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BKEMV is a brand name for Eculizumab. The medicine, its uses, side effects and dosage are the same regardless of brand.
Used for: 1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE BKEMV is a complement inhibitor indicated for: The treatment of patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) to reduce hemolysis. ( 1.1 ) The treatment of patients with atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) to inhibit complement-mediated thrombotic microangiopathy. ( 1.2 )…
Verbatim from this product's FDA label. Tap a section to expand.
1) ]. If urgent BKEMV therapy is indicated in a patient who is not up to date with meningococcal vaccines according to ACIP recommendations, provide the patient with antibacterial drug prophylaxis and administer these vaccines as soon as possible.
2) ]. 7) ] as follows: 600 mg weekly for the first 4 weeks, followed by 900 mg for the fifth dose 1 week later, then 900 mg every 2 weeks thereafter. 4) ]. 7) ] as follows: 900 mg weekly for the first 4 weeks, followed by 1,200 mg for the fifth dose 1 week later, then 1,200 mg every 2 weeks thereafter.
4 Recommended Dosage for Pediatric Patients – aHUS The recommended dosage of BKEMV for the treatment of aHUS in pediatric patients less than 18 years of age is administered as an intravenous infusion based upon body weight, according to the following schedule (Table 1): Table 1: Dosing Recommendations in Pediatric Patients Less Than 18 Years of Age with aHUS Patient Body Weight Induction Maintenance 40 kg and over 900 mg weekly for the first 4 weeks 1,200 mg at week 5; then 1,200 mg every 2 weeks 30 kg to less than 40 kg 600 mg weekly for the first 2 weeks 900 mg at week 3; then 900 mg every 2 weeks 20 kg to less than 30 kg 600 mg weekly for the first 2 weeks 600 mg at week 3; then 600 mg every 2 weeks 10 kg to less than 20 kg 600 mg single dose at Week 1 300 mg at week 2; then 300 mg every 2 weeks 5 kg to less than 10 kg 300 mg single dose at Week 1 300 mg at week 2; then 300 mg every 3 weeks Administer BKEMV at the recommended dosage regimen time points, or within two days of these time points.
5 Dose Adjustment in Case of Plasmapheresis, Plasma Exchange, Fresh Frozen Plasma Infusion or IVIg For adult and pediatric patients with aHUS, and adult patients with gMG, supplemental dosing of BKEMV is required in the setting of concomitant plasmapheresis or plasma exchange, or fresh frozen plasma infusion (PE/PI) (Table 2).
Table 2:
Supplemental Dose of BKEMV after Plasmapheresis/PE/PI Type of Plasma Intervention Most Recent BKEMV Dose Supplemental BKEMV Dose with Each Plasma Intervention Timing of Supplemental BKEMV Dose Plasmapheresis or plasma exchange 300 mg 300 mg per each plasmapheresis or plasma exchange session Within 60 minutes after each plasmapheresis or plasma exchange 600 mg or greater 600 mg per each plasmapheresis or plasma exchange session Fresh frozen plasma infusion 300 mg or greater 300 mg per infusion of fresh frozen plasma 60 minutes prior to each infusion of fresh frozen plasma For patients with gMG, a supplemental dose of BKEMV is required in the setting of concomitant use of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) treatment as described in Table 3.
6) ] The most frequently reported adverse reactions in the PNH randomized trial (≥10% overall and greater than placebo) are: headache, nasopharyngitis, back pain, and nausea. 1 ) The most frequently reported adverse reactions in aHUS single arm prospective trials (≥20%) are: headache, diarrhea, hypertension, upper respiratory infection, abdominal pain, vomiting, nasopharyngitis, anemia, cough, peripheral edema, nausea, urinary tract infections, pyrexia.
1 ) The most frequently reported adverse reaction in the gMG placebo-controlled clinical trial (≥10%) in adult patients is musculoskeletal pain. gov/medwatch . 1 Clinical Trial 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.
