Bafiertam Drug Information
Generic name: MONOMETHYL FUMARATE
Uses of Bafiertam
BAFIERTAM is indicated for the treatment of relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), to include clinically isolated syndrome, relapsing-remitting disease, and active secondary progressive disease, in adults.
Dosage & Administration of Bafiertam
Blood Tests Prior to Initiation of BAFIERTAM Obtain the following prior to treatment with BAFIERTAM: A complete blood cell count (CBC), including lymphocyte count. Serum aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and total bilirubin levels.
Dosing Information
The starting dosage for BAFIERTAM is 95 mg twice a day orally for 7 days. After 7 days, the dosage should be increased to the maintenance dosage of 190 mg (administered as two 95 mg capsules) twice a day orally. Temporary dosage reductions to 95 mg twice a day may be considered for individuals who do not tolerate the maintenance dosage.
Within 4 weeks, the recommended dosage of 190 mg twice a day should be resumed. Discontinuation of BAFIERTAM should be considered for patients unable to tolerate return to the maintenance dosage. Administration of non-enteric coated aspirin (up to a dose of 325 mg) 30 minutes prior to BAFIERTAM dosing, may reduce the incidence or severity of flushing.
Administration Instructions Swallow
BAFIERTAM capsules whole and intact. Do not crush, chew, or mix the contents with food. BAFIERTAM can be taken with or without food.
Blood Tests to Assess Safety After Initiation of BAFIERTAM Obtain a complete blood cell count (CBC), including lymphocyte count, 6 months after initiation of BAFIERTAM and then every 6 to 12 months thereafter, as clinically indicated.
Side Effects of Bafiertam
Clinical Trials 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. The data described in the following sections were obtained using dimethyl fumarate delayed-release capsules (the prodrug of BAFIERTAM). Adverse Reactions in Placebo-Controlled Trials with Dimethyl Fumarate In the two well-controlled studies demonstrating effectiveness, 1529 patients received dimethyl fumarate with an overall exposure of 2244 person-years.
The most common adverse reactions (incidence ≥10% and ≥2% more than placebo) for dimethyl fumarate were flushing, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and nausea. Table 1: Adverse Reactions in Study 1 and 2 Reported for Dimethyl Fumarate at ≥ 2% Higher Incidence than Placebo Gastrointestinal Dimethyl fumarate caused GI events (e.g., nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and dyspepsia). In clinical trials, the incidence of GI events was higher early in the course of treatment (primarily during the first month) and usually decreased over time in patients treated with dimethyl fumarate compared with placebo.
Four percent (4%) of patients treated with dimethyl fumarate and less than 1% of patients on placebo discontinued due to gastrointestinal events. The incidence of serious GI events was 1% in clinical trial patients treated with dimethyl fumarate; these events, none of which were fatal, included vomiting (0.3%) and abdominal pain (0.3%). Hepatic Transaminases An increased incidence of elevations of hepatic transaminases in patients treated with dimethyl fumarate in clinical trials was seen primarily during the first six months of treatment, and most patients with elevations had levels < 3 times the upper limit of normal (ULN).
Elevations of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase to ≥ 3 times the ULN occurred in a small number of patients treated with both dimethyl fumarate and in patients on placebo, and were balanced between the groups. There were no elevations in transaminases ≥ 3 times the ULN with concomitant elevations in total bilirubin > 2 times the ULN. Discontinuations due to elevated hepatic transaminases were < 1%, and were similar in patients treated with dimethyl fumarate or placebo.
Eosinophilia A transient increase in mean eosinophil counts was seen during the first 2 months of therapy with dimethyl fumarate. Adverse Reactions in Studies with BAFIERTAM (Monomethyl Fumarate) In clinical studies, a total of 178 healthy subjects have received single doses of BAFIERTAM. The adverse reaction profile of BAFIERTAM was consistent with the experience in the placebo controlled clinical trials with dimethyl fumarate.
Taking BAFIERTAM without food may reduce the incidence of GI events.
