Sabril Drug Information

Generic name: VIGABATRIN

Anti-epileptic Agent [EPC]

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Uses of Sabril

Refractory Complex Partial Seizures (CPS) SABRIL is indicated as adjunctive therapy for adults and pediatric patients 2 years of age and older with refractory complex partial seizures who have inadequately responded to several alternative treatments and for whom the potential benefits outweigh the risk of vision loss. SABRIL is not indicated as a first line agent for complex partial seizures.

Infantile Spasms (IS) SABRIL is indicated as monotherapy for pediatric patients with infantile spasms 1 month to 2 years of age for whom the potential benefits outweigh the potential risk of vision loss.

Dosage & Administration of Sabril

Important Dosing and Administration Instructions Dosing Use the lowest dosage and shortest exposure to SABRIL consistent with clinical objectives. The SABRIL dosing regimen depends on the indication, age group, weight, and dosage form (tablets or for oral solution). Patients with impaired renal function require dose adjustment.

Monitoring of SABRIL plasma concentrations to optimize therapy is not helpful. Administration SABRIL is given orally with or without food. SABRIL for oral solution should be mixed with water prior to administration.

A calibrated measuring device is recommended to measure and deliver the prescribed dose accurately. A household teaspoon or tablespoon is not an adequate measuring device. If a decision is made to discontinue SABRIL, the dose should be gradually reduced.

Refractory Complex Partial Seizures Adults (Patients 17 Years of Age and Older) Treatment should be initiated at 1000 mg/day (500 mg twice daily). Total daily dose may be increased in 500 mg increments at weekly intervals depending on response. The recommended dose of SABRIL in adults is 3000 mg/day (1500 mg twice daily).

A 6000 mg/day dose has not been shown to confer additional benefit compared to the 3000 mg/day dose and is associated with an increased incidence of adverse events. In controlled clinical studies in adults with complex partial seizures, SABRIL was tapered by decreasing the daily dose 1000 mg/day on a weekly basis until discontinued. Pediatric (Patients 2 to 16 Years of Age) The recommended dosage is based on body weight and administered as two divided doses, as shown in Table 1.

The dosage may be increased in weekly intervals to the total daily maintenance dosage, depending on response. Pediatric patients weighing more than 60 kg should be dosed according to adult recommendations. Table 1.

CPS Dosing Recommendations for Pediatric Patients Weighing 10 kg up to 60 kg Body Weight Total Daily* Starting Dose Total Daily* Maintenance Dose In patients with refractory complex partial seizures, SABRIL should be withdrawn if a substantial clinical benefit is not observed within 3 months of initiating treatment. If, in the clinical judgment of the prescriber, evidence of treatment failure becomes obvious earlier than 3 months, treatment should be discontinued at that time. In a controlled study in pediatric patients with complex partial seizures, SABRIL was tapered by decreasing the daily dose by one third every week for three weeks.

Infantile Spasms

The initial daily dosing is 50 mg/kg/day given in two divided doses (25 mg/kg twice daily); subsequent dosing can be titrated by 25 mg/kg/day to 50 mg/kg/day increments every 3 days, up to a maximum of 150 mg/kg/day given in 2 divided doses (75 mg/kg twice daily). Table 2 provides the volume of the 50 mg/mL dosing solution that should be administered as individual doses in infants of various weights. In patients with infantile spasms, SABRIL should be withdrawn if a substantial clinical benefit is not observed within 2 to 4 weeks.

In a controlled clinical study in patients with infantile spasms, SABRIL was tapered by decreasing the daily dose at a rate of 25 mg/kg to 50 mg/kg every 3 to 4 days.

Patients with Renal Impairment SABRIL is primarily eliminated through the kidney. Infants Information about how to adjust the dose in infants with renal impairment is unavailable. Adult and pediatric patients 2 years and older Mild renal impairment (CLcr >50 to 80 mL/min): dose should be decreased by 25% Moderate renal impairment (CLcr >30 to 50 mL/min): dose should be decreased by 50% Severe renal impairment (CLcr >10 to 30 mL/min): dose should be decreased by 75% CLcr in mL/min may be estimated from serum creatinine (mg/dL) using the following formulas: Patients 2 to <12 years old: CLcr (mL/min/1.73 m 2 ) = (K × Ht) / Scr height (Ht) in cm; serum creatinine (Scr) in mg/dL K (proportionality constant): Female Child (<12 years): K=0.55; Male Child (<12 years): K=0.70 Adult and pediatric patients 12 years or older: CLcr (mL/min) = × weight ( kg ) / (× 0.85 for female patients ) The effect of dialysis on SABRIL clearance has not been adequately studied.

