Drug Detail:Renflexis (Infliximab-abda)
Drug Class: TNF alfa inhibitors
Highlights of Prescribing Information
RENFLEXIS (infliximab-abda) for injection, for intravenous use
Initial U.S. Approval: 2017
RENFLEXIS (infliximab-abda) is biosimilar* to REMICADE (infliximab). (1)
WARNING: SERIOUS INFECTIONS and MALIGNANCY
See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning.
- Increased risk of serious infections leading to hospitalization or death, including tuberculosis (TB), bacterial sepsis, invasive fungal infections (such as histoplasmosis) and infections due to other opportunistic pathogens.
- Discontinue RENFLEXIS if a patient develops a serious infection.
- Perform test for latent TB; if positive, start treatment for TB prior to starting RENFLEXIS. Monitor all patients for active TB during treatment, even if initial latent TB test is negative. (5.1)
- Lymphoma and other malignancies, some fatal, have been reported in children and adolescent patients treated with tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blockers, including infliximab products.
- Postmarketing cases of fatal hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma (HSTCL) have been reported in patients treated with TNF blockers including infliximab products. Almost all had received azathioprine or 6- mercaptopurine concomitantly with a TNF-blocker at or prior to diagnosis. The majority of cases were reported in patients with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, most of whom were adolescent or young adult males. (5.2)
Recent Major Changes
Dosage and Administration (2.11) | 01/2022 |
Indications and Usage for Renflexis
RENFLEXIS is a tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blocker indicated for:
Crohn's Disease:
- reducing signs and symptoms and inducing and maintaining clinical remission in adult patients with moderately to severely active disease who have had an inadequate response to conventional therapy. (1.1)
- reducing the number of draining enterocutaneous and rectovaginal fistulas and maintaining fistula closure in adult patients with fistulizing disease. (1.1)
Pediatric Crohn's Disease:
- reducing signs and symptoms and inducing and maintaining clinical remission in pediatric patients with moderately to severely active disease who have had an inadequate response to conventional therapy. (1.2)
Ulcerative Colitis:
- reducing signs and symptoms, inducing and maintaining clinical remission and mucosal healing, and eliminating corticosteroid use in adult patients with moderately to severely active disease who have had an inadequate response to conventional therapy. (1.3)
Pediatric Ulcerative Colitis:
- reducing signs and symptoms and inducing and maintaining clinical remission in pediatric patients with moderately to severely active disease who have had an inadequate response to conventional therapy. (1.4)
Rheumatoid Arthritis in combination with methotrexate:
- reducing signs and symptoms, inhibiting the progression of structural damage, and improving physical function in patients with moderately to severely active disease. (1.5)
Ankylosing Spondylitis:
- reducing signs and symptoms in patients with active disease. (1.6)
Psoriatic Arthritis:
- reducing signs and symptoms of active arthritis, inhibiting the progression of structural damage, and improving physical function. (1.7)
Plaque Psoriasis:
- treatment of adult patients with chronic severe (i.e., extensive and/or disabling) plaque psoriasis who are candidates for systemic therapy and when other systemic therapies are medically less appropriate. (1.8)
Renflexis Dosage and Administration
RENFLEXIS is administered by intravenous infusion over a period of not less than 2 hours. (2.11)
Crohn's Disease:
- 5 mg/kg at 0, 2 and 6 weeks, then every 8 weeks. Some adult patients who initially respond to treatment may benefit from increasing the dose to 10 mg/kg if they later lose their response. (2.1)
Pediatric Crohn's Disease:
- 5 mg/kg at 0, 2 and 6 weeks, then every 8 weeks. (2.2)
Ulcerative Colitis:
- 5 mg/kg at 0, 2 and 6 weeks, then every 8 weeks. (2.3)
Pediatric Ulcerative Colitis:
- 5 mg/kg at 0, 2 and 6 weeks, then every 8 weeks. (2.4)
Rheumatoid Arthritis:
- In conjunction with methotrexate, 3 mg/kg at 0, 2 and 6 weeks, then every 8 weeks. Some patients may benefit from increasing the dose up to 10 mg/kg or treating as often as every 4 weeks. (2.5)
Ankylosing Spondylitis:
- 5 mg/kg at 0, 2 and 6 weeks, then every 6 weeks. (2.6)
Psoriatic Arthritis and Plaque Psoriasis:
- 5 mg/kg at 0, 2 and 6 weeks, then every 8 weeks. (2.7) and (2.8)
Dosage Forms and Strengths
For injection: 100 mg of lyophilized infliximab-abda in a 20 mL vial for intravenous infusion. (3)
Contraindications
- RENFLEXIS doses >5 mg/kg in moderate to severe heart failure. (4)
- Previous severe hypersensitivity reaction to infliximab products or known hypersensitivity to inactive components of RENFLEXIS or to any murine proteins. (4)
Warnings and Precautions
- Serious infections – do not give RENFLEXIS during an active infection. If an infection develops, monitor carefully and stop RENFLEXIS if infection becomes serious. (5.1)
- Invasive fungal infections – for patients who develop a systemic illness on RENFLEXIS, consider empiric antifungal therapy for those who reside or travel to regions where mycoses are endemic (5.1)
- Malignancies – the incidence of malignancies, including invasive cervical cancer and lymphoma, was greater in TNF blocker treated patients than in controls. Due to the risk of HSTCL carefully assess the risk/benefit especially if the patient has Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, is male, and is receiving azathioprine or 6-mercaptopurine treatment. (5.2)
- Hepatitis B virus reactivation – test for HBV infection before starting RENFLEXIS. Monitor HBV carriers during and several months after therapy. If reactivation occurs, stop RENFLEXIS and begin anti-viral therapy. (5.3)
- Hepatotoxicity – severe hepatic reactions, some fatal or necessitating liver transplantation. Stop RENFLEXIS in cases of jaundice and/or marked liver enzyme elevations. (5.4)
- Heart failure – new onset or worsening symptoms may occur. (4, 5.5)
- Cytopenias – advise patients to seek immediate medical attention if signs and symptoms develop, and consider stopping RENFLEXIS. (5.6)
- Hypersensitivity – serious infusion reactions including anaphylaxis or serum sickness-like reactions may occur. (5.7)
- Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Reactions – Cerebrovascular accidents, myocardial infarctions (some fatal), and arrhythmias have been reported during and within 24 hours of initiation of infliximab product infusion. Monitor patients during RENFLEXIS infusion and if serious reaction occurs, discontinue infusion. (5.8)
- Demyelinating disease – exacerbation or new onset may occur. (5.9)
- Lupus-like syndrome – stop RENFLEXIS if syndrome develops. (5.14)
- Live vaccines or therapeutic infectious agents – should not be given with RENFLEXIS. Bring pediatric patients up to date with all vaccinations prior to initiating RENFLEXIS. At least a six month waiting period following birth is recommended before the administration of live vaccines to infants exposed in utero to infliximab products (5.15)
Adverse Reactions/Side Effects
Most common adverse reactions (>10%) – infections (e.g. upper respiratory, sinusitis, and pharyngitis), infusion-related reactions, headache, and abdominal pain. (6.1)
To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Organon LLC, a subsidiary of Organon & Co., at 1-844-674-3200 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.
Drug Interactions
Use with anakinra or abatacept– increased risk of serious infections (7.1)
Use In Specific Populations
Pediatric Use – Infliximab products have not been studied in children with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis <6 years of age. (8.4)
See 17 for PATIENT COUNSELING INFORMATION and Medication Guide.
- *
- Biosimilar means that the biological product is approved based on data demonstrating that it is highly similar to an FDA-approved biological product, known as a reference product, and that there are no clinically meaningful differences between the biosimilar product and the reference product. Biosimilarity of RENFLEXIS has been demonstrated for the condition(s) of use (e.g. indication(s), dosing regimen(s)), strength(s), dosage form(s), and route(s) of administration described in its Full Prescribing Information.
Revised: 1/2022
Related/similar drugs
Remicade, Avsola, Entyvio, Otezla, Taltz, prednisone, naproxenFull Prescribing Information
1. Indications and Usage for Renflexis
1.1 Crohn's Disease
RENFLEXIS is indicated for reducing signs and symptoms and inducing and maintaining clinical remission in adult patients with moderately to severely active Crohn's disease who have had an inadequate response to conventional therapy.
RENFLEXIS is indicated for reducing the number of draining enterocutaneous and rectovaginal fistulas and maintaining fistula closure in adult patients with fistulizing Crohn's disease.
1.2 Pediatric Crohn's Disease
RENFLEXIS is indicated for reducing signs and symptoms and inducing and maintaining clinical remission in pediatric patients 6 years of age and older with moderately to severely active Crohn's disease who have had an inadequate response to conventional therapy.
1.3 Ulcerative Colitis
RENFLEXIS is indicated for reducing signs and symptoms, inducing and maintaining clinical remission and mucosal healing, and eliminating corticosteroid use in adult patients with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis who have had an inadequate response to conventional therapy.
1.4 Pediatric Ulcerative Colitis
RENFLEXIS is indicated for reducing signs and symptoms and inducing and maintaining clinical remission in pediatric patients 6 years of age and older with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis who have had an inadequate response to conventional therapy.
1.5 Rheumatoid Arthritis
RENFLEXIS, in combination with methotrexate, is indicated for reducing signs and symptoms, inhibiting the progression of structural damage, and improving physical function in patients with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis.
1.6 Ankylosing Spondylitis
RENFLEXIS is indicated for reducing signs and symptoms in patients with active ankylosing spondylitis.
1.7 Psoriatic Arthritis
RENFLEXIS is indicated for reducing signs and symptoms of active arthritis, inhibiting the progression of structural damage, and improving physical function in patients with psoriatic arthritis.
