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warnings and cautions
5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Long-term androgen deprivation therapy prolongs the QT interval. Consider risks and benefits. (5.2) 5.1 Use in Pregnancy Pregnancy Category X Women who are or may become pregnant should not take FIRMAGON. [see Contraindications (4) and Use in Specific Populations (8.1)] 5.2 Effect on QT/QTc Interval Long-term androgen deprivation therapy prolongs the QT interval. Physicians should consider whether the benefits of androgen deprivation therapy outweigh the potential risks in patients with congenital long QT syndrome, electrolyte abnormalities, or congestive heart failure and in patients taking Class IA (e.g. quinidine, procainamide) or Class III (e.g. amiodarone, sotalol) antiarrhythmic medications. In the randomized, active-controlled trial comparing FIRMAGON to leuprolide, periodic electrocardiograms were performed. Seven patients, three (<1%) in the pooled degarelix group and four (2%) patients in the leuprolide 7.5 mg group, had a QTcF > 500 msec. From baseline to end of study the median change for FIRMAGON was 12.3 msec and for leuprolide was 16.7 msec. 5.3 Laboratory Testing Therapy with FIRMAGON results in suppression of the pituitary gonadal system. Results of diagnostic tests of the pituitary gonadotropic and gonadal functions conducted during and after FIRMAGON may be affected. The therapeutic effect of FIRMAGON should be monitored by measuring serum concentrations of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) periodically. If PSA increases, serum concentrations of testosterone should be measured.
6 ADVERSE REACTIONS 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. A total of 1325 patients with prostate cancer received FIRMAGON either as a monthly treatment (60-160 mg) or as a single dose (up to 320 mg). A total of 1032 patients (78%) were treated for at least 6 months and 853 patients (64%) were treated for one year or more. The most commonly observed adverse reactions during FIRMAGON therapy included injection site reactions (e.g., pain, erythema, swelling, or induration), hot flashes, increased weight, fatigue, and increases in serum levels of transaminases and gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT). The majority of the adverse reactions were Grade 1 or 2, with Grade 3/4 adverse reaction incidences of 1% or less. FIRMAGON was studied in an active-controlled trial (N = 610) in which patients with prostate cancer were randomized to receive FIRMAGON (subcutaneous) or leuprolide (intramuscular) monthly for 12 months. Adverse reactions reported in 5% of patients or more are shown in Table 1. Table 1. Adverse Reactions Reported in ≥ 5% of Patients in an Active Controlled Study FIRMAGON 240/160 mg (subcutaneous) N = 202 FIRMAGON 240/80 mg (subcutaneous) N = 207 Leuprolide 7.5 mg (intramuscular) N = 201 Percentage of subjects with adverse events 83% 79% 78% Body as a whole Injection site adverse events 44% 35% <1% Weight increase 11% 9% 12% Fatigue 6% 3% 6% Chills 4% 5% 0% Cardiovascular system Hot flash 26% 26% 21% Hypertension 7% 6% 4% Musculoskeletal system Back pain 6% 6% 8% Arthralgia 4% 5% 9% Urogenital system Urinary tract infection 2% 5% 9% Digestive system Increases in Transaminases and GGT 10% 10% 5% Constipation 3% 5% 5% The most frequently reported adverse reactions at the injection sites were pain (28%), erythema (17%), swelling (6%), induration (4%) and nodule (3%). These adverse reactions were mostly transient, of mild to moderate intensity, occurred primarily with the starting dose and led to few discontinuations (<1%). Grade 3 injection site reactions occurred in 2% or less of patients receiving degarelix. Hepatic laboratory abnormalities were primarily Grade 1 or 2 and were generally reversible. Grade 3 hepatic laboratory abnormalities occurred in less than 1% of patients. In 1-5% of patients the following adverse reactions, not already listed, were considered related to FIRMAGON by the investigator: Body as a whole: Asthenia, fever, night sweats; Digestive system: Nausea; Nervous system: Dizziness, headache, insomnia. The following adverse reactions, not already listed, were reported to be drug-related by the investigator in ≥1% of patients: erectile dysfunction, gynecomastia, hyperhidrosis, testicular atrophy, and diarrhea. Changes in bone density: Decreased bone density has been reported in the medical literature in men who have had orchiectomy or who have been treated with a GnRH agonist. It can be anticipated that long periods of medical castration in men will result in decreased bone density. Anti-degarelix antibody development has been observed in 10% of patients after treatment with FIRMAGON for 1 year. There is no indication that the efficacy or safety of FIRMAGON treatment is affected by antibody formation. The most commonly observed adverse reactions ( > 10%) during FIRMAGON therapy included injection site reactions (e.g., pain, erythema, swelling, or induration), hot flashes, increased weight, and increases in serum levels of transaminases and gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT). (6) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Ferring at 1-888-FERRING (1-888-337-7464) or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch