Valganciclovir

1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE Valganciclovir for oral solution is a deoxynucleoside analogue cytomegalovirus (CMV) DNA polymerase inhibitor indicated for: Pediatric Patients ( 1.2 ) Prevention of CMV disease in kidney and heart transplant patients at high risk. 1.2 Pediatric Patients Prevention of CMV Disease: Valganciclovir is indicated for the prevention of CMV disease in kidney transplant patients (4 months to 16 years of age) and heart transplant patients (1 month to 16 years of age) at high risk [see Clinical Studies ( 14.2 )] .

12.1 Mechanism of Action Valganciclovir is an antiviral drug with activity against CMV [see Microbiology ( 12.4 )] .

2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Pediatric Dosage ( 2.3 ) Prevention of CMV disease in kidney transplant patients 4 months to 16 years of age Dose once a day within 10 days of transplantation until 200 days post-transplantation according to dosage algorithm (note the calculation of creatinine clearance using a modified Schwartz formula in children) Prevention of CMV disease in heart transplant patients 1 month to 16 years of age Dose once a day within 10 days of transplantation until 100 days post-transplantation according to dosage algorithm (note the calculation of creatinine clearance using a modified Schwartz formula in children) Valganciclovir for oral solution should be taken with food. ( 2.1 , 12.3 ) 2.1 General Dosing Information Valganciclovir for oral solution should be taken with food [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] . Valganciclovir for oral solution (50 mg/mL) must be prepared by the pharmacist prior to dispensing to the patient [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.4 )] . 2.3 Recommended Dosage in Pediatric Patients Prevention of CMV Disease in Pediatric Kidney Transplant Patients : For pediatric kidney transplant patients 4 months to 16 years of age, the recommended once daily mg dose (7 x BSA x CrCl) should start within 10 days of post-transplantation until 200 days post-transplantation. Prevention of CMV Disease in Pediatric Heart Transplant Patients : For pediatric heart transplant patients 1 month to 16 years of age, the recommended once daily mg dose (7 x BSA x CrCl) should start within 10 days of transplantation until 100 days post-transplantation. The recommended once daily dosage of valganciclovir for oral solution is based on body surface area (BSA) and creatinine clearance (CrCl) derived from a modified Schwartz formula, and is calculated using the equation below: Pediatric Dose (mg) = 7 x BSA x CrCl (calculated using a modified Schwartz formula). If the calculated Schwartz creatinine clearance exceeds 150 mL/min/1.73m 2 , then a maximum value of 150 mL/min/1.73m 2 should be used in the equation. The k values used in the modified Schwartz formula are based on pediatric patient age, as shown in Table 1. Table 1 k Values According to Pediatric Patient Age* k value Pediatric Patient Age 0.33 Infants less than 1 year of age with low birth weight for gestational age 0.45 Infants less than 1 year of age with birth weight appropriate for gestational age 0.45 Children aged 1 to less than 2 years 0.55 Boys aged 2 to less than 13 years Girls aged 2 to less than 16 years 0.7 Boys aged 13 to 16 years *The k values provided are based on the Jaffe method of measuring serum creatinine, and may require correction when enzymatic methods are used 1 . Monitor serum creatinine levels regularly and consider changes in height and body weight and adapt the dose as appropriate during prophylaxis period. All calculated doses should be rounded to the nearest 10 mg increment for the actual deliverable dose. The oral dispenser is graduated in 0.2 mL increments. A 50 mg dose is equivalent to 1 mL. If the calculated dose exceeds 900 mg, a maximum dose of 900 mg should be administered. Valganciclovir for oral solution is the preferred formulation since it provides the ability to administer a dose calculated according to the formula above. modified Schwartz formula 2.4 Preparation of Valganciclovir for Oral Solution Wearing disposable gloves is recommended during reconstitution and when wiping the outer surface of the bottle/cap and the table after reconstitution. Prior to dispensing to the patient, valganciclovir for oral solution must be prepared by the pharmacist as follows [see How Supplied/Storage and Handling ( 16 )] : Measure 91 mL of purified water in a graduated cylinder. Shake the valganciclovir bottle to loosen the powder. Remove the child resistant bottle cap and add approximately half the total amount of water for constitution to the bottle and shake the closed bottle well for about 1 minute. Add the remainder of water and s

