Sunitinib Malate (Page 2 of 10)

2.5 Dosage Modification for Drug Interactions

Strong CYP3A4 Inhibitors

Select an alternate concomitant medication with no or minimal enzyme inhibition potential. If coadministration of sunitinib malate capsules with a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor cannot be avoided, consider a dose reduction for sunitinib malate capsules to a minimum dosage as follows [see Drug Interactions (7.1)]:

GIST and RCC: 37.5 mg orally once daily, on a schedule of 4 weeks on treatment followed by 2 weeks off (Schedule 4/2)
pNET: 25 mg orally once daily

Strong CYP3A4 Inducers

Select an alternate concomitant medication with no or minimal enzyme induction potential. If coadministration of sunitinib malate capsules with a strong CYP3A4 inducer cannot be avoided, consider a dose increase for sunitinib malate capsules to a maximum dosage as follows:

GIST and RCC: 87.5 mg orally once daily, on a schedule of 4 weeks on treatment followed by 2 weeks off (Schedule 4/2)
pNET: 62.5 mg orally once daily

If the dose of sunitinib malate capsules is increased, monitor patients carefully for adverse reactions [see Drug Interactions (7.1)].

2.6 Dosage Modification for End-Stage Renal Disease Patients on Hemodialysis

No starting dose adjustment is required in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) on hemodialysis. However, given the decreased exposure compared to patients with normal renal function, subsequent doses may be increased gradually up to 2-fold based on safety and tolerability [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].

3 DOSAGE FORMS AND STRENGTHS

12.5 mg capsules

Hard gelatin capsule with opaque reddish brown cap and opaque reddish brown body, self-lock capsule, imprinted with ‘RM53’ on cap and ‘RM53’ on body in white ink, containing yellow to orange colored powder.

25 mg capsules

Hard gelatin capsule with opaque caramel cap and opaque reddish brown body, self-lock capsule, imprinted with ‘RM54’ on cap and ‘RM54’ on body in white ink, containing yellow to orange colored powder.

37.5 mg capsules

Hard gelatin capsule with opaque yellow cap and opaque yellow body, self-lock capsule, imprinted with ‘RM55’ on cap and ‘RM55’ on body in black ink, containing yellow to orange colored powder.

50 mg capsules

Hard gelatin capsule with opaque caramel cap and opaque caramel body, self-lock capsule, imprinted with ‘RM56’ on cap and ‘RM56’ on body in white ink, containing yellow to orange colored powder.

4 CONTRAINDICATIONS

None

5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

5.1 Hepatotoxicity

Sunitinib can cause severe hepatotoxicity, resulting in liver failure or death. In the pooled safety population, liver failure occurred in < 1% of patients in clinical trials. Liver failure include jaundiced, elevated transaminases and/or hyperbilirubinemia in conjunction with encephalopathy, coagulopathy, and/or renal failure.

Monitor liver function tests (alanine aminotransferase [ALT], aspartate aminotransferase [AST], and bilirubin) at baseline, during each cycle, and as clinically indicated. Interrupt sunitinib for Grade 3 hepatotoxicity until resolution to Grade ≤ 1 or baseline, then resume sunitinib at a reduced dose.

Discontinue sunitinib in patients with Grade 4 hepatotoxicity, in patients without resolution of Grade 3 hepatotoxicity, in patients who subsequently experience severe changes in liver function tests and in patients who have other signs and symptoms of liver failure. Safety in patients with ALT or AST > 2.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) or with > 5.0 times ULN and liver metastases has not been established.

5.2 Cardiovascular Events

Cardiovascular events, including heart failure, cardiomyopathy, myocardial ischemia, and myocardial infarction, some of which were fatal, have been reported.

In pooled safety population, 3% of patients experienced heart failure; 71% of the patients with heart failure were reported as recovered. Fatal cardiac failure was reported in < 1% of patients.

