Parsabiv Drug Information

Generic name: ETELCALCETIDE

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Uses of Parsabiv

PARSABIV is indicated for the treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism (HPT) in adult patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) on hemodialysis. PARSABIV is a calcium-sensing receptor agonist indicated for: Secondary hyperparathyroidism (HPT) in adult patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) on hemodialysis. Limitations of Use: PARSABIV has not been studied in adult patients with parathyroid carcinoma, primary hyperparathyroidism, or with CKD who are not on hemodialysis and is not recommended for use in these populations.

Dosage & Administration of Parsabiv

Recommended Dosing

Ensure corrected serum calcium is at or above the lower limit of normal prior to PARSABIV initiation, a PARSABIV dose increase, or re-initiation of PARSABIV therapy after a dosing interruption. The recommended starting dose of PARSABIV is 5 mg administered by intravenous (IV) bolus injection three times per week at the end of hemodialysis treatment. The maintenance dose of PARSABIV is individualized and determined by titration based on parathyroid hormone (PTH) and corrected serum calcium response.

The maintenance dose is the dose that maintains PTH levels within the recommended target range and corrected serum calcium within the normal range. The lowest maintenance dose of PARSABIV is 2.5 mg three times per week, and the highest maintenance dose of PARSABIV is 15 mg three times per week. Administer PARSABIV only at the end of hemodialysis treatment.

If a regularly scheduled hemodialysis treatment is missed, DO NOT administer any missed doses. Resume PARSABIV at the end of the next hemodialysis treatment at the prescribed dose. If doses of PARSABIV are missed for more than 2 weeks, re-initiate PARSABIV at the recommended starting dose of 5 mg (or 2.5 mg if that was the patient's last dose).

Monitoring and Dose Adjustment

Monitor corrected serum calcium and PTH levels during dose initiation, dose adjustment, and dose maintenance according to the schedule in Table 1. Table 1: Recommended Schedule for Monitoring Corrected Serum Calcium and Titrate PARSABIV dose based on PTH and corrected serum calcium response. At the maintenance dose, PTH levels should be within the recommended target range and corrected serum calcium within the normal range.

Increase the dose of PARSABIV in 2.5 mg or 5 mg increments in individuals with corrected serum calcium within the normal range and PTH levels above the recommended target range based on the patient's PTH levels no more frequently than every 4 weeks up to a maximum dose of 15 mg three times per week. Decrease or temporarily discontinue PARSABIV dosing in individuals with PTH levels below the target range. In individuals with a corrected serum calcium below the lower limit of normal but at or above 7.5 mg/dL without symptoms of hypocalcemia, consider decreasing or temporarily discontinuing PARSABIV or use concomitant therapies to increase corrected serum calcium.

If the dose is stopped, then re-initiate PARSABIV at a lower dose when the PTH is within the target range and hypocalcemia has been corrected. Stop PARSABIV and treat hypocalcemia if the corrected serum calcium falls below 7.5 mg/dL or patients report symptoms of hypocalcemia. When the corrected serum calcium is within normal limits, symptoms of hypocalcemia have resolved, and predisposing factors for hypocalcemia have been addressed, re-initiate PARSABIV at a dose 5 mg lower than the last administered dose.

The solution is clear and colorless. Inspect PARSABIV for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration. Do not use PARSABIV vials if particulate matter or discoloration is observed.

PARSABIV is removed by the dialyzer membrane and must be administered after blood is no longer circulating through the dialyzer. Administer PARSABIV by intravenous bolus injection into the venous line of the dialysis circuit after hemodialysis during rinse back or intravenously after rinse back. Administer a sufficient volume of saline, e.g. 150 mL of rinse back, after PARSABIV injection into the dialysis tubing.

If PARSABIV is administered after rinse back, administer PARSABIV intravenously followed by at least 10 mL of saline flush.

Switching from Cinacalcet to PARSABIV

Discontinue cinacalcet for at least 7 days prior to starting PARSABIV, and initiate PARSABIV treatment at a starting dose of 5 mg.

