WARNING: INCREASED RISK OF DEATH, STROKE AND HEART FAILURE IN PATIENTS WITH DECOMPENSATED HEART FAILURE OR PERMANENT ATRIAL FIBRILLATION In patients with symptomatic heart failure and recent decompensation requiring hospitalization or NYHA Class IV heart failure, MULTAQ doubles the risk of death [see Clinical Studies (14.3) ] . MULTAQ is contraindicated in patients with symptomatic heart failure with recent decompensation requiring hospitalization or NYHA Class IV heart failure [see Contraindications (4) , Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] . In patients with permanent atrial fibrillation, MULTAQ doubles the risk of death, stroke and hospitalization for heart failure [see Clinical Studies (14.4) ] . MULTAQ is contraindicated in patients in atrial fibrillation (AF) who will not or cannot be cardioverted into normal sinus rhythm [see Contraindications (4) , Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] . WARNING: INCREASED RISK OF DEATH, STROKE AND HEART FAILURE IN PATIENTS WITH DECOMPENSATED HEART FAILURE OR PERMANENT ATRIAL FIBRILLATION See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning. MULTAQ is contraindicated in patients with symptomatic heart failure with recent decompensation requiring hospitalization or NYHA Class IV heart failure. MULTAQ doubles the risk of death in these patients. ( 4 , 5.1 , 14.3 ) MULTAQ is contraindicated in patients in atrial fibrillation (AF) who will not or cannot be cardioverted into normal sinus rhythm. In patients with permanent AF, MULTAQ doubles the risk of death, stroke, and hospitalization for heart failure. ( 4 , 5.2 , 14.4 )
openFDA text is shown for search and cross-checking; DailyMed SPL is canonical.
Warnings sections page 1 of 1 · 1 matching rows.
warnings and cautions
5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Determine cardiac rhythm at least once every 3 months. If AF is detected discontinue MULTAQ or cardiovert. ( 5.2 ) Ensure appropriate antithrombotic therapy prior to and throughout MULTAQ use. ( 5.3 ) Liver injury: If hepatic injury is suspected, discontinue MULTAQ. ( 5.5 ) If pulmonary toxicity is confirmed, discontinue treatment. ( 5.6 ) Hypokalemia and hypomagnesemia: Maintain potassium and magnesium levels within the normal range. ( 5.7 ) Renal impairment: Monitor renal function periodically. ( 5.9 ) Embryofetal Toxicity: Based on animal data, MULTAQ may cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Advise females of reproductive potential of the potential risk to a fetus and to use effective contraception while using MULTAQ. ( 5.10 ) 5.1 Cardiovascular Death in NYHA Class IV or Decompensated Heart Failure MULTAQ is contraindicated in patients with NYHA Class IV heart failure or symptomatic heart failure with recent decompensation requiring hospitalization because it doubles the risk of death. 5.2 Cardiovascular Death and Heart Failure in Permanent AF MULTAQ doubles the risk of cardiovascular death (largely arrhythmic) and heart failure events in patients with permanent AF. Patients treated with dronedarone should undergo monitoring of cardiac rhythm no less often than every 3 months. Cardiovert patients who are in atrial fibrillation (if clinically indicated) or discontinue MULTAQ. MULTAQ offers no benefit in subjects in permanent AF. 5.3 Increased Risk of Stroke in Permanent AF In a placebo-controlled study in patients with permanent atrial fibrillation, dronedarone was associated with an increased risk of stroke, particularly in the first two weeks of therapy [see Clinical Studies (14.4) ] . MULTAQ should only be initiated in patients in sinus rhythm who are receiving appropriate antithrombotic therapy [see Drug Interactions (7.3) ] . 5.4 New Onset or Worsening Heart Failure New onset or worsening of heart failure has been reported during treatment with MULTAQ in the postmarketing setting. In a placebo-controlled study in patients with permanent AF increased rates of heart failure were observed in patients with normal left ventricular function and no history of symptomatic heart failure, as well as those with a history of heart failure or left ventricular dysfunction. Advise patients to consult a physician if they develop signs or symptoms of heart failure, such as weight gain, dependent edema, or increasing shortness of breath. If heart failure develops or worsens and requires hospitalization, discontinue MULTAQ. 