Source: FDA, National Drug Code (US) Revision Year: 2022
VIVIMUSTA is contraindicated in patients with a known hypersensitivity (e.g., anaphylactic and anaphylactoid reactions) to bendamustine, polyethylene glycol 400, dehydrated alcohol, or monothioglycerol [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4)].
VIVIMUSTA causes myelosuppression. Bendamustine hydrochloride caused severe myelosuppression (Grade 3-4) in 98% of patients in the two NHL studies [see Adverse Reactions (6.1)]. Three patients (2%) died from myelosuppression-related adverse reactions; one each from neutropenic sepsis, diffuse alveolar hemorrhage with Grade 3 thrombocytopenia and pneumonia from an opportunistic infection (CMV).
Monitor complete blood counts, including leukocytes, platelets, hemoglobin (Hgb), and neutrophils frequently. In the clinical trials, blood counts were monitored every week initially. Hematologic nadirs were observed predominantly in the third week of therapy. Myelosuppression may require dose delays and/or subsequent dose reductions if recovery to the recommended values has not occurred by the first day of the next scheduled cycle. Delay the next cycle of therapy if ANC less than 1 × 109/L or platelet count less than 75 × 109/L [see Dosage and Administration (2.1, 2.2)].
Infection, including pneumonia, sepsis, septic shock, hepatitis and death has occurred in adult and pediatric patients in clinical trials and in postmarketing reports for bendamustine hydrochloride. Patients with myelosuppression following treatment with bendamustine hydrochloride are more susceptible to infections. Advise patients with myelosuppression following VIVIMUSTA treatment to contact healthcare provider immediately if they have symptoms or signs of infection.
Patients treated with VIVIMUSTA are at risk for reactivation of infections including (but not limited to) hepatitis B, cytomegalovirus, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and herpes zoster. Implement appropriate measures (including clinical and laboratory monitoring, prophylaxis, and treatment) for infection and infection reactivation prior to administration.
Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), including fatal cases, have occurred following treatment with bendamustine, primarily in combination with rituximab or obinutuzumab [see Adverse Reactions (6.2)]. Consider PML in the differential diagnosis in patients with new or worsening neurological, cognitive or behavioral signs or symptoms. If PML is suspected, withhold VIVIMUSTA treatment and perform appropriate diagnostic evaluations. Consider discontinuation or reduction of any concomitant chemotherapy or immunosuppressive therapy in patients who develop PML.
Infusion-related reactions to bendamustine hydrochloride have occurred commonly in clinical trials. Symptoms include fever, chills, pruritus and rash. In rare instances, severe anaphylactic and anaphylactoid reactions have occurred, particularly in the second and subsequent cycles of therapy.
Monitor clinically and discontinue drug for severe reactions. Ask patients about symptoms suggestive of infusion-related reactions after their first cycle of therapy. Do not rechallenge patients who experienced Grade 3 or worse allergic-type reactions. Consider measures to prevent severe reactions, including antihistamines, antipyretics and corticosteroids in subsequent cycles in patients who have experienced Grade 1 or 2 infusion-related reactions. Discontinue VIVIMUSTA for patients with Grade 4 infusion-related reactions. Consider discontinuation for Grade 3 infusion-related reactions as clinically appropriate considering individual benefits, risks, and supportive care.
Tumor lysis syndrome associated with bendamustine hydrochloride has occurred in patients in clinical trials and in postmarketing reports. The onset tends to be within the first treatment cycle of bendamustine hydrochloride and, without intervention, may lead to acute renal failure and death.
Administer vigorous hydration and monitor blood chemistry, particularly potassium and uric acid levels at baseline and closely during treatment with VIVIMUSTA. Allopurinol has also been used during the beginning of bendamustine hydrochloride therapy. However, there may be an increased risk of severe skin toxicity when bendamustine hydrochloride and allopurinol are administered concomitantly [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5)].
Fatal and serious skin reactions have been reported with bendamustine hydrochloride treatment in clinical trials and postmarketing safety reports, including toxic skin reactions [Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS), toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), and drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS)], bullous exanthema, and rash. Events occurred when bendamustine hydrochloride was given as a single agent and in combination with other anticancer agents or allopurinol.
Where skin reactions occur, they may be progressive and increase in severity with further treatment. Monitor patients with skin reactions closely. If skin reactions are severe or progressive, withhold or discontinue VIVIMUSTA.
Fatal and serious cases of liver injury have been reported with bendamustine hydrochloride injection. Combination therapy, progressive disease or reactivation of hepatitis B were confounding factors in some patients [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)]. Most cases were reported within the first three months of starting therapy.
