Cladribine Drug Information
Generic name: CLADRIBINE
Purine Antimetabolite [EPC]
Uses of Cladribine
Cladribine tablets are indicated for the treatment of relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), to include relapsing-remitting disease and active secondary progressive disease in adults. Because of its safety profile, use of cladribine tablets is generally recommended for patients who have had an inadequate response to, or are unable to tolerate, an alternate drug indicated for the treatment of MS. Limitations of Use Cladribine tablets are not recommended for use in patients with clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) because of its safety profile.
Cladribine tablets are purine antimetabolite indicated for the treatment of relapsing form of multiple sclerosis (MS), to include relapsing-remitting disease in adults.
Dosage & Administration of Cladribine
Assessments Prior to Starting Each Cladribine Treatment Course Cancer Screening Follow standard cancer screening guidelines because of the risk of malignancies. Pregnancy Exclude pregnancy prior to treatment with cladribine tablets in females of reproductive potential. Complete Blood Count (CBC) Obtain a CBC with differential including lymphocyte count.
Lymphocytes must be: within normal limits before initiating the first treatment course at least 800 cells per microliter before initiating the second treatment course If necessary, delay the second treatment course for up to 6 months to allow for recovery of lymphocytes to at least 800 cells per microliter. If this recovery takes more than 6 months, the patient should not receive further treatment with cladribine tablets. Infections Exclude HIV infection.
Perform tuberculosis screening. Screen for hepatitis B and C. Evaluate for acute infection.
Consider a delay in cladribine treatment until any acute infection is fully controlled. Vaccination of patients who are seronegative for VZV is recommended prior to initiation of cladribine tablets. Vaccination of patients who are seropositive to VZV is recommended with zoster vaccine recombinant, adjuvanted.
Patients may be administered zoster vaccine recombinant, adjuvanted at any time prior to or during the year 1 or year 2 course of cladribine treatment. These patients may also be administered the vaccine if their lymphocyte counts are ≤ 500 cells per microliter. Administer all immunizations (except as noted for VZV) according to immunization guidelines prior to starting cladribine tablets.
Administer live-attenuated or live vaccines at least 4 to 6 weeks prior to starting cladribine tablets. Obtain a baseline (within 3 months) magnetic resonance imaging prior to the first treatment course because of the risk of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). Liver Injury Obtain serum aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and total bilirubin levels prior to each treatment cycle and course.
Recommended Dosage
The recommended cumulative dosage of cladribine tablets is 3.5 mg per kg body weight administered orally and divided into 2 yearly treatment courses (1.75 mg per kg per treatment course) (see Table 1). Each treatment course is divided into 2 treatment cycles: Administration of First Treatment Course First Course/First Cycle: start any time. First Course/Second Cycle: administer 23 to 27 days after the last dose of First Course/First Cycle.
Administration of Second Treatment Course Second Course/First Cycle: administer at least 43 weeks after the last dose of First Course/Second Cycle. Table 1 Dose of Cladribine tablets per Cycle by Patient Weight in Each Treatment Course *The use of cladribine tablets in patients weighing less than 40 kg has not been investigated. Do not administer more than 2 tablets daily.
Following the administration of 2 treatment courses, do not administer additional cladribine treatment during the next 2 years. Treatment during these 2 years may further increase the risk of malignancy. The safety and efficacy of reinitiating cladribine tablets more than 2 years after completing 2 treatment courses has not been studied.
Missed Dose If a dose is missed, patients should not take double or extra doses. If a dose is not taken on the scheduled day, then the patient must take the missed dose on the following day and extend the number of days in that treatment cycle. If two consecutive doses are missed, the treatment cycle is extended by 2 days.
Administration
Cladribine tablets are taken orally, with water, and swallowed whole without chewing. Cladribine tablets can be taken with or without food. Separate administration of cladribine tablets and any other oral drugs by at least 3 hours during the 4 to 5 day cladribine treatment cycles.
