Irinotecan Hydrochloride (Page 3 of 8)

2.3 Dosage in Patients with Reduced UGT1A1 Activity

When administered in combination with other agents, or as a single-agent, consider a reduction in the starting dose by at least one level of Irinotecan Hydrochloride Injection for patients known to be homozygous for the UGT1A1*28 or *6 alleles (*28/*28, *6/*6) or compound heterozygous for the UGT1A1*28 and *6 alleles (*6/*28) [see Dosage and Administration (2.1, 2.2), Warnings and Precautions (5.3), and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3, 12.5)]. Subsequent dosage modifications may be required based on individual patient tolerance to treatment [see Dosage and Administration (2.1, 2.2)].

2.4 Premedication

It is recommended that patients receive premedication with antiemetic agents. In clinical studies of the weekly dosage schedule, the majority of patients received 10 mg of dexamethasone given in conjunction with another type of antiemetic agent, such as a 5-HT3 blocker (e.g., ondansetron or granisetron). Antiemetic agents should be given on the day of treatment, starting at least 30 minutes before administration of Irinotecan Hydrochloride Injection. Physicians should also consider providing patients with an antiemetic regimen (e.g., prochlorperazine) for subsequent use as needed. A similar antiemetic regimen should be used with Irinotecan Hydrochloride Injection in combination therapy.

Prophylactic or therapeutic administration of atropine should be considered in patients experiencing cholinergic symptoms.

2.5 Preparation of Infusion Solution

Inspect vial contents for particulate matter and discoloration and repeat inspection when drug product is withdrawn from vial into syringe.

Irinotecan Hydrochloride Injection 20 mg/mL is intended for single use only and any unused portion should be discarded.

Irinotecan Hydrochloride Injection must be diluted prior to infusion using aseptic technique. Irinotecan Hydrochloride Injection should be diluted in 5% Dextrose Injection, USP, (preferred) or 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP, to a final concentration range of 0.12 mg/mL to 2.8 mg/mL. Other drugs should not be added to the infusion solution.

Prepare the infusion solution immediately prior to use and commence infusion as soon as possible after preparation. If visible particulates are present in the infusion solution discard. If it is not possible to use the infusion solution immediately, the infusion solution may be stored for up to 24 hours at 2 °C to 8 °C or discarded.

2.6 Safe Handling

Irinotecan Hydrochloride Injection is a hazardous drug. Follow applicable special handling and disposal procedures.1

Care should be exercised in the handling and preparation of infusion solutions prepared from Irinotecan Hydrochloride Injection. The use of gloves is recommended. If a solution of Irinotecan Hydrochloride Injection contacts the skin, wash the skin immediately and thoroughly with soap and water. If Irinotecan Hydrochloride Injection contacts the mucous membranes, flush thoroughly with water.

2.7 Extravasation

Care should be taken to avoid extravasation, and the infusion site should be monitored for signs of inflammation. Should extravasation occur, flushing the site with sterile water and applications of ice are recommended.

3 DOSAGE FORMS AND STRENGTHS

Injection: 40 mg/2 mL (20 mg/mL) and 100 mg/5 mL (20 mg/mL) sterile, pale yellow, clear, aqueous solution in a single-dose vial.

4 CONTRAINDICATIONS

  • Irinotecan Hydrochloride Injection is contraindicated in patients with a known hypersensitivity to the drug or its excipients.

5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

5.1 Diarrhea and Cholinergic Reactions

Early diarrhea (occurring during or shortly after infusion of Irinotecan Hydrochloride Injection) is usually transient and infrequently severe. It may be accompanied by cholinergic symptoms of rhinitis, increased salivation, miosis, lacrimation, diaphoresis, flushing, and intestinal hyperperistalsis that can cause abdominal cramping. Bradycardia may also occur. Early diarrhea and other cholinergic symptoms may be prevented or treated. Consider prophylactic or therapeutic administration of 0.25 mg to 1 mg of intravenous or subcutaneous atropine (unless clinically contraindicated). These symptoms are expected to occur more frequently with higher irinotecan doses.

Late diarrhea (generally occurring more than 24 hours after administration of Irinotecan Hydrochloride Injection) can be life threatening since it may be prolonged and may lead to dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, or sepsis. Grade 3 to 4 late diarrhea occurred in 23 to 31% of patients receiving weekly dosing. In the clinical studies, the median time to the onset of late diarrhea was 5 days with 3-week dosing and 11 days with weekly dosing. Late diarrhea can be complicated by colitis, ulceration, bleeding, ileus, obstruction, and infection. Cases of megacolon and intestinal perforation have been reported. Patients should have loperamide readily available to begin treatment for late diarrhea. Begin loperamide at the first episode of poorly formed or loose stools or the earliest onset of bowel movements more frequent than normal. One dosage regimen for loperamide is 4 mg at the first onset of late diarrhea and then 2 mg every 2 hours until the patient is diarrhea-free for at least 12 hours. Loperamide is not recommended to be used for more than 48 consecutive hours at these doses, because of the risk of paralytic ileus. During the night, the patient may take 4 mg of loperamide every 4 hours. Monitor and replace fluid and electrolytes. Use antibiotic support for ileus, fever, or severe neutropenia. Subsequent weekly chemotherapy treatments should be delayed in patients until return of pretreatment bowel function for at least 24 hours without anti-diarrhea medication. Patients must not be treated with irinotecan until resolution of the bowel obstruction. If grade 2, 3, or 4 late diarrhea recurs, subsequent doses of Irinotecan Hydrochloride Injection should be decreased [see Dosage and Administration (2)].

Avoid diuretics or laxatives in patients with diarrhea.

5.2 Myelosuppression

Irinotecan Hydrochloride Injection can cause severe myelosuppression. Bacterial, viral, and fungal infections have occurred in patients treated with Irinotecan Hydrochloride Injection.

Deaths due to sepsis following severe neutropenia have been reported in patients treated with Irinotecan Hydrochloride Injection. In the clinical studies evaluating the weekly dosage schedule, neutropenic fever (concurrent NCI grade 4 neutropenia and fever of grade 2 or greater) occurred in 3% of the patients; 6% of patients received G-CSF for the treatment of neutropenia. Manage febrile neutropenia promptly with antibiotic support [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)]. Hold Irinotecan Hydrochloride Injection if neutropenic fever occurs or if the absolute neutrophil count drops < 1000/mm3. After recovery to an absolute neutrophil count ≥ 1000/mm3 , subsequent doses of Irinotecan Hydrochloride Injection should be reduced [see Dosage and Administration (2)].

When evaluated in the trials of weekly administration, the frequency of grade 3 and 4 neutropenia was higher in patients who received previous pelvic/abdominal irradiation than in those who had not received such irradiation (48% [13/27] versus 24% [67/277]; p=0.04). Patients who have previously received pelvic/abdominal irradiation are at increased risk of severe myelosuppression following the administration of Irinotecan Hydrochloride Injection. Based on sparse available data, the concurrent administration of Irinotecan Hydrochloride Injection with irradiation is not recommended.

Patients with baseline serum total bilirubin levels of 1.0 mg/dL or more also had a greater likelihood of experiencing first-cycle grade 3 or 4 neutropenia than those with bilirubin levels that were less than 1.0 mg/dL (50% [19/38] versus 18% [47/266]; p<0.001). Patients with deficient glucuronidation of bilirubin, such as those with Gilbert’s syndrome, may be at greater risk of myelosuppression when receiving therapy with Irinotecan Hydrochloride Injection [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3)].

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