Monitor liver chemistry tests prior to and during treatment with VIVIMUSTA.
Pre-malignant and malignant diseases have developed in patients who have been treated with bendamustine hydrochloride, including myelodysplastic syndrome, myeloproliferative disorders, acute myeloid leukemia, bronchial carcinoma, and non-melanoma skin cancer including basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma [see Adverse Reactions (6.2)].
Monitor patients for the development of secondary malignancies. Perform dermatologic evaluations during and after treatment with VIVIMUSTA.
Bendamustine hydrochloride extravasations have been reported in postmarketing resulting in hospitalizations from erythema, marked swelling, and pain.
Assure good venous access prior to starting VIVIMUSTA infusion and monitor the intravenous infusion site for redness, swelling, pain, infection, and necrosis during and after administration of VIVIMUSTA.
Based on findings from animal reproduction studies and the drug’s mechanism of action, VIVIMUSTA can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Single intraperitoneal doses of bendamustine (that approximated the maximum recommended human dose based on body surface area) to pregnant mice and rats during organogenesis caused adverse developmental outcomes, including an increase in resorptions, skeletal and visceral malformations, and decreased fetal body weights.
Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus. Advise females of reproductive potential to use an effective method of contraception during treatment with VIVIMUSTA and for 6 months after the last dose. Advise males with female partners of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with VIVIMUSTA and for 3 months after the last dose [see Use in Specific Populations (8.1, 8.3) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.1)].
The following clinically significant adverse reactions are described elsewhere in the labelling:
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.
The data described below reflect exposure to bendamustine hydrochloride in 153 patients. Bendamustine hydrochloride was studied in an active-controlled, randomized trial. The population was 45-77 years of age, 63% were male, 100% were White, and had treatment naïve CLL. All patients started the study at a dose of 100 mg/m² intravenously over 30 minutes on Days 1 and 2 every 28 days.
Adverse reactions were reported according to NCI CTC v.2.0. In the randomized CLL clinical study, non-hematologic adverse reactions (any grade) in the bendamustine hydrochloride group that occurred with a frequency greater than 15% were pyrexia (24%), nausea (20%), and vomiting (16%).
Other adverse reactions seen frequently in one or more studies included asthenia, fatigue, malaise, and weakness; dry mouth; somnolence; cough; constipation; headache; mucosal inflammation and stomatitis.
Worsening hypertension was reported in 4 patients treated with bendamustine hydrochloride and in none treated with chlorambucil. Three of these 4 adverse reactions were described as a hypertensive crisis and were managed with oral medications and resolved.
The most frequent adverse reactions leading to study withdrawal for patients receiving bendamustine hydrochloride were hypersensitivity (2%) and pyrexia (1%).
Table 2 summarizes the adverse reactions, that were reported in ≥ 5% of patients in either treatment group in the randomized CLL clinical study.
Table 2. Non-Hematologic Adverse Reactions that Occurred in at Least 5% of Patients Who Received Bendamustine Hydrochloride or Chlorambucil in the Randomized CLL Clinical Study:
| Adverse Reaction | Bendamustine Hydrochloride (N=153) | Chlorambucil (N=143) | ||
| All Grades n (%) | Grade 3 or 4 n (%) | All Grades n (%) | Grade 3 or 4 n (%) | |
| Total number of patients with at least 1 adverse reaction | 121 (79) | 52 (34) | 96 (67) | 25 (17) |
| Gastrointestinal disorders | ||||
| Nausea | 31 (20) | 1 (<1) | 21 (15) | 1 (<1) |
| Vomiting | 24 (16) | 1 (<1) | 9 (6) | 0 |
| Diarrhea | 14 (9) | 2 (1) | 5 (3) | 0 |
| General disorders and administration site conditions | ||||
| Pyrexia | 36 (24) | 6 (4) | 8 (6) | 2 (1) |
| Fatigue | 14 (9) | 2 (1) | 8 (6) | 0 |
| Asthenia | 13 (8) | 0 | 6 (4) | 0 |
| Chills | 9 (6) | 0 | 1 (<1) | 0 |
| Immune system disorders | ||||
| Hypersensitivity | 7 (5) | 2 (1) | 3 (2) | 0 |
| Infections and infestations | ||||
| Nasopharyngitis | 10 (7) | 0 | 12 (8) | 0 |
| Infection | 9 (6) | 3 (2) | 1 (<1) | 1 (<1) |
| Herpes simplex | 5 (3) | 0 | 7 (5) | 0 |
| Investigations | ||||
| Weight decreased | 11 (7) | 0 | 5 (3) | 0 |
| Metabolism and nutrition disorders | ||||
| Hyperuricemia | 11 (7) | 3 (2) | 2 (1) | 0 |
| Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders | ||||
| Cough | 6 (4) | 1 (<1) | 7 (5) | 1 (<1) |
| Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders | ||||
| Rash | 12 (8) | 4 (3) | 7 (5) | 3 (2) |
| Pruritus | 8 (5) | 0 | 2 (1) | 0 |
Hematology laboratory abnormalities are described in Table 3. Red blood cell transfusions were administered to 20% of patients receiving bendamustine hydrochloride compared with 6% of patients receiving chlorambucil. Bilirubin elevation occurred in 34% of patients, some without associated significant elevations in AST and ALT. Grade 3 or 4 increased bilirubin occurred in 3% of patients. Increases in AST and ALT of Grade 3 or 4 were limited to 1% and 3% of patients, respectively. Patients treated with bendamustine hydrochloride may also have changes in their creatinine levels.
