Drug Reference

Donidalorsen

Drugs used in hereditary angioedema

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Therapeutic class
Drugs used in hereditary angioedema
Habit forming
No
Availability
Prescription (Rx)

Brand names

Dawnzera

Available as

0.8 ML

FDA label sections are from openFDA and may not reflect the most recent labeling — confirm against the current DailyMed label.

Uses
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE DAWNZERA™ is indicated for prophylaxis to prevent attacks of hereditary angioedema (HAE) in adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older. DAWNZERA is a prekallikrein directed antisense oligonucleotide indicated for prophylaxis to prevent attacks of hereditary angioedema (HAE) in adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older. ( 1 )
How it works
12.1 Mechanism of Action Donidalorsen is an ASO‑GalNAc conjugate that causes ribonuclease H1 (RNase H1)‑mediated degradation of PKK mRNA through binding to PKK mRNA, which results in reduced production of PKK protein. PKK is a pro‑enzyme for plasma kallikrein, which results in the release of bradykinin, a potent vasodilator causing swelling and pain in HAE. In patients with HAE, C1‑inhibitor (C1‑INH) deficiency or dysfunction leads to excessive plasma kallikrein activity, bradykinin generation, and angioedema attacks. Donidalorsen lowers PKK concentration, preventing excessive bradykinin production in patients with HAE.
How to use / dosing
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION The recommended dosage of DAWNZERA is 80 mg administered subcutaneously every 4 weeks. A dosage of 80 mg every 8 weeks may also be considered. ( 2.1 ) See full prescribing information for administration instructions. ( 2.2 ) 2.1 Recommended Dosage The recommended dosage of DAWNZERA is 80 mg administered subcutaneously every 4 weeks. A dosage of 80 mg administered subcutaneously every 8 weeks may be considered. Missed Dose(s) If a dose of DAWNZERA is missed, administer DAWNZERA as soon as possible. Resume treatment at the recommended dosing frequency from the date of the most recently administered dose. 2.2 Administration Instructions For subcutaneous use. DAWNZERA is intended for self-administration or administration by a caregiver. Prior to treatment initiation, train patients and/or caregivers on proper preparation and subcutaneous administration technique of DAWNZERA autoinjector [see Instructions for Use ] . Remove the single‑dose autoinjector from the refrigerator 30 minutes prior to the injection and allow to warm to room temperature. Do not use other warming methods. Inspect DAWNZERA visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration. The solution should appear clear and colorless to yellow. Do not use if cloudiness, particulate matter, or discoloration is observed prior to administration. Administer DAWNZERA subcutaneously into the abdomen or upper thigh region. The back of the upper arm can also be used as an injection site if a caregiver or healthcare provider administers the injection.
Side effects
6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following clinically significant adverse reactions are discussed elsewhere in the labeling: Risk of Hypersensitivity Reactions, Including Anaphylaxis [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] Most common adverse reactions (incidence ≥ 5%) are injection site reactions, upper respiratory tract infection, urinary tract infection, and abdominal discomfort. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Ionis Pharmaceuticals at 1-833-644-6647 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch . 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. The safety of DAWNZERA reflects the exposure in a total of 171 adult and pediatric patients 12 years and older with hereditary angioedema (HAE) from a placebo-controlled trial (OASIS-HAE) [see Clinical Studies (14) ] , and 2 other clinical studies. The average duration of DAWNZERA treatment exposure across the 3 clinical studies was 14 months. The safety data below is based on the 24-week multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (OASIS-HAE), in which patients received at least one subcutaneous dose of DAWNZERA 80 mg once every 4 weeks (n=45), DAWNZERA 80 mg once every 8 weeks (n=23), or matching placebo (n=22). Demographics of the patients in OASIS-HAE are summarized in Clinical Studies [see Clinical Studies (14) ] . Table 1 provides the most common adverse reactions with DAWNZERA with incidence ≥5% and more common than placebo. Table 1: Adverse Reactions with DAWNZERA with Incidence ≥5% and More Common than Placebo in Patients with HAE (OASIS-HAE) N = number of patients; n = number of patients experiencing the event; q4wks = every 4 weeks; q8wks = every 8 weeks. * Injection site reactions include: erythema, discoloration, pain, pruritus, induration, bruising, haematoma, hypersensitivity, swelling, reaction, and urticaria. † All injection site reactions were mild, nonserious, and the majority of them resolved without receiving any treatment. Adverse Reaction DAWNZERA Placebo (N=22) 80 mg q4wks (N=45) 80 mg q8wks (N=23) n (%) n (%) n (%) Injection site reactions*† 11 (24) 1 (4) 1 (5) Upper respiratory tract infection 4 (9) 2 (9) 1 (5) Urinary tract infection 4 (9) 2 (9) 0 Abdominal discomfort 3 (7) 0 0 Specific Adverse Reactions Hypersensitivity Reactions, Including Anaphylaxis In clinical trials, hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis, have occurred. Symptoms included generalized rash, dyspnea, chest pain, and peri-oral swelling. Laboratory Tests Decrease in Platelet Count : DAWNZERA can cause reductions in platelet count. In OASIS-HAE, the mean platelet count at baseline was 266,000/mm 3 for the DAWNZERA 80 mg every 4 weeks group, 265,000/mm 3 for the DAWNZERA 80 mg every 8 weeks group, and 245,000/mm 3 for the placebo group. The mean percent change in platelet count at Week 25 was -9.6% for the DAWNZERA 80 mg every 4 weeks group, -7.9% for the DAWNZERA 80 mg every 8 weeks group, and -1.4% for the placebo group. In OASIS-HAE and 2 other clinical studies no DAWNZERA-treated patient had a platelet count of <50,000/mm 3 , and there were no major bleeding events associated with a low platelet count. Increase in Liver Function Tests : Increases from baseline in liver enzymes (alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and gamma-glutamyl transferase) were observed with DAWNZERA use. The increased levels were generally below 3 times the upper limit of normal and stabilized. Discontinuations due to liver function test increases were infrequent.