1.8 Plaque Psoriasis
RENFLEXIS is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with chronic severe (i.e., extensive and/or disabling) plaque psoriasis who are candidates for systemic therapy and when other systemic therapies are medically less appropriate. RENFLEXIS should only be administered to patients who will be closely monitored and have regular follow-up visits with a physician [see Boxed Warnings, Warnings and Precautions (5)].
2. Renflexis Dosage and Administration
2.1 Crohn's Disease
The recommended dose of RENFLEXIS is 5 mg/kg given as an intravenous induction regimen at 0, 2 and 6 weeks followed by a maintenance regimen of 5 mg/kg every 8 weeks thereafter for the treatment of adults with moderately to severely active Crohn's disease or fistulizing Crohn's disease. For adult patients who respond and then lose their response, consideration may be given to treatment with 10 mg/kg. Patients who do not respond by Week 14 are unlikely to respond with continued dosing and consideration should be given to discontinue RENFLEXIS in these patients.
2.2 Pediatric Crohn's Disease
The recommended dose of RENFLEXIS for pediatric patients 6 years and older with moderately to severely active Crohn's disease is 5 mg/kg given as an intravenous induction regimen at 0, 2 and 6 weeks followed by a maintenance regimen of 5 mg/kg every 8 weeks.
2.3 Ulcerative Colitis
The recommended dose of RENFLEXIS is 5 mg/kg given as an intravenous induction regimen at 0, 2 and 6 weeks followed by a maintenance regimen of 5 mg/kg every 8 weeks thereafter for the treatment of adult patients with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis.
2.4 Pediatric Ulcerative Colitis
The recommended dose of RENFLEXIS for pediatric patients 6 years and older with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis is 5 mg/kg given as an intravenous induction regimen at 0, 2 and 6 weeks followed by a maintenance regimen of 5 mg/kg every 8 weeks.
2.5 Rheumatoid Arthritis
The recommended dose of RENFLEXIS is 3 mg/kg given as an intravenous induction regimen at 0, 2 and 6 weeks followed by a maintenance regimen of 3 mg/kg every 8 weeks thereafter for the treatment of moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis. RENFLEXIS should be given in combination with methotrexate. For patients who have an incomplete response, consideration may be given to adjusting the dose up to 10 mg/kg or treating as often as every 4 weeks bearing in mind that risk of serious infections is increased at higher doses [see Adverse Reactions (6.1)].
2.6 Ankylosing Spondylitis
The recommended dose of RENFLEXIS is 5 mg/kg given as an intravenous induction regimen at 0, 2 and 6 weeks followed by a maintenance regimen of 5 mg/kg every 6 weeks thereafter for the treatment of active ankylosing spondylitis.
2.7 Psoriatic Arthritis
The recommended dose of RENFLEXIS is 5 mg/kg given as an intravenous induction regimen at 0, 2 and 6 weeks followed by a maintenance regimen of 5 mg/kg every 8 weeks thereafter for the treatment of psoriatic arthritis. RENFLEXIS can be used with or without methotrexate.
2.8 Plaque Psoriasis
The recommended dose of RENFLEXIS is 5 mg/kg given as an intravenous induction regimen at 0, 2 and 6 weeks followed by a maintenance regimen of 5 mg/kg every 8 weeks thereafter for the treatment of chronic severe (i.e., extensive and/or disabling) plaque psoriasis.
2.9 Monitoring to Assess Safety
Prior to initiating RENFLEXIS and periodically during therapy, patients should be evaluated for active tuberculosis and tested for latent infection [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)].
2.10 Administration Instructions Regarding Infusion Reactions
Adverse effects during administration of infliximab products have included flu-like symptoms, headache, dyspnea, hypotension, transient fever, chills, gastrointestinal symptoms, and skin rashes. Anaphylaxis might occur at any time during RENFLEXIS infusion. Approximately 20% of patients in all clinical trials of infliximab experienced an infusion reaction compared with 10% of placebo-treated patients [see Adverse Reactions (6.1)]. Prior to infusion with RENFLEXIS, premedication may be administered at the physician's discretion. Premedication could include antihistamines (anti-H1 +/- anti-H2), acetaminophen and/or corticosteroids.
During infusion, mild to moderate infusion reactions may improve following slowing or suspension of the infusion, and upon resolution of the reaction, reinitiation at a lower infusion rate and/or therapeutic administration of antihistamines, acetaminophen, and/or corticosteroids. For patients that do not tolerate the infusion following these interventions, RENFLEXIS should be discontinued.
During or following infusion, patients who have severe infusion-related hypersensitivity reactions should be discontinued from further RENFLEXIS treatment. The management of severe infusion reactions should be dictated by the signs and symptoms of the reaction. Appropriate personnel and medication should be available to treat anaphylaxis if it occurs.
2.11 General Considerations and Instructions for Preparation and Administration
RENFLEXIS is intended for use under the guidance and supervision of a physician. The reconstituted infusion solution should be prepared by a trained medical professional using aseptic technique by the following procedure:
- Calculate the dose, total volume of reconstituted RENFLEXIS solution required and the number of RENFLEXIS vials needed. Each RENFLEXIS vial contains 100 mg of the infliximab-abda antibody.
- Reconstitute each RENFLEXIS vial with 10 mL of Sterile Water for Injection, USP, using a syringe equipped with a 21-gauge or smaller needle as follows: Remove the flip-top from the vial and wipe the top with an alcohol swab. Insert the syringe needle into the vial through the center of the rubber stopper and direct the stream of Sterile Water for Injection, USP, to the glass wall of the vial. Gently swirl the solution by rotating the vial to dissolve the lyophilized powder. Avoid prolonged or vigorous agitation. DO NOT SHAKE. Foaming of the solution on reconstitution is not unusual. Allow the reconstituted solution to stand for 5 minutes. The reconstituted solution concentration is 10 mg/mL. The solution should be colorless to light yellow and opalescent, and the solution may develop a few translucent particles as infliximab-abda is a protein. Do not use if the lyophilized cake has not fully dissolved or if opaque particles, discoloration, or other foreign particles are present.
- Dilute the total volume of the reconstituted RENFLEXIS solution dose to 250 mL with sterile 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP, by withdrawing a volume equal to the volume of reconstituted RENFLEXIS from the 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP, 250 mL bottle or bag. Do not dilute the reconstituted RENFLEXIS solution with any other diluent. Slowly add the total volume of reconstituted RENFLEXIS solution to the 250 mL infusion bottle or bag. Gently mix. The resulting infusion concentration should range between 0.4 mg/mL and 4 mg/mL.
- The RENFLEXIS infusion should begin within 4 hours of reconstitution and dilution. The infusion must be administered over a period of not less than 2 hours and must use an infusion set with an in-line, sterile, non-pyrogenic, low-protein-binding filter (pore size of 1.2 μm or less).
- The diluted RENFLEXIS solution may be stored at room temperature at 25 ºC (77ºF) for up to 4 hours, including reconstitution and dilution time.
- If needed, the diluted RENFLEXIS solution may be stored refrigerated at 2ºC to 8ºC (36ºF to 46ºF) for up to 34 days. After removal from refrigeration, the diluted solution may be stored at room temperature at up to 25ºC (77ºF) for an additional 6 hours.
- The vials do not contain antibacterial preservatives. Therefore, any unused portion of the infusion solution should not be stored for reuse.
- No physical biochemical compatibility studies have been conducted to evaluate the coadministration of RENFLEXIS with other agents. RENFLEXIS should not be infused concomitantly in the same intravenous line with other agents.
- Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually before and after reconstitution for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration, whenever solution and container permit. If visibly opaque particles, discoloration or other foreign particulates are observed, the solution should not be used.
3. Dosage Forms and Strengths
For injection: 100 mg vial: 100 mg lyophilized infliximab-abda in a 20 mL vial for injection, for intravenous use.
4. Contraindications
RENFLEXIS at doses > 5 mg/kg should not be administered to patients with moderate to severe heart failure. In a randomized study evaluating infliximab in patients with moderate to severe heart failure (New York Heart Association [NYHA] Functional Class III/IV), infliximab treatment at 10 mg/kg was associated with an increased incidence of death and hospitalization due to worsening heart failure [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) and Adverse Reactions (6.1)].
RENFLEXIS should not be re-administered to patients who have experienced a severe hypersensitivity reaction to infliximab products. Additionally, RENFLEXIS should not be administered to patients with known hypersensitivity to inactive components of the product or to any murine proteins.
5. Warnings and Precautions
5.1 Serious Infections
Patients treated with infliximab products are at increased risk for developing serious infections involving various organ systems and sites that may lead to hospitalization or death.
Opportunistic infections due to bacterial, mycobacterial, invasive fungal, viral, or parasitic organisms including aspergillosis, blastomycosis, candidiasis, coccidioidomycosis, cryptococcosis, histoplasmosis, legionellosis, listeriosis, pneumocystosis, salmonellosis and tuberculosis have been reported with TNF-blockers. Patients have frequently presented with disseminated rather than localized disease.
Treatment with RENFLEXIS should not be initiated in patients with an active infection, including clinically important localized infections. Patients greater than 65 years of age, patients with co-morbid conditions and/or patients taking concomitant immunosuppressants such as corticosteroids or methotrexate may be at greater risk of infection. The risks and benefits of treatment should be considered prior to initiating therapy in patients:
- with chronic or recurrent infection;
- who have been exposed to tuberculosis;
- with a history of an opportunistic infection;
- who have resided or traveled in areas of endemic tuberculosis or endemic mycoses, such as histoplasmosis, coccidioidomycosis, or blastomycosis; or
- with underlying conditions that may predispose them to infection.
