Taurolidine And Heparin
FDA Drug Information • Also known as: Defencath
- Brand Names
- Defencath
- Drug Class
- Anti-coagulant [EPC], Unfractionated Heparin [EPC]
- Route
- INTRALUMINAL
- Dosage Form
- SOLUTION
- Product Type
- HUMAN PRESCRIPTION DRUG
Description
11 DESCRIPTION DEFENCATH (taurolidine and heparin) CLS contains taurolidine, a thiadiazinane antimicrobial, and heparin sodium, an anti-coagulant. Taurolidine Taurolidine is an antimicrobial agent derived from the naturally occurring amino acid taurine. The chemical name is 4,4'-methylenebis(1,2,4-thiadiazinane)-1,1,1',1'-tetraoxide. The molecular weight is 284.36, and the molecular formula is C 7 H 16 N 4 O 4 S 2 . The structural formula of taurolidine is: Heparin Sodium Heparin is an anticoagulant consisting of heterogeneous group of straight-chain anionic mucopolysaccharides, called glycosaminoglycans. It is composed of polymers of alternating derivatives of α-D-glucosamido ( N -sulfated, O -sulfated, or N -acetylated) and O -sulfated uronic acid (α-L-iduronic acid or β-D-glucuronic acid). Heparin is derived from porcine intestinal mucosa. The structure of heparin sodium (representative subunits) is: DEFENCATH is for central venous catheter instillation use. DEFENCATH CLS is available as a sterile, non-pyrogenic, preservative-free, clear, aqueous-based solution of taurolidine and heparin with a pH of 5.5-6.5 in the following strengths: 3 mL of catheter lock solution in a single-dose vial containing taurolidine 40.5 mg/3 mL (13.5 mg/mL), and heparin 3,000 USP Units/3 mL (1,000 USP Units/mL) 5 mL of catheter lock solution in a single-dose vial containing taurolidine 67.5 mg/5 mL (13.5 mg/mL), and heparin 5,000 USP Units/5 mL (1,000 USP Units/mL) The heparin potency is determined by a biological assay using a USP reference standard based on units of heparin activity per milligram. The inactive ingredients are 26.1 mg/mL of citric acid, anhydrous (which is added to control pH and maintain the solubility of taurolidine),and may include hydrochloric acid and/or sodium hydroxide for pH adjustment. Figure1 Figure2
What Is Taurolidine And Heparin Used For?
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE LIMITED POPULATION: DEFENCATH ® is indicated to reduce the incidence of catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSI) in adult patients with kidney failure receiving chronic hemodialysis (HD) through a central venous catheter (CVC). This drug is indicated for use in a limited and specific population of patients [see Clinical Studies (14) ]. Limitations of Use The safety and effectiveness of DEFENCATH have not been established for use in populations other than adult patients with kidney failure receiving chronic HD through a CVC. LIMITED POPULATION: DEFENCATH is a combination of taurolidine, a thiadiazinane antimicrobial, and heparin, an anti-coagulant, indicated to reduce the incidence of catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSI) in adult patients with kidney failure receiving chronic hemodialysis (HD) through a central venous catheter (CVC). This drug is indicated for use in a limited and specific population of patients. ( 1 ) Limitations of Use The safety and effectiveness of DEFENCATH have not been established for use in populations other than adult patients with kidney failure receiving chronic HD through a CVC. ( 1 )
Dosage and Administration
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION DEFENCATH is for instillation into CVCs only [see Indications and Usage (1) ]. DEFENCATH is not intended for systemic administration. Do not use DEFENCATH as a catheter lock flush product. Withdraw a sufficient volume of DEFENCATH catheter lock solution (CLS) from the vial using a sterile needle and syringe to fill the catheter lumens. Use 3 mL or 5 mL single-dose vial (depending on the volume of the catheter lumens) to instill DEFENCATH into each catheter lumen at the conclusion of each HD session for patients with kidney failure requiring chronic HD. Prior to initiation of the next HD session, DEFENCATH should be aspirated from the catheter and discarded. If DEFENCATH cannot be aspirated, continue with standard of care CVC preparation and flush with normal saline. If a catheter malfunction is suspected, appropriate standard of care measures should be instituted. Each DEFENCATH single-dose vial is designed for use with a single patient as a single instillation in the CVC. Discard any unused portion of DEFENCATH remaining in the vial. DEFENCATH is for instillation into CVCs only. ( 2 ) DEFENCATH is not intended for systemic administration. ( 2 ) Do not use DEFENCATH as a catheter lock flush product. ( 2 ) Withdraw a sufficient volume of DEFENCATH catheter lock solution (CLS) from the vial using a sterile needle and syringe to fill the catheter lumens. ( 2 ) Use 3 mL or 5 mL single dose vial (depending on the volume of the catheter lumens) to instill DEFENCATH into each catheter lumen at the conclusion of each HD session. ( 2 ) DEFENCATH should be aspirated from the catheter and discarded prior to the initiation of the next HD session. ( 2 ) Discard any unused portion of DEFENCATH remaining in the vial. ( 2 )
Side Effects (Adverse Reactions)
