piasky

Important safety information

Type III hypersensitivity reactions: Monitor patients switching from another C5 inhibitor to PIASKY or from PIASKY to another C5 inhibitor as they are at risk of Type III hypersensitivity reactions related to the formation of drug-target-drug complexes ( 5.3 ) Other Infections: PIASKY can increase susceptibility to serious infections especially those caused by encapsulated bacteria. ( 5.4 ) Infusion- and Injection-Related Reactions: Monitor for these reactions and initiate medical management as needed ( 5.5 ) 5.1 Serious Meningococcal Infection PIASKY, a complement inhibitor, increases a patient's susceptibility to serious, life-threatening, or fatal infections caused by meningococcal bacteria (meningococcemia 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 PIASKY is contraindicated in patients with a serious unresolved 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 PIASKY, according to the current Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendations for patients receiving a complement inhibitor. Revaccinate patients in accordance with ACIP recommendations considering the duration of PIASKY therapy. 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 PIASKY 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 PIASKY. The benefits and risks of treatment with PIASKY, 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 N. meningitidis . Vaccination does not eliminate the risk of 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 PIASKY in patients who are undergoing treatment for serious meningococcal infection. PIASKY is available only through a restricted program under a REMS [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] . 5.2 PIASKY REMS PIASKY is available only through a restricted program under a REMS called PIASKY REMS, because of the risk of serious meningococcal infections [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] . Notable requirements of the PIASKY 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 two weeks prior to the first dose of PIASKY. Prescribers must provide a prescription for antibacterial drug prophylaxis if treatment must be started urgently, and the patient is not up to date with both meningococcal vaccines according to current ACIP recommendations at least two weeks prior to the first dose of PIASKY. Healthcare settings and pharmacies that dispense PIASKY 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 11 months following treatment with PIASKY. Further information is available at www.PIASKYREMS.com or 1-866-4My-Skyy (469-7599). 5.3 Type III Hypersensitivity Reactions Related to Drug-Target-Drug Complexes Patients who are switching from another C5 inhibitor (e.g., eculizumab or ravulizumab) to PIASKY or from PIASKY to another C5 inhibitor are at risk of serious Type III hypersensitivity reactions related to the formation of drug-target-drug-complexes (DTDCs), because PIASKY and these other C5 inhibitors bind different epitopes of C5 [see Drug Interactions (7) ] . In clinical trials, Type III hypersensitivity reactions were reported in 39 of 201 patients (19%) who switched from eculizumab or ravulizumab to PIASKY. Four of these patients (10%) had not fully recovered from symptoms of Type III hypersensitivity reactions at the time of their last follow up visit. In addition, Type III hypersensitivity reactions were reported in 2 of 8 patients (25%) who switched from PIASKY to eculizumab or ravulizumab, including one patient who developed Grade 3 axonal neuropathy [see Adverse Reactions (6) ] . Symptoms of Type III hypersensitivity reactions that occurred in more than 2 patients were arthralgia, rash, pyrexia, myalgia, headache, fatigue, petechiae and abdominal pain. Among patients who experienced Type III hypersensitivity reactions, 8 (21%) had events that were considered serious due to hospitalization. Symptoms of serious Type III hypersensitivity reactions included pyrexia and arthralgia. Type III hypersensitivity reactions can also cause renal abnormalities. Healthcare providers should consider the benefits of the timing of switching C5 inhibitors vs. the risks of Type III hypersensitivity reactions. Patients are expected to no longer be at risk of Type III hypersensitivity reactions if the prior C5 inhibitor has been cleared from the body prior to starting PIASKY or if PIASKY has been cleared from the body prior to starting another C5 inhibitor. Therefore, initiating PIASKY sooner than 5.5 half-lives from the last dose of a C5 inhibitor (e.g., eculizumab or ravulizumab) or initiating a C5 inhibitor (e.g., eculizumab or ravulizumab) sooner than 5.5 half-lives from the last dose of PIASKY increases the risk of Type III hypersensitivity reactions. Based on time-to-onset of Type III hypersensitivity reactions observed in clinical trials, patients should be monitored for the first 30 days of the new therapy for the occurrence of symptoms of Type III hypersensitivity reactions. For mild or moderate Type III hypersensitivity reactions, administer symptomatic treatment, such as topical corticosteroids, antihistamines, antipyretics, and/or analgesics. For severe reactions, initiate and taper oral or systemic corticosteroid therapy as clinically indicated. 5.4 Other Infections Due to its mechanism of action, PIASKY may increase susceptibility to infections, especially with encapsulated bacteria, such as infections with Neisseria spp. but also Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae , and to a lesser extent, Neisseria gonorrhoeae . Children treated with PIASKY may be at increased risk of developing serious infections due to Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib). Vaccinate patients against Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) infections according to ACIP recommendations. If PIASKY…