posaconazole - Mylan Institutional LLC

Posaconazole injection is indicated for the treatment of invasive aspergillosis as follows:

• Posaconazole injection: adults and pediatric patients 2 years of age and older who weigh 10 kg or greater

Posaconazole injection is indicated for the prophylaxis of invasive Aspergillus and Candida infections in patients who are at high risk of developing these infections due to being severely immunocompromised, such as hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients with graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) or those with hematologic malignancies with prolonged neutropenia from chemotherapy as follows:

• Posaconazole injection: adults and pediatric patients 2 years of age and older who weigh 10 kg or greater

The recommended dosage of posaconazole injection in adult patients for the treatment of invasive aspergillosis, prophylaxis of invasive Aspergillus and Candida infections in patients who are at high risk of developing these infections due to being severely immunocompromised is shown in Table 1 [see Dosage and Administration (2.5, 2.6) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)] .

Preparation of Posaconazole Injection:

• Remove the vial of posaconazole injection from the refrigerator and allow to equilibrate to room temperature prior to use.
• To prepare the required dose, aseptically transfer one vial of posaconazole injection (containing 300 mg of posaconazole in 16.7 mL of solution) to an intravenous bag or bottle of one of the following compatible diluents to achieve a final posaconazole concentration between 1 mg/mL and 2 mg/mL:
  • o0.45% Sodium Chloride Injection
  • o0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection
  • o5% Dextrose Injection
  • o5% Dextrose and 0.45% Sodium Chloride Injection
  • o5% Dextrose and 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection
  • o5% Dextrose and 20 mEq Potassium Chloride Injection
• Use of other diluents is not recommended because they may result in particulate formation.
• Discard any unused posaconazole injection from the vial.
• Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter prior to administration, whenever solution and container permit. Once admixed, the diluted posaconazole infusion solution ranges from colorless to yellow (variations of color within this range do not affect the quality of the product).
• Immediately use the diluted posaconazole infusion solution, once admixed. If not used immediately, refrigerate (2° to 8°C (36° to 46°F)) the diluted posaconazole infusion solution up to 24 hours. Discard any unused portion.

Incompatible Diluents

Co-administration of drug products besides the infusion solutions or products stated above are not recommended because this may result in particulate formation. The following diluents were determined to be incompatible with posaconazole injection; thus, do not dilute posaconazole injection with them:

• Lactated Ringer’s Injection
• Lactated Ringer's and 5% Dextrose Injection
• 4.2% Sodium Bicarbonate Injection

See Dosage and Administration (2.5) for the preparation instructions for the diluted posaconazole solution.

Important Administration Instructions for the Diluted Posaconazole Infusion Solution

• Must administer diluted posaconazole infusion solution through a 0.22-micron polyethersulfone (PES) or polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) filter.
• Administer diluted posaconazole infusion solution via a central venous line, including a central venous catheter (CVC) or peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC), by slow intravenous infusion over approximately 90 minutes [see Adverse Reactions (6.1) ]
• If a CVC or PICC are not available, may administer diluted posaconazole solution once through a peripheral venous catheter by intravenous infusion over approximately 30 minutes to bridge the period during which a CVC or PICC are replaced, inserted, or unavailable for use (e.g., the CVC is being used for intravenous treatment with another product). However, do not administer diluted posaconazole infusion solution more than once via peripheral venous catheter because in clinical trials, multiple peripheral infusions given through the same vein resulted in infusion site reactions [see Adverse Reactions (6.1) ].
• When multiple dosing is required, the infusion should be done via a central venous line.

Additional Administration Instructions for the Diluted Posaconazole Infusion Solution

• Administer diluted posaconazole infusion solution intravenously through the same intravenous line (or cannula) with the following compatible infusion solutions:
  • o0.45% Sodium Chloride Injection
  • o0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection
  • o5% Dextrose Injection
  • o5% Dextrose and 0.45% Sodium Chloride Injection
  • o5% Dextrose and 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection
  • o5% Dextrose and 20 mEq potassium chloride Injection
• Administer diluted posaconazole infusion solution intravenously at the same time through the same intravenous line (or cannula) with the following intravenous drug products prepared in 5% Dextrose Injection or 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection:
  • oAmikacin Sulfate Injection
  • oCaspofungin Acetate for Injection
  • oCiprofloxacin Injection
  • oDaptomycin for Injection
  • oDobutamine Injection
  • oFamotidine Injection
  • oFilgrastim Injection
  • oGentamicin Injection
  • oHydromorphone Hydrochloride Injection
  • oLevofloxacin Injection
  • oLorazepam Injection
  • oMeropenem for Injection
  • oMicafungin for Injection
  • oMorphine Sulfate Injection
  • oNorepinephrine Bitartrate Injection
  • oPotassium Chloride Injection
  • oVancomycin Hydrochloride for Injection

