There were no reports of overdose in the lipodystrophy clinical trial program of MYALEPT. In the event of an overdose, patients should be monitored and appropriate supportive treatment be initiated as dictated by the patient's clinical status.
MYALEPT is contraindicated in patients with general obesity not associated with congenital leptin deficiency. MYALEPT has not been shown to be effective in treating general obesity, and the development of anti-metreleptin antibodies with neutralizing activity has been reported in obese patients treated with MYALEPT.
HypersensitivityMYALEPT is contraindicated in patients with prior severe hypersensitivity reactions to metreleptin or to any of the product components. Known hypersensitivity reactions have included anaphylaxis, urticaria and generalized rash.
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.
Open-Label, Single-Arm StudyThe safety of MYALEPT was evaluated in 48 patients with generalized lipodystrophy in a single-arm, open-label study. The median duration of exposure in this trial was 2.7 years with a range of 3.6 months to 10.9 years. The most frequent adverse reactions are summarized in Table 2.
Table 2: Adverse Reactions of 5% or Greater Incidence
in Patients with Generalized Lipodys trophy Receiving MYALEPT in an Open-Label,
Single-Arm Study
All Subjects N=48 (%) |
|
Headache | 6 (13) |
Hypoglycemia1 | 6 (13) |
Decreased weight | 6 (13) |
Abdominal pain | 5 (10) |
Arthralgia | 4 (8) |
Dizziness | 4 (8) |
Ear infection | 4 (8) |
Fatigue | 4 (8) |
Nausea | 4 (8) |
Ovarian cyst | 4 (8) |
Upper respiratory tract infection | 4 (8) |
Anemia | 3 (6) |
Back pain | 3 (6) |
Diarrhea | 3 (6) |
Paresthesia | 3 (6) |
Proteinuria | 3 (6) |
Pyrexia | 3 (6) |
1Hypoglycemic events were assessed as mild, moderate, severe, or life threatening based on the protocol specified definitions: Mild: Documentation of low plasma glucose values with no symptoms; Moderate: Presence of clinical symptoms requiring ingestion of glucose, self-alleviated; Severe: Presence of neuroglycopenic symptoms requiring assistance from others for alleviation; Life threatening: Loss of consciousness and/or requiring intervention by administration of intravenous glucose or intramuscular glucagon. |
In patients with generalized lipodystrophy receiving MYALEPT in this study, less common adverse reactions included injection-site erythema and urticaria (N=2 [4%]).
Six patients (13%) had 7 adverse reactions of hypoglycemia, 6 of which occurred in the setting of concomitant insulin use, with or without oral antihyperglycemic agents.
Two patients (4%) had events of pancreatitis, both of whom had a medical history of pancreatitis.
ImmunogenicityAs with all therapeutic proteins, there is potential for immunogenicity. Anti-metreleptin antibodies were detected in 84% (36/43) of generalized lipodystrophy patients studied in the MYALEPT trials. Total anti-metreleptin antibody titers ranged between 1:5 and 1:1,953,125. The incompleteness of the current immunogenicity database precludes understanding of the magnitude and persistence of the observed anti-drug antibody responses. Anti-metreleptin antibodies with neutralizing activity associated with adverse events consistent with loss of endogenous leptin activity and/or loss of MYALEPT efficacy were observed in 6% (2/33) of the patients with generalized lipodystrophy tested. Adverse events reported in these two patients included severe infections and worsening of metabolic control (increases in HbA1c and/or triglycerides). Test for anti-metreleptin antibodies with neutralizing activity in patients who develop severe infections or show signs suspicious for loss of MYALEPT efficacy during treatment. Contact Aegerion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. at 1-866-216-1526 for testing of clinical samples.
The detection of antibody formation is highly dependent on the sensitivity and specificity of the assay. The immunogenicity assays utilized in clinical trials lacked sensitivity, resulting in potential underestimation of the number of samples positive for anti-metreleptin antibodies with neutralizing activity. Additionally, the observed incidence of antibody (including neutralizing antibody) positivity in an assay may be influenced by several factors including assay methodology, sample handling, timing of sample collection, concomitant medications, and underlying disease. For these reasons, comparison of the incidence of antibodies to metreleptin with the incidence of antibodies to other products may be misleading.
