Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Exacerbations
During the 12-week double blind portion of the randomized, active comparator trial, 4 subjects (12%) had a total of 7 exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) during GLASSIA treatment and 5 subjects (29%) had a total of 6 exacerbations of COPD during Prolastin treatment. Seventeen additional exacerbations in 14 subjects (28%) occurred during the 12-week open-label treatment period with GLASSIA. The overall rate of pulmonary exacerbations during treatment with either product was 1.3 exacerbations per subject per year. Testing for viral markers for HBV, HCV, HIV-1 and HIV-2 showed no seroconversions during either trial.
Immunogenicity
As with all therapeutic proteins, there is a potential for immunogenicity. The detection of antibody formation is highly dependent on the sensitivity and specificity of the assay. Additionally, the observed incidence of antibody (including neutralizing antibody) positivity in an assay may be influenced by several factors including assay methodology, sample handling, timing of sample collection, concomitant medications, and underlying disease. For these reasons, comparison of the incidence of antibodies to GLASSIA with the incidence of antibodies to other products may be misleading.
In the double blind, randomized, active comparator trial of GLASSIA, low level anti-GLASSIA antibodies were detected in one subject at one time point (Week 12) and returned to negative at the end of the study (Week 24) despite continuous exposure to GLASSIA. No immune system adverse reactions were reported.
Risk Summary
There is no data with GLASSIA use in pregnant women to inform a drug-associated risk. Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with GLASSIA. It is also not known whether GLASSIA can cause fetal harm when administered to pregnant women or can affect reproductive capacity. GLASSIA should be given to a pregnant woman only if clearly needed.
Risk Summary
There is no information regarding the presence of GLASSIA in human milk, the effect on the breastfed infant, or the effects on milk production. The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother's clinical need for GLASSIA and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed infant from GLASSIA.
Self-administration – If self-administration is deemed appropriate, ensure that the patient/caregiver receives detailed instructions and adequate training on how to administer in the home or other appropriate setting and has demonstrated the ability to independently administer GLASSIA.
- Ensure the patient/caregiver understands the importance of weekly infusions to raise the plasma level of Alpha1-PI.
- Ensure that the patient/caregiver has access to and has received training in the administration of subcutaneous epinephrine and/or other appropriate supportive therapy for the treatment of any acute anaphylactic or anaphylactoid reaction.
- Advise the patient/caregiver to report any adverse reactions or problems following GLASSIA administration to their physician or healthcare provider.
- Instruct the patient/caregiver to keep a treatment infusion log. This infusion log should include information such as, the lot number, the time, date, and any reactions.
| Manufactured by:
| Distributed by:
|
| Kamada Ltd.
| Baxalta US Inc.
|
| Beit Kama
| Lexington, MA
|
| MP Negev 8532500
| 02421
|
| Israel
| USA
|
| U.S. License No. 1826
| 17H010-GLA-US
|
Information For Patients
GLASSIA
[Alpha1-Proteinase Inhibitor (Human)]
For Intravenous Administration
The following summarizes important information about GLASSIA (pronounced glass-see-ă). Please read it carefully before using this medicine. This information does not take the place of talking with your healthcare professional, and it does not include all of the important information about GLASSIA. If you have any questions after reading this, ask your healthcare professional.
What is GLASSIA?
GLASSIA is a liquid medicine containing human Alpha1-Proteinase Inhibitor (Alpha1-PI) also known as alpha1-antitrypsin (AAT), which is purified from human blood. The main purpose of infusing GLASSIA is to increase the levels of the AAT protein in your blood and lungs. AAT protein protects the lung tissue by blocking certain enzyme-caused damage. Such damage can lead to severe lung disease, such as emphysema.
Limitations of Use:
- The effects of increasing the AAT protein levels with GLASSIA or any other Alpha1-PI product on worsening pulmonary function and progression of emphysema have not been proven in clinical trials.
- The long-term effects of AAT replacement and maintenance therapy with GLASSIA have not been studied.
- GLASSIA is not intended as a therapy in individuals with lung disease other than severe Alpha1-PI deficiency.
Who should not take GLASSIA?
You should not use GLASSIA if you:
- Have IgA deficiency with antibodies to IgA
- Have had a severe allergic reaction to human Alpha1-PI products
What is the most important information that I should know about GLASSIA?
Severe allergic reactions can occur with GLASSIA. Your doctor will inform you about signs of allergic reactions which include hives, swelling in the mouth or throat, itching, tightness in the chest, trouble breathing, wheezing, faintness, low blood pressure, or serious allergic reaction. If you have any of these reactions, discontinue use of the product and contact your physician and/or seek immediate emergency care, depending on the severity of the reaction.
If you or your caregiver will be administering GLASSIA outside a healthcare setting, ask your doctor about an epinephrine pen and/or other supportive care for certain severe allergic reactions. Ask your doctor to make sure you receive training on how and when to use any prescribed supportive care medicine and keep it close at hand when administering GLASSIA.
How should I take GLASSIA?
- GLASSIA is given directly into the bloodstream.
- You can get GLASSIA at your healthcare professional's office, clinic, hospital, or delivered directly to your home by a healthcare professional from a limited network of specialty pharmacy providers.
- Your healthcare professional will decide if self-infusion in your home is right for you. You should be trained on how to do infusions by your healthcare professional.
What should I tell my healthcare professional before I start using GLASSIA?
Before starting GLASSIA, tell your healthcare professional if you:
- Have IgA deficiency with antibodies to IgA.
- Have a history of severe allergic reactions to Alpha1-PI products.
What are the possible or reasonably likely side effects of GLASSIA?
- A possible side effect to GLASSIA is worsening or flare-up of your chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in which your breathing gets worse than usual.
- Call your healthcare professional or go to your emergency department right away if you get: Hives, swelling in the mouth or throat, itching, chest tightness, trouble breathing, wheezing, fainting or dizziness. These could be signs of a serious allergic reaction.
- The most common side effects are headache and upper respiratory tract infections. Other possible side effects of GLASSIA include: cough, sinus infection, chest discomfort, dizziness, increased liver enzymes, shortness of breath, nausea, and fatigue.
These are not all of the possible side effects for GLASSIA. You can ask your healthcare professional for information that is provided to healthcare professionals. Talk to your healthcare professional about any side effects that bother you or that don't go away.
How do I store GLASSIA?
Store GLASSIA refrigerated or at room temperature.
- You can store GLASSIA in the refrigerator (36°F to 46°F [2°C to 8°C]). Do not freeze.
- You can store GLASSIA at room temperature (up to 77°F [25°C]) for up to one month. You must use GLASSIA within one month once you remove it from the refrigerator. Do not re-refrigerate GLASSIA once the product has been stored at room temperature.
- Keep the GLASSIA vial in the box until you are ready to administer the product.
Check the expiration date on the carton and vial label. Do not use GLASSIA after the expiration date.
| Manufactured by:
| Distributed by:
|
| Kamada Ltd.
| Baxalta US Inc.
|
| Beit Kama
| Lexington, MA
|
| MP Negev 8532500
| 02421
|
| Israel
| USA
|
U.S. License No. 1826
Issue date: 06/2017