Preparation and Administration Instructions for SABRIL for oral solution If using SABRIL for oral solution, physicians should review and discuss the Medication Guide and instructions for mixing and giving SABRIL with the patient or caregiver(s). Physicians should confirm that patients or caregiver(s) understand how to mix SABRIL powder with water and administer the correct daily dose. Empty the entire contents of each 500 mg packet into a clean cup, and dissolve in 10 mL of cold or room temperature water per packet.

Administer the resulting solution using the 3 mL or 10 mL oral syringe provided by the pharmacy. The concentration of the final solution is 50 mg/mL. Table 3 below describes how many packets and how many milliliters (mL) of water will be needed to prepare each individual dose.

The concentration after reconstitution is 50 mg/mL. Discard the resulting solution if it is not clear (or free of particles) and colorless. Each individual dose should be prepared and used immediately.

Discard any unused portion of the solution after administering the correct dose.

Table 1. CPS Dosing Recommendations for Pediatric Patients Weighing 10 kg up to 60 kg
Body Weight [kg]Total Daily* Starting Dose [mg/day]Total Daily* Maintenance Dose [mg/day]
10 kg to 15 kg350 mg1050 mg
Greater than 15 kg to 20 kg450 mg1300 mg
Greater than 20 kg to 25 kg500 mg1500 mg
Greater than 25 kg to 60 kg500 mg2000 mg
Administered in two divided doses Maintenance dose is based on 3000 mg/day adult-equivalent dose Patients weighing more than 60 kg should be dosed according to adult recommendations
Table 2. Infant Dosing Table
Weight [kg]Starting Dose 50 mg/kg/dayMaximum Dose 150 mg/kg/day
31.5 mL twice daily4.5 mL twice daily
42 mL twice daily6 mL twice daily
52.5 mL twice daily7.5 mL twice daily
63 mL twice daily9 mL twice daily
73.5 mL twice daily10.5 mL twice daily
84 mL twice daily12 mL twice daily
94.5 mL twice daily13.5 mL twice daily
105 mL twice daily15 mL twice daily
115.5 mL twice daily16.5 mL twice daily
126 mL twice daily18 mL twice daily
136.5 mL twice daily19.5 mL twice daily
147 mL twice daily21 mL twice daily
157.5 mL twice daily22.5 mL twice daily
168 mL twice daily24 mL twice daily
Table 3. Number of SABRIL Packets and mL of Water Needed for Each Individual Dose
Individual Dose [mg] [Given Twice Daily]Total Number of SABRIL PacketsTotal mL of Water Required for Dissolving
0 to 5001 Packet10 mL
501 to 10002 Packets20 mL
1001 to 15003 Packets30 mL

Side Effects of Sabril

Clinical Trial 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. In U.S. and primary non-U.S. clinical studies of 4,079 SABRIL-treated patients, the most common (≥5%) adverse reactions associated with the use of SABRIL in combination with other AEDs were headache, somnolence, fatigue, dizziness, convulsion, nasopharyngitis, weight gain, upper respiratory tract infection, visual field defect, depression, tremor, nystagmus, nausea, diarrhea, memory impairment, insomnia, irritability, abnormal coordination, blurred vision, diplopia, vomiting, influenza, pyrexia, and rash. The adverse reactions most commonly associated with SABRIL treatment discontinuation in ≥1% of patients were convulsion and depression.

In patients with infantile spasms, the adverse reactions most commonly associated with SABRIL treatment discontinuation in ≥1% of patients were infections, status epilepticus, developmental coordination disorder, dystonia, hypotonia, hypertonia, weight gain, and insomnia. Refractory C omplex Partial Seizures Adults Table 5 lists the adverse reactions that occurred in ≥2% and more than one patient per SABRIL-treated group and that occurred more frequently than in placebo patients from 2 U.S. adjunctive clinical studies of refractory CPS in adults. years of age Table 6 lists adverse reactions from controlled clinical studies of pediatric patients receiving SABRIL or placebo as adjunctive therapy for refractory complex partial seizures. Adverse reactions that are listed occurred in at least 2% of SABRIL-treated patients and more frequently than placebo.

In a dose response study of low-dose (18-36 mg/kg/day) versus high-dose (100-148 mg/kg/day) SABRIL, no clear correlation between dose and incidence of adverse reactions was observed. The adverse reactions (≥5% in either dose group) are summarized in Table 7.

Postmarketing Experience

The following adverse reactions have been identified during postapproval use of SABRIL. 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. Adverse reactions are categorized by system organ class.

