Arsenic Trioxide
FDA Drug Information • Also known as: Arsenic Trioxide, Arsenicum Album, Arsenicum Album 200C, Arsenicum Album 200Ck, Arsenicum Album...
- Brand Names
- Arsenic Trioxide, Arsenicum Album, Arsenicum Album 200C, Arsenicum Album 200Ck, Arsenicum Album 30C, Trisenox
- Dosage Form
- INJECTION, SOLUTION
- Product Type
- DRUG FOR FURTHER PROCESSING
⚠ Boxed Warning (Black Box)
WARNING: DIFFERENTIATION SYNDROME, CARDIAC CONDUCTION ABNORMALITIES ANDENCEPHALOPATHY INCLUDING WERNICKE’S Differentiation Syndrome: Patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) treated with arsenic trioxide have experienced differentiation syndrome, which may be life-threatening or fatal. Signs and symptoms may include unexplained fever, dyspnea, hypoxia, acute respiratory distress, pulmonary infiltrates, pleural or pericardial effusions, weight gain, peripheral edema, hypotension, renal insufficiency , hepatopathy, and multi-organ dysfunction, in the presence or absence of leukocytosis. If differentiation syndrome is suspected, immediately initiate high-dose corticosteroids and hemodynamic monitoring until resolution. Temporarily withhold arsenic trioxide injection [see Dosage and Administration (2.3) , Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ]. Cardiac Conduction Abnormalities: Arsenic trioxide can cause QTc interval prolongation, complete atrioventricular block and torsade de pointes, which can be fatal. Before administering arsenic trioxide injection, assess the QTc interval, correct electrolyte abnormalities, and consider discontinuing drugs known to prolong QTc interval. Do not administer arsenic trioxide to patients with a ventricular arrhythmia or prolonged QTc interval. Withhold arsenic trioxide injection until resolution and resume at reduced dose for QTc prolongation [see Dosage and Administration (2.3) , Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ]. Encephalopathy: Serious encephalopathy, including Wernicke’s, has occurred with arsenic trioxide. Wernicke’s is a neurologic emergency. Consider testing thiamine levels in patients at risk for thiamine deficiency. Administer parenteral thiamine in patients with or at risk for thiamine deficiency. Monitor patients for neurological symptoms and nutritional status while receiving arsenic trioxide. If Wernicke’s encephalopathy is suspected, immediately interrupt arsenic trioxide and initiate parenteral thiamine. Monitor until symptoms resolve or improve and thiamine levels normalize [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ]. WARNING: DIFFERENTIATION SYNDROME, CARDIAC CONDUCTION ABNORMALITIES, and ENCEPHALOPATHY INCLUDING WERNICKE’S See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning. Patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) treated with a rsenic trioxide i nj e c t io n have experienced symptoms of differentiation syndrome, which may be life-threatening or fatal. If differentiation syndrome is suspected, immediately initiate high-dose corticosteroids and hemodynamic monitoring until resolution. Temporarily withhold a rsenic trioxide injection. ( 2.3 , 5.1 ) Arsenic trioxide ca n cause QTc interval prolongation, complete atrioventricular block and torsade de pointes, w hi c h can be fatal. Before a d m i n i stering arsenic trioxide, assess the QTc interval, correct electrolyte abnormalities, and consider discontinuing drugs known to prolong QTc interval. Do not administer arsenic trioxide to patients with ventricular arrhythmia or prolonged QTc interval. Withhold arsenic trioxide injection until resolution and resume at reduced dose for QTc prolongation. ( 2.3 , 5.2 ) Serious encephalopathy, including Wernicke’s, has occurred with arsenic trioxide. If Wernicke’s encephalopathy is suspected, immediately interrupt arsenic trioxide and initiate parenteral thiamine. Monitor until symptoms resolve or improve and thiamine levels normalize. ( 5.3 )
Description
11 DESCRIPTION Arsenic trioxide injection is a sterile injectable solution of arsenic trioxide. The molecular formula of arsenic trioxide in the solid state is As2O3, with a molecular weight of 197.8 and the following structural formula: Arsenic trioxide injection is available in 10 mL, single-dose vials containing 10 mg or 12 mg of arsenic trioxide. Arsenic trioxide injection is formulated as a sterile, nonpyrogenic, clear solution of arsenic trioxide in water for injection using sodium hydroxide and dilute hydrochloric acid to adjust to pH 8. Arsenic trioxide injection is preservative-free. Arsenic trioxide, the active ingredient, is present at a concentration of 1 mg/mL and 2 mg/mL. Inactive ingredients and their respective approximate concentrations are sodium hydroxide (1.2 mg/mL) for solubilization, and sodium hydroxide and hydrochloric acid for pH adjustment to pH 8. Arsenic-Trioxide-SPL-Structure
What Is Arsenic Trioxide Used For?
