Patient leaflet - LYSAKARE 25 G/25 G SOLUTION FOR INFUSION
1. what lysakare is and what it is used for
What LysaKare is
LysaKare contains the active substances arginine and lysine, two different amino acids. It belongs to a group of medicines which are used to reduce the side effects of anti-cancer medicine.
What LysaKare is used for
LysaKare is used in adult patients to protect kidneys from unnecessary radiation during treatment with Lutathera (lutetium (177Lu) oxodotreotide), a radioactive medicine used to treat certain tumours.
2. what you need to know before you take lysakare
Follow all of your doctor’s instructions carefully. As you will receive another treatment, Lutathera, with LysaKare, read the Lutathera leaflet carefully as well as this leaflet
If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
You should not be given LysaKare
if you are allergic to arginine and lysine or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6).
If you have high blood levels of potassium (hyperkalaemia).
Warnings and precautions
Talk to your doctor before taking LysaKare if your kidneys, heart or liver are severely impaired or if you have a history of high blood levels of potassium (hyperkalaemia).
Because feeling sick (nausea) and vomiting are commonly seen with amino acid infusions, you will be given medicines to prevent nausea and vomiting 30 minutes before the LysaKare infusion.
The doctor will check your blood potassium levels, and will correct them if they are too high before starting the infusion. The doctor will also check your kidney and liver function before starting the infusion. For other tests which need to be performed before your treatment, please read the Lutathera leaflet.
Follow your doctor’s advice on how much fluid to drink on the day of your treatment so you stay well hydrated.
Children and adolescents
This medicine should not be given to children and adolescents under 18 years old because it is not known whether it is safe and effective in this age group.
Other medicines and LysaKare
Tell your doctor if you are taking, have recently taken, or might take any other medicines.
Pregnancy, breast-feeding, and fertility
If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor for advice before taking this medicine.
Driving and using machines
It is considered unlikely that LysaKare will affect your ability to drive or to use machines.
3. how to take lysakare
The recommended dose of LysaKare solution is 1 L (1,000 mL). You should receive the full LysaKare dose, regardless of any Lutathera dose adjustments.
LysaKare is given as an infusion (drip) into a vein. The infusion of LysaKare will start 30 minutes before you are given Lutathera, and will last over a 4 hour period.
If you receive more LysaKare than you should
LysaKare will be given in a controlled clinical setting and is provided as a single dose bag. It is therefore unlikely that you will receive more of the infusion than you should as your doctor will monitor you during the treatment. However, in the case of an overdose, you will receive the appropriate treatment.
If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor.
4. possible side effects
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
Very common (may affect more than 1 in 10 people):
- nausea (feeling sick) and vomiting
Not known (frequency cannot be estimated from the available data):
- high potassium levels seen in blood tests, abdominal (belly) pain, headache, dizziness and flushing.
Reporting of side effects
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via:
Yellow Card Scheme
Website: or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.
By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
5. how to store lysakare
Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the label after EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
LysaKare should be stored below 25°C.
You will not have to store this medicine. The correct storage, use and disposal of this medicine are under the responsibility of the specialist in appropriate premises. You will receive LysaKare in a controlled clinical setting.
The following information is intended for the healthcare specialist charged with your care. Do not use this medicine:
if you notice the solution is cloudy or has deposits.
if overwrap has been previously opened or damaged.
if the infusion bag is damaged or leaking.
6. contents of the pack and other information
What LysaKare contains
The active substances are arginine and lysine.
Each infusion bag contains 25 g of L-arginine hydrochloride and 25 g of L-lysine hydrochloride.
The other ingredient is water for injections.
What LysaKare looks like and contents of the pack
LysaKare is a clear and colourless solution for infusion, supplied in a single use flexible plastic bag.
Each infusion bag contains 1 L LysaKare of solution.
Marketing Authorisation Holder
Advanced Accelerator Applications
20 rue Diesel
01630, Saint Genis Pouilly
France
Manufacturer
Laboratoire Bioluz
Zone Industrielle de Jalday
64500 Saint Jean de Luz
France
For any information about this medicine, please contact the local representative of the Marketing Authorisation Holder:
| AT, BE, BG, CZ, FR, HR, HU, IS, LU, | IE, UK |
| LV, LT, MT, NL, RO, SI, SK | Advanced Accelerator Applications UK Limited |
| Advanced Accelerator Applications | Tel: +44 1761 404 277 |
| Tel/Tel/ Ten/Sfmi: + 33 4 50 99 30 70 | IT |
| CY, EL | Advanced Accelerator Applications (Italy) S.r.l |
| BIOKOZMOZ AEBE | Tel: + 39 0125 5612 11 |
| TqA: +30 22920 63900 |
| DE Advanced Accelerator Applications Germany GmbH Tel: +49 228 925 88 30 | PL Advanced Accelerator Applications Polska Sp. z o. 0. Tel: +48 22 57 21 555 |
| DK, EE, Fl, NO, SE SAM Nordic Tel Puh/TIf: +46–8–7205822 | PT Advanced Accelerator Applications (Portugal) |
| ES Advanced Accelerator Applications Iberica, S.L.U. Tel: + 34 976 600 126 | Unipessoal, Lda Tel: + 351 211212018 |
This leaflet was last revised in 25–07–2019.
