Thalomid Drug Information

Multiple Myeloma THALOMID in combination with dexamethasone is indicated for the treatment of patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM).

Erythema Nodosum Leprosum THALOMID is indicated for the acute treatment of the cutaneous manifestations of moderate to severe erythema nodosum leprosum (ENL). THALOMID is not indicated as monotherapy for such ENL treatment in the presence of moderate to severe neuritis. THALOMID is also indicated as maintenance therapy for prevention and suppression of the cutaneous manifestations of ENL recurrence.

Required Baseline Testing

Drug prescribing to females of reproductive potential is contingent upon initial and continued negative results of pregnancy testing. THALOMID must only be administered in compliance with all of the terms outlined in the THALOMID REMS program. THALOMID may only be prescribed by prescribers certified with the THALOMID REMS program and may only be dispensed by pharmacists certified with the THALOMID REMS program.

Recommended Dosage for Multiple Myeloma

The recommended dose of THALOMID in combination with dexamethasone is 200 mg once daily (in 28-day treatment cycles) orally with water, preferably at bedtime and at least 1 hour after the evening meal. Initiate dosing for patients weighing less than 50 kilograms at the low end of the dose range. Consider dosing in the higher dosage range for patients with a severe cutaneous ENL reaction, or in those who have previously required higher doses to control the reaction (possibly up to 400 mg/day) once daily at bedtime or in divided doses with water, at least 1 hour after meals.

Consider concomitant use of corticosteroids in patients with moderate to severe neuritis associated with a severe ENL reaction. Steroid usage can be tapered and discontinued when the neuritis has ameliorated. Continue dosing with THALOMID until signs and symptoms of active reaction have subsided, usually a period of at least 2 weeks.

Patients may then be tapered off medication in 50 mg decrements every 2 to 4 weeks. Patients who have a documented history of requiring prolonged maintenance treatment to prevent the recurrence of cutaneous ENL or who flare during tapering should be maintained on the minimum dose necessary to control the reaction. Consider a reduced dose upon resumption of treatment.

Consider dose reduction, delay, or discontinuation in patients who develop National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity Criteria (NCI CTC) Grade 3 or 4 adverse reactions and/or based on clinical judgment. Permanently discontinue THALOMID for angioedema, anaphylaxis, Grade 4 rash, skin exfoliation, bullae, or any other severe dermatologic reactions.

Clinical Trials Experience

Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. Most patients taking THALOMID can be expected to experience adverse reactions. Adverse Reactions in Multiple Myeloma Controlled Clinical Trials The safety analyses were conducted in two controlled clinical studies (Study 1 and Study 2).

The safety analysis in Study 1 was conducted on 204 patients who received treatment. Table 1 lists the most common adverse reactions (≥ 10%). The most frequently reported adverse reactions were fatigue, hypocalcemia, edema, constipation, sensory neuropathy, dyspnea, muscle weakness, leukopenia, neutropenia, rash/desquamation, confusion, anorexia, nausea, anxiety/agitation, tremor, fever, weight loss, thrombosis/embolism, neuropathy-motor, weight gain, dizziness, and dry skin.

Table 2 lists the most common adverse reactions (≥10%) that were observed. The adverse reactions most often reported by patients treated with THALOMID/dexamethasone were constipation, peripheral edema, tremor, asthenia, dizziness and fatigue. Adverse reactions with a frequency at least 2-fold higher in the THALOMID/dexamethasone group than in the placebo/dexamethasone group include constipation, tremor, deep vein thrombosis and peripheral sensory neuropathy.

Table 2: Adverse Reactions Reported in ≥10% of Patients in the THALOMID/Dexamethasone Arm (Study 2 - Safety Population; N=466) 30 4 Table 3: Grade 3/4 Adverse Reactions Reported in >2% of Patients in the THALOMID/Dexamethasone Arm (Study 2 - Safety Population; N=466) 5 0 Less Common Adverse Reactions in Multiple Myeloma Controlled Clinical Trials In Study 2, THALOMID in combination with dexamethasone in patients with multiple myeloma, the following adverse reactions not described above were reported*: Gastrointestinal disorders: Vomiting NOS, dry mouth, peritonitis, diverticular perforation Nervous system disorders: Somnolence, hypoesthesia, polyneuropathy NOS, transient ischemic attack Respiratory, thoracic, and mediastinal disorders: Bronchitis NOS Psychiatric disorders: Mood alteration NOS Vascular disorders: Hypotension NOS, orthostatic hypotension Cardiac disorders: Bradycardia NOS Eye disorders: Blurred vision All adverse reactions with ≥3% of patients in THALOMID/dexamethasone arm and with a ≥1% difference in proportion of patients between the THALOMID/dexamethasone arm compared to the placebo/dexamethasone arm. All grade 3/4 and serious adverse reactions reported >2 patients in THALOMID/dexamethasone arm and with a percentage higher in the THALOMID/dexamethasone arm compared to the placebo/dexamethasone arm have been considered for possible inclusion. In any cases medical judgment has been applied for consideration of causality assessment.

