Vemurafenib
FDA Drug Information • Also known as: Zelboraf
- Brand Names
- Zelboraf
- Drug Class
- Kinase Inhibitor [EPC]
- Route
- ORAL
- Dosage Form
- TABLET, FILM COATED
- Product Type
- HUMAN PRESCRIPTION DRUG
Description
11 DESCRIPTION ZELBORAF (vemurafenib) is a kinase inhibitor available as 240 mg tablets for oral use. Vemurafenib has the chemical name propane-1-sulfonic acid {3-[5-(4-chlorophenyl)-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine-3-carbonyl]- 2,4-difluoro-phenyl}-amide. It has the molecular formula C 23 H 18 ClF 2 N 3 O 3 S and a molecular weight of 489.9. Vemurafenib has the following chemical structure: Vemurafenib is a white to off-white crystalline solid. It is practically insoluble in aqueous media. Tablets of ZELBORAF are for oral administration. Each tablet contains 240 mg of vemurafenib. The inactive ingredients of ZELBORAF are: Tablet core: hypromellose acetate succinate, croscarmellose sodium, colloidal silicon dioxide, magnesium stearate, and hydroxypropyl cellulose. Coating: pinkish white: poly (vinyl alcohol), titanium dioxide, polyethylene glycol 3350, talc, and iron oxide red. Chemical Structure
What Is Vemurafenib Used For?
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE ZELBORAF ® is a kinase inhibitor indicated for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma with BRAF V600E mutation as detected by an FDA-approved test. ( 1.1 , 2.1 ) ZELBORAF ® is indicated for the treatment of patients with Erdheim- Chester Disease with BRAF V600 mutation. ( 1.2 , 2.1 ) Limitation of Use: ZELBORAF is not indicated for treatment of patients with wild-type BRAF melanoma ( 2.1 , 5.2 ) 1.1 Unresectable or Metastatic Melanoma ZELBORAF ® is indicated for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma with BRAF V600E mutation as detected by an FDA-approved test. Limitation of Use: ZELBORAF is not indicated for treatment of patients with wild-type BRAF melanoma [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] . 1.2 Erdheim-Chester Disease ZELBORAF ® is indicated for the treatment of patients with Erdheim-Chester Disease (ECD) with BRAF V600 mutation.
Dosage and Administration
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Confirm the presence of BRAF V600E mutation in tumor specimens prior to initiation of treatment with ZELBORAF. ( 2.1 ) Recommended dose: 960 mg orally twice daily taken approximately 12 hours apart with or without a meal. ( 2.2 ) 2.1 Patient Selection for Treatment of Melanoma Confirm the presence of BRAF V600E mutation in melanoma tumor specimens prior to initiation of treatment with ZELBORAF [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] . Information on FDA-approved tests for the detection of BRAF V600 mutations in melanoma is available at http://www.fda.gov/CompanionDiagnostics. 2.2 Recommended Dose The recommended dose of ZELBORAF is 960 mg (four 240 mg tablets) orally every 12 hours with or without a meal. A missed dose can be taken up to 4 hours prior to the next dose. Treat patients with ZELBORAF until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity occurs. Do not take an additional dose if vomiting occurs after ZELBORAF administration, but continue with the next scheduled dose. Do not crush or chew the tablets. 2.3 Dose Modifications For New Primary Cutaneous Malignancies: No dose modifications are recommended. For Other Adverse Reactions: Permanently discontinue ZELBORAF for any of the following: Grade 4 adverse reaction, first appearance (if clinically appropriate) or second appearance QTc prolongation > 500 ms and increased by > 60 ms from pre-treatment values [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ] Withhold ZELBORAF for NCI-CTCAE (v4.0) intolerable Grade 2 or greater adverse reactions. Upon recovery to Grade 0–1, restart ZELBORAF at a reduced dose as follows: 720 mg twice daily for first appearance of intolerable Grade 2 or Grade 3 adverse reactions 480 mg twice daily for second appearance of Grade 2 (if intolerable) or Grade 3 adverse reactions or for first appearance of Grade 4 adverse reaction (if clinically appropriate) Do not dose reduce to below 480 mg twice daily. 2.4 Dose Modification for Strong CYP3A4 Inducers Avoid concomitant use of strong CYP3A4 inducers during treatment with ZELBORAF [see Drug Interactions (7.1) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . If concomitant use of a strong CYP3A4 inducer is unavoidable, increase the dose of ZELBORAF by 240 mg (one tablet) as tolerated. After discontinuation of a strong CYP3A4 inducer for two weeks, resume the ZELBORAF dose that was taken prior to initiating the strong CYP3A4 inducer.
