During the period of administration of NIVESTYM for PBPC mobilization in patients with cancer, discontinue NIVESTYM if the leukocyte count rises to > 100,000/mm3.
The following adverse reaction data in Table 2 are from three randomized, placebo-controlled studies in patients with:
- small cell lung cancer receiving standard dose chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide‚ doxorubicin‚ and etoposide (Study 1)
- small cell lung cancer receiving ifosfamide, doxorubicin‚ and etoposide (Study 2), and
- non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) receiving doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, vindesine, bleomycin, methylprednisolone, and methotrexate ("ACVBP") or mitoxantrone, ifosfamide, mitoguazone, teniposide, methotrexate, folinic acid, methylprednisolone, and methotrexate ("VIM3") (Study 3).
A total of 451 patients were randomized to receive subcutaneous filgrastim 230 mcg/m2 (Study 1), 240 mcg/m2 (Study 2) or 4 or 5 mcg/kg/day (Study 3) (n = 294) or placebo (n = 157). The patients in these studies were median age 61 (range 29 to 78) years and 64% were male. The ethnicity was 95% Caucasian, 4% African American, and 1% Asian.
Table 2. Adverse Reactions in Patients with Cancer Receiving Myelosuppressive Chemotherapy (With ≥ 5% Higher Incidence in Filgrastim Compared to Placebo)System Organ Class Preferred Term | Filgrastim (N = 294) | Placebo (N = 157) |
|---|
| Blood and lymphatic system disorders |
| Thrombocytopenia | 38% | 29% |
| Gastrointestinal disorders |
| Nausea | 43% | 32% |
| General disorders and administration site conditions |
| Pyrexia | 48% | 29% |
| Chest pain | 13% | 6% |
| Pain | 12% | 6% |
| Fatigue | 20% | 10% |
| Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders |
| Back pain | 15% | 8% |
| Arthralgia | 9% | 2% |
| Bone pain | 11% | 6% |
| Pain in extremity Percent difference (Filgrastim – Placebo) was 4%. | 7% | 3% |
| Nervous system disorders |
| Dizziness | 14% | 3% |
| Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders |
| Cough | 14% | 8% |
| Dyspnea | 13% | 8% |
| Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders |
| Rash | 14% | 5% |
| Investigations |
| Blood lactate dehydrogenase increased | 6% | 1% |
| Blood alkaline phosphatase increased | 6% | 1% |
Adverse events with ≥ 5% higher incidence in filgrastim patients compared to placebo and associated with the sequelae of the underlying malignancy or cytotoxic chemotherapy delivered included anemia, constipation, diarrhea, oral pain, vomiting, asthenia, malaise, edema peripheral, hemoglobin decreased, decreased appetite, oropharyngeal pain, and alopecia.
Adverse Reactions in Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Adverse reaction data below are from a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in patients with AML (Study 4) who received an induction chemotherapy regimen of intravenous daunorubicin days 1, 2, and 3; cytosine arabinoside days 1 to 7; and etoposide days 1 to 5 and up to 3 additional courses of therapy (induction 2, and consolidation 1, 2) of intravenous daunorubicin, cytosine arabinoside, and etoposide. The safety population included 518 patients randomized to receive either 5 mcg/kg/day filgrastim (n = 257) or placebo (n = 261). The median age was 54 (range 16 to 89) years and 54% were male.
Adverse reactions with ≥ 2% higher incidence in filgrastim patients compared to placebo included epistaxis, back pain, pain in extremity, erythema, and rash maculo-papular.
Adverse events with ≥ 2% higher incidence in filgrastim patients compared to placebo and associated with the sequelae of the underlying malignancy or cytotoxic chemotherapy included diarrhea, constipation, and transfusion reaction.