Postmarketing Experience
The following adverse reactions have been identified during post approval use of dimethyl fumarate (the prodrug of BAFIERTAM). 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 drug exposure. Gastrointestinal Disorders: Acute pancreatitis, Gastrointestinal perforation, ulceration, obstruction, and hemorrhage Hepatobiliary Disorders: Liver function abnormalities (elevations in transaminases ≥ 3 times ULN with concomitant elevations in total bilirubin > 2 times ULN) Infections and Infestations: Herpes zoster infection and other serious opportunistic infections Respiratory, Thoracic, and Mediastinal Disorders: Rhinorrhea Skin and Subcutaneous: Alopecia
| Adverse Reaction | Dimethyl Fumarate 240 mg Twice Daily N=769 (%) | Placebo N=771 (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Flushing | 40 | 6 |
| Abdominal pain | 18 | 10 |
| Diarrhea | 14 | 11 |
| Nausea | 12 | 9 |
| Vomiting | 9 | 5 |
| Pruritus | 8 | 4 |
| Rash | 8 | 3 |
| Albumin urine present | 6 | 4 |
| Erythema | 5 | 1 |
| Dyspepsia | 5 | 3 |
| Aspartate aminotransferase increased | 4 | 2 |
| Lymphopenia | 2 | <1 |
Warnings & Cautions for Bafiertam
Anaphylaxis and Angioedema BAFIERTAM can cause anaphylaxis and angioedema after the first dose or at any time during treatment. Signs and symptoms in patients taking dimethyl fumarate (the prodrug of BAFIERTAM) have included difficulty breathing, urticaria and swelling of the throat and tongue. Patients should be instructed to discontinue BAFIERTAM and seek immediate medical care should they experience signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis or angioedema.
Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy
Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) has occurred in patients with MS treated with dimethyl fumarate (the prodrug of BAFIERTAM). PML is an opportunistic viral infection of the brain caused by the JC virus (JCV) that typically only occurs in patients who are immunocompromised, and that usually leads to death or severe disability. A fatal case of PML occurred in a patient who received dimethyl fumarate for 4 years while enrolled in a clinical trial.
During the clinical trial, the patient experienced prolonged lymphopenia (lymphocyte counts predominantly <0.5x10 9 /L for 3.5 years) while taking dimethyl fumarate. The patient had no other identified systemic medical conditions resulting in compromised immune system function and had not previously been treated with natalizumab, which has a known association with PML. The patient was also not taking any immunosuppressive or immunomodulatory medications concomitantly.
PML has also occurred in patients taking dimethyl fumarate in the postmarketing setting in the presence of lymphopenia (<0.9x10 9 /L). While the role of lymphopenia in these cases is uncertain, the PML cases have occurred predominantly in patients with lymphocyte counts <0.8x10 9 /L persisting for more than 6 months. At the first sign or symptom suggestive of PML, withhold BAFIERTAM and perform an appropriate diagnostic evaluation.
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. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings may be apparent before clinical signs or symptoms. Cases of PML diagnosed based on MRI findings, and the detection of JCV DNA in the cerebrospinal fluid in the absence of clinical signs or symptoms specific to PML, have been reported in patients treated with other MS medications associated with PML.
Many of these patients subsequently became symptomatic with PML. Therefore, monitoring with MRI for signs that may be consistent with PML may be useful, and any suspicious findings should lead to further investigation to allow for an early diagnosis of PML, if present. Lower PML-related mortality and morbidity have been reported following discontinuation of another MS medication associated with PML in patients with PML who were initially asymptomatic compared to patients with PML who had characteristic clinical signs and symptoms at diagnosis.
It is not known whether these differences are due to early detection and discontinuation of MS treatment or due to differences in disease in these patients.
Herpes Zoster and Other Serious Opportunistic Infections
Serious cases of herpes zoster have occurred with dimethyl fumarate (the prodrug of BAFIERTAM), including disseminated herpes zoster, herpes zoster ophthalmicus, herpes zoster meningoencephalitis, and herpes zoster meningomyelitis. These events may occur at any time during treatment. Monitor patients on BAFIERTAM for signs and symptoms of herpes zoster.
If herpes zoster occurs, appropriate treatment for herpes zoster should be administered. Other serious opportunistic infections have occurred with dimethyl fumarate, including cases of serious viral (herpes simplex virus, West Nile virus, cytomegalovirus), fungal (Candida and Aspergillus), and bacterial (Nocardia, Listeria monocytogenes, Mycobacterium tuberculosis) infections. These infections have been reported in patients with reduced absolute lymphocyte counts (ALC) as well as in patients with normal ALC.
These infections have affected the brain, meninges, spinal cord, gastrointestinal tract, lungs, skin, eye, and ear. Patients with symptoms and signs consistent with any of these infections should undergo prompt diagnostic evaluation and receive appropriate treatment. Consider withholding BAFIERTAM treatment in patients with herpes zoster or other serious infections until the infection has resolved.
