Prescription Drug Information: Zoledronic Acid

ZOLEDRONIC ACID- zoledronic acid injection, solution, concentrate
Hikma Pharmaceuticals USA Inc.

1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE

1.1 Hypercalcemia of Malignancy

Zoledronic acid injection is indicated for the treatment of hypercalcemia of malignancy defined as an albumin‑corrected calcium (cCa) of greater than or equal to 12 mg/dL [3 mmol/L] using the formula: cCa in mg/dL=Ca in mg/dL + 0.8 (4 g/dL — patient albumin [g/dL]).

1.2 Multiple Myeloma and Bone Metastases of Solid Tumors

Zoledronic acid injection is indicated for the treatment of patients with multiple myeloma and patients with documented bone metastases from solid tumors, in conjunction with standard antineoplastic therapy. Prostate cancer should have progressed after treatment with at least one hormonal therapy.

Limitations of Use The safety and efficacy of zoledronic acid injection in the treatment of hypercalcemia associated with hyperparathyroidism or with other nontumor-related conditions have not been established.

2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION

Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration, whenever solution and container permit.

2.1 Hypercalcemia of Malignancy

The maximum recommended dose of zoledronic acid in hypercalcemia of malignancy (albumin‑corrected serum calcium greater than or equal to 12 mg/dL [3 mmol/L]) is 4 mg. The 4 mg dose must be given as a single-dose intravenous infusion over no less than 15 minutes. Patients who receive zoledronic acid should have serum creatinine assessed prior to each treatment.

Dose adjustments of zoledronic acid are not necessary in treating patients for hypercalcemia of malignancy presenting with mild-to-moderate renal impairment prior to initiation of therapy (serum creatinine less than 400 μmol/L or less than 4.5 mg/dL).

Patients should be adequately rehydrated prior to administration of zoledronic acid [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)].

Consideration should be given to the severity of, as well as the symptoms of, tumor‑induced hypercalcemia when considering use of zoledronic acid. Vigorous saline hydration, an integral part of hypercalcemia therapy, should be initiated promptly and an attempt should be made to restore the urine output to about 2 L/day throughout treatment. Mild or asymptomatic hypercalcemia may be treated with conservative measures (i.e., saline hydration, with or without loop diuretics). Patients should be hydrated adequately throughout the treatment, but overhydration, especially in those patients who have cardiac failure, must be avoided. Diuretic therapy should not be employed prior to correction of hypovolemia.

Retreatment with zoledronic acid 4 mg may be considered if serum calcium does not return to normal or remain normal after initial treatment. It is recommended that a minimum of 7 days elapse before retreatment, to allow for full response to the initial dose. Renal function must be carefully monitored in all patients receiving zoledronic acid and serum creatinine must be assessed prior to retreatment with zoledronic acid [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)].

2.2 Multiple Myeloma and Bone Metastases of Solid Tumors

The recommended dose of zoledronic acid in patients with multiple myeloma and metastatic bone lesions from solid tumors for patients with creatinine clearance (CrCl) greater than 60 mL/min is 4 mg infused over no less than 15 minutes every 3 to 4 weeks. The optimal duration of therapy is not known.

Upon treatment initiation, the recommended zoledronic acid doses for patients with reduced renal function (mild and moderate renal impairment) are listed in Table 1. These doses are calculated to achieve the same area under the curve (AUC) as that achieved in patients with creatinine clearance of 75 mL/min. CrCl is calculated using the Cockcroft-Gault formula [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)].

Table 1: Reduced Doses for Patients with Baseline CrCl Less than or Equal to 60 mL/min
Baseline Creatinine Clearance (mL/min) Zoledronic Acid Injection Recommended Dose*

greater than 6050 to 6040 to 4930 to 39

4 mg3.5 mg3.3 mg3 mg

* Doses calculated assuming target AUC of 0.66 (mg•hr/L) (CrCl = 75 mL/min)

During treatment, serum creatinine should be measured before each zoledronic acid dose and treatment should be withheld for renal deterioration. In the clinical studies, renal deterioration was defined as follows:

For patients with normal baseline creatinine, increase of 0.5 mg/dL

For patients with abnormal baseline creatinine, increase of 1 mg/dL

In the clinical studies, zoledronic acid treatment was resumed only when the creatinine returned to within 10% of the baseline value. Zoledronic acid should be reinitiated at the same dose as that prior to treatment interruption.

Patients should also be administered an oral calcium supplement of 500 mg and a multiple vitamin containing 400 international units of vitamin D daily.

2.3 Preparation of Solution

Zoledronic acid must not be mixed with calcium or other divalent cation-containing infusion solutions, such as Lactated Ringer’s solution, and should be administered as a single intravenous solution in a line separate from all other drugs.

4 mg per 5 mL Single-Dose Vial Vials of zoledronic acid concentrate for infusion contain overfill allowing for the withdrawal of 5 mL of concentrate (equivalent to 4 mg zoledronic acid). This concentrate should immediately be diluted in 100 mL of sterile 0.9% Sodium Chloride, USP, or 5% Dextrose Injection, USP, following proper aseptic technique, and administered to the patient by infusion. Do not store undiluted concentrate in a syringe, to avoid inadvertent injection.

