Palonosetron Hydrochloride

FDA Drug Information • Also known as: Palonosetron, Palonosetron Hydrochloride

Brand Names
Palonosetron, Palonosetron Hydrochloride
Route
INTRAVENOUS
Dosage Form
INJECTION, SOLUTION
Product Type
HUMAN PRESCRIPTION DRUG

Description

11 DESCRIPTION Palonosetron Hydrochloride Injection contains palonosetron as palonosetron HCl, an antiemetic and antinauseant agent. It is a serotonin-3 (5-HT 3 ) receptor antagonist with a strong binding affinity for this receptor. Chemically, palonosetron hydrochloride is: (3a S) -2-[( S )-1-Azabicyclo [2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2,3,3a,4,5,6-hexahydro-1-oxo-1 H- benz[ de ]isoquinoline hydrochloride. The empirical formula is C 19 H 24 N 2 O.HCl, with a molecular weight of 332.87. Palonosetron hydrochloride exists as a single isomer and has the following structural formula: Palonosetron hydrochloride is a white to off-white crystalline powder. It is freely soluble in water, soluble in propylene glycol, and slightly soluble in ethanol and 2-propanol. Palonosetron Hydrochloride Injection is a sterile, clear, colorless, non-pyrogenic, isotonic, buffered solution for intravenous administration. Palonosetron Hydrochloride Injection is available as a 5 mL single-dose vial. Each 5 mL vial contains: 0.25 mg palonosetron (equivalent to 0.28 mg palonosetron HCl), 207.5 mg mannitol and citrate buffer in water for intravenous administration. The pH of the solution in the 5 mL vial is 4.5 to 5.5. Structural formula for Palonosetron hydrochloride

What Is Palonosetron Hydrochloride Used For?

1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE Palonosetron Hydrochloride Injection is a serotonin-3 (5-HT 3 ) receptor antagonist indicated in: Adults for prevention of : acute and delayed nausea and vomiting associated with initial and repeat courses of moderately emetogenic cancer chemotherapy (MEC). ( 1 ) acute nausea and vomiting associated with initial and repeat courses of highly emetogenic cancer chemotherapy (HEC). ( 1 ) postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) for up to 24 hours following surgery. Efficacy beyond 24 hours has not been demonstrated ( 1 ) Pediatric patients aged 1 month to less than 17 years for prevention of : acute nausea and vomiting associated with initial and repeat courses of emetogenic cancer chemotherapy, including highly emetogenic cancer chemotherapy (HEC). ( 1 ) Palonosetron Hydrochloride Injection is indicated in adults for prevention of: acute and delayed nausea and vomiting associated with initial and repeat courses of moderately emetogenic cancer chemotherapy (MEC). acute nausea and vomiting associated with initial and repeat courses highly emetogenic cancer chemotherapy (HEC). postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) for up to 24 hours following surgery. Efficacy beyond 24 hours has not been demonstrated. As with other antiemetics, routine prophylaxis is not recommended in patients in whom there is little expectation that nausea and/or vomiting will occur postoperatively. In patients where nausea and vomiting must be avoided during the postoperative period, Palonosetron Hydrochloride Injection is recommended even where the incidence of postoperative nausea and/or vomiting is low. Palonosetron Hydrochloride Injection is indicated in pediatric patients 1 month to less than 17 years of age for prevention of: acute nausea and vomiting associated with initial and repeat courses of emetogenic cancer chemotherapy, including highly emetogenic cancer chemotherapy.