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE Arsenic trioxide injection is an arsenical indicated: For induction of remission and consolidation in patients with APL who are refractory to, or have relapsed from, retinoid and anthracycline chemotherapy, and whose APL is characterized by the presence of the t(15;17) translocation or PML/RAR-alpha gene expression. ( 1.2 ) 1.2 Relapsed or Refractory APL Arsenic trioxide injection is indicated for induction of remission and consolidation in patients with APL who are refractory to, or have relapsed from, retinoid and anthracycline chemotherapy, and whose APL is characterized by the presence of the t(15;17) translocation or PML/RAR-alpha gene expression.
Dosage and Administration
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Relapsed or refractory APL: Induction: Administer 0.15 mg/kg/day intravenously daily until bone marrow remission. Do not exceed 60 days. ( 2.2 ) Consolidation: Administer 0.15 mg/kg/day intravenously daily for 25 doses over a period of up to 5 weeks. ( 2.2 ) 2.2 Recommended Dosage for Relapsed or Refractory APL A treatment course for patients with relapsed or refractory APL consists of 1 induction cycle and 1 consolidation cycle [see Clinical Studies (14.2) ] . For the induction cycle, the recommended dosage of arsenic trioxide injection is 0.15 mg/kg/day intravenously daily until bone marrow remission or up to a maximum of 60 days. For the consolidation cycle, the recommended dosage of arsenic trioxide injection is 0.15 mg/kg/day intravenously daily for 25 doses over a period of up to 5 weeks. Begin consolidation 3 to 6 weeks after completion of induction cycle. 2.3 Monitoring and Dosage Modifications for Adverse Reactions During induction, monitor coagulation studies, blood counts, and chemistries at least 2-3 times per week through recovery. During consolidation, monitor coagulation studies, blood counts, and chemistries at least weekly. Table 2 shows the dosage modifications for adverse reactions due to arsenic trioxide injection when used alone. T able 2: Dosage Modifications for Adverse Reactions of Arsenic Trioxide Adverse Reaction Dosage Modification Differentiation syndrome, defined by the presence of 2 or more of the following: − Unexplained fever − Dyspnea − Pleural and/or pericardial effusion − Pulmonary infiltrates − Renal failure − Hypotension − Weight gain greater than 5 kg [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)] Temporarily withhold arsenic trioxide injection. Administer dexamethasone 10 mg intravenously every 12 hours until the resolution of signs and symptoms for a minimum of 3 days. Resume treatment when the clinical condition improves and reduce the dose of the withheld drug(s) by 50%. Increase the dose of the withheld drug(s) to the recommended dosage after one week in the absence of recurrence of symptoms of differentiation syndrome. If symptoms re-appear, decrease arsenic trioxide injection to the previous dose. QTc (Framingham formula) Prolongation greater than 450 msec for men or greater than 460 msec for women [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] Withhold arsenic trioxide injection and any medication known to prolong the QTc interval. Correct electrolyte abnormalities. After the QTc normalizes and electrolyte abnormalities are corrected, resume treatment with arsenic trioxide injection at a 50% reduced dose (0.075 mg/kg/day daily) for one week after resolution. If the 50% reduced dose is tolerated for one week (in the absence of QTc prolongation), increase the dose of arsenic trioxide injection to 0.11 mg/kg/day daily for the next week [see Dosage and Administration (2.1)] . The dose of arsenic trioxide injection can be increased to 0.15 mg/kg/day in the absence of QTc prolongation during that...