Cladribine tablets are a cytotoxic drug. Follow applicable special handling and disposal procedures. Cladribine tablets are an uncoated tablet and must be swallowed immediately once removed from the blister.
If a tablet is left on a surface, or if a broken or fragmented tablet is released from the blister, the area must be thoroughly washed with water. The patient’s hands must be dry when handling the tablets and washed thoroughly afterwards. Avoid prolonged contact with skin.
Laboratory Testing and Monitoring to Assess Safety Cancer Screening Follow standard cancer screening guidelines in patients treated with cladribine tablets. See Warnings and Precautions for instructions based on the patient’s lymphocyte counts and clinical status (e.g., infections). Hold cladribine tablets therapy if the lymphocyte count is below 200 cells per microliter periodically thereafter and when clinically indicated
Recommended Concomitant Medication Herpes Prophylaxis
Administer anti-herpes prophylaxis in patients with lymphocyte counts less than 200 cells per microliter.
| Weight Range | Dose in mg (Number of 10 mg Tablets) per Cycle | |
|---|---|---|
| kg | First Cycle | Second Cycle |
| 40* to less than 50 | 40 mg (4 tablets) | 40 mg (4 tablets) |
| 50 to less than 60 | 50 mg (5 tablets) | 50 mg (5 tablets) |
| 60 to less than 70 | 60 mg (6 tablets) | 60 mg (6 tablets) |
| 70 to less than 80 | 70 mg (7 tablets) | 70 mg (7 tablets) |
| 80 to less than 90 | 80 mg (8 tablets) | 70 mg (7 tablets) |
| 90 to less than 100 | 90 mg (9 tablets) | 80 mg (8 tablets) |
| 100 to less than 110 | 100 mg (10 tablets) | 90 mg (9 tablets) |
| 110 and above | 100 mg (10 tablets) | 100 mg (10 tablets) |
Side Effects of Cladribine
Clinical Trials Experience
Because clinical studies 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 studies of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. In the clinical trial program of cladribine in MS, 1,976 patients received cladribine for a total of 9,509 patient years. The mean time on study including follow-up was approximately 4.8 years, and approximately 24% of cladribine-treated patients had approximately 8 years of time on study including follow-up.
Table 2 shows adverse reactions in Study 1 with an incidence of at least 5% for cladribine and higher than placebo. The most common (> 20%) adverse reactions reported in Study 1 are upper respiratory tract infection, headache, and lymphopenia. Alopecia Alopecia occurred in 3% of cladribine-treated patients compared to 1% of placebo patients.
Myelodysplastic Syndrome Cases of myelodysplastic syndrome have been reported in patients that had received parenteral cladribine at a higher dosage than that approved for cladribine. These cases occurred several years after treatment. Herpes Meningoencephalitis Fatal herpes meningoencephalitis occurred in one cladribine-treated patient, at a higher dosage and longer duration of therapy than the approved cladribine dosage and in combination with interferon beta-1a treatment.
Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) SJS and TEN are identified risks of parenteral cladribine for the treatment of oncologic indications. Seizures In clinical studies, serious events of seizure occurred in 0.3% of cladribine-treated patients compared to 0 placebo patients. Serious events included generalized tonic-clonic seizures and status epilepticus.
It is unknown whether these events were related to the effects of multiple sclerosis alone, to cladribine, or to a combination of both.
Postmarketing Experience
The following adverse reactions have been identified during postapproval use of cladribine. 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. Infections and Infestations: nocardiosis, varicella zoster, histoplasmosis, cryptococcosis, and toxoplasmosis.
