Source: FDA, National Drug Code (US) Revision Year: 2020
CYTOVENE-IV is contraindicated in patients who have experienced a clinically significant hypersensitivity reaction (e.g., anaphylaxis) to ganciclovir, valganciclovir, or any component of the formulation.
Granulocytopenia (neutropenia), anemia, thrombocytopenia and pancytopenia have been observed in patients treated with CYTOVENE-IV. The frequency and severity of these events vary widely in different patient populations [see Adverse Reactions (6.1)]. CYTOVENE-IV is not recommended if the absolute neutrophil count is less than 500 cells/µL, hemoglobin is less than 8 g/dL, or the platelet count is less than 25,000 cells/µL. CYTOVENE-IV should also be used with caution in patients with pre-existing cytopenias and in patients receiving myelosuppressive drugs or irradiation. Granulocytopenia (neutropenia) usually occurs during the first or second week of treatment but may occur at any time during treatment. Cell counts usually begin to recover within 3 to 7 days after discontinuing drug. Colony-stimulating factors have been shown to increase neutrophil and white blood cell counts in patients receiving CYTOVENE-IV solution for treatment of CMV retinitis.
Due to the frequency of neutropenia, anemia and thrombocytopenia in patients receiving CYTOVENE-IV [see Adverse Reactions (6.1)], complete blood counts with differential and platelet counts should be performed frequently in all patients, especially in patients with renal impairment and in patients in whom ganciclovir or other nucleoside analogues have previously resulted in leukopenia, or in whom neutrophil counts are less than 1000 cells/µL at the beginning of treatment [see Dosage and Administration (2.2)].
CYTOVENE-IV should be used with caution in patients with impaired renal function because the half-life and plasma/serum concentrations of ganciclovir will be increased due to reduced renal clearance. If renal function is impaired, dosage adjustments are recommended [see Dosage and Administration (2.5), Use in Specific Populations (8.5, 8.6)].
Increased serum creatinine levels have been reported in elderly patients and in transplant recipients receiving concomitant nephrotoxic medications (i.e., cyclosporine and amphotericin B). Monitoring renal function during therapy with CYTOVENE-IV is essential, especially for elderly patients and those patients receiving concomitant agents that may cause nephrotoxicity [see Dosage and Administration (2.5), Drug Interactions (7), Use in Specific Populations (8.5)].
Based on animal data and limited human data, CYTOVENE-IV at the recommended human dose (RHD) may cause temporary or permanent inhibition of spermatogenesis in males, and may cause suppression of fertility in females. Advise patients that fertility may be impaired with the use of CYTOVENE-IV [see Use in Specific Populations (8.1, 8.3), Nonclinical Toxicology (13.1)].
CYTOVENE-IV may cause fetal toxicity when administered to pregnant women based on findings in animal studies. Systemic exposure of ganciclovir in animals at approximately 2 times the RHD caused fetal growth retardation, embryolethality, teratogenicity, and/or maternal toxicity. Teratogenic changes in animals included cleft palate, anophthalmia/microphthalmia, aplastic organs (kidney and pancreas), hydrocephaly and brachygnathia. Women of childbearing potential should be advised to use effective contraception during treatment and for at least 30 days following treatment with CYTOVENE-IV. Similarly, men should be advised to practice barrier contraception during and for at least 90 days following treatment with CYTOVENE-IV [see Use in Specific Populations (8.1, 8.3), Nonclinical Toxicology (13.1)].
Animal data indicate that ganciclovir is mutagenic and carcinogenic. CYTOVENE-IV should therefore be considered a potential carcinogen in humans [see Dosage and Administration (2.7), Nonclinical Toxicology (13.1)].
The following serious adverse reactions are discussed in greater detail in other sections of the labeling:
Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect rates observed in practice. The most common adverse reactions and laboratory abnormalities reported in at least 20% of patients were pyrexia, diarrhea, leukopenia, nausea, anemia, asthenia, headache, cough, decreased appetite, dyspnea, abdominal pain, sepsis, hyperhidrosis, and blood creatinine increased.
Selected adverse reactions that occurred during clinical trials of CYTOVENE-IV are summarized below, according to the participating study patient population.
