warnings and cautions
5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS • Hepatic Adverse Drug Reactions: Serious hepatic reactions have been reported. Evaluate liver-related laboratory tests at the start and during the course of CRESEMBA therapy. ( 5.1 ) • Infusion-related reactions were reported during intravenous administration of CRESEMBA. Discontinue the infusion if these reactions occur. ( 5.2 ) • Hypersensitivity Reactions: Anaphylactic reactions, with fatal outcome, have been reported during treatment with CRESEMBA. Serious skin reactions, such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome, have been reported during treatment with other azole antifungal agents. Discontinue CRESEMBA if anaphylactic or serious skin reactions occur, and initiate supportive treatment as needed. ( 5.3 ) • Embryo-Fetal Toxicity: CRESEMBA may cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to the fetus. Advise females of reproductive potential to use an effective method of contraception. ( 5.4 , 8.1 , 8.3 ) • Drug Interactions: Review patient’s concomitant medications. Several drugs may significantly alter isavuconazole concentrations. Isavuconazole may alter concentrations of several drugs. ( 5.5 , 7 , 12.3 ) • Drug Particulates: Intravenous formulation may form insoluble particulates following reconstitution. Administer CRESEMBA through an in-line filter. ( 2.4 , 5.6 ) 5.1 Hepatic Adverse Drug Reactions Hepatic adverse drug reactions (e.g., elevations in alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase, total bilirubin) have been reported in clinical trials. The elevations in liver-related laboratory tests were generally reversible and did not require discontinuation of CRESEMBA. Cases of more severe hepatic adverse drug reactions including hepatitis, cholestasis or hepatic failure including death have been reported in patients with serious underlying medical conditions (e.g., hematologic malignancy) during treatment with azole antifungal agents, including CRESEMBA. Evaluate liver-related laboratory tests at the start and during the course of CRESEMBA therapy. Monitor patients who develop abnormal liver-related laboratory tests during CRESEMBA therapy for the development of more severe hepatic injury. Discontinue CRESEMBA if clinical signs and symptoms consistent with liver disease develop that may be attributable to CRESEMBA [see Adverse Reactions ( 6.1 )] . 5.2 Infusion-Related Reactions Infusion-related reactions including hypotension, dyspnea, chills, dizziness, paresthesia, and hypoesthesia were reported during intravenous administration of CRESEMBA. Discontinue the infusion if these reactions occur [see Adverse Reactions ( 6.1 )] . 5.3 Hypersensitivity Reactions Anaphylactic Reactions Anaphylactic reactions, with fatal outcome, have been reported during treatment with CRESEMBA. Symptoms including dyspnea, hypotension, generalized erythema with flushing, and urticaria have been reported in such cases often soon after the initiation of treatment. Severe Skin Reactions Severe skin reactions, such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome, have been reported during treatment with other azole antifungal agents. Discontinue CRESEMBA if a patient develops an anaphylactic or severe cutaneous adverse reaction and initiate supportive treatment as needed. There is no information regarding cross-sensitivity between CRESEMBA and other azole antifungal agents though cross-sensitivity between other triazole agents has been reported. When prescribing CRESEMBA to patients with hypersensitivity to other azoles, monitor for signs and symptoms of hypersensitivity reactions. 5.4 Embryo-Fetal Toxicity Based on findings from animal reproduction studies, CRESEMBA may cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus. Perinatal mortality was significantly increased in the offspring of pregnant rats dosed orally with isavuconazonium sulfate at 90 mg/kg/day (less than half the maintenance human dose based on AUC comparisons) during pregnancy through the weaning period. Isavuconazonium chloride administration was associated with dose-related increases in the incidences of rudimentary cervical ribs in rats and rabbits at 30 and 45 mg/kg, respectively, doses equivalent to about 0.2 and 0.1 of the human maintenance dose based on AUC comparisons. In rats, dose-related increases in the incidences of zygomatic arch fusion and supernumerary ribs/rudimentary supernumerary ribs were also noted at 30 mg/kg and above, equivalent to one fifth the maintenance human dose based on AUC comparisons [see Use in Specific Populations ( 8.1 )] . Advise females of reproductive potential to use an effective method of contraception during treatment with CRESEMBA and for 28 days after the final dose [see Use in Specific Populations ( 8.3 )] . 5.5 Drug Interactions Coadministration of CRESEMBA with strong CYP3A4 inhibitors such as ketoconazole or high-dose ritonavir and strong CYP3A4 inducers such as rifampin, carbamazepine, St. John’s wort, or long acting barbiturates is contraindicated [see Contraindications ( 4 ) and Drug Interactions ( 7 )] . 5.6 Drug Particulates Following dilution, CRESEMBA intravenous formulation may form precipitate from the insoluble isavuconazole. Administer CRESEMBA through an in-line filter [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.4 )] .