Pentamidine Isethionate

NebuPent is indicated for the prevention of Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia (PJP) in high-risk, HIV-infected patients defined by one or both of the following criteria: i. a history of one or more episodes of PJP ii. a peripheral CD4+ (T4 helper/inducer) lymphocyte count less than or equal to 200/mm 3 . These indications are based on the results of an 18-month randomized, dose-response trial in high risk HIV-infected patients and on existing epidemiological data from natural history studies. The patient population of the controlled trial consisted of 408 patients, 237 of whom had a history of one or more episodes of PJP. The remaining patients without a history of PJP included 55 patients with Kaposi’s sarcoma and 116 patients with other AIDS diagnoses, ARC or asymptomatic HIV infection. Patients were randomly assigned to receive NebuPent via the Respirgard ® II nebulizer at one of the following three doses: 30 mg every two weeks (n=135), 150 mg every two weeks (n=134) or 300 mg every four weeks (n=139). The results of the trial demonstrated a significant protective effect (p<0.01) against PJP with the 300 mg every four week dosage regimen compared to the 30 mg every two week dosage regimen. The 300 mg dose regimen reduced the risk of developing PJP by 50 to 70% compared to the 30 mg regimen. A total of 293 patients (72% of all patients) also received zidovudine at sometime during the trial. The analysis of the data demonstrated the efficacy of the 300 mg dose even after adjusting for the effect of zidovudine. The results of the trial further demonstrate that the dose and frequency of dosing are important to the efficacy of NebuPent prophylaxis in that multiple analyses consistently demonstrated a trend toward greater efficacy with 300 mg every four weeks as compared to 150 mg every two weeks. No dose-response was observed for reduction in overall mortality; however, mortality from PJP was low in all three dosage groups.

NebuPent is contraindicated in patients with a ­history of an anaphylactic reaction to inhaled or parenteral pentamidine isethionate.

The potential for development of acute PJP still exists in patients receiving NebuPent prophylaxis. Therefore, any patient with symptoms suggestive of the presence of a pulmonary infection, including but not limited to dyspnea, fever or cough, should receive a thorough medical evaluation and appropriate diagnostic tests for possible acute PJP as well as for other opportunistic and nonopportunistic pathogens. The use of NebuPent may alter the clinical and radiographic features of PJP and could result in an atypical presentation, including but not limited to mild disease or focal ­infection. Prior to initiating NebuPent prophylaxis, symptomatic patients should be evaluated appropriately to exclude the presence of PJP. The recommended dose of NebuPent for the prevention of PJP is insufficient to treat acute PJP.