Birth Defects: Congenital cardiac defects, congenital external ear anomaly, congenital hemangioma, congenital hydronephrosis, congenital male genital malformation, congenital oral malformation, congenital vesicoureteric reflux, dentofacial anomaly, dysmorphism, fetal anticonvulsant syndrome, hamartomas, hip dysplasia, limb malformation, limb reduction defect, low set ears, renal aplasia, retinitis pigmentosa, supernumerary nipple, talipes Ear Disorders: Deafness Endocrine Disorders: Delayed puberty Gastrointestinal Disorders: Gastrointestinal hemorrhage, esophagitis General Disorders: Developmental delay, facial edema, malignant hyperthermia, multi-organ failure Hepatobiliary Disorders: Cholestasis Nervous System Disorders: Dystonia, encephalopathy, hypertonia, hypotonia, muscle spasticity, myoclonus, optic neuritis, dyskinesia Psychiatric Disorders: Acute psychosis, apathy, delirium, hypomania, neonatal agitation, psychotic disorder Respiratory Disorders: Laryngeal edema, pulmonary embolism, respiratory failure, stridor Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders: Angioedema, maculo-papular rash, pruritus, Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), alopecia

Table 5. Adverse Reactions in Pooled, Adjunctive Trials in Adults with Refractory Complex Partial Seizures
SABRIL dosage (mg/day)
Body System Adverse Reaction3000 [N=134] %6000 [N=43] %Placebo [N=135] %
Ear Disorders
Tinnitus201
Vertigo251
Eye Disorders
Blurred vision13165
Diplopia7163
Asthenopia220
Eye pain050
Gastrointestinal Disorders
Diarrhea10167
Nausea1028
Vomiting796
Constipation853
Upper abdominal pain551
Dyspepsia453
Stomach discomfort421
Abdominal pain321
Toothache252
Abdominal distension201
General Disorders
Fatigue234016
Gait disturbance6127
Asthenia571
Edema peripheral571
Fever473
Chest pain151
Thirst200
Malaise050
Infections
Nasopharyngitis14910
Upper respiratory tract infection796
Influenza574
Urinary tract infection450
Bronchitis051
Injury
Contusion352
Joint sprain121
Muscle strain121
Wound secretion020
Metabolism and Nutrition Disorders
Increased appetite151
Weight gain6143
Musculoskeletal Disorders
Arthralgia1053
Back pain472
Pain in extremity624
Myalgia351
Muscle twitching191
Muscle spasms301
Nervous System Disorders
Headache332631
Somnolence222613
Dizziness242617
Nystagmus13199
Tremor15168
Memory impairment7163
Abnormal coordination7162
Disturbance in attention901
Sensory disturbance472
Hyporeflexia451
Paraesthesia721
Lethargy472
Hyperreflexia423
Hypoaesthesia451
Sedation400
Status epilepticus250
Dysarthria221
Postictal state201
Sensory loss050
Psychiatric Disorders
Irritability7237
Depression6143
Confusional state4141
Anxiety403
Depressed mood501
Abnormal thinking370
Abnormal behavior351
Expressive language disorder171
Nervousness252
Abnormal dreams151
Reproductive System
Dysmenorrhea953
Erectile dysfunction050
Respiratory and Thoracic Disorders
Pharyngolaryngeal pain7145
Cough2147
Pulmonary congestion051
Sinus headache621
Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders
Rash454
Table 6. Adverse Reactions in Pooled, Adjunctive Trials in Pediatric Patients 3 to 16 Years of Age with Refractory Complex Partial Seizures
Body System Adverse ReactionAll SABRIL [N=165] %Placebo [N=104] %
Eye Disorders
Diplopia32
Blurred vision20
Gastrointestinal Disorders
Upper abdominal pain43
Constipation21
General Disorders
Fatigue107
Infections and Infestations
Upper respiratory tract infection1511
Influenza73
Otitis media64
Streptococcal pharyngitis43
Viral gastroenteritis20
Investigations
Weight gain152
Nervous System Disorders
Somnolence65
Nystagmus43
Tremor42
Status epilepticus21
Psychiatric Disorders
Abnormal behavior76
Aggression62
Disorientation30
Table 7. Adverse Reactions in a Placebo-Controlled Trial in Patients with Infantile Spasms
SABRIL Low DoseSABRIL High Dose
Body System Adverse Reaction[N=114] %[N=108] %
Eye Disorders (other than field or acuity changes)
Strabismus55
Conjunctivitis52
Gastrointestinal Disorders
Vomiting1420
Constipation1412
Diarrhea1312
General Disorders
Fever2919
Infections
Upper respiratory tract infection5146
Otitis media4430
Viral infection2019
Pneumonia1311
Candidiasis83
Ear infection714
Gastroenteritis viral65
Sinusitis59
Urinary tract infection56
Influenza53
Croup infectious51
Metabolism & Nutrition Disorders
Decreased appetite97
Nervous System Disorders
Sedation1917
Somnolence1719
Status epilepticus64
Lethargy57
Convulsion47
Hypotonia46
Psychiatric Disorders
Irritability1623
Insomnia1012
Respiratory Disorders
Nasal congestion134
Cough38
Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders
Rash811

Warnings & Cautions for Sabril

Permanent Vision Loss SABRIL can cause permanent vision loss. Because of this risk and because, when it is effective, SABRIL provides an observable symptomatic benefit; patient response and continued need for treatment should be periodically assessed. Based upon adult studies, 30 percent or more of patients can be affected with bilateral concentric visual field constriction ranging in severity from mild to severe.

