REGRANEX

REGRANEX- becaplermin gel
Smith & Nephew, Inc.

1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE

REGRANEX is indicated for the treatment of lower extremity diabetic neuropathic ulcers that extend into the subcutaneous tissue or beyond and have an adequate blood supply, when used as an adjunct to, and not a substitute for, good ulcer care practices including initial sharp debridement, pressure relief and infection control.

Limitations of Use:

The efficacy of REGRANEX has not been established for the treatment of pressure ulcers and venous stasis ulcers [ see Clinical Studies (14.2) ] and has not been evaluated for the treatment of diabetic neuropathic ulcers that do not extend through the dermis into subcutaneous tissue [Stage I or II, International Association of Enterostomal Therapy (IAET) staging classification] or ischemic diabetic ulcers.

The effects of becaplermin on exposed joints, tendons, ligaments, and bone have not been established in humans [ see Nonclinical Toxicology (13.2) ].

REGRANEX is not intended to be used in wounds that close by primary intention.

2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION

REGRANEX is for topical use; it is not for oral, ophthalmic or intravaginal use.

The amount of REGRANEX to be applied depends upon the size of the ulcer area. To calculate the length of gel to apply to the ulcer, measure the greatest length of the ulcer by the greatest width of the ulcer in either inches or centimeters. To calculate the length of gel in inches, use the formula shown below in Table 1, and to calculate the length of gel in centimeters, use the formula shown below in Table 2.

Table 1: Formula to Calculate Length of Gel in Inches to Be Applied Daily
INCHES
Tube Size Formula
15 g tube length × width × 0.6

Using the calculation, each square inch of ulcer surface will require approximately 2/3 inch length of gel squeezed from a 15 g tube. For example, if the ulcer measures 1 inch by 2 inches, then a 1 1/4 inch length of gel should be used for 15 g tubes (1 × 2 × 0.6 = 1 1/4).

Table 2: Formula to Calculate Length of Gel in Centimeters to Be Applied Daily
CENTIMETERS
Tube Size Formula
15 g tube length × width ÷ 4

Using the calculations for ulcer size in centimeters, each square centimeter of ulcer surface will require approximately a 0.25 centimeter length of gel squeezed from a 15 g tube. For example, if the ulcer measures 4 cm by 2 cm, then a 2 cm length of gel should be used for a 15 g tube [(4 × 2) ÷ 4 = 2].

The amount of REGRANEX to be applied should be recalculated by the physician or wound caregiver at weekly or biweekly intervals depending on the rate of change in ulcer area. The weight of REGRANEX from 15 g tubes is 0.65 g per inch length and 0.25 g per centimeter length.

To apply REGRANEX, the calculated length of gel should be squeezed on to a clean measuring surface, e.g., wax paper, and measured to the correct length with a ruler. The measured REGRANEX is transferred from the clean measuring surface using an application aid and then spread over the entire cleaned ulcer area to yield a thin continuous layer of approximately 1/16 of an inch thickness. The site(s) of application should then be covered by a saline moistened gauze dressing and left in place for approximately 12 hours. The dressing should then be removed and the ulcer rinsed with saline or water to remove residual gel and covered again with a moist primary dressing (without REGRANEX gel) for the remainder of the day. REGRANEX should be applied once daily to the ulcer until complete healing has occurred. If the ulcer does not decrease in size by approximately 30% after 10 weeks of treatment or complete healing has not occurred in 20 weeks, continued treatment with REGRANEX should be reassessed. The step-by-step instructions for applying REGRANEX in a home care setting can be found in the FDA-approved Instructions for Use.

3 DOSAGE FORMS AND STRENGTHS

Gel: 0.01%; clear, colorless to straw-colored

4 CONTRAINDICATIONS

REGRANEX is contraindicated in patients with known neoplasm(s) at the site(s) of application.

5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

5.1 Risk of Cancer

REGRANEX contains becaplermin, a recombinant human platelet-derived growth factor, which promotes cellular proliferation and angiogenesis [ see Clinical Pharmacology (12.1) ]. Malignancies distant from the site of application have occurred in REGRANEX users in a clinical study and in postmarketing use [ see Adverse Reactions (6.1) and Clinical Studies (14.3)].

The benefits and risks of REGRANEX treatment should be carefully evaluated before prescribing in patients with known malignancy.

5.2 Application Site Reactions

If application site reactions occur, the possibility of sensitization or irritation caused by parabens or m-cresol should be considered. Consider interruption or discontinuation and further evaluation (e.g. patch testing) as dictated by clinical circumstances.

6 ADVERSE REACTIONS

6.1 Clinical Trials Experience

Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice.

  • In clinical trials, erythematous rashes occurred in 2% of subjects treated with REGRANEX (and good ulcer care) or placebo (and good ulcer care), and none in subjects receiving good ulcer care alone. Subjects treated with REGRANEX did not develop neutralizing antibodies against becaplermin.
  • In a retrospective follow-up study of 491 of 651 subjects (75%) from two randomized, controlled trials of another formulation of becaplermin gel 0.01%, the subjects were followed for a median of approximately 20 months to evaluate safety and recurrence of healed diabetic lower extremity ulcers. Eight of 291 subjects (2.7%) from the becaplermin gel group and two of 200 subjects (1%) from the vehicle/standard of care group were diagnosed with cancers during the follow-up period, a relative risk of 2.7 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.6-12.8). The types of cancers varied and all were remote from the treatment site [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ].

6.2 Postmarketing Experience

Because post-approval adverse reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to the drug. The following adverse reactions have been identified during post approval use of REGRANEX.

  • Increased rate of death from systemic malignancies in patients dispensed 3 or more tubes of REGRANEX was observed in one of three retrospective postmarketing studies [ see Clinical Studies (14.3) ].
  • Burning sensation and erythema at the site of application have been reported.
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