Drug Reference

Peramivir

Neuraminidase inhibitors

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Fact box

Therapeutic class
Neuraminidase inhibitors
Action class
Neuraminidase Inhibitor
Mechanism
Neuraminidase Inhibitors
Habit forming
No
Availability
Prescription (Rx)

Brand names

Rapivab

Available as

20 ML · Injection

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 RAPIVAB is indicated for the treatment of acute uncomplicated influenza in patients 6 months and older who have been symptomatic for no more than 2 days. RAPIVAB is an influenza virus neuraminidase inhibitor indicated for the treatment of acute uncomplicated influenza in patients 6 months and older who have been symptomatic for no more than two days. ( 1 ) Limitations of Use : Efficacy based on clinical trials in which the predominant influenza virus type was influenza A; a limited number of subjects infected with influenza B virus were enrolled. ( 1 ) Consider available information on influenza drug susceptibility patterns and treatment effects when deciding whether to use. ( 1 ) Efficacy could not be established in patients with serious influenza requiring hospitalization. ( 1 ) Limitations of Use : Efficacy of RAPIVAB is based on clinical trials of naturally occurring influenza in which the predominant influenza infections were influenza A virus; a limited number of subjects infected with influenza B virus were enrolled. Influenza viruses change over time. Emergence of resistance substitutions could decrease drug effectiveness. Other factors (for example, changes in viral virulence) might also diminish clinical benefit of antiviral drugs. Prescribers should consider available information on influenza drug susceptibility patterns and treatment effects when deciding whether to use RAPIVAB [see Microbiology (12.4) ]. The efficacy of RAPIVAB could not be established in patients with serious influenza requiring hospitalization [see Clinical Studies (14.3) ].
How it works
12.1 Mechanism of Action Peramivir is an antiviral drug with activity against influenza virus [see Microbiology (12.4) ].
How to use / dosing
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Administer RAPIVAB as a single dose within 2 days of onset of influenza symptoms ( 2.1 ) Administer RAPIVAB by intravenous infusion for a minimum of 15 minutes ( 2.1 ) Recommended Dosage Single Dose Adults and adolescents (13 years and older) 600 mg Pediatric patients (6 months to 12 years of age) 12 mg/kg (up to 600 mg) Recommended Dosage Adjustments in Patients with Altered Creatinine Clearance Creatinine Clearance (mL/min) ≥50 30-49 10-29 a Up to maximum dose of 600 mg. Adults and adolescents (13 years and older) 600 mg 200 mg 100 mg Pediatric patients a (2 to 12 years of age) 12 mg/kg 4 mg/kg 2 mg/kg No recommendation for dosage adjustment can be made for pediatric patients 6 months to less than 2 years of age with creatinine clearance less than 50 mL/min ( 2.2 ) Hemodialysis: Administer after dialysis ( 2.2 ) RAPIVAB must be diluted prior to administration ( 2.3 ) See the Full Prescribing Information for drug compatibility information ( 2.4 ) 2.1 Dosage in Acute Uncomplicated Influenza Administer RAPIVAB within 2 days of onset of symptoms of influenza. Adults and Adolescents (13 years of age and older) The recommended dosage of RAPIVAB in adult and adolescent patients 13 years of age and older with acute uncomplicated influenza is a single 600 mg dose, administered via intravenous infusion for 15 to 30 minutes. Pediatric Patients (6 months to 12 years of age) The recommended dosage of RAPIVAB in pediatric patients 6 months to 12 years of age with acute uncomplicated influenza is a single 12 mg/kg dose (up to a maximum dose of 600 mg), administered via intravenous infusion for 15 to 30 minutes. 2.2 Dosing in Patients with Renal Impairment Significantly increased drug exposures were observed when RAPIVAB was administered to adult subjects with renal dysfunction [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . Therefore, the RAPIVAB dosage should be reduced for patients with baseline creatinine clearance below 50 mL/min using the recommendations in Table 1 and Table 2. No dosage adjustment is required for single administration of RAPIVAB in patients with creatinine clearance of 50 mL/min or higher [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . In patients with chronic renal impairment maintained on hemodialysis, RAPIVAB should be administered after dialysis at a dose adjusted based on renal function (Table 1 and Table 2) [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . Table 1. Dosage Adjustment for Adults and Adolescents (13 Years and Older) with Altered Creatinine Clearance Creatinine Clearance a (mL/min) ≥50 30 to 49 10 to 29 a Calculated using the Cockcroft and Gault equation. Recommended Dose (mg) 600 mg 200 mg 100 mg Table 2. Dosage Adjustment for Pediatric Patients (2 to 12 Years of Age) with Altered Creatinine Clearance Creatinine Clearance a (mL/min) ≥50 30 to 49 10 to 29 a Calculated using the Cockcroft and Gault equation. b Up to maximum dose of 600 mg. Recommended Dose (mg/kg) b 12 mg/kg 4 mg/kg 2 mg/kg No data are available to inform a recommendation for dosage adjustment with RAPIVAB in pediatric patients 6 months to less than 2 years of age with creatinine clearance less than 50 mL/min [see Use in Specific Populations (8.4 , 8.6) , Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . 