Vamorolone

AGAMREE is indicated for the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) in patients 2 years of age and older. AGAMREE is a corticosteroid indicated for the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) in patients 2 years of age and older. ( 1 )

Oral Suspension: 40 mg/mL orange flavored white to off-white suspension Oral Suspension: 40 mg/mL ( 3 )

AGAMREE is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to vamorolone or to any of the inactive ingredients of AGAMREE. Instances of hypersensitivity, including anaphylaxis, have occurred in patients receiving corticosteroid therapy [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.13 )]. Hypersensitivity to vamorolone or any of the inactive ingredients in AGAMREE ( 4 )

Alterations in Endocrine Function: Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis suppression, cushingoid features, and hyperglycemia can occur. Monitor patients for these conditions with chronic use of AGAMREE. ( 2.7 , 5.1 ) Immunosuppression and Increased Risk of Infection: Increased risk of new infections, exacerbation, dissemination, or reactivation of latent infections, which can be severe and at times fatal; signs and symptoms of infections may be masked. ( 5.2 ) Alterations in Cardiovascular/Renal Function: Monitor for elevated blood pressure and monitor sodium and potassium levels in patients chronically treated with AGAMREE. ( 5.3 ) Gastrointestinal Perforation: Increased risk in patients with certain GI disorders; signs and symptoms may be masked. ( 5.4 ) Behavioral and Mood Disturbances: May include euphoria, insomnia, mood swings, personality changes, severe depression, and psychosis. ( 5.5 ) Effects on Bones: Monitor for decreases in bone mineral density with chronic use of AGAMREE. ( 5.6 ) Ophthalmic Effects: May include cataracts, infections, and glaucoma; monitor intraocular pressure in patients chronically treated with AGAMREE. ( 5.7 ) Vaccination: Do not administer live or live attenuated vaccines to patients receiving immunosuppressive doses of corticosteroids. Administer live-attenuated or live vaccines at least 4 to 6 weeks prior to starting AGAMREE. ( 5.8 )

5.1 Alterations in Endocrine Function Corticosteroids, such as AGAMREE, can cause serious and life-threatening alterations in endocrine function, especially with chronic use. Monitor patients receiving AGAMREE for Cushing's syndrome, hyperglycemia, and adrenal insufficiency after AGAMREE withdrawal. In addition, patients with hypopituitarism, primary adrenal insufficiency or congenital adrenal hyperplasia, altered thyroid function, or pheochromocytoma may be at increased risk for adverse endocrine events. Risk of Adrenal Insufficiency Following Withdrawal AGAMREE produces reversible hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis suppression, with the potential for the development of secondary adrenal insufficiency after withdrawal. Acute adrenal insufficiency can occur if AGAMREE is withdrawn abruptly, and could be fatal. The degree and duration of adrenocortical insufficiency produced is variable among patients and depends on the dose and duration of therapy. The risk of adrenal insufficiency is reduced by gradually tapering the dose when withdrawing treatment. The insufficiency may persist, however, for months after discontinuation of prolonged therapy; therefore, in any situation of stress occurring during that period of discontinuation, supplementation with a systemic corticosteroid is recommended. For patients already taking corticosteroids during times of stress, the dosage may need to be increased. A steroid “withdrawal syndrome”, seemingly unrelated to adrenocortical insufficiency, may also occur following abrupt discontinuance of corticosteroids. This syndrome includes symptoms such as anorexia, nausea, vomiting, lethargy, headache, fever, joint pain, desquamation, myalgia, and/or weight loss. These effects are thought to be due to the sudden change in corticosteroid concentration rather than too low corticosteroid levels. Cushing's Syndrome Cushing's syndrome (hypercortisolism) occurs with prolonged exposure to exogenous corticosteroids, including AGAMREE, and symptoms include hypertension, truncal obesity and thinning of the limbs, purple striae, facial rounding, facial plethora, muscle weakness, easy and frequent bruising with thin fragile skin, posterior neck fat deposition, osteopenia, acne, amenorrhea, hirsutism, and psychiatric abnormalities. Hyperglycemia Corticosteroids can increase blood glucose, worsen pre-existing diabetes, predispose those on long-term therapy to diabetes mellitus, and may reduce the effect of anti-diabetic drugs. Monitor blood glucose at regular intervals in patients treated with AGAMREE. For patients with hyperglycemia, anti-diabetic treatment should be initiated or adjusted accordingly. Considerations for Use in Patients with Altered Thyroid Function Metabolic clearance of corticosteroids is decreased in hypothyroid patients and increased in hyperthyroid patients. Changes in thyroid status of the patient may necessitate a dose adjustment of the corticosteroid. When concomitant administration of AGAMREE and levothyroxine is required, administration of AGAMREE should precede the initiation of levothyroxine therapy to reduce the risk of adrenal crisis. Pheochromocytoma Crisis There have been reports of pheochromocytoma crisis, which can be fatal, after administration of systemic corticosteroids. In patients with suspected or identified pheochromocytoma, consider the risk of pheochromocytoma crisis prior to administering corticosteroids.

