Efavirenz (Page 9 of 10)

14.2 Pediatric Patients

Study AI266922 is an open-label study to evaluate the pharmacokinetics, safety, tolerability, and antiviral activity of efavirenz in combination with didanosine and emtricitabine in antiretroviral-naive and -experienced pediatric patients. Thirty-seven patients 3 months to 6 years of age (median 0.7 years) were treated with efavirenz. At baseline, median plasma HIV-1 RNA was 5.88 log 10 copies/mL, median CD4+ cell count was 1144 cells/mm 3 , and median CD4+ percentage was 25%. The median time on study therapy was 60 weeks; 27% of patients discontinued before Week 48. Using an ITT analysis, the overall proportions of patients with HIV RNA <400 copies/mL and <50 copies/mL at Week 48 were 57% (21/37) and 46% (17/37), respectively. The median increase from baseline in CD4+ count at 48 weeks was 196 cells/mm 3 and the median increase in CD4+ percentage was 6%.

Study PACTG 1021 was an open-label study to evaluate the pharmacokinetics, safety, tolerability, and antiviral activity of efavirenz in combination with didanosine and emtricitabine in pediatric patients who were antiretroviral therapy naive. Forty-three patients 3 months to 21 years of age (median 9.6 years) were dosed with efavirenz. At baseline, median plasma HIV-1 RNA was 4.8 log 10 copies/mL, median CD4+ cell count was 367 cells/mm 3 , and median CD4+ percentage was 18%. The median time on study therapy was 181 weeks; 16% of patients discontinued before Week 48. Using an ITT analysis, the overall proportions of patients with HIV RNA <400 copies/mL and <50 copies/mL at Week 48 were 77% (33/43) and 70% (30/43), respectively. The median increase from baseline in CD4+ count at 48 weeks of therapy was 238 cells/mm 3 and the median increase in CD4+ percentage was 13%.

10 copies/mL, median CD4+ cell count was 755 cells/mm 3 , and median CD4+ percentage was 30%. The median time on study therapy was 118 weeks; 25% of patients discontinued before Week 48. Using an ITT analysis, the overall proportion of patients with HIV RNA <400 copies/mL and <50 copies/mL at Week 48 were 57% (58/102) and 43% (44/102), respectively. The median increase from baseline in CD4+ count at 48 weeks of therapy was 128 cells/mm 3 and the median increase in CD4+ percentage was 5%.

16 HOW SUPPLIED/STORAGE AND HANDLING

Efavirenz tablets USP are available as follows:

Efavirenz tablets USP 600 mg are yellow colored oval biconvex film-coated tablets debossed ‘D’ on one side and ‘37’ on other side.

NDC: 70518-3258-00

PACKAGING: 30 in 1 BLISTER PACK

Efavirenz tablets should be stored at 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F); excursions permitted to 15° to 30°C (59° to 86°F) [see USP Controlled Room Temperature].

Repackaged and Distributed By:

Remedy Repack, Inc.

625 Kolter Dr. Suite #4 Indiana, PA 1-724-465-8762

17 PATIENT COUNSELING INFORMATION

Advise the patient to read the FDA-approved patient labeling (Patient Information and Instructions for Use).

Drug Interactions

A statement to patients and healthcare providers is included on the product’s bottle labels: ALERT: Find out about medicines that should NOT be taken with e favirenz tablets.

Efavirenz may interact with some drugs; therefore, advise patients to report to their doctor the use of any other prescription or nonprescription medication.

General Information for Patients

Inform patients that efavirenz is not a cure for HIV-1 infection and patients may continue to experience illnesses associated with HIV-1 infection, including opportunistic infections. Patients should remain under the care of a physician while taking efavirenz.

Advise patients to avoid doing things that can spread HIV-1 infection to others.