6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following serious adverse reactions are discussed in greater detail in other sections of the labeling: Hematologic Toxicity [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 ) ]. Acute Renal Failure [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 ) ]. Impairment of Fertility [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )] . Fetal Toxicity [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 )] . Mutagenesis and Carcinogenesis [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5 )] . The most common adverse reactions and laboratory abnormalities reported in at least one indication by greater than or equal to 20% of adult patients treated with valganciclovir tablets are diarrhea, pyrexia, fatigue, nausea, tremor, neutropenia, anemia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, headache, insomnia, urinary tract infection, and vomiting. The most common reported adverse reactions and laboratory abnormalities reported in greater than or equal to 20% of pediatric solid organ transplant recipients treated with valganciclovir for oral solution or tablets are diarrhea, pyrexia, upper respiratory tract infection, urinary tract infection, vomiting, neutropenia, leukopenia, and headache. Adult patients: Most common adverse reactions and laboratory abnormalities (reported in at least one indication by greater than or equal to 20% of patients) are diarrhea, pyrexia, fatigue, nausea, tremor, neutropenia, anemia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, headache, insomnia, urinary tract infection, and vomiting. ( 6.1 ) Pediatric patients: Most common adverse reactions and laboratory abnormalities (reported in greater than or equal to 20% of pediatric solid organ transplant recipients) are diarrhea, pyrexia, upper respiratory tract infection, urinary tract infection, vomiting, neutropenia, leukopenia, and headache. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact contact AvKARE at 1-855-361-3993 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 rates observed in practice. Valganciclovir, a prodrug of ganciclovir, is rapidly converted to ganciclovir after oral administration. Adverse reactions known to be associated with ganciclovir usage can therefore be expected to occur with valganciclovir. Adverse Reactions in Adults: Treatment of CMV Retinitis in AIDS Patients : In a clinical study for the treatment of CMV retinitis in HIV-infected patients, the adverse reactions reported by patients receiving valganciclovir tablets (n=79) or intravenous ganciclovir (n=79) for 28 days of randomized therapy (21 days induction dose and 7 days maintenance dose), respectively, included diarrhea (16%, 10%), nausea (8%, 14%), and headache (9%, 5%). The incidence of adverse reactions was similar between the group who received valganciclovir tablets and the group who received intravenous ganciclovir. The frequencies of neutropenia (ANC less than 500/μL) were 11% for patients receiving valganciclovir tablets compared with 13% for patients receiving intravenous ganciclovir. Anemia (Hgb less than 8 g/dL) occurred in 8% of patients in each group. Other laboratory abnormalities occurred with similar frequencies in the two groups. Adverse reactions and laboratory abnormalities are available for 370 patients who received maintenance therapy with valganciclovir tablets 900 mg once daily in two open-label clinical trials. Approximately 252 (68%) of these patients received valganciclovir tablets for more than nine months (maximum duration was 36 months). Table 3 and Table 4 show pooled selected adverse reactions and abnormal laboratory values from these patients. Table 3 Pooled Selected Adverse Reactions Reported in greater than or equal to 5% of Patients who Received Valganciclovir Tablets Maintenance Therapy for CMV Retinitis Patients with CMV Retinitis Adverse Reactions accor

