Clozapine

2.1 Recommended Dosing

Candidemia and other Candida infections (intra-abdominal abscess, and peritonitis)

The recommended dose is a single 200 mg loading dose of ERAXIS on Day 1, followed by 100 mg daily dose thereafter. Duration of treatment should be based on the patient's clinical response. In general, antifungal therapy should continue for at least 14 days after the last positive culture.

Esophageal Candidiasis

The recommended dose is a single 100 mg loading dose of ERAXIS on Day 1, followed by 50 mg daily dose thereafter. Patients should be treated for a minimum of 14 days and for at least 7 days following resolution of symptoms. Duration of treatment should be based on the patient's clinical response. Because of the risk of relapse of esophageal candidiasis in patients with HIV infections, suppressive antifungal therapy may be considered after a course of treatment.

2.2 Preparation for Administration

ERAXIS for Injection must be reconstituted with sterile Water for Injection and subsequently diluted only with 5% Dextrose Injection, USP or 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP (normal saline). The compatibility of reconstituted ERAXIS with intravenous substances, additives, or medications other than 5% Dextrose Injection, USP or 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP (normal saline) has not been established.

Reconstitution 50 mg/vial

Aseptically reconstitute each 50 mg vial with 15 mL of sterile Water for Injection to provide a concentration of 3.33 mg/mL. The reconstituted solution can be stored for up to 24 hours at temperatures up to 25°C (77°F) prior to dilution into the infusion solution.

Reconstitution 100 mg/vial

Aseptically reconstitute each 100 mg vial with 30 mL of sterile Water for Injection to provide a concentration of 3.33 mg/mL. The reconstituted solution can be stored for up to 24 hours at temperatures up to 25°C (77°F) prior to dilution into the infusion solution.

2.3 Dilution and Infusion

Aseptically transfer the contents of the reconstituted vial(s) into the appropriately sized IV bag (or bottle) containing either 5% Dextrose Injection, USP or 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP (normal saline). See Table 1 for the dilution and infusion instructions for each dose.

Table 1: Dilution Requirements for ERAXIS Administration Dose Number of
Vials Required Total Reconstituted Volume Required Infusion Volume * Total Infusion Volume † Rate of Infusion Minimum Duration of Infusion
* Either 5% Dextrose Injection, USP or 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP (normal saline) † Infusion solution concentration is 0.77 mg/mL 50 mg 1–50 mg 15 mL 50 mL 65 mL 1.4 mL/min or
84 mL/ hour) 45 min
100 mg 2–50 mg or 1–100 mg 30 mL 100 mL 130 mL 1.4 mL/min or
84 mL/ hour) 90 min
200 mg 4–50 mg or 2–100 mg 60 mL 200 mL 260 mL 1.4 mL/min or
84 mL/ hour) 180 min

Caution: The rate of infusion should not exceed 1.1 mg/minute (equivalent to 1.4 mL/minute or 84 mL/hour when reconstituted and diluted per instructions) [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)].

The infusion solution may be stored for up to 48 hours at temperatures up to 25°C (77°F), or stored frozen for at least 72 hours prior to administration.

Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration, whenever solution and container permit. If particulate matter or discoloration is identified, discard the solution.

2.1 Required Laboratory Testing Prior to Initiation and During Therapy

Prior to initiating treatment with clozapine tablets, a baseline ANC must be obtained. The absolute neutrophil count (ANC) must be at least 1500/µL for the general population, and at least 1000/µL for patients with documented Benign Ethnic Neutropenia (BEN). To continue treatment, the ANC and WBC must be monitored regularly [see Warningsand Precautions (5.1)].

2.2 Dosing Information

The starting dose is 12.5 mg once daily or twice daily. The total daily dose can be increased in increments of 25 mg to 50 mg per day, if well-tolerated, to achieve a target dose of 300 mg to 450 mg per day (administered in divided doses) by the end of 2 weeks. Subsequently, the dose can be increased once weekly or twice weekly, in increments of up to 100 mg. The maximum dose is 900 mg per day. To minimize the risk of orthostatic hypotension, bradycardia, and syncope, it is necessary to use this low starting dose, gradual titration schedule, and divided dosages [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3)].

Clozapine tablets can be taken with or without food [see Pharmacokinetics (12.3)].

2.3 Maintenance Treatment

Generally, it is recommended that patients responding to clozapine tablets continue maintenance treatment on their effective dose beyond the acute episode.