MYALEPT (metreleptin) for injection is indicated as an adjunct to diet as replacement therapy to treat the complications of leptin deficiency in patients with congenital or acquired generalized lipodystrophy.
Sections or subsections omitted from the full prescribing information are not listed.
Limitations Of UseClinical studies in patients with generalized lipodystrophy suggest that MYALEPT increases insulin sensitivity and reduces food intake. Improvements in insulin sensitivity and reductions in food intake are consistent with lower HbA1c, fasting glucose, and fasting triglyceride values that were seen in the MYALEPT clinical trial.
There are limited data on the pharmacokinetics of metreleptin in patients with generalized lipodystrophy, and therefore, no formal exposure-response analysis has been performed. It should be noted that the leptin assay measures both endogenous leptin as well as exogenously administered metreleptin.
AbsorptionPeak serum leptin concentration (Cmax) occurred approximately 4.0 to 4.3 hours after subcutaneous administration of single doses ranging from 0.1 to 0.3 mg/kg in healthy subjects. In a supportive trial in lipodystrophy patients, the median Tmax of metreleptin was 4 hours (range: 2 to 8 hours; N=5) following single-dose administration of metreleptin.
DistributionIn studies of healthy adult subjects, following intravenous administration of metreleptin, leptin volume of distribution was approximately 4 to 5 times plasma volume; volumes (Vz) (mean ± SD) were 370 ± 184 mL/kg, 398 ± 92 mL/kg, and 463 ± 116 mL/kg for 0.3, 1.0, and 3.0 mg/kg/day doses, respectively.
Metabolism And EliminationNo formal metabolism studies have been conducted with metreleptin. Nonclinical data indicate renal clearance is the major route of metreleptin elimination, with no apparent contribution of systemic metabolism or degradation. Following single subcutaneous doses of 0.01 to 0.3 mg/mL metreleptin in healthy subjects, the half-life was 3.8 to 4.7 hours. The clearance of metreleptin is expected to be delayed in the presence of leptin antibodies.
There is a program that monitors outcomes in women exposed to MYALEPT during pregnancy. Women who become pregnant during MYALEPT treatment are encouraged to enroll. Patients or their physicians should call 1-855-6MYALEPT to enroll.
Risk SummaryThere are no adequate and well-controlled studies of MYALEPT in pregnant women. All pregnancies, regardless of drug exposure, have a background rate of 2% to 4% for major malformations and 15% to 20% for pregnancy loss. In a pre- and postnatal development study in mice, administration of metreleptin caused prolonged gestation and dystocia resulting in maternal death during parturition and lower survival of offspring in the immediate postnatal period at doses starting approximately at the maximum recommended clinical dose. Because animal reproduction studies are not always predictive of human response, MYALEPT should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.
Clinical ConsiderationsDisease-Associated Maternal And Fetal Risk
The contribution of MYALEPT to obstetrical risks and complications is unknown compared with those already documented in the lipodystrophy patient population (e.g., gestational diabetes, macrosomia, eclampsia, intrauterine growth retardation, intrauterine death, and miscarriage).
Labor And Delivery
The effects of MYALEPT on labor and delivery in pregnant women are unknown. In an in vitro study of human myometrial tissue exposed to a recombinant leptin, human uterine contractility was inhibited. Furthermore, prolonged gestation and dystocia were observed in animal studies with metreleptin (see below).
Animal DataMetreleptin administered to pregnant mice during the period of organogenesis was not teratogenic at doses ranging between 7- and 15-fold the maximum recommended clinical dose, based on body surface area of a 20- and 60-kg patient, respectively.
In a pre- and postnatal development study in mice, metreleptin administered at doses of 3, 10, and 30 mg/kg (approximately 1-, 5-, and 15-fold the clinical dose for a 60-kg subject, based on body surface area) from gestation day 6 to lactation day 21 caused prolonged gestation and dystocia at all doses, starting at approximately the maximum recommended clinical dose. Prolonged gestation resulted in the death of some females during parturition and lower survival of offspring within the immediate postnatal period. Consistent with metreleptin pharmacology, decreased maternal body weight was observed from gestation throughout lactation at all doses and resulted in reduced weight of offspring at birth, which persisted into adulthood. However, no developmental abnormalities were observed and reproductive performance of the first or second generations was not affected at any dose.