5.2 Malignancies
Malignancies, some fatal, have been reported among children, adolescents and young adults who received treatment with TNF-blocking agents (initiation of therapy ≤ 18 years of age), including infliximab products. Approximately half of these cases were lymphomas, including Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The other cases represented a variety of malignancies, including rare malignancies that are usually associated with immunosuppression and malignancies that are not usually observed in children and adolescents. The malignancies occurred after a median of 30 months (range 1 to 84 months) after the first dose of TNF blocker therapy. Most of the patients were receiving concomitant immunosuppressants. These cases were reported post-marketing and are derived from a variety of sources, including registries and spontaneous postmarketing reports.
5.3 Hepatitis B Virus Reactivation
Use of TNF blockers, including infliximab products, has been associated with reactivation of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in patients who are chronic carriers of this virus. In some instances, HBV reactivation occurring in conjunction with TNF blocker therapy has been fatal. The majority of these reports have occurred in patients concomitantly receiving other medications that suppress the immune system, which may also contribute to HBV reactivation. Patients should be tested for HBV infection before initiating TNF blocker therapy, including RENFLEXIS. For patients who test positive for hepatitis B surface antigen, consultation with a physician with expertise in the treatment of hepatitis B is recommended. Adequate data are not available on the safety or efficacy of treating patients who are carriers of HBV with antiviral therapy in conjunction with TNF blocker therapy to prevent HBV reactivation. Patients who are carriers of HBV and require treatment with TNF blockers should be closely monitored for clinical and laboratory signs of active HBV infection throughout therapy and for several months following termination of therapy. In patients who develop HBV reactivation, TNF blockers should be stopped and antiviral therapy with appropriate supportive treatment should be initiated. The safety of resuming TNF blocker therapy after HBV reactivation is controlled is not known. Therefore, prescribers should exercise caution when considering resumption of TNF blocker therapy in this situation and monitor patients closely.
5.4 Hepatotoxicity
Severe hepatic reactions, including acute liver failure, jaundice, hepatitis and cholestasis, have been reported in postmarketing data in patients receiving infliximab products. Autoimmune hepatitis has been diagnosed in some of these cases. Severe hepatic reactions occurred between 2 weeks to more than 1 year after initiation of infliximab; elevations in hepatic aminotransferase levels were not noted prior to discovery of the liver injury in many of these cases. Some of these cases were fatal or necessitated liver transplantation. Patients with symptoms or signs of liver dysfunction should be evaluated for evidence of liver injury. If jaundice and/or marked liver enzyme elevations (e.g., ≥ 5 times the upper limit of normal) develop, RENFLEXIS should be discontinued, and a thorough investigation of the abnormality should be undertaken. In clinical trials, mild or moderate elevations of ALT and AST have been observed in patients receiving infliximab products without progression to severe hepatic injury [see Adverse Reactions (6.1)].
5.5 Patients with Heart Failure
Infliximab products have been associated with adverse outcomes in patients with heart failure, and should be used in patients with heart failure only after consideration of other treatment options. The results of a randomized study evaluating the use of infliximab in patients with heart failure (NYHA Functional Class III/IV) suggested higher mortality in patients who received 10 mg/kg infliximab, and higher rates of cardiovascular adverse events at doses of 5 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg. There have been post-marketing reports of worsening heart failure, with and without identifiable precipitating factors, in patients taking infliximab. There have also been rare post-marketing reports of new onset heart failure, including heart failure in patients without known pre-existing cardiovascular disease. Some of these patients have been under 50 years of age. If a decision is made to administer RENFLEXIS to patients with heart failure, they should be closely monitored during therapy, and RENFLEXIS should be discontinued if new or worsening symptoms of heart failure appear [see Contraindications (4) and Adverse Reactions (6.1)].
5.6 Hematologic Reactions
Cases of leukopenia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, and pancytopenia, some with a fatal outcome, have been reported in patients receiving infliximab products. The causal relationship to infliximab product therapy remains unclear. Although no high-risk group(s) has been identified, caution should be exercised in patients being treated with RENFLEXIS who have ongoing or a history of significant hematologic abnormalities. All patients should be advised to seek immediate medical attention if they develop signs and symptoms suggestive of blood dyscrasias or infection (e.g., persistent fever) while on RENFLEXIS. Discontinuation of RENFLEXIS therapy should be considered in patients who develop significant hematologic abnormalities.
5.7 Hypersensitivity
Infliximab products have been associated with hypersensitivity reactions that vary in their time of onset and required hospitalization in some cases. Most hypersensitivity reactions, which include anaphylaxis, urticaria, dyspnea, and/or hypotension, have occurred during or within 2 hours of infusion.
However, in some cases, serum sickness-like reactions have been observed in patients after initial therapy with infliximab products (i.e., as early as after the second dose), and when therapy with infliximab products was reinstituted following an extended period without treatment. Symptoms associated with these reactions include fever, rash, headache, sore throat, myalgias, polyarthralgias, hand and facial edema and/or dysphagia. These reactions were associated with a marked increase in antibodies to infliximab products, loss of detectable serum concentrations of infliximab products and possible loss of drug efficacy.
RENFLEXIS should be discontinued for severe hypersensitivity reactions. Medications for the treatment of hypersensitivity reactions (e.g., acetaminophen, antihistamines, corticosteroids and/or epinephrine) should be available for immediate use in the event of a reaction [see Adverse Reactions (6.1)].
In rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease and psoriasis clinical trials, re-administration of infliximab after a period of no treatment resulted in a higher incidence of infusion reactions relative to regular maintenance treatment [see Adverse Reactions (6.1)]. In general, the benefit-risk of re-administration of RENFLEXIS after a period of no-treatment, especially as a re-induction regimen given at weeks 0, 2 and 6, should be carefully considered. In the case where RENFLEXIS maintenance therapy for psoriasis is interrupted, RENFLEXIS should be reinitiated as a single dose followed by maintenance therapy.
5.8 Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Reactions During and After Infusion
Serious cerebrovascular accidents, myocardial ischemia/infarction (some fatal), hypotension, hypertension, and arrhythmias have been reported during and within 24 hours of initiation of infliximab product infusion. Cases of transient visual loss have been reported during or within 2 hours of infusion of infliximab product. Monitor patients during infusion and if serious reaction occurs, discontinue infusion. Further management of reactions should be dictated by signs and symptoms [See Adverse Reactions (6)].
5.9 Neurologic Reactions
Agents that inhibit TNF have been associated with CNS manifestation of systemic vasculitis, seizure and new onset or exacerbation of clinical symptoms and/or radiographic evidence of central nervous system demyelinating disorders, including multiple sclerosis and optic neuritis, and peripheral demyelinating disorders, including Guillain-Barré syndrome. Prescribers should exercise caution in considering the use of RENFLEXIS in patients with these neurologic disorders and should consider discontinuation of RENFLEXIS if these disorders develop.
5.10 Use with Anakinra
Serious infections and neutropenia were seen in clinical studies with concurrent use of anakinra and another TNFα-blocking agent, etanercept, with no added clinical benefit compared to etanercept alone. Because of the nature of the adverse reactions seen with the combination of etanercept and anakinra therapy, similar toxicities may also result from the combination of anakinra and other TNFα-blocking agents. Therefore, the combination of RENFLEXIS and anakinra is not recommended.
5.11 Use with Abatacept
In clinical studies, concurrent administration of TNF-blocking agents and abatacept have been associated with an increased risk of infections including serious infections compared with TNF-blocking agents alone, without increased clinical benefit. Therefore, the combination of RENFLEXIS and abatacept is not recommended [see Drug Interactions (7.1)].
5.12 Concurrent Administration with other Biological Therapeutics
There is insufficient information regarding the concomitant use of infliximab products with other biological therapeutics used to treat the same conditions as RENFLEXIS. The concomitant use of RENFLEXIS with these biologics is not recommended because of the possibility of an increased risk of infection [see Drug Interactions (7.3)].
5.13 Switching between Biological Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs (DMARDs)
Care should be taken when switching from one biologic to another, since overlapping biological activity may further increase the risk of infection.
5.14 Autoimmunity
Treatment with infliximab products may result in the formation of autoantibodies and in the development of a lupus-like syndrome. If a patient develops symptoms suggestive of a lupus-like syndrome following treatment with RENFLEXIS, treatment should be discontinued [see Adverse Reactions (6.1)].
5.15 Live Vaccines/Therapeutic Infectious Agents
In patients receiving anti-TNF therapy, limited data are available on the response to vaccination with live vaccines or on the secondary transmission of infection by live vaccines. Use of live vaccines can result in clinical infections, including disseminated infections. The concurrent administration of live vaccines with RENFLEXIS is not recommended.
Fatal outcome due to disseminated BCG infection has been reported in an infant who received a BCG vaccine after in utero exposure to infliximab products. Infliximab products are known to cross the placenta and have been detected up to 6 months following birth. At least a six month waiting period following birth is recommended before the administration of any live vaccine to infants exposed in utero to infliximab products.
Other uses of therapeutic infectious agents such as live attenuated bacteria (e.g., BCG bladder instillation for the treatment of cancer) could result in clinical infections, including disseminated infections. It is recommended that therapeutic infectious agents not be given concurrently with RENFLEXIS.
It is recommended that all pediatric patients be brought up to date with all vaccinations prior to initiating RENFLEXIS therapy. The interval between vaccination and initiation of RENFLEXIS therapy should be in accordance with current vaccination guidelines.
