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Zevalin (Ibritumomab Tiuxetan) - Warnings and Precautions

 
 



WARNING: SERIOUS INFUSION REACTIONS, PROLONGED AND SEVERE CYTOPENIAS, and SEVERE CUTANEOUS AND MUCOCUTANEOUS REACTIONS

Serious Infusion Reactions: Deaths have occurred within 24 hours of rituximab infusion, an essential component of the Zevalin therapeutic regimen. These fatalities were associated with hypoxia, pulmonary infiltrates, acute respiratory distress syndrome, myocardial infarction, ventricular fibrillation, or cardiogenic shock. Most (80%) fatalities occurred with the first rituximab infusion [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) and Adverse Reactions (6.1)]. Discontinue rituximab and Y-90 Zevalin infusions in patients who develop severe infusion reactions.

Prolonged and Severe Cytopenias: Y-90 Zevalin administration results in severe and prolonged cytopenias in most patients. Do not administer Y-90 Zevalin to patients with ≥ 25% lymphoma marrow involvement and/or impaired bone marrow reserve [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) and Adverse Reactions (6.1)].

Severe Cutaneous and Mucocutaneous Reactions: Severe cutaneous and mucocutaneous reactions, some fatal, can occur with the Zevalin therapeutic regimen. Discontinue rituximab and Y-90 Zevalin infusions in patients experiencing severe cutaneous or mucocutaneous reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) and Adverse Reactions (6.2)].

Dosing: The dose of Y-90 Zevalin should not exceed 32.0 mCi (1184 MBq) [see Dosage and Administration (2.2)].

 

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

Serious Infusion Reactions

See also prescribing information for rituximab.

Rituximab, alone or as a component of the Zevalin therapeutic regimen, can cause severe, including fatal, infusion reactions. These reactions typically occur during the first rituximab infusion with time to onset of 30 to 120 minutes. Signs and symptoms of severe infusion reactions may include urticaria, hypotension, angioedema, hypoxia, bronchospasm, pulmonary infiltrates, acute respiratory distress syndrome, myocardial infarction, ventricular fibrillation, and cardiogenic shock. Temporarily slow or interrupt the rituximab infusion for less severe infusion reactions. Immediately discontinue rituximab and Y-90 Zevalin administration for severe infusion reactions. Only administer Rituxan/Zevalin in facilities where immediate access to resuscitative measures is available [see Boxed Warning and Dosage and Administration (2.2)].

Prolonged and Severe Cytopenias

Cytopenias with delayed onset and prolonged duration, some complicated by hemorrhage and severe infection, are the most common severe adverse reactions of the Zevalin therapeutic regimen. When used according to recommended doses, the incidences of severe thrombocytopenia and neutropenia are greater in patients with mild baseline thrombocytopenia (≥ 100,000 but ≤ 149,000 /mm3) compared to those with normal pretreatment platelet counts. Severe cytopenias persisting more than 12 weeks following administration can occur. Monitor complete blood counts (CBC) and platelet counts following the Zevalin therapeutic regimen weekly until levels recover or as clinically indicated [see Boxed Warning and Adverse Reactions (6.1)].

Do not administer the Zevalin therapeutic regimen to patients with ≥ 25% lymphoma marrow involvement and/or impaired bone marrow reserve. Monitor patients for cytopenias and their complications (e.g., febrile neutropenia, hemorrhage) for up to 3 months after use of the Zevalin therapeutic regimen. Avoid using drugs which interfere with platelet function or coagulation following the Zevalin therapeutic regimen.

Severe Cutaneous and Mucocutaneous Reactions

Erythema multiforme, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, bullous dermatitis, and exfoliative dermatitis, some fatal, were reported in post-marketing experience. The time to onset of these reactions was variable, ranging from a few days to 4 months after administration of the Zevalin therapeutic regimen. Discontinue the Zevalin therapeutic regimen in patients experiencing a severe cutaneous or mucocutaneous reaction [see Boxed Warning and Adverse Reactions (6.2)].