Three controlled, randomized, phase 3 trials comparing CYTOVENE-IV and ganciclovir capsules for maintenance treatment of CMV retinitis have been completed. During these trials, CYTOVENE-IV or ganciclovir capsules were prematurely discontinued in 9% of subjects because of adverse reactions. Selected adverse reactions and laboratory abnormalities reported during the conduct of these controlled trials are summarized in Table 2 and Table 3, respectively [see Clinical Studies (14.1)].
Table 2. Pooled Selected Adverse Reactions Reported in ≥5% of Subjects Comparing CYTOVENE-IV to Ganciclovir Capsules for Maintenance Treatment of CMV Retinitis:
| Maintenance Treatment Studies | ||
|---|---|---|
| Adverse Reaction | CYTOVENE-IV (n=179) | Ganciclovir Capsules (n=326) |
| Pyrexia | 48% | 38% |
| Diarrhea | 44% | 41% |
| Leukopenia | 41% | 29% |
| Anemia | 25% | 19% |
| Total catheter events | 22% | 6% |
| Catheter infection | 9% | 4% |
| Catheter sepsis | 8% | 1% |
| Other catheter related events | 5% | 1% |
| Sepsis | 15% | 4% |
| Decreased appetite | 14% | 15% |
| Vomiting | 13% | 13% |
| Infection | 13% | 9% |
| Hyperhidrosis | 12% | 11% |
| Chills | 10% | 7% |
| Neuropathy peripheral | 9% | 8% |
| Thrombocytopenia | 6% | 6% |
| Pruritus | 5% | 6% |
Retinal detachment has been observed in subjects with CMV retinitis both before and after initiation of therapy with ganciclovir. Its relationship to therapy with ganciclovir is unknown. Retinal detachment occurred in 11% of patients treated with CYTOVENE-IV and in 8% of patients treated with ganciclovir capsules.
Table 3. Selected Laboratory Abnormalities in Trials for Treatment of CMV Retinitis:
| CMV Retinitis Treatment* | ||
|---|---|---|
| Laboratory Abnormalities | CYTOVENE-IV† 5 mg/kg/day (N=175) % | Ganciclovir Capsules‡ 3000 mg/day (N=320) % |
| Neutropenia with Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC) per µL: | ||
| <500 | 25% | 18% |
| 500 – <749 | 14% | 17% |
| 750 – <1000 | 26% | 19% |
| Anemia with Hemoglobin (g/dL): | ||
| <6.5 g/dL | 5% | 2% |
| 6.5 – <8.0 | 16% | 10% |
| 8.0 – <9.5 | 26% | 25% |
| Serum Creatinine (mg/dL): | ||
| ≥2.5 | 2% | 1% |
| ≥1.5 – <2.5 | 14% | 12% |
* Pooled data from Treatment Studies: ICM 1653, ICM 1774 and AVI 034
† Mean time on therapy = 103 days, including allowed re-induction treatment periods
‡ Mean time on therapy = 91 days, including allowed re-induction treatment periods
There have been three controlled clinical trials of CYTOVENE-IV for the prevention of CMV disease in transplant recipients. Selected laboratory abnormalities are summarized in Table 4 and Table 5 below. Table 4 shows the frequency of neutropenia and thrombocytopenia and Table 5 shows the frequency of elevated serum creatinine values observed in these trials [see Clinical Studies (14.2)].
Table 4. Laboratory Abnormalities in Controlled Trials—Transplant Recipients who Received CYTOVENE-IV, Placebo or Control:
| CYTOVENE-IV | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heart Allograft* | Bone Marrow Allograft† | |||
| CYTOVENE-IV (n=76) | Placebo (n=73) | CYTOVENE-IV (n=57) | Control (n=55) | |
| Neutropenia | ||||
| Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC) per µL | ||||
| <500 | 4% | 3% | 12% | 6% |
| 500-1000 | 3% | 8% | 29% | 17% |
| Total ANC ≤1000/µL | 7% | 11% | 41% | 23% |
| Thrombocytopenia | ||||
| Platelet count per µL <25,000 | 3% | 1% | 32% | 28% |
| 25,000-50,000 | 5% | 3% | 25% | 37% |
| Total Platelet Count ≤50,000/µL | 8% | 4% | 57% | 65% |
* Study ICM 14 96. Mean duration of treatment = 28 days
† Study ICM 1570 and ICM 1689. Mean duration of treatment = 45 days
Table 5. Serum Creatinine Levels in Controlled Trials—Transplant Recipients who Received CYTOVENE-IV or Placebo:
| Serum Creatinine Levels (mg/dL) | Heart Allograft ICM 1496 | Bone Marrow Allograft ICM 1570 | Bone Marrow Allograft ICM 1689 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CYTOVENE-IV (n=76) | Placebo (n=73) | CYTOVENE-IV (n=20) | Control (n=20) | CYTOVENE-IV (n=37) | Placebo (n=35) | |
| ≥2.5 mg/dL | 18% | 4% | 20% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| ≥1.5 – <2.5 | 58% | 69% | 50% | 35% | 43% | 44% |
Adverse drug reactions with CYTOVENE-IV or ganciclovir capsules in controlled clinical studies in either subjects with AIDS or transplant recipients are listed below [see Clinical Studies (14)]. All these events occurred in at least 3 subjects.