Placental transfer of metreleptin into the fetus was low (approximately 1%) following subcutaneous dosing.
For Injection: 11.3 mg of metreleptin supplied in a vial as a sterile, white, solid, lyophilized cake (delivers 5 mg per mL of metreleptin when reconstituted with 2.2 mL of BWFI or WFI).
MYALEPT (metreleptin) for injection for subcutaneous administration is supplied in a single carton containing one vial for reconstitution (NDC 76431-210-01).
Each vial contains 11.3 mg metreleptin (as a sterile, white, solid, lyophilized cake) to deliver 5 mg per mL of metreleptin when reconstituted with 2.2 mL of BWFI or WFI.
Storage And HandlingManufactured for: Aegerion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Cambridge, MA 02142. Revised: Sep 2015
Included as part of the PRECAUTIONS section.
PRECAUTIONS Risk For Development Of Antibodies That Neutralize Endogenous Leptin And/Or MYALEPTAnti-metreleptin antibodies with in vitro neutralizing activity to leptin associated with adverse events consistent with loss of endogenous leptin activity and/or loss of efficacy have been identified in two patients with generalized lipodystrophy treated with MYALEPT (severe infections, increases in HbA1c and triglycerides), and in three patients without lipodystrophy who received MYALEPT in clinical studies (excessive weight gain, development of glucose intolerance or diabetes mellitus). The clinical implications associated with development of anti-metreleptin antibodies with neutralizing activity are not well characterized at this time due to the small number of reports. Test for anti-metreleptin antibodies with neutralizing activity in patients who develop severe infections or show signs suspicious for loss of MYALEPT efficacy during treatment. Contact Aegerion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. at 1-866-216-1526 for neutralizing antibody testing of clinical samples.
LymphomaThree cases of T-cell lymphoma have been reported in the MYALEPT lipodystrophy program; all three patients had acquired generalized lipodystrophy. Two of these patients were diagnosed with peripheral T-cell lymphoma while receiving MYALEPT. Both had immunodeficiency and significant hematologic abnormalities including severe bone marrow abnormalities before the start of MYALEPT treatment. A separate case of anaplastic large cell lymphoma was reported in a patient receiving MYALEPT who did not have hematological abnormalities before treatment.
Lymphoproliferative disorders, including lymphomas, have been reported in patients with acquired generalized lipodystrophy not treated with MYALEPT. A causal relationship between MYALEPT treatment and the development and/or progression of lymphoma has not been established. Acquired lipodystrophies are associated with autoimmune disorders, and autoimmune disorders are associated with an increased risk of malignancies including lymphomas.
The benefits and risks of MYALEPT treatment should be carefully considered in patients with acquired generalized lipodystrophy and/or those with significant hematologic abnormalities (including leukopenia, neutropenia, bone marrow abnormalities, lymphoma, and/or lymphadenopathy).
MYALEPT REMS ProgramMYALEPT is available only through a restricted distribution program under a REMS, called the MYALEPT REMS Program, because of the risks associated with the development of anti-metreleptin antibodies that neutralize endogenous leptin and/or MYALEPT and the risk for lymphoma.
Notable requirements of the MYALEPT REMS Program include the following:
Further information is available at www.myaleptrems.com or 1-855-6MYALEPT.
Hypoglycemia With Concomitant Use With Insulin And Insulin SecretagoguesDosage adjustments, including possible large reductions, of insulin or insulin secretagogue (e.g., sulfonylurea) may be necessary in some patients to minimize the risk of hypoglycemia. Closely monitor blood glucose in patients on concomitant insulin therapy, especially those on high doses, or insulin secretagogue (e.g., sulfonylurea), when treating with MYALEPT.
