Vivitrol Drug Information
Generic name: NALTREXONE
Uses of Vivitrol
Alcohol Dependence
VIVITROL is indicated for the treatment of alcohol dependence in patients who are able to abstain from alcohol in an outpatient setting prior to initiation of treatment with VIVITROL. Patients should not be actively drinking at the time of initial VIVITROL administration.
Opioid Dependence
VIVITROL is indicated for the prevention of relapse to opioid dependence, following opioid detoxification.
Dosage & Administration of Vivitrol
| Parenteral products should be visually inspected for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration. | |||||||||||||||||
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Inject the 3.4 mL of diluent into the VIVITROL microsphere vial. (see | Mix the powder and diluent by vigorously shaking the vial for approximately 1 minute. (see |
After the injection is administered, cover the needle by pressing the needle protection device against a flat surface | Visually confirm needle is fully engaged into the needle protection device. (see | | |||||||||||||
Side Effects of Vivitrol
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. In all controlled and uncontrolled trials during the premarketing development of VIVITROL, more than 1100 patients with alcohol and/or opioid dependence have been treated with VIVITROL. Approximately 700 patients have been treated for 6 months or more, and more than 400 for 1 year or longer. Adverse Events Leading to Discontinuation of Treatment Alcohol Dependence In controlled trials of 6 months or less in alcohol-dependent patients, 9% of alcohol-dependent patients treated with VIVITROL discontinued treatment due to an adverse event, as compared to 7% of the alcohol-dependent patients treated with placebo.
Adverse events in the VIVITROL 380 mg group that led to more dropouts than in the placebo-treated group were injection site reactions (3%), nausea (2%), pregnancy (1%), headache (1%), and suicide-related events (0.3%). In the placebo group, 1% of patients withdrew due to injection site reactions, and 0% of patients withdrew due to the other adverse events. Opioid Dependence In a controlled trial of 6 months, 2% of opioid-dependent patients treated with VIVITROL discontinued treatment due to an adverse event, as compared to 2% of the opioid-dependent patients treated with placebo. Common Adverse Reactions Alcohol Dependence Table 1 lists all treatment-emergent clinical adverse reactions, regardless of causality, occurring in ≥5% of patients with alcohol dependence, for which the incidence was greater in the combined VIVITROL group than in the placebo group.
A majority of patients treated with VIVITROL in clinical studies had adverse reactions with a maximum intensity of “mild” or “moderate”. Table 1: Treatment-emergent Adverse Reactions (Reactions in ≥5% of patients with alcohol dependence treated with VIVITROL and occurring more frequently in the combined VIVITROL group than in the placebo group) Body System Adverse Reaction / Preferred Term Placebo Naltrexone for extended-release injectable suspension N=214 400 mg N=25 380 mg N=205 190 mg N=210 All N=440 N % N % N % N % N % a) Includes the preferred terms: diarrhea NOS; frequent bowel movements; gastrointestinal upset; loose stools b) Includes the preferred terms: abdominal pain NOS; abdominal pain upper; stomach discomfort; abdominal pain lower c) Includes the preferred terms: nasopharyngitis; pharyngitis streptococcal; pharyngitis NOS d) Includes the preferred terms: anxiety NEC; anxiety aggravated; agitation; obsessive compulsive disorder; panic attack; nervousness; posttraumatic stress e) Includes the preferred terms: malaise; fatigue (these two comprise the majority of cases); lethargy; sluggishness f) Includes the preferred terms: muscle cramps; spasms; tightness; twitching; stiffness; rigidity g) Includes the preferred terms: rash