5.5 Liver Injury Hepatocellular liver injury, including acute liver failure requiring transplant, has been reported in patients treated with MULTAQ in the postmarketing setting. Advise patients treated with MULTAQ to report immediately symptoms suggesting hepatic injury (such as anorexia, nausea, vomiting, fever, malaise, fatigue, right upper quadrant pain, jaundice, dark urine, or itching). Consider obtaining periodic hepatic serum enzymes, especially during the first 6 months of treatment, but it is not known whether routine periodic monitoring of serum enzymes will prevent the development of severe liver injury. If hepatic injury is suspected, promptly discontinue MULTAQ and test serum enzymes, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase, as well as serum bilirubin, to establish whether there is liver injury. If liver injury is found, institute appropriate treatment and investigate the probable cause. Do not restart MULTAQ in patients without another explanation for the observed liver injury. 5.6 Pulmonary Toxicity Cases of interstitial lung disease including pneumonitis and pulmonary fibrosis have been reported in patients treated with MULTAQ in the postmarketing setting [see Adverse Reactions (6.2) ] . Onset of dyspnea or non-productive cough may be related to pulmonary toxicity and patients should be carefully evaluated clinically. If pulmonary toxicity is confirmed, MULTAQ should be discontinued. 5.7 Hypokalemia and Hypomagnesemia with Potassium-Depleting Diuretics Hypokalemia or hypomagnesemia may occur with concomitant administration of potassium-depleting diuretics. Potassium levels should be within the normal range prior to administration of MULTAQ and maintained in the normal range during administration of MULTAQ. 5.8 QT Interval Prolongation MULTAQ is associated with concentration-dependent QTcF interval prolongation (estimated QTcF increase for 400 mg BID with food is 15 ms) [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.2) ] . If the QTc interval is >500 ms, discontinue MULTAQ [see Contraindications (4) ] . 5.9 Renal Impairment and Failure Marked increase in serum creatinine, pre-renal azotemia and acute renal failure, often in the setting of heart failure [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] or hypovolemia, have been reported in patients taking MULTAQ. In most cases, these effects appear to be reversible upon drug discontinuation and with appropriate medical treatment. Monitor renal function periodically. Small increases in creatinine levels (about 0.1 mg/dL) following dronedarone treatment initiation have been shown to be a result of inhibition of creatinine's tubular secretion. The elevation has a rapid onset, reaches a plateau after 7 days and is reversible after discontinuation. 5.10 Embryofetal Toxicity Based on animal data, MULTAQ may cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Dronedarone caused multiple visceral and skeletal malformations in animal reproduction studies when pregnant rats and rabbits were administered dronedarone at doses equivalent to recommended human doses. Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to the fetus. Verify that females of reproductive potential are not pregnant prior to initiating MULTAQ. Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with MULTAQ and for 5 days (about 6 half-lives) after the final dose [see Use in Specific Populations (8.1 , 8.3) ] .
6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following safety concerns are described elsewhere in the label: New or worsening heart failure [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] Liver Injury [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ] Pulmonary toxicity [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6) ] Hypokalemia and hypomagnesemia with potassium-depleting diuretics [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7) ] QT prolongation [see Warnings and Precautions (5.8) ] Most common adverse reactions (≥2%) are diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting, dyspepsia, bradycardia, skin issues (rashes, pruritus, eczema, dermatitis, dermatitis allergic), and asthenia ( 6 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact sanofi-aventis U.S. LLC at 1-800-633-1610 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience The safety evaluation of dronedarone 400 mg twice daily in patients with AF or AFL is based on 5 placebo-controlled studies, ATHENA, EURIDIS, ADONIS, ERATO and DAFNE. In these studies, a total of 6285 patients were randomized and treated, 3282 patients with MULTAQ 400 mg twice daily, and 2875 with placebo. The mean exposure across studies was 12 months. In ATHENA, the maximum follow-up was 30 months. In clinical trials, premature discontinuation because of adverse reactions occurred in 11.8% of the dronedarone-treated patients and in 7.7% of the placebo-treated group. The most common reasons for discontinuation of therapy with MULTAQ were gastrointestinal disorders (3.2% vs 1.8% in the placebo group) and QT prolongation (1.5% vs 0.5% in the placebo group). The most frequent adverse reactions observed with MULTAQ 400 mg twice daily in the 5 studies were diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting, and asthenia. Table 1 displays adverse reactions more common with dronedarone 400 mg twice daily than with placebo in AF or AFL