VORICONAZOLE SCIECURE 200 MG POWDER FOR SOLUTION FOR INFUSION - summary of medicine characteristics

1 NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT

Voriconazole Sciecure 200 mg powder for solution for infusion

2 QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE COMPOSITION

Each vial contains 200 mg of voriconazole.

After reconstitution each ml contains 10 mg of voriconazole.

Once reconstituted further dilution is required before administration.

Excipient with known effect: each vial contains 222 mg sodium.

For the full list of excipients, see section 6.1.

3 PHARMACEUTICAL FORM

Powder for solution for infusion.

White to off-white freeze-dried powder or cake

4 CLINICAL PARTICULARS

4.1 Therapeutic indications

Voriconazole Sciecure is a broad-spectrum, triazole antifungal agent and is indicated in adults and children aged 2 years and above as follows:

Treatment of invasive aspergillosis.

Treatment of candidaemia in non-neutropenic patients.

Treatment of fluconazole-resistant serious invasive Candida infections (including C. krusei).

Treatment of serious fungal infections caused by Scedosporium spp. and Fusarium spp.

Voriconazole Sciecure should be administered primarily to patients with progressive, possibly lifethreatening infections.

Prophylaxis of invasive fungal infections in high risk allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients.

4.2 Posology and method of administration

Posology

Electrolyte disturbances such as hypokalaemia, hypomagnesaemia and hypocalcaemia should be monitored and corrected, if necessary, prior to initiation and during voriconazole therapy (see section 4.4).

It is recommended that Voriconazole Sciecure is administered at a maximum rate of 3 mg/kg per hour over 1 to 3 hours.

Treatment

Adults

Therapy must be initiated with the specified loading dose regimen of intravenous voriconazole to achieve plasma concentrations on Day 1 that are close to steady state.

Detailed information on dosage recommendations is provided in the following table:

Duration of treatment

Treatment duration should be as short as possible depending on the patient’s clinical and mycological response. Long term exposure to voriconazole greater than 180 days (6 months) requires careful assessment of the benefit-risk balance (see sections 4.4 and 5.1).

Dosage adjustment (Adults)

If patient is unable to tolerate intravenous treatment at 4 mg/kg twice daily, reduce the dose to 3 mg/kg twice daily.

In case of use as prophylaxis, refer below.

Children (2 to <12 years) and young adolescents with low body weight (12 to 14 years and <50 kg) Voriconazole should be dosed as children as these young adolescents may metabolize voriconazole more similarly to children than to adults.

The recommended dosing regimen is as follows:

Note: Based on a population pharmacokinetic analysis in 112 immunocom­promised paediatric patients aged 2 to <12 years and 26 immunocompro­mised adolescents aged 12 to <17 years.

It is recommended to initiate the therapy with intravenous regimen. It should be noted that an 8 mg/kg intravenous dose will provide voriconazole exposure approximately 2-fold higher than a 9 mg/kg oral dose.

All other adolescents (12 to 14 years and >0k kg; 15 to 17 years regardless of body weight) Voriconazole should be dosed as adults.

Dosage adjustment (Children [2 to <12 years] and young adolescents with low body weight [12 to 14 years and <50 kg])

If patient response to treatment is inadequate, the intravenous dose may be increased by 1 mg/kg steps. If patient is unable to tolerate treatment, reduce the intravenous dose by 1 mg/kg steps.

Use in paediatric patients aged 2 to <12 years with hepatic or renal insufficiency has not been studied (see sections 4.8 and 5.2).

Prophylaxis in Adults and Children

Prophylaxis should be initiated on the day of transplant and may be administered for up to 100 days. Prophylaxis should be as short as possible depending on the risk for developing invasive fungal infection (IFI) as defined by neutropenia or immunosuppression. It may only be continued up to 180 days after transplantation in case of continuing immunosuppression or graft versus host disease (GvHD) (see section 5.1).

Dosage

The recommended dosing regimen for prophylaxis is the same as for treatment in the respective age groups. Please refer to the treatment tables above.

Duration of prophylaxis

The safety and efficacy of voriconazole use for longer than 180 days has not been adequately studied in clinical trials.

Use of voriconazole in prophylaxis for greater than 180 days (6 months) requires careful assessment of the benefit-risk balance (see sections 4.4 and 5.1).

The following instructions apply to both Treatment and Prophylaxis

Dosage adjustment

For prophylaxis use, dose adjustments are not recommended in the case of lack of efficacy or treatment- related adverse events. In the case of treatment-related adverse events, discontinuation of voriconazole and use of alternative antifungal agents must be considered (see section 4.4 and 4.8)

Dosage adjustments in case of co-administration

Rifabutin or phenytoin may be coadministered with voriconazole if the maintenance dose of voriconazole is increased to 5 mg/kg intravenously twice daily, see sections 4.4 and 4.5.

Efavirenz may be coadministered with voriconazole if the maintenance dose of voriconazole is increased to 400 mg every 12 hours and the efavirenz dose is reduced by 50%, i.e. to 300 mg once daily. When treatment with voriconazole is stopped, the initial dosage of efavirenz should be restored (see sections 4.4 and 4.5).