Table 1: Recommended Schedule for Monitoring Corrected Serum Calcium and Parathyroid Hormone Levels during PARSABIV Treatment
Dose Initiation or Dose AdjustmentMaintenance
Corrected Serum Calcium Levels1 week afterEvery 4 weeks
Parathyroid Hormone Levels4 weeks afterPer clinical practice

Side Effects of Parsabiv

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 with rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in clinical practice. The data in Table 2 are derived from two placebo-controlled clinical studies in patients with chronic kidney disease and secondary hyperparathyroidism on hemodialysis. The data reflect exposure of 503 patients to PARSABIV with a mean duration of exposure to PARSABIV of 23.6 weeks.

The mean age of patients was approximately 58 years, and 60% of the patients were male. Table 2 shows common adverse reactions associated with the use of PARSABIV in the pool of placebo-controlled studies. These adverse reactions occurred more commonly on PARSABIV than on placebo and were reported in at least 5% of patients treated with PARSABIV.

Table 2: Adverse Reactions Reported in ≥ Other adverse reactions associated with the use of PARSABIV but reported in < 5% of patients in the PARSABIV group in the two placebo-controlled clinical studies were: Hyperkalemia: 3% and 4% for placebo and PARSABIV, respectively. Hospitalization for Heart Failure: 1% and 2% for placebo and PARSABIV, respectively. Myalgia: 0.2% and 2% for placebo and PARSABIV, respectively.

Hypophosphatemia: 0.2% and 1% for placebo and PARSABIV, respectively. Description of Selected Adverse Reactions Hypocalcemia In the combined placebo-controlled studies, a higher proportion of patients on PARSABIV developed at least one corrected serum calcium value below 7.0 mg/dL (7. placebo). In the combined placebo-controlled studies, 1% of patients in the PARSABIV group and 0% of patients in the placebo group discontinued treatment due to an adverse reaction attributed to a low corrected serum calcium.

Hypophosphatemia In the combined placebo-controlled studies, 18% of patients treated with PARSABIV and 8.2% of patients treated with placebo had at least one measured phosphorus level below the lower normal limit (i.e., 2.2 mg/dL). QTc Interval Prolongation Secondary to Hypocalcemia In the combined placebo-controlled studies, more patients treated with PARSABIV experienced a maximum increase from baseline of greater than 60 msec in the QTcF interval (0% placebo versus 1.2% PARSABIV). The patient incidence of maximum post-baseline predialysis QTcF > 500 msec in the placebo and PARSABIV groups was 1.9% and 4.8%, respectively.

Hypersensitivity In the combined placebo-controlled studies, the subject incidence of adverse reactions potentially related to hypersensitivity was 4.4% in the PARSABIV group and 3.7% in the placebo group. Hypersensitivity reactions in the PARSABIV group were pruritic rash, urticaria, and face edema.

Immunogenicity As with all peptide therapeutics, there is potential for immunogenicity. The detection of anti-drug binding antibody formation is highly dependent on the sensitivity and specificity of the assay. Additionally, the observed incidence of antibody positivity in an assay may be influenced by several factors, including assay methodology, sample handling, timing of sample collection, concomitant medications, and underlying disease.

For these reasons, comparison of the incidence of antibodies to etelcalcetide with the incidence of antibodies to other products may be misleading. Fifty-seven out of 71 had pre-existing anti-etelcalcetide antibodies. No evidence of altered pharmacokinetic profile, clinical response, or safety profile was associated with pre-existing or developing anti-etelcalcetide antibodies.

Postmarketing Experience

The following adverse reactions have been identified during postmarketing use of PARSABIV. Because postmarketing reporting of adverse reactions is voluntary and from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. Anaphylactic reaction Hypocalcemia in patients who were administered etelcalcetide concomitantly with other products known to lower serum calcium (e.g. cinacalcet, denosumab) Seizures secondary to hypocalcemia

Table 2: Adverse Reactions Reported in ≥ 5% of PARSABIV-Treated Patients
Adverse Reaction Included adverse reactions reported with at least 1% greater incidence in the PARSABIV group compared to the placebo groupPlacebo (N = 513)PARSABIV (N = 503)
Blood calcium decreased Asymptomatic reductions in calcium below 7.5 mg/dL or clinically significant asymptomatic reductions in corrected serum calcium between 7.5 and < 8.3 mg/dL (that required medical management)10%64%
Muscle spasms7%12%
Diarrhea9%11%
Nausea6%11%
Vomiting5%9%
Headache6%8%
Hypocalcemia Symptomatic reductions in corrected serum calcium < 8.3 mg/dL0.2%7%
Paresthesia Paresthesia includes preferred terms of paresthesia and hypoesthesia1%6%

