Ganciclovir Drug Information

Treatment of

CMV Retinitis Ganciclovir Injection is indicated for the treatment of cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis in immunocompromised adult patients, including patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

Prevention of

CMV Disease in Transplant Recipients Ganciclovir Injection is indicated for the prevention of CMV disease in adult transplant recipients at risk for CMV disease.

Clinical Trial Experience in Adult Patients

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 rates observed in practice. The most common adverse reactions and laboratory abnormalities reported in at least 20% of patients were pyrexia, diarrhea, leukopenia, nausea, anemia, asthenia, headache, cough, decreased appetite, dyspnea, abdominal pain, sepsis, hyperhidrosis, and blood creatinine increased. Selected adverse reactions that occurred during clinical trials of Ganciclovir Injection are summarized below, according to the participating study patient population.

Three controlled, randomized, phase 3 trials comparing Ganciclovir Injection and ganciclovir capsules for maintenance treatment of CMV retinitis have been completed. During these trials, Ganciclovir Injection or ganciclovir capsules were prematurely discontinued in 9% of subjects because of adverse reactions. Selected adverse reactions and laboratory abnormalities reported during the conduct of these controlled trials are summarized in Table 2 and Table 3, respectively Adverse Reactions in Patients with CMV Retinitis: Three controlled, randomized, phase 3 trials comparing Ganciclovir Injection and ganciclovir capsules for maintenance treatment of CMV retinitis have been completed.

During these trials, Ganciclovir Injection or ganciclovir capsules were prematurely discontinued in 9% of subjects because of adverse reactions. Selected adverse reactions and laboratory abnormalities reported during the conduct of these controlled trials are summarized in Table 2 and Table 3, respectively . Table 2. Pooled Selected Adverse Reactions Reported in ≥ 5% of Subjects Comparing Ganciclovir Injection to Ganciclovir Capsules for Maintenance Treatment of CMV Retinitis Maintenance Treatment Studies Adverse Reaction Ganciclovir Injection (n=179) Ganciclovir Capsules (n=326) Pyrexia 48% 38% Diarrhea 44% 41% Leukopenia 41% 29% Anemia 25% 19% Total catheter events 22% 6% Catheter infection 9% 4% Catheter sepsis 8% 1% Other catheter related events 5% 1% Sepsis 15% 4% Decreased appetite 14% 15% Vomiting 13% 13% Infection 13% 9% Hyperhidrosis 12% 11% Chills 10% 7% Neuropathy peripheral 9% 8% Thrombocytopenia 6% 6% Pruritus 5% 6% Retinal detachment has been observed in subjects with CMV retinitis both before and after initiation of therapy with ganciclovir. Its relationship to therapy with ganciclovir is unknown.

Retinal detachment occurred in 11% of patients treated with Ganciclovir Injection Retinal Detachment: Retinal detachment has been observed in subjects with CMV retinitis both before and after initiation of therapy with ganciclovir. Its relationship to therapy with ganciclovir is unknown. Retinal detachment occurred in 11% of patients treated with Ganciclovir Injection and in 8% of patients treated with ganciclovir capsules.

Table 3. Selected Laboratory Abnormalities in Trials for Treatment of CMV Retinitis CMV Retinitis Treatment Pooled data from Treatment Studies: ICM 1653, ICM 1774 and AVI 034 Laboratory Abnormalities Ganciclovir Injection Mean time on therapy = 103 days, including allowed re-induction treatment periods 5 mg/kg/day (N=175) % Ganciclovir Capsules Mean time on therapy = 91 days, including allowed re-induction treatment periods 3000 mg/day (N=320) % Neutropenia with Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC) per mcL: < 500 25% 18% 500 < 749 14% 17% 750 < 1000 26% 19% Anemia with Hemoglobin (g/dL): < 6.5 g/dL 5% 2% 6.5 < 8.0 16% 10% 8.0 < 9.5 26% 25% Serum Creatinine (mg/dL): ≥ 2.5 2% 1% ≥ 1.5 – < 2.5 14% 12% There have been three controlled clinical trials of Ganciclovir Injection for the prevention of CMV disease in transplant recipients. Selected laboratory abnormalities are summarized in Table 4 and Table 5 below. Adverse Reactions in Transplant Recipients: There have been three controlled clinical trials of Ganciclovir Injection for the prevention of CMV disease in transplant recipients.