Dosage and Administration

2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting ( 2.1 ) Age Dose Note different dosing units in pediatrics Infusion Time Adults 0.25 mg as a single dose Infuse over 30 seconds beginning approximately 30 minutes before the start of chemotherapy Pediatrics (1 month to less than 17 years) 2 0 micrograms per k ilo g ra m (maximum 1.5 mg) as a single dose Infuse over 15 minutes beginning approximately 30 minutes before the start of chemotherapy Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting ( 2.1 ) The recommended adult dosage is 0.075 mg as a single intravenous dose administered over 10 seconds immediately before the induction of anesthesia. 2.1 Recommended Dosage Prevention of Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting The recommended dosage of Palonosetron Hydrochloride Injection for prevention of nausea and vomiting associated with HEC and MEC in adults and associated with emetogenic chemotherapy, including HEC in pediatric patients 1 month to less than 17 years of age is shown in Table 1. Table 1: Recommended Dosage of Palonosetron Hydrochloride Injection for the Prevention of Nausea and Vomiting Associated with Chemotherapy in Adults and Pediatric Patients 1 Month to Less than 17 Years Age Dose Note different dosing units in pediatrics Infusion Time Adults 0.25 mg as a single dose Infuse over 30 seconds beginning approximately 30 minutes before the start of chemotherapy Pediatrics (1 month to less than 17 years) 20 micrograms per kilogram (max 1.5 mg) as a single dose Infuse over 15 minutes beginning approximately 30 minutes before the start of chemotherapy Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting The recommended dosage of Palonosetron Hydrochloride Injection in adults for PONV is 0.075 mg administered as a single intravenous dose over 10 seconds immediately before the induction of anesthesia. 2.2 Instructions for Intravenous Administration Palonosetron Hydrochloride Injection is supplied ready for intravenous administration at a concentration of 0.05 mg/mL (50 mcg/mL). Do not mix Palonosetron Hydrochloride Injection with other drugs. Flush the infusion line with normal saline before and after administration of Palonosetron Hydrochloride Injection. Inspect Palonosetron Hydrochloride Injection visually for particulate matter and discoloration before administration. Discard unused portion.

Side Effects (Adverse Reactions)

6 ADVERSE REACTIONS Serious or otherwise clinically significant adverse reactions reported in other sections of labeling: Hypersensitivity Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] Serotonin Syndrome [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 ) ] Most common adverse reactions in chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in adults (≥5%) are: headache and constipation ( 6.1 ) postoperative nausea and vomiting (≥ 2%) are: QT prolongation, bradycardia, headache, and constipation. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Apotex Corp. at 1-800-706-5575 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. Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting Adults In double-blind randomized clinical trials for the prevention of nausea and vomiting induced by MEC or HEC, 1374 adult patients received a single dose of Palonosetron Hydrochloride Injection, ondansetron (Studies 1 and 3) or dolasetron (Study 2) administered 30 minutes prior to chemotherapy [see Clinical Studies (14.1) ] . Adverse reactions were similar in frequency and severity in all 3 treatment groups. Common adverse reactions reported in at least 2% of patients in these trials are shown in Table 2. Table 2: Common Adverse Reactions Reported in at least 2% of patients in any treatment group in Adults with Receiving MEC (Studies 1 and 2) or HEC (Study 3) Adverse Reaction Palonosetron Hydrochloride Injection 0.25 mg intravenously (N=633) Ondansetron 32 mg intravenously (N=410) Dolasetron 100 mg intravenously (N=194) Headache 9% 8% 16% Constipation 5% 2% 6% Diarrhea 1% 2% 2% Dizziness 1% 2% 2% Fatigue < 1% 1% 2% Abdominal Pain < 1% < 1% 2% Insomnia < 1% 1% 2% Less common adverse reactions, reported in 1% or less of patients, in Studies 1, 2 and 3 were: Cardiovascular: non-sustained tachycardia, bradycardia, hypotension, hypertension, myocardial ischemia, extrasystoles, sinus tachycardia, sinus arrhythmia, supraventricular extrasystoles and QT prolongation. Dermatological: allergic dermatitis, rash Hearing and Vision: motion sickness, tinnitus, eye irritation and amblyopia Gastrointestinal System: diarrhea, dyspepsia, abdominal pain, dry mouth, hiccups and flatulence General: weakness, fatigue, fever, hot flash, flu-like syndrome Liver: transient, asymptomatic increases in AST and/or ALT and bilirubin. These changes occurred predominantly in patients receiving highly emetogenic chemotherapy Metabolic: hyperkalemia, electrolyte fluctuations, hyperglycemia, metabolic acidosis, glycosuria, appetite decrease, anorexia Musculoskeletal: arthralgia Nervous System: dizziness, somnolence, insomnia, hypersomnia, paresthesia Psychiatric: anxiety, euphoric mood Urinary System: urinary retention Vascular: vein discoloration, vein distention In other studies, 2 subjects experienced severe constipation following a single Palonosetron Hydrochloride Injection dose of approximately 0.75 mg (three times the recommended dose). Pediatrics Aged 2 Months to 17 Years In a pediatric clinical trial, 163 pediatric cancer patients with a mean age of 8 years received a single 20 mcg/kg (maximum 1.5 mg) intravenous infusion of Palonosetron Hydrochloride Injection 30 minutes before beginning the first cycle of emetogenic chemotherapy [see Clinical Studies (14.2) ] . Adverse reactions were evaluated in pediatric patients receiving Palonosetron Hydrochloride Injection for up to 4 chemotherapy cycles. The following adverse reactions were reported in less than 1% of patients: Nervous System: headache, dizziness, dyskinesia. General: infusion site pain. Dermatological: allergic dermatitis, skin disorder. Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting The most common adverse reactions reported in at least 2% of adults receiving...