Warnings & Cautions for Parsabiv

Hypocalcemia

PARSABIV lowers serum calcium and can lead to hypocalcemia, sometimes severe. Significant lowering of serum calcium can cause paresthesias, myalgias, muscle spasms, seizures, QT interval prolongation, and ventricular arrhythmia. QT Interval Prolongation and Ventricular Arrhythmia In the combined placebo-controlled studies, more patients treated with PARSABIV experienced a maximum increase from baseline of greater than 60 msec in the QTcF interval (0% placebo versus 1.2% PARSABIV).

In these studies, the incidence of a maximum post-baseline predialysis QTcF > 500 msec in the placebo and PARSABIV groups was 1.9% and 4.8%, respectively. Patients with congenital long QT syndrome, history of QT interval prolongation, family history of long QT syndrome or sudden cardiac death, and other conditions that predispose to QT interval prolongation and ventricular arrhythmia may be at increased risk for QT interval prolongation and ventricular arrhythmias if they develop hypocalcemia due to PARSABIV. Closely monitor corrected serum calcium and QT interval in patients at risk receiving PARSABIV.

Seizures Significant reductions in corrected serum calcium may lower the threshold for seizures. Patients with a history of seizure disorder may be at increased risk for seizures if they develop hypocalcemia due to PARSABIV. Monitor corrected serum calcium in patients with seizure disorders receiving PARSABIV.

Risk of Hypocalcemia with Other Serum Calcium Lowering Products Concurrent administration of PARSABIV with another oral calcium-sensing receptor agonist could result in severe, life-threatening hypocalcemia. Patients switching from cinacalcet to PARSABIV should discontinue cinacalcet for at least 7 days prior to initiating PARSABIV. Closely monitor corrected serum calcium in patients receiving PARSABIV and concomitant therapies known to lower serum calcium.

Monitoring Serum Calcium and Patient Education Measure corrected serum calcium prior to initiation of PARSABIV. Do not initiate in patients if the corrected serum calcium is less than the lower limit of normal. Monitor corrected serum calcium within 1 week after initiation or dose adjustment and every 4 weeks during treatment with PARSABIV.

Educate patients on the symptoms of hypocalcemia and advise them to contact a healthcare provider if they occur. Management of Hypocalcemia If corrected serum calcium falls below the lower limit of normal or symptoms of hypocalcemia develop, start or increase calcium supplementation (including calcium, calcium-containing phosphate binders, and/or vitamin D sterols or increases in dialysate calcium concentration). PARSABIV dose reduction or discontinuation of PARSABIV may be necessary.

Worsening Heart Failure

In clinical studies with PARSABIV, cases of hypotension, congestive heart failure, and decreased myocardial performance have been reported. In clinical studies, heart failure requiring hospitalization occurred in 2% of PARSABIV-treated patients and 1% of placebo-treated patients. Reductions in corrected serum calcium may be associated with congestive heart failure, however, a causal relationship to PARSABIV could not be completely excluded.

Closely monitor patients treated with PARSABIV for worsening signs and symptoms of heart failure.

Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding

In clinical studies, two patients treated with PARSABIV in 1253 patient-years of exposure had upper gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding noted at the time of death while no patient in the control groups in 384 patient-years of exposure had upper GI bleeding noted at the time of death. The exact cause of GI bleeding in these patients is unknown, and there were too few cases to determine whether these cases were related to PARSABIV. Patients with risk factors for upper GI bleeding (such as known gastritis, esophagitis, ulcers, or severe vomiting) may be at increased risk for GI bleeding while receiving PARSABIV treatment.

Monitor patients for worsening of common GI adverse reactions of nausea and vomiting associated with PARSABIV and for signs and symptoms of GI bleeding and ulcerations during PARSABIV therapy. Promptly evaluate and treat any suspected GI bleeding.