AutoimmunityLeptin plays a role in immune system homeostasis. Acquired lipodystrophies are associated with autoimmune disorders including autoimmune hepatitis and membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis. Cases of progression of autoimmune hepatitis and membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (associated with massive proteinuria and renal failure) were observed in some patients with acquired generalized lipodystrophy treated with MYALEPT. A causal relationship between MYALEPT treatment and the development and/or progression of autoimmune disease has not been established. The potential benefits and risks of MYALEPT treatment should be carefully considered in patients with autoimmune disease.
HypersensitivityThere have been reports of generalized hypersensitivity (e.g., anaphylaxis, urticaria or generalized rash) in patients taking MYALEPT. If a hypersensitivity reaction occurs, instruct the patient to promptly seek medical advice regarding discontinuation of MYALEPT.
Benzyl Alcohol ToxicityMYALEPT contains benzyl alcohol when reconstituted with BWFI. MYALEPT contains no preservative when reconstituted with sterile Water for Injection (WFI). Preservative-free WFI is recommended for use in neonates and infants. The preservative benzyl alcohol has been associated with serious adverse events and death in pediatric patients, particularly in neonates and premature infants.
Patient Counseling InformationSee FDA-approved Patient Labeling (Medication Guide).
Risk Of Neutralizing AntibodiesAdvise patients that neutralizing antibodies may result in loss in activity of endogenous leptin or loss of efficacy of MYALEPT. Advise patients on symptoms or signs that would warrant antibody testing.
Risk Of LymphomaAdvise patients that lymphoma has been reported in patients both treated and not treated with MYALEPT.
Advise patients on symptoms or signs that indicate changes in hematologic status and the importance of routine laboratory assessments and physician monitoring.
Risk Of HypoglycemiaAdvise patients that the risk of hypoglycemia is increased when MYALEPT is used in combination with insulin or an insulin secretagogue (e.g., sulfonylurea). Explain the symptoms, treatment, and conditions that predispose to development of hypoglycemia to the patient. Advise patients who are taking concomitant insulin, especially those on high doses, or an insulin secretagogue, to closely monitor blood glucose. Hypoglycemia management should be reviewed and reinforced when initiating MYALEPT therapy, particularly when concomitantly administered with insulin or an insulin secretagogue.
Risk Of Autoimmune DiseaseAdvise patients that worsening of autoimmune disease has been reported during the clinical study of MYALEPT. Advise patients with a history of autoimmune disease on symptoms or signs that indicate exacerbation of underlying autoimmune disease and the importance of routine laboratory assessments and physician monitoring.
Risk Of Hypersensitivity ReactionsInform patients that hypersensitivity reactions have been reported during use of MYALEPT. If symptoms of hypersensitivity reactions occur, patients should seek medical advice.
Nursing MothersAdvise nursing mothers that breastfeeding is not recommended with MYALEPT use.
InstructionsTwo-year carcinogenicity studies in rodents have not been conducted with metreleptin. No proliferative or preneoplastic lesions were observed in mice or dogs following treatment up to six months. However, leptin is reported in the literature to promote cell proliferation in vitro and tumor progression in some mouse models of cancer.
Metreleptin was not mutagenic in the Ames bacterial mutagenicity assay or clastogenic in an in vitro chromosomal aberration assay in Chinese hamster ovary cells and human peripheral blood lymphocytes. Metreleptin was not mutagenic or clastogenic in an in vivo mouse micronucleus assay.
In a fertility study in mice, metreleptin had no adverse effects on mating, fertility, or early embryonic development at doses ranging between 7 and 15 times the maximum recommended clinical dose based on body surface area of a 20- and 60-kg patient, respectively.
Use In Specific Populations Pregnancy Pregnancy Category CThere is a program that monitors outcomes in women exposed to MYALEPT during pregnancy. Women who become pregnant during MYALEPT treatment are encouraged to enroll. Patients or their physicians should call 1-855-6MYALEPT to enroll.
Risk SummaryThere are no adequate and well-controlled studies of MYALEPT in pregnant women. All pregnancies, regardless of drug exposure, have a background rate of 2% to 4% for major malformations and 15% to 20% for pregnancy loss. In a pre- and postnatal development study in mice, administration of metreleptin caused prolonged gestation and dystocia resulting in maternal death during parturition and lower survival of offspring in the immediate postnatal period at doses starting approximately at the maximum recommended clinical dose. Because animal reproduction studies are not always predictive of human response, MYALEPT should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.
