For pediatric patients weighing at least 6 kg receiving single-day HEC or MEC, fosaprepitant for injection may be administered as:
- a single dose regimen of fosaprepitant for injection infused through a central venous catheter on Day 1, as shown in Table 3; or
- as a 3-day fosaprepitant regimen consisting of fosaprepitant for injection as an intravenous infusion through a central venous catheter on Day 1 and aprepitant capsules or aprepitant for oral suspension on Days 2 and 3, as shown in Table 4.
Administer fosaprepitant for injection on Day 1 over 30 minutes (12 years to 17 years) or 60 minutes (6 months to less than 12 years), completing the infusion approximately 30 minutes prior to chemotherapy.
Table 3 Fosaprepitant for Injection Single Dose Regimen for the Prevention of Nausea and Vomiting Associated with Single-Day Regimens of HEC or MEC in Pediatric Patients 6 Months* to 17 Years
|
|
| Drug | Age | Regimen |
| Fosaprepitant for injection
| 12 Years to 17 Years
| 150 mg
intravenously over 30 minutes
|
| 2 Years to less than 12 Years
| 4 mg/kg
(maximum dose 150 mg)
intravenously over 60 minutes
|
| 6 Months to less than 2 Years
| 5 mg/kg
(maximum dose 150 mg)
intravenously over 60 minutes
|
| Dexamethasone+ | 6 Months to 17 Years
| If a corticosteroid, such as dexamethasone, is co-administered, administer 50% of the recommended corticosteroid dose on Days 1 and 2.
|
| 5-HT3 antagonist
| 6 Months to 17 Years
| See selected 5-HT3 antagonist prescribing information for the recommended dosage
|
Fosaprepitant for Injection Dosage Regimen for Use with Multi-Day Chemotherapy Regimens
For pediatric patients weighing at least 6 kg receiving multi-day regimens of HEC or MEC, administer fosaprepitant for injection/aprepitant on Days 1, 2, and 3. Administer fosaprepitant for injection as an intravenous infusion through a central venous catheter on Day 1 and aprepitant capsules or aprepitant for oral suspension on Days 2 and 3, as shown in Table 4.
Administer fosaprepitant for injection over 30 minutes (12 years to 17 years) or 60 minutes (6 months to less than 12 years), completing the infusion approximately 30 minutes prior to chemotherapy.
Table 4 3-Day Fosaprepitant for Injection Dosage Regimen for Prevention of Nausea and Vomiting Associated with Single or Multi-day Regimens of HEC or MEC in Pediatric Patients 6 Months* to 17 Years
|
|
|
|
| Drug | Age of Pediatric Population | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 |
| Fosaprepitant for injection*
| 12 years to
17 years
| 115 mg intravenously
over 30 minutes
| 80 mg orally
(aprepitant capsules)† | 80 mg orally
(aprepitant capsules)† |
6 months to
less than 12 years
| 3 mg/kg intravenously
over 60 minutes
(maximum dose 115 mg)
| 2 mg/kg orally
(aprepitant for oral suspension) ‡
(maximum dose 80 mg)
| 2 mg/kg orally
(aprepitant for oral suspension) ‡
(maximum dose 80 mg)
|
| Dexamethasone§ | 6 months to
17 years
| If a corticosteroid, such as dexamethasone, is co-administered, administer 50% of the recommended corticosteroid dose on Days 1 through 4.
|
| 5-HT3 antagonist
| 6 months to
17 years
| See selected 5-HT3 antagonist prescribing information for the recommended dosage.
|
Additional pediatric use information is approved for Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC's EMEND (fosaprepitant) for injection. However, due to Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC's marketing exclusivity rights, this drug product is not labeled with that information.
Storage
The reconstituted final drug solution is stable for 24 hours at ambient room temperature [at or below 25°C (77°F)]. Discard unused portion.
Adverse Reactions in Adults for the Prevention of Nausea and Vomiting Associated with MEC
In an active-controlled clinical trial in patients receiving MEC, safety was evaluated in 504 patients receiving a single dose of fosaprepitant for injection in combination with ondansetron and dexamethasone (fosaprepitant regimen) compared to 497 patients receiving ondansetron and dexamethasone alone (standard therapy). The most common adverse reactions are listed in Table 6.