Hepatobiliary Disorders: liver injury
| Cladribine (N=440) % | Placebo (N=435) % | |
|---|---|---|
| Upper respiratory tract infection | 38 | 32 |
| Headache | 25 | 19 |
| Lymphopenia | 24 | 2 |
| Nausea | 10 | 9 |
| Back pain | 8 | 6 |
| Arthralgia and arthritis | 7 | 5 |
| Insomnia | 6 | 4 |
| Bronchitis | 5 | 3 |
| Hypertension | 5 | 3 |
| Fever | 5 | 3 |
| Depression | 5 | 3 |
Warnings & Cautions for Cladribine
Malignancies Treatment with cladribine tablets may increase the risk of malignancy. In controlled and extension clinical studies worldwide, malignancies occurred more frequently in cladribine-treated patients, compared to placebo patients. Malignancy cases in cladribine patients included metastatic pancreatic carcinoma, malignant melanoma (2 cases), ovarian cancer, compared to malignancy cases in placebo patients, all of which were curable by surgical resection.
The incidence of malignancies in United States cladribine clinical study patients was higher than the rest of the world; however, the United States results were based on a limited amount of patient data. After the completion of 2 treatment courses, do not administer additional cladribine treatment during the next 2 years. In clinical studies, patients who received additional cladribine treatment within 2 years after the first 2 treatment courses had an increased incidence of malignancy.
The risk of malignancy with reinitiating cladribine tablets more than 2 years after the completion of 2 treatment courses has not been studied. Cladribine tablets are contraindicated in patients with current malignancy. In patients with prior malignancy or with increased risk of malignancy, evaluate the benefits and risks of the use of cladribine tablets on an individual patient basis.
Follow standard cancer screening guidelines in patients treated with cladribine tablets.
Risk of Teratogenicity
Cladribine tablets may cause fetal harm when administered to pregnant women. Malformations and embryolethality occurred in animals. Advise women of the potential risk to a fetus during cladribine tablets dosing and for 6 months after the last dose in each treatment course.
In females of reproductive potential, pregnancy should be excluded before initiation of each treatment course of cladribine tablets and prevented by the use of effective contraception during cladribine tablets dosing and for at least 6 months after the last dose of each treatment course. Women who become pregnant during treatment with cladribine tablets should discontinue treatment. Cladribine tablets are contraindicated for use in pregnant women and in women and men of reproductive potential who do not plan to use effective contraception.
Lymphopenia
Cladribine tablets cause a dose-dependent reduction in lymphocyte count. In clinical studies, 87% of cladribine-treated patients experienced lymphopenia. The lowest absolute lymphocyte counts occurred approximately 2 to 3 months after the start of each treatment course and were lower with each additional treatment course.
At the end of the second treatment course, 2% of clinical study patients had lymphocyte counts less than 500 cells per microliter; median time to recovery to at least 800 cells per microliter was approximately 28 weeks. Additive hematological adverse reactions may be expected if cladribine tablets are administered prior to or concomitantly with other drugs that affect the hematological profile. The incidence of lymphopenia less than 500 cells per microliter was higher in patients who had used drugs to treat relapsing forms of MS prior to study entry (32.1%), compared to those with no prior use of these drugs (23.8%).
Obtain complete blood count (CBC) with differential including lymphocyte count prior to, during, and after treatment with cladribine tablets. See Dosage and Administration and Warnings and Precautions for timing of CBC measurements and additional instructions based on the patient’s lymphocyte counts and clinical status (e.g., infections).
Infections
Serious, including life-threatening or fatal, bacterial, viral, parasitic, and fungal infections have been reported in patients receiving cladribine tablets. Cladribine tablets reduces the body's immune defense, and an increased risk of infections has been observed in patients receiving cladribine tablets. The most frequent serious infections in cladribine-treated patients included herpes zoster and pyelonephritis ( see Herpes Virus Infections ).
Fungal infections were observed, including cases of coccidioidomycosis. In the postmarketing setting, serious infections have been reported, including nocardiosis, varicella zoster, histoplasmosis, cryptococcosis, and toxoplasmosis. The majority of patients with these infections who had an available absolute lymphocyte count at the time of the event had concurrent lymphopenia, consistent with the mechanism of action of cladribine tablets.
