ENVARSUS SIDE EFFECTS
- Generic Name: tacrolimus extended-release tablets
- Brand Name: Envarsus XR
SIDE EFFECTS
The following clinically significant adverse drug reactions are discussed in greater detail in other sections of the labeling:
- Lymphoma and Other Malignancies
- Serious Infections
- New Onset Diabetes after Transplant
- Nephrotoxicity due to ENVARSUS XR and Drug Interactions
- Neurotoxicity
- Hyperkalemia
- Hypertension
- QT Prolongation
- Pure Red Cell Aplasia
Clinical Studies Experience
Because clinical studies are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical studies of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical studies of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. In addition, the clinical studies were not designed to establish comparative differences across study arms with regards to the adverse reactions discussed below.
Study 1- Phase 3 Clinical Study In De Novo Kidney Transplant Recipients
Study 1 (NCT 01187953), was a Phase 3 randomized study in de novo kidney transplant patients that were treated with ENVARSUS XR (N=268) or tacrolimus [immediate-release] capsules (N=275) and concomitant immunosuppressants in a double-blind, randomized, multinational study. The proportion of patients who discontinued treatment due to adverse reactions was 8.6% and 9.8% in the ENVARSUS XR and tacrolimus capsules treatment groups, respectively, through 12 months of treatment. The most common adverse reactions leading to discontinuation of study drug in the ENVARSUS XR treatment group were esophagitis, polyomavirus-associated nephropathy, graft dysfunction, complications of transplanted kidney, and diabetes mellitus, each resulting in 0.7% discontinuations among ENVARSUS XR treatment patients. In Study 1, de novo kidney transplant patients who received a starting dose of 0.17 mg/kg/day, which is higher than the recommended ENVARSUS XR starting dose of 0.14 mg/kg/day, exceeded the recommended target tacrolimus trough concentrations as high as 57 ng/mL during the first 1 to 2 weeks post-transplant.
Infections
The overall incidence of infections, serious infections, and infections with identified etiology reported in de novo kidney transplant recipients treated with ENVARSUS XR or tacrolimus [immediate-release] capsules in Study 1 are shown in Table 2.
Table 1 Percentage of Patients with Infections Through 1 Year Post-Kidney Transplant in Study 1 a
ENVARSUS XR ± steroids, IL-2 receptor antagonist induction therapy, MMF/MPS or AZA N=268 |
Tacrolimus [immediate-release] capsules ± steroids, IL-2 receptor antagonist induction therapy, MMF/MPS or AZA N=275 |
|
All infections | 70% | 65% |
Urinary Tract Infections | 29% | 27% |
Respiratory Infections | 28% | 24% |
Bacterial Infections | 13% | 18% |
Cytomegalovirus Infections | 11% | 9% |
Fungal Infections | 9% | 8% |
Gastrointestinal Infections | 6% | 4% |
BK virusb | 6% | 9% |
Serious Infections | 26% | 24% |
MMF/MPS- Mycophenolate mofetil/mycophenolate sodium; AZA-azathioprine a Study 1 was not designed to support comparative claims of ENVARSUS XR compared to tacrolimus [immediaterelease] capsules for the adverse reactions reported in this table. b BK virus-associated nephropathy (BKVAN) occurred in 1.5% (4/268) and 0.7% (2/275) in the ENVARSUS XR and tacrolimus capsules treatment groups, respectively. |
New Onset Diabetes After Transplantation
New onset diabetes after transplantation (NODAT) was defined by the composite occurrence of fasting plasma glucose values ≥126 mg/dL, 2-hour post-prandial plasma glucose of at least 200 mg/dL (in oral glucose tolerance test) on two or more consecutive occasions post-baseline, insulin requirement for ≥31 days, an oral hypoglycemic agent use ≥31 days, or HbA1c ≥6.5% (at least 3 months after randomization) among kidney transplant patients with no medical history of diabetes. The incidence of NODAT for Study 1 through one year post-transplant is summarized in Table 2 below.
Table 2. Percentage of Patients with NODAT Through 1 Year Post-Kidney Transplant in Study 1 a
ENVARSUS XR ± steroids, IL-2 receptor antagonist induction therapy, MMF/MPS or AZA (N=88) |
Tacrolimus [immediaterelease] capsules ± steroids, IL-2 receptor antagonist induction therapy, MMF/MPS or AZA (N=74) |
|
Composite NODATb | 21% | 15% |
HbA1c ≥6.5% | 13% | 8% |
Fasting Plasma Glucose Values ≥126 mg/dL on 2 consecutive occurrences | 8% | 11% |
Oral hypoglycemic use | 7% | 5% |
Insulin use ≥31 days | 1% | 4% |
MMF/MPS- Mycophenolate mofetil/mycophenolate sodium; AZA-azathioprine a Study 1 was not designed to support comparative claims of ENVARSUS XR compared to tacrolimus [immediaterelease] capsules for the adverse reactions reported in this table. b Analyses restricted to patients at risk for NODAT. |
Common Adverse Reactions
The incidence of adverse reactions that occurred in ≥10% of ENVARSUS XR-treated patients compared to tacrolimus [immediate-release] capsules through one year of treatment in Study 1 is shown by treatment group in Table 4 .
