Drug Reference

Palovarotene

Other drugs for disorders of the musculo-skeletal system

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Therapeutic class
Other drugs for disorders of the musculo-skeletal system
Action class
Retinoid
Chemical class
Retinoids
Habit forming
No
Availability
Prescription (Rx)

Brand names

Sohonos

Available as

1 MG · Oral Capsule1.5 MG · Oral Capsule10 MG · Oral Capsule2.5 MG · Oral Capsule5 MG · Oral Capsule

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

⚠ Boxed warning
WARNING: EMBRYO-FETAL TOXICITY and PREMATURE EPIPHYSEAL CLOSURE IN GROWING PEDIATRIC PATIENTS WARNING: EMBRYO-FETAL TOXICITY and PREMATURE EPIPHYSEAL CLOSURE IN GROWING PEDIATRIC PATIENTS See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning. SOHONOS is contraindicated in pregnancy ( 5.1 , 8.1 ) Because of the risk of teratogenicity and to minimize fetal exposure, SOHONOS is to be administered only if conditions for pregnancy prevention are met ( 5.1 , 8.1 ) SOHONOS causes premature epiphyseal closure in growing pediatric patients with FOP, close monitoring is recommended ( 5.2 , 8.4 ) Embryo-Fetal Toxicity SOHONOS is contraindicated in pregnancy. SOHONOS may cause fetal harm. Because of the risk of teratogenicity and to minimize fetal exposure, SOHONOS is to be administered only if conditions for pregnancy prevention are met [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) and Use in Specific Populations (8.1) ]. Premature Epiphyseal Closure Premature epiphyseal closure occurs in growing pediatric patients treated with SOHONOS, close monitoring is recommended [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) and Use in Specific Populations (8.4) ] .
Uses
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE SOHONOS is indicated for the reduction in volume of new heterotopic ossification in adults and pediatric patients aged 8 years and older for females and 10 years and older for males with fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP). SOHONOS is a retinoid indicated for reduction in the volume of new heterotopic ossification in adults and children aged 8 years and older for females and 10 years and older for males with fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP) ( 1 ).
How it works
12.1 Mechanism of Action In patients with FOP, abnormal bone formation, including heterotopic ossification (HO), is driven by a gain-of-function mutation in the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) type I receptor ALK2 (ACVR1). Palovarotene is an orally bioavailable retinoic acid receptor agonist, with particular selectivity at the gamma subtype of RAR. Through binding to RARγ, palovarotene decreases the BMP/ALK2 downstream signaling pathway by inhibiting the phosphorylation of SMAD1/5/8, which reduces ALK2/SMAD-dependent chondrogenesis and osteocyte differentiation resulting in reduced endochondral bone formation.
How to use / dosing
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Obtain a negative pregnancy test in females of reproductive potential before initiation of SOHONOS ( 2.1 ) Recommended dosage includes a chronic daily dose, which can be increased for flare-up symptoms ( 2.2 ) For adults and pediatric patients 14 years and older: Recommended dosage is 5 mg once daily, with an increase in dose at the time of a flare-up to 20 mg once daily for 4 weeks, followed by 10 mg once daily for 8 weeks for a total of 12 weeks (20/10 mg flare-up treatment) ( 2.2 ) For pediatric patients under 14 years: Weight-adjusted for daily and flare-up dosing. Recommended daily dosage range from 2.5 to 5 mg. Refer to Table 1 in Full Prescribing Information for complete pediatric dosing ( 2.2 ) Take SOHONOS with food preferably at same time each day ( 2.3 ). Reduce the dose in the event of adverse reactions as appropriate ( 2.4 ) See Full Prescribing Information for complete dosing instructions ( 2 ) 2.1 Pregnancy Testing Prior to Treatment with SOHONOS For females of reproductive potential, obtain a negative pregnancy test within one week prior to initiating and periodically during SOHONOS therapy . If pregnancy occurs, stop SOHONOS treatment immediately and refer patient to an obstetrician/gynecologist experienced in reproductive toxicity. [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) and Use in Specific Populations (8.1 , 8.3) ]. 2.2 Recommended Dosage and Duration Dosage Overview Take SOHONOS with food preferably at the same time each day [see Dosage and Administration (2.3) ] . The recommended dosing for SOHONOS includes a chronic daily dosage (daily dose) which can then be modified/increased in the event of FOP flare-up symptoms (flare-up dose). Initiate flare-up treatment at the onset of the first symptom indicative of a FOP flare-up or substantial high-risk traumatic event likely to lead to a flare-up (e.g., surgery, intramuscular immunization, mandibular blocks for dental procedures, muscle fatigue, blunt muscle trauma from bumps, bruises, falls, or influenza-like viral illnesses). Symptoms of a FOP flare-up typically include but are not limited to localized pain, soft tissue swelling/inflammation, redness, warmth, decreased joint range of motion, and stiffness. Recommended Dosage for Adults and Pediatric Patients 14 Years and Older Daily Dose: The recommended SOHONOS daily dosage for adults and pediatric patients 14 years and older is 5 mg