-related reactions of any grade/severity, immediately interrupt the DARZALEX infusion and manage symptoms. Management of infusion-related reactions may further require reduction in the rate of infusion, or treatment discontinuation of DARZALEX as outlined below [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)] .
- Grade 1–2 (mild to moderate): Once reaction symptoms resolve, resume the infusion at no more than half the rate at which the reaction occurred. If the patient does not experience any further reaction symptoms, infusion rate escalation may resume at increments and intervals as clinically appropriate up to the maximum rate of 200 mL/hour (Table 6).
- Grade 3 (severe): Once reaction symptoms resolve, consider restarting the infusion at no more than half the rate at which the reaction occurred. If the patient does not experience additional symptoms, resume infusion rate escalation at increments and intervals as outlined in Table 6. Repeat the procedure above in the event of recurrence of Grade 3 symptoms. Permanently discontinue DARZALEX upon the third occurrence of a Grade 3 or greater infusion-related reaction.
- Grade 4 (life-threatening): Permanently discontinue DARZALEX.
2.5 Preparation and Administration
Preparation
DARZALEX is for single dose only.
Prepare the solution for infusion using aseptic technique as follows:
- Calculate the dose (mg), total volume (mL) of DARZALEX solution required and the number of DARZALEX vials needed based on patient actual body weight.
- DARZALEX vials of the same strength with different NDCs are available and can be admixed in the same infusion bag [see Description (11), How Supplied/Storage and Handling (16)] .
- Check that the DARZALEX solution is colorless to pale yellow. Do not use if opaque particles, discoloration or other foreign particles are present.
- Remove a volume of 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP from the infusion bag/container that is equal to the required volume of DARZALEX solution.
- Withdraw the necessary amount of DARZALEX solution and dilute to the appropriate volume by adding to the infusion bag/container containing 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP as specified in Table 6 [see Dosage and Administration (2.2)] . Infusion bags/containers must be made of either polyvinylchloride (PVC), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE) or polyolefin blend (PP+PE). Dilute under appropriate aseptic conditions. Discard any unused portion left in the vial.
- Gently invert the bag/container to mix the solution. Do not shake.
- Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration, whenever solution and container permit. The diluted solution may develop very small, translucent to white proteinaceous particles, as daratumumab is a protein. Do not use if visibly opaque particles, discoloration or foreign particles are observed.
- If not used immediately, store the diluted solution refrigerated for up to 24 hours at 2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F) and/or at room temperature up to 15 hours at 15°C to 25°C (59°F to 77°F). The room temperature storage includes infusion time. Protect from light during storage. Do not freeze.
Administration
- If stored in the refrigerator, allow the solution to come to room temperature. Administer the diluted solution by intravenous infusion using an infusion set fitted with a flow regulator and with an in-line, sterile, non-pyrogenic, low protein-binding polyethersulfone (PES) filter (pore size 0.22 micrometer or 0.2 micrometer). Administration sets must be made of either polyurethane (PU), polybutadiene (PBD), PVC, PP or PE.
- Do not store any unused portion of the infusion solution for reuse. Any unused product or waste material should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements.
- Do not infuse DARZALEX concomitantly in the same intravenous line with other agents.
3 DOSAGE FORMS AND STRENGTHS
DARZALEX is a colorless to pale yellow, preservative-free solution available as:
Injection:
- 100 mg/5 mL (20 mg/mL) in a single-dose vial.
- 400 mg/20 mL (20 mg/mL) in a single-dose vial.
4 CONTRAINDICATIONS
DARZALEX is contraindicated in patients with a history of severe hypersensitivity (e.g. anaphylactic reactions) to daratumumab or any of the components of the formulation [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)] .
5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
5.1 Infusion-Related Reactions
DARZALEX can cause severe and/or serious infusion-related reactions including anaphylactic reactions. These reactions can be life-threatening and fatal outcomes have been reported [see Adverse Reactions (6.3)] .
