EXTAVIA

EXTAVIA- interferon beta-1b
Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation

1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE

EXTAVIA is indicated for the treatment of relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), to include clinically isolated syndrome, relapsing-remitting disease, and active secondary progressive disease, in adults.

2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION

2.1 Dosing Information

The recommended starting dose is 0.0625 mg (0.25 mL) subcutaneously every other day, with dose increases over a six-week period to the recommended dose of 0.25 mg (1 mL) every other day (see Table 1).

Table 1: Schedule for Dose Titration
a Dosed every other day, subcutaneously.

EXTAVIA

dosea

Percentage ofrecommended dose

Volume

Weeks 1-2

0.0625 mg

25%

0.25 mL

Weeks 3-4

0.125 mg

50%

0.5 mL

Weeks 5-6

0.1875 mg

75%

0.75 mL

Week 7 and thereafter

0.25 mg

100%

1 mL

If a dose of EXTAVIA is missed, then it should be taken as soon as the patient remembers or is able to take it. The patient should not take EXTAVIA on two consecutive days. The next injection should be taken about 48 hours (two days) after that dose. If the patient accidentally takes more than their prescribed dose, or takes it on two consecutive days, they should be instructed to call their healthcare provider immediately.

2.2 Reconstitution of the Lyophilized Powder

a) Prior to reconstitution, verify that the vial containing lyophilized EXTAVIA is not cracked or damaged. Do not use cracked or damaged vials.

b) To reconstitute lyophilized EXTAVIA for injection, attach the pre-filled syringe containing the diluent (0.54% sodium chloride solution, USP) to the EXTAVIA vial using the vial adapter.

The removable rubber cap of the diluent (0.54% sodium chloride solution, USP) pre-filled syringe contains natural rubber latex, which may cause allergic reactions and should not be handled by latex-sensitive individuals.

c) Slowly inject 1.2 mL of diluent into the EXTAVIA vial.

d) Gently swirl the vial to dissolve the lyophilized powder completely; do not shake. Foaming may occur during reconstitution or if the vial is swirled or shaken too vigorously. If foaming occurs, allow the vial to sit undisturbed until the foam settles.

e) 1 mL of reconstituted EXTAVIA solution contains 0.25 mg of interferon beta-1b.

f) After reconstitution, if not used immediately, refrigerate the reconstituted EXTAVIA solution at 35°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C) and use within three hours. Do not freeze.

2.3 Important Administration Instructions

a) Perform the first EXTAVIA injection under the supervision of an appropriately qualified healthcare professional. If patients or caregivers are to administer EXTAVIA, train them in the proper subcutaneous injection technique and assess their ability to inject subcutaneously to ensure the proper administration of EXTAVIA.

b) Visually inspect the reconstituted EXTAVIA solution before use; discard if it contains particulate matter or is discolored.

c) Keeping the syringe and vial adapter in place, turn the assembly over so that the vial is on top. Withdraw the appropriate dose of EXTAVIA solution. Remove the vial from the vial adapter before injecting EXTAVIA.

d) Use safe disposal procedures for needles and syringes.

e) Do not re-use needles or syringes.

f) Advise patients and caregivers to rotate sites for subcutaneous injections to minimize the likelihood of severe injection site reactions, including necrosis or localized infection [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5)].

2.4 Premedication for Flu-like Symptoms

Concurrent use of analgesics and/or antipyretics on treatment days may help ameliorate flu-like symptoms associated with EXTAVIA use [see Warnings and Precautions (5.8)].

3 DOSAGE FORMS AND STRENGTHS

For injection: 0.3 mg white to off-white lyophilized powder in a single-dose vial for reconstitution.

4 CONTRAINDICATIONS

EXTAVIA is contraindicated in patients with a history of hypersensitivity to natural or recombinant interferon beta, albumin (human), or any other component of the formulation.

5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

5.1 Hepatic Injury

Severe hepatic injury, including cases of hepatic failure, some of which have been due to autoimmune hepatitis, has been rarely reported in patients taking EXTAVIA. In some cases, these events have occurred in the presence of other drugs or comorbid medical conditions that have been associated with hepatic injury. Consider the potential risk of EXTAVIA used in combination with known hepatotoxic drugs or other products (e.g., alcohol) prior to EXTAVIA administration, or when adding new agents to the regimen of patients already on EXTAVIA. Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of hepatic injury. Consider discontinuing EXTAVIA if serum transaminase levels significantly increase, or if they are associated with clinical symptoms, such as jaundice.

Asymptomatic elevation of serum transaminases is common in patients treated with EXTAVIA. In controlled clinical trials, elevations of serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (SGPT) to greater than five times baseline value were reported in 12% of patients receiving interferon beta-1b (compared to 4% on placebo), and increases of serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT) to greater than five times baseline value were reported in 4% of patients receiving interferon beta-1b (compared to 1% on placebo), leading to dose-reduction or discontinuation of treatment in some patients [see Adverse Reactions (6.1)]. Monitor liver function tests [see Warnings and Precautions (5.11)].

5.2 Anaphylaxis and Other Allergic Reactions

Anaphylaxis has been reported as a rare complication of interferon beta-1b use. Other allergic reactions have included dyspnea, bronchospasm, tongue edema, skin rash, and urticaria [see Adverse Reactions (6.1)]. Discontinue EXTAVIA if anaphylaxis occurs.

The removable rubber cap of the diluent (0.54% sodium chloride solution, USP) pre-filled syringe contains natural rubber latex, which may cause allergic reactions and should not be handled by latex-sensitive individuals. The safe use of EXTAVIA pre-filled syringe in latex-sensitive individuals has not been studied.

5.3 Depression and Suicide

Depression and suicide have been reported to occur with increased frequency in patients receiving interferon beta products, including interferon beta-1b. Advise patients to report any symptom of depression and/or suicidal ideation to their healthcare provider. If a patient develops depression, discontinuation of EXTAVIA therapy should be considered.

In randomized controlled clinical trials, there were three suicides and eight suicide attempts among the 1532 patients on interferon beta-1b compared to one suicide and four suicide attempts among 965 patients on placebo.

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