Clinical ConsiderationsDisease-Associated Maternal And Fetal Risk
The contribution of MYALEPT to obstetrical risks and complications is unknown compared with those already documented in the lipodystrophy patient population (e.g., gestational diabetes, macrosomia, eclampsia, intrauterine growth retardation, intrauterine death, and miscarriage).
Labor And Delivery
The effects of MYALEPT on labor and delivery in pregnant women are unknown. In an in vitro study of human myometrial tissue exposed to a recombinant leptin, human uterine contractility was inhibited. Furthermore, prolonged gestation and dystocia were observed in animal studies with metreleptin (see below).
Animal DataMetreleptin administered to pregnant mice during the period of organogenesis was not teratogenic at doses ranging between 7- and 15-fold the maximum recommended clinical dose, based on body surface area of a 20- and 60-kg patient, respectively.
In a pre- and postnatal development study in mice, metreleptin administered at doses of 3, 10, and 30 mg/kg (approximately 1-, 5-, and 15-fold the clinical dose for a 60-kg subject, based on body surface area) from gestation day 6 to lactation day 21 caused prolonged gestation and dystocia at all doses, starting at approximately the maximum recommended clinical dose. Prolonged gestation resulted in the death of some females during parturition and lower survival of offspring within the immediate postnatal period. Consistent with metreleptin pharmacology, decreased maternal body weight was observed from gestation throughout lactation at all doses and resulted in reduced weight of offspring at birth, which persisted into adulthood. However, no developmental abnormalities were observed and reproductive performance of the first or second generations was not affected at any dose.
Placental transfer of metreleptin into the fetus was low (approximately 1%) following subcutaneous dosing.
Nursing MothersIt is not known if MYALEPT is present in human milk. Endogenous leptin is present in human milk. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions (including possible adverse reactions related to passage of anti-metreleptin antibodies) in nursing infants from MYALEPT a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or discontinue the drug, taking into account importance of drug to the mother.
Pediatric UseThe MYALEPT study included a total of 35 pediatric patients (73%) with an age range from 1 to 17 years. No clinically meaningful differences were observed in the efficacy and safety of MYALEPT between pediatric and adult patients.
MYALEPT contains benzyl alcohol when reconstituted with BWFI. MYALEPT contains no preservative when reconstituted with WFI. Preservative-free WFI is recommended for use in neonates and infants. The preservative benzyl alcohol has been associated with serious adverse events and death, particularly in pediatric patients. The “gasping syndrome” (characterized by central nervous system depression, metabolic acidosis, gasping respirations, and high levels of benzyl alcohol and its metabolites found in the blood and urine) has been associated with benzyl alcohol dosages >99 mg/kg/day in neonates and low-birth weight infants. Additional symptoms may include gradual neurological deterioration, seizures, intracranial hemorrhage, hematologic abnormalities, skin breakdown, hepatic and renal failure, hypotension, bradycardia, and cardiovascular collapse.
Although normal therapeutic doses of this product deliver amounts of benzyl alcohol that are substantially lower than those reported in association with the “gasping syndrome,” the minimum amount of benzyl alcohol at which toxicity may occur is not known. Premature and low-birth-weight infants, as well as patients receiving high dosages, may be more likely to develop toxicity. Practitioners administering this and other medications containing benzyl alcohol should consider the combined daily metabolic load of benzyl alcohol from all sources. When reconstituted with 2.2 mL of BWFI, MYALEPT contains 1.76 mg of benzyl alcohol per mg of metreleptin or 9 mg of benzyl alcohol per mL of reconstituted product.
Geriatric UseClinical trials of MYALEPT did not include sufficient numbers of subjects aged 65 and over (n=1) to determine whether they respond differently from younger subjects. In general, dose selection for an elderly patient should be cautious, usually starting at the low end of the dosing range, reflecting the greater frequency of decreased hepatic, renal, or cardiac function, and of concomitant disease or other drug therapy.