Adverse Reactions in Erythema Nodosum Leprosum (ENL) Clinical Trials Table 4 lists treatment-emergent signs and symptoms that occurred in THALOMID-treated patients in clinical trials in ENL. The most common adverse reactions (≥10%) reported in patients with ENL were somnolence, rash, headache. Doses ranged from 50 to 300 mg/day.

All adverse reactions were mild to moderate in severity, and none resulted in discontinuation. Table 4: Summary of Adverse Reactions (ARs) Reported in Controlled Clinical Trials Other Adverse Reactions Observed in ENL Patients THALOMID in doses up to 400 mg/day has been administered investigationally in the United States over a 19-year period in 1465 patients with ENL. The published literature describes the treatment of an additional 1678 patients.

To provide a meaningful estimate of the proportion of the individuals having adverse reactions, similar types of events were grouped into a smaller number of standardized categories using a modified COSTART dictionary/terminology. These categories are used in the listing below. All reported events are included except those already listed in the previous table.

Due to the fact that these data were collected from uncontrolled studies, the incidence rate cannot be determined. No causal relationship between THALOMID and these events can be conclusively determined at this time. These are reports of all adverse events noted by investigators in patients to whom they had administered THALOMID.

Blood and Lymphatic: ESR decrease, eosinophilia, granulocytopenia, hypochromic anemia, leukemia, leukocytosis, leukopenia, MCV elevated, RBC abnormal, spleen palpable, thrombocytopenia. Body as a Whole: Abdomen enlarged, fever, photosensitivity, upper extremity pain. Cardiovascular System: Bradycardia, hypertension, hypotension, peripheral vascular disorder, tachycardia, vasodilation.

Digestive System: Anorexia, appetite increase/weight gain, dry mouth, dyspepsia, enlarged liver, eructation, flatulence, increased liver function tests, intestinal obstruction, vomiting. Metabolic and Endocrine: ADH inappropriate, amyloidosis, bilirubinemia, BUN increased, creatinine increased, cyanosis, diabetes, edema, electrolyte abnormalities, hyperglycemia, hyperkalemia, hyperuricemia, hypocalcemia, hypoproteinemia, LDH increased, phosphorus decreased, SGPT increased. Muscular Skeletal: Arthritis, bone tenderness, hypertonia, joint disorder, leg cramps, myalgia, myasthenia, periosteal disorder.

Nervous System: Abnormal thinking, agitation, amnesia, anxiety, causalgia, circumoral paresthesia, confusion, depression, euphoria, hyperesthesia, insomnia, nervousness, neuralgia, neuritis, neuropathy, paresthesia, peripheral neuritis, psychosis. Respiratory System: Cough, emphysema, epistaxis, pulmonary embolus, rales, upper respiratory infection, voice alteration. Skin and Appendages: Acne, alopecia, dry skin, eczematous rash, exfoliative dermatitis, ichthyosis, perifollicular thickening, skin necrosis, seborrhea, sweating, urticaria, vesiculobullous rash.

Special Senses: Amblyopia, deafness, dry eye, eye pain, tinnitus. Urogenital: Decreased creatinine clearance, hematuria, orchitis, proteinuria, pyuria, urinary frequency. Other Adverse Reactions Observed in HIV-seropositive Patients In addition to controlled clinical trials, THALOMID has been used in uncontrolled studies in 145 patients.

Adverse reactions that have already been included in the tables and narrative above, or that are too general to be informative are not listed. Blood and Lymphatic: Aplastic anemia, macrocytic anemia, megaloblastic anemia, microcytic anemia. Body as a Whole: Ascites, AIDS, allergic reaction, cellulitis, chest pain, chills and fever, cyst, decreased CD4 count, facial edema, flu syndrome, hernia, thyroid hormone level altered, moniliasis, photosensitivity reaction, sarcoma, sepsis, viral infection.

Digestive System: Cholangitis, cholestatic jaundice, colitis, dyspepsia, dysphagia, esophagitis, gastroenteritis, gastrointestinal disorder, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, gum disorder, hepatitis, pancreatitis, parotid gland enlargement, periodontitis, stomatitis, tongue discoloration, tooth disorder. Metabolic and Endocrine: Avitaminosis, bilirubinemia, dehydration, hypercholesterolemia, hypoglycemia, increased alkaline phosphatase, increased lipase, increased serum creatinine, peripheral edema. Muscular Skeletal: Myalgia, myasthenia.