To prepare reduced doses for patients with baseline CrCl less than or equal to 60 mL/min, withdraw the specified volume of the zoledronic acid concentrate from the vial for the dose required (see Table 3).

Table 3: Preparation of Reduced Doses — Zoledronic Acid Injection Concentrate
Remove and Use Zoledronic Acid Injection Volume (mL) Dose (mg)

4.44.13.8

3.53.33

The withdrawn concentrate must be diluted in 100 mL of sterile 0.9% Sodium Chloride, USP, or 5% Dextrose Injection, USP.

If not used immediately after dilution with infusion media, for microbiological integrity, the solution should be refrigerated at 2° to 8°C (36° to 46°F). The refrigerated solution should then be equilibrated to room temperature prior to administration. The total time between dilution, storage in the refrigerator, and end of administration must not exceed 24 hours.

2.4 Method of Administration

Due to the risk of clinically significant deterioration in renal function, which may progress to renal failure, single doses of zoledronic acid should not exceed 4 mg and the duration of infusion should be no less than 15 minutes [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3)]. In the trials and in post marketing experience, renal deterioration, progression to renal failure and dialysis, have occurred in patients, including those treated with the approved dose of 4 mg infused over 15 minutes. There have been instances of this occurring after the initial zoledronic acid dose.

3 DOSAGE FORMS AND STRENGTHS

Injection: 4 mg per 5 mL (0.8 mg/mL) single-dose vial of concentrate

4 CONTRAINDICATIONS

Hypersensitivity to Zoledronic Acid or Any Components of Zoledronic Acid Injection
Hypersensitivity reactions including rare cases of urticaria and angioedema, and very rare cases of anaphylactic reaction/shock have been reported [see Adverse Reactions (6.2)].

5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

5.1 Drugs with Same Active Ingredient or in the Same Drug Class

Zoledronic acid contains the same active ingredient as found in Reclast® (zoledronic acid). Patients being treated with zoledronic acid should not be treated with Reclast or other bisphosphonates.

5.2 Hydration and Electrolyte Monitoring

Patients with hypercalcemia of malignancy must be adequately rehydrated prior to administration of zoledronic acid. Loop diuretics should not be used until the patient is adequately rehydrated and should be used with caution in combination with zoledronic acid in order to avoid hypocalcemia. Zoledronic acid should be used with caution with other nephrotoxic drugs.

Standard hypercalcemia-related metabolic parameters, such as serum levels of calcium, phosphate, and magnesium, as well as serum creatinine, should be carefully monitored following initiation of therapy with zoledronic acid. If hypocalcemia, hypophosphatemia, or hypomagnesemia occur, short‑term supplemental therapy may be necessary.

5.3 Renal Impairment

Zoledronic acid is excreted intact primarily via the kidney, and the risk of adverse reactions, in particular renal adverse reactions, may be greater in patients with impaired renal function. Safety and pharmacokinetic data are limited in patients with severe renal impairment and the risk of renal deterioration is increased [see Adverse Reactions (6.1)]. Preexisting renal insufficiency and multiple cycles of zoledronic acid and other bisphosphonates are risk factors for subsequent renal deterioration with zoledronic acid. Factors predisposing to renal deterioration, such as dehydration or the use of other nephrotoxic drugs, should be identified and managed, if possible.

Zoledronic acid treatment in patients with hypercalcemia of malignancy with severe renal impairment should be considered only after evaluating the risks and benefits of treatment. [see Dosage and Administration (2.1)]. In the clinical studies, patients with serum creatinine greater than 400 μmol/L or greater than 4.5 mg/dL were excluded.

Zoledronic acid treatment is not recommended in patients with bone metastases with severe renal impairment. In the clinical studies, patients with serum creatinine greater than 265 μmol/L or greater than 3 mg/dL were excluded and there were only 8 of 564 patients treated with zoledronic acid 4 mg by 15-minute infusion with a baseline creatinine greater than 2 mg/dL. Limited pharmacokinetic data exists in patients with creatinine clearance less than 30 mL/min [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].

5.4 Osteonecrosis of the Jaw

Osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) has been reported predominantly in cancer patients treated with intravenous bisphosphonates, including zoledronic acid. Many of these patients were also receiving chemotherapy and corticosteroids which may be risk factors for ONJ. The risk of ONJ may increase with duration of exposure to bisphosphonates.

Post marketing experience and the literature suggest a greater frequency of reports of ONJ based on tumor type (advanced breast cancer, multiple myeloma), and dental status (dental extraction, periodontal disease, local trauma including poorly fitting dentures). Many reports of ONJ involved patients with signs of local infection including osteomyelitis.

Cancer patients should maintain good oral hygiene and should have a dental examination with preventive dentistry prior to treatment with bisphosphonates.

While on treatment, these patients should avoid invasive dental procedures if possible. For patients who develop ONJ while on bisphosphonate therapy, dental surgery may exacerbate the condition. For patients requiring dental procedures, there are no data available to suggest whether discontinuation of bisphosphonate treatment reduces the risk of ONJ. Clinical judgment of the treating physician should guide the management plan of each patient based on individual benefit/risk assessment [see Adverse Reactions (6.2)].

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