patients, presented by system organ class and by decreasing order of frequency. Adverse laboratory and ECG effects are presented separately in Table 2. Table 1: Adverse Drug Reactions that Occurred in at Least 1% of Patients and were More Frequent than Placebo Placebo Dronedarone 400 mg twice daily (N=2875) (N=3282) Gastrointestinal Diarrhea 6% 9% Nausea 3% 5% Abdominal pain 3% 4% Vomiting 1% 2% Dyspeptic signs and symptoms 1% 2% General Asthenic conditions 5% 7% Cardiac Bradycardia 1% 3% Skin and subcutaneous tissue Including rashes (generalized, macular, maculo-papular, erythematous), pruritus, eczema, dermatitis, dermatitis allergic 3% 5% Photosensitivity reaction and dysgeusia have also been reported at an incidence less than 1% in patients treated with MULTAQ. The following laboratory data/ECG parameters were reported with MULTAQ 400 mg twice daily. Table 2: Laboratory Data/ECG Parameters Not Necessarily Reported as Adverse Events Placebo MULTAQ 400 mg twice daily (N=2875) (N=3282) Early increases in creatinine ≥10% 21% 51% (N=2237) (N=2701) QTc prolonged 19% 28% Assessment of demographic factors such as gender or age on the incidence of treatment-emergent adverse events did not suggest an excess of adverse events in any particular subgroup. In randomized clinical trials of patients with paroxysmal or persistent atrial fibrillation, one case of torsade de pointes was reported in patients treated with MULTAQ (2301 patients) versus no cases of torsade de pointes in patients treated with placebo (2327) in the ATHENA study. No cases of torsade de pointes were reported in patients treated with MULTAQ (828 patients) or placebo (409 patients) in the EURIDIS and ADONIS studies [see Clinical Studies (14) ] . 6.2 Postmarketing Experience The following adverse reactions have been identified during postapproval use of MULTAQ. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of an unknown size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. Cardiac: New or worsening heart failure [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] Atrial flutter with 1:1 atrioventricular conduction has been reported very rarely. Hepatic: Liver injury [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ] Respiratory: Interstitial lung disease including pneumonitis and pulmonary fibrosis [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6) ] Immune: Anaphylactic reactions including angioedema Vascular: Vasculitis, including leukocytoclastic vasculitis
adverse reactions table
<table width="80%" ID="table1"><caption>Table 1: Adverse Drug Reactions that Occurred in at Least 1% of Patients and were More Frequent than Placebo</caption><col width="50%" align="left" valign="top"/><col width="25%" align="center" valign="top"/><col width="25%" align="center" valign="top"/><thead><tr><th styleCode="Lrule Rrule" rowspan="2"/><th styleCode="Rrule">Placebo</th><th styleCode="Rrule">Dronedarone 400 mg twice daily</th></tr><tr><th styleCode="Rrule" align="center">(N=2875)</th><th styleCode="Rrule">(N=3282)</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td styleCode="Lrule Rrule"><content styleCode="bold"><content styleCode="underline">Gastrointestinal</content></content></td><td styleCode="Rrule"/><td styleCode="Rrule"/></tr><tr><td styleCode="Lrule Rrule"> Diarrhea</td><td styleCode="Rrule">6%</td><td styleCode="Rrule">9%</td></tr><tr><td styleCode="Lrule Rrule"> Nausea</td><td styleCode="Rrule">3%</td><td styleCode="Rrule">5%</td></tr><tr><td styleCode="Lrule Rrule"> Abdominal pain</td><td styleCode="Rrule">3%</td><td styleCode="Rrule">4%</td></tr><tr><td styleCode="Lrule Rrule"> Vomiting</td><td styleCode="Rrule">1%</td><td styleCode="Rrule">2%</td></tr><tr styleCode="Botrule"><td styleCode="Lrule Rrule"> Dyspeptic signs and symptoms</td><td styleCode="Rrule">1%</td><td styleCode="Rrule">2%</td></tr><tr><td styleCode="Lrule Rrule"><content styleCode="bold"><content styleCode="underline">General </content></content></td><td styleCode="Rrule"/><td styleCode="Rrule"/></tr><tr styleCode="Botrule"><td styleCode="Lrule Rrule"> Asthenic conditions</td><td styleCode="Rrule">5%</td><td styleCode="Rrule">7%</td></tr><tr><td styleCode="Lrule Rrule"><content styleCode="bold"><content styleCode="underline">Cardiac</content></content></td><td styleCode="Rrule"/><td styleCode="Rrule"/></tr><tr styleCode="Botrule"><td styleCode="Lrule Rrule"> Bradycardia</td><td styleCode="Rrule">1%</td><td styleCode="Rrule">3%</td></tr><tr><td styleCode="Lrule Rrule"><content styleCode="bold"><content styleCode="underline">Skin and subcutaneous tissue </content></content></td><td styleCode="Rrule"/><td styleCode="Rrule"/></tr><tr><td styleCode="Lrule Rrule"> Including rashes (generalized, macular, maculo-papular, erythematous), pruritus, eczema, dermatitis, dermatitis allergic</td><td styleCode="Rrule">3%</td><td styleCode="Rrule">5%</td></tr></tbody></table>