Side Effects (Adverse Reactions)
6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following clinically significant adverse reactions are described elsewhere in the labeling: Differentiation Syndrome [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] Cardiac Conduction Abnormalities [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] Encephalopathy [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] Hepatotoxicity [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] Carcinogenesis [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ] The most common adverse reactions (> 30%) are nausea, cough, fatigue, pyrexia, headache, abdominal pain, vomiting, tachycardia, diarrhea, dyspnea, hypokalemia, leukocytosis, hyperglycemia, hypomagnesemia, insomnia, dermatitis, edema, QTc prolongation, rigors, sore throat, arthralgia, paresthesia, and pruritus ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Gland Pharma at 864-879-9994 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience 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. R e lapsed or Refractory APL Safety information was available for 52 patients with relapsed or refractory APL who participated in clinical trials of arsenic trioxide. Forty patients in the Study PLRXAS01 received the recommended dose of 0.15 mg/kg, of whom 28 completed both induction and consolidation cycles. An additional 12 patients with relapsed or refractory APL received doses generally similar to the recommended dose. Serious adverse reactions observed in the 40 patients with refractory or relapsed APL enrolled in Study PLRXAS01 included differentiation syndrome (n=3), hyperleukocytosis (n=3), QTc interval ≥ 500 msec (n=16, 1 with torsade de pointes), atrial dysrhythmias (n=2), and hyperglycemia (n=2). The most common adverse reactions (> 30%) were nausea, cough, fatigue, pyrexia, headache, abdominal pain, vomiting, tachycardia, diarrhea, dyspnea, hypokalemia, leukocytosis, hyperglycemia, hypomagnesemia, insomnia, dermatitis, edema, QTc prolongation, rigors, sore throat, arthralgia, paresthesia, and pruritus. Table 5 describes the adverse reactions in patients aged 5 to 73 years with APL who received arsenic trioxide at the recommended dose. Similar adverse reactions profiles were seen in the other patient populations who received arsenic trioxide. Table 5: Adverse Reactions (≥ 5%) in Patients with Relapsed or Refractory APL Who Received Arsenic Trioxide Injection in Study PLRXAS01 B ody System Adverse reaction Any Grade Adverse Reactions G r ade ≥3 Adverse Reactions n % n % G astrointestinal disorders Nausea 30 75 Abdominal pain (lower & upper) 23 58 4 10 Vomiting 23 58 Diarrhea 21 53 Sore throat 14 35 Constipation 11 28 1 3 Anorexia 9 23 Appetite decreased 6 15 Loose stools 4 10 Dyspepsia 4 10 Oral blistering 3 8 Fecal incontinence 3 8 Gastrointestinal hemorrhage 3 8 Dry mouth 3 8 Abdominal tenderness 3 8 Diarrhea hemorrhagic 3 8 Abdominal distension 3 8 Respiratory Cough 26 65 Dyspnea 21 53 4 10 Epistaxis 10 25 Hypoxia 9 23 4 10 Pleural effusion 8 20 1 3 Post nasal drip 5 13 Wheezing 5 13 Decreased breath sounds 4 10 Crepitations 4 10 Rales 4 10 Hemoptysis 3 8 Tachypnea 3 8 Rhonchi 3 8 G e ne r al disorders and administration site conditions Fatigue 25 63 2 5 Pyrexia (fever) 25 63 2 5 Edema - non-specific 16 40 Rigors 15 38 Chest pain 10 25 2 5 Injection site pain 8 20 Pain - non-specific 6 15 1 3 Injection site erythema 5 13 Weight gain 5 13 Injection site edema 4 10 Weakness 4 10 2 5 Hemorrhage 3 8 Weight loss 3 8 Drug hypersensitivity 2 5 1 3 Nervous system disorders Headache 24 60 1 3 Insomnia 17 43 1 3 Paresthesia 13 33 2 5 Dizziness (excluding vertigo) 9 23 Tremor 5 13 Convulsion 3 8 2 5 Somnolence 3 8 Coma 2 5 2 5 Cardiac disorders Tachycardia 22 55 ECG QT corrected interval prolonged > 500 msec 16 40 Palpitations 4 10 ECG abnormal other than QT interval prolongation 3 8 Met abolism...