2.4 Discontinuation of Treatment

Method of treatment discontinuation will vary depending on the patient’s last ANC:

See Tables 2 or 3 for appropriate ANC monitoring based on the level of neutropenia if abrupt treatment discontinuation is necessary because of moderate to severe neutropenia. Reduce the dose gradually over a period of 1 to 2 weeks if termination of clozapine tablets therapy is planned and there is no evidence of moderate to severe neutropenia. For abrupt clozapine discontinuation for a reason unrelated to neutropenia, continuation of the existing ANC monitoring is recommended for general population patients until their ANC is ≥1500/μL and for BEN patients until their ANC is ≥1000/μL or above their baseline. Additional ANC monitoring is required for any patient reporting onset of fever (temperature of 38.5°C or 101.3°F, or greater) during the 2 weeks after discontinuation [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1]. Monitor all patients carefully for the recurrence of psychotic symptoms and symptoms related to cholinergic rebound such as profuse sweating, headache, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
2.5 Re-Initiation of Treatment

When restarting clozapine tablets in patients who have discontinued clozapine tablets (i.e., 2 days or more since the last dose), re-initiate with 12.5-mg once daily or twice daily. This is necessary to minimize the risk of hypotension, bradycardia, and syncope [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3).] If that dose is well tolerated, the dose may be increased to the previously therapeutic dose more quickly than recommended for initial treatment.

2.6 Dosage Adjustments with Concomitant use of CYP1A2, CYP2D6, CYP3A4 Inhibitors or CYP1A2, CYP3A4 Inducers

Dose adjustments may be necessary in patients with concomitant use of: strong CYP1A2 inhibitors (e.g., fluvoxamine, ciprofloxacin, or enoxacin); moderate or weak CYP1A2 inhibitors (e.g., oral contraceptives, or caffeine); CYP2D6 or CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g., cimetidine, escitalopram, erythromycin, paroxetine, bupropion, fluoxetine, quinidine, duloxetine, terbinafine, or sertraline); CYP3A4 inducers (e.g., phenytoin, carbamazepine, St. John’s wort, and rifampin); or CYP1A2 inducers (e.g., tobacco smoking) (Table 1) [See Drug Interactions (7)].

2.7 Renal or Hepatic Impairment or CYP2D6 Poor Metabolizers

It may be necessary to reduce the clozapine tablets dose in patients with significant renal or hepatic impairment, or in CYP2D6 poor metabolizers [see Use in Specific Populations (8.6, 8.7)].

2.1  Dosing Information

The recommended dose is 8 mg orally once daily with a meal.

Patients who have difficulty swallowing pills and capsules may carefully open the RAPAFLO capsule and sprinkle the powder inside on a tablespoonful of applesauce.  The applesauce should be swallowed immediately (within 5 minutes) without chewing and followed with an 8 oz glass of cool water to ensure complete swallowing of the powder.  The applesauce used should not be hot, and it should be soft enough to be swallowed without chewing. Any powder/applesauce mixture should be used immediately (within 5 minutes) and not stored for future use.  Subdividing the contents of a RAPAFLO capsule is not recommended [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY (12.3)].

2.2  Dosage Adjustment in Special Populations

Renal impairment: RAPAFLO is contraindicated in patients with severe renal impairment (CCr < 30 mL/min). In patients with moderate renal impairment (CCr 30-50 mL/min), the dose should be reduced to 4 mg once daily taken with a meal. No dosage adjustment is needed in patients with mild renal impairment (CCr 50-80 mL/min) [see CONTRAINDICATIONS (4), WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS (5.2), USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS (8.6), and CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY (12.3)].

Hepatic impairment: RAPAFLO has not been studied in patients with severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh score > 10) and is therefore contraindicated in these patients. No dosage adjustment is needed in patients with mild or moderate hepatic impairment [see CONTRAINDICATIONS (4), WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS (5.3), USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS (8.7) and CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY (12.3)].                          

2.1 Administration

Do not administer as an intravenous push or bolus. Administer only as an intravenous (IV) infusion.

Do not initiate Avastin until at least 28 days following major surgery. Administer Avastin after the surgical incision has fully healed. First infusion: Administer infusion over 90 minutes. Subsequent infusions: Administer second infusion over 60 minutes if first infusion is tolerated; administer all subsequent infusions over 30 minutes if infusion over 60 minutes is tolerated. 2.2 Recommended Doses and Schedules

Patients should continue treatment until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.

Metastatic Colorectal Cancer (mCRC)

The recommended doses are 5 mg/kg or 10 mg/kg every 2 weeks when used in combination with intravenous 5-FU-based chemotherapy.