In clinical trials (monotherapy and combination: N=2,066), infusion-related reactions occurred in 37% of patients with the Week 1 (16 mg/kg) infusion, 2% with the Week 2 infusion, and cumulatively 6% with subsequent infusions. Less than 1% of patients had a Grade 3/4 infusion-related reaction at Week 2 or subsequent infusions. The median time to onset was 1.5 hours (range: 0 to 73 hours). The incidence of infusion modification due to reactions was 36%. Median durations of 16 mg/kg infusions for the Week 1, Week 2, and subsequent infusions were approximately 7, 4, and 3 hours respectively. Nearly all reactions occurred during infusion or within 4 hours of completing DARZALEX. Prior to the introduction of post-infusion medication in clinical trials, infusion-related reactions occurred up to 48 hours after infusion.
Severe reactions have occurred, including bronchospasm, hypoxia, dyspnea, hypertension, tachycardia, headache, laryngeal edema, pulmonary edema, and ocular adverse reactions, including choroidal effusion, acute myopia, and acute angle closure glaucoma. Signs and symptoms may include respiratory symptoms, such as nasal congestion, cough, throat irritation, as well as chills, vomiting and nausea. Less common signs and symptoms were wheezing, allergic rhinitis, pyrexia, chest discomfort, pruritus, hypotension, and blurred vision [see Adverse Reactions (6.1)] .
When DARZALEX dosing was interrupted in the setting of ASCT (CASSIOPEIA) for a median of 3.75 months (range: 2.4 to 6.9 months), upon re-initiation of DARZALEX, the incidence of infusion-related reactions was 11% for the first infusion following ASCT. Infusion rate/dilution volume used upon re-initiation was that used for the last DARZALEX infusion prior to interruption for ASCT. Infusion-related reactions occurring at re-initiation of DARZALEX following ASCT were consistent in terms of symptoms and severity (Grade 3 or 4: <1%) with those reported in previous studies at Week 2 or subsequent infusions.
In EQUULEUS, patients receiving combination treatment (n=97) were administered the first 16 mg/kg dose at Week 1 split over two days i.e. 8 mg/kg on Day 1 and Day 2, respectively. The incidence of any grade infusion-related reactions was 42%, with 36% of patients experiencing infusion-related reactions on Day 1 of Week 1, 4% on Day 2 of Week 1, and 8% with subsequent infusions. The median time to onset of a reaction was 1.8 hours (range: 0.1 to 5.4 hours). The incidence of infusion interruptions due to reactions was 30%. Median durations of infusions were 4.2 hours for Week 1-Day 1, 4.2 hours for Week 1-Day 2, and 3.4 hours for the subsequent infusions.
Pre-medicate patients with antihistamines, antipyretics and corticosteroids. Frequently monitor patients during the entire infusion [see Dosage and Administration (2.3)] . Interrupt DARZALEX infusion for reactions of any severity and institute medical management as needed. Permanently discontinue DARZALEX therapy if an anaphylactic reaction or life-threatening (Grade 4) reaction occurs and institute appropriate emergency care. For patients with Grade 1, 2, or 3 reactions, reduce the infusion rate when re-starting the infusion [see Dosage and Administration (2.4)] .
To reduce the risk of delayed infusion-related reactions, administer oral corticosteroids to all patients following DARZALEX infusions [see Dosage and Administration (2.3)] . Patients with a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease may require additional post-infusion medications to manage respiratory complications. Consider prescribing short- and long-acting bronchodilators and inhaled corticosteroids for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [see Dosage and Administration (2.3)] .
Ocular adverse reactions, including acute myopia and narrowing of the anterior chamber angle due to ciliochoroidal effusions with potential for increased intraocular pressure or glaucoma, have occurred with DARZALEX infusion. If ocular symptoms occur, interrupt DARZALEX infusion and seek immediate ophthalmologic evaluation prior to restarting DARZALEX.
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