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 addition, the clinical trials were not designed to establish comparative differences across study arms with regards to the adverse reactions discussed below.
Kidney transplant patients were treated with ASTAGRAF XL (N=214) or tacrolimus immediate-release product (N=212) and concomitant immunosuppressants (median duration of exposure of 12 months) in a randomized, open-label, active-controlled trial of mostly U.S. patients (Study 1) [see Clinical Studies (14.1)]. The types of adverse reactions seen in Study 1 were similar to the adverse reactions seen in Study 2 [non-U.S. trial in kidney transplant patients treated with ASTAGRAF XL (N=331) or tacrolimus immediate-release product (N=336) and concomitant immunosuppressants] [see Clinical Studies (14.2)].
In Study 1, the proportion of patients who discontinued treatment due to adverse reactions was 9% and 11% in the ASTAGRAF XL and tacrolimus immediate-release treatment groups, respectively, through 12 months of treatment. The most common adverse reactions leading to discontinuation in ASTAGRAF XL-treated patients were related to infections or renal/urinary disorders.
Infections
The overall incidence of infections, serious infections, and infections with identified etiology reported in patients treated with the ASTAGRAF XL or tacrolimus immediate-release product in Study 1 are shown in Table 3.
Table 3: Percentage of Patients with Infections in Study 1a Through One Year Post-Renal Transplant| a Study 1 was not designed to support comparative claims of ASTAGRAF XL compared to tacrolimus immediate-release product for the adverse reactions reported in this table. |
| ASTAGRAF XL, MMF, steroids, basiliximab induction N=214 | Tacrolimus immediate-release product, MMF, steroids, basiliximab induction N=212 |
All Infections | 69% | 69% |
Respiratory Infections | 34% | 31% |
Urinary Tract Infections | 16% | 25% |
Cytomegalovirus Infections | 10% | 11% |
Bacterial Infections | 8% | 12% |
Gastroenteritis | 7% | 3% |
Polyomavirus Infections | 3% | 5% |
Serious Infections | 22% | 23% |
New Onset Diabetes After Transplant (NODAT)
The incidence of new onset diabetes after transplantation (defined by the composite occurrence of ≥ 2 fasting plasma glucose values that were > 126 mg/dL at ≥ 30 days apart, insulin use for ≥ 30 consecutive days, oral hypoglycemic use for ≥ 30 consecutive days, and/or HbA1C ≥ 6.5%) is summarized in Table 4 below for Study 1 through one year post-transplant [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5)].
Table 4: Percentage of Patients with NODAT Through 1 Year Post-Renal Transplant in Study 1a | ASTAGRAF XL, MMF, steroids, basiliximab induction N=162 | Tacrolimus immediate-release product, MMF, steroids, basiliximab induction N=151 |
|---|
| a Study 1 was not designed to support comparative claims of ASTAGRAF XL compared to tacrolimus immediate-release product for the adverse reactions reported in this table. |
Composite NODAT | 36% | 35% |
≥ 2 Fasting Plasma Glucose Values ≥ 126 mg/dL ≥ 30 days apart | 26% | 23% |
HbA1C ≥ 6.5% | 19% | 22% |
Oral hypoglycemic use ≥ 30 consecutive days | 14% | 9% |
Insulin use ≥ 30 consecutive days | 6% | 8% |
Hyperkalemia
In Study 1 [see Clinical Studies (14.1)], 73 out of 214 (34.1% ) patients on ASTAGRAF XL had a serum potassium level greater than 5.4 up to 6.4 mEq/L, and 8 out of 214 (3.7%) patients had a serum potassium level greater than 6.4 mEq/L.
Common Adverse Reactions
The most common (≥ 30%) adverse reactions observed with ASTAGRAF XL in Study 1 were: diarrhea, constipation, nausea, peripheral edema, tremor, and anemia. The incidence of adverse reactions that occurred in ≥ 15% of ASTAGRAF XL-treated patients compared to tacrolimus immediate-release product through one year of treatment in Study 1 is shown by treatment groups in Table 5.
Table 5: Adverse Reactions (≥ 15%) in Kidney Transplant Patients Through One Year Post Transplant in Study 1a| a Study 1 was not designed to support comparative claims of ASTAGRAF XL compared to tacrolimus immediate-release for the adverse reactions reported in this table. |
| ASTAGRAF XL, MMF, steroids, basiliximab induction N=214 | Tacrolimus immediate-release product, MMF, steroids, basiliximab induction N=212 |
Diarrhea | 45% | 44% |
Constipation | 40% | 32% |
Nausea | 36% | 35% |
Peripheral Edema | 36% | 34% |
Tremor | 35% | 34% |
Anemia | 33% | 29% |
Hypertension | 28% | 30% |
Vomiting | 25% | 25% |
Hypomagnesemia | 24% | 27% |
Insomnia | 24% | 28% |
Hypophosphatemia | 23% | 28% |
Headache | 22% | 24% |
Hyperkalemia | 20% | 23% |
Increased Blood Creatinine | 19% | 23% |
Fatigue | 16% | 10% |
Leukopenia | 16% | 16% |
Hyperlipidemia | 16% | 17% |
Hyperglycemia | 16% | 18% |
Less Frequently Reported Adverse Reactions (< 15% in ASTAGRAF XL-treated patients) by System Organ Class
The following adverse reactions were reported in clinical studies of kidney transplant patients who were treated with ASTAGRAF XL, MMF, and steroids (Studies 1 and 2).
Blood and Lymphatic System Disorders: Hemolytic anemia, leukocytosis, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, thrombotic microangiopathy
Cardiac Disorders: Atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, tachycardia
Ear Disorders: Tinnitus
Eye Disorders: Vision blurred, conjunctivitis
Gastrointestinal Disorders: Abdominal distension, abdominal pain, aphthous stomatitis, dyspepsia, esophagitis, flatulence, gastritis, gastroesophageal reflux disease
General Disorders and Administration Site Conditions: Anasarca, asthenia, edema, pyrexia
Hepatobiliary Disorders: Abnormal hepatic function, cholestasis, hepatitis (acute and chronic), hepatotoxicity
Infections and Infestations: Condyloma acuminatum, tinea versicolor
Injury: Fall
Investigations: Increased blood lactate dehydrogenase, increased blood urea, increased hepatic enzyme
Metabolism and Nutrition Disorders: Anorexia, hyperphosphatemia, hyperuricemia, hypokalemia, hyponatremia, metabolic acidosis
Musculoskeletal and Connective Tissue Disorders: Arthralgia, osteopenia, osteoporosis
Neoplasms: Kaposi’s sarcoma
Nervous System Disorders: Convulsion, dizziness, hypoesthesia, neurotoxicity, paresthesia, peripheral neuropathy
Psychiatric Disorders: Agitation, anxiety, confusional state, depression, hallucination, mood swings, nightmare
Renal and Urinary Disorders: Anuria, oliguria, proteinuria, renal failure, renal tubular necrosis, toxic nephropathy
Respiratory, Thoracic and Mediastinal Disorders: Acute respiratory distress syndrome, dyspnea, pulmonary edema, productive cough
Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders: Acne, alopecia, dermatitis, hyperhidrosis, hypotrichosis, pruritus, rash
Vascular Disorders: Deep vein thrombosis, flushing