Lymphopenia BAFIERTAM may decrease lymphocyte counts. In the MS placebo-controlled trials with dimethyl fumarate (the prodrug of BAFIERTAM), mean lymphocyte counts decreased by approximately 30% during the first year of treatment with dimethyl fumarate and then remained stable. Four weeks after stopping dimethyl fumarate, mean lymphocyte counts increased, but did not return to baseline.
There was no increased incidence of serious infections observed in patients with lymphocyte counts <0.8x10 9 /L or ≤0.5x10 9 /L in controlled trials, although one patient in an extension study developed PML in the setting of prolonged lymphopenia (lymphocyte counts predominantly <0.5x10 9 /L for 3.5 years). In controlled and uncontrolled clinical trials with dimethyl fumarate, 2% of patients experienced prolonged, severe lymphopenia (defined as lymphocyte counts <0.5x10 9 /L for at least six months); in this group of patients, the majority of lymphocyte counts remained <0.5x10 9 /L with continued therapy. In these patients with prolonged, severe lymphopenia, the median time for lymphocyte counts to return to normal after discontinuing dimethyl fumarate was 96.0 weeks.
In these controlled and uncontrolled clinical studies, among patients who did not experience prolonged, severe lymphopenia during treatment, the median times for lymphocyte counts to return to normal after discontinuing dimethyl fumarate were as follows: 4.3 weeks in patients with mild lymphopenia (lymphocyte count ≥0.8x10 9 /L) at discontinuation, 10.0 weeks in patients with moderate lymphopenia (lymphocyte count 0.5 to <0.8x10 9 /L) at discontinuation, and 16.7 weeks in patients with severe lymphopenia (lymphocyte count <0.5x10 9 /L) at discontinuation. Neither BAFIERTAM nor dimethyl fumarate have been studied in patients with preexisting low lymphocyte counts. Obtain a CBC, including lymphocyte count, before initiating treatment with BAFIERTAM, 6 months after starting treatment, and then every 6 to 12 months thereafter, and as clinically indicated.
Consider interruption of BAFIERTAM in patients with lymphocyte counts less than 0.5x10 9 /L persisting for more than six months. Given the potential for delayed recovery of lymphocyte counts, continue to obtain lymphocyte counts until their recovery if BAFIERTAM is discontinued or interrupted because of lymphopenia. Consider withholding treatment from patients with serious infections until resolution.
Decisions about whether or not to restart BAFIERTAM should be individualized based on clinical circumstances.
Liver Injury
Clinically significant cases of liver injury have been reported in patients treated with dimethyl fumarate (the prodrug of BAFIERTAM) in the postmarketing setting. The onset has ranged from a few days to several months after initiation of treatment with dimethyl fumarate. Signs and symptoms of liver injury, including elevation of serum aminotransferases to greater than 5-fold the upper limit of normal and elevation of total bilirubin to greater than 2-fold the upper limit of normal have been observed.
These abnormalities resolved upon treatment discontinuation. Some cases required hospitalization. None of the reported cases resulted in liver failure, liver transplant, or death.
However, the combination of new serum aminotransferase elevations with increased levels of bilirubin caused by drug-induced hepatocellular injury is an important predictor of serious liver injury that may lead to acute liver failure, liver transplant, or death in some patients. Elevations of hepatic transaminases (most no greater than 3 times the upper limit of normal) were observed during controlled trials with dimethyl fumarate. Obtain serum aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and total bilirubin levels prior to treatment with BAFIERTAM and during treatment, as clinically indicated.
Discontinue BAFIERTAM if clinically significant liver injury induced by BAFIERTAM is suspected.
Flushing BAFIERTAM may cause flushing (e.g., warmth, redness, itching, and/or burning sensation). In clinical trials of dimethyl fumarate (the prodrug of BAFIERTAM), 40% of dimethyl fumarate treated patients experienced flushing. Flushing symptoms generally began soon after initiating dimethyl fumarate and usually improved or resolved over time.
In the majority of patients who experienced flushing, it was mild or moderate in severity. Three percent (3%) of patients discontinued dimethyl fumarate for flushing, and <1% had serious flushing symptoms that were not life-threatening but led to hospitalization. Studies with dimethyl fumarate show that administration of non-enteric coated aspirin (up to a dose of 325 mg) 30 minutes prior to dosing may reduce the incidence or severity of flushing.
In the BAFIERTAM studies, the presence of food did not impact the incidence of flushing.
