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
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Infusion Reactions: Infusion reactions, including anaphylaxis, can occur. Symptoms can
include headache, nausea, somnolence, dyspnea, fever, myalgia, rash, or palpitations. Infusion reactions were observed
in 9.3%, 7.4%, and 10.1% of patients treated with UPLIZNA during the randomized controlled periods (RCPs) of Study 1 in
patients with NMOSD, Study 2 in patients with IgG4-RD, and Study 3 in patients with gMG, respectively. 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.
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Infections: Serious, including life-threatening or fatal, bacterial, fungal, and new or
reactivated viral infections have been observed during and following completion of treatment with B-cell depleting
therapies, including UPLIZNA. The most common infections reported by UPLIZNA-treated patients in the NMOSD randomized
and open-label clinical trial periods for NMOSD were urinary tract infection (20%), nasopharyngitis (13%), upper
respiratory tract infection (8%), and influenza (7%). In the IgG4-RD RCP, the most common infections reported by
UPLIZNA-treated patients were urinary tract infection, influenza, and pneumonia. In the gMG RCP, the most common
infections reported by UPLIZNA-treated patients were urinary tract infection and nasopharyngitis. Delay UPLIZNA
administration in patients with an active infection until the infection is resolved.
Possible Increased Risk of Immunosuppressant Effects with Other Immunosuppressants: If combining UPLIZNA with
another immunosuppressive therapy, consider the potential for increased immunosuppressive effects.
Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Reactivation: HBV reactivation has been observed with B-cell-depleting therapies,
including UPLIZNA. Fulminant hepatitis, hepatic failure, and death caused by HBV reactivation have occurred in patients
treated with B-cell depleting therapies. HBV reactivation was observed in a patient treated with UPLIZNA during the gMG
clinical trial and in the postmarketing setting. Patients with active or 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 HBV confirmed by positive results for HBsAg and anti-HB tests. For patients who are negative for HBsAg and
positive for HBcAb, or who are carriers of HBV (i.e., 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.
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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.
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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
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The most common adverse reactions (at least 10% of patients treated with UPLIZNA and greater than placebo): urinary
tract infection and arthralgia in NMOSD; urinary tract infection and lymphopenia in IgG4-RD; headache and
infusion-related reactions in gMG.
INDICATIONS
UPLIZNA® is indicated in adult patients for the treatment
of: anti-aquaporin-4 (AQP4) antibody positive neuromyelitis optica
spectrum disorder (NMOSD); Immunoglobulin G4-related disease (IgG4-RD); anti-acetylcholine receptor (AChR) or
anti-muscle specific tyrosine kinase (MuSK) antibody positive (Ab+) generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG).
Please see UPLIZNA full
Prescribing
Information.
REFERENCE:
UPLIZNA®
(inebilizumab-cdon) prescribing information
Amgen.
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