IMPORTANT: DO NOT MIX THE NEBUPENT SOLUTION WITH ANY OTHER DRUGS. DO NOT USE THE RESPIRGARD ® II NEBULIZER TO ADMINISTER A BRONCHODILATOR. (See DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION ). Pulmonary Inhalation of NebuPent may induce bronchospasm or cough. This has been noted particularly in some patients who have a history of smoking or asthma. In clinical trials, cough and bronchospasm were the most frequently reported adverse experiences associated with NebuPent administration (38% and 15%, respectively of patients receiving the 300 mg dose); however less than 1% of the doses were interrupted or terminated due to these effects. For the majority of patients, cough and bronchospasm were controlled by administration of an aerosolized bronchodilator (only 1% of patients withdrew from the study due to treatment-associated cough or bronchospasm). In patients who experience bronchospasm or cough, administration of an inhaled bronchodilator prior to giving each NebuPent dose may minimize recurrence of the symptoms. General The extent and consequence of pentamidine accumulation following chronic inhalation therapy are not known. As a result, patients receiving NebuPent should be closely monitored for the development of serious adverse reactions that have occurred in patients receiving parenteral pentamidine, including hypotension, hypogly­cemia, hyperglycemia, hypocalcemia, anemia, thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, hepatic or renal dysfunction, ventricular tachycardia, pancre­atitis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, hyperkalemia and abnormal ST segment of ECG. Extrapulmonary infection with P. jiroveci has been reported infrequently. Most, but not all, of the cases have been reported in patients who have a history of PJP. The presence of extrapulmonary pneumocystosis should be considered when evaluating patients with unexplained signs and symptoms. Cases of acute pancreatitis have been reported in patients receiving aerosolized pentamidine. NebuPent should be discontinued if signs or symptoms of acute pancreatitis develop. Drug Interactions While specific studies on drug interactions with NebuPent have not been conducted, the majority of patients in clinical trials received concomitant medications, including zidovudine, with no reported interactions. Because the nephrotoxic effects may be additive, the concomitant or sequential use of NebuPent and other nephrotoxic drugs such as aminoglycosides, amphotericin B, cisplatin, foscarnet, or vancomycin should be closely monitored and avoided, if possible. Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis and Impairment of Fertility Literature reports indicate that pentamidine was not mutagenic in the Ames bacterial ( S. typhimurium ) test and did not induce an increase in chromosomal aberrations in Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cell or in human lymphocytes in vitro . No studies have been conducted to determine effects of pentamidine isethionate on carcinogenicity or fertility. Pregnancy-Pregnancy Category C There are no adequate and well controlled studies of NebuPent in pregnant women. A literature report indicated that intravenously administered pentamidine in pregnant rats at 4 mg/kg/day was embryolethal; teratogenicity was not observed in this study. It is unknown whether pentamidine administered via the aerosolized route crosses the placenta at clinically significant concentrations. It is not known whether NebuPent can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. NebuPent should be given to a pregnant woman only if clearly needed. Nursing Mothers It is not known whether NebuPent is excreted in human milk. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants from NebuPent, a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or to discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk, NebuPent should not be given to a nursing mother unless the potential benefits are judged to outweigh the unknown risks. Pediatric Use The safety and effectiveness of NebuPent in pediatric patients (birth to 16 years of age) have not been established.

Pulmonary Inhalation of NebuPent may induce bronchospasm or cough. This has been noted particularly in some patients who have a history of smoking or asthma. In clinical trials, cough and bronchospasm were the most frequently reported adverse experiences associated with NebuPent administration (38% and 15%, respectively of patients receiving the 300 mg dose); however less than 1% of the doses were interrupted or terminated due to these effects. For the majority of patients, cough and bronchospasm were controlled by administration of an aerosolized bronchodilator (only 1% of patients withdrew from the study due to treatment-associated cough or bronchospasm). In patients who experience bronchospasm or cough, administration of an inhaled bronchodilator prior to giving each NebuPent dose may minimize recurrence of the symptoms.

General The extent and consequence of pentamidine accumulation following chronic inhalation therapy are not known. As a result, patients receiving NebuPent should be closely monitored for the development of serious adverse reactions that have occurred in patients receiving parenteral pentamidine, including hypotension, hypogly­cemia, hyperglycemia, hypocalcemia, anemia, thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, hepatic or renal dysfunction, ventricular tachycardia, pancre­atitis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, hyperkalemia and abnormal ST segment of ECG. Extrapulmonary infection with P. jiroveci has been reported infrequently. Most, but not all, of the cases have been reported in patients who have a history of PJP. The presence of extrapulmonary pneumocystosis should be considered when evaluating patients with unexplained signs and symptoms. Cases of acute pancreatitis have been reported in patients receiving aerosolized pentamidine. NebuPent should be discontinued if signs or symptoms of acute pancreatitis develop.

Drug Interactions While specific studies on drug interactions with NebuPent have not been conducted, the majority of patients in clinical trials received concomitant medications, including zidovudine, with no reported interactions. Because the nephrotoxic effects may be additive, the concomitant or sequential use of NebuPent and other nephrotoxic drugs such as aminoglycosides, amphotericin B, cisplatin, foscarnet, or vancomycin should be closely monitored and avoided, if possible.

Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis and Impairment of Fertility Literature reports indicate that pentamidine was not mutagenic in the Ames bacterial ( S. typhimurium ) test and did not induce an increase in chromosomal aberrations in Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cell or in human lymphocytes in vitro . No studies have been conducted to determine effects of pentamidine isethionate on carcinogenicity or fertility.