6. Adverse Reactions/Side Effects
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
The data described herein reflect exposure to infliximab in 4779 adult patients (1304 patients with rheumatoid arthritis, 1106 patients with Crohn's disease, 202 with ankylosing spondylitis, 293 with psoriatic arthritis, 484 with ulcerative colitis, 1373 with plaque psoriasis, and 17 patients with other conditions), including 2625 patients exposed beyond 30 weeks and 374 exposed beyond 1 year. [For information on adverse reactions in pediatric patients see Adverse Reactions (6.1).] One of the most-common reasons for discontinuation of treatment was infusion-related reactions (e.g., dyspnea, flushing, headache and rash).
Immunogenicity
As with all therapeutic proteins, there is potential for immunogenicity. The detection of antibody formation is highly dependent on the sensitivity and specificity of the assay. Additionally, the observed incidence of antibody (including neutralizing antibody) positivity in an assay may be influenced by several factors, including assay methodology, sample handling, timing of sample collection, concomitant medications, and underlying disease. For these reasons, comparison of the incidence of antibodies in the studies described below with the incidence of antibodies in other studies or to other infliximab products may be misleading.
Treatment with infliximab products can be associated with the development of antibodies to infliximab products. An enzyme immunoassay (EIA) method was originally used to measure anti-infliximab antibodies in clinical studies of infliximab. The EIA method is subject to interference by serum infliximab, possibly resulting in an underestimation of the rate of patient antibody formation. A separate, drug-tolerant electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA) method for detecting antibodies to infliximab was subsequently developed and validated. This method is 60-fold more sensitive than the original EIA. With the ECLIA method, all clinical samples can be classified as either positive or negative for antibodies to infliximab without the need for the inconclusive category.
The incidence of antibodies to infliximab was based on the original EIA method in all clinical studies of infliximab except for the Phase 3 study in pediatric patients with ulcerative colitis where the incidence of antibodies to infliximab was detected using both the EIA and ECLIA methods [see Adverse Reactions, Pediatric Ulcerative Colitis (6.1)].
The incidence of antibodies to infliximab in patients given a 3-dose induction regimen followed by maintenance dosing was approximately 10% as assessed through 1 to 2 years of treatment with infliximab. A higher incidence of antibodies to infliximab was observed in Crohn's disease patients receiving infliximab after drug-free intervals >16 weeks. In a study of psoriatic arthritis in which 191 patients received 5 mg/kg with or without MTX, antibodies to infliximab occurred in 15% of patients. The majority of antibody-positive patients had low titers. Patients who were antibody-positive were more likely to have higher rates of clearance, reduced efficacy and to experience an infusion reaction [see Adverse Reactions (6.1)] than were patients who were antibody negative. Antibody development was lower among rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn's disease patients receiving immunosuppressant therapies such as 6-MP/AZA or MTX.
In the psoriasis Study II, which included both the 5 mg/kg and 3 mg/kg doses, antibodies were observed in 36% of patients treated with 5 mg/kg every 8 weeks for 1 year, and in 51% of patients treated with 3 mg/kg every 8 weeks for 1 year. In the psoriasis Study III, which also included both the 5 mg/kg and 3 mg/kg doses, antibodies were observed in 20% of patients treated with 5 mg/kg induction (weeks 0, 2 and 6), and in 27% of patients treated with 3 mg/kg induction. Despite the increase in antibody formation, the infusion reaction rates in Studies I and II in patients treated with 5 mg/kg induction followed by every 8 week maintenance for 1 year and in Study III in patients treated with 5 mg/kg induction (14.1%-23.0%) and serious infusion reaction rates (<1%) were similar to those observed in other study populations. The clinical significance of apparent increased immunogenicity on efficacy and infusion reactions in psoriasis patients as compared to patients with other diseases treated with infliximab products over the long term is not known.
Adverse Reactions in Pediatric Patients
Pediatric Ulcerative Colitis
Overall, the adverse reactions reported in the pediatric ulcerative colitis trial and adult ulcerative colitis (Study UC I and Study UC II) studies were generally consistent. In a pediatric UC trial, the most common adverse reactions were upper respiratory tract infection, pharyngitis, abdominal pain, fever, and headache.
Infections were reported in 31 (52%) of 60 treated patients in the pediatric UC trial and 22 (37%) required oral or parenteral antimicrobial treatment. The proportion of patients with infections in the pediatric UC trial was similar to that in the pediatric Crohn's disease study (Study Peds Crohn's) but higher than the proportion in the adults' ulcerative colitis studies (Study UC I and Study UC II). The overall incidence of infections in the pediatric UC trial was 13/22 (59%) in the every 8 week maintenance treatment group. Upper respiratory tract infection (7/60 [12%]) and pharyngitis (5/60 [8%]) were the most frequently reported respiratory system infections. Serious infections were reported in 12% (7/60) of all treated patients.
In the pediatric UC trial, 58 patients were evaluated for antibodies to infliximab using the EIA as well as the drug-tolerant ECLIA. With the EIA, 4 of 58 (7%) patients had antibodies to infliximab. With the ECLIA, 30 of 58 (52%) patients had antibodies to infliximab [see Adverse Reactions, Immunogenicity (6.1)]. The higher incidence of antibodies to infliximab by the ECLIA method was due to the 60-fold higher sensitivity compared to the EIA method. While EIA-positive patients generally had undetectable trough infliximab concentrations, ECLIA-positive patients could have detectable trough concentrations of infliximab because the ECLIA assay is more sensitive and drug-tolerant.
Elevations of ALT up to 3 times the upper limit of normal (ULN) were seen in 17% (10/60) of pediatric patients in the pediatric UC trial; 7% (4/60) had ALT elevations ≥ 3 × ULN, and 2% (1/60) had elevations ≥ 5 × ULN (median follow-up was 49 weeks).
Overall, 8 of 60 (13%) treated patients experienced one or more infusion reactions, including 4 of 22 (18%) patients in the every 8-week treatment maintenance group. No serious infusion reactions were reported.
In the pediatric UC trial, 45 patients were in the 12 to 17 year age group and 15 in the 6 to 11 year age group. The numbers of patients in each subgroup are too small to make any definitive conclusions about the effect of age on safety events. There were higher proportions of patients with serious adverse events (40% vs. 18%) and discontinuation due to adverse events (40% vs. 16%) in the younger age group than in the older age group. While the proportion of patients with infections was also higher in the younger age group (60% vs. 49%), for serious infections, the proportions were similar in the two age groups (13% in the 6 to 11 year age group vs. 11% in the 12 to 17 year age group). Overall proportions of adverse reactions, including infusion reactions, were similar between the 6 to 11 and 12 to 17 year age groups (13%).
6.2 Postmarketing Experience
Adverse reactions have been identified during post approval use of infliximab products in adult and pediatric patients. Because these 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.
The following adverse reactions, some with fatal outcome, have been reported during post-approval use of infliximab products: neutropenia [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6)], agranulocytosis (including infants exposed in utero to infliximab products), interstitial lung disease (including pulmonary fibrosis/interstitial pneumonitis and rapidly progressive disease), idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, pericardial effusion, systemic and cutaneous vasculitis, erythema multiforme, Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, peripheral demyelinating disorders (such as Guillain-Barré syndrome, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, and multifocal motor neuropathy), new onset and worsening psoriasis (all subtypes including pustular, primarily palmoplantar), transverse myelitis, and neuropathies (additional neurologic reactions have also been observed) [see Warnings and Precautions (5.9)], acute liver failure, jaundice, hepatitis, and cholestasis [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4)], serious infections [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)], malignancies, including leukemia, melanoma, Merkel cell carcinoma, and cervical cancer [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)] and vaccine breakthrough infection including bovine tuberculosis (disseminated BCG infection) following vaccination in an infant exposed in utero to infliximab products [see Warnings and Precautions (5.15)].
7. Drug Interactions
7.1 Use with Anakinra or Abatacept
An increased risk of serious infections was seen in clinical studies of other TNFα-blocking agents used in combination with anakinra or abatacept, with no added clinical benefit. Because of the nature of the adverse reactions seen with these combinations with TNF-blocker therapy, similar toxicities may also result from the combination of anakinra or abatacept with other TNFα-blocking agents. Therefore, the combination of RENFLEXIS and anakinra or abatacept is not recommended [see Warnings and Precautions (5.10 and 5.11)].
7.2 Use with Tocilizumab
The use of tocilizumab in combination with biological DMARDs such as TNF antagonists, including RENFLEXIS, should be avoided because of the possibility of increased immunosuppression and increased risk of infection.
7.3 Use with Other Biological Therapeutics
The combination of RENFLEXIS with other biological therapeutics used to treat the same conditions as RENFLEXIS is not recommended [see Warnings and Precautions (5.12)].
7.4 Methotrexate (MTX) and Other Concomitant Medications
Specific drug interaction studies, including interactions with MTX, have not been conducted. The majority of patients in rheumatoid arthritis or Crohn's disease clinical studies received one or more concomitant medications. In rheumatoid arthritis, concomitant medications besides MTX were nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs), folic acid, corticosteroids and/or narcotics. Concomitant Crohn's disease medications were antibiotics, antivirals, corticosteroids, 6-MP/AZA and aminosalicylates. In psoriatic arthritis clinical trials, concomitant medications included MTX in approximately half of the patients as well as NSAIDs, folic acid and corticosteroids. Concomitant MTX use may decrease the incidence of anti-drug antibody production and increase infliximab product concentrations.
7.5 Immunosuppressants
Patients with Crohn's disease who received immunosuppressants tended to experience fewer infusion reactions compared to patients on no immunosuppressants [see Adverse Reactions (6.1)]. Serum infliximab concentrations appeared to be unaffected by baseline use of medications for the treatment of Crohn's disease including corticosteroids, antibiotics (metronidazole or ciprofloxacin) and aminosalicylates.