6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following clinically significant adverse reactions are described elsewhere in the labeling: Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] Drug Hypersensitivity [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] The most frequently reported adverse reactions occurring in greater than or equal to 2% of patients in Trial 1 using DEFENCATH as a CLS were hemodialysis catheter malfunction, hemorrhage/bleeding, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, musculoskeletal chest pain, and thrombocytopenia. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact CorMedix Inc at 1-844-424-6345 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. Overview of the Safety Evaluation of DEFENCATH The safety of DEFENCATH was evaluated in a single, active-controlled, double-blind, randomized Phase 3 trial, LOCK-IT-100 (referred to as Trial 1), in adult patients with kidney failure receiving chronic HD through a CVC. In Trial 1, the safety population was comprised of 797 patients with 398 patients using DEFENCATH as a CLS and 399 using heparin as a CLS. Patients used DEFENCATH as a CLS for a mean duration of 173 days, and a range of 4 to 863 days. The mean age of the patients in Trial 1 was 61 years, 58% of patients identified as male (42% patients identified as female), 63% of patients identified as white and 30% identified as black or African-American. Patients with diabetes at baseline accounted for 70% of patients and the mean body mass index (BMI) of patients in the study was 30. The majority of patients (68%) had been receiving HD for 12 months or less. The location of the CVC was the jugular vein in 92% of patients. Serious Adverse Reactions and Adverse Reactions Leading to Discontinuation In Trial 1, serious adverse reactions occurred in 40% (159/398) of patients receiving DEFENCATH as a CLS and 42% (167/399) of patients receiving heparin as a CLS. Adverse reactions leading to death occurred in 5% (18/398) of patients in the DEFENCATH arm and 5% (21/399) of patients in the heparin arm. Adverse reactions leading to discontinuation of study drug occurred in 17% (69/398) of patients in the DEFENCATH arm and 18% (72/399) of patients in the heparin arm. Common Adverse Reactions In Trial 1, adverse reactions were reported in 79% (314/398) of patients using DEFENCATH as a CLS and 79% (315/399) of patients using heparin. Table 1 lists selected adverse reactions occurring in ≥2% of patients using DEFENCATH or heparin in Trial 1. Table 1: Selected Adverse Reactions Occurring in Greater Than or Equal to 2% of Patients Receiving DEFENCATH in Trial 1 Adverse Reactions DEFENCATH (N=398) N (%) Heparin (N=399) N (%) Product Issues Hemodialysis catheter malfunction Grouped term includes device malfunction 68 (17) 47 (12) Blood and lymphatic system disorders Hemorrhage/bleeding Grouped term includes: hematoma/hemorrhage, intracranial hemorrhage, arteriovenous graft or fistula site hemorrhage, catheter site hematoma/hemorrhage, cerebral/cerebellar hemorrhage, eye/conjunctival hemorrhage, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, hematuria, hemobilia, hemoptysis, renal hematoma, vaginal/uterine hemorrhage 27 (7) 34 (9) Thrombocytopenia 7 (2) 4 (1) Gastrointestinal disorders Nausea Grouped term includes nausea and procedural nausea 28 (7) 44 (11) Vomiting Grouped term includes vomiting and procedural vomiting 24 (6) 32 (8) Nervous system disorders Dizziness 22 (6) 16 (4) Musculoskeletal and Connective Tissue Disorders Musculoskeletal chest pain Grouped term Includes non-cardiac chest pain, musculoskeletal chest pain, chest discomfort 11 (3) 7 (2) Table 2 lists the proportion of patients in Trial 1 that developed loss of catheter patency defined as requiring use of...
Contraindications
4 CONTRAINDICATIONS DEFENCATH is contraindicated in patients with: Known heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] . Known hypersensitivity to taurolidine, heparin or the citrate excipient (components of DEFENCATH) or pork products [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ]. Known heparin-induced thrombocytopenia. ( 4 ) Known hypersensitivity to taurolidine, heparin or the citrate excipient (components of DEFENCATH), or pork products. ( 4 )
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary DEFENCATH is not intended for systemic administration. It is intended for use as a CLS in patients with kidney failure requiring chronic HD; therefore, maternal use is not expected to result in fetal exposure to the drug [see Dosage and Administration (2) ] . No animal reproduction study was conducted with DEFENCATH.
How Supplied
16 HOW SUPPLIED/STORAGE AND HANDLING DEFENCATH cathether lock solution is available in: 3 mL of catheter lock solution in a single-dose vial containing taurolidine 40.5 mg/3 mL (13.5 mg/mL), and heparin 3,000 USP Units/3 mL (1,000 USP Units/mL) (NDC 72990-103-03) 5 mL of catheter lock solution in a single-dose vial containing taurolidine 67.5 mg/5 mL (13.5 mg/mL), and heparin 5,000 USP Units/5 mL (1,000 USP Units/mL) (NDC 72990-105-05) Each vial contains a sterile, preservative-free, clear aqueous-based solution for instillation in central venous catheters. Each carton contains 10 single-dose vials. DEFENCATH vials must be stored at a controlled room temperature of 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F); excursions are permitted from 15°C to 30°C (59°F to 86°F) [see USP Controlled Room Temperature]. Do not freeze. DEFENCATH vials must be stored in the commercial carton, prior to the instillation in central venous catheters. Manufactured for: CorMedix Inc. 300 Connell Drive, Suite 4200 Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922
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.