5.2 Immunosuppression and Increased Risk of Infection Corticosteroids, including AGAMREE, suppress the immune system and increase the risk of infection with any pathogen, including viral, bacterial, fungal, protozoan, or helminthic pathogens. Corticosteroids can: reduce resistance to new infections exacerbate existing infections increase the risk of disseminated infections increase the risk of reactivation or exacerbation of latent infections mask some signs of infection Corticosteroid-associated infections can be mild but can be severe, and at times fatal. The rate of infectious complications increases with increasing corticosteroid dosages. Monitor for the development of infection and consider AGAMREE withdrawal or dosage reduction as needed. Tuberculosis If AGAMREE is used to treat a condition in patients with latent tuberculosis or tuberculin reactivity, reactivation of tuberculosis may occur. Closely monitor such patients for reactivation. During prolonged AGAMREE therapy, patients with latent tuberculosis or tuberculin reactivity should receive chemoprophylaxis. Varicella Zoster and Measles Viral Infections Varicella and measles can have a serious or even fatal course in non-immune patients taking corticosteroids, including AGAMREE. In corticosteroid-treated patients who have not had these diseases or are non-immune, particular care should be taken to avoid exposure to varicella and measles. If an AGAMREE-treated patient is exposed to varicella, prophylaxis with varicella zoster immunoglobulin may be indicated. If varicella develops, treatment with antiviral agents may be considered. If an AGAMREE-treated patient is exposed to measles, prophylaxis with immunoglobulin may be indicated. Hepatitis B Virus Reactivation Hepatitis B virus reactivation can occur in patients who are hepatitis B carriers treated with immunosuppressive dosages of corticosteroids, including AGAMREE. Reactivation can also occur infrequently in corticosteroid-treated patients who appear to have resolved hepatitis B infection. Screen patients for hepatitis B infection before initiating immunosuppressive (e.g., prolonged) treatment with AGAMREE. For patients who show evidence of hepatitis B infection, recommend consultation with physicians with expertise in managing hepatitis B regarding monitoring and consideration for hepatitis B antiviral therapy. Fungal Infections Corticosteroids, including AGAMREE, may exacerbate systemic fungal infections; therefore, avoid AGAMREE use in the presence of such infections unless AGAMREE is needed to control drug reactions. For patients on chronic AGAMREE therapy who develop systemic fungal infections, AGAMREE withdrawal or dosage reduction is recommended. Amebiasis Corticosteroids, including AGAMREE, may activate latent amebiasis. Therefore, it is recommended that latent amebiasis or active amebiasis be ruled out before initiating AGAMREE in any patients who have spent time in the tropics or patients with unexplained diarrhea. Strongyloides Infestation Corticosteroids, including AGAMREE, should be used with great care in patients with known or suspected Strongyloides (threadworm) infestation. […]

The following serious adverse reactions are discussed in more detail in other sections: Alterations in Endocrine Function [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] Immunosuppression and Increased Risk of Infection [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] Alterations in Cardiovascular/Renal Function [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )] Gastrointestinal Perforation [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 )] Behavioral and Mood Disturbances [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5 )] Effects on Bones [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.6 )] Ophthalmic Effects [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.7 )] Immunizations [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.8 )] Effects on Growth and Development [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.9 )] Myopathy [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.10 )] Kaposi's Sarcoma [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.11 )] Thromboembolic Events [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.12 )] Anaphylaxis [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.13 )] The most common adverse reactions (>10% for AGAMREE and greater than placebo) are cushingoid features, psychiatric disorders, vomiting, weight increased, and vitamin D deficiency. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Catalyst Pharmaceuticals, Inc. at 1-844-347-3277 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.

6.1 Clinical Trials Experience 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. Common Adverse Reactions in Clinical Studies Table 1 lists the adverse reactions that occurred in ≥ 5% of the patients treated with AGAMREE 6 mg/kg/day (N=28) or AGAMREE 2 mg/kg/day (N=30) and that occurred more frequently than in the patients who received placebo (N=29) in Study 1 [see Clinical Studies ( 14 )] , which was 24 weeks and included patients with DMD between the ages of 4 and 7 years. Table 1: Adverse Reactions in Patients with DMD that Occurred in ≥ 5% of Patients Treated with AGAMREE and More Frequently than in Patients Who Received Placebo During 24 Weeks (Study 1) 1 Includes the following adverse reactions that occurred more frequently in the AGAMREE group than in placebo: abnormal behavior, aggression, agitation, anxiety, irritability, mood altered, sleep disorder, and stereotypy. Adverse Reaction AGAMREE 2 mg/kg/d (N=30) % AGAMREE 6 mg/kg/d (N=28) % Placebo (N=29) % Cushingoid Features 7 29 0 Psychiatric disorders 1 7 21 14 Vomiting 17 14 7 Weight increased 0 11 3 Vitamin D deficiency 7 11 0 Cough 10 7 3 Headache 7 7 3 Diarrhea 3 7 3 Increased appetite 3 7 3 Rhinitis 3 7 3 In a separate open-label safety study of pediatric patients aged 2 to less than 4 years (n=16) and pediatric patients aged 7 to less than 18 years (n=16) with DMD, adverse reactions were similar to those seen in the Study 1 pediatric patients.

Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors: The maximum recommended daily dose is 4 mg/kg up to a maximum daily dosage of 200 mg for patients weighing more than 50 kg. ( 2.6 , 7.1 )

7.1 Effect of Other Drugs on Vamorolone Co-administration of AGAMREE with itraconazole, a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor, increases vamorolone exposure [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] . Reduce the dosage of AGAMREE in patients when strong CYP3A4 inhibitors are used concomitantly [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.6 )] . No dosage adjustments are required when AGAMREE is concomitantly administered with moderate or weak CYP3A4 inhibitors.

8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary AGAMREE is indicated for use for the treatment of DMD, which is a disease of young male patients. However, corticosteroids in general should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. Infants born to mothers who have received substantial doses of corticosteroids during pregnancy should be carefully observed for signs of hypoadrenalism. There are no data on the use of AGAMREE during pregnancy. Adverse developmental outcomes, including orofacial clefts (cleft lip, with or without cleft palate) and intrauterine growth restriction, and decreased birth weight, have been reported with maternal use of corticosteroids during pregnancy. Some epidemiologic studies report an increased risk of orofacial clefts from about 1 per 1000 infants to 3 to 5 per 1000 infants; however, a risk for orofacial clefts has not been observed in all clinical studies. Intrauterine growth restriction and decreased birth weight appear to be dose-related; however, the underlying maternal condition may also contribute to these risks (see Clinical Considerations and Data ) . Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with AGAMREE. Animal reproduction studies conducted with corticosteroids in pregnant mice, rats, hamsters, and rabbits using clinically relevant doses have shown an increased incidence of cleft palate. An increase in embryofetal death, intrauterine growth retardation, and constriction of the ductus arteriosus were observed in some animal species. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2-4% and 15-20%, respectively. Clinical Considerations Fetal/Neonatal Adverse Reactions Hypoadrenalism may occur in infants born to mothers receiving corticosteroids during pregnancy. Infants should be carefully observed for signs of hypoadrenalism, such as poor feeding, irritability, weakness, and vomiting, and managed accordingly [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )]. Data Human Data Multiple cohort and case-controlled studies in humans suggest that maternal corticosteroid use during the first trimester increases the rate of cleft lip, with or without cleft palate, from about 1/1000 infants to 3-5/1000 infants. Two prospective case-controlled studies showed decreased birth weight in infants exposed to maternal corticosteroids in utero.

8.2 Lactation Risk Summary There are no data on the presence of vamorolone in human milk or the effects on milk production. AGAMREE is indicated for use for the treatment of DMD, which is a disease of young male patients. However, systemically administered corticosteroids appear in human milk and could suppress growth, interfere with endogenous corticosteroid production, or cause other untoward effects. The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother's clinical need and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed infant.

8.4 Pediatric Use The safety and effectiveness of AGAMREE for the treatment of DMD have been established in patients 2 years of age and older. Use of AGAMREE in pediatric patients is supported by a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo- and active-controlled study in 121 males 4 to less than 7 years of age [see Clinical Studies ( 14 )]. Use of AGAMREE in patients 2 years to less than 4 years of age and 7 to less than 18 years of age is supported by findings of efficacy and safety in patients 4 to less than 7 years of age with DMD, and by pharmacokinetic and safety data from patients 2 to 4 years of age and 7 to less than 18 years of age [see Adverse Reactions ( 6.1 ) and Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] . The safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients below the age of 2 years have not been established. Juvenile Animal Toxicity Data Oral administration of vamorolone (0, 15, 30, or 100 mg/kg/day) to juvenile mice from postnatal days 21 to 81 resulted in no adverse effects on neurobehavioral function, sexual maturation, or reproductive function. Atrophy of the adrenal cortex, degeneration/necrosis of the liver, and decreased lymphocytes in lymphatic tissues were observed at all doses. A no-effect dose for general toxicity was not identified. Plasma exposures (AUC) at the lowest dose tested (15 mg/kg/day) were lower than that in humans at the maximum recommended human dose (300 mg/day).

8.5 Geriatric Use DMD is largely a disease of children and young adults; therefore, there is no geriatric experience with AGAMREE.

8.6 Hepatic Impairment Moderate hepatic impairment increases vamorolone exposure [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )]. Reduce the AGAMREE dosage in patients with mild to moderate hepatic impairment [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.3 )]. There is no clinical experience with AGAMREE in patients with severe hepatic impairment, and a dosing recommendation cannot be provided for patients with severe hepatic impairment.

Vamorolone is a corticosteroid that acts through the glucocorticoid receptor to exert anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects. The precise mechanism by which vamorolone exerts its effect in patients with DMD is unknown.