For all indications, toxicities may warrant dosage adjustments [see Dosage and Administration (2.7)].
Administer in a facility equipped to manage possible complications (e.g. anaphylaxis).
2.1 Breast Cancer
•
For locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer after failure of prior chemotherapy, the recommended dose of Docetaxel Injection is 60 mg/m
2 to 100 mg/m
2 administered intravenously over 1 hour every 3 weeks.
•
For the adjuvant treatment of operable node-positive breast cancer, the recommended Docetaxel Injection dose is 75 mg/m
2 administered 1 hour after doxorubicin 50 mg/m
2 and cyclophosphamide 500 mg/m
2 every 3 weeks for 6 courses. Prophylactic G-CSF may be used to mitigate the risk of hematological toxicities
[see Dosage and Administration (2.7)].
2.2 Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
•
For treatment after failure of prior platinum-based chemotherapy, docetaxel was evaluated as monotherapy, and the recommended dose is 75 mg/m
2 administered intravenously over 1 hour every 3 weeks. A dose of 100 mg/m
2 in patients previously treated with chemotherapy was associated with increased hematologic toxicity, infection, and treatment-related mortality in randomized, controlled trials
[see Boxed Warning, Dosage and Administration (2.7), Warnings and Precautions (5), Clinical Studies (14)].
•
For chemotherapy-naïve patients, docetaxel was evaluated in combination with cisplatin. The recommended dose of Docetaxel Injection is 75 mg/m
2 administered intravenously over 1 hour immediately followed by cisplatin 75 mg/m
2 over 30-60 minutes every 3 weeks
[see Dosage and Administration (2.7)].
2.3 Prostate Cancer
•
For hormone-refractory metastatic prostate cancer, the recommended dose of Docetaxel Injection is 75 mg/m
2 every 3 weeks as a 1 hour intravenous infusion. Prednisone 5 mg orally twice daily is administered continuously
[
see Dosage
and Administration (2.7)].
2.4 Gastric Adenocarcinoma
•
For gastric adenocarcinoma, the recommended dose of Docetaxel Injection is 75 mg/m
2 as a 1 hour intravenous infusion, followed by cisplatin 75 mg/m
2, as a 1 to 3 hour intravenous infusion (both on day 1 only), followed by fluorouracil 750 mg/m
2 per day given as a 24-hour continuous intravenous infusion for 5 days, starting at the end of the cisplatin infusion. Treatment is repeated every three weeks. Patients must receive premedication with antiemetics and appropriate hydration for cisplatin administration
[see Dosage and Administration (2.7)].
2.5 Head and Neck Cancer
Patients must receive premedication with antiemetics, and appropriate hydration (prior to and after cisplatin administration). Prophylaxis for neutropenic infections should be administered. All patients treated on the docetaxel containing arms of the TAX323 and TAX324 studies received prophylactic antibiotics.
•
Induction chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy (TAX323)
For the induction treatment of locally advanced inoperable SCCHN, the recommended dose of Docetaxel Injection is 75 mg/m2 as a 1 hour intravenous infusion followed by cisplatin 75 mg/m2 intravenously over 1 hour, on day one, followed by fluorouracil as a continuous intravenous infusion at 750 mg/m2 per day for five days. This regimen is administered every 3 weeks for 4 cycles. Following chemotherapy, patients should receive radiotherapy. [see Dosage and Administration (2.7)].
•
Induction chemotherapy followed by
chemoradiotherapy
(TAX324)
For the induction treatment of patients with locally advanced (unresectable, low surgical cure, or organ preservation) SCCHN, the recommended dose of Docetaxel Injection is 75 mg/m2 as a 1 hour intravenous infusion on day 1, followed by cisplatin 100 mg/m2 administered as a 30-minute to 3 hour infusion, followed by fluorouracil 1000 mg/m2/day as a continuous infusion from day 1 to day 4. This regimen is administered every 3 weeks for 3 cycles. Following chemotherapy, patients should receive chemoradiotherapy [see Dosage and Administration (2.7)].
