FACTIVE (Page 10 of 12)

Clinical Safety Study of Rash

To further characterize gemifloxacin-associated rash, which in early clinical studies appeared to be associated with age less than 40 and female gender, a clinical pharmacology study was conducted. The study enrolled 1,011 healthy female volunteers less than 40 years of age. Subjects were randomized in a 5:1 ratio to receive either FACTIVE 320 mg PO daily (819 subjects) or ciprofloxacin 500 mg PO twice daily for 10 days (164 subjects). This study was designed to enroll subjects at a high risk for rash (women <40 years of age and dosing beyond the recommended duration of therapy for FACTIVE [10 days]) and over estimates the risk to patients taking FACTIVE as prescribed. Subjects who received FACTIVE were 7 times more likely to develop rash than those who received ciprofloxacin. Of the 260 rashes in subjects receiving FACTIVE, the majority of rashes were maculopapular and of mild to moderate severity; 7% of the rashes were reported as severe, and severity appeared to correlate with the extent of the rash. In 68% of the subjects reporting a severe rash and approximately 25% of all those reporting rash, >60% of the body surface area was involved; the characteristics of the rash were otherwise indistinguishable from those subjects reporting a mild rash. The histopathology was consistent with the clinical observation of uncomplicated exanthematous morbilliform eruption. Approximately 11% of the rashes were described as being “urticaria-like”. There were no documented cases of hypersensitivity syndrome or findings suggestive of angioedema or other serious cutaneous reactions.

The majority of rashes (81.9%) occurred on days 8 through 10 of the planned 10 day course of FACTIVE; 2.7% of rash events occurred within one day of the start of dosing. The median duration of rash was 6 days. The rash resolved without treatment in the majority of subjects. Approximately 19% received antihistamines and 5% received steroids, although the therapeutic benefit of these therapies is uncertain.

In the second part of this study after a 4 to 6 week wash out period, subjects developing a rash on FACTIVE were treated with ciprofloxacin (n=136) or placebo (n=50); 5.9% developed rash when treated with ciprofloxacin and 2.0% developed rash when treated with placebo. The cross sensitization rate to other fluoroquinolones was not evaluated in this clinical study. There was no evidence of sub-clinical sensitization to FACTIVE on a second exposure (i.e., subjects who had not developed a rash to FACTIVE in the first part of the study were not at higher risk of developing a rash to FACTIVE with a second exposure).

There was no relationship between the incidence of rash and systemic exposure (Cmax and AUC) to either gemifloxacin or its major metabolite, N-acetyl gemifloxacin.

REFERENCES

1. Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute. Methods for Dilution Antimicrobial Susceptibility Tests for Bacteria that Grow Aerobically-Seventh Edition. Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute document M7-A7, Vol. 26, No. 2, CLSI, Wayne, PA, January 2006.

2. Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute. Performance Standards for Antimicrobial Disk Susceptibility Tests-Ninth Edition. Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute document M2-A9, Vol. 26, No. 1, CLSI, Wayne, PA, January 2006.

DATE OF REVISION May 2016
© Merus Labs International Inc.
FACTIVE is a registered trademark of LG Life Sciences.
Rx only

Manufactured for:
merus-labs
Toronto, ON M5K 1H1 Canada

Licensed from LG Life Sciences, Ltd. Seoul, Korea

MRS-001-0313-03

MEDICATION GUIDE

FACTIVE ® [FAC-tiv]
(gemifloxacin)
320mg Tablets

Read the Medication Guide that comes with FACTIVE before you start taking it and each time you get a refill. There may be new information. This Medication Guide does not take the place of talking to your healthcare provider about your medical condition or your treatment.

What is the most important information I should know about FACTIVE?

FACTIVE, a fluoroquinolone antibacterial medicine, can cause serious side effects. Some of these serious side effects can happen at the same time and could result in death.

If you get any of the following serious side effects while you are taking FACTIVE, you should stop taking FACTIVE immediately and get medical help right away.
1. Tendon rupture or swelling of the tendon (tendinitis)

  • Tendon problems can happen in people of all ages who take FACTIVE.

Tendons are tough cords of tissue that connect muscles to bones.

    • Symptoms of tendon problems may include: Pain, swelling, tears, and inflammation of tendons including the back of the ankle (Achilles), shoulder, hand, or other tendon sites.
  • The risk of getting tendon problems while you take FACTIVE is higher if you:
    • are over 60 years of age

    • are taking steroids (corticosteroids)

    • have had a kidney, heart or lung transplant.

Tendon problems can happen in people who do not have the above risk factors when they take FACTIVE.

  • Other reasons that can increase your risk of tendon problems can include:
    • physical activity or exercise
    • kidney failure

    • tendon problems in the past, such as in people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

  • Stop taking FACTIVE immediately and get medical help right away at the first sign of tendon pain, swelling or inflammation. Stop taking FACTIVE until tendinitis or tendon rupture has been ruled out by your healthcare provider. Avoid exercise and using the affected area. The most common area of pain and swelling is the Achilles tendon at the back of your ankle. This can also happen with other tendons.

  • Talk to your healthcare provider about the risk of tendon rupture with continued use of FACTIVE. You may need a different antibiotic that is not a fluoroquinolone to treat your infection.

  • Tendon rupture can happen while you are taking or after you have finished taking FACTIVE. Tendon ruptures can happen within hours or days of taking FACTIVE, and have happened up to several months after patients have finished taking their fluoroquinolone.

  • Get medical help right away if you get any of the following signs or symptoms of a tendon rupture:

    • hear or feel a snap or pop in a tendon area

    • bruising right after an injury in a tendon area

    • unable to move the affected area or bear weight

2. Changes in sensation and possible nerve damage (Peripheral Neuropathy). Damage to the nerves in arms, hands, legs, or feet can happen in people taking fluoroquinolones, including FACTIVE. Stop FACTIVE and talk with your healthcare provider right away if you get any of the following symptoms of peripheral neuropathy in your arms, hands, legs, or feet:

  • pain
  • burning
  • tingling
  • numbness
  • weakness

The nerve damage may be permanent.

3. Central Nervous System (CNS) Effects. Seizures have been reported in people who take fluoroquinolone antibiotics, including FACTIVE. Tell your healthcare provider if you have a history of seizures. Ask your healthcare provider whether taking FACTIVE will change your risk of having a seizure. Central Nervous System (CNS) side effects may happen as soon as after taking the first dose of FACTIVE. Talk to your healthcare provider right away if you get any of these side effects, or other changes in mood or behavior:

  • feel dizzy
  • seizures
  • hear voices, see things, or sense things that are not there (hallucinations)
  • feel restless
  • tremors
  • feel anxious or nervous
  • confusion
  • depression
  • trouble sleeping
  • feel more suspicious (paranoia)
  • suicidal thoughts or acts
  • nightmares

4. Worsening of myasthenia gravis (a disease which causes muscle weakness). Fluoroquinolones like FACTIVE may cause worsening of myasthenia gravis symptoms, including muscle weakness and breathing problems. Tell your healthcare provider if you have a history of myasthenia gravis before you start taking FACTIVE. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any worsening muscle weakness or breathing problems.

See the section “ What are the possible side effects of FACTIVE?” for more information about side effects.

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