Meningococcal infections are the most important adverse reactions experienced by patients receiving eculizumab. In PNH clinical studies, two patients experienced meningococcal sepsis. Both patients had previously received a meningococcal vaccine.
In clinical studies among patients without PNH, meningococcal meningitis occurred in one unvaccinated patient. 1) ]. PNH The data described below reflect exposure to eculizumab in 196 adult patients with PNH, age 18-85, of whom 55% were female.
All had signs or symptoms of intravascular hemolysis. Eculizumab was studied in a placebo-controlled clinical study (PNH Study 1, in which 43 patients received eculizumab and 44, placebo); a single arm clinical study (PNH Study 2); and a long-term extension study (E05-001).
One hundred and eighty two patients were exposed for greater than one year. All patients received the recommended eculizumab dose regimen. Table 5 summarizes the adverse reactions that occurred at a numerically higher rate in the eculizumab group than the placebo group and at a rate of 5% or more among patients treated with eculizumab.
5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Use caution when administering BKEMV to patients with any other systemic infection. 3 ) Infusion-Related Reactions: Monitor patients during infusion, interrupt for reactions, and institute appropriate supportive measures.
1 Serious Meningococcal Infections Eculizumab products, complement inhibitors, increase a patient's susceptibility to serious, life-threatening, or fatal infections caused by meningococcal bacteria (septicemia and/or meningitis) in any serogroup, including non-groupable strains.
Life-threatening and fatal meningococcal infections have occurred in both vaccinated and unvaccinated patients treated with complement inhibitors. The initiation of BKEMV treatment is contraindicated in patients with unresolved serious Neisseria meningitidis infection.
Complete or update meningococcal vaccination (for serogroups A, C, W, Y and B) at least 2 weeks prior to administration of the first dose of BKEMV, according to current ACIP recommendations for patients receiving a complement inhibitor.
Revaccinate patients in accordance with ACIP recommendations considering the duration of therapy with BKEMV. Note that ACIP recommends an administration schedule in patients receiving complement inhibitors that differs from the administration schedule in the vaccine prescribing information.
If urgent BKEMV therapy is indicated in a patient who is not up to date with meningococcal vaccines according to ACIP recommendations, provide the patient with antibacterial drug prophylaxis and administer meningococcal vaccines as soon as possible.
Various durations and regimens of antibacterial drug prophylaxis have been considered, but the optimal durations and drug regimens for prophylaxis and their efficacy have not been studied in unvaccinated or vaccinated patients receiving complement inhibitors, including eculizumab products.
1) ]. BKEMV is contraindicated for initiation in patients with unresolved serious Neisseria meningitidis infection. ( 4 )
Not medical advice. Always read the patient information leaflet and follow your prescriber or pharmacist.
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6 Preparation Dilute BKEMV to a final admixture concentration of 5 mg/mL using the following steps: Withdraw the required amount of BKEMV from the vial into a sterile syringe. Transfer the recommended dose to an infusion bag. 45% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP; 5% Dextrose in Water Injection, USP; or Ringer's Injection, USP to the infusion bag.
The final admixed BKEMV 5 mg/mL infusion volume is 60 mL for 300 mg doses, 120 mL for 600 mg doses, 180 mL for 900 mg doses or 240 mL for 1,200 mg doses (Table 4).
Table 4:
Preparation and Reconstitution of BKEMV BKEMV Dose Diluent Volume Final Volume 300 mg 30 mL 60 mL 600 mg 60 mL 120 mL 900 mg 90 mL 180 mL 1,200 mg 120 mL 240 mL Gently invert the infusion bag containing the diluted BKEMV solution to ensure thorough mixing of the product and diluent.
Discard any unused portion left in a vial, as the product contains no preservatives. Prior to administration, the admixture should be allowed to adjust to room temperature [18°C to 25°C (64°F to 77°F)]. The admixture must not be heated in a microwave or with any heat source other than ambient air temperature.
Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration, whenever solution and container permit. 7 Administration Only administer as an intravenous infusion. Do not administer as an intravenous push or bolus injection.
Administer the BKEMV admixture by intravenous infusion over 35 minutes in adults and 1 to 4 hours in pediatric patients via gravity feed, a syringe-type pump, or an infusion pump. Admixed solutions of BKEMV are stable for 64 hours at 2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F) or 24 hours at room temperature.
If an adverse reaction occurs during the administration of BKEMV, the infusion may be slowed or stopped at the discretion of the physician. If the infusion is slowed, the total infusion time should not exceed two hours in adults. Monitor the patient for at least one hour following completion of the infusion for signs or symptoms of an infusion-related reaction.
Table 5:
Adverse Reactions Reported in 5% or More of Eculizumab Treated Patients with PNH and Greater than Placebo in the Controlled Clinical Study Reaction Eculizumab (N = 43) N (%) Placebo (N = 44) N (%) Headache 19 (44) 12 (27) Nasopharyngitis 10 (23) 8 (18) Back pain 8 (19) 4 (9) Nausea 7 (16) 5 (11) Fatigue 5 (12) 1 (2) Cough 5 (12) 4 (9) Herpes simplex infections 3 (7) 0 Sinusitis 3 (7) 0 Respiratory tract infection 3 (7) 1 (2) Constipation 3 (7) 2 (5) Myalgia 3 (7) 1 (2) Pain in extremity 3 (7) 1 (2) Influenza-like illness 2 (5) 1 (2) In the placebo-controlled clinical study, serious adverse reactions occurred among 4 (9%) patients receiving eculizumab and 9 (21%) patients receiving placebo.
The serious reactions included infections and progression of PNH. No deaths occurred in the study and no patients receiving eculizumab experienced a thrombotic event; one thrombotic event occurred in a patient receiving placebo. Among 193 patients with PNH treated with eculizumab in the single arm, clinical study or the follow-up study, the adverse reactions were similar to those reported in the placebo-controlled clinical study.
Serious adverse reactions occurred among 16% of the patients in these studies. The most common serious adverse reactions were: viral infection (2%), headache (2%), anemia (2%), and pyrexia (2%). aHUS The safety of eculizumab therapy in patients with aHUS was evaluated in four prospective, single-arm studies, three in adult and adolescent patients (Studies C08-002A/B, C08-003A/B, and C10-004), one in pediatric and adolescent patients (Study C10-003), and one retrospective study (Study C09-001r).
The data described below were derived from 78 adult and adolescent patients with aHUS in Studies C08-002A/B, C08-003A/B and C10-004. All patients received the recommended dosage of eculizumab. Median exposure was 67 weeks (range: 2-145 weeks).
Table 6 summarizes all adverse events reported in at least 10% of patients in Studies C08-002A/B, C08-003A/B and C10-004 combined.
Table 6:
Per Patient Incidence of Adverse Events in 10% or More Adult and Adolescent Patients Enrolled in Studies C08-002A/B, C08-003A/B and C10-004 Separately and in Total Number (%) of Patients C08-002A/B (N = 17) C08-003A/B (N = 20) C10-004 (N = 41) Total (N = 78) Vascular Disorders Hypertension includes the preferred terms hypertension, accelerated hypertension, and malignant hypertension.