2.6 Premedication Regimen
All patients should be premedicated with oral corticosteroids (see below for prostate cancer) such as dexamethasone 16 mg per day (e.g., 8 mg twice daily) for 3 days starting 1 day prior to Docetaxel Injection administration in order to reduce the incidence and severity of fluid retention as well as the severity of hypersensitivity reactions [see Boxed Warning, Warnings and Precautions (5.4)].
For hormone-refractory metastatic prostate cancer, given the concurrent use of prednisone, the recommended premedication regimen is oral dexamethasone 8 mg, at 12 hours, 3 hours and 1 hour before the Docetaxel Injection infusion [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4)].
2.7 Dosage Adjustments During Treatment
Breast Cancer
Patients who are dosed initially at 100 mg/m2 and who experience either febrile neutropenia, neutrophils <500 cells/mm3 for more than 1 week, or severe or cumulative cutaneous reactions during Docetaxel Injection therapy should have the dosage adjusted from 100 mg/m2 to 75 mg/m2. If the patient continues to experience these reactions, the dosage should either be decreased from 75 mg/m2 to 55 mg/m2 or the treatment should be discontinued. Conversely, patients who are dosed initially at 60 mg/m2 and who do not experience febrile neutropenia, neutrophils <500 cells/mm3 for more than 1 week, severe or cumulative cutaneous reactions, or severe peripheral neuropathy during Docetaxel Injection therapy may tolerate higher doses. Patients who develop ≥grade 3 peripheral neuropathy should have Docetaxel Injection treatment discontinued entirely.
Combination Therapy with Docetaxel Injection in the Adjuvant Treatment of Breast Cancer
Docetaxel Injection in combination with doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide should be administered when the neutrophil count is ≥1,500 cells/mm3. Patients who experience febrile neutropenia should receive G-CSF in all subsequent cycles. Patients who continue to experience this reaction should remain on G-CSF and have their Docetaxel Injection dose reduced to 60 mg/ m2. Patients who experience grade 3 or 4 stomatitis should have their Docetaxel Injection dose decreased to 60 mg/ m2. Patients who experience severe or cumulative cutaneous reactions or moderate neurosensory signs and/or symptoms during Docetaxel Injection therapy should have their dosage of Docetaxel Injection reduced from 75 mg/m2 to 60 mg/m2. If the patient continues to experience these reactions at 60 mg/ m2, treatment should be discontinued.
Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Monotherapy with Docetaxel Injection for NSCLC treatment after failure of prior platinum-based chemotherapy
Patients who are dosed initially at 75 mg/m2 and who experience either febrile neutropenia, neutrophils <500 cells/mm3 for more than one week, severe or cumulative cutaneous reactions, or other grade 3/4 non-hematological toxicities during Docetaxel Injection treatment should have treatment withheld until resolution of the toxicity and then resumed at 55 mg/m2. Patients who develop ≥grade 3 peripheral neuropathy should have Docetaxel Injection treatment discontinued entirely.
Combination therapy with Docetaxel Injection for chemotherapy-naïve NSCLC
For patients who are dosed initially at Docetaxel Injection 75 mg/m2 in combination with cisplatin, and whose nadir of platelet count during the previous course of therapy is <25,000 cells/mm3, in patients who experience febrile neutropenia, and in patients with serious non-hematologic toxicities, the Docetaxel Injection dosage in subsequent cycles should be reduced to 65 mg/m2. In patients who require a further dose reduction, a dose of 50 mg/m2 is recommended. For cisplatin dosage adjustments, see manufacturers' prescribing information.
Prostate Cancer
Combination therapy with Docetaxel Injection for hormone-refractory metastatic prostate cancer
Docetaxel Injection should be administered when the neutrophil count is ≥1,500 cells/mm3. Patients who experience either febrile neutropenia, neutrophils <500 cells/mm3 for more than one week, severe or cumulative cutaneous reactions or moderate neurosensory signs and/or symptoms during Docetaxel Injection therapy should have the dosage of Docetaxel Injection reduced from 75 mg/m2 to 60 mg/ m2. If the patient continues to experience these reactions at 60 mg/m2, the treatment should be discontinued.