Selected laboratory abnormalities are summarized in Table 4 and Table 5 below. Table 4 shows the frequency of neutropenia and thrombocytopenia and Table 5 shows the frequency of elevated serum creatinine values observed in these trials Table 4 shows the frequency of neutropenia and thrombocytopenia and Table 5 shows the frequency of elevated serum creatinine values observed in these trials . Table 4. Laboratory Abnormalities in Controlled Trials Transplant Recipients who Received Ganciclovir Injection, Placebo or Control Ganciclovir Injection Heart Allograft Study ICM 1496. Mean duration of treatment = 28 days Bone Marrow Allograft Study ICM 1570 and ICM 1689. Mean duration of treatment = 45 days Ganciclovir Injection (n=76) Placebo (n=73) Ganciclovir Injection (n=57) Control (n=55) Neutropenia Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC) per mcL < 500 4% 3% 12% 6% 500-1000 3% 8% 29% 17% Total ANC ≤ 1000/mcL 7% 11% 41% 23% Thrombocytopenia Platelet count per mcL < 25,000 3% 1% 32% 28% 25,000-50,000 5% 3% 25% 37% Total Platelet Count ≤ 50,000/mcL 8% 4% 57% 65% Table 5. Serum Creatinine Levels in Controlled Trials - Transplant Recipients who Received Ganciclovir Injection or Placebo Serum Creatinine Levels (mg/dL) Heart Allograft ICM 1496 Bone Marrow Allograft ICM 1570 Bone Marrow Allograft ICM 1689 Ganciclovir Injection (n=76) Placebo Ganciclovir Injection Control Ganciclovir Injection Placebo (n=73) (n=20) (n=20) (n=37) (n=35) ≥ 2.5 mg/dL 18% 4% 20% 0% 0% 0% ≥ 1.5 - < 2.5 58% 69% 50% 35% 43% 44% Other Adverse Reactions in Clinical Trials in Patients with CMV Retinitis and in Transplant Recipients Adverse drug reactions with Ganciclovir Injection or ganciclovir capsules in controlled clinical studies in either subjects with AIDS or transplant recipients are listed below Adverse drug reactions with Ganciclovir Injection or ganciclovir capsules in controlled clinical studies in either subjects with AIDS or transplant recipients are listed below. All these events occurred in at least 3 subjects. pancytopenia, bone marrow failure Blood and lymphatic disorders: pancytopenia, bone marrow failure arrhythmia Cardiac disorders: arrhythmia : tinnitus, ear pain, deafness Ear and labyrinth disorders : tinnitus, ear pain, deafness : visual impairment, vitreous disorders, eye pain, conjunctivitis, macular edema Eye disorders : visual impairment, vitreous disorders, eye pain, conjunctivitis, macular edema : nausea, abdominal pain, dyspepsia, flatulence, constipation, mouth ulceration, dysphagia, abdominal distention, pancreatitis, gastrointestinal perforation, eructation, dry mouth Gastrointestinal disorders : nausea, abdominal pain, dyspepsia, flatulence, constipation, mouth ulceration, dysphagia, abdominal distention, pancreatitis, gastrointestinal perforation, eructation, dry mouth : fatigue, injection site inflammation, edema, pain, malaise, asthenia, chest pain, multiple organ failure General disorders and administration site conditions : fatigue, injection site inflammation, edema, pain, malaise, asthenia, chest pain, multiple organ failure : hypersensitivity Immune system disorders : hypersensitivity candida infections including oral candidiasis, upper respiratory infection, influenza, urinary tract infection, cellulitis Infections and infestations: candida infections including oral candidiasis, upper respiratory infection, influenza, urinary tract infection, cellulitis : blood alkaline phosphatase increased, hepatic function abnormal, aspartate aminotransferase increased, alanine aminotransferase increased, creatinine clearance decreased Investigations : blood alkaline phosphatase increased, hepatic function abnormal, aspartate aminotransferase increased, alanine aminotransferase increased, creatinine clearance decreased weight decreased Metabolism and nutrition disorders: weight decreased back pain, myalgia, arthralgia, muscle spasms, leg cramps, myasthenia Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders: back pain, myalgia, arthralgia, muscle spasms, leg cramps, myasthenia headache, insomnia, dizziness, paresthesia, hypoesthesia, seizure, somnolence, dysgeusia (taste disturbance), tremor Nervous system disorders: headache, insomnia, dizziness, paresthesia, hypoesthesia, seizure, somnolence, dysgeusia (taste disturbance), tremor depression, confusional state, anxiety, agitation, psychotic disorder, thinking abnormal, abnormal dreams Psychiatric disorders: depression, confusional state, anxiety, agitation, psychotic disorder, thinking abnormal, abnormal dreams kidney failure, renal function abnormal, urinary frequency, hematuria Renal and urinary disorders: kidney failure, renal function abnormal, urinary frequency, hematuria cough, dyspnea Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders: cough, dyspnea dermatitis, alopecia, dry skin, urticaria, rash Skin and subcutaneous tissues disorders: dermatitis, alopecia, dry skin, urticaria, rash : hypotension, hypertension, phlebitis, vasodilation Vascular disorders : hypotension, hypertension, phlebitis, vasodilation