Administer 5 mg/kg when used in combination with bolus-IFL. Administer 10 mg/kg when used in combination with FOLFOX4. Administer 5 mg/kg every 2 weeks or 7.5 mg/kg every 3 weeks when used in combination with a fluoropyrimidine-irinotecan or fluoropyrimidine-oxaliplatin based chemotherapy regimen in patients who have progressed on a first-line Avastin-containing regimen.

Non-Squamous Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)

The recommended dose is 15 mg/kg every 3 weeks in combination with carboplatin and paclitaxel.

Glioblastoma

The recommended dose is 10 mg/kg every 2 weeks.

Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma (mRCC)

The recommended dose is 10 mg/kg every 2 weeks in combination with interferon alfa.

Cervical Cancer

The recommended dose of Avastin is 15 mg/kg every 3 weeks as an intravenous infusion administered in combination with one of the following chemotherapy regimens: paclitaxel and cisplatin, or paclitaxel and topotecan.

Platinum-Resistant Recurrent Epithelial Ovarian, Fallopian Tube or Primary Peritoneal Cancer

The recommended dose is 10mg/kg every 2 weeks in combination with one of the following intravenous chemotherapy regimens: paclitaxel, pegylated liposomal doxorubicin, or topotecan (weekly); or 15 mg/kg every 3 weeks in combination with topotecan (every 3 weeks).

2.3 Preparation for Administration

Use appropriate aseptic technique. Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration, whenever solution and container permit. Withdraw necessary amount of Avastin and dilute in a total volume of 100 mL of 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP. Discard any unused portion left in a vial, as the product contains no preservatives.

DO NOT ADMINISTER OR MIX WITH DEXTROSE SOLUTION.

2.4 Dose Modifications

There are no recommended dose reductions.

Discontinue Avastin for:

Gastrointestinal perforations (gastrointestinal perforations, fistula formation in the gastrointestinal tract, intra-abdominal abscess), fistula formation involving an internal organ [See Boxed Warning, Warnings and Precautions (5.1, 5.2).] Wound dehiscence and wound healing complications requiring medical intervention [See Warnings and Precautions (5.3).] Serious hemorrhage (i.e., requiring medical intervention) [See Boxed Warning, Warnings and Precautions (5.4).] Severe arterial thromboembolic events [See Warnings and Precautions (5.5).] Life-threatening (Grade 4) venous thromboembolic events, including pulmonary embolism [See Warnings and Precautions (5.6).] Hypertensive crisis or hypertensive encephalopathy [See Warnings and Precautions (5.7).] Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome (PRES) [See Warnings and Precautions (5.8).] Nephrotic syndrome [See Warnings and Precautions (5.9).]

Temporarily suspend Avastin for:

At least 4 weeks prior to elective surgery [See Warnings and Precautions (5.3).] Severe hypertension not controlled with medical management [See Warnings and Precautions (5.7).] Moderate to severe proteinuria [See Warnings and Precautions (5.9).] Severe infusion reactions [See Warnings and Precautions (5.10).]

    

Switching from a Previous Antipsychotic Therapy to Clozapine

It is generally recommended that clozapine tablets should not be used in combination with other antipsychotics. When clozapine tablet therapy is to be initiated in a patient undergoing oral antipsychotic therapy, it is recommended that the dosage of other antipsychotics be reduced or discontinued by gradually tapering it downwards. Based on the clinical circumstances, the prescribing physician should judge whether or not to discontinue the other antipsychotic therapy before initiating treatment with clozapine tablets.

Treatment-Resistant Schizophrenia

Upon initiation of clozapine tablet therapy, up to a one week supply of additional clozapine tablets may be provided to the patient to be held for emergencies (e.g., weather, holidays).

Initial Treatment

It is recommended that treatment with clozapine tablets begin with one-half of a 25 mg tablet (12.5 mg) once or twice daily and then be continued with daily dosage increments of 25 to 50 mg/day, if well tolerated, to achieve a target dose of 300 to 450 mg/day by the end of 2 weeks. Subsequent dosage increments should be made no more than once or twice weekly, in increments not to exceed 100 mg. Cautious titration and a divided dosage schedule are necessary to minimize the risks of hypotension, seizure, and sedation.

In the multicenter study that provides primary support for the effectiveness of clozapine in patients resistant to standard drug treatment for schizophrenia, patients were titrated during the first 2 weeks up to a maximum dose of 500 mg/day, on a t.i.d. basis, and were then dosed in a total daily dose range of 100 to 900 mg/day, on a t.i.d. basis thereafter, with clinical response and adverse effects as guides to correct dosing.

