Epidiolex

EPIDIOLEX- cannabidiol solution
Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE

EPIDIOLEX is indicated for the treatment of seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS), Dravet syndrome (DS), or tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) in patients 1 year of age and older.

2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION

2.1 Assessments Prior to Initiating EPIDIOLEX

Because of the risk of hepatocellular injury, obtain serum transaminases (ALT and AST) and total bilirubin levels in all patients prior to starting treatment with EPIDIOLEX [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)].

2.2 Dosing for Seizures Associated with Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome or Dravet Syndrome

The starting dosage is 2.5 mg/kg by mouth twice daily (5 mg/kg/day).
After one week, the dosage can be increased to a maintenance dosage of 5 mg/kg twice daily (10 mg/kg/day).
Patients who are tolerating EPIDIOLEX at 5 mg/kg twice daily and require further reduction of seizures may benefit from a dosage increase up to a maximum recommended maintenance dosage of 10 mg/kg twice daily (20 mg/kg/day), in weekly increments of 2.5 mg/kg twice daily (5 mg/kg/day), as tolerated. For patients in whom a more rapid titration from 10 mg/kg/day to 20 mg/kg/day is warranted, the dosage may be increased no more frequently than every other day. Administration of the 20 mg/kg/day dosage resulted in somewhat greater reductions in seizure rates than the recommended maintenance dosage of 10 mg/kg/day, but with an increase in adverse reactions.

2.3 Dosing for Seizures Associated with Tuberous Sclerosis Complex

The starting dosage is 2.5 mg/kg by mouth twice daily (5 mg/kg/day).
Increase the dose in weekly increments of 2.5 mg/kg twice daily (5 mg/kg/day), as tolerated, to a recommended maintenance dosage of 12.5 mg/kg twice daily (25 mg/kg/day). For patients in whom a more rapid titration to 25 mg/kg/day is warranted, the dosage may be increased no more frequently than every other day.
The effectiveness of doses lower than 12.5 mg/kg twice daily has not been studied in patients with TSC.

2.4 Administration Instructions

Food may affect EPIDIOLEX levels [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)]. Consistent dosing of EPIDIOLEX with respect to meals is recommended to reduce variability in cannabidiol plasma exposure.

Calibrated measuring devices (1 mL and 5 mL oral syringes) will be provided and are recommended to measure and deliver the prescribed dose accurately [see How Supplied/Storage and Handling (16.1)]. A household teaspoon or tablespoon is not an adequate measuring device.

Oral administration is recommended. When necessary, EPIDIOLEX can be enterally administered via silicone feeding tubes, such as nasogastric or gastrostomy tubes. The recommended volume for flushing (with room temperature drinking water) after each dose is approximately 5 times the priming volume of the tube. The flushing volume may need to be modified in patients with fluid restrictions. Do not use with tubes made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or polyurethane and avoid use of silicone nasogastric tubes with short lengths and narrow diameters (e.g., less than 50 cm and less than 5 FR).

Discard any unused EPIDIOLEX remaining 12 weeks after first opening the bottle [see How Supplied/ Storage and Handling (16.2)].

2.5 Discontinuation of EPIDIOLEX

When discontinuing EPIDIOLEX, the dose should be decreased gradually. As with most antiepileptic drugs, abrupt discontinuation should be avoided when possible, to minimize the risk of increased seizure frequency and status epilepticus [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5)].

2.6 Patients with Hepatic Impairment

Dose adjustment is recommended in patients with moderate (Child-Pugh B) hepatic impairment or severe (Child-Pugh C) hepatic impairment [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1), Use in Specific Populations (8.6), and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)]. It may be necessary to have slower dose titration in patients with moderate or severe hepatic impairment than in patients without hepatic impairment (see Table 1).

EPIDIOLEX does not require dose adjustment in patients with mild (Child-Pugh A) hepatic impairment.

Table 1: Dose Adjustments in Patients with Hepatic Impairment

Hepatic Impairment

Starting Dosage

In Patients with LGS or DS

In Patients with TSC

Maintenance Dosage Range

Maintenance Dosage

Mild

2.5 mg/kg twice daily (5 mg/kg/day)

5 to 10 mg/kg twice daily (10 to 20 mg/kg/day)

12.5 mg/kg twice daily (25 mg/kg/day)

Moderate

1.25 mg/kg twice daily

(2.5 mg/kg/day)

2.5 to 5 mg/kg twice daily (5 to 10 mg/kg/day)

6.25 mg/kg twice daily (12.5 mg/kg/day)

Severe

0.5 mg/kg twice daily (1 mg/kg/day)

1 to 2 mg/kg twice daily (2 to 4 mg/kg/day)

2.5 mg/kg twice daily (5 mg/kg/day)

3 DOSAGE FORMS AND STRENGTHS

Cannabidiol oral solution: 100 mg/mL of a strawberry-flavored, clear, colorless to yellow solution.

4 CONTRAINDICATIONS

EPIDIOLEX is contraindicated in patients with a history of hypersensitivity to cannabidiol or any of the ingredients in the product [see Description (11) and Warnings and Precautions (5.4)].