7.6 Cytochrome P450 Substrates
The formation of CYP450 enzymes may be suppressed by increased levels of cytokines (e.g., TNFα, IL-1, IL-6, IL-10, IFN) during chronic inflammation. Therefore, it is expected that for a molecule that antagonizes cytokine activity, such as infliximab products, the formation of CYP450 enzymes could be normalized. Upon initiation or discontinuation of RENFLEXIS in patients being treated with CYP450 substrates with a narrow therapeutic index, monitoring of the effect (e.g., warfarin) or drug concentration (e.g., cyclosporine or theophylline) is recommended and the individual dose of the drug product may be adjusted as needed.
7.7 Live Vaccines/Therapeutic Infectious Agents
It is recommended that live vaccines not be given concurrently with RENFLEXIS. It is also recommended that live vaccines not be given to infants after in utero exposure to infliximab products for at least 6 months following birth [see Warnings and Precautions (5.15)].
It is recommended that therapeutic infectious agents not be given concurrently with RENFLEXIS [see Warnings and Precautions (5.15)].
8. Use In Specific Populations
8.4 Pediatric Use
The safety and effectiveness of infliximab products have been established in pediatric patients 6 to 17 years of age for induction and maintenance treatment of Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis. However, infliximab products have not been studied in children with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis <6 years of age.
8.5 Geriatric Use
In rheumatoid arthritis and plaque psoriasis clinical trials, no overall differences were observed in effectiveness or safety in 181 patients with rheumatoid arthritis and 75 patients with plaque psoriasis, aged 65 or older who received infliximab, compared to younger patients -although the incidence of serious adverse reactions in patients aged 65 or older was higher in both infliximab and control groups compared to younger patients. In Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis studies, there were insufficient numbers of patients aged 65 and over to determine whether they respond differently from patients aged 18 to 65. There is a greater incidence of infections in the elderly population in general. The incidence of serious infections in infliximab-treated patients 65 years and older was greater than in those under 65 years of age; therefore caution should be used in treating the elderly [see Adverse Reactions (6.1)].
10. Overdosage
Single doses up to 20 mg/kg of infliximab have been administered without any direct toxic effect. In case of overdosage, it is recommended that the patient be monitored for any signs or symptoms of adverse reactions or effects and appropriate symptomatic treatment instituted immediately.
11. Renflexis Description
Infliximab-abda, the active ingredient in RENFLEXIS, is a chimeric IgG1κ monoclonal antibody (composed of human constant and murine variable regions) specific for human tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα). It has a molecular weight of approximately 149.1 kilodaltons. Infliximab-abda is produced in a recombinant cell line and is purified by a series of steps that includes measures to inactivate and remove viruses.
RENFLEXIS (infliximab-abda) for Injection is supplied as a sterile, white, lyophilized powder for intravenous infusion. Following reconstitution with 10 mL of Sterile Water for Injection, USP, the resulting pH is approximately 6. Each mL contains 10 mg infliximab-abda, dibasic sodium phosphate heptahydrate (0.12 mg), monobasic sodium phosphate monohydrate (0.63 mg), polysorbate 80 (0.05 mg), and sucrose (50 mg). No preservatives are present.
12. Renflexis - Clinical Pharmacology
12.1 Mechanism of Action
Infliximab products neutralize the biological activity of TNFα by binding with high affinity to the soluble and transmembrane forms of TNFα and inhibit binding of TNFα with its receptors. Infliximab products do not neutralize TNFβ (lymphotoxin-α), a related cytokine that utilizes the same receptors as TNFα. Biological activities attributed to TNFα include: induction of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukins (IL) 1 and 6, enhancement of leukocyte migration by increasing endothelial layer permeability and expression of adhesion molecules by endothelial cells and leukocytes, activation of neutrophil and eosinophil functional activity, induction of acute phase reactants and other liver proteins, as well as tissue degrading enzymes produced by synoviocytes and/or chondrocytes. Cells expressing transmembrane TNFα bound by infliximab products can be lysed in vitro or in vivo. Infliximab products inhibit the functional activity of TNFα in a wide variety of in vitro bioassays utilizing human fibroblasts, endothelial cells, neutrophils, B and T-lymphocytes and epithelial cells. The relationship of these biological response markers to the mechanism(s) by which infliximab products exert their clinical effects is unknown. Anti-TNFα antibodies reduce disease activity in the cotton-top tamarin colitis model, and decrease synovitis and joint erosions in a murine model of collagen-induced arthritis. Infliximab products prevent disease in transgenic mice that develop polyarthritis as a result of constitutive expression of human TNFα, and when administered after disease onset, allow eroded joints to heal.
12.2 Pharmacodynamics
Elevated concentrations of TNFα have been found in involved tissues and fluids of patients with rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis and plaque psoriasis. In rheumatoid arthritis, treatment with infliximab products reduced infiltration of inflammatory cells into inflamed areas of the joint as well as expression of molecules mediating cellular adhesion [E-selectin, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1)], chemoattraction [IL-8 and monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP-1)] and tissue degradation [matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 1 and 3]. In Crohn's disease, treatment with infliximab products reduced infiltration of inflammatory cells and TNFα production in inflamed areas of the intestine, and reduced the proportion of mononuclear cells from the lamina propria able to express TNFα and interferon. After treatment with infliximab products, patients with rheumatoid arthritis or Crohn's disease exhibited decreased levels of serum IL-6 and C-reactive protein (CRP) compared to baseline. Peripheral blood lymphocytes from infliximab product-treated patients showed no significant decrease in number or in proliferative responses to in vitro mitogenic stimulation when compared to cells from untreated patients. In psoriatic arthritis, treatment with infliximab products resulted in a reduction in the number of T-cells and blood vessels in the synovium and psoriatic skin lesions as well as a reduction of macrophages in the synovium. In plaque psoriasis, treatment with infliximab products may reduce the epidermal thickness and infiltration of inflammatory cells. The relationship between these pharmacodynamic activities and the mechanism(s) by which infliximab products exert their clinical effects is unknown.
12.3 Pharmacokinetics
In adults, single intravenous (IV) infusions of 3 mg/kg to 20 mg/kg of infliximab showed a linear relationship between the dose administered and the maximum serum concentration. The volume of distribution at steady state was independent of dose and indicated that infliximab was distributed primarily within the vascular compartment. Pharmacokinetic results for single doses of 3 mg/kg to 10 mg/kg in rheumatoid arthritis, 5 mg/kg in Crohn's disease, and 3 mg/kg to 5 mg/kg in plaque psoriasis indicate that the median terminal half-life of infliximab is 7.7 to 9.5 days.
Following an initial dose of infliximab, repeated infusions at 2 and 6 weeks resulted in predictable concentration-time profiles following each treatment. No systemic accumulation of infliximab occurred upon continued repeated treatment with 3 mg/kg or 10 mg/kg at 4-or 8week intervals. Development of antibodies to infliximab increased infliximab clearance. At 8 weeks after a maintenance dose of 3 to 10 mg/kg of infliximab, median infliximab serum concentrations ranged from approximately 0.5 to 6 mcg/mL; however, infliximab concentrations were not detectable (<0.1 mcg/mL) in patients who became positive for antibodies to infliximab. No major differences in clearance or volume of distribution were observed in patient subgroups defined by age, weight, or gender. It is not known if there are differences in clearance or volume of distribution in patients with marked impairment of hepatic or renal function.
Infliximab pharmacokinetic characteristics (including peak and trough concentrations and terminal half-life) were similar in pediatric (aged 6 to 17 years) and adult patients with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis following the administration of 5 mg/kg infliximab.
Population pharmacokinetic analysis showed that in children with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) with a body weight of up to 35 kg receiving 6 mg/kg infliximab and children with JRA with body weight greater than 35 kg up to adult body weight receiving 3 mg/kg infliximab, the steady state area under the concentration curve (AUCss) was similar to that observed in adults receiving 3 mg/kg of infliximab.
13. Nonclinical Toxicology
13.1 Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility
The significance of the results of nonclinical studies for human risk is unknown. A repeat dose toxicity study was conducted with mice given cV1q anti-mouse TNFα to evaluate tumorigenicity. CV1q is an analogous antibody that inhibits the function of TNFα in mice. Animals were assigned to 1 of 3 dose groups: control, 10 mg/kg or 40 mg/kg cV1q given weekly for 6 months. The weekly doses of 10 mg/kg and 40 mg/kg are 2 and 8 times, respectively, the human dose of 5 mg/kg for Crohn's disease. Results indicated that cV1q did not cause tumorigenicity in mice. No clastogenic or mutagenic effects of infliximab were observed in the in vivo mouse micronucleus test or the Salmonella-Escherichia coli (Ames) assay, respectively. Chromosomal aberrations were not observed in an assay performed using human lymphocytes. It is not known whether infliximab products can impair fertility in humans. No impairment of fertility was observed in a fertility and general reproduction toxicity study with the analogous mouse antibody used in the 6-month chronic toxicity study.
14. Clinical Studies
14.2 Pediatric Crohn's Disease
The safety and efficacy of infliximab were assessed in a randomized, open-label study (Study Peds Crohn's) in 112 pediatric patients aged 6 to 17 years old with moderately to severely active Crohn's disease and an inadequate response to conventional therapies. The median age was 13 years and the median Pediatric Crohn's Disease Activity Index (PCDAI) was 40 (on a scale of 0 to 100). All patients were required to be on a stable dose of 6-MP, AZA, or MTX; 35% were also receiving corticosteroids at baseline.
All patients received induction dosing of 5 mg/kg infliximab at Weeks 0, 2, and 6. At Week 10, 103 patients were randomized to a maintenance regimen of 5 mg/kg infliximab given either every 8 weeks or every 12 weeks.
