Foscarbidopa/Foslevodopa

VYALEV is indicated for the treatment of motor fluctuations in adults with advanced Parkinson’s disease (PD). VYALEV is a combination of foscarbidopa (an aromatic amino acid decarboxylation inhibitor) and foslevodopa (an aromatic amino acid) indicated for the treatment of motor fluctuations in adults with advanced Parkinson’s disease. ( 1 )

Injection: 120 mg foscarbidopa and 2,400 mg foslevodopa per 10 mL (12 mg foscarbidopa and 240 mg foslevodopa per mL). Each single-dose vial contains 10 mL of a colorless to yellow to brown (may have a purple or red tint) and clear to slightly opalescent solution. Injection: 120 mg foscarbidopa and 2,400 mg foslevodopa per 10 mL (12 mg foscarbidopa and 240 mg foslevodopa per mL). ( 3 )

VYALEV is contraindicated in patients who are currently taking a non-selective monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor or have recently (within 2 weeks) taken a nonselective MAO inhibitor. Hypertension can occur if these drugs are used concurrently [see Drug Interactions ( 7.1 )] . VYALEV is contraindicated in patients who are currently taking a nonselective monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor or have recently (within 2 weeks) taken a nonselective MAO inhibitor. ( 4 )

May cause falling asleep during activities of daily living. ( 5.1 ) Hallucinations/Psychosis: May respond to dose reduction of VYALEV. ( 5.2 ) Impulse Control Behaviors: Consider dose reductions or stopping VYALEV. ( 5.3 ) Infusion Site Reactions and Infections: Monitor for infusion site infections: Following aseptic techniques while using this medication and frequent rotation of the infusion site is recommended to reduce the risk. ( 5.4 ) Avoid sudden discontinuation or rapid dose reduction to reduce the risk of withdrawal-emergent hyperpyrexia and confusion. ( 5.5 ) May cause or exacerbate dyskinesia: Consider dose reduction of VYALEV. ( 5.6 )

5.1 Falling Asleep During Activities of Daily Living and Somnolence Patients treated with levodopa (the active metabolite of VYALEV) have reported falling asleep while engaged in activities of daily living, including the operation of motor vehicles, which sometimes resulted in accidents. Although many of these patients reported somnolence while on levodopa, some perceived that they had no warning signs, such as excessive drowsiness, and believed that they were alert immediately prior to the event (sleep attack). Some of these events have been reported more than one year after initiation of treatment. Falling asleep while engaged in activities of daily living usually occurs in patients experiencing preexisting somnolence, although patients may not give such a history. For this reason, prescribers should reassess patients for drowsiness or sleepiness while using VYALEV, especially since some of the events occur well after the start of treatment. Prescribers should be aware that patients may not acknowledge drowsiness or sleepiness until directly questioned about drowsiness or sleepiness during specific activities. Patients who have already experienced somnolence or an episode of sudden sleep onset should not participate in these activities while taking VYALEV. Before initiating treatment with VYALEV, advise patients about the potential to develop drowsiness and specifically ask about factors that may increase the risk for somnolence with VYALEV such as the use of concomitant sedating medications or the presence of sleep disorders. Consider discontinuing VYALEV in patients who report significant daytime sleepiness or episodes of falling asleep during activities that require active participation (e.g., conversations, eating). If VYALEV is continued, patients should be advised not to drive and to avoid other potentially dangerous activities that might result in harm if the patient becomes somnolent. There is insufficient information to establish that dose reduction will eliminate episodes of falling asleep while engaged in activities of daily living.

5.2 Hallucinations/Psychosis There is an increased risk for hallucinations and psychosis in patients taking VYALEV. In Study 1 [see Clinical Studies ( 14 )], hallucinations occurred in 12.2% of patients treated with VYALEV compared to 1.5% of patients treated with oral immediate-release carbidopa-levodopa. Psychosis occurred in 4.1% of patients treated with VYALEV compared to 1.5% of patients treated with oral immediate-release carbidopa-levodopa. Treatment with VYALEV was discontinued in 1 (1.4%) patient because of hallucinations. Hallucinations associated with levodopa may present shortly after the initiation of therapy and may be responsive to dose reduction of VYALEV or other concomitantly administered medications. Confusion, insomnia, and excessive dreaming may accompany hallucinations. Abnormal thinking and behavior may present with one or more symptoms, including paranoid ideation, delusions, hallucinations, confusion, psychosis, disorientation, aggressive behavior, agitation, and delirium. Review of treatment is recommended if these symptoms develop. Because of the risk of exacerbating psychosis, patients with a major psychotic disorder should not be treated with VYALEV. In addition, medications that antagonize the effects of dopamine used to treat psychosis may exacerbate the symptoms of PD and may decrease the effectiveness of VYALEV [see Drug Interactions ( 7.3 ) ] .