Table 3. Adverse Reactions ( ≥ 10%) in Kidney Transplant Patients Through 1 Year Post-Transplant in Study 1 a
Adverse Reaction | ENVARSUS XR N=268 |
Tacrolimus [immediaterelease] capsules N=275 |
Diarrhea | 31% | 34% |
Anemia | 26% | 29% |
Urinary Tract Infection | 25% | 25% |
Hypertension | 23% | 23% |
Tremor | 19% | 17% |
Constipation | 18% | 25% |
Diabetes Mellitus | 16% | 14% |
Peripheral Edema | 16% | 21% |
Hyperkalemia | 15% | 11% |
Headache | 15% | 10% |
Hypophosphatemia | 13% | 15% |
Leukopenia | 13% | 14% |
Nausea | 13% | 15% |
Insomnia | 13% | 11% |
Increased Blood Creatinine | 12% | 14% |
Hypomagnesemia | 12% | 12% |
Hypokalemia | 12% | 12% |
Hyperglycemia | 11% | 12% |
a Study 1 was not designed to support comparative claims of ENVARSUS XR compared to tacrolimus [immediaterelease] capsules for the adverse reactions reported in this table. |
Study 2- Phase 2 Clinical Study In De Novo Kidney Transplant Recipients
Study 2 (NCT00765661) was an open-label Phase 2 study conducted in de novo kidney transplant patients randomized to once daily ENVARSUS XR (N=32) or twice daily tacrolimus [immediate-release] capsules (N=31). The study was conducted in the US and patients received an organ from a deceased or living donor. Pharmacokinetics were evaluated during the first 2 weeks with an additional 50-week treatment and follow-up to evaluate safety and efficacy.
The starting dosage was 0.14 mg/kg/day (given once daily) for ENVARSUS XR and 0.2 mg/kg/day (given twice daily) for tacrolimus [immediate-release] capsules. On Day 2 predose, the proportion of patients in the ENVARSUS XR group with tacrolimus trough concentration that were within, above, and below 6 to 11 ng/mL was 53%, 11%, and 37%, respectively. The starting dose of 0.14 mg/kg/day in Study 2 formed the basis of dosing recommendations in de novo kidney transplant patients.
There were no deaths or graft failures in Study 2. Two patients in each arm discontinued due to adverse events. The most common adverse reactions included infections and cardiovascular events, and were generally similar to those reported in Study 1.
Study 3- Phase 3 Clinical Studies In Stable Kidney Transplant Recipients Converted From Tacrolimus Capsules
In Study 3 (NCT00817206) stable kidney transplant patients were treated with ENVARSUS XR (N=162) or tacrolimus [immediate-release] capsules (N=162) and concomitant immunosuppressants in an open-label, randomized, multinational study . The proportion of patients who discontinued treatment due to adverse reactions was 7.4% and 1.2% in the ENVARSUS XR and tacrolimus capsules treatment groups, respectively, through 12 months of treatment. The most common adverse reactions leading to discontinuation of study drug in the ENVARSUS XR treatment group was cardiac arrest (2 events).
Infections
The overall incidence of infections, serious infections, and infections with identified etiology reported in stable kidney transplant recipients treated with ENVARSUS XR or tacrolimus capsules are shown in Table 5.
Table 4. Percentage of Stable Patients with Infections Through 1 Year Post-Treatment in Study 3 a
ENVARSUS XR ± steroids, MMF/MPS or AZA N=162 |
Tacrolimus [immediate-release] capsules± steroids, MMF/MPS or AZA N=162 |
|
All infections | 46% | 48% |
Respiratory Infections | 26% | 28% |
Urinary Tract Infections | 10% | 14% |
Bacterial Infections | 7% | 5% |
Fungal Infections | 4% | 4% |
Gastrointestinal Infections | 4% | 5% |
BK virusb | 2% | 2% |
Cytomegalovirus Infections | 2% | 1% |
Serious Infections | 8% | 9% |
MMF/MPS- Mycophenolate mofetil/mycophenolate sodium; AZA-azathioprine a The stable kidney transplant study was not designed to support comparative claims of ENVARSUS XR compared to tacrolimus capsules for the adverse reactions reported in this table. b BK virus associated nephropathy (BKVAN) occurred in 1.2% (2/162) and 0.6% (1/162) in the ENVARSUS XR and tacrolimus capsules treatment groups, respectively. |
New Onset Diabetes After Transplantation
New onset diabetes after transplantation (NODAT) was defined by the composite occurrence of fasting plasma glucose values ≥126 mg/dL, 2-hour postprandial plasma glucose of at least 200 mg/dL (in oral glucose tolerance test) on 2 or more consecutive occasions post-baseline, insulin requirement for ≥31 days, an oral hypoglycemic agent use ≥31 days, or HbA1c ≥6.5% (at least 3 months after randomization) among kidney transplant patients with no medical history of diabetes. The incidence of NODAT for the stable kidney transplant study through one year post-transplant is summarized in Table 5 below.