Adynamic Bone

Adynamic bone may develop if PTH levels are chronically suppressed. If PTH levels decrease below the recommended target range, the dose of vitamin D sterols and/or PARSABIV should be reduced or therapy discontinued. After discontinuation, resume therapy at a lower dose to maintain PTH levels in the target range.

Pregnancy Safety for Parsabiv

Pregnancy Risk Summary There are no available data on the use of PARSABIV in pregnant women. In animal reproduction studies, effects were seen at doses associated with maternal toxicity that included hypocalcemia. In a pre- and post-natal study in rats administered etelcalcetide during organogenesis through delivery and weaning, there was a slight increase in perinatal pup mortality, delay in parturition, and transient effects on pup growth at exposures 1.8 times the human exposure for the clinical dose of 15 mg three times per week.

There was no effect on sexual maturation, neurobehavioral, or reproductive function in the rat offspring. In embryo-fetal studies, when rats and rabbits were administered etelcalcetide during organogenesis, reduced fetal growth was observed at exposures 2.7 and 7 times exposures for the clinical dose, respectively. The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown.

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. Data Animal Data There were no effects on embryo-fetal development in Sprague-Dawley rats when etelcalcetide was dosed at 0.75, 1.5, and 3 mg/kg/day by the intravenous route during organogenesis (pre-mating to gestation day 17) at exposures up to 1.8 times human exposures at the clinical dose of 15 mg three times per week based on AUC. In a pre- and post-natal development study in Sprague-Dawley rats administered etelcalcetide at 0.75, 1.5, and 3 mg/kg/day by the intravenous route (gestation day 7 to lactation day 20), there was a slight increase in perinatal pup mortality, delay in parturition, and transient reductions in post-natal growth at 3 mg/kg/day (representing 1.8-fold human exposures at the clinical dose of 15 mg three times per week based on AUC), associated with maternal toxicities of hypocalcemia, tremoring, and reductions in body weight and food consumption.

There were no effects on sexual maturation, neurobehavioral, or reproductive function at up to 3 mg/kg/day, representing exposures up to 1.8-fold human exposure based on AUC.

Pediatric Use of Parsabiv

Pediatric Use The safety and efficacy of PARSABIV have not been established in pediatric patients.

Contraindications for Parsabiv

PARSABIV is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to etelcalcetide or any of its excipients. Hypersensitivity reactions, including face edema and anaphylactic reaction, have occurred with PARSABIV.

Overdosage Information for Parsabiv

There is no clinical experience with PARSABIV overdosage. Overdosage of PARSABIV may lead to hypocalcemia with or without clinical symptoms and may require treatment. Although PARSABIV is cleared by dialysis, hemodialysis has not been studied as a treatment for PARSABIV overdosage.

In the event of overdosage, corrected serum calcium should be checked and patients should be monitored for symptoms of hypocalcemia, and appropriate measures should be taken.

Clinical Studies of Parsabiv

The efficacy and safety of PARSABIV for the treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism in patients with chronic kidney disease receiving hemodialysis three times per week were evaluated in two 26-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies (Study 1 and Study 2). The starting dose of PARSABIV was 5 mg three times per week administered at the end of hemodialysis. PARSABIV dose was titrated every 4 weeks until week 17 to a maximum dose of 15 mg three times per week to target a PTH level of less than or equal to 300 pg/mL.

PARSABIV was suspended temporarily if two consecutive PTH levels were less than 100 pg/mL. The dose of PARSABIV was not increased if PTH levels were less than or equal to 300 pg/mL, corrected serum calcium was less than 8.3 mg/dL, symptomatic hypocalcemia occurred, or the investigator judged that no dose increase was needed. The average dose of PARSABIV at the time of the efficacy assessment (weeks 20 through 27, inclusive) was 7.2 mg three times per week.

Throughout the study, patients were maintained on a dialysate calcium concentration of greater than or equal to 2.25 meq/L. In each study, the primary outcome measure was the proportion of patients with a greater than 30% reduction in PTH levels from baseline to the efficacy assessment phase (mean PTH levels for weeks 20 through 27, inclusive). The other outcome measures were the proportion of patients with a mean PTH of less than or equal to 300 pg/mL, percent change from baseline in PTH, corrected serum calcium, and phosphate levels.