Table 6 Most Common Adverse Reactions in Patients Receiving MEC*
|
|
|
| Fosaprepitant for injection, ondansetron and dexamethasone
†
(N=504) | Ondansetron and dexamethasone
‡
(N=497) |
| fatigue
| 15%
| 13%
|
| diarrhea
| 13%
| 11%
|
| neutropenia
| 8%
| 7%
|
| asthenia
| 4%
| 3%
|
| anemia
| 3%
| 2%
|
| peripheral neuropathy
| 3%
| 2%
|
| leukopenia
| 2%
| 1%
|
| dyspepsia
| 2%
| 1%
|
| urinary tract infection
| 2%
| 1%
|
| pain in extremity
| 2%
| 1%
|
Infusion-site reactions were reported in 2.2% of patients treated with the fosaprepitant regimen compared to 0.6% of patients treated with standard therapy. The infusion-site reactions included: infusion-site pain (1.2%, 0.4%), injection-site irritation (0.2%, 0.0%), vessel puncture-site pain (0.2%, 0.0%), and infusion-site thrombophlebitis (0.6%, 0.0%), reported in the fosaprepitant regimen compared to standard therapy, respectively.
Adverse Reactions in Adults for the Prevention of Nausea and Vomiting Associated with HEC
In an active-controlled clinical study in patients receiving HEC, safety was evaluated for 1143 patients receiving a single dose of fosaprepitant for injection compared to 1169 patients receiving the 3-day regimen of oral aprepitant [see Clinical Studies (14.1)]. The safety profile was generally similar to that seen in the MEC study with fosaprepitant and prior HEC studies with aprepitant. However, infusion-site reactions occurred at a higher incidence in patients in the fosaprepitant group (3.0%) compared to those in the aprepitant group (0.5%). The following additional infusion-site reactions occurred in the HEC study and were not reported in the MEC study described above: infusion-site erythema (0.5%, 0.1%), infusion-site pruritus (0.3%, 0.0%), and infusion-site induration (0.2%, 0.1%), reported in the fosaprepitant group compared to the aprepitant group, respectively.
Adverse Reactions in Pediatric Patients 6 Months to 17 Years of Age for the Prevention of Nausea and Vomiting Associated with HEC or MEC
Single Dose Fosaprepitant for Injection Regimen
The safety of a single dose of fosaprepitant for injection in pediatric patients (6 months to 17 years) was evaluated in two active-controlled and a single-arm clinical study in patients who received either HEC or MEC. Patients also received ondansetron with or without dexamethasone. The adverse reaction profile was similar to adults. The safety analysis included 69 pediatric patients who received the recommended dose. An additional 70 patients received a single, higher-than-recommended dose. The most common adverse reactions that occurred in >15% of patients who received the recommended dose were anemia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, and febrile neutropenia.
3-Day Fosaprepitant Regimen
In pediatric patients 12 to 17 years, the safety of the 3-day IV/oral/oral fosaprepitant regimen was evaluated in a single-arm clinical study including 12 patients who received a regimen of either HEC or MEC. In pediatric patients 6 months to 12 years of age, the safety of the 3-day IV/oral/oral fosaprepitant regimen was not directly evaluated. The safety of a single dose of fosaprepitant for injection (3 mg/kg) administered on day 1 of the 3-day IV/oral/oral regimen was evaluated in one active-controlled and one single-arm study including 48 pediatric patients 6 months to 12 years of age who received a regimen of either HEC or MEC.
In these clinical studies, pediatric patients also received ondansetron with or without dexamethasone. The adverse reaction profile in pediatric patients was similar to the profile in adult patients receiving a single dose of fosaprepitant for injection.
Because fosaprepitant is converted to aprepitant, those adverse reactions associated with aprepitant might also be expected to occur with fosaprepitant for injection. See the full prescribing information for aprepitant capsules for complete safety information regarding studies performed with oral aprepitant.
Additional pediatric use information is approved for Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC's EMEND (fosaprepitant) for injection. However, due to Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC's marketing exclusivity rights, this drug product is not labeled with that information.
Risk Summary
There are insufficient data on use of fosaprepitant in pregnant women to inform a drug associated risk. In animal reproduction studies, no adverse developmental effects were observed in rats or rabbits exposed during the period of organogenesis to systemic drug levels (AUC) approximately equivalent to the exposure at the recommended human dose (RHD) of 150 mg [see Data].
