uplizna

Important safety information

Infusion reactions: Administer premedications prior to infusion. ( 2.2 ) Management recommendations for infusion reactions depend on the type and severity of the reaction. Permanently discontinue UPLIZNA if a life-threatening or disabling infusion reaction occurs. ( 5.1 ) Infections: Serious, including life-threatening and fatal infections, have occurred in patients treated with B-cell depleting therapies, including UPLIZNA. Delay UPLIZNA administration in patients with an active infection until the infection is resolved. Vaccination with live-attenuated or live vaccines is not recommended during treatment and after discontinuation, until B-cell repletion. ( 5.2 ) Immunoglobulin levels: Monitor the level of immunoglobulins at the beginning, during, and after discontinuation of treatment with UPLIZNA until B-cell repletion. Consider discontinuing UPLIZNA if a patient develops a serious opportunistic infection or recurrent infections if immunoglobulin levels indicate immune compromise. ( 5.3 ) Fetal Risk: May cause fetal harm based on animal data. Advise females of reproductive potential of the potential risk to a fetus and to use an effective method of contraception during treatment and for 6 months after stopping UPLIZNA. ( 5.4 , 8.1 ) 5.1 Infusion Reactions UPLIZNA can cause infusion reactions, including anaphylaxis. Symptoms of infusion reactions can include headache, nausea, somnolence, dyspnea, fever, myalgia, rash, or palpitations. Infusion reactions were observed in 9.3%, 7.4%, and 10.1% of patients treated with UPLIZNA during the randomized controlled periods of Study 1 in patients with NMOSD, Study 2 in patients with IgG4-RD, and Study 3 in patients with gMG, respectively. Infusion reactions were most common with the first infusion but were also observed during subsequent infusions. Reducing the Risk of Infusion Reactions and Managing Infusion Reactions Administer pre-medication with a corticosteroid, an antihistamine, and an antipyretic [see Dosage and Administration (2.2) ]. Management recommendations for infusion reactions depend on the type and severity of the reaction . For life-threatening infusion reactions, immediately and permanently stop UPLIZNA and administer appropriate supportive treatment. For less severe infusion reactions, management may involve temporarily stopping the infusion, reducing the infusion rate, and/or administering symptomatic treatment. 5.2 Infections Serious, including life-threatening or fatal, bacterial, fungal, and new or reactivated viral infections have been observed during and following completion of treatment with B-cell depleting therapies, including UPLIZNA. The most common infections reported by UPLIZNA-treated patients in the randomized and open-label clinical trial periods for NMOSD included urinary tract infection (20%), nasopharyngitis (13%), upper respiratory tract infection (8%), and influenza (7%). In the IgG4-RD randomized controlled and open-label periods, the most common infections reported by UPLIZNA-treated patients were upper respiratory tract infection (11%), nasopharyngitis (10%), urinary tract infection (9%), and influenza (6%). In the gMG randomized controlled period, the most common infections reported by UPLIZNA-treated patients were urinary tract infection (7%) and nasopharyngitis (7%). Delay UPLIZNA administration in patients with an active infection until the infection is resolved. Possible Increased Risk of Immunosuppressant Effects with Other Immunosuppressants If combining UPLIZNA with another immunosuppressive therapy, consider the potential for increased immunosuppressive effects. Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Reactivation HBV reactivation has been observed with the use of B-cell depleting therapies, including UPLIZNA. Fulminant hepatitis, hepatic failure, and death caused by HBV reactivation have occurred in patients treated with B-cell depleting therapies. HBV reactivation was observed in a patient treated with UPLIZNA during the gMG clinical trial, and has also been observed in the postmarketing setting. Patients with active or chronic HBV infection were excluded from clinical trials. Perform HBV screening in all patients before initiation of treatment with UPLIZNA. Do not administer UPLIZNA to patients with active HBV infection confirmed by positive results for HBsAg and anti-HB tests. For patients who are negative for HBsAg and positive for HBcAb, or who are carriers of HBV (i.e., HBsAg+), consult liver disease experts before starting and during treatment with UPLIZNA. Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML) PML is an opportunistic viral infection of the brain caused by the JC virus that typically only occurs in patients who are immunocompromised, and that usually leads to death or severe disability. Although no confirmed cases of PML were identified in UPLIZNA clinical trials, JC virus infection resulting in PML has been observed in patients treated with other B-cell depleting antibodies and other therapies that affect immune competence. In UPLIZNA clinical trials one subject died following the development of new brain lesions for which a definitive diagnosis could not be established, though the differential diagnosis included an atypical NMOSD relapse, PML, or acute disseminated encephalomyelitis. At the first sign or symptom suggestive of PML, withhold UPLIZNA and perform an appropriate diagnostic evaluation. MRI findings may be apparent before clinical signs or symptoms. Typical symptoms associated with PML are diverse, progress over days to weeks, and include progressive weakness on one side of the body or clumsiness of limbs, disturbance of vision, and changes in thinking, memory, and orientation leading to confusion and personality changes. Tuberculosis Patients should be evaluated for tuberculosis risk factors and tested for latent infection prior to initiating UPLIZNA. Consider anti-tuberculosis therapy prior to initiation of UPLIZNA in patients with a history of latent active tuberculosis in whom an adequate course of treatment cannot be confirmed, and for patients with a negative test for latent tuberculosis but having risk factors for tuberculosis infection. Consult infectious disease experts regarding whether initiating anti-tuberculosis therapy is appropriate before starting treatment. Vaccinations Administer all immunizations according to immunization guidelines at least 4 weeks prior to initiation of UPLIZNA. The safety of immunization with live or live-attenuated vaccines following UPLIZNA therapy has not been studied, and vaccination with live-attenuated or live vaccines is not recommended during treatment and until B-cell repletion. Vaccination of Infants Born to Mothers Treated with UPLIZNA During Pregnancy In infants of mothers exposed to UPLIZNA during pregnancy, do not administer live or live-attenuated vaccines before confirming recovery of B-cell counts in the infant. Depletion of B-cells in these exposed infants may increase the risks from live or live-attenuated vaccines. Non-live vaccines, as indicated, may be administered prior to recovery from B-cell and immunoglobulin level depletion, but consultation with a qualified specialist should be considered to assess whether a protective immune response was mounted [see Use in Specific Populations (8.1) ]. 5.3 Reduction in Immunoglobulins There may be a progressive and prolonged hypogammaglobulinemia or decline in the levels of total and individual immunoglobulins such as immunoglobulins G and M (IgG and IgM) with continued UPLIZNA treatment [see Adverse Reactions (6.1) ]. Monitor the levels of quantitative serum immunoglobulins during treatment with UPLIZNA, especially in patients with opportunistic or recurrent infections, and until B-cell repletion after discontinuation of therapy. Consider discontinuing UPLIZNA therapy if a patient with low immunoglobulin G or M develops a serious opportunistic infection or recurrent infections, or if prolonged hypogammaglobulinemia requires treatment…