Gastric or Head and Neck Cancer
Docetaxel Injection in combination with cisplatin and fluorouracil in gastric cancer or head and neck cancer
Patients treated with Docetaxel Injection in combination with cisplatin and fluorouracil must receive antiemetics and appropriate hydration according to current institutional guidelines. In both studies, G-CSF was recommended during the second and/or subsequent cycles in case of febrile neutropenia, or documented infection with neutropenia, or neutropenia lasting more than 7 days. If an episode of febrile neutropenia, prolonged neutropenia or neutropenic infection occurs despite G-CSF use, the Docetaxel Injection dose should be reduced from 75 mg/m2 to 60 mg/m2. If subsequent episodes of complicated neutropenia occur the Docetaxel Injection dose should be reduced from 60 mg/m2 to 45 mg/m2. In case of grade 4 thrombocytopenia the Docetaxel Injection dose should be reduced from 75 mg/m2 to 60 mg/m2. Patients should not be retreated with subsequent cycles of Docetaxel Injection until neutrophils recover to a level >1,500 cells/mm3 and platelets recover to a level >100,000 cells/mm3. Discontinue treatment if these toxicities persist [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3)].
Recommended dose modifications for toxicities in patients treated with Docetaxel Injection in combination with cisplatin and fluorouracil are shown in Table 1.
Table 1 Recommended Dose Modifications for Toxicities in Patients Treated with Docetaxel Injection in Combination with Cisplatin and Fluorouracil
Toxicity
Dosage adjustment
Diarrhea grade 3
First episode: reduce fluorouracil dose by 20%.
Second episode: then reduce Docetaxel Injection dose by 20%.
Diarrhea grade 4
First episode: reduce Docetaxel Injection and fluorouracil doses by 20%.
Second episode: discontinue treatment.
Stomatitis/mucositis grade 3
First episode: reduce fluorouracil dose by 20%.
Second episode: stop fluorouracil only, at all subsequent cycles.
Third episode: reduce Docetaxel Injection dose by 20%.
Stomatitis/mucositis grade 4
First episode: stop fluorouracil only, at all subsequent cycles.
Second episode: reduce Docetaxel Injection dose by 20%.
Liver dysfunction:
In case of AST/ALT >2.5 to ≤5 × ULN and AP ≤2.5 × ULN, or AST/ALT >1.5 to ≤5 × ULN and AP >2.5 to ≤5 × ULN, Docetaxel Injection should be reduced by 20%.
In case of AST/ALT >5 × ULN and/or AP >5 × ULN Docetaxel Injection should be stopped.
The dose modifications for cisplatin and fluorouracil in the gastric cancer study are provided below:
Cisplatin dose modifications and delays
Peripheral neuropathy: A neurological examination should be performed before entry into the study, and then at least every 2 cycles and at the end of treatment. In the case of neurological signs or symptoms, more frequent examinations should be performed and the following dose modifications can be made according to NCIC-CTC grade:
•
Grade 2: Reduce cisplatin dose by 20%.
•
Grade 3: Discontinue treatment.
Ototoxicity: In the case of grade 3 toxicity, discontinue treatment.
Nephrotoxicity: In the event of a rise in serum creatinine ≥grade 2 (>1.5 × normal value) despite adequate rehydration, CrCl should be determined before each subsequent cycle and the following dose reductions should be considered (see Table 2).
For other cisplatin dosage adjustments, also refer to the manufacturers’ prescribing information.
Table 2 Dose Reductions for Evaluation of Creatinine Clearance
Creatinine clearance result before next cycle
Cisplatin dose next cycle
CrCl ≥60 mL/min
Full dose of cisplatin was given. CrCl was to be repeated before each treatment cycle.
CrCl between 40 and 59 mL/min
Dose of cisplatin was reduced by 50% at subsequent cycle. If CrCl was >60 mL/min at end of cycle, full cisplatin dose was reinstituted at the next cycle.
If no recovery was observed, then cisplatin was omitted from the next treatment cycle.
CrCl <40 mL/min
Dose of cisplatin was omitted in that treatment cycle only.