Other sources of information
Detailed information on this medicine is available on the European Medicines Agency web site:.
AAA-P-ENG-1040–00
Adva need Accelerator Applications
SUMMARY OF PRODUCT CHARACTERISTICS
LysaKare 25 g / 25 g
A Novartis Company
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1. NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT
LysaKare 25 g/25 g solution for infusion
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2. QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE COMPOSITION
One 1,000 mL bag contains 25 g of L-arginine hydrochloride and 25 g of L-lysine hydrochloride.
For the full list of excipients, see section 6.1.
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3. PHARMACEUTICAL FORM
Solution for infusion (infusion).
Clear, colourless solution, free from visible particles
pH: 5.1 – 6.1
Osmolarity: 420 – 480 mOsm/L
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4. CLINICAL PARTICULARS
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4.1 Therapeutic indications
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LysaKare is indicated for reduction of renal radiation exposure during peptide-receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) with lutetium (177Lu) oxodotreotide in adults.
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4.2 Posology and method of administration
LysaKare is indicated for administration with PRRT with lutetium (177Lu) oxodotreotide therefore, it should only be administered by a health care provider experienced in the use of PRRT.
Posology
Adults
The recommended treatment regimen in adults consists of infusion of full bag of LysaKare concomitantly with lutetium (177Lu) oxodotreotide infusion, even when patients require PRRT dose reduction.
Pre-treatment with an anti-emetic 30 minutes prior to start of LysaKare infusion is recommended to reduce the incidence of nausea and vomiting.
Special populations
Renal impairment
Due to the potential for clinical complications related to volume overload and an increase of potassium in blood associated with the use of LysaKare, this product should not be administered in patients with creatinine clearance <30 mL/min.
Care should be taken with LysaKare use in patients with creatinine clearance between 30 and 50 mL/min. Treatment with lutetium (177Lu) oxodotreotide is not recommended for patients with renal function between 30 and 50 mL/min therefore, the benefit risk for these patients will always need to be weighed carefully, which should include consideration of an increased risk for transient hyperkalaemia in these patients (see section 4.4).
Paediatric population
The safety and efficacy of LysaKare in children less than 18 years have not been established.
No data are available.
Method of administration
For intravenous use.
LysaKare should be administered as a 4-hour infusion (250 mL/hour) starting 30 minutes prior to administration of lutetium (177Lu) oxodotreotide to achieve optimal renal protection.
LysaKare and lutetium (177Lu) oxodotreotide must be given through a separate infusion line.
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4.3 Contraindications
- Hypersensitivity to the active substances or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1.
- Pre-existing clinically significant hyperkalaemia if not adequately corrected before starting the LysaKare infusion (see section 4.4).
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4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use
Hyperkalaemia
An increase of serum potassium levels may occur in patients receiving arginine and lysine. Serum potassium level increases are generally mild and transient. According to limited available data maximum levels should be reached approximatively by 4 to 5 hours after start of the infusion and should return to normal levels by 24 hours. Serum potassium levels must be tested before each treatment with LysaKare. In case of hyperkalaemia, patient’s history of hyperkalaemia and concomitant medication should be checked. Hyperkalaemia must be corrected accordingly before starting the infusion (see section 4.3).
In case of pre-existing clinically significant hyperkalaemia, a second monitoring prior to LysaKare infusion must confirm that hyperkalaemia has been successfully corrected. The patient should be monitored closely for signs and symptoms of hyperkalaemia, e.g. dyspnoea, weakness, numbness, chest pain and cardiac manifestations (conduction abnormalities and cardiac arrhythmias). An ECG should be performed prior to discharging the patient.
Vital signs should be monitored during the infusion regardless of baseline serum potassium levels. Patients should be instructed to drink substantial quantities of water (at least 1 glass every hour) on the day of infusion to remain hydrated and facilitate excretion of excess serum potassium.