daily. Stop daily dosing when flare-up dosing begins. Flare-up Dose: The recommended SOHONOS flare-up dosage for adults and pediatric patients 14 years and older is 20 mg daily for 4 weeks, followed by 10 mg daily for 8 weeks (for a total of 12 weeks of flare-up treatment), even if symptoms resolve earlier, then return to daily dosing of 5 mg. If during the course of flare-up treatment, the patient experiences marked worsening of the original flare-up site or another flare-up at a new location, restart the 12-week flare-up dosing at 20 mg daily. For flare-up symptoms that have not resolved at the end of the 12-week period, the 10 mg daily dosage may be extended in 4-week intervals and continued until the flare-up symptoms resolve. If new flare-up symptoms occur after the 5 mg daily dosing is resumed, flare-up dosing may be restarted. Recommended Dosage for Pediatric Patients Aged 8 to 13 Years for Females and Aged 10 to 13 Years for Males Daily Dose: The recommended SOHONOS daily dosage for patients under 14 years of age is weight-based ranging from 2.5 mg to 5 mg daily (see Table 1 ). Stop daily dosing when flare-up dosing begins. Flare-up Dose: The recommended flare-up SOHONOS dosage for patients under 14 years of age is weight-based (see Table 1 ). Administer the initial flare-up dosage once daily for 4 weeks, then administer the lower flare-up dosage once daily for 8 weeks (for a total of 12 weeks of flare-up treatment), even if symptoms resolve earlier, then return to daily dosing (see Table 1 ). If during the course of flare-up treatment, the patient
Side effects
6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following clinically significant adverse reactions are described elsewhere in the labeling: Premature Epiphyseal Closure in Growing Pediatric Patients [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] Mucocutaneous Adverse Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] Metabolic Bone Disorders [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] Psychiatric Disorders [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ] Night Blindness [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6) ] Most common adverse reactions (incidence ≥10%) are dry skin, lip dry, arthralgia, pruritus, pain in extremity, rash, alopecia, erythema, headache, back pain, skin exfoliation, nausea, musculoskeletal pain, myalgia, dry eye, hypersensitivity, peripheral edema, and fatigue ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact IPSEN Biopharmaceuticals, Inc at 1-855-463-5127 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 SOHONOS was evaluated in clinical studies that enrolled a total of 164 subjects with FOP, including 139 subjects in the indicated population of ages 8 years and above for females and 10 years and above for males (8/10 years and older). Most of these subjects received open label treatment with the chronic daily/flare-up regimen, consisting of 5 mg daily dosage of oral SOHONOS with a 20/10 mg dosage as needed for 12 weeks at the time of flare-up (4 weeks of 20 mg once daily followed by 10 mg once daily for 8 weeks), with all doses reduced by weight in subjects who were less than 90% skeletally mature. The mean duration of exposure was 79 weeks for chronic dosing (N=131 subjects) and 35 weeks for flare-up dosing (N=105 subjects). The mean age of these subjects was 19 years (range 8 to 61 years); 51% were male. Serious adverse reactions occurred in 21 (15%) SOHONOS treated subjects in the 8/10 years or older population with the most common serious adverse reaction being premature epiphyseal closure. Adverse reactions leading to permanent discontinuation occurred in 11 (8%) SOHONOS treated subjects with dry skin being the most common in 2 (1%) subjects. Mucocutaneous adverse reactions leading to dose reductions were more common during SOHONOS 20/10 mg flare-up treatment (37%) than during chronic treatment (4%). Table 5 below presents adverse reactions which occurred in at least 10% of FOP subjects 8/10 years and older during treatment with chronic or flare-up dosing. Table 5. Summary of Adverse Reactions Reported at greater than 10% Frequency in FOP Subjects 8/10 years and older in Clinical Trials Adverse Reaction Chronic 5 mg N=131 n (%) Flare-up dosing 20/10 mg N=105 n (%) Doses were reduced according to body weight in subjects who were less than 90% skeletally mature Dry skin 80 (61) 60 (57) Lip dry includes lip dry, chapped lips, cheilitis 62 (47) 40 (38) Arthralgia 47 (36) 32 (31) Pruritus includes pruritus, pruritus generalized, and rash pruritic 45 (34) 50 (48) Pain in extremity 38 (29) 29 (28) Rash includes rash, rash generalized, rash maculo-papular 36 (28) 31 (30) Alopecia 32 (24) 31 (30) Erythema includes erythema, generalized erythema, flushing, rash erythematous 25 (19) 34 (32) Headache includes headache and migraine 25 (19) 20 (19) Back pain includes back pain, flank pain, sciatica 22 (17) 12 (11) Skin exfoliation [skin peeling] 20 (15) 30 (29) Nausea 20 (15) 14 (13) Musculoskeletal pain 18 (14) 14 (13) Myalgia includes myalgia, musculoskeletal discomfort 15 (12) 9 (9) Dry eye 13 (10) 23 (22) Hypersensitivity includes drug eruption, hypersensitivity, pruritus allergic, drug hypersensitivity 13 (10) 21 (20) Peripheral edema includes peripheral swelling, edema peripheral 12 (9) 20 (19) Fatigue includes fatigue, lethargy, asthenia, malaise 7 (5) 12 (