Elderly

No dose adjustment is necessary for elderly patients (see section 5.2).

Renal impairment

In patients with moderate to severe renal dysfunction (creatinine clearance < 50 ml/min), accumulation of the intravenous vehicle, Betadex Sulfobutyl Ether Sodium, occurs. Oral voriconazole should be administered to these patients, unless an assessment of the risk benefit to the patient justifies the use of intravenous voriconazole. Serum creatinine levels should be closely monitored in these patients and, if increases occur, consideration should be given to changing to oral voriconazole therapy (see section 5.2).

Voriconazole is haemodialysed with a clearance of 121 ml/min. A 4-hour haemodialysis session does not remove a sufficient amount of voriconazole to warrant dose adjustment.

The intravenous vehicle, Betadex Sulfobutyl Ether Sodium, is haemodialysed with a clearance of 55 ml/min.

Hepatic impairment

It is recommended that the standard loading dose regimens be used but that the maintenance dose be halved in patients with mild to moderate hepatic cirrhosis (Child-Pugh A and B) receiving voriconazole (see section 5.2).

Voriconazole has not been studied in patients with severe chronic hepatic cirrhosis (Child-Pugh C).

There is limited data on the safety of voriconazole in patients with abnormal liver function tests (aspartate transaminase [AST], alanine transaminase [ALT], alkaline phosphatase [ALP], or total bilirubin >5 times the upper limit of normal).

Voriconazole has been associated with elevations in liver function tests and clinical signs of liver damage, such as jaundice, and must only be used in patients with severe hepatic impairment if the benefit outweighs the potential risk. Patients with severe hepatic impairment must be carefully monitored for drug toxicity (see section 4.8).

Paediatric population

The safety and efficacy of voriconazole in children below 2 years has not been established. Currently available data are described in sections 4.8 and 5.1 but no recommendation on a posology can be made.

Method of administration

Voriconazole Sciecure requires reconstitution and dilution (see section 6.6) prior to administration as an intravenous infusion. Not for bolus injection.

4.3 Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1.

Coadministration with CYP3A4 substrates, terfenadine, astemizole, cisapride, pimozide or quinidine since increased plasma concentrations of these medicinal products can lead to QTc prolongation and rare occurrences of torsades de pointes (see section 4.5).

Coadministration with rifampicin, carbamazepine and phenobarbital since these medicinal products are likely to decrease plasma voriconazole concentrations significantly (see section 4.5).

Coadministration of standard doses of voriconazole with efavirenz doses of 400 mg once daily or higher is contraindicated, because efavirenz significantly decreases plasma voriconazole concentrations in healthy subjects at these doses. Voriconazole also significantly increases efavirenz plasma concentrations (see section 4.5, for lower doses see section 4.4).

Coadministration with high-dose ritonavir (400 mg and above twice daily) because ritonavir significantly decreases plasma voriconazole concentrations in healthy subjects at this dose (see section 4.5, for lower doses see section 4.4).

Coadministration with ergot alkaloids (ergotamine, dihydroergotamine), which are CYP3A4 substrates, since increased plasma concentrations of these medicinal products can lead to ergotism (see section 4.5).

Coadministration with sirolimus since voriconazole is likely to increase plasma concentrations of sirolimus significantly (see section 4.5).

Coadministration with St. John’s Wort (see section 4.5).

4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use

Hypersensitivity

Caution should be used in prescribing Voriconazole Sciecure to patients with hypersensitivity to other azoles (see also section 4.8).

Duration of treatment

The duration of treatment with the intravenous formulation should be no longer than 6 months (see section 5.3).

Cardiovascular

Voriconazole has been associated with QTc interval prolongation. There have been rare cases of torsades de pointes in patients taking voriconazole who had risk factors, such as history of cardiotoxic chemotherapy, cardiomyopathy, hypokalaemia and concomitant medicinal products that may have been contributory.

Voriconazole should be administered with caution to patients with potentially proarrhythmic conditions, such as:

Congenital or acquired QTc-prolongation.

Cardiomyopathy, in particular when heart failure is present.

Sinus bradycardia.

Existing symptomatic arrhythmias.

Concomitant medicinal product that is known to prolong QTc interval. Electrolyte disturbances such as hypokalaemia, hypomagnesaemia and hypocalcaemia should be monitored and corrected, if necessary, prior to initiation and during voriconazole therapy

(see section 4.2). A study has been conducted in healthy volunteers which examined the effect on QTc interval of single doses of voriconazole up to 4 times the usual daily dose. No subject experienced an interval exceeding the potentially clinically-relevant threshold of 500 msec (see section 5.1).

Infusion-related reactions

Infusion-related reactions, predominantly flushing and nausea, have been observed during administration of the intravenous formulation of voriconazole. Depending on the severity of symptoms, consideration should be given to stopping treatment (see section 4.8).

