Succimer

CHEMET is indicated for the treatment of lead poisoning in pediatric patients aged 1 year and older with blood lead levels above 45 mcg/dL. CHEMET is a lead chelator indicated for the treatment of lead poisoning in pediatric patients aged 1 year and older with blood lead levels above 45 mcg/dL. ( 1 ) Limitations of Use CHEMET is not indicated for prophylaxis of lead poisoning in a lead-containing environment. ( 1 ) CHEMET does not cross the blood-brain barrier and is not indicated to treat encephalopathy associated with lead toxicity. ( 1 ) Limitations of Use CHEMET is not indicated for prophylaxis of lead poisoning in a lead-containing environment. CHEMET does not cross the blood-brain barrier and is not indicated to treat encephalopathy associated with lead toxicity.

Capsules: 100 mg, opaque white, imprinted black with "CHEMET 100". Capsule: 100 mg ( 3 )

CHEMET is contraindicated in patients with a history of hypersensitivity reaction to succimer. Reactions have included mucocutaneous vesicular eruptions, urticaria, and angioedema [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] . Patients with a history of hypersensitivity reaction to succimer. ( 4 )

Hypersensitivity and dermatologic reactions: Interrupt treatment if rash or mucocutaneous vesicular eruptions occur. ( 5.1 ) Neutropenia: Monitor complete blood counts, interrupt treatment for ANC below 1200/mcL, and monitor for infection. ( 5.2 ) Hepatic Toxicity: Monitor hepatic transaminases (ALT/AST); interrupt treatment if above 5 times ULN. ( 5.3 ) Embryo-Fetal Toxicity: May cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. ( 5.5 )

5.1 Hypersensitivity and Dermatologic Reactions CHEMET can cause hypersensitivity reactions and dermatologic reactions. Rash Rash occurs in approximately 4% of patients treated with CHEMET. Interrupt treatment if rash occurs. Consider rechallenge if lead levels are high enough to warrant retreatment. Hypersensitivity reactions including urticaria and angioedema have been reported on repeated administration of CHEMET [see Contraindications (4) ]. Mucocutaneous Reactions Mucocutaneous vesicular eruptions can occur with CHEMET use and may increase with each treatment course. Monitor patients requiring repeated CHEMET courses for the occurrence of mucocutaneous eruptions, including oral, urethral, and perianal. Interrupt treatment if mucocutaneous vesicular eruptions occur.

5.2 Neutropenia Iron chelators, including CHEMET, can cause neutropenia. Monitoring of complete blood counts is recommended [see Dosage and Administration (2.2) ] . Interrupt treatment if absolute neutrophil count (ANC) is <1200/mcL and interrupt treatment until recovery to above 1500/mcL (or the patient's baseline count). Only rechallenge patients who developed neutropenia with CHEMET therapy if the benefit clearly outweighs the potential risk. If rechallenge is attempted, monitor CBC more frequently. Monitor for signs and symptoms of infection and immediately discontinue CHEMET if they develop.

5.3 Hepatic Toxicity Elevated transaminases (ALT/AST) occurred in 6-10% of patients treated with CHEMET. Monitor serum AST and ALT at baseline and at least weekly during treatment. Monitor patients with a history of liver disease more frequently. Serum aminotransferase elevations above 5 times the upper limit of normal (if confirmed) should lead to dose reduction or temporary cessation.

5.4 Embryo-Fetal Toxicity Based on findings from animal reproduction studies, CHEMET may cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Advise females of reproductive potential to use an effective method of contraception during treatment with CHEMET and for 14 days after the final dose [see Use in Specific Populations (8.1 , 8.3) ] .

5.5 Laboratory Test Interference CHEMET may interfere with serum and urinary laboratory tests [see Drug Interactions (7.1) ] .

The following clinically significant adverse reactions are described elsewhere in the labeling: Hypersensitivity and Dermatologic Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] Neutropenia [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] Hepatic Toxicity [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] Most common adverse reactions (incidence ≥ 10%) in Pediatric patients: Digestive (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, appetite loss, hemorrhoidal symptoms, metallic taste in mouth). ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Recordati Rare Diseases Inc. at 1-888-575-8344 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. Table 2 presents the adverse reactions associated with Chemet in pediatric patients. Table 2 Incidence of Adverse Reactions Associated with Chemet in Pediatric Patients Body System: Adverse Reactions Pediatric Patients (n=191) Digestive Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, appetite loss, hemorrhoidal symptoms, metallic taste in mouth 12% Body as a Whole Back pain, abdominal cramps, stomach pains, head pain, rib pain, chills, flank pain, fever, flu-like symptoms, heavy head/tired, head cold, headache, moniliasis. 5% Metabolic Elevated ALT or AST, alkaline phosphatase, serum cholesterol. 4% Respiratory Sore throat, rhinorrhea, nasal congestion, cough. 4% Skin Papular rash, herpetic rash, rash, mucocutaneous eruptions, pruritis. 3% Nervous Drowsiness, dizziness, sensorimotor neuropathy, sleepiness, paresthesia. 1% Special Senses Cloudy film in eye, ears plugged, otitis media, eyes watery. 1% Heme/Lymphatic Neutropenia, increased platelet count, eosinophilia 1%

