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warnings and cautions
5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis, have occurred in patients who received an intravenous (IV) formulation of melphalan. Immediately terminate hepatic arterial melphalan infusion for hypersensitivity reactions and administer supportive care. ( 5.4 ) Gastrointestinal disturbances such as nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhea are common. ( 5.5 ) Carcinogenic/Mutagenic effects: Secondary malignancies, including acute nonlymphocytic leukemia, myeloproliferative syndrome, and carcinoma, have been reported in patients with cancer treated with alkylating drugs (including melphalan). Melphalan has been shown to cause chromatid or chromosome damage in humans. ( 5.6 ) Embryo-fetal toxicity: Can cause fetal harm. Advise females of reproductive potential and males with female partners of reproductive potential of the potential risk to a fetus and to use effective contraception. ( 5.7 , 8.1 , 8.3 ) Infertility: Melphalan-based chemotherapy regimens have been reported to cause suppression of ovarian function in premenopausal women and testicular suppression in men. ( 5.8 ) 5.1 Peri-Procedural Complications Hemorrhage, hepatocellular injury, and thromboembolic events have been observed when HEPZATO has been administered via hepatic intra-arterial administration. Administration of HEPZATO requires general anesthesia and extracorporeal bypass of circulation which may cause life threatening or fatal adverse effects. Ensure the patient is euvolemic but do not overhydrate the patient. Monitor for these peri-procedural complications during the procedure and for at least 72 hours following the procedure. To mitigate the risk of thromboembolic events, administer anticoagulation as described in the IFU during the procedure. Due to the risk of bleeding, do not use in patients with uncorrectable coagulopathies and delay treatment with the HEPZATO KIT for at least 4 weeks after surgery or other medical procedure involving the liver. Platelets and clotting factors may be removed during the HEPZATO KIT procedure. Monitor platelets and coagulation parameters as described in the IFU. If life-threatening bleeding occurs during the procedure, reverse anticoagulation as described in the IFU and correct coagulopathy as appropriate. Discontinue anticoagulation with warfarin or other oral anticoagulants prior to the procedure; resume when hemostasis has been restored after the procedure, provided no bleeding complications have been observed. Refer to the Prescribing Information of the anticoagulant agent for bridging recommendations for anti-coagulation prior to surgical procedures. Discontinue drugs affecting platelet function such as aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or other anti-platelet drugs one week before the procedure. Patients with abnormal hepatic vascular (especially arterial supply) or biliary (especially re-implantation of bile duct) anatomy or gastric acid hypersecretion syndromes may be at increased risk of peri-procedural complications or other severe adverse reactions. Screen patients for a history of prior surgeries involving the bile duct to assess whether the patient is an appropriate candidate for HEPZATO KIT and monitor patients for adverse reactions following HEPZATO KIT administration. Procedure-related reductions in blood pressure including severe hypotension can occur during the HEPZATO KIT procedure. Closely monitor blood pressure during the procedure. Patients may require fluid support and vasopressors. To reduce the risk of severe hypotension, assess hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis function, and temporarily discontinue ACE-inhibitors, calcium channel blockers, or alpha-1-adrenergic blockers for at least 5 half-lives prior to treatment with the HEPZATO-KIT. If necessary, use other short-acting antihypertensive drugs to manage blood pressure during the peri-procedure period. 5.2 HEPZATO KIT REMS PROGRAM The HEPZATO KIT is only available through a restricted program under a REMS, because of the risk of severe peri-procedural complications including hemorrhage, hepatocellular injury, and thromboembolic events defined in the REMS. The HEPZATO KIT should only be used by trained healthcare providers [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )]. Important requirements of the HEPZATO KIT REMS include: Healthcare settings that dispense and administer HEPZATO KIT must be enrolled, certified, and comply with the REMS requirements. Certified healthcare facilities must ensure that healthcare providers who perform the Percutaneous Hepatic Perfusion (PHP) procedure are trained on the use of HEPZATO KIT and must only dispense HEPZATO when authorized to do so by the REMS. Certified healthcare facilities must ensure that patients are assessed for severe peri-procedural complications during the procedure and for at least 72 hours following the procedure. Further information is available at www.HEPZATOKITREMS.com or contact Delcath Systems at 1-833-632-0457. 