Adverse Reactions in 25% of Patients in Two Open-Label,
Uncontrolled Monotherapy Trials of ZAVESCA'
ZAVESCA, ,_
(miglustat) capsules
Incidence of Adverse Reaction
Study 1
(starting dose of
100 mg TM)
ZAVESCA® [miglustat] Capsules, 100mg
Patients Entered in Study (n)
Body System—Preferred Term
Brief Summary: Please see package insert for full prescribing
information.
Gastrointestinal System
INDICATION AND USAGE: ZAVESCA' is indicated for the treatment of
adult patients with mild to moderate type 1 Gaucher disease for whom
enzyme replacement therapy is not a therapeutic option (e.g., due to
constraints such as allergy, hypersensitivity, or poor venous access).
CONTRAINDICATIONS: ZAVESCA' is contraindicated in patients
who have demonstrated hypersensitivity to the active substance or
any of the excipients. Pregnancy Category X. Miglustat .may cause
fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. ZAVESCA' is
contraindicated in women who are or may become pregnant. If this
drug is administered to a woman with reproductive potential, the
patient should be apprised of the potential hazard to a fetus.
WARNINGS: Cases of peripheral neuropathy have been reported in
patients treated with ZAVESCA'. All patients undergoing ZAVESCA'
treatment should undergo baseline and repeat neurological evaluations
at approximately 6-month intervals. Patients who develop symptoms
such as numbness and tingling should have a careful re-assessment of
the risk/benefit of ZAVESCA' therapy and cessation of treatment may be
considered.
PRECAUTIONS: Tremor: Approximately 30% of patients have reported
tremor or exacerbation of existing tremor on treatment Tremor usually
began within the first month of therapy and in many cases resolved
between 1 to 3 months during treatment. Dose reduction may amelio-
rate the tremor usually within days but discontinuation of treatment
may sometimes be required. Diarrhea and Weight Loss: Diarrhea and
weight loss were common in clinical studies of patients treated with
ZAVESCA', approximately 85% and up to ,65% of treated patients,
respectively, reporting these conditions. Diarrhea appears to be the
. result of the disaccharidase inhibitory activity of ZAVESCA', with a
resultant osmotic diarrhea. It is unclear if weight loss results from the
diarrhea and associated gastrointestinal complaints, a decrease in
food intake, or a combination of these or other factors. The incidence
of diarrhea was noted to decrease over time with continued
ZAVESCA' treatment, and was noted to result in an increase in the use
of anti-diarrhea) medications, most commonly loperamide. Patients
may be instructed to avoid high carbohydrate content foods during
treatment with ZAVESCA' if they present with diarrhea. The incidence
of weight loss was most evident in the first 12 months of treatment.
Male Fertility: Male patients should maintain reliable contraceptive
methods while taking ZAVESCA'. Studies in the rat have shown that
miglustat adversely affects spermatogenesis and sperm parameters,
thereby reducing fertility. Until further information is available, it is
advised that before seeking to conceive, male patients should cease
ZAVESCA' and maintain reliable contraceptive methods for 3 months
thereafter.
Information for patients: Patients are advised to consult the
ZAVESCA' Patient Information section in the full prescribing informa
don on the safe use of ZAVESCA". Patients should be informed of the
potential risks and benefits of ZAVESCA' and of alternative modes of
therapy. Patients should be advised that diarrhea, gastrointestinal
complaints, and weight loss are common side effects of ZAVESCA'
therapy, and to adhere to dietary instructions. Patients should also be
advised to promptly report any numbness, pain, or burning in the
hands and feet and the development of tremor or worsening in an
existing tremor.
Drug Interactions: While co-administration of ZAVESCA' appeared to
increase the clearance of Cerezyme' (imiglucerase) by 70%, these
results are not conclusive because of the small number of subjects
studied and because patients took variable doses of Cerezyme.
Combination therapy with Cerezyme and ZAVESCA' is not indicated.
Miglustat does not inhibit or induce various substrates of CYP450
enzymes; consequently significant interactions are unlikely with drugs
that are substrates of CYP450 enzymes. Concomitant therapy with lop-
eramide during clinical trials did not appear to significantly after the
pharmacokinetics of ZAVESCA".
Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, and Impairment of Fertility: Long-term
studies in animals to evaluate the carcinogenic potential of miglustat
have not been conducted. Miglustat was not mutagenic or clasto
genic in a battery of in vitro and in vivo assays including the bacterial
reverse mutation (Ames), chromosomal aberration (inhuman lympho-
cytes), gene mutation in mammalian cells (Chinese hamster ovary),
and mouse micronucleus assays. Male rats, given 20 mg/kg/day
miglustat by oral gavage 14 days prior to mating, had decreased sper-
matogenesis with altered sperm morphology and motility and
decreased fertility. Decreased spermatogenesis was reversible fol-
lowing 6 weeks of drug withdrawal. A higher dose of 60 mg/kg/day
resulted in seminiferous tubule and testicular atrophy/degeneration
Female rats were given oral gavage doses of 20, 60, 180 mg/kg/day
beginning 14 days before mating and continuing through gestation.
Effects observed at 20 mg/kg/day included decreased corpora lutea,
increased post implantation loss, and decreased live births.
28
18
% of patients
reporting
% of patients
reporting
Diarrhea
89
89
Flatulence
29
44
Abdominal pain
18
Nausea
14
Vomiting
4
11
Bloating
0
6
Anorexia
7
0
Dyspepsia
7
0
Epigastric pain
not food related
0
6
39
67
Headache
21
22
Tremor
11
11
Dizziness
0
11
Cramps legs
4
11
Paresthesia
7
M DA Victory
Metabolic and Nutritional
Disorders
Weight decrease
Red Cross vote reflects decades
of lobbying and last-minute push.
Central and Peripheral
NervousSystem
Migraine
Rachel Silverman
Vision Disorders
Visual- disturbance
0
17
0
11
Jewish Telegraphic Agency
Musculoskeletal Disorders
Cramps
Platelet, Bleeding, and
Clotting Disorders
Thrombocytopenia
New York
7
Reproductive Disorders,
Female
Menstrual disorder
Open-Label Active-Controlled Study In an open-label, active-controlled
study, 36 adult type 1 Gaucher disease patients were treated
with ZAVESCA', Cerezyme, or ZAVESCA' + Cerezyme (Study 3).
Gastrointestinal adverse events and weight loss were commonly seen
in patients exposed to ZAVESCA". The Adverse Reactions by WHO body
system and preferred term occurring with an incidence of 5°/0, are
presented in the following table.
Adverse Reactions in 6% of Patients in Open-Label
Active-Controlled Study
Incidence of Adverse Reaction
ZAVESCA.
' alone
Patients Entered
in Study (n)
Body System –
Preferred Term
Cerezyme
alone
ZAVESCA.
+ Cerezyme
12
12
12
% of patients
reporting
`Y. of patients
% of patients
reporting
Gastrointestinal
System
reporting
.
Diarrhea
100
Abdominal pain
67
0
58
Flatulence
50
0
42
Constipation
8
0
25
Nausea
8
0
8
Mouth dry
8
0
0
Influenza-like
symptoms
0
0
0
8
8
Pain
Pain legs
0
0
8
0
83
Body as a Whole
Weakness generalized
17
Abdominal distension
8
Back pain
8
0
•
8
0
8
8
0
0
Abdominal distension
gaseous
8
0
0
Chills
0
0
8
'Heaviness in limbs
8
0
0
67
0
42
Metabolic and
Nutritional Disorders
Weight decrease
Central and Peripheral
Nervous System
Tremor
17
0
33
Dizziness
B
0
25
Cramps legs
8
0
0
Gait unsteady
8
0
0
Numbness localized
0
0
8
Shaking
0
0
8
Pregnancy: Category X. There are no adequate and well-controlled
studies of miglustat in pregnant women. ZAVESCA' should not be
used during pregnancy.