Side Effects (Adverse Reactions)
6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following adverse reactions are discussed in greater detail in other sections of the label: New Primary Malignancies [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] Hypersensitivity Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] Dermatologic Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] QT Prolongation [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ] Hepatotoxicity [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6) ] Photosensitivity [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7) ] Ophthalmologic Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.8) ] Radiation Sensitization and Radiation Recall [see Warnings and Precautions (5.10) ] Renal Failure [see Warnings and Precautions (5.11) ] Dupuytren's Contracture and Plantar Fascial Fibromatosis [see Warnings and Precautions (5.12) ] Melanoma: Most common adverse reactions (≥ 30%) are arthralgia, rash, alopecia, fatigue, photosensitivity reaction, nausea, pruritus, and skin papilloma. ( 6.1 ) Erdheim-Chester Disease: Most common adverse reactions (>50%) are arthralgia, rash maculo-papular, alopecia, fatigue, electrocardiogram QT interval prolonged, and skin papilloma. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Genentech at 1-888-835-2555 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch . 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical studies are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical studies of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical studies of another drug and may not predict the rates observed in a broader patient population in clinical practice. Unresectable or Metastatic Melanoma with BRAF V600E Mutation This section describes adverse drug reactions (ADRs) identified from analyses of Trial 1 and Trial 2 [see Clinical Studies (14) ] . Trial 1 randomized (1:1) 675 treatment-naive patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma to receive ZELBORAF 960 mg orally twice daily or dacarbazine 1000 mg/m 2 intravenously every 3 weeks. In Trial 2, 132 patients with metastatic melanoma and failure of at least one prior systemic therapy received treatment with ZELBORAF 960 mg orally twice daily. Table 1 presents adverse reactions reported in at least 10% of unresectable or metastatic melanoma patients treated with ZELBORAF. The most common adverse reactions of any grade (≥ 30% in either study) in ZELBORAF-treated patients were arthralgia, rash, alopecia, fatigue, photosensitivity reaction, nausea, pruritus, and skin papilloma. The most common (≥ 5%) Grade 3 adverse reactions were cuSCC and rash. The incidence of Grade 4 adverse reactions was ≤ 4% in both studies. The incidence of adverse events resulting in permanent discontinuation of study medication in Trial 1 was 7% for the ZELBORAF arm and 4% for the dacarbazine arm. In Trial 2, the incidence of adverse events resulting in permanent discontinuation of study medication was 3% in ZELBORAF-treated patients. The median duration of study treatment was 4.2 months for ZELBORAF and 0.8 months for dacarbazine in Trial 1, and 5.7 months for ZELBORAF in Trial 2. Table 1 Adverse Reactions Reported in ≥ 10% of Unresectable or Metastatic Melanoma Patients Treated with ZELBORAF Adverse drug reactions, reported using MedDRA and graded using NCI-CTC-AE v 4.0 (NCI common toxicity criteria) for assessment of toxicity. ADRs Trial 1: Treatment-Naïve Patients Trial 2: Patients with Failure of at Least One Prior Systemic Therapy ZELBORAF n=336 Dacarbazine n=287 ZELBORAF n=132 All Grades (%) Grade 3 Grade 4 adverse reactions limited to gamma-glutamyltransferase increased (< 1% in Trial 1 and 4% in Trial 2). (%) All Grades (%) Grade 3 (%) All Grades (%) Grade 3 (%) Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders Rash 37 8 2 0 52 7 Photosensitivity reaction 33 3 4 0 49 3 Alopecia 45 < 1 2 0 36 0 Pruritus 23 1 1 0 30 2 Hyperkeratosis 24 1 < 1 0 28 0 Rash maculo-papular 9 2 < 1 0 21 6 Actinic keratosis 8 0 3 0 17 0 Dry skin 19 0 1 0 16 0 Rash papular 5 < 1 0 0 13 0 Erythema 14 0 2 0 8 0 Musculoskeletal and...
