Noxafil Information
Noxafil () . Dosage And Administration
Shake Noxafil () Oral Suspension well before use.
It is recommended that the spoon is rinsed with water after each administration and before storage.
Each dose of Noxafil () should be administered with a full meal or with a liquid nutritional supplement or an acidic carbonated beverage (e.g. ginger ale) in patients who cannot eat a full meal.
To enhance the oral absorption of posaconazole and optimize plasma concentrations:
Noxafil () . Dosage Forms And Strengths
Noxafil () Oral Suspension is available in 4-ounce (123 mL) amber glass bottles with child-resistant closures (NDC 0085-1328-01) containing 105 mL of suspension (40 mg of posaconazole per mL).
Noxafil () . Contraindications
Noxafil () is contraindicated in persons with known hypersensitivity to posaconazole, any component of Noxafil () , or other azole antifungal agents.
Concomitant administration of Noxafil () with simvastatin increases the simvastatin plasma concentrations by approximately 10 fold. Increased plasma statin concentrations can be associated with rhabdomyolysis .
Noxafil () . Warnings And Precautions
Some azoles, including posaconazole, have been associated with prolongation of the QT interval on the electrocardiogram. In addition, rare cases of torsades de pointes have been reported in patients taking posaconazole.
Results from a multiple time-matched ECG analysis in healthy volunteers did not show any increase in the mean of the QTc interval. Multiple, time-matched ECGs collected over a 12-hour period were recorded at baseline and steady-state from 173 healthy male and female volunteers (18–85 years of age) administered posaconazole 400 mg BID with a high-fat meal. In this pooled analysis, the mean QTc (Fridericia) interval change from baseline was –5 msec following administration of the recommended clinical dose. A decrease in the QTc (F) interval (–3 msec) was also observed in a small number of subjects (n=16) administered placebo. The placebo-adjusted mean maximum QTc (F) interval change from baseline was
Posaconazole should be administered with caution to patients with potentially proarrhythmic conditions. Do not administer with drugs that are known to prolong the QTc interval and are metabolized through CYP3A4. Rigorous attempts to correct potassium, magnesium, and calcium should be made before starting posaconazole.
Hepatic reactions (e.g.mild to moderate elevations in alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase, total bilirubin, and/or clinical hepatitis) have been reported in clinical trials. The elevations in liver function tests were generally reversible on discontinuation of therapy, and in some instances these tests normalized without drug interruption and rarely required drug discontinuation. Isolated cases of more severe hepatic reactions including cholestasis or hepatic failure including deaths have been reported in patients with serious underlying medical conditions (e.g., hematologic malignancy) during treatment with posaconazole. These severe hepatic reactions were seen primarily in subjects receiving the 800 mg daily (400 mg BID or 200 mg QID) in clinical trials.
Liver function tests should be evaluated at the start of and during the course of posaconazole therapy. Patients who develop abnormal liver function tests during posaconazole therapy should be monitored for the development of more severe hepatic injury. Patient management should include laboratory evaluation of hepatic function (particularly liver function tests and bilirubin). Discontinuation of posaconazole must be considered if clinical signs and symptoms consistent with liver disease develop that may be attributable to posaconazole.
Concomitant administration of Noxafil () with midazolam increases the midazolam plasma concentrations by approximately 5 fold. Increased plasma midazolam concentrations could potentiate and prolong hypnotic and sedative effects. Patients must be monitored closely for adverse effects associated with high plasma concentrations of midazolam and benzodiazepine receptor antagonists must be available to reverse these effects .
Noxafil () . Adverse Reactions
Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in clinical trials of Noxafil () cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice.
The safety of posaconazole therapy has been assessed in 1844 patients in clinical trials. This includes 605 patients in the active-controlled prophylaxis studies, 557 patients in the active-controlled OPC studies, 239 patients in refractory OPC studies, and 443 patients from other indications. This represents a heterogeneous population, including immunocompromised patients, e.g., patients with hematological malignancy, neutropenia post-chemotherapy, graft vs. host disease post hematopoietic stem cell transplant, and HIV infection, as well as non-neutropenic patients. This patient population was 71% male, had a mean age of 42 years (range 8–84 years, 6% of patients were ≥65 years of age and 1% was 10% in posaconazole prophylaxis studies. presents treatment-emergent adverse reactions observed at an incidence of at least 10% in the OPC/rOPC studies.