The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated populations is unknown. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2 to 4% and 15 to 20%, respectively.
Data
Animal Data
In embryofetal development studies in rats and rabbits, aprepitant was administered during the period of organogenesis at oral doses up to 1000 mg/kg twice daily (rats) and up to the maximum tolerated dose of 25 mg/kg/day (rabbits). No embryofetal lethality or malformations were observed at any dose level in either species. The exposures (AUC) in pregnant rats at 1000 mg/kg twice daily and in pregnant rabbits at 25 mg/kg/day were approximately equivalent to the exposure at the RHD of 150 mg. Aprepitant crosses the placenta in rats and rabbits.
Risk Summary
Lactation studies have not been conducted to assess the presence of aprepitant in human milk, the effects on the breastfed infant, or the effects on milk production. Aprepitant is present in rat milk. The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother's clinical need for fosaprepitant and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed infant from fosaprepitant or from the underlying maternal condition.
Contraception
Upon administration of fosaprepitant, the efficacy of hormonal contraceptives may be reduced. Advise females of reproductive potential using hormonal contraceptives to use an effective alternative or back-up non-hormonal contraceptive (such as condoms and spermicides) during treatment with fosaprepitant and for 1 month following the last dose [see Drug Interactions (7.1), Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].
Juvenile Animal Toxicity Data
In juvenile dogs treated with fosaprepitant, changes in reproductive organs were observed. In juvenile rats treated with aprepitant, slight changes in sexual maturation were observed without an effect on reproduction. No effects on neurobehavior, sensory and motor function, or learning and memory were observed in rats.
In a toxicity study in juvenile dogs treated with fosaprepitant from postnatal day 14 (equivalent to a newborn human) to day 42 (approximately equivalent to a 2 year old human), decreased testicular weight and Leydig cell size were seen in the males at 6 mg/kg/day and increased uterine weight, hypertrophy of the uterus and cervix, and edema of vaginal tissues were seen in females from 4 mg/kg/day. A study was also conducted in young rats to evaluate the effects of aprepitant on growth and on neurobehavioral and sexual development. Rats were treated at oral doses up to the maximum feasible dose of 1000 mg/kg twice daily (providing exposure in male and female rats lower than the exposure at the recommended pediatric human dose) from the early postnatal period (Postnatal Day 10 (equivalent to a newborn human) through Postnatal Day 58 (approximately equivalent to a 15 year old human)). Slight changes in the onset of sexual maturation were observed in female and male rats; however, there were no effects on mating, fertility, embryonic-fetal survival, or histomorphology of the reproductive organs. There were no effects in neurobehavioral tests of sensory function, motor function, and learning and memory.
Additional pediatric use information is approved for Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC's EMEND (fosaprepitant) for injection. However, due to Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC's marketing exclusivity rights, this drug product is not labeled with that information.
Cardiac Electrophysiology
In a randomized, double-blind, positive-controlled, thorough QTc study, a single 200-mg dose of fosaprepitant (approximately 1.3 times the recommended dose) had no effect on the QTc interval.
Aprepitant after Fosaprepitant Administration
Following administration of a single intravenous 150-mg dose of fosaprepitant, a prodrug of aprepitant administered as a 20-minute infusion to healthy subjects, the mean AUC0-∞ of aprepitant was 37.4 (± 14.8) mcg·hr/mL and the mean maximal aprepitant concentration (Cmax) was 4.2 (± 1.2) mcg/mL. Plasma concentrations of fosaprepitant are below the limits of quantification (10 ng/mL) within 30 minutes of the completion of infusion.
Distribution
Aprepitant is greater than 95% bound to plasma proteins. The mean apparent volume of distribution at steady state (Vdss) was approximately 70 L in humans.
Aprepitant crosses the blood brain barrier in humans [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.1)].
Elimination
Metabolism
Fosaprepitant is converted to aprepitant in in vitro incubations with human liver preparations and in S9 preparations from multiple other human tissues including kidney, lung and ileum. Thus, it appears that the conversion of fosaprepitant to aprepitant can occur in multiple extrahepatic tissues in addition to the liver.