At Week 10, 88% of patients were in clinical response (defined as a decrease from baseline in the PCDAI score of ≥ 15 points and total PCDAI score of ≤ 30 points), and 59% were in clinical remission (defined as PCDAI score of ≤ 10 points).
The proportion of pediatric patients achieving clinical response at Week 10 compared favorably with the proportion of adults achieving a clinical response in Study Crohn's I. The study definition of clinical response in Study Peds Crohn's was based on the PCDAI score, whereas the CDAI score was used in the adult Study Crohn's I.
At both Week 30 and Week 54, the proportion of patients in clinical response was greater in the every 8-week treatment group than in the every 12-week treatment group (73% vs. 47% at Week 30, and 64% vs. 33% at Week 54). At both Week 30 and Week 54, the proportion of patients in clinical remission was also greater in the every 8-week treatment group than in the every 12week treatment group (60% vs. 35% at Week 30, and 56% vs. 24% at Week 54), (Table 4).
For patients in Study Peds Crohn's receiving corticosteroids at baseline, the proportion of patients able to discontinue corticosteroids while in remission at Week 30 was 46% for the every 8-week maintenance group and 33% for the every 12-week maintenance group. At Week 54, the proportion of patients able to discontinue corticosteroids while in remission was 46% for the every 8-week maintenance group and 17% for the every 12-week maintenance group.
5 mg/kg infliximab | ||
---|---|---|
Every 8 Week | Every 12 Week | |
Treatment Group | Treatment Group | |
|
||
Patients randomized | 52 | 51 |
Clinical Response* | ||
Week 30 | 73%† | 47% |
Week 54 | 64%† | 33% |
Clinical Remission ‡ | ||
Week 30 | 60%§ | 35% |
Week 54 | 56%† | 24% |
14.3 Ulcerative Colitis
The safety and efficacy of infliximab were assessed in 2 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical studies in 728 patients with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis (UC) (Mayo score5 6 to 12 [of possible range 0 to 12], Endoscopy subscore ≥ 2) with an inadequate response to conventional oral therapies (Studies UC I and UC II). Concomitant treatment with stable doses of aminosalicylates, corticosteroids and/or immunomodulatory agents was permitted. Corticosteroid taper was permitted after Week 8. Patients were randomized at week 0 to receive either placebo, 5 mg/kg infliximab or 10 mg/kg infliximab at Weeks 0, 2, 6, and every 8 weeks thereafter through Week 46 in Study UC I, and at Weeks 0, 2, 6, and every 8 weeks thereafter through Week 22 in Study UC II. In Study UC II, patients were allowed to continue blinded therapy to Week 46 at the investigator's discretion.
Patients in Study UC I had failed to respond or were intolerant to oral corticosteroids, 6-MP, or AZA. Patients in Study UC II had failed to respond or were intolerant to the above treatments and/or aminosalicylates. Similar proportions of patients in Studies UC I and UC II were receiving corticosteroids (61% and 51%, respectively), 6-MP/AZA (49% and 43%) and aminosalicylates (70% and 75%) at baseline. More patients in Study UC II than UC I were taking solely aminosalicylates for UC (26% vs. 11%, respectively). Clinical response was defined as a decrease from baseline in the Mayo score by ≥30% and ≥3 points, accompanied by a decrease in the rectal bleeding subscore of ≥1 or a rectal bleeding subscore of 0 or 1.
14.4 Pediatric Ulcerative Colitis
The safety and effectiveness of infliximab products for reducing signs and symptoms and inducing and maintaining clinical remission in pediatric patients aged 6 years and older with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis who have had an inadequate response to conventional therapy are supported by evidence from adequate and well-controlled studies of infliximab in adults. Additional safety and pharmacokinetic data were collected in an open-label pediatric UC trial in 60 pediatric patients aged 6 through 17 years (median age 14.5 years) with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis (Mayo score of 6 to 12; Endoscopic subscore ≥ 2) and an inadequate response to conventional therapies. At baseline, the median Mayo score was 8, 53% of patients were receiving immunomodulator therapy (6-MP/AZA/MTX), and 62% of patients were receiving corticosteroids (median dose 0.5 mg/kg/day in prednisone equivalents). Discontinuation of immunomodulators and corticosteroid taper were permitted after Week 0.
All patients received induction dosing of 5 mg/kg infliximab at Weeks 0, 2, and 6. Patients who did not respond to infliximab at Week 8 received no further infliximab and returned for safety follow-up. At Week 8, 45 patients were randomized to a maintenance regimen of 5 mg/kg infliximab given either every 8 weeks through Week 46 or every 12 weeks through Week 42. Patients were allowed to change to a higher dose and/or more frequent administration schedule if they experienced loss of response.
Clinical response at Week 8 was defined as a decrease from baseline in the Mayo score by ≥ 30% and ≥ 3 points, including a decrease in the rectal bleeding subscore by ≥ 1 points or achievement of a rectal bleeding subscore of 0 or 1.
Clinical remission at Week 8 was measured by the Mayo score, defined as a Mayo score of ≤ 2 points with no individual subscore >1. Clinical remission was also assessed at Week 8 and Week 54 using the Pediatric Ulcerative Colitis Activity Index (PUCAI)6 score and was defined by a PUCAI score of <10 points.
Endoscopies were performed at baseline and at Week 8. A Mayo endoscopy subscore of 0 indicated normal or inactive disease and a subscore of 1 indicated mild disease (erythema, decreased vascular pattern, or mild friability).
Of the 60 patients treated, 44 were in clinical response at Week 8. Of 32 patients taking concomitant immunomodulators at baseline, 23 achieved clinical response at Week 8, compared to 21 of 28 of those not taking concomitant immunomodulators at baseline. At Week 8, 24 of 60 patients were in clinical remission as measured by the Mayo score and 17 of 51 patients were in remission as measured by the PUCAI score.
At Week 54, 8 of 21 patients in the every 8-week maintenance group and 4 of 22 patients in the every 12-week maintenance group achieved remission as measured by the PUCAI score.
During maintenance phase, 23 of 45 randomized patients (9 in the every 8-week group and 14 in the every 12-week group) required an increase in their dose and/or increase in frequency of infliximab administration due to loss of response. Nine of the 23 patients who required a change in dose had achieved remission at Week 54. Seven of those patients received the 10 mg/kg every 8-week dosing.
14.5 Rheumatoid Arthritis
The safety and efficacy of infliximab were assessed in 2 multicenter, randomized, doubleblind, pivotal trials: ATTRACT (Study RA I) and ASPIRE (Study RA II). Concurrent use of stable doses of folic acid, oral corticosteroids (≤ 10 mg/day) and/or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) was permitted.
Study RA I was a placebo-controlled study of 428 patients with active rheumatoid arthritis despite treatment with MTX. Patients enrolled had a median age of 54 years, median disease duration of 8.4 years, median swollen and tender joint count of 20 and 31 respectively, and were on a median dose of 15 mg/wk of MTX. Patients received either placebo + MTX or one of 4 doses/schedules of infliximab + MTX: 3 mg/kg or 10 mg/kg of infliximab by IV infusion at Weeks 0, 2 and 6 followed by additional infusions every 4 or 8 weeks in combination with MTX.
Study RA II was a placebo-controlled study of 3 active treatment arms in 1004 MTX naive patients of 3 or fewer years' duration active rheumatoid arthritis. Patients enrolled had a median age of 51 years with a median disease duration of 0.6 years, median swollen and tender joint count of 19 and 31, respectively, and >80% of patients had baseline joint erosions. At randomization, all patients received MTX (optimized to 20 mg/wk by Week 8) and either placebo, 3 mg/kg or 6 mg/kg infliximab at Weeks 0, 2, and 6 and every 8 weeks thereafter.
Data on use of infliximab products without concurrent MTX are limited [see Adverse Reactions (6.1)].
14.6 Ankylosing Spondylitis
The safety and efficacy of infliximab were assessed in a randomized, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in 279 patients with active ankylosing spondylitis. Patients were between 18 and 74 years of age, and had ankylosing spondylitis as defined by the modified New York criteria for Ankylosing Spondylitis.4 Patients were to have had active disease as evidenced by both a Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) score >4 (possible range 0-10) and spinal pain >4 (on a Visual Analog Scale [VAS] of 0-10). Patients with complete ankylosis of the spine were excluded from study participation, and the use of Disease Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs (DMARDs) and systemic corticosteroids were prohibited. Doses of infliximab 5 mg/kg or placebo were administered intravenously at Weeks 0, 2, 6, 12 and 18.
At 24 weeks, improvement in the signs and symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis, as measured by the proportion of patients achieving a 20% improvement in ASAS response criteria (ASAS 20), was seen in 60% of patients in the infliximab-treated group vs. 18% of patients in the placebo group (p<0.001). Improvement was observed at Week 2 and maintained through Week 24 (Figure 3 and Table 10).
Figure 3 Proportion of patients achieving ASAS 20 response
At 24 weeks, the proportions of patients achieving a 50% and a 70% improvement in the signs and symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis, as measured by ASAS response criteria (ASAS 50 and ASAS 70, respectively), were 44% and 28%, respectively, for patients receiving infliximab, compared to 9% and 4%, respectively, for patients receiving placebo (P < 0.001, infliximab vs. placebo). A low level of disease activity (defined as a value < 20 [on a scale of 0-100 mm] in each of the 4 ASAS response parameters) was achieved in 22% of infliximab-treated patients vs. 1% in placebo-treated patients (P < 0.001).