NOS; rash papular; heat rash h) Includes the preferred terms: headache NOS; sinus headache; migraine; frequent headaches Gastrointestinal Disorders Nausea 24 11 8 32 68 33 53 25 129 29 Vomiting NOS 12 6 3 12 28 14 22 10 53 12 Diarrhea a) 21 10 3 12 27 13 27 13 57 13 Abdominal pain b) 17 8 4 16 23 11 23 11 50 11 Dry Mouth 9 4 6 24 10 5 8 4 24 5 Infections & Infestations Pharyngitis c) 23 11 0 0 22 11 35 17 57 13 Psychiatric Disorders Insomnia, sleep disorder 25 12 2 8 29 14 27 13 58 13 Anxiety d) 17 8 2 8 24 12 16 8 42 10 Depression 9 4 0 0 17 8 7 3 24 5 General Disorders & Administration Site Conditions Any ISR 106 50 22 88 142 69 121 58 285 65 Injection site tenderness 83 39 18 72 92 45 89 42 199 45 Injection site induration 18 8 7 28 71 35 52 25 130 30 Injection site pain 16 7 0 0 34 17 22 10 56 13 Other ISR (primarily nodules, swelling) 8 4 8 32 30 15 16 8 54 12 Injection site pruritus 0 0 0 0 21 10 13 6 34 8 Injection site ecchymosis 11 5 0 0 14 7 9 4 23 5 Asthenic conditions e) 26 12 3 12 47 23 40 19 90 20 Musculoskeletal & Connective Tissue Disorders Arthralgia, arthritis, joint stiffness 11 5 1 4 24 12 12 6 37 9 Back pain, back stiffness 10 5 1 4 12 6 14 7 27 6 Muscle cramps f) 3 1 0 0 16 8 5 2 21 5 Skin & Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders Rash g) 8 4 3 12 12 6 10 5 25 6 Nervous System Disorders Headache h) 39 18 9 36 51 25 34 16 94 21 Dizziness, syncope 9 4 4 16 27 13 27 13 58 13 Somnolence, sedation 2 1 3 12 8 4 9 4 20 5 Metabolism & Nutrition Disorders Anorexia, appetite decreased NOS, appetite disorder NOS 6 3 5 20 30 14 13 6 48 11 Opioid Dependence In the open-label, long-term safety study conducted in the US, the commonly reported adverse reactions among the opioid-dependent patients in the study were similar to those commonly observed events in the alcohol-dependent populations in VIVITROL clinical trials as displayed in Table 1, above. For example, injection site reactions of all types, nausea and diarrhea occurred in more than 5% of patients on VIVITROL in the open-label study. In contrast, 48% percent, of the opioid-dependent patients had at least one adverse event in the “Infections and Infestations” Body System.
Adverse Reactions/Preferred Terms of nasopharyngitis, upper respiratory tract infection, urinary tract infection, and sinusitis were most commonly reported. In the placebo-controlled study in opioid-dependent patients conducted in Russia, the overall frequency of adverse events was lower than in the U.S. population described above. Table 2 lists treatment-emergent clinical adverse events, regardless of causality, occurring in ≥2% of patients with opioid dependence, for which the incidence was greater in the VIVITROL group than in the placebo group.
All adverse events were assessed as having a maximum intensity of “mild” or “moderate.” Table 2: Treatment-emergent Clinical Adverse Events (Events in ≥2% of patients with opioid dependence treated with VIVITROL and occurring more frequently in the VIVITROL group than in the placebo group) Body System Adverse Event / Preferred Term Placebo N=124 VIVITROL 380 mg N=126 n % n % Investigations Alanine aminotransferase increased 7 6 16 13 Aspartate aminotransferase increased 3 2 13 10 Gamma-glutamyltransferase increased 4 3 9 7 Infections and Infestations Nasopharyngitis 3 2 9 7 Influenza 5 4 6 5 Psychiatric Disorders Insomnia 1 1 8 6 Vascular Disorders Hypertension 4 3 6 5 General Disorders and Administration Site Conditions Injection site pain 1 1 6 5 Gastrointestinal Disorders Toothache 2 2 5 4 Nervous System Disorders Headache 3 2 4 3 Laboratory Tests Eosinophil Count In clinical trials, subjects on VIVITROL had increases in eosinophil counts relative to subjects on placebo. With continued use of VIVITROL, eosinophil counts returned to normal over a period of several months. Platelet Count VIVITROL 380 mg was associated with a decrease in platelet count.