2.3 Preparation of RAPIVAB for Intravenous Infusion Use aseptic technique during the preparation of RAPIVAB to prevent inadvertent microbial contamination. There is no preservative or bacteriostatic agent present in the solution. Follow the steps below to prepare a diluted solution of RAPIVAB: (a) Do not use if seal over bottle opening is broken or missing. (b) Visually inspect RAPIVAB for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration. (c) Dilute an appropriate dose of RAPIVAB 10 mg/mL solution [see Dosage and Administration (2.1 , 2.2) ] in 0.9% or 0.45% sodium chloride, 5% dextrose, or lactated Ringer's. The maximum infusion volume is provided in Table 3. The final concentration of diluted RAPIVAB for administration should be between 1
Side effects
6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following adverse reactions are discussed in other sections of the labeling: Serious skin and hypersensitivity reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] Neuropsychiatric events [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] Most common adverse reaction (incidence >2%) is diarrhea. ( 6 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc. at 1-833-633-2279 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. Adverse Reactions in Adults (18 years of age and older) In 5 randomized, double-blind, controlled trials, 1,399 subjects with acute uncomplicated influenza received a single dose of RAPIVAB, administered intravenously or intramuscularly, at doses up to 600 mg. Among the 664 subjects receiving RAPIVAB 600 mg (intravenous or intramuscular), the most commonly observed adverse reaction was diarrhea, occurring at a rate of 8% versus 7% in subjects receiving placebo. No subject receiving RAPIVAB 600 mg experienced a serious adverse event and <1% discontinued study because of an adverse reaction. Clinically significant laboratory abnormalities (DAIDS Grades 2 to 4) listed in Table 4 occurred more frequently in subjects treated with RAPIVAB 600 mg (intravenous or intramuscular) than placebo. Only events occurring at ≥2% are included. Table 4: Laboratory Abnormalities Occurring in ≥2% of Subjects Treated with RAPIVAB 600 mg Laboratory Parameter Abnormality a RAPIVAB 600 mg Placebo a Frequencies based on treatment-emergent laboratory abnormalities. Alanine Aminotransferase (>2.5 × ULN) (n = 654) 3% (n = 430) 2% Serum Glucose (>160 mg/dL) (n = 660) 5% (n = 433) 3% Creatine Phosphokinase (≥6.0 × ULN) (n = 654) 4% (n = 431) 2% Neutrophils (<1.000 ×10 9 /L) (n = 654) 8% (n = 430) 6% In a subset of subjects with serious influenza requiring hospitalization treated with RAPIVAB 600 mg as monotherapy (n = 101), the following adverse reactions were also reported more frequently with RAPIVAB as compared to placebo: constipation (4% versus 2%), insomnia (3% versus 0%), AST increased (3% versus 2%), and hypertension (2% versus 0%). Adverse Reactions in Adolescent and Pediatric Subjects (6 months to 17 years of age) Assessment of adverse reactions is based on a randomized, active-controlled study in which 130 adolescent and pediatric subjects ages 6 months to 17 years of age with acute uncomplicated influenza received open-label treatment with a single dose of RAPIVAB (n = 107), or 5 days of treatment with oseltamivir (n = 23) [see Use in Specific Populations (8.4) , Clinical Studies (14.2) ] . The safety profile of RAPIVAB in subjects 6 months to 17 years of age was generally similar to that observed in adults. The only adverse reaction reported in pediatric subjects treated with RAPIVAB (occurring in ≥2% of subjects) and not reported in adults was vomiting (3% versus 9% for oseltamivir). The only clinically significant laboratory abnormality (DAIDS Grade 2) occurring in ≥2% of pediatric subjects treated with RAPIVAB (and not previously reported in adults) was proteinuria by dipstick analysis (3% versus 0% for oseltamivir). 6.2 Postmarketing Experience The following additional adverse reactions have been identified during postapproval use of RAPIVAB. Because postmarketing reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. Dermatologic: Stevens-Johnson syndrome, exfoliative dermatitis, rash [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] . General Disorders and Administration Site Conditions: Anaphylactic/anaphylactoid reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] . Psychiatric: Abnormal