Postmarketing Experience

The following adverse reactions have been identified during post-approval use of Ganciclovir Injection The following adverse reactions have been identified during post-approval use of Ganciclovir Injection or ganciclovir capsules. 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. : hemolytic anemia, agranulocytosis, granulocytopenia Blood and lymphatic disorders : hemolytic anemia, agranulocytosis, granulocytopenia cardiac arrest, conduction disorder, torsade de pointes, ventricular tachycardia Cardiac disorders: cardiac arrest, conduction disorder, torsade de pointes, ventricular tachycardia congenital anomaly Congenital, familial and genetic disorders: congenital anomaly inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion Endocrine disorders: inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion cataracts, dry eyes Eye disorders: cataracts, dry eyes intestinal ulcer Gastrointestinal disorders: intestinal ulcer cholelithiasis, cholestasis, hepatic failure, hepatitis Hepatobiliary disorders: cholelithiasis, cholestasis, hepatic failure, hepatitis anaphylactic reaction, allergic reaction, vasculitis Immune system disorders: anaphylactic reaction, allergic reaction, vasculitis blood triglycerides increased Investigations: blood triglycerides increased acidosis, hypercalcemia, hyponatremia Metabolism and nutrition disorders: acidosis, hypercalcemia, hyponatremia arthritis, rhabdomyolysis Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders: arthritis, rhabdomyolysis dysesthesia, dysphasia, extrapyramidal disorder, facial paralysis, amnesia, anosmia, myelopathy, cerebrovascular accident, third cranial nerve paralysis, aphasia, encephalopathy, intracranial hypertension Nervous system disorders: dysesthesia, dysphasia, extrapyramidal disorder, facial paralysis, amnesia, anosmia, myelopathy, cerebrovascular accident, third cranial nerve paralysis, aphasia, encephalopathy, intracranial hypertension irritability, hallucinations Psychiatric disorders: irritability, hallucinations renal tubular disorder, hemolytic uremic syndrome Renal and urinary disorders: renal tubular disorder, hemolytic uremic syndrome infertility, testicular hypotrophy Reproductive system and breast disorders: infertility, testicular hypotrophy bronchospasm, pulmonary fibrosis Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders: bronchospasm, pulmonary fibrosis : exfoliative dermatitis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome Skin and subcutaneous tissues disorders : exfoliative dermatitis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome peripheral ischemia Vascular disorders: peripheral ischemia

Drug-drug interaction studies were conducted in patients with normal renal function. Patients with impaired renal function may have increased concentrations of ganciclovir and the coadministered drug following concomitant administration of Ganciclovir Injection Drug-drug interaction studies were conducted in patients with normal renal function. Patients with impaired renal function may have increased concentrations of ganciclovir and the coadministered drug following concomitant administration of Ganciclovir Injection and drugs excreted by the same pathway as ganciclovir.

Therefore, these patients should be closely monitored for toxicity of ganciclovir and the coadministered drug. Established and other potentially significant drug interactions conducted with ganciclovir are listed in Table 6. Established and other potentially significant drug interactions conducted with ganciclovir are listed in Table 6 . Table 6. Established and Other Potentially Significant Drug Interactions with Ganciclovir Name of the Concomitant Drug Change in the Concentration of Ganciclovir or Concomitant Drug Clinical Comment Imipenem-cilastatin Unknown Coadministration with imipenem-cilastatin is not recommended because generalized seizures have been reported in patients who received ganciclovir and imipenem-cilastatin. Cyclosporine or amphotericin B Unknown Monitor renal function when Ganciclovir Injection is coadministered with cyclosporine or amphotericin B because of potential increase in serum creatinine.

Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) ↔ Ganciclovir (in patients with normal renal function) ↔ MMF (in patients with normal renal function) Based on increased risk, patients should be monitored for hematological and renal toxicity. Other drugs associated with myelosuppression or nephrotoxicity (e.g., dapsone, doxorubicin, flucytosine, hydroxyurea, pentamidine, tacrolimus, trimethoprim/ sulfamethoxazole, vinblastine, vincristine and zidovudine) Unknown Because of potential for higher toxicity, coadministration with Ganciclovir Injection should be considered only if the potential benefits are judged to outweigh the risks. Didanosine ↔ Ganciclovir ↑ Didanosine Patients should be closely monitored for didanosine toxicity (e.g., pancreatitis). Probenecid ↑ Ganciclovir Ganciclovir Injection dose may need to be reduced.

Monitor for evidence of ganciclovir toxicity. Imipenem-cilastatin: Seizures were reported in patients receiving ganciclovir and imipenem-cilastatin. Concomitant use is not recommended unless the potential benefits outweigh the risks.

Cyclosporine or amphotericin B: When coadministered with ganciclovir, the risk of nephrotoxicity may be increased. Monitor renal function. Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF): When coadministered with ganciclovir, the risk of hematological and renal toxicity may be increased.

Monitor for ganciclovir and MMF toxicity. Other drugs associated with myelosuppression or nephrotoxicity: Due to potential for increased toxicity, such drugs should be considered for concomitant use with ganciclovir only if the potential benefits are judged to outweigh the risks. Didanosine: Ganciclovir coadministered with didanosine may increase didanosine levels.

Monitor for didanosine toxicity (e.g., pancreatitis). Probenecid: May increase ganciclovir levels. Monitor for evidence of ganciclovir toxicity.

Pregnancy Risk Summary In animal studies, ganciclovir caused maternal and fetal toxicity and embryo-fetal mortality in pregnant mice and rabbits as well as teratogenicity in rabbits at exposures two times the exposure at the recommended human dose (RHD) . Although placental transfer of ganciclovir has been shown to occur based on ex vivo experiments with human placenta and in at least one case report in a pregnant woman, no adequate human data are available to establish whether Ganciclovir Injection poses a risk to pregnancy outcomes. The background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated populations is unknown. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in the clinically recognized pregnancies is 2-4% and 15-20%, respectively.

Clinical Considerations Disease-associated maternal and/or embryo-fetal risk Most maternal CMV infections are asymptomatic or they may be associated with a self-limited mononucleosis-like syndrome. However, in immunocompromised patients (i.e., transplant patients or patients with AIDS), CMV infections may be symptomatic and may result in significant maternal morbidity and mortality. The transmission of CMV to the fetus is a result of maternal viremia and transplacental infection.

Perinatal infection can also occur from exposure of the neonate to CMV shedding in the genital tract. Approximately 10% of children with congenital CMV infection are symptomatic at birth. Mortality in symptomatic infants is about 10% and approximately 50-90% of symptomatic surviving newborns experience significant morbidity, including mental retardation, sensorineural hearing loss, microcephaly, seizures, and other medical problems.

The risk of congenital CMV infection resulting from primary maternal CMV infection may be higher and of greater severity than that resulting from maternal reactivation of CMV infection. Data Animal Data Daily intravenous doses of ganciclovir were administered to pregnant mice (108 mg/kg/day) and rabbits (60 mg/kg/day), and also to female mice (90 mg/kg) prior to mating, during gestation, and during lactation. Fetal resorptions were present in at least 85% of rabbits and mice.

Additional effects observed in rabbits included fetal growth retardation, embryolethality, teratogenicity, and/or maternal toxicity. Teratogenic changes included cleft palate, anophthalmia/microphthalmia, aplastic organs (kidney and pancreas), hydrocephaly, and brachygnathia. In pre/postnatal development studies in mice, there were maternal/fetal toxicity and embryolethality which included fetal effects of hypoplasia of the testes and seminal vesicles in the male offspring, as well as pathologic changes in the nonglandular region of the stomach.

The systemic exposure (AUC) of ganciclovir during these studies was approximately 2 times (pregnant mice and rabbits) and 1.7 times (pre/postnatal mice) the exposure in humans at the RHD .

Pediatric Use Safety and efficacy of Ganciclovir Injection Safety and efficacy of Ganciclovir Injection have not been established in pediatric patients. A total of 120 pediatric patients with serious CMV infections participated in clinical trials. Granulocytopenia and thrombocytopenia were the most common adverse reactions.