CHEMET may interfere with serum and urinary laboratory test. ( 7.1 )

7.1 Laboratory Test Interference CHEMET may interfere with serum and urinary laboratory tests. In vitro studies have shown CHEMET to cause false positive results for ketones in urine using nitroprusside reagents and falsely decreased measurements of serum uric acid and creatinine phosphokinase (CPK).

7.2 Use with Other Chelation Therapies Concomitant administration of CHEMET with other chelation therapy, such as CaNa 2 EDTA is not recommended.

Pregnancy: May cause fetal harm. ( 8.1 ) Renal Impairment: Assess renal function. ( 8.6 ) Hepatic Impairment: Assess hepatic function. (8.7)

8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary There are no studies with the use of CHEMET in pregnant women to inform drug-associated risks. Administration of CHEMET to pregnant mice during organogenesis at dose exposure of 11-times the human exposure at the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD) of 700 mg based on body surface area (BSA) resulted in maternal toxicity and mortality and impaired reflex development in offspring (see Animal Data ) . There are adverse effects on maternal and fetal outcomes associated with lead poisoning in pregnancy (see Clinical Considerations ) . CHEMET should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population(s) is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. However, the background risk in the U.S general population of major birth defects is 2 to 4% and of miscarriage is 15 to 20% of clinically recognized pregnancies. Clinical Considerations Disease-Associated Maternal and/or Embryo/Fetal Risk Lead exposure in pregnancy may increase the risk of gestational hypertension. Lead crosses the placenta in amounts related to maternal plasma levels. Prenatal lead exposure may be associated with spontaneous abortion, preterm delivery, decreased birth weight, and impaired neurodevelopment. Data Animal Data In embryo-fetal developmental studies, pregnant mice received subcutaneous succimer during the period of organogenesis at doses up to 1640 mg/kg/day (11-times the MRHD based on BSA) which resulted in both maternal and fetal toxicity. In a developmental study in rats, dosing with succimer during the period of organogenesis resulted in maternal toxicity and deaths at the dose of 720 mg/kg/day (10-times the MRHD based on BSA) or more. The dose of 510 mg/kg/day (7-times the MRHD based on BSA) was the highest tolerable dose in pregnant rats. Impaired development of reflexes was noted in pups of dams receiving 720 mg/kg/day (10-times the MRHD based on BSA).

8.2 Lactation Risk Summary There are no data on the presence of succimer or its metabolite in either human or animal milk, the effects on the breastfed infant, or the effects on milk production. There are clinical considerations regarding lead in breastmilk (see Clinical Considerations ) . Clinical Considerations When used for the treatment of lead poisoning, the amount of lead in breast milk may range from 0.6% to 3% of the maternal serum concentration. Females with confirmed blood lead levels ≥40 mcg/dL should not initiate breastfeeding; pumping and discarding breast milk is recommended until blood lead levels are <40 mcg/dL, at which point breastfeeding may resume. Calcium supplementation may reduce the amount of lead in breast milk.

8.3 Females and Males of Reproductive Potential CHEMET may cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman [see Use in Specific Populations (8.1) ] . Pregnancy Testing Pregnancy testing is recommended for females of reproductive potential prior to treatment with CHEMET. Contraception Females Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with CHEMET and for 14 days after the final dose.

8.4 Pediatric Use The safety and effectiveness of CHEMET for the treatment of lead poisoning in patients with blood levels above 45 mcg/mL have been established in pediatric patients aged 1 year and older. The safety and effectiveness of CHEMET have not been established in pediatric patients younger than 1 year of age.

8.5 Renal Impairment Assess renal function prior to and periodically during prolonged therapy. Adequately hydrate patients during therapy. Limited data suggests that succimer is dialyzable, but the lead chelates are not. Monitor patients with a history of renal impairment more frequently.

8.6 Hepatic Impairment Assess hepatic function prior to and periodically during therapy. Monitor patients with a history of liver disease more frequently [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] .

Succimer is a lead chelator; it forms water soluble chelates and, consequently, increases the urinary excretion of lead.