Avoid the use of posaconazole injection in patients with eGFR less than 50 mL/minute/1.73 m², unless an assessment of the benefit/risk to the patient justifies its use. If the decision is made to use posaconazole injection in patients with eGFR less than 50 mL/minute/1.73 m², closely monitor serum creatinine levels, and, if increases occur, consider changing to oral posaconazole therapy. The recommended dosage of posaconazole injection in patients with eGFR 50 to 90 mL/minute/1.73 m² is the same as those with normal renal function.

Posaconazole is contraindicated in persons with known hypersensitivity to posaconazole or other azole antifungal agents.

Posaconazole is contraindicated with sirolimus. Concomitant administration of posaconazole with sirolimus increases the sirolimus blood concentrations by approximately 9-fold and can result in sirolimus toxicity [see Drug Interactions (7.2) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].

Posaconazole is contraindicated with CYP3A4 substrates that prolong the QT interval. Concomitant administration of posaconazole with the CYP3A4 substrates, pimozide and quinidine may result in increased plasma concentrations of these drugs, leading to QTc prolongation and cases of torsades de pointes [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) and Drug Interactions (7.2) ].

Coadministration with the HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors that are primarily metabolized through CYP3A4 (e.g., atorvastatin, lovastatin, and simvastatin) is contraindicated since increased plasma concentration of these drugs can lead to rhabdomyolysis [see Drug Interactions (7.2) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].

Posaconazole may increase the plasma concentrations of ergot alkaloids (ergotamine and dihydroergotamine) which may lead to ergotism [see Drug Interactions (7.2) ].

Coadministration of posaconazole with venetoclax at initiation and during the ramp-up phase is contraindicated in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) or small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) due to the potential for increased risk of tumor lysis syndrome [see Warnings and Precautions (5.11) and Drug Interactions (7.2) ].

Concomitant administration of posaconazole with cyclosporine or tacrolimus increases the whole blood trough concentrations of these calcineurin-inhibitors [see Drug Interactions (7.2) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)]. Nephrotoxicity and leukoencephalopathy (including deaths) have been reported in clinical efficacy studies in patients with elevated cyclosporine or tacrolimus concentrations. Frequent monitoring of tacrolimus or cyclosporine whole blood trough concentrations should be performed during and at discontinuation of posaconazole treatment and the tacrolimus or cyclosporine dose adjusted accordingly.

Some azoles, including posaconazole, have been associated with prolongation of the QT interval on the electrocardiogram. In addition, cases of torsades de pointes have been reported in patients taking posaconazole.

Results from a multiple time-matched ECG analysis in healthy volunteers did not show any increase in the mean of the QTc interval. Multiple, time-matched ECGs collected over a 12-hour period were recorded at baseline and steady-state from 173 healthy male and female volunteers (18-85 years of age) administered Noxafil^® oral suspension 400 mg twice daily with a high-fat meal. In this pooled analysis, the mean QTc (Fridericia) interval change from baseline was –5 msec following administration of the recommended clinical dose. A decrease in the QTc(F) interval (–3 msec) was also observed in a small number of subjects (n=16) administered placebo. The placebo-adjusted mean maximum QTc(F) interval change from baseline was <0 msec (–8 msec). No healthy subject administered posaconazole had a QTc(F) interval ≥500 msec or an increase ≥60 msec in their QTc(F) interval from baseline.

Posaconazole should be administered with caution to patients with potentially proarrhythmic conditions. Do not administer with drugs that are known to prolong the QTc interval and are metabolized through CYP3A4 [see Contraindications (4.3) and Drug Interactions (7.2) ].

Electrolyte disturbances, especially those involving potassium, magnesium or calcium levels, should be monitored and corrected as necessary before and during posaconazole therapy.

Pseudoaldosteronism, manifested by the onset of hypertension or worsening of hypertension, and abnormal laboratory findings (hypokalemia, low serum renin and aldosterone, and elevated 11-deoxycortisol), has been reported with posaconazole use in the postmarket setting. Monitor blood pressure and potassium levels and manage as necessary. Management of pseudoaldosteronism may include discontinuation of posaconazole, substitution with an appropriate antifungal drug that is not associated with pseudoaldosteronism, or use of aldosterone receptor antagonists.