If CrCl was still <40 mL/min at the end of cycle, cisplatin was discontinued.
If CrCl was >40 and <60 mL/min at end of cycle, a 50% cisplatin dose was given at the next cycle.
If CrCl was >60 mL/min at end of cycle, full cisplatin dose was given at next cycle
CrCl = Creatinine clearance
Fluorouracil dose modifications and treatment delays
For diarrhea and stomatitis, see Table 1.
In the event of grade 2 or greater plantar-palmar toxicity, fluorouracil should be stopped until recovery. The fluorouracil dosage should be reduced by 20%.
For other greater than grade 3 toxicities, except alopecia and anemia, chemotherapy should be delayed (for a maximum of 2 weeks from the planned date of infusion) until resolution to grade ≤1 and then recommenced, if medically appropriate.
For other fluorouracil dosage adjustments, also refer to the manufacturers’ prescribing information.
Combination Therapy with Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors:
Avoid using concomitant strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g., ketoconazole, itraconazole, clarithromycin, atazanavir, indinavir, nefazodone, nelfinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir, telithromycin and voriconazole). There are no clinical data with a dose adjustment in patients receiving strong CYP3A4 inhibitors. Based on extrapolation from a pharmacokinetic study with ketoconazole in 7 patients, consider a 50% Docetaxel Injection dose reduction if patients require co-administration of a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor [see Drug Interactions (7), Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].
2.8 Administration Precautions
Docetaxel Injection is a cytotoxic anticancer drug and, as with other potentially toxic compounds, caution should be exercised when handling and preparing Docetaxel Injection solutions. The use of gloves is recommended. Please refer to [see How Supplied/Storage and Handling (16.3)].
If Docetaxel Injection or diluted solution for intravenous infusion should come into contact with the skin, immediately and thoroughly wash with soap and water. If Docetaxel Injection or diluted solution for intravenous infusion should come into contact with mucosa, immediately and thoroughly wash with water.
Contact of the Docetaxel Injection with plasticized PVC equipment or devices used to prepare solutions for infusion is not recommended. In order to minimize patient exposure to the plasticizer DEHP (di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate), which may be leached from PVC infusion bags or sets, the final Docetaxel Injection dilution for infusion should be stored in bottles (glass, polypropylene) or plastic bags (polypropylene, polyolefin) and administered through polyethylene-lined administration sets.
Docetaxel Injection requires dilution prior to administration. Please follow the preparation instructions provided below.
2.9 Preparation and Administration
Docetaxel Injection (10 mg/mL) requires NO prior dilution with a diluent and is ready to add to the infusion solution.
Dilution for Infusion
1.
Aseptically withdraw the required amount of
Docetaxel
Injection solution (10 mg
docetaxel
/mL) with a calibrated syringe and inject (as a single injection) into a 250 mL infusion bag or bottle of either 0.9% Sodium Chloride solution or 5% Dextrose solution to produce a final concentration of 0.3 to 0.74 mg/
mL.
If a dose greater than 200 mg of
Docetaxel
Injection is required, use a larger volume of the infusion vehicle so that a concentration of 0.74 mg/mL
Docetaxel
Injection is not exceeded.
2.
Thoroughly mix the infusion bag or bottle manually by gentle inversion and rotation in a controlled manner and avoid foaming. Shaking or vigorous agitation should be avoided during preparation and transportation to the patient for administration.
3.
As with all parenteral products,
Docetaxel
Injection should be inspected visually for particulate matter or discoloration prior to administration whenever the solution and container permit. If the
Docetaxel
Injection vial or diluted solution is not clear or appears to have precipitation, these should be discarded.
The Docetaxel Injection diluted solution for infusion should be administered intravenously as a 1-hour infusion under ambient room temperature below 25°C (77°F) and lighting conditions.
2.10 Stability
Docetaxel Injection infusion solution, if stored between 2°C and 25°C (36°F and 77°F) is stable for 4 hours in either 0.9% Sodium Chloride solution or 5% Dextrose solution. Use within 4 hours including storage and administration. Do not freeze infusion solution.