HIV infection, active tuberculosis, and active hepatitis must be excluded before initiation of each treatment course of cladribine tablets. Delay initiation of cladribine tablets in patients with an acute infection until the infection is fully resolved or controlled. Initiation of cladribine tablets in patients currently receiving immunosuppressive or myelosuppressive therapy is not recommended.
Concomitant use of cladribine tablets with these therapies could increase the risk of immunosuppression. Tuberculosis Three of 1,976 (0.2%) cladribine-treated patients in the clinical program developed tuberculosis. All three cases occurred in regions where tuberculosis is endemic.
One case of tuberculosis was fatal, and two cases resolved with treatment. Perform tuberculosis screening prior to initiation of the first and second treatment course of cladribine tablets. Latent tuberculosis infections may be activated with use of cladribine tablets.
In patients with tuberculosis infection, delay initiation of cladribine tablets until the infection has been adequately treated. Hepatitis One clinical study patient died from fulminant hepatitis B infection. Patients who are carriers of hepatitis B or C virus may be at risk of irreversible liver damage caused by virus reactivation.
Herpes Virus Infections In controlled clinical studies, 6% of cladribine-treated patients developed a herpes viral infection compared to 2% of placebo patients. Serious herpes zoster infections occurred in 0.2% of cladribine-treated patients. Vaccination of patients who are seronegative for varicella zoster virus is recommended prior to initiation of cladribine tablets.
Administer live-attenuated or live vaccines at least 4 to 6 weeks prior to starting cladribine tablets. Vaccination with zoster vaccine recombinant, adjuvanted is recommended for patients who are seropositive to VZV, either prior to or during cladribine treatment, including when their lymphocyte counts are less than or equal to 500 cells per microliter. The incidence of herpes zoster was higher during the period of absolute lymphocyte count less than 500 cells per microliter, compared to the time when the patients were not experiencing this degree of lymphopenia.
Administer anti-herpes prophylaxis in patients with lymphocyte counts less than 200 cells per microliter. Patients with lymphocyte counts below 500 cells per microliter should be monitored for signs and symptoms suggestive of infections, including herpes infections. If such signs and symptoms occur, initiate treatment as clinically indicated.
Consider interruption or delay of cladribine tablets until resolution of the infection. Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (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. 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.
No case of PML has been reported in clinical studies of cladribine in patients with multiple sclerosis. In patients treated with parenteral cladribine for oncologic indications, cases of PML have been reported in the postmarketing setting. Obtain a baseline (within 3 months) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) before initiating the first treatment course of cladribine tablets.
At the first sign or symptom suggestive of PML, withhold cladribine tablets and perform an appropriate diagnostic evaluation. MRI findings may be apparent before clinical signs or symptoms. Vaccinations Administer all immunizations (except as noted for VZV) according to immunization guidelines prior to starting cladribine tablets.
Avoid vaccination with live-attenuated or live vaccines during and after cladribine treatment while the patient’s white blood cell counts are not within normal limits.
Hematologic Toxicity
In addition to lymphopenia, decreases in other blood cells and hematological parameters have been reported with cladribine in clinical studies. Mild to moderate decreases in neutrophil counts (cell count between 1,000 cells per microliter and < lower limit of normal (LLN)) were observed in 27% of cladribine-treated patients, compared to 13% of placebo patients whereas severe decreases in neutrophil counts (cell count below 1,000 cells per microliter) were observed in 3.6% of cladribine-treated patients, compared to 2.8% of placebo patients. Decreases in hemoglobin levels, in general mild to moderate (hemoglobin 8 g per dL to < LLN), were observed in 26% of cladribine-treated patients, compared to 19% of placebo patients.
Decreases in platelet counts were generally mild (cell count 75,000 cells per microliter to < LLN) and were observed in 11% of cladribine- treated patients, compared to 4% of placebo patients. In clinical studies at dosages similar to or higher than the approved cladribine dosage, serious cases of thrombocytopenia, neutropenia, and pancytopenia (some with documented bone marrow hypoplasia) requiring transfusion and granulocyte-colony stimulating factor treatment have been reported.