In case hyperkalaemia symptoms develop during LysaKare infusion, appropriate corrective measures must be taken. In case of severe symptomatic hyperkalaemia, discontinuation of LysaKare infusion should be considered, taking into consideration the risk-benefit of renal protection versus acute hyperkalaemia.
Patients with renal impairment
The use of arginine and lysine has not been specifically studied in patients with renal impairment. Arginine and lysine are substantially excreted and reabsorbed by the kidney, and their efficacy in the reduction of renal radiation exposure is dependent on this. Due to the potential for clinical complications related to volume overload and an increase of potassium in blood associated with the use of LysaKare, this product should not be administered in patients with creatinine clearance <30 mL/min. Kidney function (creatinine and creatinine clearance) should be tested before each administration.
Care should be taken with LysaKare use in patients with creatinine clearance between 30 and 50 mL/min. Treatment with lutetium (177Lu) oxodotreotide is not recommended for patients with renal function between 30 and 50 mL/min therefore, the benefit risk for these patients will always need to be weighed carefully, which should include consideration of an increased risk for transient hyperkalemia in these patients.
Patiens with hepatic impairment
The use of arginine and lysine has not been studied in patients with severe hepatic impairment. Liver function (alanine aminotransferase [ALAT], aspartate aminotransferase [ASAT], albumin, bilirubin) should be tested before each administration.
Care should be taken with LysaKare use in patients with severe hepatic impairment and in case of either total bilirubinemia >3 times the upper limit of normal or albuminemia <30 g/L and prothrombin ratio <70% during treatment. Treatment with lutetium (177Lu) oxodotreotide is not recommended in these circumstances.
Heart failure
Due to potential for clinical complications related to volume overload care should be taken with use of arginine and lysine in patients with severe heart failure defined as class III or class IV in the NYHA classification.
Treatment with lutetium (177Lu) oxodotreotide is not recommended for patients with severe heart failure defined as class III or class IV in the NYHA classification therefore, the benefit risk for these patients will always need to be weighed carefully.
Elderly
Because elderly patients are more likely to have decreased renal function, care should be taken in determining eligibility based on creatinine clearance.
Metabolic acidosis
Metabolic acidosis has been observed with complex amino-acid solutions administered as part of total parenteral nutrition (TPN) protocols. Shifts in acid-base balance alter the balance of extracellular-intracellular potassium and the development of acidosis may be associated with rapid increases in plasma potassium.
As LysaKare is administered with lutetium (177Lu) oxodotreotide, please also refer to section 4.4 of the lutetium (177Lu) oxodotreotide SmPC for further warnings specific to treatment with lutetium (177Lu) oxodotreotide.
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4.5 Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction
No interaction studies have been performed.
No interaction with other medicinal product is expected since there is no information that other drugs are re-absorbed by the same kidney re-absorption mechanism.
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4.6 Fertility, pregnancy and lactation
There is no relevant use of this medicinal product in women of childbearing potential since lutetium (177Lu) oxodotreo-tide is contraindicated during established or suspected pregnancy or when pregnancy has not been excluded due to the risk associated with the ionizing radiation (see section 4.1).
Pregnancy
There are no data on the use of arginine and lysine in pregnant women.
Animal studies are insufficient with respect to reproductive toxicity (see section 5.3).
Breast-feeding
Arginine and lysine, being naturally occurring amino acids, are excreted in human milk, but effects on the breastfed newborns/infants are unlikely. Breast-feeding should be avoided during treatment with lutetium (177Lu) oxodotreotide.
Fertility
There are no data on the effects of arginine and lysine on fertility.
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4.7 Effects on ability to drive and use machines
LysaKare has no or negligible influence on the ability to drive and use machines.
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4.8 Undesirable effects
Summary of the safety profile
There are very limited data on the safety profile of arginine and lysine solution for infusion without concomitant administration of PRRT, which also includes the use of anti-emetics as pre-medication and often the concomitant use of short acting somatostatin analogues.
The main adverse reactions which are related mainly to the amino acid solution are nausea (approximately 25%), vomiting (approximately 10%) and hyperkalaemia. These adverse reactions are mostly mild to moderate.
Tabulated list of adverse reactions
The adverse reactions listed below have been identified in publications of studies with amino acid solutions with the same composition with regards to the amino acid content, involving over 900 patients receiving more than 2,500 doses of arginine and lysine during PRRT with various radiolabelled somatostatin analogues.
The adverse reactions are listed according to the frequency. The frequencies are categorised as follows: very common (>1/10), common (>1/100 to <1/10), uncommon (>1/1,000 to <1/100), rare (>1/10,000 to <1/1,000), very rare (<1/10,000) and not known (cannot be estimated from the available data).