Drug Interactions
7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Drugs That Can Prolong the QT/QTc Interval Concomitant use of these drugs and arsenic trioxide may increase the risk of serious QT/QTc interval prolongation [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] . Discontinue or replace with an alternative drug that does not prolong the QT/QTc interval while the patient is using arsenic trioxide. Monitor ECGs more frequently in patients when it is not feasible to avoid concomitant use. Drugs That Can Lead to Electrolyte Abnormalities Electrolyte abnormalities increase the risk of serious QT/QTc interval prolongation [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] . Avoid concomitant use of drugs that can lead to electrolyte abnormalities. Monitor electrolytes more frequently in patients who must receive concomitant use of these drugs and arsenic trioxide. Drugs That Can Lead to Hepatotoxicity Use of these drugs and arsenic trioxide may increase the risk of serious hepatotoxicity [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] . Discontinue or replace with an alternative drug that does not cause hepatotoxicity while the patient is using arsenic trioxide. Monitor liver function tests more frequently in patients when it is not feasible to avoid concomitant use.
Contraindications
4 CONTRAINDICATIONS Arsenic trioxide is contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity to arsenic. Hypersensitivity to arsenic. ( 4 )
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary Based on the mechanism of action [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.1) ] and findings in animal studies, arsenic trioxide can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Arsenic trioxide was embryolethal and teratogenic in rats when administered on gestation day 9 at a dose approximately 10 times the recommended human daily dose on a mg/m² basis ( see Data ). A related trivalent arsenic, sodium arsenite, produced teratogenicity when administered during gestation in mice at a dose approximately 5 times the projected human dose on a mg/m² basis and in hamsters at an intravenous dose approximately equivalent to the projected human daily dose on a mg/m² basis. There are no studies with the use of arsenic trioxide in pregnant women, and limited published data on arsenic trioxide use during pregnancy are insufficient to inform a drug- associated risk of major birth defects and miscarriage. Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus. The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population 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% to 4% and 15% to 20%, respectively. Data Human Data One patient was reported to deliver a live infant with no reported congenital anomalies after receiving arsenic trioxide during the first five months of pregnancy. A second patient became pregnant three months after discontinuing arsenic trioxide and was reported to have a normal pregnancy outcome. A third patient was a pregnant healthcare provider who experienced dermal contact with liquid arsenic trioxide and had a normal pregnancy outcome after treatment and monitoring. A fourth patient who became pregnant while receiving arsenic trioxide had a miscarriage. Animal Data Studies in pregnant mice, rats,...
Overdosage
10 OVERDOSAGE Manifestations Manifestations of arsenic trioxide overdosage include convulsions, muscle weakness, and confusion. Management For symptoms of arsenic trioxide overdosage, immediately discontinue arsenic trioxide and consider chelation therapy. A conventional protocol for acute arsenic intoxication includes dimercaprol administered at a dose of 3 mg/kg intramuscularly every 4 hours until immediate life-threatening toxicity has subsided. Thereafter, penicillamine at a dose of 250 mg orally, up to a maximum frequency of four times per day (≤ 1 g per day), may be given.
How Supplied
16 HOW SUPPLIED/STORAGE AND HANDLING How Supplied Arsenic trioxide injection is supplied as a sterile, clear, colorless solution in 10 mL glass, single-dose vials. NDC 68083-535-10; 10 mg/10 mL (1 mg/mL) vial in packages of ten vials. NDC 68083-462-10; 12 mg/6 mL (2 mg/mL) vial in packages of ten vials. Storage and Handling Store at 20° to 25°C (68°F to 77°F); excursions permitted to 15° to 30°C (59°F to 86°F) [See USP Controlled Room Temperature]. Do not freeze. Arsenic trioxide injection is a hazardous drug. Follow applicable special handling and disposal procedures. 1
About This Information
This drug information is sourced from FDA-approved labeling via the openFDA database. It is intended for educational and reference purposes only. This is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making decisions about medication. Drug information may be updated by the FDA; check with your pharmacist for the most current information.
What are side effects?
Side effects are unwanted reactions that can occur when taking a medication. They range from mild (headache, nausea) to severe (allergic reactions, organ damage). Not everyone experiences side effects, and severity varies. Report any concerning side effects to your doctor.
What are drug interactions?
Drug interactions occur when a medication is affected by another drug, food, or supplement. Interactions can make medications less effective or cause dangerous side effects. Always tell your doctor about all medications and supplements you take.