The pharmacokinetic characteristics of ganciclovir after administration of Ganciclovir Injection were studied in 27 neonates (aged 2 to 49 days) and 10 pediatric patients, aged 9 months to 12 years. In neonates, the pharmacokinetic parameters after ganciclovir intravenous doses of 4 mg/kg (n=14) and 6 mg/kg (n=13) were C 5.5 ± 1.6 and 7.0 ± 1.6 mcg/mL, systemic clearance 3.14 ± 1.75 and 3.56 ± 1.27 mL/min/kg, and t of 2.4 hours (harmonic mean) for both doses, respectively. A total of 120 pediatric patients with serious CMV infections participated in clinical trials.

Granulocytopenia and thrombocytopenia were the most common adverse reactions. The pharmacokinetic characteristics of ganciclovir after administration of Ganciclovir Injection were studied in 27 neonates (aged 2 to 49 days) and 10 pediatric patients, aged 9 months to 12 years. In neonates, the pharmacokinetic parameters after ganciclovir intravenous doses of 4 mg/kg (n=14) and 6 mg/kg (n=13) were C max 5.5 ± 1.6 and 7.0 ± 1.6 mcg/mL, systemic clearance 3.14 ± 1.75 and 3.56 ± 1.27 mL/min/kg, and t 1/2 of 2.4 hours (harmonic mean) for both doses, respectively.

In pediatric patients 9 months to 12 years of age, the pharmacokinetic characteristics of ganciclovir were the same after single and multiple (every 12 hours) intravenous doses (5 mg/kg). The steady-state volume of distribution was 0.64 ± 0.22 L/kg, C was 7.9 ± 3.9 mcg/mL, systemic clearance was 4.7 ± 2.2 mL/min/kg, and t was 2.4 ± 0.7 hours. In pediatric patients 9 months to 12 years of age, the pharmacokinetic characteristics of ganciclovir were the same after single and multiple (every 12 hours) intravenous doses (5 mg/kg). The steady-state volume of distribution was 0.64 ± 0.22 L/kg, C max was 7.9 ± 3.9 mcg/mL, systemic clearance was 4.7 ± 2.2 mL/min/kg, and t 1/2 was 2.4 ± 0.7 hours. Although the pharmacokinetics of Ganciclovir Injection in pediatric patients were similar to those observed in adults, the safety and efficacy of ganciclovir at these exposures in pediatric patients have not been established.Although the pharmacokinetics of Ganciclovir Injection in pediatric patients were similar to those observed in adults, the safety and efficacy of ganciclovir at these exposures in pediatric patients have not been established.

Ganciclovir Injection Ganciclovir Injection is contraindicated in patients who have experienced a clinically significant hypersensitivity reaction (e.g., anaphylaxis) to ganciclovir, valganciclovir, or any component of the formulation. Hypersensitivity to ganciclovir or valganciclovir.

Reports of adverse reactions after overdoses with Ganciclovir Injection Reports of adverse reactions after overdoses with Ganciclovir Injection, some with fatal outcomes, have been received from clinical trials and during postmarketing experience. One or more of the following adverse reactions has been reported with overdoses: myelosuppression including pancytopenia, leukopenia, neutropenia, granulocytopenia, thrombocytopenia, bone marrow failure Hematological toxicity: myelosuppression including pancytopenia, leukopenia, neutropenia, granulocytopenia, thrombocytopenia, bone marrow failure hepatitis, liver function disorder Hepatotoxicity: hepatitis, liver function disorder worsening of hematuria in a patient with pre-existing renal impairment, acute kidney injury, elevated creatinine Renal toxicity: worsening of hematuria in a patient with pre-existing renal impairment, acute kidney injury, elevated creatinine abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting Gastrointestinal toxicity: abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting seizure Neurotoxicity: seizure Since ganciclovir is dialyzable, dialysis may be useful in reducing serum concentrations in patients who have received an overdose of Ganciclovir Injection. Adequate hydration should be maintained.

The use of hematopoietic growth factors should be considered in patients with cytopenias. Since ganciclovir is dialyzable, dialysis may be useful in reducing serum concentrations in patients who have received an overdose of Ganciclovir Injection . Adequate hydration should be maintained. The use of hematopoietic growth factors should be considered in patients with cytopenias .