Serious Gastrointestinal Reactions
Serious gastrointestinal reactions, including perforation, ulceration, hemorrhage, and obstruction, some with fatal outcomes, have been reported in the postmarketing setting with the use of fumaric acid esters, including dimethyl fumarate, with or without concomitant aspirin use. The majority of these events have occurred within 6 months of fumaric acid ester treatment initiation. In controlled clinical trials, the incidence of serious gastrointestinal adverse events was 1% in patients treated with dimethyl fumarate; these events, none of which were fatal, included vomiting (0.3%) and abdominal pain (0.3%).
Monitor patients, promptly evaluate, and discontinue BAFIERTAM for new or worsening severe gastrointestinal signs and symptoms.
Drug Interactions with Bafiertam
Concomitant Dimethyl Fumarate or Diroximel Fumarate
Both dimethyl fumarate and diroximel fumarate are metabolized to monomethyl fumarate. Therefore, BAFIERTAM is contraindicated in patients currently taking dimethyl fumarate or diroximel fumarate. BAFIERTAM may be initiated the day following discontinuation of either of these drugs.
Pregnancy Safety for Bafiertam
Pregnancy Risk Summary Available data from a pregnancy registry for dimethyl fumarate (the prodrug of BAFIERTAM), observational studies, and pharmacovigilance with dimethyl fumarate use in pregnant women have not indicated an increased risk of major birth defects, miscarriage, or other adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. Most of the reported exposures to dimethyl fumarate occurred during the first trimester of pregnancy ( see Data ). In animals, adverse effects on offspring survival, growth, sexual maturation, and neurobehavioral function were observed when dimethyl fumarate (DMF) was administered during pregnancy and lactation at clinically relevant doses ( see Data ).
The background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2-4% and 15-20%, respectively.
No specific pattern of major birth defects was identified. Important potential study limitations include exposure misclassification, no adjustment for confounders, and lack of an internal comparator cohort. Animal Data In rats administered DMF orally mg/kg/day throughout organogenesis, embryofetal toxicity (reduced fetal body weight and delayed ossification) were observed at the highest dose tested.
This dose also produced evidence of maternal toxicity (reduced body weight). Plasma exposure (AUC) for monomethyl fumarate (MMF), the major circulating metabolite, at the no-effect dose is approximately three times that in humans at the recommended human dose (RHD) of MMF (380 mg/day). In rabbits administered DMF orally mg/kg/day throughout organogenesis, embryolethality and decreased maternal body weight were observed at the highest dose tested.
Oral administration of DMF mg/kg/day to rats throughout organogenesis and lactation resulted in increased lethality, persistent reductions in body weight, delayed sexual maturation (male and female pups), and reduced testicular weight at the highest dose tested. Neurobehavioral impairment was observed at all doses. A no-effect dose for developmental toxicity was not identified.
The lowest dose tested was associated with plasma AUC for MMF lower than that in humans at the RHD of MMF.
Pediatric Use of Bafiertam
Pediatric Use Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients have not been established. Juvenile Animal Toxicity Data Oral administration of monomethyl fumarate (MMF) mg/kg/day to juvenile rats from postnatal day 28 to 70 resulted in reduced body weight and bone growth, delayed sexual maturation in females, and renal tubular (exfoliated cells or degeneration) and gastrointestinal (nonglandular stomach hyperkeratosis or hyperplasia) effects at all but the lowest dose tested. No adverse effects were observed on neurobehavioral development.
Contraindications for Bafiertam
BAFIERTAM is contraindicated in patients: with known hypersensitivity to monomethyl fumarate, dimethyl fumarate, diroximel fumarate, or to any of the excipients of BAFIERTAM. Reactions may include anaphylaxis or angioedema. taking dimethyl fumarate or diroximel fumarate. Co-administration with dimethyl fumarate or diroximel fumarate.
Clinical Studies of Bafiertam
The efficacy of BAFIERTAM is based upon bioavailability studies in healthy subjects comparing oral dimethyl fumarate delayed-release capsules to BAFIERTAM delayed-release capsules. The clinical studies described below were conducted using dimethyl fumarate. The efficacy and safety of dimethyl fumarate were demonstrated in two studies (Studies 1 and 2) that evaluated dimethyl fumarate taken either twice or three times a day in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS).
The starting dose for dimethyl fumarate was 120 mg twice or three times a day for the first 7 days, followed by an increase to 240 mg twice or three times a day. Both studies included patients who had experienced at least 1 relapse over the year preceding the trial or had a brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan demonstrating at least one gadolinium-enhancing (Gd+) lesion within 6 weeks of randomization. The Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) was also assessed and patients could have scores ranging from 0 to 5.