Hepatic reactions (e.g., mild to moderate elevations in alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase, total bilirubin, and/or clinical hepatitis) have been reported in clinical trials. The elevations in liver tests were generally reversible on discontinuation of therapy, and in some instances these tests normalized without drug interruption. Cases of more severe hepatic reactions including cholestasis or hepatic failure including deaths have been reported in patients with serious underlying medical conditions (e.g., hematologic malignancy) during treatment with posaconazole. These severe hepatic reactions were seen primarily in subjects receiving the Noxafil oral suspension 800 mg daily (400 mg twice daily or 200 mg four times a day) in clinical trials.

Liver tests should be evaluated at the start of and during the course of posaconazole therapy. Patients who develop abnormal liver tests during posaconazole therapy should be monitored for the development of more severe hepatic injury. Patient management should include laboratory evaluation of hepatic function (particularly liver tests and bilirubin). Discontinuation of posaconazole must be considered if clinical signs and symptoms consistent with liver disease develop that may be attributable to posaconazole.

Posaconazole injection should be avoided in patients with moderate or severe renal impairment (eGFR < 50 mL/1.73 m²), unless an assessment of the benefit/risk to the patient justifies the use of posaconazole injection. In patients with moderate or severe renal impairment (eGFR < 50 mL/1.73 m²), receiving the posaconazole injection, accumulation of the intravenous vehicle, SBECD, is expected to occur. Serum creatinine levels should be closely monitored in these patients, and, if increases occur, consideration should be given to changing to oral posaconazole therapy [see Dosage and Administration (2.11) and Use in Specific Populations (8.6)].

Concomitant administration of posaconazole with midazolam increases the midazolam plasma concentrations by approximately 5-fold. Increased plasma midazolam concentrations could potentiate and prolong hypnotic and sedative effects. Patients must be monitored closely for adverse effects associated with high plasma concentrations of midazolam and benzodiazepine receptor antagonists must be available to reverse these effects [see Drug Interactions (7.2) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].

Concomitant administration of azole antifungals, including posaconazole, with vincristine has been associated with neurotoxicity and other serious adverse reactions, including seizures, peripheral neuropathy, syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion, and paralytic ileus. Reserve azole antifungals, including posaconazole, for patients receiving a vinca alkaloid, including vincristine, who have no alternative antifungal treatment options [see Drug Interactions (7.2) ].

Concomitant administration of posaconazole, a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor, with venetoclax may increase venetoclax toxicities, including the risk of tumor lysis syndrome (TLS), neutropenia, and serious infections. In patients with CLL/SLL, administration of posaconazole during initiation and the ramp-up phase of venetoclax is contraindicated [see Contraindications (4.6)]. Refer to the venetoclax labeling for safety monitoring and dose reduction in the steady daily dosing phase in CLL/SLL patients.

For patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), dose reduction and safety monitoring are recommended across all dosing phases when coadministering posaconazole with venetoclax [see Drug Interactions (7.2) ]. Refer to the venetoclax prescribing information for dosing instructions.

Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in clinical trials of posaconazole cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice.

The following adverse reaction has been identified during the post-approval use of posaconazole. 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.

Endocrine Disorders: Pseudoaldosteronism

Posaconazole is primarily metabolized via UDP-glucuronosyltransferase and is a substrate of p-glycoprotein (P-gp) efflux. Therefore, inhibitors or inducers of these clearance pathways may affect posaconazole plasma concentrations. Concomitant use of posaconazole with drugs that can decrease the plasma posaconazole concentrations should generally be avoided unless the benefit outweighs the risk. If such drugs are necessary, patients should be monitored closely for breakthrough fungal infections.

Posaconazole is a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor. Therefore, concomitant use of posaconazole may increase plasma concentrations of drugs that are CYP3A4 substrates [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].

Additional clinical studies demonstrated that no clinically important effects on zidovudine, lamivudine, indinavir, or caffeine were observed when administered with Noxafil 200 mg once daily; therefore, no dose adjustments are required for these drugs when coadministered with Noxafil 200 mg once daily.

No overall differences in the safety or effectiveness of posaconazole injection have been observed between geriatric patients and younger adult patients in the clinical trials; therefore, the recommended dosage in geriatric patients is the same as that for younger adult patients. No clinically meaningful differences in posaconazole pharmacokinetics were observed in posaconazole-treated geriatric patients compared to posaconazole-treated younger adult patients during clinical trials [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].