10 (59) 9 (45) 7 (17) 26 (33) Hypotension 2 (12) 4 (20) 7 (17) 13 (17) Infections and Infestations Bronchitis 3 (18) 2 (10) 4 (10) 9 (12) Nasopharyngitis 3 (18) 11 (55) 7 (17) 21 (27) Gastroenteritis 3 (18) 4 (20) 2 (5) 9 (12) Upper respiratory tract infection 5 (29) 8 (40) 2 (5) 15 (19) Urinary tract infection 6 (35) 3 (15) 8 (20) 17 (22) Gastrointestinal Disorders Diarrhea 8 (47) 8 (40) 12 (32) 29 (37) Vomiting 8 (47) 9 (45) 6 (15) 23 (30) Nausea 5 (29) 8 (40) 5 (12) 18 (23) Abdominal pain 3 (18) 6 (30) 6 (15) 15 (19) Nervous System Disorders Headache 7 (41) 10 (50) 15 (37) 32 (41) Blood and Lymphatic System Disorders Anemia 6 (35) 7 (35) 7 (17) 20 (26) Leukopenia 4 (24) 3 (15) 5 (12) 12 (15) Psychiatric Disorders Insomnia 4 (24) 2 (10) 5 (12) 11 (14) Renal and Urinary Disorders Renal Impairment 5 (29) 3 (15) 6 (15) 14 (18) Proteinuria 2 (12) 1 (5) 5 (12) 8 (10) Respiratory, Thoracic and Mediastinal Disorders Cough 4 (24) 6 (30) 8 (20) 18 (23) General Disorders and Administration Site Conditions Fatigue 3 (18) 4 (20) 3 (7) 10 (13) Peripheral edema 5 (29) 4 (20) 9 (22) 18 (23) Pyrexia 4 (24) 5 (25) 7 (17) 16 (21) Asthenia 3 (18) 4 (20) 6 (15) 13 (17) Eye Disorder 5 (29) 2 (10) 8 (20) 15 (19) Metabolism and Nutrition Disorders Hypokalemia 3 (18) 2 (10) 4 (10) 9 (12) Neoplasms benign, malignant, and unspecified (including cysts and polyps) 1 (6) 6 (30) 1 (20) 8 (10) Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders Rash 2 (12) 3 (15) 6 (15) 11 (14) Pruritus 1 (6) 3 (15) 4 (10) 8 (10) Musculoskeletal and Connective Tissue Disorders Arthralgia 1 (6) 2 (10) 7 (17) 10 (13) Back pain 3 (18) 3 (15) 2 (5) 8 (10) In Studies C08-002A/B, C08-003A/B and C10-004 combined, 60% (47/78) of patients experienced a serious adverse event (SAE).
The most commonly reported SAEs were infections (24%), hypertension (5%), chronic renal failure (5%), and renal impairment (5%). Five patients discontinued eculizumab due to adverse events; three due to worsening renal function, one due to new diagnosis of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, and one due to meningococcal meningitis.
Study C10-003 included 22 pediatric and adolescent patients, of which 18 patients were less than 12 years of age. All patients received the recommended dosage of eculizumab. Median exposure was 44 weeks (range: 1 dose-87 weeks). Table 7 summarizes all adverse events reported in at least 10% of patients enrolled in Study C10-003.
Table 7:
Per Patient Incidence of Adverse Reactions in 10% or More Patients Enrolled in Study C10-003 1 month to <12 yrs (N = 18) Total (N = 22) Eye Disorders 3 (17) 3 (14) Gastrointestinal Disorders Abdominal pain 6 (33) 7 (32) Diarrhea 5 (28) 7 (32) Vomiting 4 (22) 6 (27) Dyspepsia 0 3 (14) General Disorders and Administration Site Conditions Pyrexia 9 (50) 11 (50) Infections and Infestations Upper respiratory tract infection 5 (28) 7 (32) Nasopharyngitis 3 (17) 6 (27) Rhinitis 4 (22) 4 (18) Urinary Tract infection 3 (17) 4 (18) Catheter site infection 3 (17) 3 (14) Musculoskeletal and Connective Tissue Disorders Muscle spasms 2 (11) 3 (14) Nervous System Disorders Headache 3 (17) 4 (18) Renal and Urinary Disorders 3 (17) 4 (18) Respiratory, Thoracic and Mediastinal Disorders Cough 7 (39) 8 (36) Oropharyngeal pain 1 (6) 3 (14) Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders Rash 4 (22) 4 (18) Vascular Disorders Hypertension 4 (22) 4 (18) In Study C10-003, 59% (13/22) of patients experienced a serious adverse event (SAE).
