IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION AND INDICATIONS
CONTRAINDICATIONS
UPLIZNA® (inebilizumab-cdon) is contraindicated in patients
with a history of a
life-threatening infusion reaction to UPLIZNA, active hepatitis B infection, or active or
untreated latent tuberculosis.
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
-
Infusion Reactions: Can cause infusion reactions,
including anaphylaxis. Symptoms
can include headache, nausea, somnolence, dyspnea, fever,
myalgia, rash, or palpitations. During the randomized clinical trial period (RCP),
infusion
reactions were observed with the first course of UPLIZNA in 9.3% of NMOSD patients.
Infusion reactions of UPLIZNA
were
observed in 7.4% of IgG4-RD patients during the RCP. Infusion reactions were most common
with the first infusion but
were also observed during subsequent infusions.
Administer pre-medication with a corticosteroid, an antihistamine, and an antipyretic.
For
life-threatening infusion reactions, immediately and permanently stop UPLIZNA and
administer
appropriate supportive treatment. For less severe infusion reactions, management may
involve
temporarily stopping the infusion, reducing the infusion rate, and/or administering
symptomatic treatment.
-
Infections: An increased risk of infections has been
observed with other
B-cell depleting therapies. The most common infections reported by UPLIZNA-treated
patients
in the NMOSD RCP and open-label clinical trial periods were urinary tract infection
(20%),
nasopharyngitis (13%), upper respiratory tract infection (8%), and influenza (7%). In
the
IgG4-RD RCP and open-label period, the most common infections reported by
UPLIZNA-treated
patients were upper respiratory tract infection (11%), nasopharyngitis (10%), urinary
tract
infection (9%), and influenza (6%). Delay UPLIZNA administration in patients with an
active
infection until the infection is resolved.
Possible Increased Risk of Immunosuppressant Effects with Other
Immunosuppressants:
UPLIZNA has not been studied in combination with other immunosuppressants. If combining
UPLIZNA with another immunosuppressive therapy, consider the potential for increased
immunosuppressive effects.
Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Reactivation: Risk of HBV reactivation has been observed
with
other B-cell depleting antibodies. There have been no cases of HBV reactivation in
patients
treated with UPLIZNA, but patients with chronic HBV infection were excluded from
clinical
trials. Perform HBV screening in all patients before initiation of treatment. Do not
administer to patients with active hepatitis. For patients who are chronic carriers of
HBV
[HBsAg+], consult liver disease experts before starting and during treatment.
Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML): Although no confirmed cases of
PML
were identified in UPLIZNA clinical trials, JC virus infection resulting in PML has been
observed in patients treated with other B-cell depleting antibodies and other therapies
that
affect immune competence. In UPLIZNA clinical trials one subject died following the
development of new brain lesions for which a definitive diagnosis could not be
established,
though the differential diagnosis included an atypical NMOSD relapse, PML, or acute
disseminated encephalomyelitis. At the first sign or symptom suggestive of PML, withhold
UPLIZNA and perform an appropriate diagnostic evaluation. MRI findings may be apparent
before clinical signs or symptoms. Typical symptoms associated with PML are diverse,
progress over days to weeks, and include progressive weakness on one side of the body or
clumsiness of limbs, disturbance of vision, and changes in thinking, memory, and
orientation
leading to confusion and personality changes.
Tuberculosis
Patients should be evaluated for tuberculosis risk factors and tested for latent
infection
prior to initiating UPLIZNA. Consider anti-tuberculosis therapy prior to initiation of
UPLIZNA in patients with a history of latent active tuberculosis in whom an adequate
course
of treatment cannot be confirmed, and for patients with a negative test for latent
tuberculosis but having risk factors for tuberculosis infection. Consult infectious
disease
experts regarding whether initiating anti-tuberculosis therapy is appropriate before
starting treatment.
Vaccinations
Administer all immunizations according to immunization guidelines at least 4 weeks prior
to
initiation of UPLIZNA. The safety of immunization with live or live-attenuated vaccines
following UPLIZNA therapy has not been studied, and vaccination with live-attenuated or
live
vaccines is not recommended during treatment and until B-cell repletion.
Vaccination of Infants Born to Mothers Treated with UPLIZNA During
Pregnancy
In infants of mothers exposed to UPLIZNA during pregnancy, do not administer live or
live-attenuated vaccines before confirming recovery of B-cell counts in the infant.
Depletion of B-cells in these exposed infants may increase the risks from live or
live-attenuated vaccines. Non-live vaccines, as indicated, may be administered prior to
recovery from B-cell and immunoglobulin level depletion, but consultation with a
qualified
specialist should be considered to assess whether a protective immune response was
mounted.
-
Reductions in Immunoglobulins: There may be a
progressive and prolonged
hypogammaglobulinemia or decline in the levels
of total and individual immunoglobulins such as immunoglobulins G and M (IgG and IgM)
with
continued UPLIZNA treatment.
Monitor the levels of quantitative serum immunoglobulins during treatment with UPLIZNA,
especially in patients with
opportunistic or recurrent infections, and until B-cell repletion after discontinuation
of
therapy. Consider
discontinuing UPLIZNA therapy if a patient with low immunoglobulin G or M develops a
serious
opportunistic infection or
recurrent infections, or if prolonged hypogammaglobulinemia requires treatment with
intravenous immunoglobulins.
-
Fetal Risk: Based on animal data, UPLIZNA can cause
fetal harm due to
B-cell lymphopenia and reduce antibody response in offspring exposed to UPLIZNA even
after
B-cell repletion. Transient peripheral B-cell depletion and lymphocytopenia have been
reported in infants born to mothers exposed to other B-cell depleting antibodies during
pregnancy. Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception while
receiving UPLIZNA and for at least 6 months after the last dose.
ADVERSE REACTIONS
-
The most common adverse reactions in NMOSD (at least 10% of patients treated with
UPLIZNA
and greater than placebo) were urinary tract infection and arthralgia.
-
The most common adverse reactions in IgG4-RD (at least 10% of patients treated with
UPLIZNA
and greater than placebo) were urinary tract infections and lymphopenia.
INDICATIONS
UPLIZNA® (inebilizumab-cdon) is
indicated for the treatment
of neuromyelitis optica
spectrum disorder (NMOSD) in adult patients who are anti-aquaporin-4 (AQP4) antibody
positive.
UPLIZNA® is indicated for the treatment of Immunoglobulin
G4-related disease (IgG4-RD) in adult patients.
Please see UPLIZNA full
Prescribing
Information.
REFERENCES:
1. UPLIZNA (inebilizumab-cdon) [prescribing information] Amgen.
2. Lin W, Jin L, Chen H, et al.
Arthritis
Res Ther.
2014;16(4):R118.
© 2025 Amgen Inc.
All rights reserved. USA-335-80148 05/25