Aprepitant undergoes extensive metabolism. In vitro studies using human liver microsomes indicate that aprepitant is metabolized primarily by CYP3A4 with minor metabolism by CYP1A2 and CYP2C19. Metabolism is largely via oxidation at the morpholine ring and its side chains. No metabolism by CYP2D6, CYP2C9, or CYP2E1 was detected.
In healthy young adults, aprepitant accounts for approximately 24% of the radioactivity in plasma over 72 hours following a single oral 300-mg dose of [14C]-aprepitant, indicating a substantial presence of metabolites in the plasma. Seven metabolites of aprepitant, which are only weakly active, have been identified in human plasma.
Excretion
Following administration of a single intravenous 100-mg dose of [14C]-fosaprepitant to healthy subjects, 57% of the radioactivity was recovered in urine and 45% in feces.
Aprepitant is eliminated primarily by metabolism; aprepitant is not renally excreted. The apparent terminal half-life ranged from approximately 9 to 13 hours.
Specific Populations
Age: Geriatric Population
Following oral administration of a single 125-mg dose of aprepitant on Day 1 and 80 mg once daily on Days 2 through 5, the AUC0-24hr of aprepitant was 21% higher on Day 1 and 36% higher on Day 5 in elderly (65 years and older) relative to younger adults. The Cmax was 10% higher on Day 1 and 24% higher on Day 5 in elderly relative to younger adults. These differences are not considered clinically meaningful [see Use in Specific Populations (8.5)].
Age: Pediatric Population
Single Dose Fosaprepitant for Injection Regimen: Simulated systemic exposures of aprepitant in patients 2 years to less than 12 years and observed systemic exposures in patients 6 months to less than 2 years and 12 to 17 years are shown in Table 9, including AUC0-24hr, peak plasma concentration (Cmax) on Day 1 and concentrations at the end of Day 1 (C24), Day 2 (C48) and Day 3 (C72).
Table 9 Systemic Exposures of Aprepitant for Single Dose Fosaprepitant for Injection Regimen in Pediatric Patients
|
|
| Population
| Single Dose of Fosaprepitant
for Injection Regimen
| Geometric Mean
|
AUC0-24hr.
(mcg·hr/mL)
| Cmax
(mcg/mL)
| C24
(mcg/mL)
| C48
(mcg/mL)
| C72
(mcg/mL)
|
| 12 Years to 17 Years
| 150 mg
| 29.4
| 3.4
| 0.7
| ND*
| ND*
|
| 6 Years to less than 12 Years
| 4 mg/kg
| 35.2
| 3.6
| 0.7
| 0.2
| 0.05
|
| 2 Years to less than 6 Years
| 28.2
| 3.1
| 0.4
| 0.1
| 0.02
|
| 6 Months to less than 2 Years
| 5 mg/kg
| 32.7
| 3.3
| 0.4
| NE† | ND*
|
3-Day IV/Oral/Oral Fosaprepitant Regimen: Simulated aprepitant systemic exposures in patients 6 months to less than 12 years and observed systemic exposures in patients 12 to 17 years are shown in Table 10, including AUC0-24hr, peak plasma concentration (Cmax) on Day 1 and concentrations at the end of Day 1 (C24), Day 2 (C48) and Day 3 (C72).
Table 10 Systemic Exposures of Aprepitant for 3-Day IV/Oral/Oral Regimen in Pediatric Patients
|
|
| Population
| 3-Day Dose of Fosaprepitant (IV/Oral/Oral*)
| Geometric Mean
|
AUC0-24hr.
(mcg·hr/mL)
| Cmax
(mcg/mL)
| C24
(mcg/mL)
| C48
(mcg/mL)
| C72
(mcg/mL)
|
| 12 Years to 17 Years
| 115/80/80 mg
| 18.0
| 3.0
| 0.4
| 0.2
| NE† |
| 6 Years to less than 12 Years
| 3/2/2 mg/kg
| 25.7
| 2.7
| 0.5
| 0.3
| 0.3
|
| 2 Years to less than 6 Years
| 20.2
| 2.3
| 0.3
| 0.2
| 0.2
|
| 6 Months to less than 2 Years
| 16.6
| 1.9
| 0.2
| 0.1
| 0.1
|
Plasma concentrations of fosaprepitant are negligible within 15 – 30 minutes after the completion of the infusion in pediatric patients.