Noxafil () . Drug Interactions
Posaconazole is primarily metabolized via UDP glucuronidation and is a substrate of p-glycoprotein efflux. Therefore, inhibitors or inducers of these clearance pathways may affect posaconazole plasma concentrations. Posaconazole is also a strong inhibitor of CYP3A4. Therefore, plasma concentrations of drugs predominantly metabolized by CYP3A4 may be increased by posaconazole .
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Concomitant administration of posaconazole with simvastatin increases the simvastatin plasma concentrations by approximately 10 fold. Therefore, posaconazole is contraindicated with HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor simvastatin [].
Although not studied clinically with statins other than simvastatin, posaconazole may increase the plasma concentrations of statins that are metabolized by CYP3A4. Increased plasma statin concentrations can be associated with rhabdomyolysis. It is recommended that patients be monitored for adverse events and dose reduction of the statin be considered during co-administration with posaconazole.
Cimetidine (an H-receptor antagonist) and esomeprazole (a proton pump inhibitor) decrease posaconazole plasma concentrations . It is recommended to avoid concomitant use of cimetidine and esomeprazole with posaconazole unless the benefit outweighs the risks. However, if concomitant administration is required, close monitoring of breakthrough fungal infections is recommended.
No clinically relevant effects were observed when posaconazole is concomitantly used with antiacids and H-receptor antagonists other than cimetidine. No dosage adjustment of posaconazole is required when posaconazole is concomitantly used with antacids and H-receptor antagonists other than cimetidine.
Metoclopramide decreases posaconazole plasma concentrations If metoclopramide is concomitantly administered, it is recommended to closely monitor for breakthrough fungal infections.
Loperamide does not affect posaconazole plasma concentrations No dosage adjustment of posaconazole is required when loperamide and posaconazole are used concomitantly.
Noxafil () . Use In Specific Populations
The safety and effectiveness of posaconazole have been established in the age groups 13 to 17 years of age. The safety and effectiveness of posaconazole in pediatric patients below the age of 13 years have not been established. Use of posaconazole in these age groups is supported by evidence from adequate and well-controlled studies of posaconazole in adults with additional data.
A total of 12 patients 13 to 17 years of age received 600 mg/day (200 mg three times a day) for prophylaxis of invasive fungal infections. The safety profile in these patients
A total of 16 patients 8 to 17 years of age were treated with 800 mg/day (400 mg twice a day or 200 mg four times a day) in a study for another indication. Based on pharmacokinetic data in 12 of these pediatric patients, the mean steady-state average posaconazole concentration (Cav) was similar between these patients and adults (≥18 years of age).
In the prophylaxis studies, the mean steady-state posaconazole average concentration (Cav) was similar among ten adolescents (13 to 17 years of age) and adults (≥18 years of age). This is consistent with pharmacokinetic data from another study in which mean steady-state posaconazole Cav from 12 adolescent patients (8–17 years of age) was similar to that in the adults (≥18 years of age).
Of the 605 patients randomized to posaconazole in the prophylaxis clinical trials, 63 (10%) were ≥65 years of age. In addition, 48 patients treated with ≥800-mg/day posaconazole in another indication were ≥65 years of age. No overall differences in safety were observed between the geriatric patients and younger patients; therefore, no dosage adjustment is recommended for geriatric patients.
The pharmacokinetics of posaconazole are comparable in young and elderly subjects (≥65 years of age). No adjustment in the dosage of Noxafil () is necessary in elderly patients (≥65 years of age) based on age.
No overall differences in the pharmacokinetics and safety were observed between elderly and young subjects during clinical trials, but greater sensitivity of some older individuals cannot be ruled out.