Nervous System: Abnormal gait, ataxia, decreased libido, decreased reflexes, dementia, dysesthesia, dyskinesia, emotional lability, hostility, hypalgesia, hyperkinesia, incoordination, meningitis, neurologic disorder, tremor, vertigo. Respiratory System: Apnea, bronchitis, lung disorder, lung edema, pneumonia (including Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia), rhinitis. Skin and Appendages: Angioedema, benign skin neoplasm, eczema, herpes simplex, incomplete Stevens-Johnson syndrome, nail disorder, pruritus, psoriasis, skin discoloration, skin disorder.

Special Senses: Conjunctivitis, eye disorder, lacrimation disorder, retinitis, taste perversion.

Postmarketing Experience

The following additional adverse reactions have been identified during post approval use of THALOMID and are not already included in Clinical Trials Experience. 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. Blood and Lymphatic: Decreased white blood cell counts including febrile neutropenia, changes in prothrombin time, pancytopenia, chronic myelogenous leukemia, nodular sclerosing Hodgkin's disease, erythroleukemia, lymphedema, lymphopenia.

Body as a Whole: Hangover effect Cardiovascular System: Sick sinus syndrome, EKG abnormalities, pulmonary hypertension. Digestive System: Intestinal perforation, gastrointestinal perforations, bile duct obstruction, stomach ulcer, aphthous, stomatitis. Ear and Labyrinthine Disorders: Hearing impairment.

Immune System Disorders: Hypersensitivity including anaphylaxis, solid organ transplant rejection. Infections and infestations: Severe infections (e.g., fatal sepsis including septic shock), viral infections (including varicella zoster virus, cytomegalovirus, and hepatitis B virus reactivation) and progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). Metabolic and Endocrine: Electrolyte imbalance including hypercalcemia, hyponatremia and hypomagnesemia, hypothyroidism, increased alkaline phosphatase, tumor lysis syndrome, myxedema.

Nervous System: Changes in mental status or mood including suicide attempts, disturbances in consciousness including lethargy, loss of consciousness or stupor, seizures including grand mal convulsions and status epilepticus, Parkinson's disease, stroke, carpal tunnel, Raynaud's syndrome, migraine, foot drop. Renal and Urinary Disorders: Renal failure, acute renal failure, oliguria, enuresis. Reproductive System and Breast Disorders: amenorrhea, sexual dysfunction, galactorrhea, gynecomastia, metrorrhagia.

Respiratory System: Pleural effusion, interstitial lung disease. Skin and Appendages: Erythema multiforme, erythema nodosum, toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), purpura, petechiae. Special Senses: Diplopia, nystagmus

Opioids, Antihistamines, Antipsychotics, Anti-anxiety Agents, or Other CNS Depressants (Including Alcohol) The use of opioids, antihistamines, antipsychotics, anti-anxiety agents, or other CNS depressants concomitantly with THALOMID may cause an additive sedative effect and should be avoided.

Drugs which Cause Bradycardia

The use of drugs which slow cardiac conduction concomitantly with THALOMID may cause an additive bradycardic effect and should be used with caution. Cardiovascular medications which may cause bradycardia include calcium channel blockers, beta blockers, alpha/beta-adrenergic blockers, and digoxin. Non-cardiac drugs that may cause bradycardia include H2 blockers (e.g., famotidine, cimetidine), lithium, tricyclic antidepressants and neuromuscular blockers (succinylcholine).

In 16 healthy men, the pharmacokinetic profile of a single 0.5 mg digoxin dose was similar with and without the coadministration of THALOMID 200 mg/day at steady state levels. The single dose of digoxin had no effect on the pharmacokinetic profile of THALOMID. The safety of long-term concomitant use of THALOMID and digoxin has not been evaluated.

Drugs which Cause Peripheral Neuropathy

The use of drugs which cause peripheral neuropathy (e.g., bortezomib, amiodarone, cisplatin, docetaxel, paclitaxel, vincristine, disulfiram, phenytoin, metronidazole, alcohol) can cause an additive effect and should be used with caution.

Hormonal Contraceptives

Hormonal contraceptives increase the risk of thromboembolism. It is not known whether concomitant use of hormonal contraceptives further increases the risk of thromboembolism with THALOMID. In 10 healthy women, the pharmacokinetic profiles of norethindrone and ethinyl estradiol following administration of a single dose containing 1.0 mg of norethindrone acetate and 75 mcg of ethinyl estradiol were studied.

The results were similar with and without coadministration of THALOMID 200 mg/day to steady-state levels.