Hepatic toxicity

In clinical trials, there have been cases of serious hepatic reactions during treatment with voriconazole (including clinical hepatitis, cholestasis and fulminant hepatic failure, including fatalities). Instances of hepatic reactions were noted to occur primarily in patients with serious underlying medical conditions (predominantly haematological malignancy). Transient hepatic reactions, including hepatitis and jaundice, have occurred among patients with no other identifiable risk factors. Liver dysfunction has usually been reversible on discontinuation of therapy (see section 4.8).

Monitoring of hepatic function

Patients receiving voriconazole must be carefully monitored for hepatic toxicity. Clinical management should include laboratory evaluation of hepatic function (specifically AST and ALT) at the initiation of treatment with voriconazole and at least weekly for the first month of treatment. Treatment duration should be as short as possible; however, if based on the benefit-risk assessment the treatment is continued (see section 4.2), monitoring frequency can be reduced to monthly if there are no changes in the liver function tests.

If the liver function tests become markedly elevated, voriconazole should be discontinued, unless the medical judgment of the risk-benefit of the treatment for the patient justifies continued use. Monitoring of hepatic function should be carried out in both children and adults.

Visual adverse reactions

There have been reports of prolonged visual adverse reactions, including blurred vision, optic neuritis and papilloedema (see section 4.8).

Renal adverse reactions

Acute renal failure has been observed in severely ill patients undergoing treatment with voriconazole. Patients being treated with voriconazole are likely to be treated concomitantly with nephrotoxic medicinal products and have concurrent conditions that may result in decreased renal function (see section 4.8).

Monitoring of renal function

Patients should be monitored for the development of abnormal renal function. This should include laboratory evaluation, particularly serum creatinine.

Monitoring of pancreatic function

Patients, especially children, with risk factors for acute pancreatitis (e.g., recent chemotherapy, haematopoietic stem cell transplantation [HSCT]), should be monitored closely during voriconazole treatment. Monitoring of serum amylase or lipase may be considered in this clinical situation.

Dermatological adverse reactions

Patients have developed exfoliative cutaneous reactions, such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome, during treatment with voriconazole. If a patient develops a rash he should be monitored closely and voriconazole discontinued if lesions progress.

In addition voriconazole has been associated with phototoxicity, including reactions such as ephelides, lentigo, actinic keratosis and pseudoporphyria. It is recommended that all patients, including children, avoid exposure to direct sunlight during voriconazole treatment and use measures such as protective clothing and sunscreen with high sun protection factor (SPF).

Long-term treatment

Long term exposure (treatment or prophylaxis) greater than 180 days (6 months) requires careful assessment of the benefit-risk balance and physicians should therefore consider the need to limit the exposure to voriconazole (see sections 4.2 and 5.1). The following severe adverse events have been reported in relation with long-term voriconazole treatment:

Squamous cell carcinoma of the skin (SCC) has been reported in patients, some of whom have reported prior phototoxic reactions. If phototoxic reactions occur, multidisciplinary advice should be sought and the patient should be referred to a dermatologist. Voriconazole discontinuation and use of alternative antifungal agents should be considered. Dermatologic evaluation should be performed on a systematic and regular basis, whenever voriconazole is continued despite the occurrence of phototoxicity-related lesions, to allow early detection and management of premalignant lesions. Voriconazole should be discontinued if premalignant skin lesions or squamous cell carcinoma are identified.

Non-infectious periostitis with elevated fluoride and alkaline phosphatase levels has been reported in transplant patients. If a patient develops skeletal pain and radiologic findings compatible with periostitis voriconazole discontinuation should be considered after multidisciplinary advice.

Paediatric population

Safety and effectiveness in paediatric subjects below the age of two years has not been established (see sections 4.8 and 5.1). Voriconazole is indicated for paediatric patients aged two years or older. A higher frequency of liver enzyme elevations was observed in the paediatric population (see section 4.8). Hepatic function should be monitored in both children and adults. Oral bioavailability may be limited in paediatric patients aged 2 to <12 years with malabsorption and very low body weight for age. In that case, intravenous voriconazole administration is recommended.

The frequency of phototoxicity reactions is higher in the paediatric population. As an evolution towards SCC has been reported, stringent measures for the photoprotection are warranted in this population of patients. In children experiencing photoaging injuries such as lentigines or ephelides, sun avoidance and dermatologic follow-up are recommended even after treatment discontinuation.

Prophylaxis

In case of treatment-related adverse events (hepatotoxicity, severe skin reactions including phototoxicity and SCC, severe or prolonged visual disorders and periostitis), discontinuation of voriconazole and use of alternative antifungal agents must be considered.

Phenytoin (CYP2C9 substrate and potent CYP450 inducer)

Careful monitoring of phenytoin levels is recommended when phenytoin is coadministered with voriconazole. Concomitant use of voriconazole and phenytoin should be avoided unless the benefit outweighs the risk (see section 4.5).

Efavirenz (CYP450 inducer; CYP3A4 inhibitor and substrate)

When voriconazole is coadministered with efavirenz the dose of voriconazole should be increased to 400 mg every 12 hours and the dose of efavirenz should be decreased to 300 mg every 24 hours (see sections 4.2, 4.3 and 4.5).

