Ferric Carboxymaltose Injection
FDA Drug Information • Also known as: Injectafer
- Brand Names
- Injectafer
- Route
- INTRAVENOUS
- Dosage Form
- INJECTION, SOLUTION
- Product Type
- HUMAN PRESCRIPTION DRUG
Description
11 DESCRIPTION Ferric carboxymaltose, an iron replacement product, is an iron carbohydrate complex with the chemical name of polynuclear iron (III)-hydroxide 4(R)-(poly-(1→4)- O -α-D-glucopyranosyl)-oxy-2(R),3(R),5(R),6-tetrahydroxy-hexanoate. It has a relative molecular weight of approximately 150,000 Da corresponding to the following empirical formula: [FeO x (OH) y (H 2 O) z ] n [{(C 6 H 10 O 5 ) m (C 6 H 12 O 7 )} l ] k , where n ≈ 10 3 , m ≈ 8, l ≈ 11, and k ≈ 4 ( l represents the mean branching degree of the ligand). The chemical structure is presented below: Injectafer (ferric carboxymaltose injection) is a dark brown, sterile, aqueous, isotonic colloidal solution for intravenous injection. Each mL contains 50 mg iron as ferric carboxymaltose in water for injection. Injectafer is available in 2 mL, 15 mL and 20 mL single-dose vials. Sodium hydroxide and/or hydrochloric acid may have been added to adjust the pH to 5.0-7.0. Vial closure is not made with natural rubber latex. New structure
What Is Ferric Carboxymaltose Injection Used For?
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE Injectafer is indicated for the treatment of:
Dosage and Administration
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION For patients weighing 50 kg or more, the recommended dosage is Injectafer 750 mg intravenously in two doses separated by at least 7 days for a total cumulative dose of 1,500 mg of iron per course. For adult patients weighing 50 kg or more, an alternative dose of Injectafer 15 mg/kg body weight up to a maximum of 1,000 mg intravenously may be administered as a single-dose per course. ( 2.1 ) For patients weighing less than 50 kg, the recommended dosage is Injectafer 15 mg/kg body weight intravenously in two doses separated by at least 7 days per course. ( 2.1 ) See Section 2.1, Table 1 for dosage in patients with iron deficiency and heart failure. ( 2.1 ) Injectafer treatment may be repeated if IDA or iron deficiency in heart failure reoccurs. ( 2.3 ) 2.1 Recommended Dosage Recommended Dosage for Treatment of Iron Deficiency Anemia For patients weighing 50 kg or more, the recommended dosage is: Injectafer 750 mg intravenously in two doses separated by at least 7 days for a total cumulative dose of 1,500 mg of iron per course. In adult patients, Injectafer 15 mg/kg body weight up to a maximum of 1,000 mg intravenously may be administered as a single-dose per course. For patients weighing less than 50 kg, the recommended dosage is Injectafer 15 mg/kg body weight intravenously in two doses separated by at least 7 days per course. Recommended Dosage in Patients with Iron Deficiency with Heart Failure See Table 1 for recommended dosage for treatment of iron deficiency in patients with heart failure and New York Heart Association class II/III to improve exercise capacity. Table 1: Recommended Dosage in Patients with Iron Deficiency with Heart Failure Weight less than 70 kg Weight 70 kg or more Hb (g/dL) Hb (g/dL) < 10 10 to 14 > 14 to < 15 < 10 10 to 14 > 14 to < 15 Day 1 1,000 mg 1,000 mg 500 mg 1,000 mg 1,000 mg 500 mg Week 6 500 mg No dose No dose 1,000 mg 500 mg No dose Administer a maintenance dose of 500 mg at 12, 24 and 36 weeks if serum ferritin <100 ng/mL or serum ferritin 100-300 ng/mL with transferrin saturation <20%. There are no data available to guide dosing beyond 36 weeks or with Hb ≥15 g/dL. 2.2 Preparation and Administration Administer Injectafer intravenously, either as an undiluted slow intravenous push or by infusion. When administered via infusion, dilute up to 1,000 mg of iron in no more than 250 mL of sterile 0.9% sodium chloride injection, USP, such that the concentration of the infusion is not less than 2 mg of iron per mL and administer over at least 15 minutes. When added to an infusion bag containing 0.9% sodium chloride injection, USP, at concentrations ranging from 2 to 4 mg of iron per mL, Injectafer solution is physically and chemically stable for 72 hours when stored at room temperature. To maintain stability, do not dilute to concentrations less than 2 mg iron/mL. Inspect parenteral drug products visually for the absence of particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration. The...