Adverse Reactions in Patients with Cancer Undergoing Bone Marrow Transplantation
The following adverse reaction data are from one randomized, no treatment-controlled study in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia or lymphoblastic lymphoma receiving high-dose chemotherapy (cyclophosphamide or cytarabine, and melphalan) and total body irradiation (Study 5) and one randomized, no treatment controlled study in patients with Hodgkin's disease (HD) and NHL undergoing high-dose chemotherapy and autologous bone marrow transplantation (Study 6). Patients receiving autologous bone marrow transplantation only were included in the analysis. A total of 100 patients received either 30 mcg/kg/day as a 4 hour infusion (Study 5) or 10 mcg/kg/day or 30 mcg/kg/day as a 24 hour infusion (Study 6) filgrastim (n = 72), no treatment control or placebo (n = 28). The median age was 30 (range 15 to 57) years, 57% were male.
Adverse reactions with ≥ 5% higher incidence in filgrastim patients compared to patients receiving no filgrastim included rash and hypersensitivity.
Adverse reactions in patients receiving intensive chemotherapy followed by autologous BMT with ≥ 5% higher incidence in filgrastim patients compared to patients receiving no filgrastim included thrombocytopenia, anemia, hypertension, sepsis, bronchitis, and insomnia.
Adverse Reactions in Patients with Cancer Undergoing Autologous Peripheral Blood Progenitor Cell Collection
The adverse reaction data in Table 3 are from a series of 7 trials in patients with cancer undergoing mobilization of autologous peripheral blood progenitor cells for collection by leukapheresis. Patients (n = 166) in all these trials underwent a similar mobilization/collection regimen: filgrastim was administered for 6 to 8 days‚ in most cases the apheresis procedure occurred on days 5‚ 6, and 7. The dosage of filgrastim ranged between 5 to 30 mcg/kg/day and was administered subcutaneously by injection or continuous infusion. The median age was 39 (range 15 to 67) years, and 48% were male.
Table 3. Adverse Reactions in Patients with Cancer Undergoing Autologous PBPC in the Mobilization Phase (≥ 5% Incidence in Filgrastim Patients)System Organ Class Preferred Term | Mobilization Phase (N = 166) |
|---|
| Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders |
| Bone pain | 30% |
| General disorders and administration site conditions |
| Pyrexia | 16% |
| Investigations |
| Blood alkaline phosphatase increased | 11% |
| Nervous system disorders |
| Headache | 10% |
Adverse Reactions in Patients with Severe Chronic Neutropenia
The following adverse reaction data were identified in a randomized, controlled study in patients with SCN receiving filgrastim (Study 7). 123 patients were randomized to a 4 month observation period followed by subcutaneous filgrastim treatment or immediate subcutaneous filgrastim treatment. The median age was 12 years (range 7 months to 76 years) and 46% were male. The dosage of filgrastim was determined by the category of neutropenia. Initial dosage of filgrastim:
- Idiopathic neutropenia: 3.6 mcg/kg/day
- Cyclic neutropenia: 6 mcg/kg/day
- Congenital neutropenia: 6 mcg/kg/day divided 2 times per day
The dosage was increased incrementally to 12 mcg/kg/day divided 2 times per day if there was no response.
Adverse reactions with ≥ 5% higher incidence in filgrastim patients compared to patients receiving no filgrastim included arthralgia, bone pain, back pain, muscle spasms, musculoskeletal pain, pain in extremity, splenomegaly, anemia, upper respiratory tract infection, and urinary tract infection (upper respiratory tract infection and urinary tract infection were higher in the filgrastim arm, total infection related events were lower in filgrastim treated patients), epistaxis, chest pain, diarrhea, hypoesthesia, and alopecia.
Risk Summary
There are no adequate and well-controlled clinical studies in pregnant women, therefore the potential risk to the fetus with the use of filgrastim products is unknown. Reports in the scientific literature have described transplacental passage of filgrastim in pregnant women when administered ≤ 30 hours prior to preterm delivery (≤ 30 weeks gestation). In animal reproduction studies, effects of filgrastim on prenatal development have been studied in rats and rabbits. No malformations were observed in either species. No maternal or fetal effects were observed in pregnant rats at doses up to 58 times the human doses. Filgrastim been shown to have adverse effects in pregnant rabbits at doses 2 to 10 times higher than the human doses (see Data).
The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated populations is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2–4% and 15–20%, respectively.