Table 5. Percentage of Stable Patients with NODAT Through 1 Year Post- Treatment in Study 3 a
ENVARSUS XR ± steroids, MMF/MPS or AZA (N=90) |
Tacrolimus [immediaterelease] capsules ± steroids, MMF/MPS or AZA (N=95) |
|
Composite NODATb | 10 | 11 |
HbA1c ≥6.5% | 3% | 7% |
Fasting Plasma Glucose Values ≥126 mg/dL on 2 consecutive occurrences | 8% | 6% |
Oral hypoglycemic use | 1% | 1% |
Insulin use ≥31 days | 1% | 0% |
MMF/MPS- Mycophenolate mofetil/mycophenolate sodium; AZA-azathioprine a The stable kidney transplant study was not designed to support comparative claims of ENVARSUS XR compared to tacrolimus capsules for the adverse reactions reported in this table. b Analyses restricted to patients at risk for NODAT. |
Common Adverse Reactions
In Study 3, the most common (≥10%) adverse reactions observed with Envarsus XR were diarrhea (14%), and blood creatinine increased (12%).
Postmarketing Experience
The following adverse reactions have been reported from marketing experience with tacrolimus in the U.S. and outside the U.S. 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 reactions have been included due to either their seriousness, frequency of reporting or strength of causal connection to ENVARSUS XR:
- Blood and Lymphatic System Disorders: Agranulocytosis, decreased blood fibrinogen, disseminated intravascular coagulation, hemolytic anemia, hemolytic uremic syndrome, leukopenia, pancytopenia, prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time, pure red cell aplasia, thrombocytopenic purpura, thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura
- Cardiac Disorders: Atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, cardiac arrhythmia, cardiac arrest, electrocardiogram T wave abnormal, flushing, myocardial hypertrophy, myocardial infarction, myocardial ischaemia, pericardial effusion, QT prolongation, supraventricular extrasystoles, supraventricular tachycardia, Torsade de Pointes, deep limb venous thrombosis, ventricular fibrillation
- Ear Disorders: Hearing loss including deafness
- Eye Disorders: Blindness, photophobia, optic atrophy
- Gastrointestinal Disorders: Abdominal pain, colitis, dysphagia, gastrointestinal perforation, impaired gastric emptying, intestinal obstruction, mouth ulceration, peritonitis, stomach ulcer
- Hepatobiliary Disorders: Bile duct stenosis, cholangitis, cirrhosis, fatty liver, hepatic cytolysis, hepatic failure, hepatic necrosis, hepatic steatosis, jaundice, hemorrhagic pancreatitis, necrotizing pancreatitis, venoocclusive liver disease
- Hypersensitivity Reactions: Hypersensitivity, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, urticaria
- Immune System Disorders: Graft versus host disease (acute and chronic)
- Metabolism and Nutrition Disorders: Glycosuria, increased amylase, pancreatitis
- Musculoskeletal and Connective Tissue Disorders: Myalgia, polyarthritis, rhabdomyolysis
- Neoplasms: Lymphoma including EBV-associated lymphoproliferative disorder, PTLD; leukemia
- Nervous System Disorders: Carpal tunnel syndrome, cerebral infarction, coma, dysarthria, flaccid paralysis, hemiparesis, mental disorder, mutism, nerve compression, posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES), progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) sometimes fatal, quadriplegia, speech disorder, status epilepticus, syncope
- Renal and Urinary Disorder: Acute renal failure, hemorrhagic cystitis, hemolytic uremic syndrome, micturition disorder
- Respiratory, Thoracic and Mediastinal Disorders: Acute respiratory distress syndrome, interstitial lung disease, lung infiltration, pulmonary embolism, pulmonary hypertension, respiratory distress, respiratory failure
- Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders: Hyperpigmentation, photosensitivity, pruritus, rash
SRC: NLM .