In clinical trials, alcohol-dependent patients treated with VIVITROL experienced a mean maximal decrease in platelet count of 17.8 × 10 3 /μL, compared to 2.6 × 10 3 /μL in placebo patients. After 24 weeks of treatment, opioid-dependent patients treated with VIVITROL experienced a mean maximal decrease in platelet count of 62.8 × 10 3 /μL, compared to 39.9 × 10 3 /μL in placebo patients. In randomized controlled trials, VIVITROL was not associated with an increase in bleeding-related adverse events.
Hepatic Enzyme Elevations In short-term, controlled trials, in alcohol-dependent patients, the incidence of AST elevations associated with VIVITROL treatment was similar to that observed with oral naltrexone treatment (1.5% each) and slightly higher than observed with placebo treatment (0.9%). In the 6-month controlled trial conducted in opioid-dependent subjects, 89% had a baseline diagnosis of hepatitis C infection, and 41% had a baseline diagnosis of HIV infection. There were frequently observed elevated liver enzyme levels (ALT, AST, and GGT); these were more commonly reported as adverse events in the VIVITROL 380 mg group than in the placebo group. Patients could not enroll in this trial if they had a baseline ALT or AST value that was more than three times the upper limit of normal.
More patients treated with VIVITROL in this study experienced treatment-emergent elevations in transaminases to more than three times the upper limit of normal than patients treated with placebo. Shifts to more than three times the upper limit of normal occurred in 20% of patients treated with VIVITROL as compared with 13% of placebo patients. Shifts in values of AST to more than three times the upper limit were also more common in the VIVITROL (14%) arm compared with the placebo (11%) arm.
Opioid-dependent patients treated with VIVITROL experienced a mean maximal increase from baseline ALT levels of 61 IU/L compared with 48 IU/L in placebo patients. Similarly for AST, opioid-dependent patients treated with VIVITROL experienced a mean maximal increase from baseline AST levels of 40 IU/L compared with 31 IU/L in placebo patients. Creatinine Phosphokinase In short-term controlled trials in alcohol-dependent patients, more patients treated with VIVITROL 380 mg (11%) and oral naltrexone (17%) shifted from normal creatinine phosphokinase (CPK) levels before treatment to abnormal CPK levels at the end of the trials, compared to placebo patients (8%). In open-label trials, 16% of patients dosed for more than 6 months had increases in CPK. For both the oral naltrexone and VIVITROL 380 mg groups, CPK abnormalities were most frequently in the range of 1–2 × ULN. However, there were reports of CPK abnormalities as high as 4x ULN for the oral naltrexone group, and 35 × ULN for the VIVITROL 380 mg group.
Overall, there were no differences between the placebo and naltrexone (oral or injectable) groups with respect to the proportions of patients with a CPK value at least three times the upper limit of normal. No factors other than naltrexone exposure were associated with the CPK elevations. More opioid-dependent patients treated with VIVITROL 380 mg (39%) shifted from normal creatinine phosphokinase (CPK) levels before treatment to abnormal CPK levels during the study as compared to patients treated with placebo (32%). There were reports of CPK abnormalities as high as 41.8 × ULN for the placebo group, and 22.1 × ULN for the VIVITROL 380 mg group.
