campath

Important safety information

Cytopenias : Obtain complete blood counts (CBC) and platelet counts at weekly intervals during therapy and CD4 counts after therapy until recovery to ≥200 cells/µL. Withhold for severe cytopenias. Discontinue for autoimmune or severe hematologic adverse reactions. ( 2.2 , 5.1 ) Immunosuppression/Infections : CAMPATH induces severe and prolonged lymphopenia and increases risk of infection. If a serious infection occurs, withhold treatment until infection resolves. ( 5.3 ) Immunization : Do not administer live viral vaccines to patients who have recently received CAMPATH. ( 5.4 ) 5.1 Cytopenias Severe, including fatal, autoimmune anemia and thrombocytopenia, and prolonged myelosuppression have been reported in patients receiving CAMPATH. In addition, hemolytic anemia, pure red cell aplasia, bone marrow aplasia, and hypoplasia have been reported after treatment with CAMPATH at the recommended dose. Single doses of CAMPATH greater than 30 mg or cumulative doses greater than 90 mg per week increase the incidence of pancytopenia. Withhold CAMPATH for severe cytopenias (except lymphopenia). Discontinue for autoimmune cytopenias or recurrent/persistent severe cytopenias (except lymphopenia) [see Dosage and Administration (2.3) ] . No data exist on the safety of CAMPATH resumption in patients with autoimmune cytopenias or marrow aplasia [see Adverse Reactions (6.1) ] . Obtain complete blood counts (CBC) at weekly intervals during CAMPATH therapy and more frequently if worsening anemia, neutropenia, or thrombocytopenia occurs. Assess CD4+ counts after treatment until recovery to ≥200 cells/µL [see Dosage and Administration (2.3) and Adverse Reactions (6) ] . 5.2 Infusion-Related Reactions Adverse reactions occurring during or shortly after CAMPATH infusion include pyrexia, chills/rigors, nausea, hypotension, urticaria, dyspnea, rash, emesis, and bronchospasm [see Adverse Reactions (6.1) ] . In clinical trials, the frequency of infusion-related reactions was highest in the first week of treatment. Monitor for the signs and symptoms listed above and withhold infusion for Grade 3 or 4 infusion-related reactions. The following serious, including fatal, infusion-related reactions have been identified in postmarketing reports: syncope, pulmonary infiltrates, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), respiratory arrest, cardiac arrhythmias, myocardial infarction, acute cardiac insufficiency, cardiac arrest, angioedema, and anaphylactoid shock. Initiate CAMPATH according to the recommended dose-escalation scheme [see Dosage and Administration (2.1) ] . Premedicate patients with an antihistamine and acetaminophen prior to each dose. Institute appropriate medical management (e.g., glucocorticoids, epinephrine, meperidine) for infusion-related reactions as needed [see Dosage and Administration (2.2) ] . If therapy is interrupted for 7 or more days, reinstitute CAMPATH with gradual dose escalation [see Dosage and Administration (2.1) ]. 5.3 Immunosuppression/Infections CAMPATH treatment results in severe and prolonged lymphopenia with a concomitant increased incidence of opportunistic infections [see Adverse Reactions (6.1) ] . Administer PCP and herpes viral prophylaxis during treatment with CAMPATH and for a minimum of 2 months after completion of CAMPATH or until the CD4+ count is ≥200 cells/µL, whichever occurs later [see Dosage and Administration (2.2) ] . Prophylaxis does not eliminate these infections. Routinely monitor patients for CMV infection during treatment with CAMPATH and for at least 2 months following completion of CAMPATH. Withhold CAMPATH for serious infections and during antiviral treatment for CMV infection or confirmed CMV viremia (defined as polymerase chain reaction [PCR] positive CMV in ≥2 consecutive samples obtained 1 week apart). Initiate therapeutic ganciclovir (or equivalent) for CMV infection or confirmed CMV viremia. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection, including severe and fatal EBV-associated hepatitis, has been reported in patients who received CAMPATH. Monitor for sign and symptoms of EBV infections. Withhold CAMPATH for EBV reactivation or severe infection. Administer only irradiated blood products to avoid transfusion associated Graft versus Host Disease (TAGVHD), unless emergent circumstances dictate immediate transfusion. In patients who received CAMPATH as initial therapy, recovery of CD4+ counts to ≥200 cells/µL occurred by 6 months following completion of CAMPATH; however, at 2 months post treatment, the median was 183 cells/µL. In previously treated patients who received CAMPATH, the median time to recovery of CD4+ counts to ≥200 cells/µL was 2 months; however, full recovery (to baseline) of CD4+ and CD8+ counts may take more than 12 months [see Adverse Reactions (6) ] . 5.4 Immunization The safety of immunization with live viral vaccines following CAMPATH therapy has not been studied. Do not administer live viral vaccines to patients or infants born to patients receiving CAMPATH. The ability to generate an immune response to any vaccine following CAMPATH therapy has not been studied.