Sex
Following oral administration of a single dose of aprepitant, ranging from 40 mg to 375 mg, the AUC0-24hr and Cmax are 9% and 17% higher in females as compared with males. The half-life of aprepitant is approximately 25% lower in females as compared with males and Tmax occurs at approximately the same time. These differences are not considered clinically meaningful. A population pharmacokinetic analysis of aprepitant in pediatric patients (6 months to 17 years) suggests that sex has no clinically meaningful effect on the pharmacokinetics of aprepitant.
Race/Ethnicity
Following oral administration of a single dose of aprepitant, ranging from 40 mg to 375 mg, the AUC0-24hr and Cmax are approximately 27% and 19% higher in Hispanics as compared with Caucasians. The AUC0-24hr and Cmax were 74% and 47% higher in Asians as compared to Caucasians. There was no difference in AUC0-24hr or Cmax between Caucasians and Blacks. These differences are not considered clinically meaningful. A population pharmacokinetic analysis of aprepitant in pediatric patients (6 months to 17 years) suggests that race has no clinically meaningful effect on the pharmacokinetics of aprepitant.
Renal Impairment
A single 240-mg oral dose of aprepitant was administered to patients with severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance less than 30 mL/min/1.73 m2 as measured by 24-hour urinary creatinine clearance) and to patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD) requiring hemodialysis.
In patients with severe renal impairment, the AUC0-∞ of total aprepitant (unbound and protein bound) decreased by 21% and Cmax decreased by 32%, relative to healthy subjects (creatinine clearance greater than 80 mL/min estimated by Cockcroft-Gault method). In patients with ESRD undergoing hemodialysis, the AUC0-∞ of total aprepitant decreased by 42% and Cmax decreased by 32%. Due to modest decreases in protein binding of aprepitant in patients with renal disease, the AUC of pharmacologically active unbound drug was not significantly affected in patients with renal impairment compared with healthy subjects. Hemodialysis conducted 4 or 48 hours after dosing had no significant effect on the pharmacokinetics of aprepitant; less than 0.2% of the dose was recovered in the dialysate.
Hepatic Impairment
Fosaprepitant is metabolized in various extrahepatic tissues; therefore hepatic impairment is not expected to alter the conversion of fosaprepitant to aprepitant.
Following administration of a single 125-mg oral dose of aprepitant on Day 1 and 80 mg once daily on Days 2 and 3 to patients with mild hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh score 5 to 6), the AUC0-24hr of aprepitant was 11% lower on Day 1 and 36% lower on Day 3, as compared with healthy subjects given the same regimen. In patients with moderate hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh score 7 to 9), the AUC0-24hr of aprepitant was 10% higher on Day 1 and 18% higher on Day 3, as compared with healthy subjects given the same regimen. These differences in AUC0-24hr are not considered clinically meaningful. There are no clinical or pharmacokinetic data in patients with severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh score greater than 9) [see Use in Specific Populations (8.6)].
Body Mass Index (BMI)
For every 5 kg/m2 increase in BMI, AUC0-24hr and Cmax of aprepitant decrease by 9% and 10%. BMI of subjects in the analysis ranged from 18 kg/m2 to 36 kg/m2. This change is not considered clinically meaningful.
Drug Interactions Studies
Fosaprepitant, given as a single 150-mg dose, is a weak inhibitor of CYP3A4, with no evidence of inhibition or induction of CYP3A4 observed on Day 4. The weak inhibition of CYP3A4 continues for 2 days after single dose administration of fosaprepitant. Aprepitant is a substrate, an inhibitor, and an inducer of CYP3A4. Aprepitant is also an inducer of CYP2C9.
Fosaprepitant or aprepitant is unlikely to interact with drugs that are substrates for the P-glycoprotein transporter.
Effects of Fosaprepitant/Aprepitant on the Pharmacokinetics of Other Drugs
CYP3A4 Substrates
Midazolam: Fosaprepitant 150 mg administered as a single intravenous dose on Day 1 increased the AUC0-∞ of midazolam by approximately 1.8-fold on Day 1 and had no effect on Day 4 when midazolam was coadministered as a single oral dose of 2 mg on Days 1 and 4 [see Drug Interactions (7.1)].