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 SOHONOS is contraindicated during pregnancy. Based on the findings in animal studies and class effects of retinoids, SOHONOS can cause fetal harm when administered during pregnancy [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) and Use in Specific Populations (8.3) ] . In animal reproduction studies, oral administration of palovarotene to pregnant rats during the period of organogenesis resulted in multiple fetal malformations typical of retinoids (e.g., cleft palate, malformed skull bone, shortening of the long bones) at doses ≥0.25 mg/kg/day (less than the clinical exposure) (see Data ) . There are no available human data on SOHONOS use in pregnant women. If pregnancy occurs during treatment with SOHONOS, discontinue treatment immediately and refer the patient to an obstetrician/gynecologist or other specialist experienced in reproductive toxicity for further evaluation and counseling. Data Animal Data Palovarotene oral administration to pregnant rats during the period of organogenesis (gestation day 6 to 17) at doses of 0.01, 0.25 and 1.25 mg/kg/day resulted in fetal malformations consistent with retinoid-mediated embryopathy. Palovarotene exposure resulted in fetal external, visceral and skeletal malformations typical of retinoids, including defects in the mouth (cleft palate, protruding tongue), eye (anophthalmia, microphthalmia), skull (dilated cerebral ventricle, misshapen brain), skeleton (shortening of the long bones), blood vessels, kidney, and ureters at doses ≥ 0.25 mg/kg/day (less than the clinical exposure). The fetal toxicity was observed at maternal rat exposures well below the range of clinically relevant exposures.
BreastfeedingCaution
…8.2 Lactation Risk Summary There are no data available on the presence of palovarotene or its main metabolites in either animal or human milk, the effects on the breastfed infant, or on milk production.…
AlcoholNo information
No specific information in the FDA label.
DrivingUnsafe
…treated with SOHONOS ( 5.5 ) Night Blindness: May occur and make driving at night hazardous ( 5.6 ) 5.1 Embryo-Fetal Toxicity SOHONOS can cause fetal harm and is contraindicated during pregnancy.…
KidneyCaution
…brain), skeleton (shortening of the long bones), blood vessels, kidney, and ureters at doses ≥ 0.25 mg/kg/day (less than the clinical exposure).…
LiverNo information
No specific information in the FDA label.
Warnings & precautions
5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Premature Epiphyseal Closure: Premature epiphyseal closure occurred with SOHONOS. Assess baseline skeletal maturity before SOHONOS therapy and monitor linear growth in growing pediatric patients ( 5.2 ) Mucocutaneous Adverse Reactions: Dry skin, lip dry, pruritus, rash, alopecia, erythema, skin exfoliation, and dry eye occurred with SOHONOS. Prevent or treat with skin emollients, sunscreen, artificial tears. Dosage reduction may be required in some patients ( 2.4 , 5.3 ) Metabolic Bone Disorders: Decreased vertebral bone mineral content and bone density may occur. Assess for spinal fracture periodically using radiologic method ( 5.4 ) Psychiatric Disorders: Depression, anxiety, mood alterations and suicidal thoughts and behaviors occurred with SOHONOS. Contact healthcare provider if new or worsening symptoms develop in patients treated with SOHONOS ( 5.5 ) Night Blindness: May occur and make driving at night hazardous ( 5.6 ) 5.1 Embryo-Fetal Toxicity SOHONOS can cause fetal harm and is contraindicated during pregnancy. SOHONOS is a member of the retinoid class of drugs which is associated with birth defects in humans. In animal reproduction studies, palovarotene administered orally to pregnant rats during organogenesis was teratogenic and caused fetal malformations typical of retinoids including cleft palate, misshapen skull bones, and shortening of the long bones at clinically relevant exposures. For females of reproductive potential, verify that the patient is not pregnant prior to initiating treatment, periodically during the course of therapy and one month after treatment discontinuation. Advise females of reproductive potential to use an effective method of contraception at least one month prior to treatment, during treatment with SOHONOS and for 1 month after the last dose [see Use in Specific Populations (8.1 , 8.3) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ]. If a pregnancy occurs during SOHONOS treatment, discontinue treatment immediately and refer the patient to an obstetrician/gynecologist experienced in reproductive toxicity for further evaluation and counseling. Patients should be informed not to donate blood during SOHONOS therapy and for 1 week following discontinuation because the blood might be given to a pregnant patient whose fetus must not be exposed to palovarotene. 5.2 Premature Epiphyseal Closure in Growing Pediatric Patients SOHONOS can cause irreversible premature epiphyseal closure and potential adverse effects on growth. In clinical studies, premature epiphyseal closure occurred with SOHONOS treatment in growing pediatric patients with FOP [see Adverse Reactions (6.1) and Use in Specific Populations (8.4) ] . Monitoring of linear growth is recommended in growing pediatric patients [see Use in Specific Populations (8.4) ] . Prior to starting treatment with SOHONOS, all growing pediatric patients should undergo baseline assessment of skeletal maturity via hand/wrist and knee x-rays, standard growth curves and pubertal staging. Continued monitoring is recommended every 6 to 12 months until patients reach skeletal maturity or final adult height. If a patient exhibits signs of premature epiphyseal closure or adverse effects on growth based on clinical or radiologic evaluations, further evaluation may be required, including an assessment of the benefits and risks of continued treatment, or temporary or permanent discontinuation of SOHONOS until the patient achieves epiphyseal closure and skeletal maturity. 5.3 Mucocutaneous Adverse Reactions Mucocutaneous adverse reactions including dry skin, lip dry, pruritus, rash, alopecia, erythema, skin exfoliation [skin peeling], and dry eye occurred in most (98%) patients treated with SOHONOS. SOHONOS may contribute to an increased risk of skin and soft tissue infections, particularly paronychia and decubitus ulcer, due to a decreased skin barrier from adverse reactions such as dry and peeling skin [see Adverse Reactions (6.1) ] . Some of these mu
Contraindications
4 CONTRAINDICATIONS SOHONOS is contraindicated in the following patients: During Pregnancy [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) and Use in Specific Populations (8.1) ] . A history of allergy or hypersensitivity to retinoids, or to any component of SOHONOS. Anaphylaxis and other allergic reactions have occurred with other retinoids. [see Description (11) ]. Pregnancy ( 4 , 5.1 , 8.1 ) Hypersensitivity to retinoids or any component of SOHONOS ( 4 , 11 )