5.3 Impulse Control/Compulsive Behaviors Patients may experience intense urges to gamble, increased sexual urges, intense urges to spend money, binge or compulsive eating, and/or other intense urges, and the inability to control these urges while taking one or more of the medications, including VYALEV, that increase central dopaminergic tone and that are generally used for the treatment of PD. In some cases, although not all, these urges were reported to have stopped when the dose was reduced, or the medication was discontinued. Because patients may not recognize these behaviors as abnormal, it is important for prescribers to ask patients or their caregivers specifically about the development of new or increased gambling urges, sexual urges, uncontrolled spending, binge or compulsive eating, or other urges while being treated with VYALEV. Consider reducing the dose or discontinuing VYALEV if a patient develops such urges.

5.4 Infusion Site Reactions and Infections VYALEV can cause infusion site reactions and infections. In Study 1, one or more infusion site reactions were reported in 62% of patients treated with VYALEV and 8% of patients who received placebo subcutaneous infusion. Various types of reactions at the infusion site have been reported including: erythema, pain, edema, nodule, bruising, hemorrhage, induration, pruritus, extravasation, inflammation, mass, warmth, hematoma, pallor, rash, and swelling. In Study 1, 8% of patients treated with VYALEV and no patient who received placebo withdrew from treatment because of an infusion site reaction. In Study 1, infusion site infections occurred in 28% of patients treated with VYALEV compared to 3% of patients who received placebo subcutaneous infusion. In Study 1, 5% of patients treated with VYALEV and 2% who received placebo withdrew from treatment because of an infusion site infection. The most frequent infusion site infection reported was cellulitis. If an infection is suspected at the infusion site, the cannula should be removed from the infusion site. If the cannula is removed for an infection, either a new canula should be placed at a new infusion site or, in the event of a prolonged interruption, the patient should be prescribed an oral carbidopa and levodopa product until they are able to resume VYALEV [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.4 , 2.5 )] .

5.5 Withdrawal-Emergent Hyperpyrexia and Confusion A symptom complex that resembles neuroleptic malignant syndrome (characterized by elevated temperature, muscular rigidity, altered consciousness, and autonomic instability), with no other obvious etiology, has been reported in association with rapid dose reduction, withdrawal of, or changes in dopaminergic therapy. Avoid sudden discontinuation or rapid dose reduction in patients taking VYALEV. If VYALEV is discontinued, the dose should be tapered to reduce the risk of hyperpyrexia and confusion [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.5 ) ] .

5.6 Dyskinesia VYALEV may cause or exacerbate dyskinesias. In Study 1, dyskinesia occurred in 11% of patients treated with VYALEV compared to 6% of patients treated with oral immediate-release carbidopa-levodopa. The occurrence of dyskinesias may require a dosage reduction of VYALEV or other medications used to treat PD.

5.7 Vitamin B6 Deficiency and Seizures Treatment with carbidopa-levodopa (the active metabolites of VYALEV) may contribute to reduced vitamin B6 levels. Higher doses of carbidopa-levodopa may increase the risk of vitamin B6 deficiency. Seizures associated with vitamin B6 deficiency have been reported in the postmarketing setting in patients taking carbidopa/levodopa. In these reported cases, seizures were refractory to traditional antiseizure medications and only resolved after vitamin B6 administration. […]

The following serious adverse reactions are discussed below and elsewhere in labeling: Falling Asleep During Activities of Daily Living and Somnolence [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 ) ] Hallucinations/Psychosis [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 ) ] Impulse Control/Compulsive Behaviors [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 ) ] Infusion Site Reactions and Infections [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 )] Withdrawal-Emergent Hyperpyrexia and Confusion [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5 ) ] Dyskinesia [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.6 ) ] Vitamin B6 Deficiency and Seizures [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.7 ) ] Cardiovascular Ischemic Events [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.8 ) ] Glaucoma [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.9 )] Most common adverse reactions for VYALEV (VYALEV incidence at least 10% and greater than oral carbidopa-levodopa incidence) were infusion/catheter site reactions, infusion/catheter site infections, hallucinations, and dyskinesia. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact AbbVie Inc. at 1-800-633-9110 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 clinical practice. In Study 1, a 12-week, active-controlled clinical trial, a total of 141 patients with advanced PD were enrolled [see Clinical Studies ( 14 )]. Of these, 74 patients received VYALEV and 67 received oral immediate-release carbidopa-levodopa with placebo subcutaneous infusion. Adverse reactions led to discontinuation of VYALEV in 22% of patients, which included hallucinations, infusion site reactions, and infusion site infections [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 , 5.5 )]. Table 2 presents the adverse reactions that occurred in ≥3% of patients who received VYALEV and with a difference of >2% between the VYALEV and the oral immediate release carbidopa-levodopa groups in Study 1. Table 2. Adverse Reactions in Study 1 that Occurred in ≥3% of Patients with Advanced PD who Received VYALEV and 2% Difference from Active Control Adverse Reaction VYALEV (n = 74 ) % Oral immediate-release carbidopa-levodopa (n = 67 ) % Infusion/catheter site reaction a 62 8 Infusion/catheter site infection b 28 3 Hallucination 12 2 Dyskinesia 11 6 On and off phenomenon 8 0 Balance disorder 5 0 Constipation 5 0 Peripheral swelling 5 0 Agitation 4 2 Insomnia 4 2 Psychotic disorder c 4 2 Dyspnea 4 0 Infusion/catheter site reaction includes multiple related terms. Infusion site/catheter site infections includes multiple related terms. Psychotic disorder includes psychotic disorder, delusion, and paranoia.