Baseline demographic and disease characteristics were balanced between groups. The mean age of the patients was 58 years, and 57% were male. Sixty-six percent of patients had a mean screening PTH level greater than or equal to 600 pg/mL, 74% patients were receiving vitamin D sterols, and 84% patients were receiving phosphate binders.

The mean age of the patients was 59 years, and 64% were male. In both studies, a significantly higher proportion of patients treated with PARSABIV achieved a greater than 30% reduction in PTH levels from baseline to the efficacy assessment phase (mean PTH levels for weeks 20 through 27, inclusive) than the proportion of patients treated with placebo. In both studies, reduction in mean PTH, corrected serum calcium, and serum phosphate levels from baseline to the end of study were observed in the PARSABIV arm, and differences between PARSABIV and placebo were statistically significant.

Results for each individual study are shown in Table 3. Table 3: Effects of PARSABIV on Parathyroid Hormone, Corrected Serum Calcium, and Serum Phosphate Measured at Weeks 20 to 27 in Two 6-Month, Placebo-Controlled Studies in Chronic Kidney Disease Patients with Secondary Hyperparathyroidism on Hemodialysis -49.4 p < 0.001 vs. placebo p = 0.08 vs. placebo -3.6 -7.2 p < 0.01 vs. placebo -0.3 PARSABIV decreased PTH levels regardless of baseline PTH, duration of dialysis, whether or not patients had been previously treated with cinacalcet, and whether or not patients were receiving vitamin D sterols. Reductions in PTH levels, corrected serum calcium, and serum phosphate were maintained for up to 78 weeks of treatment in those patients who elected to participate in the extension phase of both studies.

Table 3: Effects of PARSABIV on Parathyroid Hormone, Corrected Serum Calcium, and Serum Phosphate Measured at Weeks 20 to 27 in Two 6-Month, Placebo-Controlled Studies in Chronic Kidney Disease Patients with Secondary Hyperparathyroidism on Hemodialysis
Study 1Study 2
PARSABIV (N = 254)Placebo (N = 254)PARSABIV (N = 255)Placebo (N = 260)
EAP = Efficacy Assessment Phase; weeks 20 through 27, inclusive
Parathyroid Hormone
Baseline (pg/mL):
Median706706740726
Mean (SE)849 (33)820 (24)845 (29)852 (34)
Mean EAP (pg/mL) (SE) Results from a multiple imputation method for missing data using information from patients who discontinued treatment but had final assessment during the EAP. For Study 1, the percentages of patients with no PTH assessment during the EAP were 10% and 14% for PARSABIV and placebo, respectively; for Study 2, they were 11% and 9%, respectively. The corresponding percentages were the same for corrected serum calcium and one to two percentage points higher for serum phosphate.424 (37)898 (34)416 (32)971 (46)
Mean Percent Change, % (SE) Other outcome measures for Studies 1 and 2.,-49.4 (3.4) p < 0.001 vs. placebo14.9 (3.6)-47.8 (3.7)18.6 (3.5)
Patients with > 30% Reduction in PTH during the EAP, multiple imputation, n (%) Main outcome measure for Studies 1 and 2.,196 (77)28 (11)201 (79)29 (11)
Patients with ≤ 300 pg/mL in PTH during the EAP, n (%),131 (52)16 (6)142 (56)14 (5)
Corrected Serum Calcium
Mean Baseline (mg/dL) (SE)9.7 (0.04)9.6 (0.04)9.6 (0.04)9.7 (0.04)
Mean EAP (mg/dL) (SE)9.0 (0.1)9.7 (0.04)9.0 (0.1)9.7 (0.05)
Mean Percent Change, % (SE),-7.0 (0.6)0.9 (0.6)-7.0 (0.7)-0.8 (0.6)
Serum Phosphate
Mean Baseline (mg/dL) (SE)6.0 (0.1)5.8 (0.1)5.8 (0.1)5.8 (0.1)
Mean EAP (mg/dL) (SE)5.4 (0.1)5.5 (0.1)5.2 (0.1)5.6 (0.1)
Mean Percent Change, % (SE),-8.8 (2.5) p = 0.08 vs. placebo-3.6 (2.8)-7.2 (2.5) p < 0.01 vs. placebo-0.3 (2.2)

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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