Table 3. Hematology Laboratory Abnormalities in Patients Who Received Bendamustine Hydrochloride or Chlorambucil in the Randomized CLL Clinical Study:
| Laboratory Abnormality | Bendamustine Hydrochloride (N=150) | Chlorambucil (N=141) | ||
| All Grades n (%) | Grade 3 or 4 n (%) | All Grades n (%) | Grade 3 or 4 n (%) | |
| Hemoglobin Decreased | 134 (89) | 20 (13) | 115 (82) | 12 (9) |
| Platelets Decreased | 116 (77) | 16 (11) | 110 (78) | 14 (10) |
| Neutrophils Decreased | 113 (75) | 65 (43) | 86 (61) | 30 (21) |
| Lymphocytes Decreased | 102 (68) | 70 (47) | 27 (19) | 6 (4) |
| Leukocytes Decreased | 92 (61) | 42 (28) | 26 (18) | 4 (3) |
The data described below reflect exposure to bendamustine hydrochloride in 176 patients with indolent B-cell NHL treated in two single-arm studies. The population was 31-84 years of age; 60% were male; 89% were White, 7% were Black, 3% were Hispanic, 1% were other, and <1% were Asian. These patients received bendamustine hydrochloride at a dose of 120 mg/m 2 intravenously on Days 1 and 2 for up to eight 21-day cycles.
In both studies, serious adverse reactions, were reported in 37% of patients receiving bendamustine hydrochloride. The most frequent serious adverse reactions occurring in ≥5% of patients were febrile neutropenia and pneumonia. Other important serious adverse reactions reported in clinical trials and/or postmarketing experience were acute renal failure, cardiac failure, hypersensitivity, skin reactions, pulmonary fibrosis, and myelodysplastic syndrome.
Serious adverse reactions reported in clinical trials included myelosuppression, infection, pneumonia, tumor lysis syndrome and infusion-related reactions [see Warningsand Precautions (5)]. Adverse reactions occurring less frequently but possibly related to bendamustine hydrochloride treatment were hemolysis, dysgeusia/taste disorder, atypical pneumonia, sepsis, herpes zoster, erythema, dermatitis, and skin necrosis.
The most common non-hematologic adverse reactions (≥30%) were nausea (75%), fatigue (57%), vomiting (40%), diarrhea (37%) and pyrexia (34%). The most common non-hematologic Grade 3 or 4 adverse reactions (≥5%) were fatigue (11%), febrile neutropenia (6%), and pneumonia, hypokalemia and dehydration, each reported in 5% of patients.
Non-hematologic adverse reactions are shown in Table 4.