Severe cases may be characterized by tunnel vision to within 10 degrees of visual fixation, which can result in disability. In some cases, SABRIL also can damage the central retina and may decrease visual acuity. Symptoms of vision loss from SABRIL are unlikely to be recognized by patients or caregivers before vision loss is severe.

Vision loss of milder severity, while often unrecognized by the patient or caregiver, can still adversely affect function. Because assessing vision may be difficult in infants and children, the frequency and extent of vision loss is poorly characterized in these patients. For this reason, the understanding of the risk is primarily based on the adult experience.

The possibility that vision loss from SABRIL may be more common, more severe, or have more severe functional consequences in infants and children than in adults cannot be excluded. The onset of vision loss from SABRIL is unpredictable and can occur within weeks of starting treatment or sooner, or at any time after starting treatment, even after months or years. The risk of vision loss increases with increasing dose and cumulative exposure, but there is no dose or exposure known to be free of risk of vision loss.

In patients with refractory complex partial seizures, SABRIL should be withdrawn if a substantial clinical benefit is not observed within 3 months of initiating treatment. If, in the clinical judgment of the prescriber, evidence of treatment failure becomes obvious earlier than 3 months, treatment should be discontinued at that time. In patients with infantile spasms, SABRIL should be withdrawn if a substantial clinical benefit is not observed within 2 to 4 weeks.

SABRIL should not be used in patients with, or at high risk of, other types of irreversible vision loss unless the benefits of treatment clearly outweigh the risks. The interaction of other types of irreversible vision damage with vision damage from SABRIL has not been well-characterized, but is likely adverse. SABRIL should not be used with other drugs associated with serious adverse ophthalmic effects such as retinopathy or glaucoma unless the benefits clearly outweigh the risks.

Monitoring of Vision Monitoring of vision by an ophthalmic professional with expertise in visual field interpretation and the ability to perform dilated indirect ophthalmoscopy of the retina is recommended. Because vision testing in infants is difficult, vision loss may not be detected until it is severe. For patients receiving SABRIL, vision assessment is recommended at baseline (no later than 4 weeks after starting SABRIL), at least every 3 months while on therapy, and about 3-6 months after the discontinuation of therapy.

The diagnostic approach should be individualized for the patient and clinical situation. In adults and cooperative pediatric patients, perimetry is recommended, preferably by automated threshold visual field testing. Additional testing may also include electrophysiology (e.g., electroretinography ), retinal imaging (e.g., optical coherence tomography ), and/or other methods appropriate for the patient.

In patients who cannot be tested, treatment may continue according to clinical judgment, with appropriate patient counseling. Because of variability, results from ophthalmic monitoring must be interpreted with caution, and repeat assessment is recommended if results are abnormal or uninterpretable. Repeat assessment in the first few weeks of treatment is recommended to establish if, and to what degree, reproducible results can be obtained, and to guide selection of appropriate ongoing monitoring for the patient.

The onset and progression of vision loss from SABRIL is unpredictable, and it may occur or worsen precipitously between assessments. Once detected, vision loss due to SABRIL is not reversible. It is expected that even with frequent monitoring, some SABRIL patients will develop severe vision loss.

Consider drug discontinuation, balancing benefit and risk, if vision loss is documented. It is possible that vision loss can worsen despite discontinuation of SABRIL.

Vigabatrin REMS Program SABRIL is available only through a restricted distribution program called the Vigabatrin REMS Program, because of the risk of permanent vision loss. Notable requirements of the Vigabatrin REMS Program include the following: Prescribers must be certified by enrolling in the program, agreeing to counsel patients on the risk of vision loss and the need for periodic monitoring of vision, and reporting any event suggestive of vision loss to Lundbeck. Patients must enroll in the program.