  • Do not share or reuse needles or other injection equipment.
  • Do not share personal items that can have blood or body fluids on them, like toothbrushes and razor blades.
  • Do not have any kind of sex without protection. Always practice safer sex by using a latex or polyurethane condom to lower the chance of sexual contact with semen, vaginal secretions, or blood.
  • Do not breastfeed. Mothers with HIV-1 should not breastfeed because HIV-1 can be passed to the baby in breast milk.

Dosing Instructions

Advise patients to take efavirenz every day as prescribed. If a patient forgets to take efavirenz, tell the patient to take the missed dose right away, unless it is almost time for the next dose. Advise the patient not to take 2 doses at one time and to take the next dose at the regularly scheduled time. Advise the patient to ask a healthcare provider if he/she needs help in planning the best times to take his/her medicine.

Efavirenz must always be used in combination with other antiretroviral drugs. Advise patients to take efavirenz on an empty stomach, preferably at bedtime. Taking efavirenz with food increases efavirenz concentrations and may increase the frequency of adverse reactions. Dosing at bedtime may improve the tolerability of nervous system symptoms [see Dosage and Administration (2)and Adverse Reactions (6.1)]. Healthcare providers should assist parents or caregivers in determining the best efavirenz dosing schedule for infants and young children.

For adult and pediatric patients who cannot swallow capsules or tablets, patients or their caregivers should be advised to read and carefully follow the instructions for administering the capsule contents in a small amount of food or infant formula [see Dosage and Administration (2.3) and FDA-approved patient labeling (Patient Information and Instructions for Use)]. Patients should call their healthcare provider or pharmacist if they have any questions.
Nervous System Symptoms

Inform patients that central nervous system symptoms (NSS) including dizziness, insomnia, impaired concentration, drowsiness, and abnormal dreams are commonly reported during the first weeks of therapy with efavirenz [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6)]. Dosing at bedtime may improve the tolerability of these symptoms, which are likely to improve with continued therapy. Alert patients to the potential for additive effects when efavirenz is used concomitantly with alcohol or psychoactive drugs. Instruct patients that if they experience NSS they should avoid potentially hazardous tasks such as driving or operating machinery.


Inform patients that there is a risk of developing late-onset neurotoxicity, including ataxia and encephalopathy which may occur months to years after beginning efavirenz therapy [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6)].


Psychiatric Symptoms

Inform patients that serious psychiatric symptoms including severe depression, suicide attempts, aggressive behavior, delusions, paranoia, psychosis-like symptoms and catatonia have been reported in patients receiving efavirenz [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5)]. If they experience severe psychiatric adverse experiences they should seek immediate medical evaluation. Advise patients to inform their physician of any history of mental illness or substance abuse.

Rash

Inform patients that a common side effect is rash [see Warnings and Precautions (5.8)]. Rashes usually go away without any change in treatment. However, since rash may be serious, advise patients to contact their physician promptly if rash occurs.
Hepatotoxicity
Inform patients to watch for early warning signs of liver inflammation or failure, such as fatigue, weakness, lack of appetite, nausea and vomiting, as well as later signs such as jaundice, confusion, abdominal swelling, and discolored feces, and to consult their health care professional without delay if such symptoms occur [see Warnings and Precautions (5.9) and Adverse Reactions (6.1)] .
Females of Reproductive Potential
Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception as well as a barrier method during treatment with efavirenz and for 12 weeks after discontinuing efavirenz. Advise patients to contact their healthcare provider if they plan to become pregnant, become pregnant, or if pregnancy is suspected during treatment with efavirenz [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7)and Use in Specific Populations (8.1, 8.3)].
Pregnancy Exposure Registry
Advise patients that there is a pregnancy exposure registry that monitors pregnancy outcomes in women exposed to efavirenz during pregnancy [see Use in Specific Populations (8.1)] .
Fat Redistribution
Inform patients that redistribution or accumulation of body fat may occur in patients receiving antiretroviral therapy and that the cause and long-term health effects of these conditions are not known [see Warnings and Precautions (5.13)].

Repackaged By / Distributed By: RemedyRepack Inc.

625 Kolter Drive, Indiana, PA 15701

(724) 465-8762

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