After a single oral dose of posaconazole 400 mg, the mean AUC was 43%, 27%, and 21% higher in subjects with mild (Child-Pugh Class A, N=6), moderate (Child-Pugh Class B, N=6), and severe (Child-Pugh Class C, N=6) hepatic insufficiency, respectively, compared to subjects with normal hepatic function (N=18). Compared to subjects with normal hepatic function, the mean Cwas 1% higher, 40% higher, and 34% lower in subjects with mild, moderate, and severe hepatic insufficiency, respectively. The mean apparent oral clearance (CL/F) was reduced by 18%, 36%, and 28% in subjects with mild, moderate, and severe hepatic insufficiency, respectively, compared to subjects with normal hepatic function. The elimination half-life (t½) was 27 hours, 39 hours, 27 hours, and 43 hours in subjects with normal hepatic function and mild, moderate, and severe hepatic insufficiency, respectively.
It is recommended that no dose adjustment of Noxafil () is needed in patients with mild to severe hepatic insufficiency (Child-Pugh Class A, B, and C) , and .
Noxafil () . Overdosage
During the clinical trials, some patients received posaconazole up to 1600 mg/day with no adverse reactions noted that were different from the lower doses. In addition, accidental overdose was noted in one patient who took 1200 mg BID for 3 days. No related adverse reactions were noted by the investigator.
Posaconazole is not removed by hemodialysis.
Noxafil () . Description
Noxafil () is a triazole antifungal agent available as a suspension for oral administration.
Posaconazole is designated chemically as 4-[4-[4-[4-[[ (3,5)-5- (2,4-difluorophenyl)tetrahydro-5- (1-1,2,4-triazol-1-ylmethyl)-3-furanyl]methoxy]phenyl]-1-piperazinyl]phenyl]-2-[ (1,2)-1-ethyl-2-hydroxypropyl]-2,4-dihydro-3-1,2,4-triazol-3-one with an empirical formula of CHFNO and a molecular weight of 700.8. The chemical structure is:
Posaconazole is a white powder and is insoluble in water.
Noxafil () Oral Suspension is a white, cherry-flavored immediate-release suspension containing 40 mg of posaconazole per mL and the following inactive ingredients: polysorbate 80, simethicone, sodium benzoate, sodium citrate dihydrate, citric acid monohydrate, glycerin, xanthan gum, liquid glucose, titanium dioxide, artificial cherry flavor, and purified water.
Noxafil () . Nonclinical Toxicology
No drug-related neoplasms were recorded in rats or mice treated with posaconazole for 2 years at doses higher than the clinical dose. In a 2-year carcinogenicity study, rats were given posaconazole orally at doses up to 20 mg/kg (females), or 30 mg/kg (males). These doses are equivalent to 3.9 or 3.5 times the exposure achieved with a 400-mg BID regimen, respectively, based on steady-state AUC in healthy volunteers administered a high-fat meal (400-mg BID regimen). In the mouse study, mice were treated at oral doses up to 60 mg/kg/day or 4.8 times the exposure achieved with a 400-mg BID regimen.
Posaconazole was not genotoxic or clastogenic when evaluated in bacterial mutagenicity (Ames), a chromosome aberration study in human peripheral blood lymphocytes, a Chinese hamster ovary cell mutagenicity study, and a mouse bone marrow micronucleus study.
Posaconazole had no effect on fertility of male rats at a dose up to 180 mg/kg (1.7 × the 400-mg BID regimen based on steady-state plasma concentrations in healthy volunteers) or female rats at a dose up to 45 mg/kg (2.2 × the 400-mg BID regimen).
Noxafil () . Clinical Studies
Two randomized, controlled studies were conducted using posaconazole as prophylaxis for the prevention of invasive fungal infections (IFIs) among patients at high risk due to severely compromised immune systems.
The first study (Study 1) was a randomized, double-blind trial that compared posaconazole oral suspension (200 mg three times a day) with fluconazole capsules (400 mg once daily) as prophylaxis against invasive fungal infections in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients with Graft versus Host Disease (GVHD). Efficacy of prophylaxis was evaluated using a composite endpoint of proven/probable IFIs, death, or treatment with systemic antifungal therapy (patients may have met more than one of these criteria). Study 1 assessed all patients while on study therapy plus 7 days and at 16 weeks post-randomization. The mean duration of therapy was comparable between the 2 treatment groups (80 days, posaconazole; 77 days, fluconazole). contains the results from Study 1.