5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Acute renal failure: Acute renal failure may occur in elderly patients (with or without reduced renal function), patients who receive concomitant nephrotoxic drugs, or inadequately hydrated patients. Use with caution in elderly patients or those taking nephrotoxic drugs, reduce dosage in patients with renal impairment, and monitor renal function. ( 5.2 , 8.5 , 8.6 ) 5.1 Hematologic Toxicity Severe leukopenia, neutropenia, anemia, thrombocytopenia, pancytopenia, and bone marrow failure including aplastic anemia have been reported in patients treated with valganciclovir or ganciclovir. Valganciclovir for oral solution should be avoided if the absolute neutrophil count is less than 500 cells/μL, the platelet count is less than 25,000/μL, or the hemoglobin is less than 8 g/dL. Valganciclovir should also be used with caution in patients with pre-existing cytopenias and in patients receiving myelosuppressive drugs or irradiation. Cytopenia may occur at any time during treatment and may worsen with continued dosing. Cell counts usually begin to recover within 3 to 7 days after discontinuing drug. In patients with severe leukopenia, neutropenia, anemia and/or thrombocytopenia, treatment with hematopoietic growth factors may be considered. Due to the frequency of neutropenia, anemia, and thrombocytopenia in patients receiving valganciclovir [see Adverse Reactions ( 6.1 )] , complete blood counts with differential and platelet counts should be performed frequently, especially in infants, in patients with renal impairment, and in patients in whom ganciclovir or other nucleoside analogues have previously resulted in leukopenia, or in whom neutrophil counts are less than 1000 cells/μL at the beginning of treatment. Increased monitoring for cytopenias may be warranted if therapy with oral ganciclovir is changed to valganciclovir, because of increased plasma concentrations of ganciclovir after valganciclovir administration [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] . 5.2 Acute Renal Failure Acute renal failure may occur in: Elderly patients with or without reduced renal function. Caution should be exercised when administering valganciclovir to geriatric patients, and dosage reduction is recommended for those with impaired renal function [see Use in Specific Populations ( 8.5 , 8.6 )] . Patients receiving potential nephrotoxic drugs. Caution should be exercised when administering valganciclovir to patients receiving potential nephrotoxic drugs. Patients without adequate hydration. Adequate hydration should be maintained for all patients. 5.3 Impairment of Fertility Based on animal data and limited human data, valganciclovir at the recommended human doses may cause temporary or permanent inhibition of spermatogenesis in males, and may cause suppression of fertility in females. Advise patients that fertility may be impaired with use of valganciclovir [see Use in Specific Populations ( 8.1 , 8.3 ), Nonclinical Toxicology ( 13.1 )] . 5.4 Fetal Toxicity Ganciclovir may cause fetal toxicity when administered to pregnant women based on findings in animal studies. When given to pregnant rabbits at dosages resulting in 2 times the human exposure (based on AUC), ganciclovir caused malformations in multiple organs of the fetuses. Maternal and fetal toxicity were also observed in pregnant mice and rabbits. Therefore, valganciclovir has the potential to cause birth defects. Pregnancy should be avoided in female patients taking valganciclovir and in females with male partners taking valganciclovir. Females of reproductive potential should be advised to use effective contraception during treatment and for at least 30 days following treatment with valganciclovir because of the potential risk to the fetus. Similarly, males should be advised to use condoms during and for at least 90 days following treatment with valganciclovir [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.6 ), Use in Specific Populations ( 8.1 , 8.3 ), Nonclinical Toxicology ( 13.1 )

4 CONTRAINDICATIONS Valganciclovir for oral solution is contraindicated in patients who have had a demonstrated clinically significant hypersensitivity reaction (e.g., anaphylaxis) to valganciclovir, ganciclovir, or any component of the formulation [see Adverse Reactions ( 6.1 )]. Hypersensitivity to valganciclovir or ganciclovir. ( 4 )

10 OVERDOSAGE Experience with Valganciclovir Tablets: An overdose of valganciclovir could possibly result in increased renal toxicity [see Use in Specific Populations ( 8.6 )] . Because ganciclovir is dialyzable, dialysis may be useful in reducing serum concentrations in patients who have received an overdose of valganciclovir [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] . Adequate hydration should be maintained. The use of hematopoietic growth factors should be considered [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 ) and Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] . Reports of adverse reactions after overdoses with valganciclovir, some with fatal outcomes, have been received from clinical trials and during postmarketing experience. The majority of patients experienced one or more of the following adverse events: Hematological toxicity: myelosuppression including pancytopenia, bone marrow failure, leukopenia, neutropenia, granulocytopenia Hepatotoxicity: hepatitis, liver function disorder Renal toxicity: worsening of hematuria in a patient with pre-existing renal impairment, acute kidney injury, elevated creatinine Gastrointestinal toxicity: abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting Neurotoxicity: generalized tremor, seizure