Other Events Observed During the VIVITROL Clinical Studies The following is a list of treatment-emergent adverse reactions reported by alcohol- and/or opioid-dependent subjects treated with VIVITROL in all clinical trials. The listing does not include those events already listed in the previous tables or elsewhere in labeling, those events for which a drug cause was remote, those events that were so general as to be uninformative, and those events reported only once that did not have a substantial probability of being acutely life-threatening. Blood and Lymphatic System Disorders – lymphadenopathy (including cervical adenitis), white blood cell count increased Cardiac Disorders – angina pectoris, angina unstable, atrial fibrillation, cardiac failure congestive, coronary artery atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, palpitations Eye Disorders – conjunctivitis, vision blurred Gastrointestinal Disorders – abdominal discomfort, colitis, constipation, flatulence, gastroesophageal reflux disease, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, hemorrhoids, pancreatitis acute, paralytic ileus, perirectal abscess General Disorders and Administration Site Conditions – chest pain, chest tightness, chills, face edema, irritability, lethargy, pyrexia, rigors Hepatobiliary Disorders – cholecystitis acute, cholelithiasis Immune System Disorders – seasonal allergy, hypersensitivity reaction (including angioneurotic edema and urticaria) Infections and Infestations – bronchitis, gastroenteritis, laryngitis, pneumonia, sinusitis, tooth abscess, upper respiratory tract infection, urinary tract infection, advanced HIV disease in HIV-infected patients Investigations – weight decreased, weight increased Metabolism and Nutrition Disorders – appetite increased, dehydration, heat exhaustion, hypercholesterolemia Musculoskeletal and Connective Tissue Disorders – joint stiffness, muscle spasms, myalgia, pain in limb Nervous System Disorders – cerebral arterial aneurysm, convulsions, disturbance in attention, dysgeusia, mental impairment, migraine, ischemic stroke, paresthesia Pregnancy, Puerperium, and Perinatal Conditions – abortion missed Psychiatric Disorders – abnormal dreams, agitation, alcohol withdrawal syndrome, euphoric mood, delirium, libido decreased Respiratory, Thoracic, and Mediastinal Disorders – chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, dyspnea, pharyngolaryngeal pain, sinus congestion Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders – night sweats, pruritus, sweating increased Vascular Disorders – deep venous thrombosis, hot flushes, pulmonary embolism
Postmarketing Experience Adverse Events Following Patient Self-Administration Adverse events including injection site
reactions and precipitated opioid withdrawal resulting in serious outcomes, including hospitalization, have been reported following patient self-administration of VIVITROL. VIVITROL must be prepared and administered by a healthcare provider. Hypersensitivity Reactions Including Anaphylaxis Hypersensitivity reactions including anaphylaxis have been reported during postmarketing surveillance. Reports From Other Intramuscular Drug Products Containing Polylactide-co-glycolide (PLG) Microspheres Retinal Artery Occlusion Retinal artery occlusion after injection with another drug product containing polylactide-co-glycolide (PLG) microspheres has been reported very rarely during postmarketing surveillance.
This event has been reported in the presence of abnormal arteriovenous anastomosis. No cases of retinal artery occlusion have been reported during VIVITROL clinical trials or postmarketing surveillance. VIVITROL should be administered by intramuscular (IM) injection into the gluteal muscle, and care must be taken to avoid inadvertent injection into a blood vessel .
Warnings & Cautions for Vivitrol
Vulnerability to Opioid Overdose After opioid detoxification, patients are likely to have
reduced tolerance to opioids. VIVITROL blocks the effects of exogenous opioids for approximately 28 days after administration. However, as the blockade wanes and eventually dissipates completely, patients who have been treated with VIVITROL may respond to lower doses of opioids than previously used, just as they would have shortly after completing detoxification.
This could result in potentially life-threatening opioid intoxication (respiratory compromise or arrest, circulatory collapse, etc.) if the patient uses previously tolerated doses of opioids. Cases of opioid overdose with fatal outcomes have been reported in patients who used opioids at the end of a dosing interval, after missing a scheduled dose, or after discontinuing treatment. Patients should be alerted that they may be more sensitive to opioids, even at lower doses, after VIVITROL treatment is discontinued, especially at the end of a dosing interval (i.e., near the end of the month that VIVITROL was administered), or after a dose of VIVITROL is missed.
It is important that patients inform family members and the people closest to the patient of this increased sensitivity to opioids and the risk of overdose. There is also the possibility that a patient who is treated with VIVITROL could overcome the opioid blockade effect of VIVITROL. Although VIVITROL is a potent antagonist with a prolonged pharmacological effect, the blockade produced by VIVITROL is surmountable. The plasma concentration of exogenous opioids attained immediately following their acute administration may be sufficient to overcome the competitive receptor blockade.
This poses a potential risk to individuals who attempt, on their own, to overcome the blockade by administering large amounts of exogenous opioids. Any attempt by a patient to overcome the antagonism by taking opioids is especially dangerous and may lead to life-threatening opioid intoxication or fatal overdose. Patients should be told of the serious consequences of trying to overcome the opioid blockade . Patient Access to an Opioid Overdose Reversal Agent for the Emergency Treatment of Opioid Overdose At the initial VIVITROL injection and with each subsequent injection, inform patients and caregivers about opioid overdose reversal agents (e.g., naloxone, nalmefene) and discuss the importance of having access to an opioid overdose reversal agent.
