EFLORNITHINE HYDROCHLORIDE
Brand names: iwilfin
Warnings
5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Myelosuppression: Monitor blood counts before and during treatment with IWILFIN. Withhold, reduce dose, or permanently discontinue based on severity. ( 5.1 ) Hepatotoxicity: Monitor liver function tests before and during treatment with IWILFIN. Withhold, reduce dose, or permanently discontinue based on severity. ( 5.2 ) Hearing Loss: Monitor hearing before and during treatment with IWILFIN. Withhold, reduce dose, or permanently discontinue based on severity. ( 5.3 ) Embryo-Fetal Toxicity: Can cause fetal harm. Advise females of reproductive potential of the potential risk to a fetus and to use effective contraception. ( 5.4 , 8.1 , 8.3 ) 5.1 Myelosuppression IWILFIN can cause myelosuppression. In the pooled safety population [see Adverse Reactions (6.1) ], Grade 3 or 4 neutropenia occurred in 4.2% of patients. Febrile neutropenia occurred in 0.6% of patients. Bone marrow failure occurred in 1 patient. Grade 3 or 4 thrombocytopenia occurred in 1.4% of patients. Grade 3 anemia occurred in 3.3% of patients. Monitor blood counts including neutrophil count, platelet count, and hemoglobin level prior to administration of IWILFIN and periodically during treatment. Withhold, reduce the dose, or permanently discontinue IWILFIN based on severity [see Dosage and Administration (2.4) ]. 5.2 Hepatotoxicity IWILFIN can cause hepatotoxicity. In the pooled safety population [see Adverse Reactions (6.1) ] , Grade 3 or 4 events of increased alanine aminotransferase (ALT) occurred in 11% of patients. Grade 3 or 4 events of increased aspartate aminotransferase (AST) occurred in 6% of patients. Grade 3 or 4 events of increased bilirubin occurred in 0.3% of patients. Increased ALT/AST leading to dose interruption or reduction occurred in 2.5% of patients. IWILFIN was discontinued due to increased ALT/AST in 0.6% of patients. Perform liver function tests (ALT, AST, and total bilirubin) prior to the start of IWILFIN, every month for the first six months of treatment, then once every 3 months or as clinically indicated, with more frequent testing in patients who develop transaminase or bilirubin elevations. Withhold and reduce the dose or permanently discontinue IWILFIN based on severity [see Dosage and Administration (2.4) and Adverse Reactions (6.1) ]. 5.3 Hearing Loss IWILFIN can cause hearing loss. In the pooled safety population [see Adverse Reactions (6.1) ] , 81% of patients had an abnormal audiogram at baseline. New or worsening hearing loss occurred in 13% of patients who received IWILFIN; hearing loss worsened from baseline to Grade 3 or 4 in 12% of patients. Tinnitus occurred in 1 patient. Hearing loss leading to dose interruption or reduction occurred in 4% of patients. New or worsening hearing loss requiring new use of hearing aids occurred in 7% of patients. IWILFIN was discontinued due to hearing loss in 1.4% of patients. Among all patients with new or worsening hearing loss during IWILFIN treatment, the hearing loss resolved to baseline in 9% of patients. Among 18 patients who experienced new or worsening hearing loss and had dose modifications, 67% (N=12) improved or resolved to baseline. Perform audiogram prior to initiation of therapy and at 6 month intervals, or as clinically indicated, to monitor for potential hearing loss. Withhold and reduce the dose or permanently discontinue IWILFIN based on severity [see Dosage and Administration (2.1 , 2.4) ]. 5.4 Embryo-Fetal Toxicity Based on findings from animal studies and its mechanism of action, IWILFIN can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. In animal reproduction studies, oral administration of eflornithine to pregnant rats and rabbits during the period of organogenesis resulted in embryolethality at doses equivalent to the recommended human dose. Advise pregnant women and females of reproductive potential of the potential risk to a fetus. Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with IWILFIN and for 1 week after the last dose. Advise males with female partners of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with IWILFIN and for 1 week after the last dose [see Use in Specific Populations (8.1 , 8.3) ].
Contraindications
4 CONTRAINDICATIONS None. None ( 4 )
Uses
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE IWILFIN (eflornithine) is indicated to reduce the risk of relapse in adult and pediatric patients with high-risk neuroblastoma (HRNB) who have demonstrated at least a partial response to prior multiagent, multimodality therapy including anti-GD2 immunotherapy. IWILFIN is an ornithine decarboxylase inhibitor indicated to reduce the risk of relapse in adult and pediatric patients with high-risk neuroblastoma (HRNB) who have demonstrated at least a partial response to prior multiagent, multimodality therapy including anti-GD2 immunotherapy. ( 1 )