The second study (Study 2) was a randomized, open-label study that compared posaconazole oral suspension (200 mg three times a day) with fluconazole suspension (400 mg once daily) or itraconazole oral solution (200 mg twice a day) as prophylaxis against IFIs in neutropenic patients who were receiving cytotoxic chemotherapy for acute myelogenous leukemia or myelodysplastic syndromes. As in Study 1, efficacy of prophylaxis was evaluated using a composite endpoint of proven/probable IFIs, death, or treatment with systemic antifungal therapy (Patients might have met more than one of these criteria). Study 2 assessed patients while on treatment plus 7 days and 100 days post-randomization. The mean duration of therapy was comparable between the two treatment groups (29 days, posaconazole; 25 days, fluconazole or itraconazole). contains the results from Study 2.
In summary, 2 clinical studies of prophylaxis were conducted. As seen in the accompanying tables ( and , clinical failure represented a composite endpoint of breakthrough IFI, mortality and use of systemic antifungal therapy. In Study 1 (), the clinical failure rate of posaconazole (33%) was similar to fluconazole (37%), (95% CI for the difference posaconazole–comparator -11.5% to 3.7%) while in Study 2 () clinical failure was lower for patients treated with posaconazole (27%) when compared to patients treated with fluconazole or itraconazole (42%), (95% CI for the difference posaconazole–comparator -22.9% to -7.8%).
All-cause mortality was similar at 16 weeks for both treatment arms in Study 1 [POS 58/301 (19%) vs. FLU 59/299 (20%)]; all-cause mortality was lower at 100 days for posaconazole-treated patients in Study 2 [POS 44/304 (14%) vs. FLU/ITZ 64/298 (21%)]. Both studies demonstrated substantially fewer breakthrough infections caused by species in patients receiving posaconazole prophylaxis when compared to patients receiving fluconazole or itraconazole.
Study 3 was a randomized, controlled, evaluator-blinded study in HIV-infected patients with oropharyngeal candidiasis. Patients were treated with posaconazole or fluconazole oral suspension (both posaconazole and fluconazole were given as follows: 100 mg twice a day for 1 day followed by 100 mg once a day for 13 days).
Clinical and mycological outcomes were assessed after 14 days of treatment and at 4 weeks after the end of treatment. Patients who received at least 1 dose of study medication and had a positive oral swish culture of species at baseline were included in the analyses (). The majority of the subjects had as the baseline pathogen.
Clinical success at Day 14 (complete or partial resolution of all ulcers and/or plaques and symptoms) and clinical relapse rates (recurrence of signs or symptoms after initial cure or improvement) 4 weeks after the end of treatment were similar between the treatment arms ().
Mycologic eradication rates (absence of colony forming units in quantitative culture at the end of therapy, Day 14), as well as mycologic relapse rates (4 weeks after the end of treatment) were also similar between the treatment arms (see ).
Mycologic response rates, using a criterion for success as a post-treatment quantitative culture with ≤20 colony forming units (CFU/mL) were also similar between the two groups (posaconazole 68.0%, fluconazole 68.1%). The clinical significance of this finding is unknown.
Study 4 was a noncomparative study of posaconazole oral suspension in HIV-infected subjects with OPC that was refractory to treatment with fluconazole or itraconazole. An episode of OPC was considered refractory if there was failure to improve or worsening of OPC after a standard course of therapy with fluconazole ≥ 100 mg/day for at least 10 consecutive days or itraconazole 200 mg/day for at least 10 consecutive days and treatment with either fluconazole or itraconazole had not been discontinued for more than 14 days prior to treatment with posaconazole. Of the 199 subjects enrolled in this study, 89 subjects met these strict criteria for refractory infection.
Forty-five subjects with refractory OPC were treated with posaconazole 400 mg BID for 3 days, followed by 400 mg QD for 25 days with an option for further treatment during a 3-month maintenance period. Following a dosing amendment, a further 44 subjects were treated with posaconazole 400 mg BID for 28 days. The efficacy of posaconazole was assessed by the clinical success (cure or improvement) rate after 4 weeks of treatment. The clinical success rate was 74.2% (66/89). The clinical success rates for both the original and the amended dosing regimens were similar (73.3% and 75.0%, respectively).
Noxafil () . How Supplied/storage And Handling
Supplied with each bottle is a plastic dosing spoon calibrated for measuring 2.5-mL and 5-mL doses.
Noxafil () . Patient Counseling Information
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