Rifabutin (Potent CYP450 inducer)

Careful monitoring of full blood counts and adverse reactions to rifabutin (e.g., uveitis) is recommended when rifabutin is coadministered with voriconazole. Concomitant use of voriconazole and rifabutin should be avoided unless the benefit outweighs the risk (see section 4.5).

Ritonavir (potent CYP450 inducer; CYP3A4 inhibitor and substrate)

Coadministration of voriconazole and low-dose ritonavir (100 mg twice daily) should be avoided unless an assessment of the benefit/risk to the patient justifies the use of voriconazole (see sections 4.3 and 4.5).

Everolimus (CYP3A4 substrate, P-gp substrate)

Coadministration of voriconazole with everolimus is not recommended because voriconazole is expected to significantly increase everolimus concentrations. Currently there are insufficient data to allow dosing recommendations in this situation (see section 4.5).

Methadone (CYP3A4 substrate)

Frequent monitoring for adverse reactions and toxicity related to methadone, including QTc prolongation, is recommended when coadministered with voriconazole since methadone levels increased following coadministration of voriconazole. Dose reduction of methadone may be needed (see section 4.5).

Short-acting opiates (CYP3A4 substrate)

Reduction in the dose of alfentanil, fentanyl and other short-acting opiates similar in structure to alfentanil and metabolised by CYP3A4 (e.g., sufentanil) should be considered when coadministered with voriconazole (see section 4.5). As the half-life of alfentanil is prolonged in a 4-fold manner when alfentanil is coadministered with voriconazole, and in an independent published study concomitant use of voriconazole with fentanyl resulted in an increase in the mean AUC0-,, of fentanyl, frequent monitoring for opiate- associated adverse reactions (including a longer respiratory monitoring period) may be necessary.

Long-acting opiates (CYP3A4 substrate)

Reduction in the dose of oxycodone and other long-acting opiates metabolized by CYP3A4 (e.g., hydrocodone) should be considered when coadministered with voriconazole. Frequent monitoring for opiate- associated adverse reactions may be necessary (see section 4.5).

Fluconazole (CYP2C9, CYP2C19 and CYP3A4 inhibitor)

Coadministration of oral voriconazole and oral fluconazole resulted in a significant increase in Cmax and AUCt of voriconazole in healthy subjects. The reduced dose and/or frequency of voriconazole and fluconazole that would eliminate this effect have not been established. Monitoring for voriconazole- associated adverse reactions is recommended if voriconazole is used sequentially after fluconazole (see section 4.5).

Sodium content

This medicinal product contains 222mg of sodium per vial. To be taken under consideration by patients on a controlled sodium diet.

4.5 Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction

Voriconazole is metabolised by, and inhibits the activity of, cytochrome P450 isoenzymes, CYP2C19, CYP2C9, and CYP3A4. Inhibitors or inducers of these isoenzymes may increase or decrease voriconazole plasma concentrations, respectively, and there is potential for voriconazole to increase the plasma concentrations of substances metabolised by these CYP450 isoenzymes.

Unless otherwise specified, drug interaction studies have been performed in healthy adult male subjects using multiple dosing to steady state with oral voriconazole at 200 mg twice daily (BID). These results are relevant to other populations and routes of administration.

Voriconazole should be administered with caution in patients with concomitant medication that is known to prolong QTc interval. When there is also a potential for voriconazole to increase the plasma concentrations of substances metabolised by CYP3A4 isoenzymes (certain antihistamines, quinidine, cisapride, pimozide), coadministration is contraindicated (see below and section 4.3).

Interaction table

Interactions between voriconazole and other medicinal products are listed in the table below (once daily as “QD”, twice daily as “BID”, three times daily as “TID” and not determined as “ND”). The direction of the arrow for each pharmacokinetic parameter is based on the 90% confidence interval of the geometric mean ratio being within (-), below (!) or above (f) the 80–125% range. The asterisk () indicates a two-way interaction. AUCT, AUCt and AUC0-, represent area under the curve over a dosing interval, from time zero to the time with detectable measurement and from time zero to infinity, respectively.

The interactions in the table are presented in the following order: contraindications, those requiring dose adjustment and careful clinical and/or biological monitoring, and finally those that have no significant pharmacokinetic interaction but may be of clinical interest in this therapeutic field.

4.6 Fertility, pregnancy and lactation

Pregnancy

There are no adequate data on the use of voriconazole in pregnant women available.

Studies in animals have shown reproductive toxicity (see section 5.3). The potential risk for humans is unknown.

Voriconazole must not be used during pregnancy unless the benefit to the mother clearly outweighs the potential risk to the foetus.

Women of child-bearing potential

Women of child-bearing potential must always use effective contraception during treatment.

Breast-feeding

The excretion of voriconazole into breast milk has not been investigated. Breast-feeding must be stopped on initiation of treatment with Voriconazole.

Fertility

In an animal study, no impairment of fertility was demonstrated in male and female rats (see section 5.3).

4.7 Effects on ability to drive and use machines

Voriconazole has moderate influence on the ability to drive and use machines. It may cause transient and reversible changes to vision, including blurring, altered/enhanced visual perception and/or photophobia. Patients must avoid potentially hazardous tasks, such as driving or operating machinery while experiencing these symptoms.