Pediatric use

8.4 Pediatric Use The safety and effectiveness of SOHONOS for the treatment of FOP have been established in pediatric patients aged 8 years and older for females and 10 years and older for males. Use of SOHONOS for this indication is supported by evidence from clinical studies in adults and pediatric subjects [see Clinical Studies (14) ] . The safety and effectiveness of SOHONOS for the treatment of FOP have not been established in pediatric patients less than 8 years of age in females and less than 10 years of age for males. SOHONOS is not recommended for use in patients younger than 8 years of age for females and 10 years of age for males because of the potential for premature epiphyseal closure. Clinical studies have shown that growing patients with open epiphyses are at risk of developing premature epiphyseal closure when treated with SOHONOS [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) , Adverse Reactions (6.1) and Clinical Studies (14.1) ] . Bone Safety In clinical studies with SOHONOS, assessments of growth and bone safety in growing children included linear and knee height, femur and tibia length measured by Whole-Body Computed Tomography (WBCT), and hand/wrist and knee radiographs. Premature epiphyseal closure has been identified as an irreversible serious risk associated with SOHONOS treatment. Premature epiphyseal closure was observed as early as 6 months after initiating therapy with the majority occurring at or after 12 months. In SOHONOS treated subjects there was a trend of declining height Z-scores in adolescent subjects, potentially due to a loss of linear height and/or increasing spinal deformity. The long-term effects on final height in subjects with FOP treated with SOHONOS have not been established. [see Adverse Reactions (6.1) ] . Monitoring Recommendation Prior to starting treatment with SOHONOS, all growing children should undergo baseline clinical and radiological assessments including but not limited to an assessment of skeletal maturity via hand/wrist and knee x-rays, standard growth curves and pubertal staging. Continued monitoring is recommended every 6-12 months until patients reach skeletal maturity (e.g., epiphyseal closure) or final adult height [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] . Juvenile Animal Data A juvenile animal study was conducted in juvenile rats given daily oral doses of palovarotene at 0.1, 0.5 or 1.2 mg/kg/day from Week 3 to Week 9 of age (prior to epiphyseal fusion). Palovarotene adversely affected skeletal growth and development including, reduction in bone size, abnormal bone shape and/or geometry, diffuse bone loss, and growth in general were affected at ≥ 0.5 mg/kg/day (less than the clinical exposure). As expected, physes were either widened due to an expanded zone of cartilage hypertrophy/maturation (sometimes accompanied by chondrodysplasia), narrowed, or partially/completely closed. In the proximal femur, avascular necrosis of the femoral head was observed accompanied with malformations and microfr