See Table 1 for the recommended daily dose and maximum recommended daily dose in adults and pediatric patients.
Based on clinical response (e.g., inadequate metabolic control) or other considerations (e.g., tolerability issues, excessive weight loss [especially in pediatric patients]), MYALEPT dosage may be decreased or increased to the maximum dosage listed in Table 1.
Table 1: MYALEPT Recommended Dosage
Baseline Weight | Starting Daily Dose (injection volume) | Dose Adjustments (injection volume) | Maximum Daily Dose (injection volume) |
Less than or equal to 40 kg (males and females) | 0.06 mg/kg (0.012 mL/kg) | 0.02 mg/kg (0.004 mL/kg) | 0.13 mg/kg (0.026 mL/kg) |
Males greater than 40 kg | 2.5 mg (0.5 mL) | 1.25 mg (0.25 mL) to 2.5 mg (0.5 mL) | 10 mg (2 mL) |
Females greater than 40 kg | 5 mg (1 mL) | 1.25 mg (0.25 mL) to 2.5 mg (0.5 mL) | 10 mg (2 mL) |
MYALEPT should be administered once daily at the same time every day. MYALEPT can be administered any time of day without regard to the timing of meals.
Instruct patients that if a dose is missed, administer the dose as soon as noticed, and resume the normal dosing schedule the next day.
MYALEPT Preparation And StorageHealthcare practitioners should provide proper training to patients and caregivers regarding how to prepare and administer the correct dose of MYALEPT prior to self-use. The patients and caregivers should prepare and administer the first dose of MYALEPT under the supervision of a qualified healthcare professional.
Instruct patients to store the vials of lyophilized powder in their carton in the refrigerator as soon as received.
MYALEPT can be reconstituted aseptically with 2.2 mL of sterile Bacteriostatic Water for Injection (BWFI), USP (0.9% benzyl alcohol), or with 2.2 mL of sterile Water for Injection (WFI).
When reconstituted in BWFI, MYALEPT solution can be used within 3 days when stored in the refrigerator between 36°F and 46°F (2°C and 8°C) and protected from light. Discard unused reconstituted solution after 3 days. Attach the supplied sticker to the vial and enter the discard date.
For use in neonates and infants, reconstitute with preservative-free sterile WFI. When reconstituted in sterile WFI, MYALEPT should be administered immediately. Unused reconstituted solution cannot be saved for later use and should be discarded.
Reconstitution Of The Lyophilized PowderInstruct patients to follow the directions below for reconstitution of the lyophilized powder:
See the MYALEPT Instructions for Use for complete administration instructions. The instructions can also be found at www.myalept.com.
Administration InstructionsHealthcare practitioners should instruct patients and caregivers on the proper subcutaneous injection technique with care to avoid intramuscular injection in patients with minimal subcutaneous adipose tissue. Never administer MYALEPT intravenously or intramuscularly.
Instruct patients to follow the recommended injection technique:
Do not mix MYALEPT with insulin. Use a separate syringe for each medication. If MYALEPT and insulin are administered at the same time of day, they may be injected in the same body area using two different injection sites.
See the MYALEPT Instructions for Use for complete administration instructions. The instructions can also be found at www.myalept.com.
Dosage Adjustments Of Medications Known To Cause HypoglycemiaDosage adjustments, including possible large reductions, of insulin or insulin secretagogue (e.g., sulfonylurea) may be necessary in some patients to minimize the risk of hypoglycemia. Closely monitor blood glucose in patients on concomitant insulin therapy, especially those on high doses, or insulin secretagogue (e.g., sulfonylurea) when treating with MYALEPT.
Discontinuation In Patients At Risk For PancreatitisWhen discontinuing MYALEPT therapy in patients with risk factors for pancreatitis (e.g., history of pancreatitis, severe hypertriglyceridemia), tapering of the dose over a one-week period is recommended. During tapering, monitor triglyceride levels and consider initiating or adjusting the dose of lipid-lowering medications as needed. Signs and/or symptoms consistent with pancreatitis should prompt an appropriate clinical evaluation.
No drug interaction studies have been conducted in lipodystrophy patients.