Risk of Graft-Versus-Host Disease With Blood Transfusion
Transfusion-associated graft-versus-host disease has been observed rarely after transfusion of nonirradiated blood in patients treated with cladribine for non-MS treatment indications. In patients who require blood transfusion, irradiation of cellular blood components is recommended prior to administration to decrease the risk of transfusion-related graft-versus-host disease. Consultation with a hematologist is advised.
Liver Injury
Cladribine tablets can cause liver injury. In clinical studies, 0.3% of cladribine-treated patients had liver injury (serious or causing treatment discontinuation) considered related to treatment, compared to 0 placebo patients. Onset ranged from a few weeks to several months after initiation of treatment with cladribine.
Signs and symptoms of liver injury, including elevation of serum aminotransferases to greater than 20-fold the upper limit of normal, were observed. These abnormalities resolved upon treatment discontinuation. Clinically significant and life-threatening liver injury has been reported in patients treated with cladribine tablets in the postmarketing setting.
Patients with pre-existing liver disease and patients taking other hepatotoxic drugs may be at increased risk for developing liver injury when taking cladribine tablets. Most reported cases of liver injury associated with cladribine tablets occurred approximately 30 days after initiation (i.e., course 1, cycle 1) of treatment. Cladribine tablets are not recommended in patients with moderate to severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh score greater than 6).
Obtain serum aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and total bilirubin levels prior to each treatment cycle and course. If a patient develops clinical signs, including unexplained liver enzyme elevations, or symptoms suggestive of hepatic dysfunction (e.g., unexplained nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, fatigue, anorexia, or jaundice and/or dark urine), promptly measure serum transaminases and total bilirubin and interrupt or discontinue treatment with cladribine tablets, as appropriate.
Hypersensitivity
In clinical studies, 11% of cladribine-treated patients had hypersensitivity reactions, compared to 7% of placebo patients. Hypersensitivity reactions that were serious and/or led to discontinuation of cladribine tablets (e.g., dermatitis, pruritus) occurred in 0.5% of cladribine-treated patients, compared to 0.1% of placebo patients. One patient had a serious hypersensitivity reaction with rash, mucous membrane ulceration, throat swelling, vertigo, diplopia, and headache after the first dose of cladribine tablets.
If a hypersensitivity reaction is suspected, discontinue cladribine therapy. Do not use cladribine tablets in patients with a history of hypersensitivity to cladribine.
Cardiac Failure
In clinical studies, one cladribine-treated patient experienced life-threatening acute cardiac failure with myocarditis, which improved after approximately one week. Cases of cardiac failure have also been reported with parenteral cladribine used for treatment indications other than multiple sclerosis. Instruct patients to seek medical advice if they experience symptoms of cardiac failure (e.g., shortness of breath, rapid or irregular heartbeat, swelling).
Drug Interactions with Cladribine
Immunomodulatory, Immunosuppressive, or Myelosuppressive Drugs Clinical Impact Concomitant use of cladribine with immunomodulatory, immunosuppressive, or myelosuppressive drugs may increase the risk of adverse reactions because of the additive effects on the immune system. Prevention or Management Concomitant use with myelosuppressive or other immunosuppressive drugs is not recommended. In patients who have previously been treated with immunomodulatory or immunosuppressive drugs, consider potential additive effect, the mode of action, and duration of effect of the other drugs prior to initiation of cladribine.
Interferon-Beta Clinical Impact
Concomitant use of cladribine with interferon-beta did not change the exposure of cladribine to a clinically significant effect; however, lymphopenia risk may be increased.
Hematotoxic Drugs Clinical Impact
Concomitant use of cladribine with hematotoxic drugs may increase the risk of adverse reactions because of the additive hematological effects. Immunosuppressive drugs: Consider overlapping effects on immune system, when used sequentially. Concomitant use not recommended.
Hematotoxic drugs: Monitor patients for additive effects on the hematological profile. Antiviral and antiretroviral drugs: Avoid concomitant use. BCRP or ENT/CNT inhibitors: May alter bioavailability of cladribine.
