Tenecteplase

TNKase ® is indicated to reduce the risk of death associated with acute ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). TNKase is a tissue plasminogen activator, indicated to reduce the risk of death associated with acute ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). ( 1 )

For injection: 50 mg as a white to pale yellow lyophilized powder in a single-dose vial for reconstitution with the co-packaged 10 mL single-dose vial of Sterile Water for Injection, USP (diluent). For Injection: 50 mg as a white to pale yellow lyophilized powder in a single-dose vial for reconstitution with the co-packaged 10 mL Sterile Water for Injection USP (diluent). ( 3 )

TNKase is contraindicated in patients with [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] : Active internal bleeding History of cerebrovascular accident Intracranial or intraspinal surgery or trauma within 2 months Intracranial neoplasm, arteriovenous malformation, or aneurysm Known bleeding diathesis Severe uncontrolled hypertension Active internal bleeding ( 4 ) History of cerebrovascular accident ( 4 ) Intracranial or intraspinal surgery or trauma within 2 months ( 4 ) Intracranial neoplasm, arteriovenous malformation, or aneurysm ( 4 ) Known bleeding diathesis ( 4 ) Severe uncontrolled hypertension ( 4 )

Bleeding: Increases the risk of bleeding. Avoid intramuscular injections. Monitor for bleeding. ( 5.1 ) Thromboembolism: The use of thrombolytics can increase the risk of thrombo-embolic events in patients with high likelihood of left heart thrombus. ( 5.2 ) Cholesterol Embolization: Has been reported in patients treated with thrombolytic agents. ( 5.3 ) Arrhythmias: It is recommended that anti-arrhythmic therapy for bradycardia and/or ventricular irritability be available when TNKase is administered. ( 5.4 ) Increased Risk of Heart Failure and Recurrent Ischemia when used with Planned Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) in STEMI: In patients with a large ST segment elevation myocardial infarction, physicians should choose either thrombolysis or PCI as the primary treatment strategy for reperfusion. Rescue PCI or subsequent elective PCI may be performed after administration of thrombolytic therapies if medically appropriate. ( 5.5 ) Hypersensitivity: Monitor patients treated with TNKase during and for several hours after infusion. If symptoms of hypersensitivity occur, initiate appropriate therapy (e.g., antihistamines, corticosteroids). ( 5.6 )

5.1 Bleeding TNKase can cause bleeding, including intracranial hemorrhage and fatal bleeding. Concomitant use of other drugs that impair hemostasis increases the risk of bleeding. Should serious bleeding that is not controlled by local pressure occur, discontinue any concomitant heparin or antiplatelet agents immediately and treat appropriately. Avoid intramuscular injections and nonessential handling of the patient for the first few hours following treatment with TNKase. Perform arterial and venous punctures carefully and only as required. To minimize bleeding from noncompressible sites, avoid internal jugular and subclavian venous punctures. If an arterial puncture is necessary during TNKase infusion, use an upper extremity vessel that is accessible to manual compression. Apply pressure for at least 30 minutes.

5.2 Thromboembolism The use of thrombolytics can increase the risk of thrombo-embolic events in patients with high likelihood of left heart thrombus, such as patients with mitral stenosis or atrial fibrillation.

5.3 Cholesterol Embolization Cholesterol embolism has been reported in patients treated with thrombolytic agents. Investigate cause of any new embolic event and treat appropriately.

5.4 Arrhythmias Coronary thrombolysis may result in arrhythmias associated with reperfusion. These arrhythmias (such as sinus bradycardia, accelerated idioventricular rhythm, ventricular premature depolarizations, ventricular tachycardia) may be managed with standard anti-arrhythmic measures. It is recommended that anti-arrhythmic therapy for bradycardia and/or ventricular irritability be available when TNKase is administered.