Drug Interactions

7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Serotonergic Drugs : Monitor for serotonin syndrome; if symptoms occur, discontinue Palonosetron Hydrochloride Injection and initiate supportive treatment. ( 7.1 ) 7.1 Serotonergic Drugs Serotonin syndrome (including altered mental status, autonomic instability, and neuromuscular symptoms) has been described following the concomitant use of 5-HT 3 receptor antagonists and other serotonergic drugs, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). Monitor for the emergence of serotonin syndrome. If symptoms occur, discontinue Palonosetron Hydrochloride Injection and initiate supportive treatment [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 ) ] .

Contraindications

4 CONTRAINDICATIONS Palonosetron Hydrochloride Injection is contraindicated in patients known to have hypersensitivity to palonosetron [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] . Hypersensitivity to palonosetron or any of its components ( 4 )

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary There are no available data on palonosetron HCl use in pregnant women to inform a drug-associated risk. In animal reproduction studies, no effects on embryo-fetal development were observed with the administration of oral palonosetron HCl during the period of organogenesis at doses up to 1,894 and 3,789 times the recommended human intravenous dose in rats and rabbits, respectively (see Data ). 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 Animal Data In animal reproduction studies, no effects on embryo-fetal development were observed in pregnant rats given oral palonosetron HCl at doses up to 60 mg/kg/day (1,894 times the recommended human intravenous dose based on body surface area) or pregnant rabbits given oral doses up to 60 mg/kg/day (3,789 times the recommended human intravenous dose based on body surface area) during the period of organogenesis.

8.2 Lactation Risk Summary There are no data on the presence of palonosetron in human milk, the effects of palonosetron on the breastfed infant, or the effects of palonosetron on milk production. The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother’s clinical need for Palonosetron Hydrochloride Injection and any potential adverse effect on the breastfed infant from palonosetron or from the underlying maternal condition.

Overdosage

10 OVERDOSAGE There is no known antidote to palonosetron. Overdose should be managed with supportive care. Dialysis studies have not been performed, however, due to the large volume of distribution, dialysis is unlikely to be an effective treatment for palonosetron overdose. A single intravenous dose of palonosetron HCl at 30 mg/kg (947 and 474 times the human dose for rats and mice, respectively, based on body surface area) was lethal to rats and mice. The major signs of toxicity were convulsions, gasping, pallor, cyanosis and collapse.

How Supplied

16 HOW SUPPLIED/STORAGE AND HANDLING Palonosetron Hydrochloride Injection is supplied as a sterile, clear and colorless solution: 0.25 mg palonosetron in 5 mL (0.05 mg/mL) in a single-dose vial individually packaged in a carton (NDC # 60505-6193-1). 0.25 mg palonosetron in 5 mL (0.05 mg/mL) in single-dose vial packaged in a carton containing 10 vials (NDC # 60505-6193-4). Storage Discard Unused Portion. Store at 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F); excursions permitted between 15° to 30°C (59° to 86°F) [See USP Controlled Room Temperature]. Protect from freezing. Protect from light.

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.