In the adjuvant treatment of RCC study, 11 patients experienced Grade 2 decreased ejection fraction (left ventricular ejection fraction [LVEF] 40% to 50% and a 10% to 19% decrease from baseline). In 3 of these 11 patients, the ejection fractions arm did not return to ≥ 50% or baseline by the time of last measurement. No patients who received sunitinib were diagnosed with CHF.

Patients who presented with cardiac events within 12 months prior to sunitinib administration, such as myocardial infarction (including severe/unstable angina), coronary/peripheral artery bypass graft, symptomatic CHF, cerebrovascular accident or transient ischemic attack, or pulmonary embolism were excluded from sunitinib clinical studies. Patients with prior anthracycline use or cardiac radiation were also excluded from some studies. It is unknown whether patients with these concomitant conditions may be at a higher risk of developing left ventricular dysfunction.

Consider monitoring LVEF at baseline and periodically as clinically indicated. Carefully monitor patients for clinical signs and symptoms of congestive heart failure (CHF). Discontinue sunitinib in patients who experience clinical manifestations of CHF. Interrupt sunitinib and/or reduce the dose in patients without clinical evidence of CHF who have an ejection fraction of greater than 20% but less than 50% below baseline or below the lower limit of normal if baseline ejection fraction was not obtained.

5.3 QT Interval Prolongation and Torsade de Pointes

Sunitinib can cause QT interval prolongation in a dose-dependent manner, which may lead to an increased risk for ventricular arrhythmias including Torsade de Pointes. Torsade de Pointes was observed in < 0.1% of patients.

Monitor patients who are at higher risk of developing QT interval prolongation, including patients with a history of QT interval prolongation, patients who are taking antiarrhythmics, or patients with relevant pre-existing cardiac disease, bradycardia, or electrolyte disturbances. Consider periodic monitoring of electrocardiograms and electrolytes (i.e., magnesium, potassium) during treatment with sunitinib.

Monitor QT interval more frequently when sunitinib is concomitantly administered with strong CYP3A4 inhibitors or drugs known to prolong QT interval. Consider dose reducing sunitinib [see Dosage and Administration (2.5), Drug Interactions (7.2)]

5.4 Hypertension

In the pooled safety population, 29% of patients experienced hypertension. Grade 3 hypertension was reported in 7% of patients, and Grade 4 hypertension was reported in 0.2%.

Monitor blood pressure at baseline and as clinically indicated. Initiate and/or adjust antihypertensive therapy as appropriate. In cases of Grade 3 hypertension, withhold sunitinib until resolution to Grade ≤ 1 or baseline, then resume sunitinib at a reduced dose. Discontinue sunitinib in patients with who develop Grade 4 hypertension.

5.5 Hemorrhagic Events and Viscus Perforation

Hemorrhagic events, some of which were fatal, have involved the gastrointestinal tract, respiratory tract, tumor, urinary tract, and brain. In the pooled safety population, 30% of patients experienced hemorrhagic events, including Grade 3 or 4 in 4.2% of patients. Epistaxis was the most common hemorrhagic event and gastrointestinal hemorrhage was the most common Grade 3-5 event.

Tumor-related hemorrhage was observed in patients treated with sunitinib. These events may occur suddenly, and in the case of pulmonary tumors, may present as severe and life-threatening hemoptysis or pulmonary hemorrhage. Pulmonary hemorrhage, some with a fatal outcome, was observed in patients treated with sunitinib for metastatic RCC, GIST, and metastatic lung cancer. Sunitinib is not approved for use in patients with lung cancer.

Serious, sometimes fatal, gastrointestinal complications including gastrointestinal perforation, have been reported in patients with intra-abdominal malignancies treated with sunitinib.

Include serial complete blood counts (CBCs) and physical examinations with the clinical assessment of hemorrhagic events. Interrupt sunitinib for Grade 3 or 4 hemorrhagic events until resolution to Grade ≤ 1 or baseline, then resume sunitinib at a reduced dose.

Discontinue sunitinib in patients without resolution of Grade 3 or 4 hemorrhagic events.

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