Corticosteroids:
Dexamethasone: Fosaprepitant administered as a single 150 mg intravenous dose on Day 1 increased the AUC0-24hr of dexamethasone, administered as a single 8-mg oral dose on Days 1, 2, and 3, by approximately 2-fold on Days 1 and 2 [see Dosage and Administration (2.1), Drug Interactions (7.1)].
Methylprednisolone: When oral aprepitant as a 3-day regimen (125-mg/80-mg/80-mg) was administered with intravenous methylprednisolone 125 mg on Day 1 and oral methylprednisolone 40 mg on Days 2 and 3, the AUC of methylprednisolone was increased by 1.34-fold on Day 1 and by 2.5-fold on Day 3 [see Drug Interactions (7.1)].
Chemotherapeutic agents:
Docetaxel: In a pharmacokinetic study, oral aprepitant administered as a 3-day regimen (125-mg/80-mg/80-mg) did not influence the pharmacokinetics of docetaxel.
Vinorelbine: In a pharmacokinetic study, oral aprepitant administered as a 3-day regimen (125-mg/80-mg/80-mg) did not influence the pharmacokinetics of vinorelbine to a clinically significant degree.
Oral contraceptives: When oral aprepitant was administered as a 3-day regimen (125-mg/80-mg/80-mg) with ondansetron and dexamethasone, and coadministered with an oral contraceptive containing ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone, the trough concentrations of both ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone were reduced by as much as 64% for 3 weeks post-treatment [see Drug Interactions (7.1)].
CYP2C9 substrates (Warfarin, Tolbutamide):
Warfarin: A single 125-mg dose of oral aprepitant was administered on Day 1 and 80 mg/day on Days 2 and 3 to subjects who were stabilized on chronic warfarin therapy. Although there was no effect of oral aprepitant on the plasma AUC of R(+) or S(-) warfarin determined on Day 3, there was a 34% decrease in S(-) warfarin trough concentration accompanied by a 14% decrease in the prothrombin time (reported as International Normalized Ratio or INR) 5 days after completion of dosing with oral aprepitant [see Drug Interactions (7.1)].
Tolbutamide: Oral aprepitant, when given as 125 mg on Day 1 and 80 mg/day on Days 2 and 3, decreased the AUC of tolbutamide by 23% on Day 4, 28% on Day 8, and 15% on Day 15, when a single dose of tolbutamide 500 mg was administered prior to the administration of the 3-day regimen of oral aprepitant and on Days 4, 8, and 15. This effect was not considered clinically important.
Other Drugs
P-glycoprotein substrates: Aprepitant is unlikely to interact with drugs that are substrates for the P- glycoprotein transporter, as demonstrated by the lack of interaction of oral aprepitant with digoxin in a clinical drug interaction study.
5-HT3
antagonists: In clinical drug interaction studies, aprepitant did not have clinically important effects on the pharmacokinetics of ondansetron, granisetron, or hydrodolasetron (the active metabolite of dolasetron).
Effect of Other Drugs on the Pharmacokinetics of Fosaprepitant/Aprepitant
Rifampin: When a single 375-mg dose of oral aprepitant was administered on Day 9 of a 14-day regimen of 600 mg/day of rifampin, a strong CYP3A4 inducer, the AUC of aprepitant decreased approximately 11-fold and the mean terminal half-life decreased approximately 3-fold [see Drug Interactions (7.2)].
Ketoconazole: When a single 125-mg dose of oral aprepitant was administered on Day 5 of a 10-day regimen of 400 mg/day of ketoconazole, a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor, the AUC of aprepitant increased approximately 5-fold and the mean terminal half-life of aprepitant increased approximately 3-fold [see Drug Interactions (7.2)].
Diltiazem: In a study in 10 patients with mild to moderate hypertension, administration of 100 mg of fosaprepitant as an intravenous infusion with 120 mg of diltiazem, a moderate CYP3A4 inhibitor administered three times daily, resulted in a 1.5-fold increase in the aprepitant AUC and a 1.4-fold increase in the diltiazem AUC.