Table 4. Non-Hematologic Adverse Reactions that Occurred in at Least 5% of Patients who Received Bendamustine Hydrochloride in the NHL Studies:
| Bendamustine Hydrochloride (N=176*) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Adverse Reaction | All Grades n(%) | Grade3 or 4 n(%) |
| Total number of patients with at least 1 adverse reaction | 176 (100) | 94 (53) |
| Cardiac Disorders | ||
| Tachycardia | 13 (7) | 0 |
| Gastrointestinal disorders | ||
| Nausea | 132 (75) | 7 (4) |
| Vomiting | 71 (40) | 5 (3) |
| Diarrhea | 65 (37) | 6 (3) |
| Constipation | 51 (29) | 1 (<1) |
| Stomatitis | 27 (15) | 1 (<1) |
| Abdominal pain | 22 (13) | 2 (1) |
| Dyspepsia | 20 (11) | 0 |
| Gastroesophageal reflux disease | 18 (10) | 0 |
| Dry mouth | 15 (9) | 1 (<1) |
| Abdominal pain upper | 8 (5) | 0 |
| Abdominal distension | 8 (5) | 0 |
| General disorders and administration site conditions | ||
| Fatigue | 101 (57) | 19 (11) |
| Pyrexia | 59 (34) | 3 (2) |
| Chills | 24 (14) | 0 |
| Edema peripheral | 23 (13) | 1 (<1) |
| Asthenia | 19 (11) | 4 (2) |
| Chest pain | 11 (6) | 1 (<1) |
| Infusion site pain | 11 (6) | 0 |
| Pain | 10 (6) | 0 |
| Catheter site pain | 8 (5) | 0 |
| Infections and infestations | ||
| Herpes zoster | 18 (10) | 5 (3) |
| Upper respiratory tract infection | 18 (10) | 0 |
| Urinary tract infection | 17 (10) | 4 (2) |
| Sinusitis | 15 (9) | 0 |
| Pneumonia | 14 (8) | 9 (5) |
| Febrile neutropenia | 11 (6) | 11 (6) |
| Oral candidiasis | 11 (6) | 2 (1) |
| Nasopharyngitis | 11 (6) | 0 |
| Investigations | ||
| Weight decreased | 31 (18) | 3 (2) |
| Metabolism and nutrition disorders | ||
| Anorexia | 40 (23) | 3 (2) |
| Dehydration | 24 (14) | 8 (5) |
| Decreased appetite | 22 (13) | 1 (<1) |
| Hypokalemia | 15 (9) | 9 (5) |
| Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders | ||
| Back pain | 25 (14) | 5 (3) |
| Arthralgia | 11 (6) | 0 |
| Pain in extremity | 8 (5) | 2 (1) |
| Bone pain | 8 (5) | 0 |
| Nervous system disorders | ||
| Headache | 36 (21) | 0 |
| Dizziness | 25 (14) | 0 |
| Dysgeusia | 13 (7) | 0 |
| Psychiatric disorder | ||
| Insomnia | 23 (13) | 0 |
| Anxiety | 14 (8) | 1 (<1) |
| Depression | 10 (6) | 0 |
| Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders | ||
| Cough | 38 (22) | 1 (<1) |
| Dyspnea | 28 (16) | 3 (2) |
| Pharyngolaryngeal pain | 14 (8) | 1 (<1) |
| Wheezing | 8 (5) | 0 |
| Nasal congestion | 8 (5) | 0 |
| Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders | ||
| Rash | 28 (16) | 1 (<1) |
| Pruritus | 11 (6) | 0 |
| Dry skin | 9 (5) | 0 |
| Night sweats | 9 (5) | 0 |
| Hyperhidrosis | 8 (5) | 0 |
| Vascular disorders | ||
| Hypotension | 10 (6) | 2 (1) |
^*^Patients may have reported more than 1 adverse reaction.
NOTE: Patients counted only once in each preferred term category and once in each body system category.
Hematologic toxicities, based on laboratory values and CTC grade, in patients with NHL treated in both single arm studies combined are described in Table 5. Clinically important chemistry laboratory values that were new or worsened from baseline and occurred in >1% of patients at grade 3 or 4, in patients with NHL who were treated in both single arm studies combined were hyperglycemia (3%), elevated creatinine (2%), hyponatremia (2%), and hypocalcemia (2%).
Table 5. Hematology Laboratory Abnormalities in Patients Who Received Bendamustine Hydrochloride in the NHL Studies:
| Hematology Variable | Bendamustine Hydrochloride | |
| All Grades (%) | Grade 3 or 4 (%) | |
| Lymphocytes Decreased | 99 | 94 |
| Leukocytes Decreased | 94 | 56 |
| Hemoglobin Decreased | 88 | 11 |
| Neutrophils Decreased | 86 | 60 |
| Platelets Decreased | 86 | 25 |
The following adverse reactions have been identified during postapproval use of bendamustine hydrochloride. 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 systems disorders: Pancytopenia.
Cardiovascular disorders: Atrial fibrillation, congestive heart failure (some fatal), myocardial infarction (some fatal), palpitation.
General disorders and administration site conditions: Injection site reactions (including phlebitis, pruritus, irritation, pain, swelling), infusion site reactions (including phlebitis, pruritus, irritation, pain, swelling).
Immune system disorders: Anaphylaxis.
Infections and infestations: Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia, progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML).
Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders: Pneumonitis.
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders: Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), and non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC).
The coadministration of VIVIMUSTA with CYP1A2 inhibitors may increase bendamustine plasma concentrations and may result in increased incidence of adverse reactions with VIVIMUSTA [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)]. Consider alternative therapies that are not CYP1A2 inhibitors during treatment with VIVIMUSTA.