Pharmacies must be certified and must only dispense to patients authorized to receive SABRIL. Further information is available at www.vigabatrinREMS.com, or call 1-866-244-8175.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Abnormalities in Infants Abnormal MRI signal changes characterized by increased T2 signal and restricted diffusion in a symmetric pattern involving the thalamus, basal ganglia, brain stem, and cerebellum have been observed in some infants treated with vigabatrin. In a retrospective epidemiologic study in infants with infantile spasms (N=205), the prevalence of MRI changes was 22% in vigabatrin-treated patients versus 4% in patients treated with other therapies. In this study, in post marketing experience, and in published literature reports, these changes generally resolved with discontinuation of treatment.

In a few patients, the lesion resolved despite continued use. It has been reported that some infants exhibited coincident motor abnormalities, but no causal relationship has been established and the potential for long-term clinical sequelae has not been adequately studied. Neurotoxicity (brain histopathology and neurobehavioral abnormalities) was observed in rats exposed to vigabatrin during late gestation and the neonatal and juvenile periods of development, and brain histopathological changes were observed in dogs exposed to vigabatrin during the juvenile period of development.

The relationship between these findings and the abnormal MRI findings in infants treated with vigabatrin for infantile spasms is unknown. The specific pattern of signal changes observed in patients 6 years and younger was not observed in older pediatric and adult patients treated with vigabatrin. In a blinded review of MRI images obtained in prospective clinical trials in patients with refractory complex partial seizures (CPS) 3 years and older (N=656), no difference was observed in anatomic distribution or prevalence of MRI signal changes between vigabatrin treated and placebo treated patients.

In the postmarketing setting, MRI changes have also been reported in patients 6 years of age and younger being treated for refractory CPS. For adults treated with SABRIL, routine MRI surveillance is unnecessary as there is no evidence that vigabatrin causes MRI changes in this population.

Neurotoxicity Intramyelinic Edema (IME) has been reported in postmortem examination of infants being treated for infantile spasms with vigabatrin. Studies of the effects of vigabatrin on MRI and evoked potentials (EP) in adult epilepsy patients have demonstrated no clear-cut abnormalities. Vacuolation, characterized by fluid accumulation and separation of the outer layers of myelin, has been observed in brain white matter tracts in adult and juvenile rats and adult mice, dogs, and possibly monkeys following administration of vigabatrin.

This lesion, referred to as intramyelinic edema (IME), was seen in animals at doses within the human therapeutic range. A no-effect dose was not established in rodents or dogs. In the rat and dog, vacuolation was reversible following discontinuation of vigabatrin treatment, but, in the rat, pathologic changes consisting of swollen or degenerating axons, mineralization, and gliosis were seen in brain areas in which vacuolation had been previously observed.

Vacuolation in adult animals was correlated with alterations in MRI and changes in visual and somatosensory EP. Administration of vigabatrin to rats during the neonatal and juvenile periods of development produced vacuolar changes in the brain gray matter (including the thalamus, midbrain, deep cerebellar nuclei, substantia nigra, hippocampus, and forebrain) which are considered distinct from the IME observed in vigabatrin treated adult animals. Decreased myelination and evidence of oligodendrocyte injury were additional findings in the brains of vigabatrin-treated rats.

An increase in apoptosis was seen in some brain regions following vigabatrin exposure during the early postnatal period. Long-term neurobehavioral abnormalities (convulsions, neuromotor impairment, learning deficits) were also observed following vigabatrin treatment of young rats. Administration of vigabatrin to juvenile dogs produced vacuolar changes in the brain gray matter (including the septal nuclei, hippocampus, hypothalamus, thalamus, cerebellum, and globus pallidus).

Neurobehavioral effects of vigabatrin were not assessed in the juvenile dog. These effects in young animals occurred at doses lower than those producing neurotoxicity in adult animals and were associated with plasma vigabatrin levels substantially lower than those achieved clinically in infants and children. In a published study, vigabatrin (200, 400 mg/kg/day) induced apoptotic neurodegeneration in the brain of young rats when administered by intraperitoneal injection on postnatal days 5-7.

Administration of vigabatrin to female rats during pregnancy and lactation at doses below those used clinically resulted in hippocampal vacuolation and convulsions in the mature offspring.

Suicidal Behavior and Ideation

Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), including SABRIL, increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior in patients taking these drugs for any indication. Patients treated with any AED for any indication should be monitored for the emergence or worsening of depression, suicidal thoughts or behavior, and/or any unusual changes in mood or behavior. Pooled analyses of 199 placebo-controlled clinical trials (mono- and adjunctive therapy) of 11 different AEDs showed that patients randomized to one of the AEDs had approximately twice the risk adjusted Relative Risk of suicidal thinking or behavior compared to patients randomized to placebo.

