Veopoz Drug Information
Generic name: POZELIMAB
Complement Inhibitor [EPC]
Uses of Veopoz
is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients 1 year of age and older with CD55-deficient protein-losing enteropathy (PLE), also known as CHAPLE disease. VEOPOZ is a complement inhibitor indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients 1 year of age and older with CD55-deficient protein-losing enteropathy (PLE), also known as CHAPLE disease.
Dosage & Administration of Veopoz
Recommended Vaccination and Prophylaxis for Meningococcal Infection
Prior to First Dose of VEOPOZ Vaccinate patients for meningococcal infection (serogroups A, C, W, and Y and serogroup B ) according to current ACIP recommendations for patients receiving a complement inhibitor at least 2 weeks prior to administering the first dose of VEOPOZ . If urgent VEOPOZ therapy is indicated in a patient who is not up-to-date with vaccines for both MenACWY and MenB according to ACIP recommendations, administer meningococcal vaccine(s) as soon as possible and provide the patient with antibacterial drug prophylaxis. The efficacy, duration, and drug regimens for antibacterial drug prophylaxis have not been studied in patients receiving complement inhibitors, including VEOPOZ.
Recommended Dosage and
Administration The recommended dosage of VEOPOZ is as follows: Day 1 (Loading Dose) : Administer a single 30 mg/kg dose by intravenous infusion after dilution . Day 8 and Thereafter (Maintenance Dosage) : Inject 10 mg/kg as a subcutaneous injection once weekly starting on Day 8 . The maintenance dosage may be increased to 12 mg/kg once weekly if there is inadequate clinical response after at least 3 weekly doses (i.e., starting from Week 4). The maximum maintenance dosage is 800 mg once weekly. Doses greater than 400 mg require 2 injections.
Intravenous Infusion Loading Dose: Preparation and
Administration Instructions VEOPOZ for intravenous use must be prepared and administered by a healthcare provider. Preparation Instructions for Intravenous Infusion Loading Dose Remove VEOPOZ vial(s) from refrigeration and allow the vial(s) to sit for at least 45 minutes at room temperature 20ºC to 25ºC (68ºF to 77ºF) before use. Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration, whenever solution and container permit.
VEOPOZ should be a clear to slightly opalescent, colorless to pale yellow solution that is free from visible particulates. Discard the vial(s) if the solution is cloudy, discolored or contains particulate matter. Gently swirl the vial(s) in an upright position.
Do not shake the vial(s) as this may result in foaming. Use a 21G stainless steel needle with Luer-Lok to withdraw the calculated volume of VEOPOZ from the vial(s). Discard any unused VEOPOZ remaining in the vial(s). Dilute VEOPOZ in an intravenous infusion bag of 25 mL to 250 mL of either 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection or 5% Dextrose Injection to a final concentration of 6.7 mg/mL to 20 mg/mL. Mix the diluted solution by gentle inversion. Do not shake.
Administration Instructions for Intravenous Infusion Loading Dose Infuse through an intravenous line containing a sterile, in-line or add-on 0.2-micron to 5-micron filter. Infusion rate: infuse over a minimum of 1 hour; do not exceed maximum rate of 1000 mg/hour Do not co-administer other medications through the same intravenous line Observe the patient for 30 minutes following completion of the infusion. Storage of Diluted Intravenous Solution Administer the diluted VEOPOZ solution immediately after preparation.
If not used immediately, store at room temperature up to 25°C (77°F) for no more than 8 hours from the time of preparation to the end of the infusion or refrigerate at 2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F) for no more than 24 hours from the time of preparation to the end of infusion. If stored in the refrigerator, allow the diluted solution to come to room temperature prior to administration. Discard the unused VEOPOZ diluted solution after 8 hours if stored at room temperature or after 24 hours if refrigerated.
Do not freeze the diluted solution.
Subcutaneous Maintenance Dose: Preparation and
Administration Instructions VEOPOZ for subcutaneous use must be prepared and administered by a healthcare provider. Preparation Instructions for Subcutaneous Maintenance Dose Remove VEOPOZ vial(s) from refrigeration and allow the vial(s) to sit for at least 45 minutes at room temperature 20ºC to 25ºC (68ºF to 77ºF) before use. Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration, whenever solution and container permit.
VEOPOZ should be a clear to slightly opalescent, colorless to pale yellow solution that is free from visible particulates. Discard the vial(s) if the solution is cloudy, discolored or contains particulate matter. Gently swirl the vial(s) in an upright position.
Do not shake the vial(s) as this may result in foaming. Use a withdrawal needle (21G needle with Luer-Lok) to withdraw the calculated dose volume of VEOPOZ from the appropriate number of vial(s). Discard any unused VEOPOZ remaining in the vial(s). For patients receiving a dose greater than 400 mg, preparation of 2 separate injections will be required for subcutaneous administration of the total dose volume. Change the needle on the syringe to an injection needle fulfilling the following criteria: 25G to 27G and 1/2 or 5/8-inch stainless steel needle with Luer-Lok.