Safety advice

Conservative summary derived from FDA labeling — defaults to “consult your doctor” unless the label is explicit. Not a substitute for your clinician’s advice.

PregnancyUnsafe
8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary There are no available data on DAWNZERA use in pregnant women to evaluate for a drug-associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage, or other adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. In animal reproduction studies, subcutaneous administration of donidalorsen or a pharmacologically active mouse‑specific surrogate in a combined fertility and embryo‑fetal development study in mice and a pre‑ and postnatal development study in mice with F0 parental doses up to 5 times the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD, 80 mg) on a body surface area (BSA, mg/m 2 ) basis did not result in any adverse effects on embryofetal development, or behavioral, fertility, and reproductive development in the F1 offspring. Donidalorsen does not cross the placental barrier (see Data) . The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population(s) is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2% to 4% and 15% to 20%, respectively. Data Animal Data In reproductive toxicity studies with donidalorsen, the unconjugated form was not detected (below the limit of quantitation) in fetal tissues. Donidalorsen does not cross the placental barrier. In a combined fertility and embryofetal development study, subcutaneous administration of donidalorsen (up to 10 mg/kg/week [2.5-times the MRHD on a BSA basis]) or a mouse‑specific surrogate (4 mg/kg/week) to male and female F0 mice weekly, prior to and during mating, and continuing every other day in females throughout the periods of implantation and organogenesis (Gestation Days 0 to 16), resulted in no adverse effects on embryofetal development. There was no evidence of maternal toxicity with doses up to 10 mg/kg/week. In a pre- and postnatal development study, subcutaneous administration of donidalorsen (up to 20 mg/kg/week [5-times the MRHD on a BSA basis]) or a mouse-specific surrogate (5 mg/kg/week) to F0 female mice every other day throughout pregnancy (from Gestation Day 6 to 18) and weekly throughout lactation (from Lactation Day 1 to 20) produced no adverse effects on behavioral, fertility, and reproductive development in the F1 offspring. There was no evidence of maternal toxicity with doses up to 20 mg/kg/week.
BreastfeedingConsult your doctor
…pregnancy (from Gestation Day 6 to 18) and weekly throughout lactation (from Lactation Day 1 to 20) produced no adverse effects on behavioral, fertility, and reproductive development in the F1 offspring.…
AlcoholNo information
No specific information in the FDA label.
DrivingNo information
No specific information in the FDA label.
KidneyNo information
No specific information in the FDA label.
LiverCaution
…8 USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS Hepatic Impairment: Use in patients with moderate and severe hepatic impairment is not recommended.…
Warnings & precautions
5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Hypersensitivity reactions including anaphylaxis have been reported following use of DAWNZERA. Advise patients to discontinue DAWNZERA and seek immediate medical attention if serious hypersensitivity reactions occur. ( 5.1 ) 5.1 Risk of Hypersensitivity Reactions, Including Anaphylaxis Hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis, have been reported in patients treated with DAWNZERA [see Adverse Reactions (6.1) ] . If signs and symptoms of serious hypersensitivity reactions occur, discontinue DAWNZERA and institute appropriate therapy.
Contraindications
4 CONTRAINDICATIONS DAWNZERA is contraindicated in patients with a history of serious hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis, to donidalorsen or any of the excipients in DAWNZERA [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) and Adverse Reactions (6) ] . History of serious hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis, to donidalorsen or any of the excipients in DAWNZERA.

Pediatric use

8.4 Pediatric Use The safety and effectiveness of DAWNZERA for prophylaxis to prevent attacks of HAE have been established in pediatric patients aged 12 years and older. Use of DAWNZERA for this indication is supported by evidence from an adequate and well‑controlled trial (OASIS-HAE) that included 7 pediatric patients (aged 12 to 17 years) who received DAWNZERA 80 mg subcutaneously every 4 weeks (n=4) or every 8 weeks (n=3). The safety and effectiveness of DAWNZERA in pediatric patients aged 12 years and older is extrapolated from adults from OASIS-HAE with support from pharmacokinetic analysis and pharmacodynamic response [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.2 , 12.3) and Clinical Studies (14) ] . No new safety signals were identified in pediatric patients aged 12 years and older who received DAWNZERA [see Adverse Reactions (6.1) ] . The safety and effectiveness of DAWNZERA have not been established in pediatric patients younger than 12 years of age.

⚑ About half of pediatric medication use is off-label and not described in FDA labels — absence of pediatric information does not mean a medicine is unused or unsafe in children. Confirm with your clinician.

Current FDA labels (DailyMed)

2 marketed products on record (RxNorm)

Reference only — not clinical advice. Verify against current FDA labeling and consult a licensed provider. About half of pediatric drug use is off-label and is not reflected in FDA labels; absence of pediatric information does not mean a medicine is unused or unsafe in children.