Drug Interactions
7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Avoid concomitant administration of ZELBORAF with strong CYP3A4 inhibitors or inducers. ( 7.1 ) CYP1A2 Substrates: ZELBORAF can increase concentrations of CYP1A2 substrates. Avoid concomitant use of ZELBORAF with CYP1A2 substrates with a narrow therapeutic window. If coadministration cannot be avoided, monitor closely for toxicities and consider dose reduction of CYP1A2 substrates. ( 7.2 ). 7.1 Effect of Strong CYP3A4 Inhibitors or Inducers on Vemurafenib Strong CYP3A4 Inhibitors Coadministration of a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor increased vemurafenib plasma concentrations and may lead to increased toxicity. Avoid coadministration of ZELBORAF with strong CYP3A4 inhibitors. If coadministration of a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor is unavoidable, consider dose reduction of ZELBORAF, if clinically indicated. [see Dosage and Administration (2.3) , Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . Strong CYP3A4 Inducers Coadministration of ZELBORAF with rifampin, a strong CYP3A4 inducer, decreased vemurafenib plasma concentrations and may result in decreased efficacy. Avoid coadministration of ZELBORAF with strong CYP3A4 inducers (e.g., phenytoin, carbamazepine, rifampin), and replace these drugs with alternative drugs when possible. If coadministration of a strong CYP3A4 inducer is unavoidable, increase the dose of ZELBORAF by 240 mg (one tablet) as tolerated [see Dosage and Administration (2.4) , Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . 7.2 Effect of Vemurafenib on CYP1A2 Substrates Coadministration of ZELBORAF with tizanidine, a sensitive CYP1A2 substrate, increased tizanidine systemic exposure by 4.7-fold. Avoid concomitant use of ZELBORAF with drugs having a narrow therapeutic window that are predominantly metabolized by CYP1A2 [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . If coadministration cannot be avoided, monitor closely for toxicities and consider a dose reduction of concomitant CYP1A2 substrates. 7.3 Concurrent Ipilimumab Increases in transaminases and bilirubin occurred in a majority of patients who received concurrent ipilimumab and ZELBORAF [see Warnings and Precautions Section 5.6 ]. 7.4 Effect of Vemurafenib on P-gp Substrates Coadministration of ZELBORAF with digoxin, a sensitive P-glycoprotein (P-gp) substrate, increased digoxin systemic exposure by 1.8-fold. Avoid concurrent use of P-gp substrates known to have narrow therapeutic indices. If use of these medications is unavoidable, consider dose reduction of P-gp substrates with narrow therapeutic indices.
Contraindications
4 CONTRAINDICATIONS None. None
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary Based on its mechanism of action, ZELBORAF can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.1) ] . There are no available data on the use of ZELBORAF in pregnant women to determine the drug-associated risk; however, placental transfer of vemurafenib to a fetus has been reported. Exposure to vemurafenib could not be achieved in animals at levels sufficient to fully address its potential toxicity in pregnant women. Advise pregnant women of the potential harm to a fetus. The estimated background risks of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population(s) are unknown. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2-4% and 15-20%, respectively. Data Animal Data Vemurafenib showed no evidence of developmental toxicity in rat fetuses at doses up to 250 mg/kg/day (approximately 1.3 times the clinical exposure at 960 mg twice daily based on AUC) or rabbit fetuses at doses up to 450 mg/kg/day (approximately 0.6 times the clinical exposure at 960 mg twice daily based on AUC). Fetal drug levels were 3–5% of maternal levels, indicating that vemurafenib has the potential to be transmitted from the mother to the developing fetus.
Overdosage
10 OVERDOSAGE There is no information on overdosage of ZELBORAF.
How Supplied
16 HOW SUPPLIED/STORAGE AND HANDLING ZELBORAF (vemurafenib) is supplied as 240 mg film-coated tablets with VEM debossed on one side. The following packaging configurations are available: NDC 50242-090-01 single bottle of 120 count NDC 50242-090-02 single bottle of 112 count Storage and Stability: Store at room temperature 20°C–25°C (68°F–77°F); excursions permitted between 15°C and 30°C (59°F and 86°F), See USP Controlled Room Temperature. Store in the original container with the lid tightly closed. Disposal of unused/expired medicines: The release of pharmaceuticals in the environment should be minimized. Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater and disposal through household waste should be avoided. Use established "collection systems," if available in your location.
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.