The most commonly reported SAEs were hypertension (9%), viral gastroenteritis (9%), pyrexia (9%), and upper respiratory infection (9%). One patient discontinued eculizumab due to an adverse event (severe agitation). Analysis of retrospectively collected adverse event data from pediatric and adult patients enrolled in Study C09-001r (N = 30) revealed a safety profile that was similar to that which was observed in the two prospective studies.
Study C09-001r included 19 pediatric patients less than 18 years of age. Overall, the safety of eculizumab in pediatric patients with aHUS enrolled in Study C09-001r appeared similar to that observed in adult patients. The most common (≥15%) adverse events occurring in pediatric patients are presented in Table 8.
Table 8:
Adverse Reactions Occurring in at Least 15% of Patients Less than 18 Years of Age Enrolled in Study C09-001r Number (%) of Patients <2 yrs (N = 5) 2 to <12 yrs (N = 10) 12 to <18 yrs (N = 4) Total (N = 19) General Disorders and Administration Site Conditions Pyrexia 4 (80) 4 (40) 1 (25) 9 (47) Gastrointestinal Disorders Diarrhea 1 (20) 4 (40) 1 (25) 6 (32) Vomiting 2 (40) 1 (10) 1 (25) 4 (21) Infections and Infestations Upper respiratory tract infection includes the preferred terms upper respiratory tract infection and nasopharyngitis.
3) ] . Patients were 19 to 79 years of age, and 66% were female. Table 9 displays the most common adverse reactions from gMG Study 1 that occurred in ≥ 5% of eculizumab-treated patients and at a greater frequency than on placebo.
Table 9:
Adverse Reactions Reported in 5% or More of Eculizumab-Treated Patients in Study ECU-MG-301 and at a Greater Frequency than in Placebo-Treated Patients Eculizumab (N = 62) N(%) Placebo (N = 63) N(%) Gastrointestinal Disorders Abdominal pain 5 (8) 3 (5) General Disorders and Administration Site Conditions Peripheral edema 5 (8) 3 (5) Pyrexia 4 (7) 2 (3) Infections and Infestations Herpes simplex virus infections 5 (8) 1 (2) Injury, Poisoning, and Procedural Complications Contusion 5 (8) 2 (3) Musculoskeletal and Connective Tissue Disorders Musculoskeletal pain 9 (15) 5 (8) The most common adverse reactions (≥ 10%) that occurred in eculizumab-treated patients in the long-term extension to Study ECU-MG-301, Study ECU-MG-302, and that are not included in Table 8 were headache (26%), nasopharyngitis (24%), diarrhea (15%), arthralgia (12%), upper respiratory tract infection (11%), and nausea (10%).
2 Postmarketing Experience The following adverse reactions have been identified during post-approval use of eculizumab products. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to eculizumab products exposure.
Adverse Reactions from Postmarketing Spontaneous Reports Fatal or serious infections: Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Neisseria meningitidis, Neisseria sicca/subflava, Neisseria spp unspecified. Cases of cholestatic or mixed pattern liver injury with increased serum liver enzymes and bilirubin levels have been reported in adult and pediatric patients with aHUS who were treated with eculizumab products.
These events occurred within 3 to 27 days after starting treatment. The median time to resolution (or return to baseline) was approximately 3 weeks.
The benefits and risks of treatment with BKEMV, as well as the benefits and risks of antibacterial drug prophylaxis in unvaccinated or vaccinated patients, must be considered against the known risks for serious infections caused by Neisseria meningitidis .
Vaccination does not eliminate the risk of serious meningococcal infections, despite development of antibodies following vaccination. Closely monitor patients for early signs and symptoms of meningococcal infection and evaluate patients immediately if infection is suspected.
Inform patients of these signs and symptoms and instruct patients to seek immediate medical care if these signs and symptoms occur. Promptly treat known infections. Meningococcal infection may become rapidly life-threatening or fatal if not recognized and treated early.