Data
Human data
Several observational studies based on the Severe Chronic Neutropenia International Registry (SCNIR) described pregnancy outcomes in women with severe chronic neutropenia (SCN) who were exposed to filgrastim products during pregnancy and women with SCN who were unexposed. No major differences were seen between treated and untreated women with respect to pregnancy outcome (including miscarriage and preterm labor), newborn complications (including birth weight) and infections. Methodological limitations of these studies, include small sample size, and lack of generalizability due to the underlying maternal condition.
Animal data
Effects of filgrastim on prenatal development have been studied in rats and rabbits. No malformations were observed in either species. Filgrastim has been shown to have adverse effects in pregnant rabbits at doses 2 to 10 times higher than the human doses. In pregnant rabbits showing signs of maternal toxicity, reduced embryo-fetal survival (at 20 and 80 mcg/kg/day) and increased abortions (at 80 mcg/kg/day) were observed. In pregnant rats, no maternal or fetal effects were observed at doses up to 575 mcg/kg/day, which is approximately 58 times higher than the human dose of 10 mcg/kg/day.
Offspring of rats administered filgrastim during the peri-natal and lactation periods exhibited a delay in external differentiation and growth retardation (≥ 20 mcg/kg/day) and slightly reduced survival rate (100 mcg/kg/day).
Risk Summary
There is published literature documenting transfer of filgrastim products into human milk. There are a few case reports describing the use of filgrastim products in breastfeeding mothers with no adverse effects noted in the infants. There are no data on the effects of filgrastim products on milk production. Other recombinant filgrastim products are secreted poorly into breast milk, and filgrastim products are not absorbed orally by neonates. The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother's clinical need for NIVESTYM and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed child from NIVESTYM or from the underlying maternal condition.
Specific Populations
Pediatric Patients
The pharmacokinetics of filgrastim in pediatric patients after chemotherapy are similar to those in adult patients receiving the same weight-normalized doses, suggesting no age-related differences in the pharmacokinetics of filgrastim [see Use in Specific Populations (8.4)].
Renal Impairment
In a study with healthy volunteers, subjects with moderate renal impairment, and subjects with end-stage renal disease (n = 4 per group), higher serum concentrations were observed in subjects with end-stage renal disease. However, dose adjustment in patients with renal impairment is not necessary.
Hepatic Impairment
Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of filgrastim are similar between subjects with hepatic impairment and healthy subjects (n = 12/group). The study included 10 subjects with mild hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh Class A) and 2 subjects with moderate hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh Class B). Therefore, NIVESTYM dose adjustment for in patients with hepatic impairment is not necessary.
Vials
Injection: Single-dose vials containing 300 mcg/mL of a sterile, clear, colorless, preservative-free filgrastim-aafi solution. Dispensing packs of 10 vials (NDC 0069-0293-10).
Injection: Single-dose vials containing 480 mcg/1.6 mL (300 mcg/mL) of a sterile, clear, colorless, preservative-free filgrastim-aafi solution. Dispensing packs of 10 vials (NDC 0069-0294-10).
Prefilled Syringes
Injection: Single-dose prefilled syringe with BD UltraSafe Plus™ Passive Needle Guard, containing 300 mcg/0.5 mL of a sterile, clear, colorless, preservative-free filgrastim-aafi solution.
- Pack of 1 prefilled syringe (NDC 0069-0291-01).
- Pack of 10 prefilled syringes (NDC 0069-0291-10).
Injection: Single-dose, prefilled syringe with BD UltraSafe Plus™ Passive Needle Guard, containing 480 mcg/0.8 mL of a sterile, clear, colorless, preservative-free filgrastim-aafi solution.
- Pack of 1 prefilled syringe (NDC 0069-0292-01).
- Pack of 10 prefilled syringes (NDC 0069-0292-10).
The NIVESTYM syringe plunger stopper and needle cover are not made with natural rubber latex [see Dosage and Administration (2.5)].
This product's label may have been updated. For full prescribing information, please visit www.pfizer.com.
Manufactured by:
Hospira, Inc.,
a Pfizer Company
Lake Forest, IL 60045 USA
US License No. 1974
LAB-0933-1.0