4.8 Undesirable effects

Summary of safety profile

The safety profile of voriconazole in adults is based on an integrated safety database of more than 2,000 subjects (including 1,603 adult patients in therapeutic trials) and an additional 270 adults in prophylaxis trials. This represents a heterogeneous population, containing patients with haematological malignancy, HIV-infected patients with oesophageal candidiasis and refractory fungal infections, non-neutropenic patients with candidaemia or aspergillosis and healthy volunteers.

The most commonly reported adverse reactions were visual impairment, pyrexia, rash, vomiting, nausea, diarrhoea, headache, peripheral oedema, liver function test abnormal, respiratory distress and abdominal pain.

The severity of the adverse reactions was generally mild to moderate. No clinically significant differences were seen when the safety data were analysed by age, race, or gender.

Tabulated list of adverse reactions

In the table below, since the majority of the studies were of an open nature, all causality adverse reactions and their frequency categories in 1,873 adults from pooled therapeutic (1,603) and prophylaxis (270) studies, by system organ class, are listed.

Frequency categories are expressed as: 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); Not known (cannot be estimated from the available data).

Within each frequency grouping, undesirable effects are presented in order of decreasing seriousness.

Undesirable effects reported in subjects receiving voriconazole:

*ADR identified post-marketing

1 Includes febrile neutropenia and neutropenia.

2 Includes immune thrombocytopenic purpura.

3 Includes nuchal rigidity and tetany.

4Includes hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy and metabolic encephalopathy.

5Includes akathisia and parkinsonism.

6See “Visual impairments” paragraph in section 4.8.

7Prolonged optic neuritis has been reported post-marketing. See section 4.4.

8See section 4.4.

9Includes dyspnoea and dyspnoea exertional.

10Includes drug-induced liver injury, hepatitis toxic, hepatocellular injury and hepatotoxicity.

11Includes periorbital oedema, lip oedema, and oedema mouth.

Description of selected adverse reactions

Visual impairments

In clinical trials, visual impairments (including blurred vision, photophobia, chloropsia, chromatopsia, colour blindness, cyanopsia, eye disorder, halo vision, night blindness, oscillopsia, photopsia, scintillating scotoma, visual acuity reduced, visual brightness, visual field defect, vitreous floaters, and xanthopsia) with voriconazole were very common. These visual impairments were transient and fully reversible, with the majority spontaneously resolving within 60 minutes and no clinically significant long-term visual effects were observed. There was evidence of attenuation with repeated doses of voriconazole. The visual impairments were generally mild, rarely resulted in discontinuation and were not associated with long-term sequelae. Visual impairments may be associated with higher plasma concentrations and/or doses.

The mechanism of action is unknown, although the site of action is most likely to be within the retina. In a study in healthy volunteers investigating the impact of voriconazole on retinal function, voriconazole caused a decrease in the electroretinogram (ERG) waveform amplitude. The ERG measures electrical currents in the retina. The ERG changes did not progress over 29 days of treatment and were fully reversible on withdrawal of voriconazole.

There have been post-marketing reports of prolonged visual adverse events (see section 4.4).

Dermatological reactions

Dermatological reactions were very common in patients treated with voriconazole in clinical trials, but these patients had serious underlying diseases and were receiving multiple concomitant medicinal products. The majority of rashes were of mild to moderate severity. Patients have developed serious cutaneous reactions, including Stevens-Johnson syndrome (uncommon), toxic epidermal necrolysis (rare) and erythema multiforme (rare) during treatment with voriconazole.

If a patient develops a rash they should be monitored closely and voriconazole discontinued if lesions progress. Photosensitivity reactions such as ephelides, lentigo and actinic keratosis have been reported, especially during long-term therapy (see section 4.4).

There have been reports of squamous cell carcinoma of the skin in patients treated with voriconazole for long periods of time; the mechanism has not been established (see section 4.4).

Liver function tests

The overall incidence of transaminase increases >3 xULN (not necessarily comprising an adverse event) in the voriconazole clinical programme was 18.0% (319/1,768) in adults and 25.8% (73/283) in paediatric subjects who received voriconazole for pooled therapeutic and prophylaxis use. Liver function test abnormalities may be associated with higher plasma concentrations and/or doses. The majority of abnormal liver function tests either resolved during treatment without dose adjustment or following dose adjustment, including discontinuation of therapy.

Voriconazole has been associated with cases of serious hepatic toxicity in patients with other serious underlying conditions. This includes cases of jaundice, hepatitis and hepatic failure leading to death (see section 4.4).

Infusion-related reactions

During infusion of the intravenous formulation of voriconazole in healthy subjects, anaphylactoidtype reactions, including flushing, fever, sweating, tachycardia, chest tightness, dyspnoea, faintness, nausea, pruritus and rash have occurred. Symptoms appeared immediately upon initiating the infusion (see section

4.4).