When fosaprepitant was administered with diltiazem, the mean maximum decrease in diastolic blood pressure was significantly greater than that observed with diltiazem alone [24.3 ± 10.2 mm Hg with fosaprepitant versus 15.6 ± 4.1 mm Hg without fosaprepitant]. The mean maximum decrease in systolic blood pressure was also greater after co-administration of diltiazem with fosaprepitant than administration of diltiazem alone [29.5 ± 7.9 mm Hg with fosaprepitant versus 23.8 ± 4.8 mm Hg without fosaprepitant]. Co-administration of fosaprepitant and diltiazem; however, did not result in any additional clinically significant changes in heart rate or PR interval, beyond those changes observed with diltiazem alone [see Drug Interactions (7.2)].
Paroxetine: Coadministration of once daily doses of oral aprepitant 170 mg, with paroxetine 20 mg once daily, resulted in a decrease in AUC by approximately 25% and Cmax by approximately 20% of both aprepitant and paroxetine. This effect was not considered clinically important.
Additional pediatric use information is approved for Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC's EMEND (fosaprepitant) for injection. However, due to Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC's marketing exclusivity rights, this drug product is not labeled with that information.
Carcinogenesis
Carcinogenicity studies were conducted in Sprague-Dawley rats and in CD-1 mice for 2 years. In the rat carcinogenicity studies, animals were treated with oral doses ranging from 0.05 to 1000 mg/kg twice daily. The highest dose produced systemic exposures to aprepitant approximately equivalent to (female rats) or less than (male rats) the adult human exposure at the RHD of 150 mg. Treatment with aprepitant at doses of 5 to 1000 mg/kg twice daily caused an increase in the incidences of thyroid follicular cell adenomas and carcinomas in male rats. In female rats, it produced hepatocellular adenomas at 5 to 1000 mg/kg twice daily and hepatocellular carcinomas and thyroid follicular cell adenomas at 125 to 1000 mg/kg twice daily. In the mouse carcinogenicity studies, the animals were treated with oral doses ranging from 2.5 to 2000 mg/kg/day. The highest dose produced a systemic exposure approximately 2 times the adult human exposure at the RHD of 150 mg. Treatment with aprepitant produced skin fibrosarcomas at 125 and 500 mg/kg/day doses in male mice. Carcinogenicity studies were not conducted with fosaprepitant.
Mutagenesis
Aprepitant and fosaprepitant were not genotoxic in the Ames test, the human lymphoblastoid cell (TK6) mutagenesis test, the rat hepatocyte DNA strand break test, the Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell chromosome aberration test and the mouse micronucleus test.
Impairment of Fertility
Fosaprepitant, when administered intravenously, is rapidly converted to aprepitant. In the fertility studies conducted with fosaprepitant and aprepitant, the highest systemic exposures to aprepitant were obtained following oral administration of aprepitant. Oral aprepitant did not affect the fertility or general reproductive performance of male or female rats at doses up to the maximum feasible dose of 1000 mg/kg twice daily (providing exposure in male rats lower than the exposure at the recommended adult human dose of 150 mg and exposure in female rats approximately equivalent to the adult human exposure).
Hypersensitivity
Advise patients that hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis and anaphylactic shock, have been reported in patients taking fosaprepitant. Advise patients to seek immediate medical attention if they experience signs or symptoms of a hypersensitivity reaction, such as hives, rash and itching, skin peeling or sores, flushing, difficulty in breathing or swallowing, or dizziness, rapid or weak heartbeat or feeling faint [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)].
Infusion Site Reactions
Advise patients to seek medical attention if they experience new or worsening signs or symptoms of an infusion site reaction, such as erythema, edema, pain, necrosis, vasculitis, or thrombophlebitis at or near the infusion site [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3)].
Drug Interactions
Advise patients to discuss all medications they are taking, including other prescription, non- prescription medication or herbal products [see Contraindications (4), Warnings and Precautions (5.1)].
Warfarin: Instruct patients on chronic warfarin therapy to follow instructions from their healthcare provider regarding blood draws to monitor their INR during the 2-week period, particularly at 7 to 10 days, following initiation of fosaprepitant with each chemotherapy cycle [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4)].
Hormonal Contraceptives: Advise patients that administration of fosaprepitant may reduce the efficacy of hormonal contraceptives. Instruct patients to use effective alternative or back-up methods of contraception (such as condoms and spermicides) during treatment with fosaprepitant and for 1 month following administration of fosaprepitant [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5), Use in Specific Populations (8.3)].
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November 2023