Therapeutic Dose Adjustment

Daily dosing should continue on a divided basis as an effective and tolerable dose level is sought. While many patients may respond adequately at doses between 300 to 600 mg/day, it may be necessary to raise the dose to the 600 to 900 mg/day range to obtain an acceptable response. (Note: In the multicenter study providing the primary support for the superiority of clozapine tablets in treatment-resistant patients, the mean and median clozapine tablet doses were both approximately 600 mg/day.)

Because of the possibility of increased adverse reactions at higher doses, particularly seizures, patients should ordinarily be given adequate time to respond to a given dose level before escalation to a higher dose is contemplated. Clozapine tablets can cause EEG changes, including the occurrence of spike and wave complexes. It lowers the seizure threshold in a dose-dependent manner and may induce myoclonic jerks or generalized seizures. These symptoms may be likely to occur with rapid dose increase and in patients with preexisting epilepsy. In this case, the dose should be reduced and, if necessary, anticonvulsant treatment initiated.

Dosing should not exceed 900 mg/day.

Because of the significant risk of agranulocytosis and seizure, events which both present a continuing risk over time, the extended treatment of patients failing to show an acceptable level of clinical response should ordinarily be avoided.

Maintenance Treatment

While the maintenance effectiveness of clozapine in schizophrenia is still under study, the effectiveness of maintenance treatment is well established for many other drugs used to treat schizophrenia. It is recommended that responding patients be continued on clozapine tablets, but at the lowest level needed to maintain remission. Because of the significant risk associated with the use of clozapine tablets, patients should be periodically reassessed to determine the need for maintenance treatment.

Discontinuation of Treatment

In the event of planned termination of clozapine tablet therapy, gradual reduction in dose is recommended over a 1 to 2 week period. However, should a patient’s medical condition require abrupt discontinuation (e.g., leukopenia), the patient should be carefully observed for the recurrence of psychotic symptoms and symptoms related to cholinergic rebound such as headache, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea (see PRECAUTIONS).

Reinitiation of Treatment in Patients Previously Discontinued

When restarting patients who have had even a brief interval off clozapine tablets, i.e., 2 days or more since the last dose, it is recommended that treatment be reinitiated with one-half of a 25 mg tablet (12.5 mg) once or twice daily (see WARNINGS). If that dose is well tolerated, it may be feasible to titrate patients back to a therapeutic dose more quickly than is recommended for initial treatment. However, any patient who has previously experienced respiratory or cardiac arrest with initial dosing, but was then able to be successfully titrated to a therapeutic dose, should be retitrated with extreme caution after even 24 hours of discontinuation.

Certain additional precautions seem prudent when reinitiating treatment. The mechanisms underlying clozapine induced adverse reactions are unknown. It is conceivable, however, that reexposure of a patient might enhance the risk of an untoward event’s occurrence and increase its severity. Such phenomena, for example, occur when immune mediated mechanisms are responsible. Consequently, during the reinitiation of treatment, additional caution is advised. Patients discontinued for WBC counts below 2000/mm3 or an ANC below 1000/mm3 must not be restarted on clozapine tablets. (See WARNINGS.)

Reducing the Risk of Recurrent Suicidal Behavior in Patients with Schizophrenia or Schizoaffective Disorder

The dosage and administration recommendations outlined above regarding the use of clozapine tablets in patients with treatment-resistant schizophrenia should also be followed when treating patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder at risk for recurrent suicidal behavior.

The InterSePT study demonstrated the efficacy of clozapine in treatment of patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder at risk for recurrent suicidal behavior where the mean daily dose was about 300 mg (range 12.5 mg to 900 mg).

Patients previously treated with other antipsychotics were cross-titrated to clozapine tablets over a one-month interval; the dose of the previous antipsychotic was gradually decreased simultaneous with a gradual increase in clozapine tablet dose over the first month of the study. Patients on depot antipsychotic medication began clozapine tablets after one full dosing interval since the last injection.

Recommendations to Reduce the Risk of Recurrent Suicidal Behavior in Patients Who Otherwise Previously Responded to Treatment of Schizophrenia or Schizoaffective Disorder with Another Antipsychotic Medication

The results of the InterSePT study demonstrated that, for a 2-year treatment period, the probability of a suicide attempt or a hospitalization due to imminent suicide risk is stable at approximately 24% after one year of treatment with clozapine tablets (Figure 1 Clinical Trial Data Section). A course of treatment with clozapine tablets of at least 2 years is therefore recommended in order to maintain the reduction of risk for suicidal behavior. After 2 years, it is recommended that the patient’s risk of suicidal behavior be assessed. If the physician’s assessment indicates that a significant risk for suicidal behavior is still present, treatment with clozapine tablets should be continued. Thereafter, the decision to continue treatment with clozapine tablets should be revisited at regular intervals, based on thorough assessments of the patient’s risk for suicidal behavior during treatment. If the physician determines that the patient is no longer at risk for suicidal behavior, treatment with clozapine tablets may be discontinued (see recommendations above regarding discontinuation of treatment) and treatment of the underlying disorder with an antipsychotic medication to which the patient has previously responded may be resumed.