Because of the risks for opioid overdose described above, both at the initial VIVITROL injection and with each subsequent injection, strongly consider recommending or prescribing an opioid overdose reversal agent for the emergency treatment of an opioid overdose. Discuss the options for obtaining an opioid overdose reversal agent (e.g., prescription, over-the-counter, or as part of a community-based program). There are important differences among the opioid overdose reversal agents, such as route of administration, product strength, approved patient age range, and pharmacokinetics. Be familiar with these differences, as outlined in the approved labeling for those products, prior to recommending or prescribing such an agent.
Educate patients and caregivers on how to recognize the signs and symptoms of an opioid overdose and how to use an opioid overdose reversal agent for the emergency treatment of opioid overdose. Emphasize the importance of calling 911 or getting emergency medical help in all cases of known or suspected opioid overdose, even if an opioid overdose reversal agent is administered.
Injection Site Reactions
VIVITROL must be prepared and administered by a healthcare provider. VIVITROL must ONLY be administered as a deep intramuscular gluteal injection. VIVITROL injections may be followed by pain, tenderness, induration, swelling, erythema, bruising, or pruritus; however, in some cases injection site reactions may be very severe.
In the clinical trials, one patient developed an area of induration that continued to enlarge after 4 weeks, with subsequent development of necrotic tissue that required surgical excision. In the postmarketing period, additional cases of injection site reaction with features including induration, cellulitis, hematoma, abscess, sterile abscess, and necrosis, have been reported. Some cases required surgical intervention, including debridement of necrotic tissue.
Some cases resulted in significant scarring. The reported cases occurred primarily in female patients. VIVITROL is administered as a deep intramuscular gluteal injection, and inadvertent subcutaneous injection of VIVITROL may increase the likelihood of severe injection site reactions.
The needles provided in the carton are customized needles. VIVITROL must not be injected using any other needle. The needle lengths (either 1 1/2 or 2 inches) may not be adequate in every patient because of body habitus.
Body habitus should be assessed prior to each injection for each patient to assure that the proper needle is selected and that the needle length is adequate for intramuscular administration. For patients with a larger amount of subcutaneous tissue overlying the gluteal muscle, the administering healthcare provider may utilize the supplied 2-inch needle with needle protection device to help ensure that the injectate reaches the intramuscular mass. For very lean patients, the 1 1/2-inch needle may be appropriate to prevent the needle contacting the periosteum.
Either needle may be used for patients with average body habitus. Healthcare providers should ensure that the VIVITROL injection is given correctly, and should consider alternate treatment for those patients whose body habitus precludes an intramuscular gluteal injection with one of the provided needles. Patients should be informed that any concerning injection site reactions should be brought to the attention of the healthcare provider . Patients exhibiting signs of abscess, cellulitis, necrosis, or extensive swelling should be evaluated by a physician to determine if referral to a surgeon is warranted.
Precipitation of Opioid Withdrawal
The symptoms of spontaneous opioid withdrawal (which are associated with the discontinuation of opioid in a dependent individual) are uncomfortable, but they are not generally believed to be severe or necessitate hospitalization. However, when withdrawal is precipitated abruptly by the administration of an opioid antagonist to an opioid-dependent patient, the resulting withdrawal syndrome can be severe enough to require hospitalization. Review of postmarketing cases of precipitated opioid withdrawal in association with naltrexone treatment has identified cases with symptoms of withdrawal severe enough to require hospital admission, and in some cases, management in the intensive care unit.
To prevent occurrence of precipitated withdrawal in patients dependent on opioids, or exacerbation of a pre-existing subclinical withdrawal syndrome, opioid-dependent patients, including those being treated for alcohol dependence, should be opioid-free (including tramadol) before starting VIVITROL treatment. An opioid-free interval of a minimum of 7–10 days is recommended for patients previously dependent on short-acting opioids. Patients transitioning from buprenorphine or methadone may be vulnerable to precipitation of withdrawal symptoms for as long as two weeks.