Placebo
(n = 78) | Infliximab 5 mg/kg
(n = 201) | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Baseline | 24 Weeks | Baseline | 24 Weeks | P-value | |
|
|||||
ASAS 20 response Criteria (Mean) | |||||
Patient Global Assessment* | 6.6 | 6.0 | 6.8 | 3.8 | < 0.001 |
Spinal pain* | 7.3 | 6.5 | 7.6 | 4.0 | < 0.001 |
BASFI† | 5.8 | 5.6 | 5.7 | 3.6 | < 0.001 |
Inflammation‡ | 6.9 | 5.8 | 6.9 | 3.4 | < 0.001 |
Acute Phase Reactants | |||||
Median CRP§ (mg/dL) | 1.7 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 0.4 | < 0.001 |
Spinal Mobility (cm, Mean) | |||||
Modified Schober's test¶ | 4.0 | 5.0 | 4.3 | 4.4 | 0.75 |
Chest expansion¶ | 3.6 | 3.7 | 3.3 | 3.9 | 0.04 |
Tragus to wall¶ | 17.3 | 17.4 | 16.9 | 15.7 | 0.02 |
Lateral spinal flexion¶ | 10.6 | 11.0 | 11.4 | 12.9 | 0.03 |
The median improvement from baseline in the general health-related quality-of-life questionnaire SF-36 physical component summary score at Week 24 was 10.2 for the infliximab group vs. 0.8 for the placebo group (P < 0.001). There was no change in the SF-36 mental component summary score in either the infliximab group or the placebo group.
Results of this study were similar to those seen in a multicenter double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 70 patients with ankylosing spondylitis.
14.7 Psoriatic Arthritis
Safety and efficacy of infliximab were assessed in a multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in 200 adult patients with active psoriatic arthritis despite DMARD or NSAID therapy (≥ 5 swollen joints and ≥ 5 tender joints) with 1 or more of the following subtypes: arthritis involving DIP joints (n = 49), arthritis mutilans (n = 3), asymmetric peripheral arthritis (n = 40), polyarticular arthritis (n = 100), and spondylitis with peripheral arthritis (n = 8). Patients also had plaque psoriasis with a qualifying target lesion ≥ 2 cm in diameter. Forty-six percent of patients continued on stable doses of methotrexate (≤ 25 mg/week). During the 24-week double-blind phase, patients received either 5 mg/kg infliximab or placebo at Weeks 0, 2, 6, 14, and 22 (100 patients in each group). At Week 16, placebo patients with < 10% improvement from baseline in both swollen and tender joint counts were switched to infliximab induction (early escape). At Week 24, all placebo-treated patients crossed over to infliximab induction. Dosing continued for all patients through Week 46.
14.8 Plaque Psoriasis
The safety and efficacy of infliximab were assessed in 3 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies in patients 18 years of age and older with chronic, stable plaque psoriasis involving ≥10% BSA, a minimum PASI score of 12, and who were candidates for systemic therapy or phototherapy. Patients with guttate, pustular, or erythrodermic psoriasis were excluded from these studies. No concomitant anti-psoriatic therapies were allowed during the study, with the exception of low-potency topical corticosteroids on the face and groin after Week 10 of study initiation.
Study I (EXPRESS) evaluated 378 patients who received placebo or infliximab at a dose of 5 mg/kg at Weeks 0, 2, and 6 (induction therapy), followed by maintenance therapy every 8 weeks. At Week 24, the placebo group crossed over to infliximab induction therapy (5 mg/kg), followed by maintenance therapy every 8 weeks. Patients originally randomized to infliximab continued to receive infliximab 5 mg/kg every 8 weeks through Week 46. Across all treatment groups, the median baseline PASI score was 21 and the baseline Static Physician Global Assessment (sPGA) score ranged from moderate (52% of patients) to marked (36%) to severe (2%). In addition, 75% of patients had a BSA > 20%. Seventy-one percent of patients previously received systemic therapy, and 82% received phototherapy.
Study II (EXPRESS II) evaluated 835 patients who received placebo or infliximab at doses of 3 mg/kg or 5 mg/kg at Weeks 0, 2, and 6 (induction therapy). At Week 14, within each infliximab dose group, patients were randomized to either scheduled (every 8 weeks) or as needed (PRN) maintenance treatment through Week 46. At Week 16, the placebo group crossed over to infliximab induction therapy (5 mg/kg), followed by maintenance therapy every 8 weeks. Across all treatment groups, the median baseline PASI score was 18, and 63% of patients had a BSA > 20%. Fifty-five percent of patients previously received systemic therapy, and 64% received a phototherapy.
Study III (SPIRIT) evaluated 249 patients who had previously received either psoralen plus ultraviolet A treatment (PUVA) or other systemic therapy for their psoriasis. These patients were randomized to receive either placebo or infliximab at doses of 3 mg/kg or 5 mg/kg at Weeks 0, 2, and 6. At Week 26, patients with a sPGA score of moderate or worse (greater than or equal to 3 on a scale of 0 to 5) received an additional dose of the randomized treatment. Across all treatment groups, the median baseline PASI score was 19, and the baseline sPGA score ranged from moderate (62% of patients) to marked (22%) to severe (3%). In addition, 75% of patients had a BSA >20%. Of the enrolled patients, 114 (46%) received the Week 26 additional dose.
In Studies I, II and III, the primary endpoint was the proportion of patients who achieved a reduction in score of at least 75% from baseline at Week 10 by the PASI (PASI 75). In Study I and Study III, another evaluated outcome included the proportion of patients who achieved a score of "cleared" or "minimal" by the sPGA. The sPGA is a 6-category scale ranging from "5 = severe" to "0 = cleared" indicating the physician's overall assessment of the psoriasis severity focusing on induration, erythema, and scaling. Treatment success, defined as "cleared" or "minimal," consisted of none or minimal elevation in plaque, up to faint red coloration in erythema, and none or minimal fine scale over < 5% of the plaque.
Study II also evaluated the proportion of patients who achieved a score of "clear" or "excellent" by the relative Physician's Global Assessment (rPGA). The rPGA is a 6-category scale ranging from "6 = worse" to "1 = clear" that was assessed relative to baseline. Overall lesions were graded with consideration to the percent of body involvement as well as overall induration, scaling, and erythema. Treatment success, defined as "clear" or "excellent," consisted of some residual pinkness or pigmentation to marked improvement (nearly normal skin texture; some erythema may be present). The results of these studies are presented in Table 12.
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Psoriasis Study I -patients randomized* | 77 | - | 301 |
PASI 75 | 2 (3%) | - | 242 (80%)† |
sPGA | 3 (4%) | - | 242 (80%)† |
Psoriasis Study II -patients randomized* | 208 | 313 | 314 |
PASI 75 | 4 (2%) | 220 (70%)† | 237 (75%)† |
rPGA | 2 (1%) | 217 (69%)† | 234 (75%)† |
Psoriasis Study III -patients randomized‡ | 51 | 99 | 99 |
PASI 75 | 3 (6%) | 71 (72%)† | 87 (88%)† |
sPGA | 5 (10%) | 71 (72%)† | 89 (90%)† |
In Study I, in the subgroup of patients with more extensive psoriasis who had previously received phototherapy, 85% of patients on 5 mg/kg infliximab achieved a PASI 75 at Week 10 compared with 4% of patients on placebo.
In Study II, in the subgroup of patients with more extensive psoriasis who had previously received phototherapy, 72% and 77% of patients on 3 mg/kg and 5 mg/kg infliximab achieved a PASI 75 at Week 10 respectively compared with 1% on placebo. In Study II, among patients with more extensive psoriasis who had failed or were intolerant to phototherapy, 70% and 78% of patients on 3 mg/kg and 5 mg/kg infliximab achieved a PASI 75 at Week 10 respectively, compared with 2% on placebo.
Maintenance of response was studied in a subset of 292 and 297 infliximab-treated patients in the 3 mg/kg and 5 mg/kg groups; respectively, in Study II. Stratified by PASI response at Week 10 and investigational site, patients in the active treatment groups were re-randomized to either a scheduled or as needed maintenance (PRN) therapy, beginning on Week 14.
The groups that received a maintenance dose every 8 weeks appear to have a greater percentage of patients maintaining a PASI 75 through week 50 as compared to patients who received the as-needed or PRN doses, and the best response was maintained with the 5 mg/kg every 8-week dose. These results are shown in Figure 4. At Week 46, when infliximab serum concentrations were at trough level, in the every 8-week dose group, 54% of patients in the 5 mg/kg group compared to 36% in the 3 mg/kg group achieved PASI 75. The lower percentage of PASI 75 responders in the 3 mg/kg every 8-week dose group compared to the 5 mg/kg group was associated with a lower percentage of patients with detectable trough serum infliximab levels.
This may be related in part to higher antibody rates [see Adverse Reactions (6.1)]. In addition, in a subset of patients who had achieved a response at Week 10, maintenance of response appears to be greater in patients who received infliximab every 8 weeks at the 5 mg/kg dose. Regardless of whether the maintenance doses are PRN or every 8 weeks, there is a decline in response in a subpopulation of patients in each group over time. The results of Study I through Week 50 in the 5 mg/kg every 8 weeks maintenance dose group were similar to the results from Study II.
Figure 4 Proportion of patients achieving ≥75% improvement in PASI from baseline through Week 50; patients randomized at Week 14
Efficacy and safety of infliximab treatment beyond 50 weeks have not been evaluated in patients with plaque psoriasis.
15. References
- American Thoracic Society, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Targeted tuberculin testing and treatment of latent tuberculosis infection. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2000;161:S221-S247.
- See latest Centers for Disease Control guidelines and recommendations for tuberculosis testing in immunocompromised patients.