5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

5.1 Hepatic Injury

EPIDIOLEX can cause dose-related elevations of liver transaminases (alanine aminotransferase [ALT] and/or aspartate aminotransferase [AST]). In controlled studies for LGS and DS (10 and 20 mg/kg/day dosages) and TSC (25 mg/kg/day), the incidence of ALT elevations above 3 times the upper limit of normal (ULN) was 13% (10 and 20 mg/kg/day dosages) and 12% (25 mg/kg/day dosage) in EPIDIOLEX-treated patients compared with 1% in patients on placebo. Less than 1% of EPIDIOLEX-treated patients had ALT or AST levels greater than 20 times the ULN. There were cases of transaminase elevations associated with hospitalization in patients taking EPIDIOLEX. In clinical trials, serum transaminase elevations typically occurred in the first two months of treatment initiation; however, there were some cases observed up to 18 months after initiation of treatment, particularly in patients taking concomitant valproate. Resolution of transaminase elevations occurred with discontinuation of EPIDIOLEX or reduction of EPIDIOLEX and/or concomitant valproate in about two-thirds of the cases. In about one-third of the cases, transaminase elevations resolved during continued treatment with EPIDIOLEX, without dose reduction.

In the postmarketing setting, cases of cholestatic or mixed patterns of liver injury (i.e., based on calculated ratio of [ALT/ULN]/[ALP/ULN] less than 2 and between 2-5, respectively) were reported in patients treated with EPIDIOLEX.

Risk Factors for Transaminase Elevation

Concomitant Valproate and Clobazam

The majority of ALT elevations in the controlled studies occurred in patients taking concomitant valproate [see Drug Interactions (7.3)]. Concomitant use of clobazam also increased the incidence of transaminase elevations, although to a lesser extent than valproate [see Drug Interactions (7.2)]. In EPIDIOLEX-treated patients with LGS or DS (10 and 20 mg/kg/day dosages), the incidence of ALT elevations greater than 3 times the ULN was 30% in patients taking both concomitant valproate and clobazam, 21% in patients taking concomitant valproate (without clobazam), 4% in patients taking concomitant clobazam (without valproate), and 3% in patients taking neither drug. In EPIDIOLEX-treated patients with TSC (25 mg/kg/day), the incidence of ALT elevations greater than 3 times the ULN was 20% in patients taking both concomitant valproate and clobazam, 25% in patients taking concomitant valproate (without clobazam), 0% in patients taking concomitant clobazam (without valproate), and 6% in patients taking neither drug.

Consider discontinuation or dose adjustment of valproate or clobazam if liver enzyme elevations occur.

In the postmarketing setting, cases of elevated ammonia levels were reported in some EPIDIOLEX-treated patients who also had transaminase elevations; where data were available, most cases reported concomitant use of valproate, clobazam, or both. Consider discontinuation or dose adjustment of valproate or clobazam if ammonia level elevations occur.

Dose

Transaminase elevations are generally dose-related. In patients with DS or LGS (10 and 20 mg/kg/day) or TSC (25 mg/kg/day), ALT elevations greater than 3 times the ULN were reported in 17% and 12% of patients taking EPIDIOLEX 20 or 25 mg/kg/day, respectively, compared with 1% in patients taking EPIDIOLEX 10 mg/kg/day. The risk of ALT elevations was higher (25%) in patients with TSC receiving a dosage above the recommended maintenance dosage of 25 mg/kg/day in Study 4.

Baseline Transaminase Elevations

Patients with baseline transaminase levels above the ULN had higher rates of transaminase elevations when taking EPIDIOLEX. In the DS and LGS controlled trials (Studies 1, 2, and 3) in patients taking EPIDIOLEX 20 mg/kg/day, the frequency of treatment-emergent ALT elevations greater than 3 times the ULN was 30% when ALT was above the ULN at baseline, compared to 12% when ALT was within the normal range at baseline. No patients taking EPIDIOLEX 10 mg/kg/day experienced ALT elevations greater than 3 times the ULN when ALT was above the ULN at baseline, compared with 2% of patients in whom ALT was within the normal range at baseline. In the TSC controlled trial (Study 4) in patients taking EPIDIOLEX 25 mg/kg/day, the frequency of treatment-emergent ALT elevations greater than 3 and 5 times the ULN were both 11% when ALT was above the ULN at baseline, compared to 12% and 6%, respectively, when ALT was within the normal range at baseline.

Monitoring

In general, transaminase elevations of greater than 3 times the ULN in the presence of elevated bilirubin without an alternative explanation are an important predictor of severe liver injury. Early identification of elevated liver enzymes may decrease the risk of a serious outcome. Patients with elevated baseline transaminase levels above 3 times the ULN, accompanied by elevations in bilirubin above 2 times the ULN, should be evaluated prior to initiation of EPIDIOLEX treatment.

Prior to starting treatment with EPIDIOLEX, obtain serum transaminases (ALT and AST) and total bilirubin levels. Serum transaminases and total bilirubin levels should be obtained at 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months after initiation of treatment with EPIDIOLEX, and periodically thereafter or as clinically indicated. Serum transaminases and total bilirubin levels should also be obtained within 1 month following changes in EPIDIOLEX dosage and addition of or changes in medications that are known to impact the liver. Consider more frequent monitoring of serum transaminases and bilirubin in patients who are taking valproate or who have elevated liver enzymes at baseline.

If a patient develops clinical signs or symptoms suggestive of hepatic dysfunction (e.g., unexplained nausea, vomiting, right upper quadrant abdominal pain, fatigue, anorexia, or jaundice and/or dark urine), promptly measure serum transaminases and total bilirubin and interrupt or discontinue treatment with EPIDIOLEX, as appropriate. Discontinue EPIDIOLEX in any patients with elevations of transaminase levels greater than 3 times the ULN and bilirubin levels greater than 2 times the ULN. Patients with sustained transaminase elevations of greater than 5 times the ULN should also have treatment discontinued. Patients with prolonged elevations of serum transaminases should be evaluated for other possible causes. Consider dosage adjustment of any coadministered medication that is known to affect the liver (e.g., valproate and clobazam).

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