vigafyde

Important safety information

Abnormal MRI signal changes and intramyelinic edema have been reported in some infants with infantile spasms receiving VIGAFYDE. ( 5.3 , 5.4 ) Withdrawal of AEDs: Taper dose to avoid withdrawal seizures. ( 5.5 ) Anemia: Monitor for symptoms of anemia. ( 5.6 ) 5.1 Permanent Vision Loss VIGAFYDE can cause permanent vision loss. Because of this risk and because, when it is effective, VIGAFYDE provides an observable symptomatic benefit; patient response and continued need for treatment should be periodically assessed. VIGAFYDE is indicated for treatment in patients 1 month to 2 years of age [see Indications and Usage ( 1 )]. VIGAFYDE is not approved for use in pediatric patients older than 2 years of age or in adults. Based upon adult studies, 30 percent or more of patients can be affected with bilateral concentric visual field constriction ranging in severity from mild to severe. Severe cases may be characterized by tunnel vision to within 10 degrees of visual fixation, which can result in disability. In some cases, VIGAFYDE also can damage the central retina and may decrease visual acuity. Symptoms of vision loss from VIGAFYDE are unlikely to be recognized by patients or caregivers before vision loss is severe. Vision loss of milder severity, while often unrecognized by the patient or caregiver, can still adversely affect function. Because assessing vision may be difficult in infants and children, the frequency and extent of vision loss is poorly characterized in these patients. For this reason, the understanding of the risk is primarily based on the adult experience. The possibility that vision loss from VIGAFYDE may be more common, more severe, or have more severe functional consequences in infants than in adults cannot be excluded. The onset of vision loss from VIGAFYDE is unpredictable and can occur within weeks of starting treatment or sooner, or at any time after starting treatment, even after months or years. The risk of vision loss increases with increasing dose and cumulative exposure, but there is no dose or exposure known to be free of risk of vision loss. In patients with infantile spasms, VIGAFYDE should be withdrawn if a substantial clinical benefit is not observed within 2 to 4 weeks. If, in the clinical judgment of the prescriber, evidence of treatment failure becomes obvious earlier than 2 to 4 weeks, treatment should be discontinued at that time [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.2 ) and Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5 )]. VIGAFYDE should not be used in patients with, or at high risk of, other types of irreversible vision loss unless the benefits of treatment clearly outweigh the risks. The interaction of other types of irreversible vision damage with vision damage from VIGAFYDE has not been well-characterized, but is likely adverse. VIGAFYDE should not be used with other drugs associated with serious adverse ophthalmic effects such as retinopathy or glaucoma unless the benefits clearly outweigh the risks. Monitoring of Vision Monitoring of vision by an ophthalmic professional with expertise in visual field interpretation and the ability to perform dilated indirect ophthalmoscopy of the retina is recommended [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )]. Because vision testing in infants is difficult, vision loss may not be detected until it is severe. For patients receiving VIGAFYDE, vision assessment is recommended at baseline (no later than 4 weeks after starting VIGAFYDE), at least every 3 months while on therapy, and about 3 to 6 months after the discontinuation of therapy. The diagnostic approach should be individualized for the patient and clinical situation. In cooperative pediatric patients, perimetry is recommended, preferably by automated threshold visual field testing. Additional testing may also include electrophysiology (e.g., electroretinography [ERG]), retinal imaging (e.g., optical coherence tomography [OCT]), and/or other methods appropriate for the patient. In patients who cannot be tested, treatment may continue according to clinical judgment, with appropriate caregiver counseling. Because of variability, results from ophthalmic monitoring must be interpreted with caution, and repeat assessment is recommended if results are abnormal or uninterpretable. Repeat assessment in the first few weeks of treatment is recommended to establish if, and to what degree, reproducible results can be obtained, and to guide selection of appropriate ongoing monitoring for the patient. The onset and progression of vision loss from VIGAFYDE is unpredictable, and it may occur or worsen precipitously between assessments. Once detected, vision loss due to VIGAFYDE is not reversible. It is expected that even with frequent monitoring, some VIGAFYDE patients will develop severe vision loss. Consider drug discontinuation, balancing benefit and risk, if vision loss is documented. It is possible that vision loss can worsen despite discontinuation of VIGAFYDE. 5.2 Vigabatrin REMS VIGAFYDE is available only through a restricted distribution program called the Vigabatrin REMS, because of the risk of permanent vision loss. Notable requirements of the Vigabatrin REMS include the following: Prescribers must be certified by enrolling in the program, agreeing to counsel caregivers on the risk of vision loss and the need for periodic monitoring of vision, and reporting any event suggestive of vision loss to the REMS program. Patients must enroll in the program. Pharmacies must be certified and must only dispense to patients authorized to receive VIGAFYDE. Further information is available at www.vigabatrinREMS.com or by calling 1-866-244-8175. 5.3 Magnetic Resonance Imaging Abnormalities in Infants Abnormal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) signal changes characterized by increased T2 signal and restricted diffusion in a symmetric pattern involving the thalamus, basal ganglia, brain stem, and cerebellum have been observed in some infants treated with vigabatrin. In a retrospective epidemiologic study in infants with infantile spasms (N=205), the prevalence of MRI changes was 22% in vigabatrin-treated patients versus 4% in patients treated with other therapies. In this study, in postmarketing experience, and in published literature reports, these changes generally resolved with discontinuation of treatment. In a few patients, the lesion resolved despite continued use. It has been reported that some infants exhibited coincident motor abnormalities, but no causal relationship has been established and the potential for long-term clinical sequelae has not been adequately studied. Neurotoxicity (brain histopathology and neurobehavioral abnormalities) was observed in rats exposed to vigabatrin during late gestation and the neonatal and juvenile periods of development, and brain histopathological changes were observed in dogs exposed to vigabatrin during the juvenile period of development. The relationship between these findings and the abnormal MRI findings in infants treated with vigabatrin for infantile spasms is unknown [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 ) and Use in Specific Populations ( 8.1 )] . 5.4 Neurotoxicity Intramyelinic Edema (IME) has been reported in postmortem examination of infants being treated for infantile spasms with vigabatrin. Abnormal MRI signal changes characterized by increased T2 signal and restricted diffusion in a symmetric pattern involving the thalamus, basal ganglia, brain stem, and cerebellum have also been observed in some infants treated for IS with vigabatrin [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )] . Vacuolation, characterized by fluid accumulation and separation of the outer layers of myelin, has been observed in brain white matter tracts in adult and juvenile rats and adult mice, dogs, and possibly monkeys following administration of vigabatrin. This lesion, referred to as intramyelinic edema (IME), was seen in animals at doses within the human therapeutic range. A no-effect dose was not established in rodents or dogs. In the rat…