If a more rapid transition from agonist to antagonist therapy is deemed necessary and appropriate by the healthcare provider, monitor the patient closely in an appropriate medical setting where precipitated withdrawal can be managed. In every case, healthcare providers should always be prepared to manage withdrawal symptomatically with non-opioid medications because there is no completely reliable method for determining whether a patient has had an adequate opioid-free period. A naloxone challenge test may be helpful; however, a few case reports have indicated that patients may experience precipitated withdrawal despite having a negative urine toxicology screen or tolerating a naloxone challenge test (usually in the setting of transitioning from buprenorphine treatment). Patients should be made aware of the risks associated with precipitated withdrawal and encouraged to give an accurate account of last opioid use.
Patients treated for alcohol dependence with VIVITROL should also be assessed for underlying opioid dependence and for any recent use of opioids prior to initiation of treatment with VIVITROL. Precipitated opioid withdrawal has been observed in alcohol-dependent patients in circumstances where the prescriber had been unaware of the additional use of opioids or co-dependence on opioids.
Hepatotoxicity Cases of hepatitis and clinically significant liver dysfunction were observed in
association with VIVITROL exposure during the clinical development program and in the postmarketing period. Transient, asymptomatic hepatic transaminase elevations were also observed in the clinical trials and postmarketing period. Although patients with clinically significant liver disease were not systematically studied, clinical trials did include patients with asymptomatic viral hepatitis infections.
When patients presented with elevated transaminases, there were often other potential causative or contributory etiologies identified, including pre-existing alcoholic liver disease, hepatitis B and/or C infection, and concomitant usage of other potentially hepatotoxic drugs. Although clinically significant liver dysfunction is not typically recognized as a manifestation of opioid withdrawal, opioid withdrawal that is precipitated abruptly may lead to systemic sequelae including acute liver injury. Patients should be warned of the risk of hepatic injury and advised to seek medical attention if they experience symptoms of acute hepatitis.
Use of VIVITROL should be discontinued in the event of symptoms and/or signs of acute hepatitis.
Depression and Suicidality Alcohol- and opioid-dependent patients, including those taking
VIVITROL, should be monitored for the development of depression or suicidal thinking. Families and caregivers of patients being treated with VIVITROL should be alerted to the need to monitor patients for the emergence of symptoms of depression or suicidality, and to report such symptoms to the patient's healthcare provider. Alcohol Dependence In controlled clinical trials of VIVITROL administered to adults with alcohol dependence, adverse events of a suicidal nature (suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, completed suicides) were infrequent overall, but were more common in patients treated with VIVITROL than in patients treated with placebo (1% vs 0%). In some cases, the suicidal thoughts or behavior occurred after study discontinuation, but were in the context of an episode of depression that began while the patient was on study drug.
Two completed suicides occurred, both involving patients treated with VIVITROL. Depression-related events associated with premature discontinuation of study drug were also more common in patients treated with VIVITROL (~1%) than in placebo-treated patients (0%). In the 24-week, placebo-controlled pivotal trial in 624 alcohol-dependent patients, adverse events involving depressed mood were reported by 10% of patients treated with VIVITROL 380 mg, as compared to 5% of patients treated with placebo injections. Opioid Dependence In an open-label, long-term safety study conducted in the US, adverse events of a suicidal nature (depressed mood, suicidal ideation, suicide attempt) were reported by 5% of opioid-dependent patients treated with VIVITROL 380 mg (n=101) and 10% of opioid-dependent patients treated with oral naltrexone (n=20). In the 24-week, placebo-controlled pivotal trial that was conducted in Russia in 250 opioid-dependent patients, adverse events involving depressed mood or suicidal thinking were not reported by any patient in either treatment group (VIVITROL 380 mg or placebo).
When Reversal of
VIVITROL Blockade Is Required for Pain Management In an emergency situation in patients receiving VIVITROL, suggestions for pain management include regional analgesia or use of non-opioid analgesics. If opioid therapy is required as part of anesthesia or analgesia, patients should be continuously monitored in an anesthesia care setting by persons not involved in the conduct of the surgical or diagnostic procedure. The opioid therapy must be provided by individuals specifically trained in the use of anesthetic drugs and the management of the respiratory effects of potent opioids, specifically the establishment and maintenance of a patent airway and assisted ventilation.