In these trials, which had a median treatment duration of 12 weeks, the estimated incidence rate of suicidal behavior or ideation among 27,863 AED treated patients was 0.43%, compared to 0.24% among 16,029 placebo-treated patients, representing an increase of approximately one case of suicidal thinking or behavior for every 530 patients treated. There were four suicides in drug treated patients in the trials and none in placebo treated patients, but the number is too small to allow any conclusion about drug effect on suicide. The increased risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior with AEDs was observed as early as one week after starting drug treatment with AEDs and persisted for the duration of treatment assessed.

Because most trials included in the analysis did not extend beyond 24 weeks, the risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior beyond 24 weeks could not be assessed. The risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior was generally consistent among drugs in the data analyzed. The finding of increased risk with AEDs of varying mechanisms of action and across a range of indications suggests that the risk applies to all AEDs used for any indication.

The risk did not vary substantially by age (5-100 years) in the clinical trials analyzed. Table 4 shows absolute and relative risk by indication for all evaluated AEDs. Table 4.

Risk by Indication for Antiepileptic Drugs in the Pooled Analysis The relative risk for suicidal thoughts or behavior was higher in clinical trials for epilepsy than in clinical trials for psychiatric or other conditions, but the absolute risk differences were similar for the epilepsy and psychiatric indications. Anyone considering prescribing SABRIL or any other AED must balance the risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior with the risk of untreated illness. Epilepsy and many other illnesses for which AEDs are prescribed are themselves associated with morbidity and mortality and an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior.

Should suicidal thoughts and behavior emerge during treatment, the prescriber needs to consider whether the emergence of these symptoms in any given patient may be related to the illness being treated. Patients, their caregivers, and families should be informed that AEDs increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior and should be advised of the need to be alert for the emergence or worsening of the signs and symptoms of depression, any unusual changes in mood or behavior, or the emergence of suicidal thoughts, behavior, or thoughts about self-harm. Behaviors of concern should be reported immediately to healthcare providers.

Withdrawal of Antiepileptic Drugs (AEDs) As with all AEDs, SABRIL should be withdrawn gradually. However, if withdrawal is needed because of a serious adverse event, rapid discontinuation can be considered. Patients and caregivers should be told not to suddenly discontinue SABRIL therapy.

In controlled clinical studies in adults with complex partial seizures, SABRIL was tapered by decreasing the daily dose 1000 mg/day on a weekly basis until discontinued. In a controlled study in pediatric patients with complex partial seizures, SABRIL was tapered by decreasing the daily dose by one third every week for three weeks. In a controlled clinical study in patients with infantile spasms, SABRIL was tapered by decreasing the daily dose at a rate of 25-50 mg/kg every 3-4 days.

Anemia In North

American controlled trials in adults, 6% of patients (16/280) receiving SABRIL and 2% of patients (3/188) receiving placebo had adverse events of anemia and/or met criteria for potentially clinically important hematology changes involving hemoglobin, hematocrit, and/or RBC indices. Across U.S. controlled trials, there were mean decreases in hemoglobin of about 3% and 0% in SABRIL and placebo-treated patients, respectively, and a mean decrease in hematocrit of about 1% in SABRIL-treated patients compared to a mean gain of about 1% in patients treated with placebo. Patients should be advised not to drive a car or operate other complex machinery until they are familiar with the effects of SABRIL on their ability to perform such activities.

In those same studies, 28% of SABRIL patients experienced fatigue compared to 15% (20/135) of placebo patients. Almost 1% of SABRIL patients discontinued from clinical trials for somnolence and almost 1% discontinued for fatigue. No SABRIL patients discontinued from clinical trials due to somnolence or fatigue.

Peripheral Neuropathy

SABRIL causes symptoms of peripheral neuropathy in adults. Pediatric clinical trials were not designed to assess symptoms of peripheral neuropathy, but observed incidence of symptoms based on pooled data from controlled pediatric studies appeared similar for pediatric patients on vigabatrin and placebo. In a pool of North American controlled and uncontrolled epilepsy studies, 4.2% (19/457) of SABRIL patients developed signs and/or symptoms of peripheral neuropathy.

In the subset of North American placebo-controlled epilepsy trials, 1.4% (4/280) of SABRIL treated patients and no (0/188) placebo patients developed signs and/or symptoms of peripheral neuropathy. Initial manifestations of peripheral neuropathy in these trials included, in some combination, symptoms of numbness or tingling in the toes or feet, signs of reduced distal lower limb vibration or position sensation, or progressive loss of reflexes, starting at the ankles. Clinical studies in the development program were not designed to investigate peripheral neuropathy systematically and did not include nerve conduction studies, quantitative sensory testing, or skin or nerve biopsy.

There is insufficient evidence to determine if development of these signs and symptoms was related to duration of SABRIL treatment, cumulative dose, or if the findings of peripheral neuropathy were completely reversible upon discontinuation of SABRIL.