Table 1 Adverse drug reactions
| Adverse drug reaction | Frequency category |
| Metabolism and nutrition disorders | |
| Hyperkalaemia | Not known |
| Nervous system disorders | |
| Dizziness | Not known |
| Headache | Not known |
| Vascular disorders | |
| Flushing | Not known |
| Gastrointestinal disorders | |
| Nausea | Very common |
| Vomiting | Very common |
| Abdominal pain | Not known |
Reporting of suspected adverse reactions
Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via:
Yellow Card Scheme
Website: or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store
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4.9 Overdose
In the event of over-hydration or solute overload, the elimination should be promoted by frequent micturition or by forced diuresis and frequent bladder voiding.
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5. PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES
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5.1 Pharmacodynamic properties
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Pharmacotherapeutic group: All other therapeutic products, detoxifying agents for antineoplastic treatment, ATC code: V03AF11
Mechanism of action
Arginine and lysine undergo glomerular filtration and, via competition, interfere with renal resorption of lutetium (177Lu) oxodotreotide, reducing the radiation dose delivered to the kidney.
Clinical efficacy and safety
Clinical efficacy and safety for arginine and lysine are based on published literature of studies using solutions with the same arginine and lysine content as LysaKare.
The toxicities that are observed following administration of PRRT are directly due to radiation-absorbed dose to organs. The kidneys are the critical organs for toxicity for lutetium (177Lu) oxodotreotide and dose limiting if amino acids are not
administered to reduce renal uptake and retention.
A dosimetry study including 6 patients showed that a 2.5% Lysine-Arginine amino acid solution reduced renal radiation exposure by about 47% as compared to no treatment, without having an effect on tumour uptake of lutetium (177Lu) oxodotreotide. This reduction in renal radiation exposure mitigates the risk for radiation-induced renal injury.
Based on a publication of the largest study using arginine and lysine in the same quantities as LysaKare, the average kidney absorbed dose, as determined by planar imaging dosimetry, was 20.1±4.9 Gy, which is below the established threshold for the occurrence of renal toxicities of 23 Gy.
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5.2 Pharmacokinetic properties
Arginine and lysine are naturally occurring amino acids that follow physiological pharmacokinetic steps and biochemical processes after infusion.
Absorption
Due to the intravenous route of administration, LysaKare is 100% bioavailable.
Distribution
Transient elevations in plasma arginine and lysine are observed after intravenous administration, whereupon the highly water soluble amino acids are quickly distributed throughout tissues and body fluid.
Biotransformation
Like other naturally occurring amino acids, arginine and lysine serve as building blocks in protein anabolism and serve as precursors for several other products, including nitric oxide, urea, creatinine, and Acetyl-Coenzyme A.
Elimination
Arginine and lysine are rapidly distributed. Based on a study with 30 g arginine infused over 30 minutes, plasma elimination of amino acids follows at least a biphasic or triphasic decline, with levels returning to baseline within 6 hours post-dose. Initial rapid clearance is through glomerular filtration in the kidney in the first 90 minutes post-infusion. Remaining amino acid is removed by non-renal clearance.
Paediatric population
No pharmacokinetic data are available on the use of arginine and lysine at the same dose as LysaKare and for the same indication in paediatric patients.
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5.3 Preclinical safety data
There were no non-clinical studies conducted with LysaKare.
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6. PHARMACEUTICAL PARTICULARS
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6.1 List of excipients
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Water for injections
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6.2 Incompatibilities
In the absence of compatibility studies, this medicinal product must not be mixed with other medicinal products.
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6.3 Shelf life
2 years
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6.4 Special precautions for storage
Store below 25°C.
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6.5 Nature and contents of container
Infusion bag made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) containing 1,000 mL of solution, wrapped in a polyethylene polyamine/al-uminium foil.
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6.6 Special precautions for disposal
This medicinal product is for single use only.
Do not remove unit from overwrap until ready to use.
Do not use if overwrap has been previously opened or damaged. The overwrap is a moisture barrier.
Do not reconnect partially used bags.
LysaKare must not be diluted.
Do not use solutions which are cloudy or have deposits. This may indicate that the product is unstable or that the solution has become contaminated.
Once the container has been opened, the contents should be used immediately.
Any unused medicinal product or waste material should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements.
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7. MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER
Advanced Accelerator Applications
20 rue Diesel
01630 Saint Genis Pouilly
France
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8. MARKETING AUTHORISATION NUMBER(S)
EU/1/19/1381/001
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9. DATE OF FIRST AUTHORISATION/RENEWAL OF THE AUTHORISATION
Date of first authorisation: 25–07–2019
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10. DATE OF REVISION OF THE TEXT