Administration Instructions for Subcutaneous Maintenance Dose Inject VEOPOZ into the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. Rotate sites. Do not inject VEOPOZ into moles, scars, or areas where the skin is tender, bruised, red, hard, or not intact.
When administering more than one injection, administer consecutively, each at different injection sites. Observe the patient for 30 minutes following completion of the first subcutaneous injection . Storage of Subcutaneous Injection Administer the subcutaneous injection within 4 hours of preparation.
Recommendations Regarding Missed Maintenance Subcutaneous Dose(s)
If a subcutaneous maintenance dose of VEOPOZ is missed, administer as soon as possible within 3 days after the missed dose. Do not administer 2 doses on the same day to make up for a missed dose. If more than 3 days have passed, skip the missed dose and administer the next dose on the regularly scheduled day.
In each case, patients can then resume their regular once weekly dosing schedule. The day of weekly administration can be changed, if necessary, as long as the time between the two doses is at least 4 days (96 hours).
Side Effects of Veopoz
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. The safety of VEOPOZ was evaluated in 10 patients with CD55-deficient PLE (ranging from 3 to 19 years of age) in a single-arm study . The median duration of exposure was 104 weeks (range: 75 to 140 weeks). Adverse reactions reported in two or more patients are summarized in Table 1. Table 1: Adverse Reactions Reported in Two or More VEOPOZ-Treated Patients with CD55-deficient PLE in a Clinical Trial Adverse Reactions VEOPOZ N=10 n (%) Upper respiratory tract infection Composed of similar terms 3 Fracture 3 Urticaria 2 Alopecia 2 Additionally, injection site reactions (including dermatitis and erythema), metabolic acidosis, gingival bleeding, increased blood uric acid, increased liver enzymes, hematuria and proteinuria were reported in one patient each. Vital Signs: Four patients reported elevated systolic and/or diastolic blood pressure readings above the normal range for age at multiple study visits.
Warnings & Cautions for Veopoz
Serious Meningococcal Infections Life-threatening and fatal meningococcal infections have occurred in both
vaccinated and unvaccinated patients treated with complement inhibitors. The use of VEOPOZ increases a patient's susceptibility to serious and life-threatening meningococcal infections (septicemia and/or meningitis) caused by any serogroup, including nongroupable strains. Complete or update meningococcal vaccination (for serogroups A, C, W, and Y and serogroup B ) at least 2 weeks prior to administering the first dose of VEOPOZ, according to the most current Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendations for patients receiving a complement inhibitor.
Revaccinate patients in accordance with ACIP recommendations considering the duration of VEOPOZ therapy. If urgent VEOPOZ therapy is indicated in a patient who is not up-to-date with both MenACWY and MenB vaccines according to ACIP recommendations, administer meningococcal vaccine(s) as soon as possible and provide the patient with antibacterial drug prophylaxis. The efficacy, duration, and drug regimens for antibacterial drug prophylaxis have not been studied in patients receiving complement inhibitors.
Because of inhibition of complement activity by VEOPOZ, as well as risk of infection caused by nongroupable strains of N. meningitidis, vaccination does not eliminate the risk of meningococcal infections, despite development of antibodies following vaccination. Closely monitor patients for early signs and symptoms of meningococcal infection and evaluate patients immediately if infection is suspected. Inform patients and caregivers of these signs and symptoms and instruct patients to seek immediate medical care if these signs and symptoms occur.
Meningococcal infection may become rapidly life-threatening or fatal if not recognized and treated early. Interrupt treatment with VEOPOZ in patients who are undergoing treatment for serious meningococcal infection until the infection is resolved .
Other Bacterial Infections
VEOPOZ blocks terminal complement activation; therefore, patients may have increased susceptibility to encapsulated bacterial infections, especially infections caused by Neisseria meningitidis but also Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and to a lesser extent, Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Patients treated with VEOPOZ may be at increased risk of developing serious infections due to Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib). Administer vaccinations for the prevention of Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) infections according to ACIP guidelines. Patients receiving VEOPOZ are at increased risk for infections due to these organisms, even if they develop antibodies following vaccination.
Interrupt treatment with VEOPOZ in patients who are undergoing treatment for a serious encapsulated bacterial infection until the infection is resolved. Counsel patients about gonorrhea prevention and advise regular testing for patients at risk.
Systemic Hypersensitivity Reactions Hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis, have been reported with administration
of complement inhibitors. Interrupt VEOPOZ and institute appropriate supportive measures if signs of cardiovascular instability or respiratory compromise occur.