- van der Heijde DM, van Leeuwen MA, van Riel PL, et al. Biannual radiographic assessments of hands and feet in a three-year prospective follow-up of patients with early rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis Rheum. 1992;35(1):26-34.
- van der Linden S, Valkenburg HA, Cats A. Evaluation of diagnostic criteria for ankylosing spondylitis. A proposal for modification of the New York criteria. Arthritis Rheum. 1984;27(4):361-368.
- Schroeder KW, Tremaine WJ, Ilstrup DM. Coated oral 5-aminosalicylic acid therapy for mildly to moderately active ulcerative colitis. A randomized study. N Engl J Med. 1987;317(26):1625-1629.
- Turner D, Otley AR, Mack D, et al. Development, validation, and evaluation of a pediatric ulcerative colitis activity index: A prospective multicenter study. Gastroenterology. 2007;133:423–432.
16. How is Renflexis supplied
Each RENFLEXIS (infliximab-abda) for Injection 100 mg vial is individually packaged in a carton.
NDC 78206-162-01 | 100 mg vial |
Each single dose vial contains 100 mg of lyophilized infliximab-abda for final reconstitution volume of 10 mL.
17. Patient Counseling Information
Advise the patient to read the FDA-approved patient labeling (Medication Guide)
Patients or their caregivers should be advised of the potential benefits and risks of RENFLEXIS. Physicians should instruct their patients to read the Medication Guide before starting RENFLEXIS therapy and to reread it each time they receive an infusion. It is important that the patient's overall health be assessed at each treatment visit and that any questions resulting from the patient's or their caregiver's reading of the Medication Guide be discussed.
Immunosuppression
Inform patients that RENFLEXIS may lower the ability of their immune system to fight infections. Instruct patients of the importance of contacting their doctors if they develop any symptoms of an infection, including tuberculosis and reactivation of hepatitis B virus infections. Patients should be counseled about the risk of lymphoma and other malignancies while receiving RENFLEXIS.
MEDICATION GUIDE RENFLEXIS (Ren-FLEK-sis) (infliximab-abda) Lyophilized Concentrate for Injection, for Intravenous Use |
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This Medication Guide has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. | Revised: January 2022 | ||||
Read the Medication Guide that comes with RENFLEXIS before you receive the first treatment, and before each time you get a treatment of RENFLEXIS. This Medication Guide does not take the place of talking with your doctor about your medical condition or treatment. | |||||
What is the most important information I should know about RENFLEXIS? | |||||
RENFLEXIS may cause serious side effects, including: | |||||
1. Risk of infection | |||||
RENFLEXIS is a medicine that affects your immune system. RENFLEXIS can lower the ability of your immune system to fight infections. Serious infections have happened in patients receiving RENFLEXIS. These infections include tuberculosis (TB) and infections caused by viruses, fungi or bacteria that have spread throughout the body. Some patients have died from these infections.
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Before starting RENFLEXIS, tell your doctor if you:
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After starting RENFLEXIS, if you have an infection, any sign of an infection including a fever, cough, flu-like symptoms, or have open cuts or sores on your body, call your doctor right away. RENFLEXIS can make you more likely to get infections or make any infection that you have worse. | |||||
2. Risk of Cancer
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See the section "What are the possible side effects of RENFLEXIS?" below for more information. | |||||
What is RENFLEXIS? | |||||
RENFLEXIS is a prescription medicine that is approved for patients with:
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RENFLEXIS blocks the action of a protein in your body called tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). TNF-alpha is made by your body's immune system. People with certain diseases have too much TNF-alpha that can cause the immune system to attack normal healthy parts of the body. RENFLEXIS can block the damage caused by too much TNF-alpha. | |||||
Who should not receive RENFLEXIS? | |||||
You should not receive RENFLEXIS if you have:
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What should I tell my doctor before starting treatment with RENFLEXIS? | |||||
Your doctor will assess your health before each treatment. | |||||
Tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions, including if you:
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If you have a baby and you were receiving RENFLEXIS during your pregnancy, it is important to tell your baby's doctor and other health care professionals about your RENFLEXIS use so they can decide when your baby should receive any vaccine. Certain vaccinations can cause infections. | |||||
If you received RENFLEXIS while you were pregnant, your baby may be at higher risk for getting an infection. If your baby receives a live vaccine within 6 months after birth, your baby may develop infections with serious complications that can lead to death. This includes live vaccines such as the BCG, rotavirus, or any other live vaccines. For other types of vaccines, talk with your doctor. | |||||
How should I receive RENFLEXIS?
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What should I avoid while receiving RENFLEXIS? | |||||
Do not take RENFLEXIS together with medicines such as KINERET (anakinra), ORENCIA (abatacept), ACTEMRA (tocilizumab), or other medicines called biologics that are used to treat the same conditions as RENFLEXIS. | |||||
Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. These include any other medicines to treat Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis or psoriasis. | |||||
Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of your medicines and show them to your doctor and pharmacist when you get a new medicine. | |||||
What are the possible side effects of RENFLEXIS? | |||||
RENFLEXIS can cause serious side effects, including: | |||||
See "What is the most important information I should know about RENFLEXIS?". | |||||
Serious Infections
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Heart Failure | |||||
If you have a heart problem called congestive heart failure, your doctor should check you closely while you are receiving RENFLEXIS. Your congestive heart failure may get worse while you are receiving RENFLEXIS. Be sure to tell your doctor of any new or worse symptoms including: | |||||
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Treatment with RENFLEXIS may need to be stopped if you get new or worse congestive heart failure. | |||||
Other Heart Problems | |||||
Some patients have experienced a heart attack (some of which led to death), low blood flow to the heart, or abnormal heart rhythm within 24 hours of beginning their infusion of an infliximab product. Symptoms may include chest discomfort or pain, arm pain, stomach pain, shortness of breath, anxiety, lightheadedness, dizziness, fainting, sweating, nausea, vomiting, fluttering or pounding in your chest, and/or a fast or a slow heartbeat. Tell your doctor right away if you have any of these symptoms. | |||||
Liver Injury | |||||
Some patients receiving infliximab products have developed serious liver problems. Tell your doctor if you have: | |||||
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Blood Problems | |||||
In some patients receiving infliximab products, the body may not make enough of the blood cells that help fight infections or help stop bleeding. Tell your doctor if you: | |||||
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Nervous System Disorders | |||||
Some patients receiving infliximab products have developed problems with their nervous system. Tell your doctor if you have: | |||||
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Some patients have experienced a stroke within approximately 24 hours of their infusion with infliximab products. Tell your doctor right away if you have symptoms of a stroke which may include: numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body; sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding; sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes, sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination or a sudden, severe headache. | |||||
Allergic Reactions | |||||
Some patients have had allergic reactions to infliximab products. Some of these reactions were severe. These reactions can happen while you are getting your RENFLEXIS treatment or shortly afterward. Your doctor may need to stop or pause your treatment with RENFLEXIS and may give you medicines to treat the allergic reaction. Signs of an allergic reaction can include: | |||||
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Some patients treated with infliximab products have had delayed allergic reactions. The delayed reactions occurred 3 to 12 days after receiving treatment with an infliximab product. Tell your doctor right away if you have any of these signs of delayed allergic reaction to RENFLEXIS: | |||||
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Lupus-like Syndrome | |||||
Some patients have developed symptoms that are like the symptoms of Lupus. If you develop any of the following symptoms, your doctor may decide to stop your treatment with RENFLEXIS. | |||||
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Psoriasis | |||||
Some people receiving infliximab products had new psoriasis or worsening of psoriasis they already had. Tell your doctor if you develop red scaly patches or raised bumps on the skin that are filled with pus. Your doctor may decide to stop your treatment with RENFLEXIS. | |||||
The most common side effects of infliximab products include: | |||||
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Infusion reactions can happen up to 2 hours after your infusion of RENFLEXIS. Symptoms of infusion reactions may include: | |||||
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Children with Crohn's disease showed some differences in side effects of treatment compared with adults with Crohn's disease. The side effects that happened more in children were: anemia (low red blood cells), leukopenia (low white blood cells), flushing (redness or blushing), viral infections, neutropenia (low neutrophils, the white blood cells that fight infection), bone fracture, bacterial infection and allergic reactions of the breathing tract. Among patients who took infliximab for ulcerative colitis in clinical studies, more children had infections as compared with adults. | |||||
Tell your doctor about any side effect that bothers you or does not go away. | |||||
These are not all of the side effects with RENFLEXIS. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information. | |||||
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA1088. | |||||
General information about RENFLEXIS | |||||
Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in a Medication Guide. Do not use RENFLEXIS for a condition for which it was not prescribed. Do not give RENFLEXIS to other people, even if they have the same symptoms that you have. It may harm them. | |||||
You can ask your doctor or pharmacist for information about RENFLEXIS that is written for health professionals. | |||||
What are the ingredients in RENFLEXIS? | |||||
The active ingredient is infliximab-abda. | |||||
The inactive ingredients in RENFLEXIS include: dibasic sodium phosphate heptahydrate, monobasic sodium phosphate monohydrate, polysorbate 80, and sucrose. No preservatives are present. | |||||
Manufactured by: Samsung Bioepis Co., Ltd., 76, Songdogyoyuk-ro, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon, 21987, Republic of Korea | |||||
U.S. License No. 2046 | |||||
Manufactured for: Organon LLC, a subsidiary of ORGANON & Co., Jersey City, NJ 07302, USA |
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The trademarks above are owned by their respective owners. For more information, go to www.RENFLEXIS.com or call 1-844-674-3200. |
RENFLEXIS
infliximab injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution |
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Labeler - Organon LLC (117494753) |
Registrant - Samsung Bioepis Co., Ltd. (557822226) |