Blood and lymphatic disorders: pancytopenia, bone marrow failure
Cardiac disorders: arrhythmia
Ear and labyrinth disorders: tinnitus, ear pain, deafness
Eye disorders: visual impairment, vitreous disorders, eye pain, conjunctivitis, macular edema
Gastrointestinal disorders: nausea, abdominal pain, dyspepsia, flatulence, constipation, mouth ulceration, dysphagia, abdominal distention, pancreatitis, gastrointestinal perforation, eructation, dry mouth
General disorders and administration site conditions: fatigue, injection site inflammation, edema, pain, malaise, asthenia, chest pain, multiple organ failure
Immune system disorders: hypersensitivity
Infections and infestations: candida infections including oral candidiasis, upper respiratory infection, influenza, urinary tract infection, cellulitis
Investigations: blood alkaline phosphatase increased, hepatic function abnormal, aspartate aminotransferase increased, alanine aminotransferase increased, creatinine clearance decreased
Metabolism and nutrition disorders: weight decreased
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders: back pain, myalgia, arthralgia, muscle spasms, leg cramps, myasthenia
Nervous system disorders: headache, insomnia, dizziness, paresthesia, hypoesthesia, seizure, somnolence, dysgeusia (taste disturbance), tremor
Psychiatric disorders: depression, confusional state, anxiety, agitation, psychotic disorder, thinking abnormal, abnormal dreams
Renal and urinary disorders: kidney failure, renal function abnormal, urinary frequency, hematuria
Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders: cough, dyspnea
Skin and subcutaneous tissues disorders: dermatitis, alopecia, dry skin, urticaria, rash
Vascular disorders: hypotension, hypertension, phlebitis, vasodilation
The following adverse reactions have been identified during post-approval use of CYTOVENE-IV or ganciclovir capsules. 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.
Blood and lymphatic disorders: hemolytic anemia, agranulocytosis, granulocytopenia
Cardiac disorders: cardiac arrest, conduction disorder, torsade de pointes, ventricular tachycardia
Congenital, familial and genetic disorders: congenital anomaly
Endocrine disorders: inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion
Eye disorders: cataracts, dry eyes
Gastrointestinal disorders: intestinal ulcer
Hepatobiliary disorders: cholelithiasis, cholestasis, hepatic failure, hepatitis
Immune system disorders: anaphylactic reaction, allergic reaction, vasculitis
Investigations: blood triglycerides increased
Metabolism and nutrition disorders: acidosis, hypercalcemia, hyponatremia
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders: arthritis, rhabdomyolysis
Nervous system disorders: dysesthesia, dysphasia, extrapyramidal disorder, facial paralysis, amnesia, anosmia, myelopathy, cerebrovascular accident, third cranial nerve paralysis, aphasia, encephalopathy, intracranial hypertension
Psychiatric disorders: irritability, hallucinations
Renal and urinary disorders: renal tubular disorder, hemolytic uremic syndrome
Reproductive system and breast disorders: infertility, testicular hypotrophy
Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders: bronchospasm, pulmonary fibrosis
Skin and subcutaneous tissues disorders: exfoliative dermatitis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome
Vascular disorders: peripheral ischemia
Drug-drug interaction studies were conducted in patients with normal renal function. Patients with impaired renal function may have increased concentrations of ganciclovir and the coadministered drug following concomitant administration of CYTOVENE-IV and drugs excreted by the same pathway as ganciclovir. Therefore, these patients should be closely monitored for toxicity of ganciclovir and the coadministered drug.