Avoid concomitant use.
| 7.1 Immunomodulatory, Immunosuppressive, or Myelosuppressive Drugs | ||
| Clinical Impact | Concomitant use of cladribine with immunomodulatory, immunosuppressive, or myelosuppressive drugs may increase the risk of adverse reactions because of the additive effects on the immune system [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 )]. | |
| Prevention or Management | Concomitant use with myelosuppressive or other immunosuppressive drugs is not recommended. Acute short-term therapy with corticosteroids can be administered. In patients who have previously been treated with immunomodulatory or immunosuppressive drugs, consider potential additive effect, the mode of action, and duration of effect of the other drugs prior to initiation of cladribine. | |
| 7.2 Interferon-Beta | ||
| Clinical Impact | Concomitant use of cladribine with interferon-beta did not change the exposure of cladribine to a clinically significant effect; however, lymphopenia risk may be increased [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ]. | |
| Prevention or Management | Concomitant use is not recommended. | |
| 7.3 Hematotoxic Drugs | ||
| Clinical Impact | Concomitant use of cladribine with hematotoxic drugs may increase the risk of adverse reactions because of the additive hematological effects [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ]. | |
| Prevention or Management | Monitor hematological parameters. | |
| 7.4 Antiviral and Antiretroviral Drugs | ||
| Clinical Impact | Compounds that require intracellular phosphorylation to become active (e.g., lamivudine, zalcitabine, ribavirin, stavudine, and zidovudine) could interfere with the intracellular phosphorylation and activity of cladribine. | |
| Prevention or Management | Avoid concomitant use. | |
| 7.5 Potent ENT, CNT and BCRP Transporter Inhibitors | ||
| Clinical Impact | Cladribine is a substrate of breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP), equilibrative nucleoside (ENT1), and concentrative nucleoside (CNT3) transport proteins. The bioavailability, intracellular distribution, and renal elimination of cladribine may be altered by potent ENT1, CNT3, and BCRP transporter inhibitors. | |
| Prevention or Management | Avoid co-administration of potent ENT1, CNT3, or BCRP transporter inhibitors (e.g., ritonavir, eltrombopag, curcumin, cyclosporine, dilazep, nifedipine, nimodipine, cilostazol, sulindac, dipyridamole, or reserpine) during the 4 to 5 day cladribine treatment cycles. If this is not possible, consider selection of alternative concomitant drugs with no or minimal ENT1, CNT3, or BCRP transporter inhibiting properties. If this is not possible, dose reduction to the minimum mandatory dose of drugs containing these compounds, separation in the timing of administration, and careful patient monitoring is recommended. | |
| 7.6 Potent BCRP and P-gp Transporter Inducers | ||
| Clinical Impact | Possible decrease in cladribine exposure if potent BCRP or P-gp transporter inducers are co-administered. | |
| Prevention or Management | Consider a possible decrease in cladribine efficacy if potent BCRP (e.g., corticosteroids) or P-gp (e.g., rifampicin, St. John's Wort) transporter inducers are co-administered. | |
Pregnancy Safety for Cladribine
Pregnancy Risk Summary Cladribine tablets are contraindicated in pregnant women and in females and males of reproductive potential who do not plan to use effective contraception. There are no adequate data on the developmental risk associated with use of cladribine in pregnant women. Cladribine was embryolethal when administered to pregnant mice and produced malformations in mice and rabbits.
The observed developmental effects are consistent with the effects of cladribine on DNA. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is respectively. The background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown.
Data Animal Data When cladribine was administered intravenously mg/kg/day to pregnant mice during the period of organogenesis, fetal growth retardation and malformations (including exencephaly and cleft palate) and embryofetal death were observed at the highest dose tested. An increase in skeletal variations was observed at all but the lowest dose tested. There was no evidence of maternal toxicity.