Weight Gain

SABRIL causes weight gain in adult and pediatric patients. In these same trials, the mean weight change among SABRIL patients was 3.5 kg compared to 1.6 kg for placebo patients. In all epilepsy trials, 0.6% (31/4855) of SABRIL patients discontinued for weight gain.

The long term effects of SABRIL related weight gain are not known. Weight gain was not related to the occurrence of edema.

Edema

SABRIL causes edema in adults. In these studies, one SABRIL and no placebo patients discontinued for an edema related AE. In adults, there was no apparent association between edema and cardiovascular adverse events such as hypertension or congestive heart failure.

Edema was not associated with laboratory changes suggestive of deterioration in renal or hepatic function.

Table 4. Risk by Indication for Antiepileptic Drugs in the Pooled Analysis
IndicationPlacebo Patients with Events per 1000 PatientsDrug Patients with Events per 1000 PatientsRelative Risk: Incidence of Drug Events in Drug Patients/Incidence in Placebo PatientsRisk Difference: Additional Drug Patients with Events per 1000 Patients
Epilepsy1.03.43.52.4
Psychiatric5.78.51.52.9
Other1.01.81.90.9
Total2.44.31.81.9

Drug Interactions with Sabril

Antiepileptic Drugs Phenytoin

Although phenytoin dose adjustments are not routinely required, dose adjustment of phenytoin should be considered if clinically indicated, since SABRIL may cause a moderate reduction in total phenytoin plasma levels. Clonazepam SABRIL may moderately increase the C max of clonazepam resulting in an increase of clonazepam-associated adverse reactions. Other AEDs There are no clinically significant pharmacokinetic interactions between SABRIL and either phenobarbital or sodium valproate.

Based on population pharmacokinetics, carbamazepine, clorazepate, primidone, and sodium valproate appear to have no effect on plasma concentrations of vigabatrin.

Oral Contraceptives SABRIL is unlikely to affect the efficacy of steroid oral contraceptives.

Drug-Laboratory Test Interactions

SABRIL decreases alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) plasma activity in up to 90% of patients. In some patients, these enzymes become undetectable. The suppression of ALT and AST activity by SABRIL may preclude the use of these markers, especially ALT, to detect early hepatic injury.

SABRIL may increase the amount of amino acids in the urine, possibly leading to a false positive test for certain rare genetic metabolic diseases (e.g., alpha aminoadipic aciduria).

Pregnancy Safety for Sabril

Pregnancy Pregnancy Exposure Registry There is a pregnancy exposure registry that monitors pregnancy outcomes in women exposed to AEDs, including SABRIL, during pregnancy. Encourage women who are taking SABRIL during pregnancy to enroll in the North American Antiepileptic Drug (NAAED) Pregnancy Registry. This can be done by calling the toll-free number 1-888-233-2334 or visiting the website, http://www.aedpregnancyregistry.org/.

This must be done by the patient herself. Risk Summary There are no adequate data on the developmental risk associated with the use of SABRIL in pregnant women. Limited available data from case reports and cohort studies pertaining to SABRIL use in pregnant women have not established a drug-associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage, or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes.

However, based on animal data, SABRIL use in pregnant women may result in fetal harm. When administered to pregnant animals, vigabatrin produced developmental toxicity, including an increase in fetal malformations and offspring neurobehavioral and neurohistopathological effects, at clinically relevant doses. In addition, developmental neurotoxicity was observed in rats treated with vigabatrin during a period of postnatal development corresponding to the third trimester of human pregnancy (see Data).

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. The background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. Data Animal Data Administration of vigabatrin (oral doses of 50 to 200 mg/kg/day) to pregnant rabbits throughout the period of organogenesis was associated with an increased incidence of malformations (cleft palate) and embryofetal death; these findings were observed in two separate studies.

The no-effect dose for adverse effects on embryofetal development in rabbits (100 mg/kg/day) is approximately 1/2 the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD) of 3 g/day on a body surface area (mg/m 2 ) basis. In rats, oral administration of vigabatrin (50, 100, or 150 mg/kg/day) throughout organogenesis resulted in decreased fetal body weights and increased incidences of fetal anatomic variations. The no-effect dose for adverse effects on embryo-fetal development in rats (50 mg/kg/day) is approximately 1/5 the MRHD on a mg/m 2 basis.

Oral administration of vigabatrin (50, 100, 150 mg/kg/day) to rats from the latter part of pregnancy through weaning produced long-term neurohistopathological (hippocampal vacuolation) and neurobehavioral (convulsions) abnormalities in the offspring. A no-effect dose for developmental neurotoxicity in rats was not established; the low-effect dose (50 mg/kg/day) is approximately 1/5 the MRHD on a mg/m 2 basis. In a published study, vigabatrin (300 or 450 mg/kg) was administered by intraperitoneal injection to a mutant mouse strain on a single day during organogenesis day An increase in fetal malformations (including cleft palate) was observed at both doses.