Pregnancy-Pregnancy Category C There are no adequate and well controlled studies of NebuPent in pregnant women. A literature report indicated that intravenously administered pentamidine in pregnant rats at 4 mg/kg/day was embryolethal; teratogenicity was not observed in this study. It is unknown whether pentamidine administered via the aerosolized route crosses the placenta at clinically significant concentrations. It is not known whether NebuPent can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. NebuPent should be given to a pregnant woman only if clearly needed.

Nursing Mothers It is not known whether NebuPent is excreted in human milk. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants from NebuPent, a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or to discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother. […]

The most frequently reported unsolicited adverse events (1 to 5%) in clinical trials, regardless of their relation to NebuPent therapy were as follows (n=931): Body as a Whole: Night sweats. Gastrointestinal: Diarrhea and nausea. Hematologic: Anemia. Infection: Bronchitis, non-specific herpes, ­herpes zoster, non-specific influenza, oral Candida, pharyngitis, sinusitis, and upper ­respiratory tract. Nervous System: Headache. Respiratory System: Chest pain, cough, and wheezing. Special Senses: Bad taste. Adverse events of less than 1% incidence were as follows (No causal relationship to treatment has been established for these adverse events): Body as a Whole: Allergic reaction, non-specific allergy, body odor, facial edema, fever, leg edema, lethargy, low body temperature, and temperature abnormality. Cardiovascular: Cerebrovascular accident, hypotension, hypertension, palpitations, poor circulation, syncope, tachycardia, vasodilatation and vasculitis. Gastrointestinal: Abdominal cramps, abdominal pain, constipation, dry mouth, dyspepsia, gastritis, gastric ulcer, gingivitis, hiatal hernia, hypersalivation, oral ulcer/abscess, splenomegaly, and vomiting. Hematological: Eosinophilia, neutropenia, non-specific cytopenia, pancytopenia, and thrombocytopenia. Hepatic: Hepatitis, hepatomegaly, and hepatic dysfunction. Infection: Bacterial pneumonia, central venous line related sepsis, cryptococcal meningitis, cytomegalovirus (CMV) colitis, CMV retinitis, esophageal Candida, histoplasmosis, Kaposi’s sarcoma, non-specific mycoplasma, oral herpes, non-specific otitis, non-specific pharyngitis, pharyngeal herpes, non-specific serious infection, tonsillitis, tuberculosis, and viral encephalitis. Metabolic: Hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia, and hypocalcemia. Musculoskeletal: Arthralgia, gout, and myalgia. Neurological: Anxiety, confusion, depression, drowsiness, emotional lability, hallucination, hypesthesia, insomnia, memory loss, neuralgia, neuropathy, non-specific neuropathy, nervousness, paranoia, paresthesia, peripheral neuropathy, seizure, tremors, unsteady gait, and vertigo. Reproductive: Miscarriage. Respiratory system: Asthma, bronchitis, bronchospasm, chest congestion, chest tightness, coryza, cyanosis, eosinophilic or interstitial pneumonitis, gagging, hemoptysis, hyperventilation, laryngitis, laryngospasm, non-specific lung disorder, nasal congestion, pleuritis, pneumothorax, rales, rhinitis, shortness of breath, non-specific sputum, and tachypnea. Skin: Desquamation, dry and breaking hair, dry skin, erythema, non-specific dermatitis, pruritus, rash, and urticaria. Special senses: Blepharitis, blurred vision, conjunctivitis, contact lens discomfort, eye pain or discomfort, hemianopsia, loss of taste, non-specific odor, and smell. Urogenital: Flank pain, incontinence, nephritis, renal failure, and renal pain. In a clinical trial where some adverse events were solicited by investigators, the incidences were as follows: Cough (62.7%) Decreased appetite (50.0%) Dizziness or light-headedness (45.1%) Fatigue (65.7%) Fever (51.0%) Non-specific serious infection (15.2%) Shortness of breath (48.3%) Wheezing (32.4%) From post-marketing clinical experience with NebuPent the following spontaneous adverse events have been reported: anaphylaxis, colitis, diabetes, dyspnea, esophagitis, hematochezia, increased blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine levels, melena, pancreatitis (see WARNINGS ), syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH), and torsade de pointes.