Prophylaxis

In an open-label, comparative, multicenter study comparing voriconazole and itraconazole as primary prophylaxis in adult and adolescent allogeneic HSCT recipients without prior proven or probable IFI, permanent discontinuation of voriconazole due to AEs was reported in 39.3% of subjects versus 39.6% of subjects in the itraconazole arm. Treatment-emergent hepatic AEs resulted in permanent discontinuation of study medication for 50 subjects (21.4%) treated with voriconazole and for 18 subjects (7.1%) treated with itraconazole.

Paediatric population

The safety of voriconazole was investigated in 288 paediatric patients aged 2 to <12 years (169) and 12 to <18 years (119) who received voriconazole for prophylaxis (183) and therapeutic use (105) in clinical trials. The safety of voriconazole was also investigated in 158 additional paediatric patients aged 2 to <12 years in compassionate use programs. Overall, the safety profile of voriconazole in paediatric population was similar to that in adults. However, a trend towards a higher frequency of liver enzyme elevations, reported as adverse events in clinical trials was observed in paediatric patients as compared to adults (14.2% transaminases increased in paediatrics compared to 5.3% in adults). Post-marketing data suggest there might be a higher occurrence of skin reactions (especially erythema) in the paediatric population compared to adults. In the 22 patients less than 2 years old who received voriconazole in a compassionate use programme, the following adverse reactions (for which a relationship to voriconazole could not be excluded) were reported: photosensitivity reaction (1), arrhythmia (1), pancreatitis (1), blood bilirubin increased (1), hepatic enzymes increased (1), rash (1) and papilloedema (1). There have been post-marketing reports of pancreatitis in paediatric patients.

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 the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.

4.9 Overdose

5   PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES

5.1   Pharmacodynamic properties

5.2 Pharmacokinetic properties

General pharmacokinetic characteristics

The pharmacokinetics of voriconazole have been characterised in healthy subjects, special populations and patients. During oral administration of 200 mg or 300 mg twice daily for 14 days in patients at risk of aspergillosis (mainly patients with malignant neoplasms of lymphatic or haematopoietic tissue), the observed pharmacokinetic characteristics of rapid and consistent absorption, accumulation and non-linear pharmacokinetics were in agreement with those observed in healthy subjects.

The pharmacokinetics of voriconazole are non-linear due to saturation of its metabolism. Greater than proportional increase in exposure is observed with increasing dose. It is estimated that, on average, increasing the oral dose from 200 mg twice daily to 300 mg twice daily leads to a 2.5-fold increase in exposure (AUCT). The oral maintenance dose of 200 mg (or 100 mg for patients less than 40 kg) achieves a voriconazole exposure similar to 3 mg/kg IV. A 300 mg (or 150 mg for patients less than 40 kg) oral maintenance dose achieves an exposure similar to 4 mg/kg IV. When the recommended intravenous or oral loading dose regimens are administered, plasma concentrations close to steady state are achieved within the first 24 hours of dosing. Without the loading dose, accumulation occurs during twice daily multiple dosing with steady-state plasma voriconazole concentrations being achieved by Day 6 in the majority of subjects.

Absorption

Voriconazole is rapidly and almost completely absorbed following oral administration, with maximum plasma concentrations (Cmax) achieved 1–2 hours after dosing. The absolute bioavailability of voriconazole after oral administration is estimated to be 96%. When multiple doses of voriconazole are administered with high fat meals, Cmax and AUCT are reduced by 34% and 24%, respectively. The absorption of voriconazole is not affected by changes in gastric pH.

Distribution

The volume of distribution at steady state for voriconazole is estimated to be 4.6 L/kg, suggesting extensive distribution into tissues. Plasma protein binding is estimated to be 58%.

Cerebrospinal fluid samples from eight patients in a compassionate programme showed detectable voriconazole concentrations in all patients.

Biotransformation

In vitro studies showed that voriconazole is metabolised by the hepatic cytochrome P450 isoenzymes CYP2C19, CYP2C9 and CYP3A4.

The inter-individual variability of voriconazole pharmacokinetics is high.

In vivo studies indicated that CYP2C19 is significantly involved in the metabolism of voriconazole. This enzyme exhibits genetic polymorphism. For example, 15–20% of Asian populations may be expected to be poor metabolisers. For Caucasians and Blacks the prevalence of poor metabolisers is 3–5%. Studies conducted in Caucasian and Japanese healthy subjects have shown that poor metabolisers have, on average, 4-fold higher voriconazole exposure (AUCt) than their homozygous extensive metaboliser counterparts.

Subjects who are heterozygous extensive metabolisers have on average 2-fold higher voriconazole exposure than their homozygous extensive metaboliser counterparts.

The major metabolite of voriconazole is the N-oxide, which accounts for 72% of the circulating radiolabelled metabolites in plasma. This metabolite has minimal antifungal activity and does not contribute to the overall efficacy of voriconazole.

Elimination

Voriconazole is eliminated via hepatic metabolism with less than 2% of the dose excreted unchanged in the urine.

After administration of a radiolabelled dose of voriconazole, approximately 80% of the radioactivity is recovered in the urine after multiple intravenous dosing and 83% in the urine after multiple oral dosing. The majority (>94%) of the total radioactivity is excreted in the first 96 hours after both oral and intravenous dosing.