Oral administration of vigabatrin (5, 15, or 50 mg/kg/day) to young rats during the neonatal and juvenile periods of development (postnatal days 4-65) produced neurobehavioral (convulsions, neuromotor impairment, learning deficits) and neurohistopathological (brain vacuolation, decreased myelination, and retinal dysplasia) abnormalities in treated animals. The early postnatal period in rats is generally thought to correspond to late pregnancy in humans in terms of brain development. The no-effect dose for developmental neurotoxicity in juvenile rats (5 mg/kg/day) was associated with plasma vigabatrin exposures (AUC) less than 1/30 of those measured in pediatric patients receiving an oral dose of 50 mg/kg.

Pediatric Use of Sabril

Pediatric Use The safety and effectiveness of SABRIL as adjunctive treatment of refractory complex partial seizures in pediatric patients 2 to 16 years of age have been established and is supported by three double-blind, placebo-controlled studies in patients 3 to 16 years of age, adequate and well-controlled studies in adult patients, pharmacokinetic data from patients 2 years of age and older, and additional safety information in patients 2 years of age. The dosing recommendation in this population varies according to age group and is weight-based. Adverse reactions in this pediatric population are similar to those observed in the adult population.

The safety and effectiveness of SABRIL as monotherapy for pediatric patients with infantile spasms (1 month to 2 years of age) have been established. Safety and effectiveness as adjunctive treatment of refractory complex partial seizures in pediatric patients below the age of 2 and as monotherapy for the treatment of infantile spasms in pediatric patients below the age of 1 month have not been established. Duration of therapy for infantile spasms was evaluated in a post hoc analysis of a Canadian Pediatric Epilepsy Network (CPEN) study of developmental outcomes in infantile spasms patients.

This analysis suggests that a total duration of 6 months of vigabatrin therapy is adequate for the treatment of infantile spasms. However, prescribers must use their clinical judgment as to the most appropriate duration of use. Abnormal MRI signal changes and Intramyelinic Edema (IME) in infants and young children being treated with SABRIL have been observed.

Juvenile Animal Toxicity Data Oral administration of vigabatrin (5, 15, or 50 mg/kg/day) to young rats during the neonatal and juvenile periods of development (postnatal days 4-65) produced neurobehavioral (convulsions, neuromotor impairment, learning deficits) and neurohistopathological (brain gray matter vacuolation, decreased myelination, and retinal dysplasia) abnormalities. The no-effect dose for developmental neurotoxicity in juvenile rats (the lowest dose tested) was associated with plasma vigabatrin exposures (AUC) substantially less than those measured in pediatric patients at recommended doses. In dogs, oral administration of vigabatrin (30 or 100 mg/kg/day) during selected periods of juvenile development (postnatal days 22-112) produced neurohistopathological abnormalities (brain gray matter vacuolation).

Neurobehavioral effects of vigabatrin were not assessed in the juvenile dog. A no-effect dose for neurohistopathology was not established in juvenile dogs; the lowest effect dose (30 mg/kg/day) was associated with plasma vigabatrin exposures lower than those measured in pediatric patients at recommended doses.

Overdosage Information for Sabril

Signs, Symptoms, and Laboratory Findings of Overdosage

Confirmed and/or suspected vigabatrin overdoses have been reported during clinical trials and in post marketing surveillance. No vigabatrin overdoses resulted in death. Nearly half the cases involved multiple drug ingestions including carbamazepine, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, lamotrigine, valproic acid, acetaminophen, and/or chlorpheniramine.

Coma, unconsciousness, and/or drowsiness were described in the majority of cases of vigabatrin overdose. Other less commonly reported symptoms included vertigo, psychosis, apnea or respiratory depression, bradycardia, agitation, irritability, confusion, headache, hypotension, abnormal behavior, increased seizure activity, status epilepticus, and speech disorder. These symptoms resolved with supportive care.

Management of Overdosage There is no specific antidote for SABRIL overdose. Standard measures to remove unabsorbed drug should be used, including elimination by emesis or gastric lavage. Supportive measures should be employed, including monitoring of vital signs and observation of the clinical status of the patient.

In an in vitro study, activated charcoal did not significantly adsorb vigabatrin. The effectiveness of hemodialysis in the treatment of SABRIL overdose is unknown. In isolated case reports in renal failure patients receiving therapeutic doses of vigabatrin, hemodialysis reduced vigabatrin plasma concentrations by 40% to 60%.

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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