⚑ 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.

Interactions (label text — not an interaction checker)
7 DRUG INTERACTIONS CYP3A4 Inhibitors: May increase SOHONOS exposure. Avoid concomitant use of strong/moderate CYP3A4 inhibitors. If concomitant use of moderate CYP3A4 inhibitors is unavoidable, reduce the dose of SOHONOS by half ( 2.5 , 7.1 ) CYP3A4 Inducers: May decrease SOHONOS exposure. Avoid concomitant use of strong/moderate CYP3A4 inducers ( 7.1 ) Vitamin A: May cause additive effects ( 7.2 ) Tetracyclines: Avoid concomitant use with SOHONOS ( 7.3 ) Systemic Corticosteroids: No clinically significant drug interaction is expected with concomitant use of SOHONOS ( 7.4 ) 7.1 Effect of Other Drugs on SOHONOS Clinically significant drug interactions affecting the exposure of SOHONOS are listed in Table 6. Table 6. Drugs that affect exposure of SOHONOS. Strong CYP3A Inhibitors Clinical Impact Co-administration of SOHONOS with strong CYP3A4 inhibitors increased the exposures of palovarotene [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] , which may increase the risk of SOHONOS adverse reactions. Prevention or Management Avoid concomitant use of a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor during SOHONOS treatment [see Dosage and Administration (2.5) ] . Moderate CYP3A Inhibitors Clinical Impact Co-administration of SOHONOS with moderate CYP3A4 inhibitors may increase the exposure of palovarotene [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] , which may increase the risk of SOHONOS adverse reactions. Prevention or Management Avoid concomitant use of a moderate CYP3A4 inhibitor with SOHONOS, if possible. If co-administration will occur, reduce the SOHONOS dose by half when co-administered with moderate CYP3A inhibitors [see Dosage and Administration (2.5) ] . Strong CYP3A Inducers Clinical Impact Co-administration of SOHONOS with strong CYP3A4 inducers decreased the exposure of palovarotene [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] , which may reduce the effectiveness of SOHONOS. Prevention or Management Avoid concomitant use of strong CYP3A4 inducers with SOHONOS. [see Dosage and Administration (2.5) ] . Moderate CYP3A Inducers Clinical Impact Co-administration of moderate CYP3A4 inducers with palovarotene may decrease palovarotene exposure [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ], which may reduce the effectiveness of SOHONOS. Prevention or Management Avoid concomitant use of moderate CYP3A4 inducers with SOHONOS. 7.2 Vitamin A Palovarotene belongs to the same pharmacological class as vitamin A. Therefore, the use of both vitamin A and SOHONOS at the same time may lead to additive effects. Concomitant administration of vitamin A in doses higher than the recommended daily allowance (RDA) and/or other oral retinoids with SOHONOS must be avoided because of the risk of hypervitaminosis A. 7.3 Tetracyclines Systemic retinoid use has been associated with cases of benign intracranial hypertension (also called pseudotumor cerebri), some of which involved the concomitant use of tetracyclines. Avoid coadministration of SOHONOS with tetracycline derivatives [see Adverse Reactions (6.1) ] . 7.4 Systemic Corticosteroids No clinically significant drug-drug interaction is expected when SOHONOS is co-administered with prednisone [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] .
Overdose
10 OVERDOSAGE No clinical experience with an overdose of SOHONOS has been reported. SOHONOS is a derivative of vitamin A. In case of accidental overdose, signs of hypervitaminosis A could appear, including severe headache, nausea or vomiting, drowsiness, irritability and pruritus. Any overdose should be treated with supportive care according to the signs and symptoms exhibited by the patient.
Current FDA labels (DailyMed)

10 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.