Appetite absent
0
0
Jitterines§
0
0
8
Memory loss
8
0
0
SPECIAL POPULATIONS: Labor and Delivery Studies in pregnant rats
exposed to ZAVESCA' during gestation through lactation are associ-
ated with dystocia and delayed parturition at systemic exposure 2
times the human therapeutic systemic exposure, based on body sur-
face area comparisons. Nursing Mothers: It is not known whether
miglustat is excreted in human milk. ZAVESCA' should not be used in
nursing mothers unless the potential benefit justifies the potential risk
to the infant A decision should be made whether to discontinue nurs-
ing or discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the
drug to the lactating woman. Pediatric Use: The safety and effective-
ness of ZAVESCA' have not been evaluated in patients under the age
of 18. The effects of ZAVESCA' on growth and development in children
have not been evaluated. Geriatric Use: Clinical studies of ZAVESCA'
did not include sufficient numbers of patients aged 65 and over. Other
reported clinical experience has not identified differences in respons-
es between elderly and younger patients. In general, dose selection
for an elderly patient should be cautious, usually starting at the low
end of the dosing range, reflecting the greater frequency of decreased
hepatic, renal, and cardiac function and of concomitant disease or
other drug therapy. Renal Impairment Miglustat is known to be sub-
stantially excreted by the kidney, and the risk of adverse reactions to
this drug may be greater in patients with impaired renal function. As a
result of this, dose reductions are recommended for those patients
with mild to moderate renal impairment, the reduction being depend-
ent upon the level of their creatinine clearance adjustment. For those
patients with severe renal impairment, treatment with miglustat is not
recommended. Since elderly patients are more likely to have
decreased renal function, care should be taken in dose selection, and
it may be useful to monitor renal function.
Vision Disorders
Eye abnormality
0
0
8
Visual disturbance
0
0
8
0
0
8
ADVERSE REACTIONS: The safety and tolerability of ZAVESCA' have
been evaluated in 80 adult type 1 Gaucher disease patients in two
open-label uncontrolled and one open-label active controlled trials. All
80 patients in the combined dataset from the clinical studies reported
at least one adverse event during their treatment period. Open-Label
Uncontrolled Monotherapy Trials: In two trials in adult type 1 Gaucher
disease patients treated with ZAVESCA' at a starting dose of 100 mg
three times daily for 12 months in 28 patients [Study 1), or at a dose of
50 mg three times daily for 6 months in 18 patients (Study 2), gastroin-
testinal events were observed in more than 80% of patients either at
the outset of treatment, or intermittently during treatment. Diarrhea
was observed in approximately 85% of patients. Weight loss has been
observed in up to 65% of patients. In the two open-label, uncontrolled
monotherapy trials, the Adverse Reactions by WHO body system and
preferred term occurring with an incidence of are presented in
the following table.
20
June 29 • 2006
iN
8
Reproductive
Disorders, Female
OVERDOSAGE: In the c inical development program fo ZAVESCA", no
patient experienced an overdose of study drug. However, ZAVESCA'
has been administered at doses of up to 3000 mg/day (approximately 10
times the recommended starting dose administered to Gaucher
patients) for up to six months in HIV-positive patients. Adverse events
observed in the HIV studies included granulocytopenia, dizziness, and
paresthesia. Leukopenia and neutropenia have also been observed in a
similar group of patients receiving 800 mg/day or above.
DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION: Therapy should be directed by physi-
cians who are knowledgeable in the management of Gaucher disease.
The recommended dose for the treatment of adult patients with type 1
Gaucher disease is one 100 mg capsule administered orally three times
a day at regular intervals. It may be necessary to reduce the dose to one
100 mg capsule once or twice a day in some patients for adverse
effects, such as diarrhea or tremor. In patients with mild renal impair-
ment (adjusted creatinine clearance 50-70 mL/min/1.73 rn' ► , ZAVESCA'
administration should commence at a dose of 100 mg twice per day. In
patients with moderate renal impairment (adjusted creatinine clear-
ance of 30-50 mi./min/1.73 rn 2 1, ZAVESCA' administration should com-
mence at a dose of one 100 mg capsule per day. Use of ZAVESCA' in
patients with severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance of <30
nit/min/1.73 in?) is not recommended.