Irrespective of the drug chosen to reverse VIVITROL blockade, the patient should be monitored closely by appropriately trained personnel in a setting equipped and staffed for cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
Eosinophilic Pneumonia
In clinical trials with VIVITROL, there was one diagnosed case and one suspected case of eosinophilic pneumonia. Both cases required hospitalization, and resolved after treatment with antibiotics and corticosteroids. Similar cases have been reported in postmarketing use.
Should a person receiving VIVITROL develop progressive dyspnea and hypoxemia, the diagnosis of eosinophilic pneumonia should be considered . Patients should be warned of the risk of eosinophilic pneumonia, and advised to seek medical attention should they develop symptoms of pneumonia. Clinicians should consider the possibility of eosinophilic pneumonia in patients who do not respond to antibiotics.
Hypersensitivity Reactions Including Anaphylaxis Cases of urticaria, angioedema, and anaphylaxis have been
observed with use of VIVITROL in the clinical trial setting and in postmarketing use. Patients should be warned of the risk of hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis. In the event of a hypersensitivity reaction, patients should be advised to seek immediate medical attention in a healthcare setting prepared to treat anaphylaxis.
The patient should not receive any further treatment with VIVITROL.
Intramuscular Injections As with any intramuscular injection
VIVITROL should be administered with caution to patients with thrombocytopenia or any coagulation disorder (e.g., hemophilia and severe hepatic failure). 5.10 Alcohol Withdrawal Use of VIVITROL does not eliminate nor diminish alcohol withdrawal symptoms. 5.11 Interference with Laboratory Tests VIVITROL may be cross-reactive with certain immunoassay methods for the detection of drugs of abuse (specifically opioids) in urine. For further information, reference to the specific immunoassay instructions is recommended.
Drug Interactions with Vivitrol
Patients taking VIVITROL may not benefit from opioid-containing medicines. Naltrexone antagonizes the effects of opioid-containing medicines, such as cough and cold remedies, antidiarrheal preparations and opioid analgesics. Naltrexone antagonizes the effects of opioid-containing medicines, such as cough and cold remedies, antidiarrheal preparations, and opioid analgesics.
Pregnancy Safety for Vivitrol
Pregnancy Risk Summary The available data from published case series with VIVITROL use in pregnant women are insufficient to identify a drug-associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. There are clinical considerations (see Clinical Considerations ). Reproduction and developmental animal studies have not been conducted for VIVITROL. Daily oral administration of naltrexone to female rats and rabbits increased the incidence of early fetal loss at exposures ≥ 11 times and ≥ 2 times the human exposure, respectively. Daily oral administration of naltrexone to pregnant rats and rabbits during the period of organogenesis did not induce malformation at exposures up to 175 times and 14 times the human exposure, respectively (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. 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. Clinical Considerations Disease-associated maternal and embryo-fetal risk Untreated opioid addiction in pregnancy is associated with adverse obstetrical outcomes such as low birth weight, preterm birth, and fetal death.
In addition, untreated opioid addiction often results in continued or relapsing illicit opioid use. Published studies have demonstrated that alcohol is associated with fetal harm including growth restriction, facial abnormalities, central nervous system abnormalities, behavioral disorders, and impaired intellectual development. Data Animal Data Reproduction and developmental studies have not been conducted for VIVITROL. Studies with naltrexone administered via the oral route have been conducted in pregnant rats and rabbits.
Daily oral administration of naltrexone has been shown to increase the incidence of early fetal loss when given to rats at doses ≥30 mg/kg/day (11 times the human exposure based on an AUC (0-28d) comparison) and to rabbits at oral doses ≥60 mg/kg/day (2 times the human exposure based on an AUC (0-28d) comparison). Daily oral administration of naltrexone to rats and rabbits during the period of organogenesis did not induce malformations at doses up to 200 mg/kg/day (175- and 14-times the human exposure based on an AUC (0-28d) comparison, respectively).