Immune Complex Formation Immune complex formation has been reported during the transition
of therapy between complement inhibitors, resulting in transient decrease in drug concentrations as well as symptoms suggestive of hypersensitivity reactions. However, this has not been studied in patients with CD55-deficient PLE switching from other complement inhibitors to pozelimab. The potential for immune complex formation should be considered if switching complement inhibitors.
Drug Interactions with Veopoz
Intravenous Immunoglobulin
VEOPOZ has not been studied in combination with intravenous immunoglobulin. Intravenous immunoglobulin may interfere with the endosomal neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) recycling mechanism of monoclonal antibodies such as pozelimab thereby decreasing serum pozelimab concentrations. Avoid concomitant use of intravenous immunoglobulin with VEOPOZ. If concomitant use cannot be avoided, monitor patients for worsening of clinical signs and symptoms of CD55-deficient PLE .
Pregnancy Safety for Veopoz
Pregnancy Risk Summary Although there are no data on VEOPOZ use in pregnant women to inform a drug-associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage, or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes, monoclonal antibodies can be actively transported across the placenta. In an animal reproduction study in monkeys, pozelimab-bbfg did not adversely affect embryofetal or postnatal development when administered from pregnancy confirmation through parturition at doses that produced exposure up to 3.3 to 3.8 times the predicted clinical exposures (on an AUC basis; 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 outcome.
In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2 to 4% and 15 to 20%, respectively. Data Animal Data In an enhanced pre- and postnatal development study, pregnant female monkeys were subcutaneously administered pozelimab-bbfg at doses of 5 or 50 mg/kg once weekly from confirmation of pregnancy (gestation day 20) through parturition (approximately gestation day 160). No adverse effects were observed on maintenance of pregnancy, pregnancy outcome, or on the development of offspring through postnatal day 90 at doses up to 3.3-3.8 times the predicted clinical exposures.
Pediatric Use of Veopoz
Pediatric Use The safety and effectiveness of VEOPOZ for the treatment of CD55-deficient PLE have been established in pediatric patients 1 year of age and older. Use of VEOPOZ for this indication is supported by a single-arm study in 10 patients with active CD55-deficient PLE. The safety and effectiveness of VEOPOZ have not been established in pediatric patients less than 1 year of age.
Contraindications for Veopoz
is contraindicated in: Patients with unresolved Neisseria meningitidis infection . VEOPOZ is contraindicated in patients with unresolved Neisseria meningitidis infection.
Clinical Studies of Veopoz
The efficacy and safety of VEOPOZ were evaluated in a single-arm study (NCT04209634) where outcomes were compared to pre-treatment data in patients with active CD55-deficient protein-losing enteropathy (PLE) who had hypoalbuminemia. Diagnosis was based on a clinical history of PLE and with a confirmed genotype of biallelic CD55 loss-of-function mutation. Active CD55-deficient PLE was defined as hypoalbuminemia (serum albumin concentration of ≤3.2 g/dL) with one or more of the following signs or symptoms within the last six months: abdominal pain, diarrhea, peripheral edema, or facial edema.
Patients received a single 30 mg/kg loading dose of VEOPOZ administered by intravenous infusion over approximately one hour, followed by a once weekly weight-tiered maintenance dosage, administered as a subcutaneous injection starting one week after the loading dose. All patients received meningococcal vaccination prior to treatment with VEOPOZ and antibacterials for prophylaxis of meningococcal infection. Patients were permitted to receive additional therapies as part of standard of care.
Use of other complement inhibitors was prohibited. Ten patients ranging from 3 to 19 years of age (median of 8.5 years) were assessed for efficacy. Six patients identified as female; seven patients as White, two patients as Asian, and one patient reported race as other.
The mean baseline serum albumin concentration was 2.2 g/dL with a range of 1.1 to 2.9 g/dL. Serum Albumin Concentrations The median time for serum albumin to reach at least 3.5 g/dL was 15.5 days (N=10; 95% CI: 8 to 28). All 10 patients achieved normalization by Week 12 and maintained serum albumin concentrations within the normal range through at least 72 weeks of treatment (Figure 1). Figure 1: Serum Albumin Concentrations from 48 Weeks Pre-Treatment Through 72 Weeks on VEOPOZ in Ten Patients with CD55-Deficient PLE Figure 1 Albumin Transfusions Five of the 10 patients received a total of 60 transfusions in the 48 weeks prior to treatment. In the 48 weeks after starting treatment, one patient received one albumin transfusion. Hospitalizations Nine of the 10 patients were hospitalized for a total of 268 days in the 48 weeks prior to treatment.
In the 48 weeks after starting treatment, two patients were hospitalized for a total of 7 days. Additional Efficacy Results Serum IgG concentrations reached normal values for age in all patients within the first 12 weeks of treatment; improvement was maintained through at least 72 weeks of treatment.
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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