Selective MAO-B inhibitors: May cause orthostatic hypotension. ( 7.1 ) Antihypertensive drugs: May cause symptomatic postural hypotension. Dosage adjustment of the antihypertensive drug may be needed. ( 7.2 ) Dopamine D2 receptor antagonists and isoniazid may reduce the effectiveness of VYALEV. ( 7.3 )

7.1 Monoamine Oxidase (MAO) Inhibitors Nonselective MAO Inhibitors The use of nonselective MAO inhibitors (e.g., phenelzine and tranylcypromine) with VYALEV is contraindicated [see Contraindications ( 4 ) ] . Discontinue use of any nonselective MAO inhibitors at least two weeks prior to initiating VYALEV. Selective MAO Inhibitors The use of selective MAO-B inhibitors (e.g., rasagiline and selegiline) with VYALEV may be associated with orthostatic hypotension. Monitor patients who are taking these drugs.

7.2 Antihypertensive Drugs The concurrent use of VYALEV with antihypertensive medications can cause symptomatic postural hypotension. A dose reduction of the antihypertensive medication may be needed after starting or increasing the dosage of VYALEV.

7.3 Dopamine D2 Receptor Antagonists and Isoniazid Dopamine D2 receptor antagonists (e.g., phenothiazines, butyrophenones, risperidone, metoclopramide, papaverine) and isoniazid may reduce the effectiveness of foslevodopa. Monitor patients for worsening Parkinson’s symptoms when patients are taking these medications with VYALEV.

Pregnancy: Based on animal data, may cause fetal harm. ( 8.1 )

8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary There are no data on the developmental risk associated with the use of VYALEV (foscarbidopa and foslevodopa) in pregnant women. Foscarbidopa is a prodrug of carbidopa, and foslevodopa is a prodrug of levodopa. In animal studies, carbidopa-levodopa has been shown to be developmentally toxic (including teratogenic effects) at clinically relevant doses (see Data). The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in the indicated population is unknown. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2% to 4% and 15% to 20%, respectively. Data Animal Data When administered to pregnant rabbits throughout organogenesis, carbidopa-levodopa caused both visceral and skeletal malformations in fetuses at all doses and ratios of carbidopa-levodopa tested. No teratogenic effects were observed when carbidopa-levodopa was administered to pregnant mice throughout organogenesis. There was a decrease in the number of live pups delivered by rats receiving carbidopa-levodopa during organogenesis.

8.2 Lactation Risk Summary Foscarbidopa and Foslevodopa There are no adequate data on the presence of foscarbidopa or foslevodopa in human milk, the effects of foscarbidopa or foslevodopa on milk production or on the breastfed infant. Foscarbidopa is a prodrug of carbidopa, and foslevodopa is a prodrug of levodopa. Carbidopa There are no adequate data on the presence of carbidopa in human milk, the effects on the breastfed infant, or the effects on milk production. Carbidopa is excreted in rat milk. Levodopa Levodopa has been detected in human milk after administration of carbidopa-levodopa. Levodopa decreases secretion of prolactin in humans, which may inhibit lactation. There are no adequate data on the effects of levodopa on the breastfed infant. The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother’s clinical need for VYALEV and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed infant from VYALEV or from the underlying maternal condition.

8.4 Pediatric Use Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients have not been established.

8.5 Geriatric Use Clinical studies of VYALEV did not include sufficient numbers of subjects aged 65 and over to determine whether they respond differently from younger subjects. Other reported clinical experience has not identified differences in responses between the elderly and younger patients. In general, dose selection for an elderly patient should be cautious, usually starting at the low end of the dosing range, reflecting the greater frequency of decreased hepatic, renal, or cardiac function and of concomitant disease or other drug therapy.

VYALEV is a prodrug combination of foscarbidopa (carbidopa-4´-monophosphate) and foslevodopa (levodopa-4´-monophosphate). Foscarbidopa and foslevodopa are converted in vivo to carbidopa and levodopa. Carbidopa When levodopa is administered orally, it is rapidly decarboxylated to dopamine in extracerebral tissues so that only a small portion of a given dose is transported unchanged to the central nervous system. Carbidopa inhibits the decarboxylation of peripheral levodopa, making more levodopa available for delivery to the brain. Levodopa Levodopa is the metabolic precursor of dopamine, does cross the blood-brain barrier, and presumably is converted to dopamine in the brain. This is thought to be the mechanism whereby levodopa treats symptoms of Parkinson's disease.