HOW SUPPLIED: ZAVESCA' is supplied in hard gelatin capsules con-
taining 100 mg miglustat ZAVESCA' 100 mg capsules are white opaque
with "OGT 918 " printed in black on the cap and "100 " printed in black
on the body. ZAVESCA' 100 mg capsules are packed in blister cards.
Five blister cards of 18 capsules are supplied in each carton. NOC
66215-201-90: carton containing 90 capsules. NDC 66215-201-18: blister
card containing 18 capsules.
Rx only
STORAGE Store at 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F). Brief exposure to 15°C to
30°C (59°F to 86°F) permitted (see USP Controlled Room Temperature).
r k
© 2006 Actelion Pharmaceuticals US, Inc. All rights reserved.
ACTU ZAV JA 004 0506
I
sraers admission to the
International Red Cross and Red
Crescent movement last week was
the result of 58 years of aggressive, sus-
tained lobbying.
But it also was due to some last-min-
ute, behind-the-scenes maneuvering at
the Red Cross conference in Geneva.
The conference, which drew 192 Red
Cross states and 183 national emer-
gency relief societies, was convened to
determine if Israel's emergency servic-
es agency, Magen David Adom, should
be allowed to join the international
humanitarian organization.
The final vote was decisive: 237 in
favor of Magen David Adorn and 54
against, with 44 abstentions.
Previous attempts to gain entry had
been blocked by Arab and Islamic
countries, which latched onto the
agency's Star of David logo as a pretext
to reject the Israeli agency.
But that point of con-
tention was cleared up
in December, when a
neutral symbol — a red
crystal — was allowed.
That satisfied the last
condition Israel needed
to submit its member-
ship application to the
Red Cross, though Arab and Islamic
countries still did all they could to
block the move.
Reaching this point took decades
of work by major Jewish organiza-
tions, and the battle also played out in
Washington, where a number of legisla-
tors made it a priority issue.
The American Red Cross also played
a leading role in the campaign. Since
2000, the ARC has withheld $42 million
in dues, 25 percent of the international
federation's annual income.
But why did Magen David Adom
succeed now, after so many years of
failed attempts? Why couldn't the
Organization of the Islamic Conference
once again keep Israel out?
For one, Israel's admission was
linked to the admission of the
Palestinian Red Crescent Society, which
had been relegated to observer status
because of a statute admitting agencies
only from sovereign states. Changing
the statute to allow a simultaneous vote
on the Israeli and Palestinian agencies
may, in the end, have created more
votes for Israel.
The strategies employed by Arab
and Islamic nations may have also
contributed to the victory. Two nations
— Tunisia and Pakistan — tried
to pass an amendment challenging
Magen David Adom's jurisdiction in
areas Israel conquered during the 1967
Six-Day War, such as the Golan Heights
and West Bank.
That amendment was shot down
in a 191-72 vote, with 44 abstentions.
Stuart Jackson, chairman of American
Friends of Magen David Adom, called it
a "tactical mistake" for these countries
to focus on Middle East politics.
"The chairman said,`Look, we're not
in the political business," Jackson said,
paraphrasing a statement from the
conference's chairman, Mohammed al-
Hadid of Jordan. "We're in the business
of doing humanitarian work."
The strategy of challenging where
the Israeli relief agency can oper-
But why did Magen David
Adorn succeed now, after so
many years of failed attempts?
Psychiatric Disorders
Menstrual irregularity
World
Study 2
(50 mg TIDI
ACTELION
1117500
ate contradicted the position of the
Palestinian envoy, who argued for a
total rejection of the Israeli agency.
According to Jackson, the Palestinian
envoy even was willing to forgo admis-
sion of the Palestinian agency as long
as Magen David Adom didn't get in.
Jackson said that message met with
general disapproval. Another hitch
occurred with the memorandum of
understanding signed in November by
MDA and the Palestinian group.
After the ruling, Rabbi Danny Allen
of American Friends of Magen David
Adorn called it a "vote for humanity
over sectarian politics!'
"They have been made two equal
societies, trying to fix problems on the
ground;' said IRC spokesman Ian Piper.
"All of that really does matter — it
reinforces the credibility of these soci-
eties and their ability to do work!"
❑