When cladribine was administered intravenously mg/kg/day to pregnant rabbits during the period of organogenesis, fetal growth retardation and a high incidence of craniofacial and limb malformations were observed at the highest dose tested, in the absence of maternal toxicity. When cladribine was administered intravenously mg/kg/day to mice throughout pregnancy and lactation, skeletal anomalies and embryolethality were observed at all but the lowest dose tested.
Pediatric Use of Cladribine
Pediatric Use The safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients (below 18 years of age) have not been established. Use of cladribine is not recommended in pediatric patients because of the risk of malignancies.
Contraindications for Cladribine
Cladribine tablets are contraindicated: in patients with current malignancy. in pregnant women and in females and males of reproductive potential who do not plan to use effective contraception during cladribine tablets dosing and for 6 months after the last dose in each treatment course for females, and 14 weeks for males. May cause fetal harm. in patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). in patients with active chronic infections (e.g., hepatitis or tuberculosis). in patients with a history of hypersensitivity to cladribine. in females intending to breastfeed on a cladribine treatment day and for 10 days after the last dose. Patients with current malignancy.
HIV infection. History of hypersensitivity to cladribine.
Overdosage Information for Cladribine
There is no experience with overdose of cladribine tablets. Lymphopenia is known to be dose- dependent. Particularly close monitoring of hematological parameters is recommended in patients who have been exposed to an overdose of cladribine tablets.
There is no known specific antidote to an overdose of cladribine tablets. Treatment consists of careful observation and initiation of appropriate supportive measures. Discontinuation of cladribine tablets may need to be considered.
Because of the rapid and extensive intracellular and tissue distribution, hemodialysis is unlikely to eliminate cladribine to a significant extent.
Clinical Studies of Cladribine
The efficacy of cladribine tablets was demonstrated in a 96-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study in patients with relapsing forms of MS (Study 1; NCT00213135). Patients were required to have at least 1 relapse in the previous 12 months. The mean duration of MS prior to study enrollment was 8.7 years, and the median baseline neurological disability based on Kurtzke Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score across all treatment groups was 3.
Over two thirds of the study patients were treatment-naive for drugs used to treat relapsing forms of MS. 1,326 patients were randomized to receive either placebo (n = 437), or a cumulative oral dosage of cladribine 3.5 mg per kg (n = 433) or 5.25 mg per kg body weight (n = 456) over the 96-week study period in 2 treatment courses. Patients randomized to the 5.25 mg per kg cumulative dose received additional treatment at Weeks 9 and 13 of the first year. Ninety-two percent of patients treated with cladribine 3.5 mg per kg and 87% of patients receiving placebo completed the full 96 weeks of the study.
The primary outcome of Study 1 was the annualized relapse rate (ARR). Additional outcome measures included the proportion of patients with confirmed disability progression, the time to first qualifying relapse, the mean number of MRI T1 Gadolinium-enhancing (Gd+) lesions, and new or enlarging MRI T2 hyperintense lesions. Disability progression was measured in terms of a 3-month sustained change in EDSS score of at least one point, if baseline EDSS score was between 0.5 and 4.5 inclusively, or at least 1.5 points if the baseline EDSS score was 0, or at least 0.5 point if the baseline EDSS score was at least 5, over a period of at least 3 months.
Cladribine 3.5 mg per kg significantly lowered the annualized relapse rate. The results from Study 1 are presented in Table 4.
| Endpoints | Cladribine Cumulative Dose 3.5 mg per kg (n = 433) | Placebo (n = 437) |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical Endpoints | ||
| Annualized relapse rate (ARR) | 0.14* | 0.33 |
| Relative reduction in ARR | 58% | |
| Proportion of patients without relapse | 81% | 63% |
| Time to 3-month confirmed EDSS progression, HR | 0.67* | |
| Proportion of patients with 3-month EDSS progression | 13% | 19% |
| MRI Endpoints | ||
| Median Number of Active T1 Gd+ Lesions | 0* | 0.33 |
| Median Number of Active T2 Lesions | 0* | 0.67 |
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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