• Of the 279 patients treated with posaconazole injection in the Posaconazole Injection Study (prophylaxis of invasive Aspergillus and Candida infections in those at high risk of developing these infections due to be ing severly immunocompromised, 52 (19%) patients were > 65 years of age.
• Of the 288 patients treated with posaconazole injection in the Aspergillosis Treatment Study, 85 (29%) patients were ≥ 65 years of age.

Posaconazole Injection

Avoid use of posaconazole injection in patients with eGFR less than 50 mL/minute/1.73 m² unless the benefit/risk to the patient justifies its use. The inactive ingredient in posaconazole injection, Betadex Sulfobutyl Ether Sodium (SBECD) is expected to accumulate in patients with reduced renal function. Safety and effectiveness of posaconazole injection have not been established in patients with less than 50 mL/minute/1.73 m².

If treatment with posaconazole injection is unavoidable in patients with eGFR less than 50 mL/minute/1.73 m², monitor serum creatinine levels. If serum creatinine increases, consider changing to oral posaconazole therapy.

No dosage adjustment is recommended for posaconazole injection in patients with mild, moderate, or severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh Class A, B, or C, respectively) [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].

However, a specific hepatic impairment study has not been conducted with the posaconazole injection.

No adjustment in the dosage of posaconazole is necessary based on sex.

No adjustment in the dosage of posaconazole is necessary based on race.

Pharmacokinetic modeling suggests that patients who weigh greater than 120 kg may have lower posaconazole plasma drug exposure. Therefore, consider closely monitoring for breakthrough fungal infections particularly when using Noxafil oral suspension in patients weighing greater than 120 kg [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].

Posaconazole is an azole antifungal agent [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.4)].

Aspergillosis Treatment Study (NCT01782131) was a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial which evaluated the safety and efficacy of posaconazole injection and Noxafil delayed-release tablets versus voriconazole for primary treatment of invasive fungal disease caused by Aspergillus species. Eligible patients had proven, probable, or possible invasive fungal infections per the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer/Mycoses Study Group, EORTC/MSG criteria. Patients were stratified by risk for mortality or poor outcome where high risk included a history of allogeneic bone marrow transplant, liver transplant, or relapsed leukemia undergoing salvage chemotherapy. The median age of patients was 57 years (range 14-91 years), with 27.8% of patients aged ≥65 years; 5 patients were pediatric patients 14-16 years of age, of whom 3 were treated with posaconazole and 2 with voriconazole. The majority of patients were male (59.8%) and white (67.1%). With regard to risk factors for invasive aspergillosis, approximately two-thirds of the patients in the study had a recent history of neutropenia, while approximately 20% with a history of an allogeneic stem cell transplant. Over 80% of subjects in each treatment group had infection limited to the lower respiratory tract (primarily lung), while approximately 11% to 13% also had infection in another organ. Invasive aspergillosis was proven or probable in 58.1% of patients as classified by independent adjudicators blinded to study treatment assignment. At least one Aspergillus species was identified in 21% of the patients; A. fumigatus and A. flavus were the most common pathogens identified.

Patients randomized to receive posaconazole were given a dose of 300 mg once daily (twice daily on Day 1) IV or tablet. Patients randomized to receive voriconazole were given a dose of 6 mg/kg twice daily Day 1 followed by 4 mg/kg twice daily IV, or oral 300 mg twice daily Day 1 followed by 200 mg twice daily. The recommended initial route of administration was IV; however, patients could begin oral therapy if clinically stable and able to tolerate oral dosing. The transition from IV to oral therapy occurred when the patient was clinically stable. The protocol recommended duration of therapy was 84 days with a maximum allowed duration of 98 days. Median treatment duration was 67 days for posaconazole patients and 64 days for voriconazole patients. Overall, 55% to 60% of patients began treatment with the IV formulation with a median duration of 9 days for the initial IV dosing.

The Intent to Treat (ITT) population included all patients randomized and receiving at least one dose of study treatment. All-cause mortality through Day 42 in the overall population (ITT) was 15.3% for posaconazole patients compared to 20.6% for voriconazole patients for an adjusted treatment difference of -5.3% with a 95% confidence interval of -11.6 to 1.0%. Consistent results were seen in patients with proven or probable invasive aspergillosis per EORTC criteria (see Table 32).

Global clinical response at Week 6 was assessed by a blinded, independent adjudication committee based upon prespecified clinical, radiologic, and mycologic criteria. In the subgroup of patients with proven or probable invasive aspergillosis per EORTC criteria, the global clinical response of success (complete or partial response) at Week 6 was seen in 44.8% for posaconazole-treated patients compared to 45.6% for voriconazole-treated patients (see Table 33).