5.3 Myelosuppression Hematologic adverse reactions, including thrombocytopenia, anemia, and neutropenia have been reported in patients treated with HEPZATO. The risk of hematologic adverse reactions may be increased in patients who have received prior chemotherapy, bone irradiation, or who have compromised bone marrow function. In the 95 patients who received HEPZATO in the FOCUS trial, 68% had Grade 3 or 4 myelosuppression. A total of 55%, 33%, and 30% experienced Grade 3 or 4 thrombocytopenia, anemia, and neutropenia, respectively. Median time to thrombocyte nadir was 13 days (range: 3-33) after treatment with median recovery in 20 days (range: 4-29) after treatment. Median time to hemoglobin nadir was 10 days (range: 3-21) after treatment with median recovery in 13 days (range: 4-28) after treatment. Median time to neutrophil nadir was 11 days (range: 3-36) after treatment with median recovery in 17 days (range: 9-36) after treatment. Monitor patients for severe infections, bleeding, and symptomatic anemia. Only administer HEPZATO in patients with platelets >100,000/microliter, hemoglobin ≥10.0 gm/dL and neutrophils >2,000/microliter. Administer transfusions or growth factors as appropriate [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.1 )]. 5.4 Hypersensitivity Reactions Hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis, have occurred in approximately 2% of patients who received an intravenous (IV) formulation of melphalan. These reactions with melphalan are characterized by urticaria, pruritus, edema, skin rashes, and in some patients, tachycardia, bronchospasm, dyspnea, and hypotension. Hypersensitivity can occur in patients with or without prior exposure to IV or oral melphalan. When a hypersensitivity reaction is observed, immediately terminate the hepatic arterial HEPZATO infusion and administer necessary supportive care [see Contraindications ( 4 )] . Patients with a history of allergic reactions to iodinated contrast may experience hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis, during treatment with the HEPZATO KIT. Premedicate patients with a history of allergic reaction to iodinated contrast prior to treatment with HEPZATO KIT. Do not administer HEPZATO KIT in patients with a history of severe allergic reactions or anaphylaxis to iodinated contrast [see IFU, see Contraindications ( 4 )]. 5.5 Gastrointestinal Adverse Reactions Gastrointestinal adverse reactions including nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea are common, and occurred in 84% of patients treated with HEPZATO in the FOCUS trial. Administer a proton pump inhibitor the day prior to and the morning of the procedure. If anti-emetic treatment is required, pre-medicate with anti-emetic therapy in subsequent cycles. 5.6 Secondary Malignancies Melphalan has been shown to cause chromatid or chromosome damage in humans. Secondary malignancies, including acute nonlymphocytic leukemia, myeloproliferative syndrome, and carcinoma, have been reported in patients with cancer treated with intravenous alkylating drugs including melphalan. Some patients also received other chemotherapeutic agents or radiation therapy. Precise quantification of the risk of acute leukemia, myeloproliferative syndrome, or carcinoma is not possible. Published reports of leukemia in patients who have received oral or IV melphalan (and other alkylating drugs) suggest that the risk of leukemogenesis increases with chronicity of treatment and with cumulative dose [see Nonclinical Toxicology ( 13.1 )] . 5.7 Embryo-Fetal Toxicity Based on animal studies and its mechanism of action, melphalan can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Melphalan is genotoxic, targets actively dividing cells, and was embryolethal and teratogenic in rats. Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus. Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with HEPZATO and for 6 months after the last dose. Advise males with female partners of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with HEPZATO and for 3 months after the last dose [see Use in Specific Populations ( 8.1 , 8.3 ), Nonclinical Toxicology ( 13.1 )]. 5.8 Infertility Melphalan-based chemotherapy regimens have been reported to cause suppression of ovarian function in premenopausal women, resulting in persistent amenorrhea in approximately 9% of patients. Reversible or irreversible testicular suppression has also been reported [see Use in Specific Populations ( 8.3 )].