The coadministration of VIVIMUSTA with CYP1A2 inducers may decrease bendamustine plasma concentrations and may result in decreased efficacy of VIVIMUSTA [seeClinical Pharmacology (12.3)]. Consider alternative therapies that are not CYP1A2 inducers during treatment with VIVIMUSTA.
In animal reproduction studies, intraperitoneal administration of bendamustine to pregnant mice and rats during organogenesis at doses 0.6 to 1.8 times the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD) resulted in embryo-fetal and/or infant mortality, structural abnormalities, and alterations to growth (see Data). There are no available data on bendamustine hydrochloride use in pregnant women to evaluate for a drug-associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus.
The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2% to 4% and 15% to 20%, respectively.
Bendamustine hydrochloride was intraperitoneally administered once to mice from 210 mg/m 2 (approximately 1.8 times the MRHD) during organogenesis and caused an increase in resorptions, skeletal and visceral malformations (exencephaly, cleft palates, accessory rib, and spinal deformities) and decreased fetal body weights. This dose did not appear to be maternally toxic and lower doses were not evaluated. Repeat intraperitoneal administration of bendamustine hydrochloride in mice on gestation days 7 to 11 resulted in an increase in resorptions from 75 mg/m2 (approximately 0.6 times the MRHD) and an increase in abnormalities from 112.5 mg/m2 (approximately 0.9 times the MRHD), similar to those seen after a single intraperitoneal administration.
Bendamustine hydrochloride was intraperitoneally administered once to rats from 120 mg/m2 (approximately the MRHD) on gestation days 4, 7, 9, 11, or 13 and caused embryo and fetal lethality as indicated by increased resorptions and a decrease in live fetuses. A significant increase in external (effect on tail, head, and herniation of external organs [exomphalos]) and internal (hydronephrosis and hydrocephalus) malformations were seen in dosed rats.
There are no data on the presence of bendamustine hydrochloride or its metabolites in either human or animal milk, the effects on the breastfed child, or the effects on milk production. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in the breastfed child, advise women not to breastfeed during treatment with VIVIMUSTA and for 1 week after the last dose.
VIVIMUSTA can cause embryo-fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman [see Use in Specific Populations (8.1)].
Pregnancy testing is recommended for females of reproductive potential prior to initiation of treatment with VIVIMUSTA.
Advise female patients of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with VIVIMUSTA and for 6 months after the last dose.
Based on genotoxicity findings, advise males with female partners of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with VIVIMUSTA and for 3 months after the last dose [see Nonclinical Toxicology (13.1)].
Based on findings from clinical studies, VIVIMUSTA may impair male fertility. Impaired spermatogenesis, azoospermia, and total germinal aplasia have been reported in male patients treated with alkylating agents, especially in combination with other drugs. In some instances spermatogenesis may return in patients in remission, but this may occur only several years after intensive chemotherapy has been discontinued. Advise patients of the potential risk to their reproductive capacities.
Based on findings from animal studies, VIVIMUSTA may impair male fertility due to an increase in morphologically abnormal spermatozoa. The long-term effects of VIVIMUSTA on male fertility, including the reversibility of adverse effects, have not been studied [see Nonclinical Toxicology (13.1)].
Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients have not been established.
Safety, pharmacokinetics and efficacy were assessed in a single open-label trial (NCT01088984) in patients aged 1-19 years with relapsed or refractory acute leukemia, including 27 patients with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) and 16 patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML).
Bendamustine hydrochloride was administered as an intravenous infusion over 60 minutes on Days 1 and 2 of each 21-day cycle. There was no treatment response (CR+ CRp) in any patient. The safety profile in these patients was consistent with that seen in adults and no new safety signals were identified.
The pharmacokinetics of bendamustine in 43 patients, aged 1 to 19 years (median age of 10 years) were within range of values previously observed in adults given the same dose based on body surface area.
No overall differences in safety were observed between patients ≥65 years of age and younger patients. Efficacy was lower in patients 65 and over with CLL receiving bendamustine hydrochloride based upon an overall response rate of 47% for patients 65 and over and 70% for younger patients. Progression free survival was also longer in younger patients with CLL receiving bendamustine (19 months vs. 12 months). No overall differences in efficacy in patients with non-Hodgkin Lymphoma were observed between geriatric patients and younger patients.
Do not use VIVIMUSTA in patients with creatinine clearance (CLcr) less than 30 mL/min [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].
Do not use VIVIMUSTA in patients with AST or ALT 2.5 to 10 times upper limit of normal (ULN) and total bilirubin 1.5 to 3 times ULN or total bilirubin greater than 3 times ULN [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].
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