The terminal half-life of voriconazole depends on dose and is approximately 6 hours at 200 mg (orally). Because of non-linear pharmacokinetics, the terminal half-life is not useful in the prediction of the accumulation or elimination of voriconazole.

Pharmacokinetics in special patient groups

Gender

In an oral multiple-dose study, Cmax and AUCT for healthy young females were 83% and 113% higher, respectively, than in healthy young males (18–45 years). In the same study, no significant differences in Cmax and AUCT were observed between healthy elderly males and healthy elderly females (>65 years).

In the clinical programme, no dosage adjustment was made on the basis of gender. The safety profile and plasma concentrations observed in male and female patients were similar. Therefore, no dosage adjustment based on gender is necessary.

Elderly

In an oral multiple-dose study Cmax and AUCT in healthy elderly males (>65 years) were 61% and 86% higher, respectively, than in healthy young males (18–45 years). No significant differences in Cmax and AUCT were observed between healthy elderly females (>65 years) and healthy young females (18–45 years).

In the therapeutic studies no dosage adjustment was made on the basis of age. A relationship between plasma concentrations and age was observed. The safety profile of voriconazole in young and elderly patients was similar and, therefore, no dosage adjustment is necessary for the elderly (see section 4.2).

Paediatric population

The recommended doses in children and adolescent patients are based on a population pharmacokinetic analysis of data obtained from 112 immunocom­promised paediatric patients aged 2 to <12 years and 26 immunocompro­mised adolescent patients aged 12 to <17 years. Multiple intravenous doses of 3, 4, 6, 7 and 8 mg/kg twice daily and multiple oral doses (using the powder for oral suspension) of 4 mg/kg, 6 mg/kg, and 200 mg twice daily were evaluated in 3 paediatric pharmacokinetic studies. Intravenous loading doses of 6 mg/kg IV twice daily on day 1 followed by 4 mg/kg intravenous dose twice daily and 300 mg oral tablets twice daily were evaluated in one adolescent pharmacokinetic study. Larger inter-subject variability was observed in paediatric patients compared to adults.

A comparison of the paediatric and adult population pharmacokinetic data indicated that the predicted total exposure (AUC) in children following administration of a 9 mg/kg IV loading dose was comparable to that in adults following a 6 mg/kg IV loading dose. The predicted total exposures in children following IV maintenance doses of 4 and 8 mg/kg twice daily were comparable to those in adults following 3 and 4 mg/kg IV twice daily, respectively. The predicted total exposure in children following an oral maintenance dose of 9 mg/kg (maximum of 350 mg) twice daily was comparable to that in adults following 200 mg oral twice daily. An 8 mg/kg intravenous dose will provide voriconazole exposure approximately 2-fold higher than a 9 mg/kg oral dose.

The higher intravenous maintenance dose in paediatric patients relative to adults reflects the higher elimination capacity in paediatric patients due to a greater liver mass to body mass ratio. Oral bioavailability may, however, be limited in paediatric patients with malabsorption and very low body weight for their age. In that case, intravenous voriconazole administration is recommended.

Voriconazole exposures in the majority of adolescent patients were comparable to those in adults receiving the same dosing regimens. However, lower voriconazole exposure was observed in some young adolescents with low body weight compared to adults. It is likely that these subjects may metabolize voriconazole more similarly to children than to adolescents/adults. Based on the population pharmacokinetic analysis, 12– to 14– year-old adolescents weighing less than 50 kg should receive children’s doses (see section 4.2).

Renal impairment

In patients with moderate to severe renal dysfunction (serum creatinine levels > 2.5 mg/dl), accumulation of the intravenous vehicle, Betadex Sulfobutyl Ether Sodium, occurs (see sections 4.2 and 4.4).

Hepatic impairment

After an oral single-dose (200 mg), AUC was 233% higher in subjects with mild to moderate hepatic cirrhosis (Child-Pugh A and B) compared with subjects with normal hepatic function. Protein binding of voriconazole was not affected by impaired hepatic function.

In an oral multiple-dose study, AUCT was similar in subjects with moderate hepatic cirrhosis (Child-Pugh B) given a maintenance dose of 100 mg twice daily and subjects with normal hepatic function given 200 mg twice daily. No pharmacokinetic data are available for patients with severe hepatic cirrhosis (Child-Pugh C) (see sections 4.2 and 4.4).

5.3 Preclinical safety data

Repeated-dose toxicity studies with voriconazole indicated the liver to be the target organ. Hepatotoxicity occurred at plasma exposures similar to those obtained at therapeutic doses in humans, in common with other antifungal agents. In rats, mice and dogs, voriconazole also induced minimal adrenal changes.

Conventional studies of safety pharmacology, genotoxicity or carcinogenic potential did not reveal a special hazard for humans.

In reproduction studies, voriconazole was shown to be teratogenic in rats and embryotoxic in rabbits at systemic exposures equal to those obtained in humans with therapeutic doses. In the pre-and post-natal development study in rats at exposures lower than those obtained in humans with therapeutic doses, voriconazole prolonged the duration of gestation and labour and produced dystocia with consequent maternal mortality and reduced perinatal survival of pups. The effects on parturition are probably mediated by species-specific mechanisms, involving reduction of oestradiol levels, and are consistent with those observed with other azole antifungal agents.