Side Effects (Adverse Reactions)
6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following clinically significant adverse reactions are discussed in greater detail in other sections of the labeling: Hypersensitivity Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] Hypophosphatemia [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] Hypertension [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )] Laboratory Test Alterations [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 )] The most common adverse reactions in adult patients (>2%) are nausea, hypertension, flushing, injection site reactions, erythema, hypophosphatemia, and dizziness. ( 6.1 ) The most common adverse reactions in pediatric patients (≥4%) are hypophosphatemia, injection site reactions, rash, headache, and vomiting. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact American Regent at 1-800-734-9236 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, the adverse reaction rates observed cannot be directly compared to rates in other clinical trials and may not reflect the rates observed in clinical practice. Adults In two randomized clinical studies [Studies 1 and 2, see Clinical Studies ( 14 ) ], a total of 1,775 patients were exposed to Injectafer 15 mg/kg body weight up to a maximum single dose of 750 mg of iron on two occasions separated by at least 7 days up to a cumulative dose of 1,500 mg of iron. Adverse reactions reported by ≥1% of treated patients are shown in the following table. Table 2. Adverse reactions reported in ≥1% of Study Patients in Clinical Trials 1 and 2 Injectafer (N=1,775) % Pooled Comparators a (N=1,783) % Oral iron (N=253) % Nausea 7.2 2 1.2 Hypertension* 4 2 0.4 Flushing* 4 0.2 0 Injection site reactions* 3 3.2 0 Erythema* 3 0.6 0 Hypophosphatemia 2.1 0.1 0 Dizziness* 2.1 1.3 0.4 Vomiting 2 1 0.4 Injection Site Discoloration** 1.4 0.3 0 Headache* 1.3 1.2 0.4 Hepatic enzyme increased* 1.2 0.2 0 Dysgeusia* 1.2 2.1 0 Hypotension 1 2 0 Rash* 1 0.3 0 Constipation 0.5 0.9 3.2 a Includes oral iron and all formulations of IV iron other than Injectafer *Grouped Terms: Hypertension includes hypertension, blood pressure increased, and hypertensive crisis. Flushing includes flushing and hot flush. Injection site reactions include injection site extravasation, injection site discoloration, injection site pain, injection site irritation, injection site bruising, injection site reaction, injection site discomfort, injection site erythema, injection site hematoma, injection site hemorrhage, injection site pruritus, injection site rash, and injection site swelling. Erythema includes erythema and injection site erythema. Dizziness includes dizziness, balance disorder, and vertigo. **Injection site discoloration was also included in the injection site local administration reactions grouped term. Headache includes headache and migraine. Hepatic enzyme increased includes alanine aminotransferase increased and aspartate aminotransferase increased. Dysgeusia includes dysgeusia and ageusia. Rash includes rash, urticaria, skin exfoliation, blister, erythema multiforme, injection site rash, rash maculo-papular, and rash pruritic. Other adverse reactions reported by ≥0.5% of treated patients include abdominal pain, diarrhea, gamma glutamyl transferase increased, paresthesia, and sneezing. Transient decreases in laboratory blood phosphorus levels (< 2 mg/dL) have been observed in 27% (440/1,638) of patients in clinical trials. Pooled data from two Phase 3 studies 1VIT09030 (NCT00981045) and 1VIT09031 (NCT00982007) with a dosing regimen of Injectafer 15 mg/kg up to a maximum of 750 mg x 2 doses to a cumulative dose of 1,500 mg of iron were analyzed to compare rates of adverse reactions in two Phase 3 parallel group studies 1VIT07017 (NCT00548860) and 1VIT07018 (NCT00548691) with a dosing regimen of Injectafer 15 mg/kg up to a maximum of 1,000 mg single dose (Table 3). Table 3. Adverse Reactions (≥1% in any Treatment Group) In Patients Receiving Two Doses of...
Contraindications
4 CONTRAINDICATIONS Injectafer is contraindicated in patients with a history of hypersensitivity to Injectafer or any of its components [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 ) ]. Hypersensitivity to Injectafer or any of its inactive components.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary Parenteral iron administration may be associated with hypersensitivity reactions [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )], which may have serious consequences, such as fetal bradycardia ( see Clinical Considerations ). Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus. Published studies and available data from postmarketing reports with intravenous Injectafer are insufficient to assess the risk of major birth defects and miscarriage. There are risks to the mother and fetus associated with untreated IDA in pregnancy as well as risks to the fetus associated with maternal severe hypersensitivity reactions (see Clinical Considerations). In animal reproduction studies, administration of ferric carboxymaltose to rabbits during the period of organogenesis caused adverse developmental outcomes including fetal malformations and increased implantation loss at maternally toxic doses of approximately 12% to 23% of the human weekly dose of 750 mg (based on body surface area). The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated populations 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. Clinical Considerations Disease-associated maternal and/or embryo/fetal risk Untreated IDA in pregnancy is associated with adverse maternal outcomes such as post-partum anemia. Adverse pregnancy outcomes associated with IDA include increased risk for preterm delivery and low birth weight. Fetal/Neonatal adverse reactions Severe adverse reactions including circulatory failure (severe hypotension, shock including in the context of anaphylactic reaction) may occur in pregnant women with parenteral iron products (such as Injectafer) which may cause fetal bradycardia, especially during the second and third...
Overdosage
10 OVERDOSAGE Excessive dosages of Injectafer may lead to accumulation of iron in storage sites potentially leading to hemosiderosis. A patient who received Injectafer 18,000 mg over 6 months developed hemosiderosis with multiple joint disorder, walking disability, and asthenia. In the postmarketing setting, hypophosphatemic osteomalacia has been reported in patients who have received repeated high-cumulative courses of Injectafer.
How Supplied
16 HOW SUPPLIED/STORAGE AND HANDLING Injectafer (ferric carboxymaltose injection) is a dark brown, non-transparent, sterile, aqueous solution. NDC 0517-0602-01 100 mg iron/2 mL Single-Dose Vial Individually Boxed NDC 0517-0650-01 750 mg iron/15 mL Single-Dose Vial Individually Boxed NDC 0517-0620-01 1,000 mg iron/20 mL Single-Dose Vial Individually Boxed Store at 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F); excursions permitted to 15°C to 30°C (59°F to 86°F). [See the USP controlled room temperature.] Do not freeze.
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.