Established and other potentially significant drug interactions conducted with ganciclovir are listed in Table 6 [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].
Table 6. Established and Other Potentially Significant Drug Interactions with Ganciclovir:
| Name of the Concomitant Drug | Change in the Concentration of Ganciclovir or Concomitant Drug | Clinical Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Imipenem-cilastatin | Unknown | Coadministration with imipenem-cilastatin is not recommended because generalized seizures have been reported in patients who received ganciclovir and imipenem-cilastatin. |
| Cyclosporine or amphotericin B | Unknown | Monitor renal function when CYTOVENE-IV is coadministered with cyclosporine or amphotericin B because of potential increase in serum creatinine [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)]. |
| Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) | ↔ Ganciclovir (in patients with normal renal function) ↔ MMF (in patients with normal renal function) | Based on increased risk, patients should be monitored for hematological and renal toxicity. |
| Other drugs associated with myelosuppression or nephrotoxicity (e.g., dapsone, doxorubicin, flucytosine, hydroxyurea, pentamidine, tacrolimus, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, vinblastine, vincristine and zidovudine) | Unknown | Because of potential for higher toxicity, coadministration with CYTOVENE-IV should be considered only if the potential benefits are judged to outweigh the risks. |
| Didanosine | ↔ Ganciclovir ↑ Didanosine | Patients should be closely monitored for didanosine toxicity (e.g., pancreatitis). |
| Probenecid | ↑ Ganciclovir | CYTOVENE-IV dose may need to be reduced. Monitor for evidence of ganciclovir toxicity. |
In animal studies, ganciclovir caused maternal and fetal toxicity and embryo-fetal mortality in pregnant mice and rabbits as well as teratogenicity in rabbits at exposures two times the exposure at the recommended human dose (RHD) [see Data]. Although placental transfer of ganciclovir has been shown to occur based on ex vivo experiments with human placenta and in at least one case report in a pregnant woman, no adequate human data are available to establish whether CYTOVENE-IV poses a risk to pregnancy outcomes. The background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated populations is unknown. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in the clinically recognized pregnancies is 2–4% and 15–20%, respectively.
Most maternal CMV infections are asymptomatic or they may be associated with a self-limited mononucleosis-like syndrome. However, in immunocompromised patients (i.e., transplant patients or patients with AIDS), CMV infections may be symptomatic and may result in significant maternal morbidity and mortality. The transmission of CMV to the fetus is a result of maternal viremia and transplacental infection. Perinatal infection can also occur from exposure of the neonate to CMV shedding in the genital tract. Approximately 10% of children with congenital CMV infection are symptomatic at birth. Mortality in symptomatic infants is about 10% and approximately 50–90% of symptomatic surviving newborns experience significant morbidity, including mental retardation, sensorineural hearing loss, microcephaly, seizures, and other medical problems. The risk of congenital CMV infection resulting from primary maternal CMV infection may be higher and of greater severity than that resulting from maternal reactivation of CMV infection.
Daily intravenous doses of ganciclovir were administered to pregnant mice (108 mg/kg/day) and rabbits (60 mg/kg/day), and also to female mice (90 mg/kg) prior to mating, during gestation, and during lactation. Fetal resorptions were present in at least 85% of rabbits and mice. Additional effects observed in rabbits included fetal growth retardation, embryolethality, teratogenicity, and/or maternal toxicity. Teratogenic changes included cleft palate, anophthalmia/microphthalmia, aplastic organs (kidney and pancreas), hydrocephaly, and brachygnathia. In pre/postnatal development studies in mice, there were maternal/fetal toxicity and embryolethality which included fetal effects of hypoplasia of the testes and seminal vesicles in the male offspring, as well as pathologic changes in the nonglandular region of the stomach. The systemic exposure (AUC) of ganciclovir during these studies was approximately 2 times (pregnant mice and rabbits) and 1.7 times (pre/postnatal mice) the exposure in humans at the RHD [see Nonclinical Toxicology (13.1)].
No data are available regarding the presence of ganciclovir in human milk, the effects on the breastfed infant, or the effects on milk production. When ganciclovir was administered to lactating rats, ganciclovir was present in milk [see Data]. Advise nursing mothers that breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment with CYTOVENE-IV because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1, 5.3, 5.4, 5.5), Nonclinical Toxicology (13.1)]. Furthermore, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that HIV-infected mothers not breastfeed their infants to avoid potential postnatal transmission of HIV.