2.1 Required Laboratory Testing Prior to Initiation and During Therapy

Prior to initiating treatment with clozapine tablets, obtain a complete blood count (CBC) with differential. The absolute neutrophil count (ANC) must be greater than or equal to 2000/mm3 and the WBC must be greater than or equal to 3500 mm3 in order to initiate treatment. To continue treatment, the ANC and WBC must be monitored regularly [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)].

2.2 Dosing Information

The starting dose is 12.5 mg once daily or twice daily. The total daily dose can be increased in increments of 25 mg to 50 mg per day, if well-tolerated, to achieve a target dose of 300 mg to 450 mg per day (administered in divided doses) by the end of 2 weeks. Subsequently, the dose can be increased once weekly or twice weekly, in increments of up to 100 mg. The maximum dose is 900 mg per day. To minimize the risk of orthostatic hypotension, bradycardia, and syncope, it is necessary to use this low starting dose, gradual titration schedule, and divided dosages [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3)].

Clozapine tablets can be taken with or without food [see Pharmacokinetics (12.3)].

2.3 Maintenance Treatment

Generally, it is recommended that patients responding to clozapine tablets continue maintenance treatment on their effective dose beyond the acute episode.

2.4 Discontinuation of Treatment

In the event of planned termination of clozapine tablets therapy, reduce the dose gradually over a period of 1 to 2 weeks. If abrupt discontinuation is necessary (because of agranulocytosis or another medical condition, for example), monitor carefully for the recurrence of psychotic symptoms and symptoms related to cholinergic rebound such as profuse sweating, headache, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

2.5 Re-Initiation of Treatment

When restarting clozapine tablets in patients who have discontinued clozapine tablets (i.e., 2 days or more since the last dose), re-initiate with 12.5 mg once daily or twice daily. This is necessary to minimize the risk of hypotension, bradycardia, and syncope [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3).] If that dose is well tolerated, the dose may be increased to the previously therapeutic dose more quickly than recommended for initial treatment.

2.6 Dosage Adjustments with Concomitant use of CYP1A2, CYP2D6, CYP3A4 Inhibitors or CYP1A2, CYP3A4 Inducers

Dose adjustments may be necessary in patients with concomitant use of: strong CYP1A2 inhibitors (e.g., fluvoxamine, ciprofloxacin, or enoxacin); moderate or weak CYP1A2 inhibitors (e.g., oral contraceptives, or caffeine); CYP2D6 or CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g., cimetidine, escitalopram, erythromycin, paroxetine, bupropion, fluoxetine, quinidine, duloxetine, terbinafine, or sertraline); CYP3A4 inducers (e.g., phenytoin, carbamazepine, St. John’s wort, and rifampin); or CYP1A2 inducers (e.g., tobacco smoking) (Table 1) [See Drug Interactions (7)].  

Table 1: Dose Adjustment in Patients Taking Concomitant Medications

Co-medications

Scenarios

Initiating clozapine tablets while taking a co-medication

Adding a co-medication while taking clozapine tablets

Discontinuing a co-medication while continuing clozapine tablets

Strong CYP1A2 Inhibitors

Use one third of the clozapine tablets dose.

Increase clozapine tablets dose based on clinical response.

Moderate or Weak CYP1A2 Inhibitors

Monitor for adverse reactions. Consider reducing the clozapine tablets dose if necessary.

Monitor for lack of effectiveness. Consider increasing clozapine tablets dose if necessary.

CYP2D6 or CYP3A4 Inhibitors

Strong CYP3A4 Inducers

Concomitant use is not recommended. However, if the inducer is necessary, it

may be necessary to increase the clozapine tablets dose. Monitor for decreased effectiveness.

Reduce clozapine tablets dose based on

clinical response.

Moderate or weak CYP1A2 or CYP3A4 Inducers

Monitor for decreased effectiveness. Consider increasing the clozapine tablets dose if necessary.

Monitor for adverse reactions. Consider reducing the clozapine tablets dose if necessary.

2.7 Renal or Hepatic Impairment or CYP2D6 Poor Metabolizers

It may be necessary to reduce the clozapine tablets dose in patients with significant renal or hepatic impairment, or in CYP2D6 poor metabolizers [see Use in Specific Populations (8.6, 8.7)].