Consider interruption of BKEMV in patients who are undergoing treatment for serious meningococcal infection, depending on the risks of interrupting treatment in the disease being treated. 2) ] . 1) ] .
Notable requirements of the BKEMV REMS include the following:
Prescribers must enroll in the REMS. Prescribers must counsel patients about the risk of serious meningococcal infection. Prescribers must provide the patients with the REMS educational materials. Prescribers must assess patient vaccination status for meningococcal vaccines (against serogroups A, C, W, Y and B) and vaccinate if needed according to current ACIP recommendations 2 weeks prior to the first dose of BKEMV.
Prescribers must provide a prescription for antibacterial drug prophylaxis if treatment must be started urgently and the patient is not up to date with meningococcal vaccines according to current ACIP recommendations at least two weeks prior to the first dose of BKEMV.
Healthcare settings and pharmacies that dispense BKEMV must be certified in the REMS and must verify prescribers are certified. Patients must receive counseling from the prescriber about the need to receive meningococcal vaccines per ACIP recommendations, the need to take antibiotics as directed by the prescriber, and the signs and symptoms of meningococcal infection.
Patients must be instructed to carry the Patient Safety Card with them at all times during and for 3 months following treatment with BKEMV. com or 1-866-718-6927. 3 Other Infections Serious infections with Neisseria species (other than Neisseria meningitidis ), including disseminated gonococcal infections, have been reported.
Eculizumab products block terminal complement activation; therefore, patients may have increased susceptibility to infections, especially with encapsulated bacteria, such as infections with Neisseria meningitidis but also Streptococcus pneumoniae , Haemophilus influenzae , and to a lesser extent, Neisseria gonorrhoeae .
Additionally, Aspergillus infections have occurred in immunocompromised and neutropenic patients. Children treated with eculizumab products may be at increased risk of developing serious infections due to Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib).
Administer vaccinations for the prevention of Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) infections according to ACIP recommendations. Patients receiving eculizumab products are at increased risk for infections due to these organisms, even if they develop antibodies following vaccination.
4 Monitoring Disease Manifestations after BKEMV Discontinuation Treatment Discontinuation for PNH Monitor patients after discontinuing BKEMV for at least 8 weeks to detect hemolysis. Treatment Discontinuation for aHUS After discontinuing BKEMV, monitor patients with aHUS for signs and symptoms of thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) complications for at least 12 weeks.
In aHUS clinical trials, 18 patients (5 in the prospective studies) discontinued eculizumab treatment. TMA complications occurred following a missed dose in 5 patients, and eculizumab was reinitiated in 4 of these 5 patients. Clinical signs and symptoms of TMA include changes in mental status, seizures, angina, dyspnea, or thrombosis.
In addition, the following changes in laboratory parameters may identify a TMA complication: occurrence of two, or repeated measurement of any one of the following: a decrease in platelet count by 25% or more compared to baseline or the peak platelet count during BKEMV treatment; an increase in serum creatinine by 25% or more compared to baseline or nadir during BKEMV treatment; or, an increase in serum LDH by 25% or more over baseline or nadir during BKEMV treatment.
If TMA complications occur after BKEMV discontinuation, consider reinstitution of BKEMV treatment, plasma therapy [plasmapheresis, plasma exchange, or fresh frozen plasma infusion (PE/PI)], or appropriate organ-specific supportive measures.
5 Thrombosis Prevention and Management The effect of withdrawal of anticoagulant therapy during eculizumab products treatment has not been established. Therefore, treatment with eculizumab products should not alter anticoagulant management.
6 Infusion-Related Reactions Administration of eculizumab products may result in infusion-related reactions, including anaphylaxis or other hypersensitivity reactions. In clinical trials, no patients experienced an infusion-related reaction which required discontinuation of eculizumab.
Interrupt BKEMV infusion and institute appropriate supportive measures if signs of cardiovascular instability or respiratory compromise occur.