Ganciclovir administered intravenously (at 0.13 mg/h) to lactating rats (on lactation day 15) resulted in passive transfer into milk. The milk-to-serum ratio for ganciclovir at steady state was 1.6 ± 0.33.
Females of reproductive potential should undergo pregnancy testing before initiation of treatment with CYTOVENE-IV [see Dosage and Administration (2.2), Use in Specific Populations (8.1)].
Because of the mutagenic and teratogenic potential of CYTOVENE-IV, females of reproductive potential should be advised to use effective contraception during treatment and for at least 30 days following treatment with CYTOVENE-IV [see Dosage and Administration (2.2), Warnings and Precautions (5.4), Nonclinical Toxicology (13.1)].
Because of its mutagenic potential, males should be advised to practice barrier contraception during and for at least 90 days following treatment with CYTOVENE-IV [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4), Nonclinical Toxicology (13.1)].
CYTOVENE-IV at the recommended doses may cause temporary or permanent female and male infertility [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3), Nonclinical Toxicology (13.1)].
In a small, open-label, non-randomized clinical study, adult male renal transplant patients receiving valganciclovir (the prodrug of ganciclovir) for CMV prophylaxis for up to 200 days post-transplantation were compared to an untreated control group. Patients were followed-up for six months after valganciclovir discontinuation. Among 24 evaluable patients in the valganciclovir group, the mean sperm density at the end of treatment visit decreased by 11 million/mL from baseline; whereas, among 14 evaluable patients in the control group the mean sperm density increased by 33 million/mL. However, at the follow-up visit among 20 evaluable patients in the valganciclovir group, the mean sperm density was comparable to that observed among 10 evaluable patients in the untreated control group (the mean sperm density at the end of follow-up visit increased by 41 million/mL from baseline in the valganciclovir group and by 43 million/mL in the untreated group).
Safety and efficacy of CYTOVENE-IV have not been established in pediatric patients.
A total of 120 pediatric patients with serious CMV infections participated in clinical trials. Granulocytopenia and thrombocytopenia were the most common adverse reactions. The pharmacokinetic characteristics of ganciclovir after administration of CYTOVENE-IV were studied in 27 neonates (aged 2 to 49 days) and 10 pediatric patients, aged 9 months to 12 years. In neonates, the pharmacokinetic parameters after ganciclovir intravenous doses of 4 mg/kg (n=14) and 6 mg/kg (n=13) were Cmax 5.5 ± 1.6 and 7.0 ± 1.6 mcg/mL, systemic clearance 3.14 ± 1.75 and 3.56 ± 1.27 mL/min/kg, and t1/2 of 2.4 hours (harmonic mean) for both doses, respectively.
In pediatric patients 9 months to 12 years of age, the pharmacokinetic characteristics of ganciclovir were the same after single and multiple (every 12 hours) intravenous doses (5 mg/kg). The steady-state volume of distribution was 0.64 ± 0.22 L/kg, Cmax was 7.9 ± 3.9 mcg/mL, systemic clearance was 4.7 ± 2.2 mL/min/kg, and t1/2 was 2.4 ± 0.7 hours.
Although the pharmacokinetics of CYTOVENE-IV in pediatric patients were similar to those observed in adults, the safety and efficacy of ganciclovir at these exposures in pediatric patients have not been established.
Clinical studies of CYTOVENE-IV did not include sufficient numbers of subjects aged 65 and over to determine whether they respond differently from younger subjects. In general, dose selection for an elderly patient should be cautious, reflecting the greater frequency of decreased hepatic, renal, or cardiac function, and of concomitant disease or other drug therapy. CYTOVENE-IV is known to be substantially excreted by the kidney, and the risk of toxic reactions to this drug may be greater in patients with impaired renal function. Because renal clearance decreases with age, CYTOVENE-IV should be administered to elderly patients with special consideration of their renal status. Renal function should be monitored and dosage adjustments should be made accordingly [see Dosage and Administration (2.5), Warnings and Precautions (5.2), Use in Specific Populations (8.6)].
Dose reduction is recommended when administering CYTOVENE-IV to patients with renal impairment [see Dosage and Administration (2.5), Warnings and Precautions (5.2)].
The safety and efficacy of CYTOVENE-IV have not been studied in patients with hepatic impairment.
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