Voriconazole administration induced no impairment of male or female fertility in rats at exposures similar to those obtained in humans at therapeutic doses.

Preclinical data on the intravenous vehicle Betadex Sulfobutyl Ether Sodium indicated that the main effects were vacuolation of urinary tract epithelium and activation of macrophages in the liver and lungs in the repeated-dose toxicity studies. As GPMT (guinea pig maximisation test) result was positive, prescribers should be aware of the hypersensitivity potential of the intravenous formulation. Standard genotoxicity and reproduction studies with the excipient Betadex Sulfobutyl Ether Sodium reveal no special hazard for humans. Carcinogenicity studies were not performed with Betadex Sulfobutyl Ether Sodium. An impurity present in Betadex Sulfobutyl Ether Sodium has been shown to be an alkylating mutagenic agent with evidence for carcinogenicity in rodents. This impurity should be considered a substance with carcinogenic potential in humans. In light of these data the duration of treatment with the intravenous formulation should be no longer than 6 months.

6.1 List of excipients

Betadex Sulfobutyl Ether Sodium

6.2 Incompatibilities

Voriconazole Sciecure must not be infused into the same line or cannula concomitantly with other intravenous products. When the Voriconazole Sciecure infusion is complete, the line may be used for administration of other intravenous products.

Blood products and short-term infusion of concentrated solutions of electrolytes: Electrolyte disturbances such as hypokalaemia, hypomagnesaemia and hypocalcaemia should be corrected prior to initiation of voriconazole therapy (see sections 4.2 and 4.4). Voriconazole Sciecure must not be administered simultaneously with any blood product or any short-term infusion of concentrated solutions of electrolytes, even if the two infusions are running in separate lines.

Total parenteral nutrition: Total parenteral nutrition (TPN) need not be discontinued when prescribed with Voriconazole Sciecure, but does need to be infused through a separate line. If infused through a multiple-lumen catheter, TPN needs to be administered using a different port from the one used for Voriconazole Sciecure. Voriconazole Sciecure must not be diluted with 4.2% Sodium Bicarbonate Infusion. Compatibility with other concentrations is unknown.

This medicinal product must not be mixed with other medicinal products except those mentioned in section 6.6.

6.3

3 years

From a microbiological point of view, once reconstituted, the product must be used immediately. If not used immediately, in-use storage times and conditions prior to use are the responsibility of the user and would normally not be longer than 24 hours at 2°C to 8°C (in a refrigerator).

Chemical and physical in-use stability has been demonstrated for 24 hours at 2°C to 8°C.

6.4 Special precautions for storage

This medicinal product does not require any special temperature storage conditions.

Store in the original package in order to protect from light.

For storage conditions after reconstitution of the medicinal product, see section 6.3.

6.5 Nature and contents of container

50 ml clear Type I glass vial with bromobutyl rubber stopper and aluminum seal with blue, plastic flip-off cap.

6.6 Special precautions for disposal

Any unused medicinal product or waste material should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements.

The powder is reconstituted with either 19 ml of water for injections or 19 ml of 9 mg/ml (0.9%) Sodium Chloride for Infusion to obtain an extractable volume of 20 ml of clear concentrate containing 10 mg/ml of voriconazole. Discard the Voriconazole Sciecure vial if vacuum does not pull the diluent into the vial. It is recommended that a standard 20 ml (non-automated) syringe be used to ensure that the exact amount (19.0 ml) of water for injections or (9 mg/ml [0.9%]) Sodium Chloride for Infusion is dispensed. This medicinal product is for single use only and any unused solution should be discarded. Only clear solutions without particles should be used.

For administration, the required volume of the reconstituted concentrate is added to a recommended compatible infusion solution (detailed in the table below) to obtain a final voriconazole solution containing 0.5– 5 mg/ml.

The reconstituted solution can be diluted with:

Sodium Chloride 9 mg/ml (0.9%) Solution for Injection

Compound Sodium Lactate Intravenous Infusion

5% Glucose and Lactated Ringer’s Intra­venous Infusion

5% Glucose and 0.45% Sodium Chloride Intravenous Infusion

5% Glucose Intravenous Infusion

5% Glucose in 20 mEq Potassium Chloride Intravenous Infusion

0.45% Sodium Chloride Intravenous Infusion

5% Glucose and 0.9% Sodium Chloride Intravenous Infusion

The compatibility of voriconazole with diluents other than described above or in section 6.2 is unknown.

Required Volumes of 10 mg/ml Voriconazole Concentrate

Further information is provided for medical or healthcare professionals at the end of the Package Leaflet.

7 MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER

Sciecure Pharma Limited

3000 Cathedral Hill

Guildford

GU2 7YB, United Kingdom

8 MARKETING AUTHORISATION NUMBER(S)

PL 43801/0060

9 DATE OF FIRST AUTHORISATION/RENEWAL OF THE AUTHORISATION

29/10/2018