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 Limited available data with RAPIVAB use in pregnant women are insufficient to determine a drug-associated risk of adverse developmental outcomes. There are risks to the mother and fetus associated with influenza in pregnancy [see Clinical Considerations ] . In animal reproduction studies, no adverse developmental effects were observed in rats when peramivir was administered by intravenous bolus injection during organogenesis at the maximum feasible dose, resulting in systemic drug exposures (AUC) approximately 8 times those in humans at the recommended dose. However, when peramivir was administered to rats by continuous intravenous infusion during the same gestation period, fetal abnormalities of reduced renal papilla and dilated ureters were observed. In rabbits, administration of peramivir during organogenesis at exposures 8 times those in humans at the recommended dose resulted in developmental toxicity (abortion or premature delivery) at a maternally toxic dose [see Data ] . The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population 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. Clinical Considerations Disease-Associated Maternal and/or Embryo/Fetal Risk Pregnant women are at higher risk of severe complications from influenza, which may lead to adverse pregnancy and/or fetal outcomes including maternal death, stillbirths, birth defects, preterm delivery, low birthweight, and small for gestational age. Data Animal Data Reproductive toxicity studies have been performed in rats and rabbits. In rats, peramivir was administered once daily by intravenous bolus injection at doses of 200, 400, and 600 mg/kg/day on Gestational Days 6 to 17. No treatment-related fetal toxicities were observed when peramivir was administered by intravenous bolus injection at the maximum feasible dose of 600 mg/kg, resulting in exposures approximately 8 times those in humans at the recommended dose. Peramivir was also administered by continuous intravenous infusion to rats at daily doses of 50, 400, and 1000 mg/kg/day on Gestational Days 6 to 17. Dose related increases in the incidence of fetal abnormalities of reduced renal papilla and dilated ureters were observed at 400 and 1000 mg/k
BreastfeedingConsult your doctor
…of 50, 200, 400, and 600 mg/kg/day on Gestational Day 6 through Lactation Day 20.…
AlcoholNo information
No specific information in the FDA label.
DrivingNo information
No specific information in the FDA label.
KidneyConsult your doctor
…2.2 Dosing in Patients with Renal Impairment Significantly increased drug exposures were observed when RAPIVAB was administered to adult subjects with renal dysfunction [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] .…
LiverNo information
No specific information in the FDA label.
Warnings & precautions
5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Cases of anaphylaxis and serious skin/hypersensitivity reactions such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome and erythema multiforme have occurred with RAPIVAB. Discontinue RAPIVAB and initiate appropriate treatment if anaphylaxis or serious skin reaction occurs or is suspected. ( 5.1 ) Neuropsychiatric events: Patients with influenza may be at an increased risk of hallucinations, delirium, and abnormal behavior early in their illness. Monitor for signs of abnormal behavior. ( 5.2) 5.1 Serious Skin/Hypersensitivity Reactions Rare cases of serious skin reactions, including erythema multiforme, have been reported with RAPIVAB in clinical studies and in postmarketing experience. Cases of anaphylaxis and Stevens-Johnson syndrome have been reported in postmarketing experience with RAPIVAB. Discontinue RAPIVAB and institute appropriate treatment if anaphylaxis or a serious skin reaction occurs or is suspected. The use of RAPIVAB is contraindicated in patients with known serious hypersensitivity or anaphylaxis to RAPIVAB [see Contraindications (4) , Adverse Reactions (6.2) ]. 5.2 Neuropsychiatric Events Influenza can be associated with a variety of neurologic and behavioral symptoms that can include events such as hallucinations, delirium, and abnormal behavior, in some cases resulting in fatal outcomes. These events may occur in the setting of encephalitis or encephalopathy but can occur in uncomplicated influenza as well. There have been postmarketing reports of delirium and abnormal behavior leading to injury in patients with influenza who were receiving neuraminidase inhibitors, including RAPIVAB. Because these events were reported voluntarily during clinical practice, estimates of frequency cannot be made, but they appear to be uncommon. These events were reported primarily among pediatric patients and often had an abrupt onset and rapid resolution. The contribution of RAPIVAB to these events has not been established. Patients with influenza should be closely monitored for signs of abnormal behavior. 5.3 Risk of Bacterial Infections There is no evidence for efficacy of RAPIVAB in any illness caused by agents other than influenza viruses. Serious bacterial infections may begin with influenza-like symptoms or may coexist with or occur as complications during the course of influenza. RAPIVAB has not been shown to prevent such complications. Prescribers should be alert to the potential for secondary bacterial infections and treat with antibiotics as appropriate.
Contraindications
4 CONTRAINDICATIONS RAPIVAB is contraindicated in patients with known serious hypersensitivity or anaphylaxis to peramivir or any component of the product. Severe allergic reactions have included anaphylaxis, erythema multiforme, and Stevens-Johnson syndrome [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] . Patients with known serious hypersensitivity or anaphylaxis to peramivir or any component of RAPIVAB ( 4 )

