HIGHLIGHTS OF PRESCRIBING INFORMATIONThese highlights do not include all the information needed to use ELLENCE safely and effectively. See full prescribing information for ELLENCE. ELLENCE® (epirubicin hydrochloride injection) Initial U.S. Approval: 1999 WARNING: CARDIAC TOXICITY, SECONDARY MALIGNANCIES, EXTRAVASATION AND TISSUE NECROSIS, and SEVERE MYELOSUPPRESSION
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Warnings and Precautions, Embryo-Fetal Toxicity (5.11) | 07/2019 |
INDICATIONS AND USAGEELLENCE is an anthracycline topoisomerase inhibitor indicated as a component of adjuvant therapy in patients with evidence of axillary node tumor involvement following resection of primary breast cancer (1).
ELLENCE is an anthracycline topoisomerase inhibitor indicated as a component of adjuvant therapy in patients with evidence of axillary node tumor involvement following resection of primary breast cancer (1).
DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION- The recommended starting dose of ELLENCE is 100 to 120 mg/m2. Dosage reductions are possible when given in certain combinations (2.2).
- Administer intravenously in repeated 3- to 4-week cycles, either total dose on Day 1 of each cycle, or divided equally and given on Days 1 and 8 of each cycle (2.2).
- Consider use of antiemetics when given in conjunction with other emetigenic drugs (2.1).
- Patients administered the 120 mg/m2 regimen of ELLENCE should receive prophylactic antibiotic therapy (2.1).
- Adjust dosage after the first treatment cycle based on hematologic and nonhematologic toxicities (2.3).
- Reduce dose in patients with hepatic impairment (2.3, 8.6).
- Consider lower doses in patients with severe renal impairment (2.3, 8.7).
- The recommended starting dose of ELLENCE is 100 to 120 mg/m2. Dosage reductions are possible when given in certain combinations (2.2).
- Administer intravenously in repeated 3- to 4-week cycles, either total dose on Day 1 of each cycle, or divided equally and given on Days 1 and 8 of each cycle (2.2).
- Consider use of antiemetics when given in conjunction with other emetigenic drugs (2.1).
- Patients administered the 120 mg/m2 regimen of ELLENCE should receive prophylactic antibiotic therapy (2.1).
- Adjust dosage after the first treatment cycle based on hematologic and nonhematologic toxicities (2.3).
- Reduce dose in patients with hepatic impairment (2.3, 8.6).
- Consider lower doses in patients with severe renal impairment (2.3, 8.7).
DOSAGE FORMS AND STRENGTHSInjection: 50 mg/25 mL (2 mg/mL), 200 mg/100 mL (2 mg/mL) solution in single-dose vials (3).
Injection: 50 mg/25 mL (2 mg/mL), 200 mg/100 mL (2 mg/mL) solution in single-dose vials (3).
CONTRAINDICATIONS
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS- Use in Patients with Hepatic Impairment: Monitor serum total bilirubin and AST levels before and during treatment with ELLENCE. In patients with elevated serum AST or serum total bilirubin, dosage reductions or discontinuation may be required (2.3, 5.5).
- Tumor Lysis Syndrome: Evaluate blood uric acid levels, potassium, calcium, phosphate, and creatinine after initial treatment. Consider hydration, urine alkalinization, and prophylaxis with allopurinol to minimize potential complications of hyperuricemia and tumor lysis syndrome (5.7).
- Thrombophlebitis and Thromboembolic Events: Thrombophlebitis and thromboembolic events, including pulmonary embolism (in some cases fatal) have been reported with the use of ELLENCE. Venous sclerosis may result from an injection into a small vessel or from repeated injections into the same vein (5.9).
- Administration of live or live-attenuated vaccines in patients immunocompromised by chemotherapeutic agents including ELLENCE, may result in serious or fatal infections (5.7).
- Potentiation of Radiation Toxicity and Radiation Recall: Administration of ELLENCE after previous radiation therapy may induce an inflammatory recall reaction at the site of the irradiation (5.10).
- Embryo-Fetal Toxicity: ELLENCE can cause fetal harm. Advise patients of the potential risk to a fetus and to use effective contraception. (5.11, 8.1, 8.3).
- Use in Patients with Hepatic Impairment: Monitor serum total bilirubin and AST levels before and during treatment with ELLENCE. In patients with elevated serum AST or serum total bilirubin, dosage reductions or discontinuation may be required (2.3, 5.5).
- Tumor Lysis Syndrome: Evaluate blood uric acid levels, potassium, calcium, phosphate, and creatinine after initial treatment. Consider hydration, urine alkalinization, and prophylaxis with allopurinol to minimize potential complications of hyperuricemia and tumor lysis syndrome (5.7).
- Thrombophlebitis and Thromboembolic Events: Thrombophlebitis and thromboembolic events, including pulmonary embolism (in some cases fatal) have been reported with the use of ELLENCE. Venous sclerosis may result from an injection into a small vessel or from repeated injections into the same vein (5.9).
- Administration of live or live-attenuated vaccines in patients immunocompromised by chemotherapeutic agents including ELLENCE, may result in serious or fatal infections (5.7).
- Potentiation of Radiation Toxicity and Radiation Recall: Administration of ELLENCE after previous radiation therapy may induce an inflammatory recall reaction at the site of the irradiation (5.10).
- Embryo-Fetal Toxicity: ELLENCE can cause fetal harm. Advise patients of the potential risk to a fetus and to use effective contraception. (5.11, 8.1, 8.3).
ADVERSE REACTIONSThe most common adverse reactions (≥10%) are leukopenia, neutropenia, anemia, thrombocytopenia, amenorrhea, lethargy, nausea/vomiting, mucositis, diarrhea, infection, conjunctivitis/keratitis, alopecia, local skin toxicity, and rash/itch (6).
To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Pfizer Inc at 1-800-438-1985 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.
The most common adverse reactions (≥10%) are leukopenia, neutropenia, anemia, thrombocytopenia, amenorrhea, lethargy, nausea/vomiting, mucositis, diarrhea, infection, conjunctivitis/keratitis, alopecia, local skin toxicity, and rash/itch (6).
To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Pfizer Inc at 1-800-438-1985 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.
DRUG INTERACTIONS
USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS
See 17 for PATIENT COUNSELING INFORMATION.
Revised: 7/2019