Neurological evaluations were performed at baseline, every 3 months, and at the time of suspected relapse. Study 1: Placebo-Controlled Trial in RRMS Study 1 was a 2-year randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in 1234 patients with RRMS. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients relapsed at 2 years.
Additional endpoints at 2 years included the number of new or newly enlarging T2 hyperintense lesions, number of new T1 hypointense lesions, number of Gd+ lesions, annualized relapse rate (ARR), and time to confirmed disability progression. Patients were randomized to receive dimethyl fumarate 240 mg twice a day (n=410), dimethyl fumarate 240 mg three times a day (n=416), or placebo (n=408) for up to 2 years. The median age was 39 years, median time since diagnosis was 4 years, and median EDSS score at baseline was 2.
The median time on study drug for all treatment arms was 96 weeks. Dimethyl fumarate had a statistically significant effect on all of the endpoints described above and the 240 mg three times daily dose showed no additional benefit over the dimethyl fumarate 240 mg twice daily dose. The results for this study (240 mg twice a day vs. placebo) are shown in Table 2 and Figure 1.
The primary endpoint was the annualized relapse rate at 2 years. Additional endpoints at 2 years included the number of new or newly enlarging T2 hyperintense lesions, number of T1 hypointense lesions, number of Gd+ lesions, proportion of patients relapsed, and time to confirmed disability progression as defined in Study 1. Patients were randomized to receive dimethyl fumarate 240 mg twice a day (n=359), dimethyl fumarate 240 mg three times a day (n=345), an open-label comparator (n=350), or placebo (n=363) for up to 2 years.
The median age was 37 years, median time since diagnosis was 3 years, and median EDSS score at baseline was 2.5. Dimethyl fumarate had a statistically significant effect on the relapse and MRI endpoints described above. There was no statistically significant effect on disability progression.
The dimethyl fumarate 240 mg three times daily dose resulted in no additional benefit over the dimethyl fumarate 240 mg twice daily dose. Table 3: Clinical and MRI Results of Study 2
| Dimethyl Fumarate 240 mg BID | Placebo | P-value | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clinical Endpoints | N=410 | N=408 | |
| Proportion relapsing (primary endpoint) Relative risk reduction | 27% 49% | 46% | <0.0001 |
| Annualized relapse rate | 0.172 | 0.364 | <0.0001 |
| Relative reduction | 53 % | ||
| Proportion with disability progression | 16% | 27% | 0.0050 |
| Relative risk reduction | 38% | ||
| MRI Endpoints | N=152 | N=165 | |
| Mean number of new or newly enlarging | 2.6 | 17 | <0.0001 |
| T2 lesions over 2 years Percentage of subjects with no new or newly enlarging lesions | 45% | 27% | |
| Number of Gd+ lesions at 2 years | 0.1 (0) | 1.8 (0) | |
| Mean (median) Percentage of subjects with 0 lesions | 93% | 62% | |
| 1 lesion | 5% | 10% | |
| 2 lesions | <1% | 8% | |
| 3 to 4 lesions | 0 | 9% | |
| 5 or more lesions | <1% | 11% | |
| Relative odds reduction (percentage) | 90 % | <0.0001 | |
| Mean number of new T1 hypointense lesions over 2 years | 1.5 | 5.6 | <0.0001 |
| Dimethyl Fumarate 240 mg BID | Placebo | P-value | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clinical Endpoints | N=359 | N=363 | |
| Annualized relapse rate | 0.224 | 0.401 | <0.0001 |
| Relative reduction | 44% | ||
| Proportion relapsing | 29% | 41% | 0.0020 |
| Relative risk reduction | 34% | ||
| Proportion with disability progression | 13% | 17% | 0.25 |
| Relative risk reduction | 21% | ||
| MRI Endpoints | N=147 | N=144 | |
| Mean number of new or newly enlarging | 5.1 | 17.4 | <0.0001 |
| T2 lesions over 2 years Percentage of subjects with no new or newly enlarging lesions | 27 % | 12 % | |
| Number of Gd+ lesions at 2 years Mean (median) | 0.5 (0.0) | 2.0 (0.0) | |
| Percentage of subjects with 0 lesions | 80% | 61% | |
| 1 lesion | 11% | 17% | |
| 2 lesions | 3% | 6% | |
| 3 to 4 lesions | 3% | 2% | |
| 5 or more lesions | 3% | 14% | |
| Relative odds reduction (percentage) | 74 % | <0.0001 | |
| Mean number of new T1 hypointense lesions over 2 years | 3.0 | 7.0 | <0.0001 |
Drug information sourced from the FDA. This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional before making any medication decisions.
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