Pediatric use

8.4 Pediatric Use The safety and effectiveness of RAPIVAB for the treatment of influenza has been established in pediatric patients 6 months to 17 years of age. Use of RAPIVAB for this indication is supported by evidence from adequate and well-controlled trials of RAPIVAB in adults with additional data from Study 305, a randomized, active-controlled trial of 130 adolescent and pediatric subjects with acute uncomplicated influenza who received open-label treatment with a single dose of RAPIVAB or 5 days of treatment with oseltamivir administered within 48 hours of onset of symptoms of influenza [see Dosage and Administration (2.1 , 2.2 , 2.3) , Adverse Reactions (6.1) , Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) , Clinical Studies (14.2) ]. Study 305 included: 13 to 17 years of age: 21 subjects treated with RAPIVAB 600 mg 6 months to 12 years of age: 86 subjects treated with RAPIVAB 12 mg/kg (up to a maximum dose of 600 mg) Safety and effectiveness of RAPIVAB in pediatric patients less than 6 months of age have not been established. No data are available for RAPIVAB use in pediatric patients 6 months to less than 2 years with creatinine clearance <50 mL/min to inform a recommendation for dosage adjustment [see Dosage and Administration (2.2) , Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] .

⚑ 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 This section describes clinically relevant drug interactions with RAPIVAB. Drug-drug interaction studies are described elsewhere in the labeling [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ]. Live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV), intranasal: Avoid use of LAIV within 2 weeks before or 48 hours after administration of RAPIVAB, unless medically indicated ( 7.1 ) 7.1 Influenza Vaccines Inactivated influenza vaccine can be administered at any time relative to use of RAPIVAB. For live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV), antiviral drugs may inhibit viral replication and thus may reduce vaccine efficacy. The concurrent use of RAPIVAB with LAIV intranasal has not been evaluated. Because of the potential for interference between these two products, avoid use of LAIV within 2 weeks before or 48 hours after administration of RAPIVAB unless medically indicated.
Overdose
10 OVERDOSAGE There is no human experience of acute overdosage with RAPIVAB. Treatment of overdosage with RAPIVAB should consist of general supportive measures including monitoring of vital signs and observation of the clinical status of the patient. There is no specific antidote for overdose with RAPIVAB. RAPIVAB is cleared by renal excretion and can be cleared by hemodialysis.
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.