Pediatric Use of Vivitrol
Pediatric Use The safety and efficacy of VIVITROL have not been established in the pediatric population. The pharmacokinetics of VIVITROL have not been evaluated in a pediatric population.
Contraindications for Vivitrol
is contraindicated in: Patients receiving opioid analgesics . Patients with current physiologic opioid dependence . Patients in acute opioid withdrawal . Any individual who has failed the naloxone challenge test or has a positive urine screen for opioids . Patients who have previously exhibited hypersensitivity to naltrexone, PLG, carboxymethylcellulose, or any other components of the diluent. VIVITROL is contraindicated in: Patients receiving opioid analgesics. Patients with current physiologic opioid dependence.
Patients in acute opioid withdrawal. Any individual who has failed the naloxone challenge test or has a positive urine screen for opioids. Patients who have previously exhibited hypersensitivity to naltrexone, polylactide-co-glycolide (PLG), carboxymethylcellulose, or any other components of the diluent.
Overdosage Information for Vivitrol
There is limited experience with overdose of VIVITROL. Single doses up to 784 mg were administered to 5 healthy subjects. There were no serious or severe adverse events. The most common effects were injection site reactions, nausea, abdominal pain, somnolence, and dizziness.
There were no significant increases in hepatic enzymes. In the event of an overdose, appropriate supportive treatment should be initiated.
Clinical Studies of Vivitrol
Alcohol Dependence The efficacy of VIVITROL in the treatment of alcohol dependence was evaluated in a 24-week, placebo-controlled, multi-center, double-blind, randomized trial of alcohol-dependent (DSM-IV criteria) outpatients. Subjects were treated with an injection every 4 weeks of VIVITROL 190 mg, VIVITROL 380 mg or placebo. Oral naltrexone was not administered prior to the initial or subsequent injections of study medication.
Psychosocial support was provided to all subjects in addition to medication. Subjects treated with VIVITROL 380 mg demonstrated a greater reduction in days of heavy drinking than those treated with placebo. Heavy drinking was defined as self-report of 5 or more standard drinks consumed on a given day for male patients and 4 or more drinks for female patients.
Among the subset of patients (n=53, 8% of the total study population) who abstained completely from drinking during the week prior to the first dose of medication, compared with placebo-treated patients, those treated with VIVITROL 380 mg had greater reductions in the number of drinking days and the number of heavy drinking days. In this subset, patients treated with VIVITROL were also more likely than placebo-treated patients to maintain complete abstinence throughout treatment. The same treatment effects were not evident among the subset of patients (n=571, 92% of the total study population) who were actively drinking at the time of treatment initiation.
Opioid Dependence The efficacy of VIVITROL in the treatment of opioid dependence was evaluated in a 24-week, placebo-controlled, multi-center, double-blind, randomized trial of opioid-dependent (DSM-IV) outpatients, who were completing or had recently completed detoxification. Subjects were treated with an injection every 4 weeks of VIVITROL 380 mg or placebo. Oral naltrexone was not administered prior to the initial or subsequent injections of study medication.
Standardized, manual-based psychosocial support was provided on a biweekly basis to all subjects in addition to medication. Figure 1, below, displays the cumulative percentage of subjects with opioid-free weeks ranging from no visits (0%) to all visits (100%). An opioid-free week was one in which urine drug test results were negative for opioids and self-reported opioid use was also zero. An initial period of engagement in treatment was permitted during which opiate use, if it occurred, was not considered in the analysis.
Subjects discontinuing from the trial were assumed to have had opioid-use weeks for the weeks after dropout. The cumulative percentage of subjects achieving each observed percentage of opioid-free weeks was greater in the VIVITROL group compared to the placebo group. Complete abstinence (opioid-free at all weekly visits) was sustained by 23% of subjects in the placebo group compared with 36% of subjects in the VIVITROL group from Week 5 to Week 24. Figure 1: Subjects Sustaining Varying Percentages of Opioid-Free Weeks A greater percentage of subjects in the VIVITROL group remained in the study compared to the placebo group.
Figure 1
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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