Altered Biodistribution

In a post-marketing registry designed to collect biodistribution images and other information in reported cases of altered biodistribution, there were 12 (1.3%) patients reported to have altered biodistribution among 953 patients registered.

Risk of Developing Myelodysplastic Syndrome, Leukemia, and Other Malignancies

The radiation dose resulting from therapeutic exposure to Y-90 radiolabeled Zevalin may result in secondary malignancies.

Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and/or acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) were reported in 5.2% (11/211) of patients with relapsed or refractory NHL enrolled in clinical studies and 1.5% (8/535) of patients included in the expanded-access trial, with median follow-up of 6.5 and 4.4 years, respectively. Among the 19 reported cases, the median time to the diagnosis of MDS or AML was 1.9 years following treatment with the Zevalin therapeutic regimen; however, the cumulative incidence continues to increase [see Adverse Reactions (6.1)].

Among 204 patients receiving Y-90 Zevalin following first-line chemotherapy, 26 (12.7%) patients in the Zevalin arm developed a second primary malignancy compared to 14 (6.8%) of patients in the control arm. Seven patients (3.4%, 7/204) were diagnosed with MDS/AML after receiving Zevalin, compared to one patient (0.5%, 1/205) in the control arm, with a median follow-up of 7.3 years. Deaths due to second primary malignancy included 8 (3.9%) patients in the Zevalin arm compared to 3 (1.5%) patients in the control arm. Deaths due to MDS/AML included five (2.5%) patients in the Zevalin arm compared to no patients in the control arm.

Extravasation

Monitor patients closely for evidence of extravasation during Zevalin infusion. Immediately terminate the infusion if signs or symptoms of extravasation occur and restart in another limb  [see Dosage and Administration (2.2)].

Risks of Immunization

The safety of immunization with live viral vaccines following the Zevalin therapeutic regimen has not been studied. Do not administer live viral vaccines to patients who have recently received Zevalin. The ability to generate an immune response to any vaccine following the Zevalin therapeutic regimen has not been studied.

Radionuclide Precautions

During and after radiolabeling Zevalin with Y-90, minimize radiation exposure to patients and to medical personnel, consistent with institutional good radiation safety practices and patient management procedures.

Embryo-Fetal Toxicity

Based on its radioactivity, Y-90 Zevalin may cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. If the Zevalin therapeutic regimen is administered during pregnancy, the patient should be apprised of the potential hazard to a fetus.   Advise women of childbearing potential to use adequate contraception for a minimum of twelve months [see Use in Specific Populations (8.1)].

USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS

Pregnancy

Pregnancy Category D [see Warnings and Precautions (5.9)]

Risk Summary

Based on its radioactivity, Y-90 Zevalin may cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Immunoglobulins are known to cross the placenta. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Animal reproductive toxicology studies of Zevalin have not been conducted.

Advise women of childbearing potential to use adequate contraception for a minimum of twelve months. Inform women who become pregnant while receiving Zevalin of the potential fetal risks.

Nursing Mothers

Because human IgG is excreted in human milk, it is expected that Zevalin would be present in human milk. Because of the potential for adverse reactions in nursing infants from Y-90 Zevalin, a decision should be made to discontinue nursing or not administer the Zevalin therapeutic regimen, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother.

Pediatric Use

The safety and effectiveness of Zevalin have not been established in pediatric patients.

Geriatric Use

Of 349 patients with relapsed/refractory NHL treated with the Zevalin therapeutic regimen in clinical studies, 38% (132 patients) were age 65 years and over, while 12% (41 patients) were age 75 years and over.

Of 414 patients enrolled in Study 4 (Zevalin following first-line chemotherapy) 206 patients received Zevalin. Of these patients 14% (29 patients) were 65 years and over, while 2% (4 patients) were 75 years and older. In the control arm, 10% (21 patients) were 65 years or over and 0% (0 patients) were 75 years or older.

No overall differences in safety or effectiveness were observed between these subjects and younger subjects, but greater sensitivity of some older individuals cannot be ruled out.

Page last updated: 2013-08-01

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