5.5 Increased Risk of Heart Failure and Recurrent Ischemia when used with Planned Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) in STEMI. In a trial of patients with STEMI, there were trends toward worse outcomes in the individual components of the primary endpoint between TNKase plus PCI versus PCI alone (mortality 6.7% vs. 4.9%, respectively; cardiogenic shock 6.3% vs. 4.8%, respectively; and CHF 12% vs. 9.2%, respectively). In addition, there were trends towards worse outcomes in recurrent MI (6.1% vs. 3.7%, respectively; p = 0.03) and repeat target vessel revascularization (6.6% vs. 3.4%, respectively; p = 0.0045) in patients receiving TNKase plus PCI versus PCI alone [see Clinical Studies (14.1) ] . In patients with large ST segment elevation myocardial infarction, physicians should choose either thrombolysis or PCI as the primary treatment strategy for reperfusion. Rescue PCI or subsequent elective PCI may be performed after administration of thrombolytic therapies if medically appropriate; however, the optimal use of adjunctive antithrombotic and antiplatelet therapies in this setting is unknown.

5.6 Hypersensitivity Hypersensitivity, including urticarial / anaphylactic reactions, have been reported after administration of TNKase (e.g., anaphylaxis, angioedema, laryngeal edema, rash, and urticaria). Monitor patients treated with TNKase during and for several hours after infusion. If symptoms of hypersensitivity occur, initiate appropriate therapy (e.g., antihistamines, corticosteroids).

The following adverse reactions are discussed in other sections of the label: Bleeding [see Contraindications (4) , Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] Hypersensitivity [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6) ] The most common adverse reactions are bleeding and hypersensitivity. ( 6 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Roche at 1-800-526-6367 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch .

6.1 Immunogenicity Four of 625 (0.64%) patients tested for antibody formation to TNKase had a positive antibody titer at 30 days in studies with TNKase. The observed incidence of antibody positivity in an assay may be influenced by several factors including sample handling, concomitant medications, and underlying disease. For these reasons, comparison of the incidence of antibodies to TNKase with the incidence of antibodies to other products may be misleading.

During TNKase therapy, results of coagulation tests and/or measures of fibrinolytic activity may be unreliable unless specific precautions are taken to prevent in vitro artifacts. ( 7.1 )

7.1 Drug/Laboratory Test Interactions During TNKase therapy, results of coagulation tests and/or measures of fibrinolytic activity may be unreliable unless specific precautions are taken to prevent in vitro artifacts. Tenecteplase is an enzyme that, when present in blood in pharmacologic concentrations, remains active under in vitro conditions. This can lead to degradation of fibrinogen in blood samples removed for analysis.

8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary There are risks to the mother and fetus from acute ST elevation myocardial infarction, which is a medical emergency in pregnancy and can be fatal if left untreated (see Clinical Considerations ). Published data consisting of a small number of case reports involving the use of related thrombolytic agents in pregnant women have not identified an increased risk of major birth defects. There are no data on the use of tenecteplase during pregnancy to evaluate for a drug-associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage, or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. TNKase does not elicit maternal and direct embryo toxicity in rabbits following a single IV administration. In developmental toxicity studies conducted in rabbits, the no observable effect level (NOEL) of a single IV administration of TNKase on maternal or developmental toxicity (5 mg/kg) was approximately 7 times human exposure (based on AUC) at the dose for STEMI. The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. 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. Clinical Considerations Disease-Associated Maternal and/or Embryo/Fetal Risk Myocardial infarction is a medical emergency which can be fatal if left untreated. Life-sustaining therapy for the pregnant woman should not be withheld because of potential concerns regarding the effects of tenecteplase on the fetus.

8.2 Lactation Risk Summary There are no data on the presence of tenecteplase in either human or animal milk, the effects on the breastfed infant, or the effect on milk production. The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother's clinical need for TNKase and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed infant from the TNKase or from the underlying maternal condition.

8.4 Pediatric Use The safety and effectiveness of TNKase in pediatric patients have not been established.

8.5 Geriatric Use In the ASSENT-2 study, 41% (3500/8458) of patients who were treated with TNKase were aged 65 years or older. In this population, rates of 30-day mortality, stroke, intracranial hemorrhage and major bleeds requiring blood transfusion or leading to hemodynamic complications were higher than in those aged less than 65 years.

Tenecteplase is a modified form of human tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) that binds to fibrin and converts plasminogen to plasmin. In the presence of fibrin, in vitro studies demonstrate that tenecteplase-mediated conversion of plasminogen to plasmin is increased relative to its conversion in the absence of fibrin. This fibrin specificity decreases systemic activation of plasminogen and the resulting degradation of circulating fibrinogen as compared to a molecule lacking this property. The clinical significance of fibrin-specificity on safety (e.g., bleeding) or efficacy has not been established.