Warfarin In 13 healthy men, the pharmacokinetic profile and international normalized ratio (INR) of prothrombin time for warfarin, following a single oral dose of 25 mg, were similar with and without the coadministration of THALOMID 200 mg/day at steady-state levels. The single dose of warfarin had no effect on the pharmacokinetic profile of thalidomide.

Drugs that Interfere with Hormonal Contraceptives

Concomitant use of HIV-protease inhibitors, griseofulvin, modafinil, penicillins, rifampin, rifabutin, phenytoin, carbamazepine, or certain herbal supplements such as St. John's Wort with hormonal contraceptive agents may reduce the effectiveness of the contraception up to one month after discontinuation of these concomitant therapies. Therefore, females requiring treatment with one or more of these drugs must use two OTHER effective or highly effective methods of contraception while taking THALOMID.

Concomitant Therapies that may Increase the Risk of Thromboembolism Erythropoietic agents, or other agents that may increase the risk of thromboembolism, such as estrogen containing therapies, should be used with caution in multiple myeloma patients receiving THALOMID with dexamethasone.

Pregnancy Pregnancy Exposure Registry There is a pregnancy exposure registry that monitors pregnancy outcomes in females exposed to THALOMID during pregnancy as well as female partners of male patients who are exposed to THALOMID. This registry is also used to understand the root cause for the pregnancy. Report any suspected fetal exposure to THALOMID to the FDA via the MedWatch program at 1-800-FDA-1088 and to the REMS Call Center at 1-888-423-5436.

Risk Summary Based on the mechanism of action, human and animal data (see Data ), THALOMID can cause embryo-fetal harm when administered to a pregnant female and is contraindicated during pregnancy. THALOMID is a human teratogen, inducing a high frequency of severe and life-threatening birth defects such as amelia (absence of limbs), phocomelia (short limbs), hypoplasticity of the bones, absence of bones, external ear abnormalities (including anotia, micropinna, small or absent external auditory canals), facial palsy, eye abnormalities (anophthalmos, microphthalmos), and congenital heart defects. Alimentary tract, urinary tract, and genital malformations have also been documented and mortality at or shortly after birth has been reported in about 40% of infants.

Even a single dose taken by a pregnant woman can cause birth defects. If this drug is used during pregnancy, or if the patient becomes pregnant while taking this drug, the patient should be apprised of the potential risk to a fetus. If pregnancy does occur during treatment, immediately discontinue the drug.

Under these conditions, refer the patient to an obstetrician/gynecologist experienced in reproductive toxicity for further evaluation and counseling. Thalidomide crossed the placenta after administration to pregnant hamsters (see Data ). The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown.

All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. The estimated background risk in the U.S. general population of major birth defects is 2%-4% and of miscarriage is 15%-20% of clinically recognized pregnancies. Data Animal Data A pre- and postnatal reproductive toxicity study was conducted in pregnant female rabbits.

Compound-related increased abortion incidences and elevated fetotoxicity were observed at the lowest oral dose level of 30 mg/kg/day (approximately 1.5-fold the maximum human dose based upon BSA) and all higher dose levels. Neonatal mortality was elevated at oral dose levels to the lactating female rabbits ≥150 mg/kg/day (approximately 7.5-fold the maximum human dose based upon BSA). No delay in postnatal development, including learning and memory functions, were noted at the oral dose level to the lactating female rabbits of 150 mg/kg/day (average thalidomide concentrations in milk ranged from 22 to 36 mcg per mL).

In a study conducted in pregnant rabbits, thalidomide levels in fetal plasma were approximately 11% to 73% of the maternal C max. In a study conducted with 14 C-thalidomide (150 mg/kg orally) in pregnant hamsters, radioactivity was detected in the embryo, and the relative concentrations of radioactivity in the embryo and maternal plasma were about the same at 4, 12 and 24 hours after dosing. Based on the radioactivity data, thalidomide crossed the placental barrier, and the fetal levels of drug-related material were approximately similar to those of maternal levels.

Pediatric Use Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients below the age of 12 years have not been established.

Pregnancy THALOMID is contraindicated in females who are pregnant. THALOMID can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant female. THALOMID is a powerful human teratogen, inducing a high frequency of severe and life-threatening birth defects, even after a single dose.

Mortality at or shortly after birth has been reported in about 40% of infants. If this drug is used during pregnancy, or if the patient becomes pregnant while taking this drug, the patient should be apprised of the potential risk to a fetus. If pregnancy occurs during THALOMID treatment, the drug should be discontinued immediately.

Hypersensitivity THALOMID is contraindicated in patients who have demonstrated hypersensitivity to the drug or its components.

There is no specific antidote for a THALOMID overdose. In the event of an overdose, the patient's vital signs should be monitored and appropriate supportive care given to maintain blood pressure and respiratory status.